Coach Yeng Guiao is calling for the PBA to investigate the referees after Deon Thompson fouled out during the third quarter of Rain or Shine’s eventual loss to Converge in Game 1 of their Commissioner”s Cup quarterfinals Wednesday.
So frustrated was the fiery bench tactician that he wanted as much to happen after the Elasto Painters got reduced to an all-Filipino squad following the three straight fouls called on their import barely four minutes into the said period.
That alone changed the complexion of the match as far as he’s concerned, which has pushed the team to a tough spot in the best-of-3 affair.
“I think the PBA should investigate those referees. Sila nagdecide nung laro,” Guiao said moments after the 130-118 defeat at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
“Dikit ang laro nun eh, so magreremedyo ka na lang after that. Maganda sana yung laban kaya lang yun nga, sobrang kaninipis nung mga tawag.”
Guiao lamented how fast those whistles were blown against his import that it deprived Thompson’s supposed replacement to sub in for him.
“Ngayon lang ako nakakita sa buong buhay ko, sa PBA ako, na ganun kaninipis, itatawag ng sunud-sunod,” said the champion mentor.
“Ni hindi man lang nakapasok ‘yung replacement niya,” he added. “May replacement na siya e. Hindi man lang inabutan na mapalitan siya.”
Then came the sixth and final foul that disqualified Thompson: a landing spot infraction on counterpart Cheick Diallo which didn’t sit well with Guiao.
So much so that he called it ‘ridiculous’ as he ripped how an offensive player can initiate contact by sticking their feet out — and hold the defender liable.
“It’s ridiculous, that landing spot foul. Di nila alam iapply kung papano eh,” he said. “Basta, natapakan ‘yung paa mo. Eh kung ako tumatalon tapos tatapakan ko ‘yung pangalawang paa ko don sa paa mo, which is exactly what happened.
“Kahit na gaano kanipis yung tama, ikaw pa rin may kasalanan kung ikaw ‘yung nasa depensa. I think kailangang ireview yung mga rules na ganun. Ridiculous na,” Guiao added.
#WATCH: Coach Yeng Guiao wants the PBA to review the calls on Deon Thompson in Game 1 of the Commissioner’s Cup Quarterfinals
@justinebacnis /Tiebreaker Times#PBA2025 pic.twitter.com/mrVWfRumEY
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) February 5, 2025
