Egay Macaraya and the San Sebastian College-Recoletos Golden Stags are already immune to controversies. But this time around, this was beyond their control.
Tuesday evening, Justin Gutang – who was having a spectacular game – drove in for a lay-up as time expired. But replays showed that it was too close to call.
But after almost five minutes of review, the officials deemed that the shot did not make it in time. San Sebastian won in cardiac fashion.
All throughout the season, the Golden Stags have been handed too many heartbreaks. Remember Levi dela Cruz’s clutch triple last July 27, or Prince Eze’s tip-in last August 9?
“They deserve to win also pero ganiyan talaga ang basketball. Minsan, katulad din ng nangyari sa amin sa Perpetual at Arellano when it happens,” shared third-year San Sebastian head coach Egay Macaraya.
This time the Stags got the break, but the Blazers are planning to put the game under protest.
Upon hearing this, Macaraya will not take the impending protest personally, saying that it’s part of the game. He expressed that he knows how badly the Blazers needed this win, as they are in the midst of a heated Final Four race.
“Sa amin, as I’ve said, they need the game. Alam natin na mas kailangan nila yun. But wala akong magagawa. Binigay ng referees sa amin,” shared Macaraya.
“Kung ano man ang mangyari, okay lang sa amin, but it was a good game.”
