Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times
Photo by PBA Images

Basketball

Norman Black to seek PBA review of Game Two


Meralco head coach Norman Black chose not to comment about officiating in Game Two of the 2021-22 PBA Governors’ Cup Finals on Friday night.

There’s a proper avenue for it, he said.

“We’ll just do it the correct way,” offered the champion mentor moments after their 93-99 defeat that allowed Ginebra to tie the series at a game apiece.

Tony Bishop was seen pleading to the referee after a tough shot over Justin Brownlee with 6:32 to go, and with the Bolts in the midst of a rally.

The Panamanian was asking for a foul, since there was a clear contact with his counterpart when he went up for the shot that sliced the gap, 88-86.

That shot from point-blank was practically a clean-up of his own miss — a lay-up against Christian Standhardinger, where there was also contact.

Adding insult to injury for Meralco, so to speak, was that Standhardinger and Brownlee got three-point plays each afterward to make it a 94-86 lead.

“We’ll call the office and ask them to review,” said Black.

“And, get their opinion on some of the calls. It’s hard to complain in public, guys. Doesn’t always do you any good,” he added in between chuckles.

Black refuses to pin the blame whatsoever on how the calls went. He could only concede that Ginebra was a much better team than in Game One.

The Grand Slam-winning coach noted the way their foes shot the ball, where they went 46-percent, including a 13-of-35 clip from deep.

They made seven of their triples in the first half, which saw them explode for 40 big points in the second period to head into the break up 60-42.

#ReadMore  JRU guns down EAC by 29 points to even slate

“I thought Ginebra shot the ball really, really well tonight compared to the first game,” he said. “And we just seemed to be a step slower as far as closing out on the shooters, and challenging their shots.

“We did a much better job in the second half but we let them get a lead, too, which was pretty difficult to come back from.”

Then, of course, Justin Brownlee was back to his old, deadly ways, which saw him erupt for 36 points, 13 rebounds, and nine assists.

“Brownlee was making his shots and all the other guys were making theirs, too, so it became more difficult to defend them,” said Black.

Now, it’s all about going back to the drawing board for Game Three on Sunday, still at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.

“It’s a best-of-seven; now it’s a best-of-five.”

All PBA games stream live on GigaPlay. Download it now on Android or IOS.

The finals is also livestreamed on SMART Sports.

Written By

Oftentimes on the sidelines. Forever a student of the game. Morayta-bred.


You May Also Like

Basketball

Another edition of the Manila Clasico will take place on Christmas Day as the PBA on Monday unveiled the full 2024-25 Commissioner’s Cup schedule....

Basketball

Akil Mitchell delivered a sensational debut performance for Meralco, scoring 33 points and grabbing 22 rebounds to lead the Bolts to a thrilling 81-80...

Basketball

Allen Durham has retired from professional basketball at the age of 36 following his last appearance on the court with Meralco in Okinawa. The...

Basketball

Allen Durham made his return to Okinawa as a member of Meralco, but the night ended in disappointment as they succumbed to Ryukyu, 77-74,...

Basketball

Meralco and San Miguel experienced contrasting starts to their 2024-25 East Asia Super League (EASL) campaigns at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on...

Basketball

Ginebra brought out the brooms and swept Meralco, 113-106, to book the first seat to the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup semifinals, Monday evening....

Basketball

Justin Brownlee wielded his endgame magic time and again to lift Ginebra past Meralco, 104-103, and move a win away from the PBA Season...

Basketball

Justin Brownlee showed the way as Barangay Ginebra withstood Meralco in another playoff battle between old foes, 99-92, to take Game 1 of their...

Advertisement