In a statement released Thursday, the PBA admitted that the call made by one of the referees late in the 2019 Philippine Cup match between NorthPort Batang Pier and Phoenix Pulse Fuel Masters Wednesday had been a wrong one.
The league has been put under scrutiny yet again when Sean Anthony’s trey over the defense of Justin Chua with 48.7 seconds left got waved off as referee Noy Gueverra deemed that he committed an offensive foul after the shot.
Anthony and the Batang Pier lost, 96-98.
“Upon review of the video of the February 27, 2019 game between Northport Batang Pier and Phoenix Pulse Fuel Masters, the PBA Technical Group had come to the conclusion and admits that the Offensive Foul called by one of the referees against Northport’s Sean Anthony, during the last 47.8 seconds of the 4th quarter of the game, was a wrong call,” the league said.
“The league added that they regret such wrong call, and the referee will be slapped with sanctions. “It was an unfortunate mistake by the referee in calling the offensive foul and we regret the wrong call made,” the league said.
“Accordingly, the erring referee shall be meted the appropriate sanction.
“Rest assured that the PBA Technical Group holds impartiality, transparency, fairness and integrity as prime values in officiating and with only what is best for the league and its fans in mind,” the short statement closed.
Anthony has been asked about the call right after the match, but he decided not to comment anymore.
