A female referee who officiated the UAAP Collegiate Men’s Basketball game between De La Salle University and the University of the East last Wednesday expressed her disappointment — not just over the post-game rant of Red Warriors head coach Chris Gavina, but also over the harsh criticism faced by game officials throughout the season.
Roselle Ponting, one of the three officials who called the game, admitted to losing confidence after Gavina’s expletive-laden tirade following their 111-110 loss.
“I’ve poured my heart into being an officiating official. I’ve trained hard, studied every rule, and pushed myself to be better with every game I officiate. It’s not an easy job—it takes discipline, focus, and a love for the sport that goes beyond what most people ever see,” Ponting, who has been officiating since 2014, wrote on social media.
“I’ve missed family moments, worked through exhaustion, and faced criticism with grace, all because I believe in fairness and integrity on the field.
“But then there was that one game—a game where I gave everything I had, where I stood by every call with confidence and care—and still, we were called idiots. Just one word, shouted in anger, cut deeper than anyone could imagine. It’s easy to forget that behind the whistle is a person—someone who trains, sacrifices, and simply wants to do the right thing,” she continued.
During his post-game rant, Gavina targeted the three officials who called for Wello Lingolingo’s disqualification for committing an unsportsmanlike foul (criteria 2) on Kean Baclaan.
“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.”
He later added, “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. But what’s happening? There are three idiots on the f—— floor, and they’ve got nothing to even explain to me.”
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Ponting admitted that those words hurt the group but said she remains committed to the profession she chose.
“Yet even through the hurt, I remind myself why I do this. Because I love the game. Because every tough moment builds strength. Because respect isn’t always given—sometimes, it’s earned quietly through consistency and courage.
“So I’ll keep showing up, keep working hard, and keep doing my best, no matter what names they call me,” she added.
Criticism of officiating this UAAP season has been widely voiced through the media. Besides Gavina, coaches such as Tab Baldwin, Haydee Ong, Leo Pujante, and Jeff Napa have also expressed their displeasure over what they consider “inconsistent” calls.
Ponting, however, hopes coaches realize that referees, like players and coaches, also feel the pressure.
“Referees are not the enemy. We’re not the reason a team wins or loses—we’re just doing our best to keep the game fair and flowing. Behind every whistle is a person who has trained, studied, and worked hard to make the right calls under intense pressure. We don’t step on that field to ruin someone’s game; we step there because we love the sport and believe in fairness. Every decision we make is guided by what we see, what we’ve learned, and what’s right—never by bias or emotion,” she said.
“So when things don’t go a team’s way, please remember—we feel the pressure too. We’re human. We make mistakes, but we always give our best. What we don’t deserve is being insulted, disrespected, or called ‘idiots.'”
At the end of the day, Ponting stressed, basketball is just a game.
“Respect the officials. Respect the game. Because without us, the game doesn’t go on—and all we ask for in return is the same respect we give to every player and coach on that field.”
⚠️ 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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