University of the East head coach Chris Gavina was livid.
Moments after the Red Warriors fell in a gut-wrenching 111-110 overtime defeat to De La Salle University in the UAAP Season 88 Men’s Basketball Tournament on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, the fiery mentor unleashed a scathing tirade against the referees.
He insisted that their officiating robbed UE of what could’ve been its first win of the season.
“The first thing I want to say is I hope these three referees never f—— ref again in any of our games,” Gavina fumed.
“They did a complete disservice to the outcome of this game. The beauty of the competition was taken away because you call an unsportsmanlike on one of our best players on a loose ball.”
The breaking point for Gavina came late in regulation when guard Wello Lingolingo, who had been scorching hot with 24 points on 6-of-13 shooting, was whistled for an unsportsmanlike foul category 2 after a loose ball collision with La Salle’s Kean Baclaan — a play that would eventually see Lingolingo ejected.
Lingolingo appeared to unintentionally fall on Baclaan’s legs while both players scrambled for possession.
However, referees explained to Gavina that the 6-foot-1 guard “purposely jumped” on Baclaan, citing Article 37.1.1 of the 2024 FIBA Official Basketball Rules, which defines an unsportsmanlike foul as “excessive and hard contact in an attempt to play the ball or an opponent.”
At that point, UE held an 89-84 lead with 4:20 left in the fourth quarter.
The Red Warriors would eventually lose both Lingolingo — who had earlier been called for a technical in the third quarter for faking a foul — and their momentum.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“You watch that video again,” Gavina said, still seething. “There’s no way on a loose ball, when there hasn’t been a whistle, that everyone going for it should get called for an unsportsmanlike. Call a regular foul! You call an unsportsmanlike on a play like that?
“Wello had 24 points at that moment. Twenty-four! They’re supposed to be the best of the best? Get the f— out of here. Hell no,” he added.
“Yes, we squandered a 21-point lead, but hold these refs accountable.”
Gavina’s outburst adds to a growing chorus of discontent among UAAP coaches regarding officiating this season.
Ateneo’s Tab Baldwin and NU’s Jeff Napa had also voiced concerns about the quality of calls made by referees in recent games.
For Gavina, who once coached in the PBA with Rain or Shine, the frustration runs deeper.
“This is supposed to be the second-highest level of competitive basketball in the Philippines, outside of the PBA and the national team,” he said.
“All eight UAAP coaches are experiencing the same disservice. The referees have to be held to the same accountability we demand from our players.”
That “disservice,” Gavina lamented, overshadowed a historic individual night for Precious Momowei, who erupted for 42 points — the first 40-point game in UAAP collegiate men’s basketball since Alvin Pasaol’s 49-point explosion against La Salle back in Season 80.
“I’m tired of it. It’s not just me. Coaches all week have been saying the same thing — let the players decide the outcome of these games,” Gavina continued. “But what’s happening? There are three idiots on the f—— floor, and they’ve got nothing to even explain to me.
“What, we don’t get calls because we’re not one of the top teams? My guys played with so much pride today, and one of them got taken away.”
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Despite his fury, Gavina expressed sympathy for Baclaan, who had to be stretchered off the court with a right knee injury on the same play where Lingolingo was ejected.
“Believe me, Kean getting injured was a tragedy,” Gavina said.
“I love him as a player. I never want to see anyone of that caliber get hurt. But in that situation, both guys were diving for the ball. You can’t blame anyone there. That’s how we train — go after every possession, fight for every ball.”
Baclaan’s injury adds to La Salle’s growing list of setbacks after losing forward Mason Amos to a Grade 3 MCL tear earlier this week.
“Hopefully, nothing serious happened to Kean,” Gavina added.
“Prayers go out to him. We just want everyone to move forward from this.”
The Red Warriors remain winless at 0-6, but Gavina made it clear that his team’s fight — and his voice — won’t be silenced anytime soon.
⚠️ WARNING: Profanity ⚠️#WATCH: Chris Gavina went on an expletive post-game rant after UE’s heartbreaking 111-110 OT loss to La Salle 🛡️🏀#ReadMore 👉 https://t.co/2qrLjJYnI2
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— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) October 15, 2025
