If first-year College of Saint Benilde Blazers head coach TY Tang had his way, the game between his squad and the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA Altas should not have been played in the first place.
“Before the game, for me, if you were to ask me, this game was already over before it started,” the 32-year old mentor shared after Saint Benilde suffered a heartbreaking 65-69 defeat, Tuesday afternoon.
“It should be a forfeiture. It’s under the rules.”
Prior to tip-off, the game’s tip-off was delayed for at least 43 minutes after the Altas sported their dark uniform instead of their assigned light jerseys for the game. But after a deliberation in the VIP room of the Filoil Flying V Centre, the league decided to push through with the game, even if a resolution had yet to be reached. Perpetual were assessed with a technical foul to start the game.
“I was surprised yes. I was shocked that the game still continued on and just a technical foul was given to the other side,” the Filipino-Chinese coach added.
The last time an incident like this occurred in the NCAA’s senior basketball tournament was back in 2008, when Saint Benilde faced the San Beda Red Lions. San Beda’s Sam Ekwe played wearing a wrong jersey. The game was still played but the result was overturned in favor of Saint Benilde.
“Hey, if just one player didn’t bring the jersey, do you think that team would have fielded that guy in? No, because it will be a forfeiture of the game,” Tang opined.
“What more if the whole team does that? I don’t understand. What are the rules right now? For me personally I’m confused.”
But even with the controversy, the young Blazers still played on, making the rookie head coach proud of his team.
“If that’s the game that we’re gonna play again next time around? I’ll be proud of my boys, proud of the team,” Tang expressed.
The league is still deliberating whether the result of the game will be reversed.
