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Monday, October 22, 2012
Pido and Alas' 'slit-throat' gestures won't be taken lightly in PBA By Reuben Terrado
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SPOT THE DIFFERENCE: Actually there is none, with both UST coach Pido Jarencio, left, and Letran's Louie Alas making 'slit-throat' gestures during games and both going unpunished. Jerome Ascano
IF you’re a coach and you’re in the habit of doing that slit-throat gesture whenever you feel like your team is getting the raw end of the calls, here’s an advice.
Don’t you dare try it in the PBA.
“It’s completely unacceptable,” PBA commissioner Chito Salud told Spin.ph when asked on the separate but similar incidents involving University of Santo Tomas coach Pido Jarencio and now Letran’s Louie Alas that has caused controversy in the college leagues.
“It’s an attack on the credibility and integrity of the league and it disrespects not just the officiating but the league as a whole. It has no place in any tournament, be in in the barangay level, in the college or amateur ranks or in the pro ranks.”
Apparently, the people running the show in the country’s top college leagues do not feel as strongly about the issue. Jarencio got away with a warning when he did the gesture during Game One of the last UAAP Finals against the Ateneo Blue Eagles.
Alas, on the other hand, copped heat after he made a similar gesture during Game Two of the NCAA Finals against San Beda, with the league’s management committee – acting on the recommendation of Commissioner Joe Lipa – threatening to slap him with a suspension if the Letran coach doesn’t issue a public apology.
But with Alas already issuing an apology through the media, the Letran coach, like Jarencio before him, will most likely come out of the incident unpunished – which former Philippine Basketball League commissioner Chino Trinidad finds quite odd.
“Granting na hindi sila sinuspinde dahil finals na, pero at the very least dapat meron pa ring punishment,” said the popular broadcaster. “If you know you’d risk being suspended if you do something and still went on and did it, then you’re looking for trouble.”
What Trinidad finds more troubling, however, were the actions of NCAA referees supervisor Romy Guevarra, who, angered by the Letran coach’s slit-throat gesture, was seen on replays flashing a dirty finger at Alas late in the game.
“When you took on that responsibility as a games official, no amount of provocation should make you react the way he did,” said Trinidad. All the complaints from coaches and the jeers from the fans “come with the territory,” he added.
Salud, Trinidad, and another former PBL commissioner, Yeng Guiao, were in agreement that the twin controversies could have been handled better had there been a defined structure in the two leagues that could properly address acts that are deemed detrimental to the leagues.
Guiao said the problem goes even deeper, citing the lack of a permanently tenured commissioner from both leagues as the “root cause of the problem.”
“Dapat the board or the management committee of these leagues should just be setting policies and guidelines,” said the Rain or Shine coach. “After that, it is the commissioner who should run the show.”
Under the present set-up of the two leagues, where all decisions of the Office of the Commissioner are subject to appeal before the board, Trinidad said the commissioners are no more than “caretakers” or “tournament directors” and his office no more than a "recommendatory body."
Salud said putting the final decisions on purely basketball matters in the hands of the board in the case of the UAAP and the management committee in the NCAA is a recipe for disaster. “When you give the final say to a conflicted group of people, you’re asking for trouble,” he said.
Appointing a permanently tenured commissioner for both leagues is “a big step in the right direction. Half the problem will be solved right there,” Salud said.
Asked what awaits Jarencio and Alas - incidentally, both are assistant coaches in the pro league - of any coach for that matter if they do a similar gesture during a PBA game, Salud said: "At the least, a hefty fine. Depende sa circumstances, but most likely a suspension as well."
Don’t you dare try it in the PBA.
“It’s completely unacceptable,” PBA commissioner Chito Salud told Spin.ph when asked on the separate but similar incidents involving University of Santo Tomas coach Pido Jarencio and now Letran’s Louie Alas that has caused controversy in the college leagues.
“It’s an attack on the credibility and integrity of the league and it disrespects not just the officiating but the league as a whole. It has no place in any tournament, be in in the barangay level, in the college or amateur ranks or in the pro ranks.”
Apparently, the people running the show in the country’s top college leagues do not feel as strongly about the issue. Jarencio got away with a warning when he did the gesture during Game One of the last UAAP Finals against the Ateneo Blue Eagles.
Alas, on the other hand, copped heat after he made a similar gesture during Game Two of the NCAA Finals against San Beda, with the league’s management committee – acting on the recommendation of Commissioner Joe Lipa – threatening to slap him with a suspension if the Letran coach doesn’t issue a public apology.
But with Alas already issuing an apology through the media, the Letran coach, like Jarencio before him, will most likely come out of the incident unpunished – which former Philippine Basketball League commissioner Chino Trinidad finds quite odd.
“Granting na hindi sila sinuspinde dahil finals na, pero at the very least dapat meron pa ring punishment,” said the popular broadcaster. “If you know you’d risk being suspended if you do something and still went on and did it, then you’re looking for trouble.”
What Trinidad finds more troubling, however, were the actions of NCAA referees supervisor Romy Guevarra, who, angered by the Letran coach’s slit-throat gesture, was seen on replays flashing a dirty finger at Alas late in the game.
“When you took on that responsibility as a games official, no amount of provocation should make you react the way he did,” said Trinidad. All the complaints from coaches and the jeers from the fans “come with the territory,” he added.
Salud, Trinidad, and another former PBL commissioner, Yeng Guiao, were in agreement that the twin controversies could have been handled better had there been a defined structure in the two leagues that could properly address acts that are deemed detrimental to the leagues.
Guiao said the problem goes even deeper, citing the lack of a permanently tenured commissioner from both leagues as the “root cause of the problem.”
“Dapat the board or the management committee of these leagues should just be setting policies and guidelines,” said the Rain or Shine coach. “After that, it is the commissioner who should run the show.”
Under the present set-up of the two leagues, where all decisions of the Office of the Commissioner are subject to appeal before the board, Trinidad said the commissioners are no more than “caretakers” or “tournament directors” and his office no more than a "recommendatory body."
Salud said putting the final decisions on purely basketball matters in the hands of the board in the case of the UAAP and the management committee in the NCAA is a recipe for disaster. “When you give the final say to a conflicted group of people, you’re asking for trouble,” he said.
Appointing a permanently tenured commissioner for both leagues is “a big step in the right direction. Half the problem will be solved right there,” Salud said.
Asked what awaits Jarencio and Alas - incidentally, both are assistant coaches in the pro league - of any coach for that matter if they do a similar gesture during a PBA game, Salud said: "At the least, a hefty fine. Depende sa circumstances, but most likely a suspension as well."
Follow the writer on Twitter: @reubensports
No end to Petron injury woes as Danny I likely to go under the knife By Gerry Ramos
Petron veteran Danny Ildefonso has become so used to dislocating the shoulder that it was he himself who popped it back into place shortly after hurting it following the collision with Rico Maierhofer. PBA Images/ Nuki Sabio
PETRON’S injury woes just keep on piling up.
After June Mar Fajardo, it’s now veteran Danny Ildefonso who’s likely to be sidelined for the Boosters in the PBA Philippine Cup.
A day after dislocating his left shoulder for the fifth time, initial recommendation made by doctors point to the former two-time MVP needing immediate surgery. He is set to undergo an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) on Tuesday.
Ildefonso, at 35 one of the most senior players in the league, hurt the oft-injured shoulder when he banged bodies with Ginebra’s Rico Maierhofer as he tried posting up during their game on Sunday which the Boosters won, 98-95.
“Kailangan ko daw pa-operahan na kasi five times nang na-dislocate itong shoulder ko,” said the veteran center out of National University.
Ildefonso has become so used to dislocating the shoulder that it was he himself who popped it back into place shortly after hurting it following the collision with Maierhofer.
“Sanay na ako, kaya ako na rin nagbalik. Basta kailangan mo lang naman relax ka at huwag mag-panic,” he said.
As per the assessment of Petron’s battery of therapists, at least two to three months will be needed for Ildefonso to recuperate following the operation.
“Pabalik-balik na kasi, kaya mas nahihirapan na akong maglaro,” he said. “Pero maraming players na nag-undergo ng same operation at mas nagtagal pa yung playing career nila.”
“It’s a chronic problem, so recommendation is for surgery,” added SMC sports director Noli Eala.
If ever, Ildefonso will be the second Petron big man to be sidelined after the 6-foot-9 Fajardo.
The year’s top rookie pick also went under the knife last week to ease the swelling and stop the bleeding on his scrotum. The Cebuano big man is likely out for the next four weeks.
Former Smart Gilas standout Marcio Lassiter also has yet to see action for the team since he was acquired in a trade with the defunct Powerade franchise.
“Really unfortunate,” Eala added of the misfortune the Boosters suffered in just a week’s span.
After June Mar Fajardo, it’s now veteran Danny Ildefonso who’s likely to be sidelined for the Boosters in the PBA Philippine Cup.
A day after dislocating his left shoulder for the fifth time, initial recommendation made by doctors point to the former two-time MVP needing immediate surgery. He is set to undergo an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) on Tuesday.
Ildefonso, at 35 one of the most senior players in the league, hurt the oft-injured shoulder when he banged bodies with Ginebra’s Rico Maierhofer as he tried posting up during their game on Sunday which the Boosters won, 98-95.
“Kailangan ko daw pa-operahan na kasi five times nang na-dislocate itong shoulder ko,” said the veteran center out of National University.
Ildefonso has become so used to dislocating the shoulder that it was he himself who popped it back into place shortly after hurting it following the collision with Maierhofer.
“Sanay na ako, kaya ako na rin nagbalik. Basta kailangan mo lang naman relax ka at huwag mag-panic,” he said.
As per the assessment of Petron’s battery of therapists, at least two to three months will be needed for Ildefonso to recuperate following the operation.
“Pabalik-balik na kasi, kaya mas nahihirapan na akong maglaro,” he said. “Pero maraming players na nag-undergo ng same operation at mas nagtagal pa yung playing career nila.”
“It’s a chronic problem, so recommendation is for surgery,” added SMC sports director Noli Eala.
If ever, Ildefonso will be the second Petron big man to be sidelined after the 6-foot-9 Fajardo.
The year’s top rookie pick also went under the knife last week to ease the swelling and stop the bleeding on his scrotum. The Cebuano big man is likely out for the next four weeks.
Former Smart Gilas standout Marcio Lassiter also has yet to see action for the team since he was acquired in a trade with the defunct Powerade franchise.
“Really unfortunate,” Eala added of the misfortune the Boosters suffered in just a week’s span.
Follow the writer on Twitter: @gerardmos
Ang Iba’t Ibang Uri ng Mga Taga-Suporta Tuwing Natatalo ang Barangay Ginebra Kaye Cabal
AKTV/Paolo Papa
Talo na naman ang Barangay Ginebra kagabi. Aba’y ikatlong sunod na talo na nila yun ngayong komperensiya, ah? Sa taas ng hangarin naming mga tagahanga para sa pinakamamahal naming koponan, hindi namin mapigilang isipin na quota na sila sa pagkatalo. Grabe na yata ang tatlong sunod-sunod na talo.
Ngunit ganito man ang iniisip ng ilan sa amin, pare-pareho lang naman kaming nananalangin na sana manalo na ang Ginebra dahil gusto na namin ulit magtatatalon sa saya.
At dahil natalo na naman ang Barangay Ginebra, nagsilabasan na naman ang iba’t ibang uri ng mga taga-suporta. Maraming salamat sa mga kapwa ko panatiko at tinulungan nila akong buuin ang listahan ng iba’t ibang uri ng mga taga-suporta tuwing natatalo ang Ginebra.
I. BOY/GIRL SISI
Sila yung mga taga-suporta na laging inaakala na ang bawat pagkatalo ay kasalanan ng alin man sa mga sumusunod: 1) mga players; 2) coaching staff; 3) referees; 4) commentators; o 5) all of the above.Minsan pa, kapag talagang lugmok na lugmok na, sinisisi na rin nila ang kanilang mga sarili na para bang may ginawa silang mali at sila ang may kasalanan ng lahat. Kasama din dito yung mga taga-suporta na pinagbabalingan ng sisi ang mga kaawa-awang radyo at telebisyon na para bang naglaro din ang mga ito. Para sa kanila, lahat ng nakikita nila ay isang malaking jinx na sumira ng laro ng Barangay Ginebra.
HASHTAGS: #FireX #TradeY #MalasKayongLahat #AkoAngMayKasalanan
II. THE ANALYST
Sila naman yung mga taga-suporta na all-knowing. Para sa kanila, lahat ng ginagawa ng coach ay mali at sila lang ang tama sa mundo. Malamang sa alamang, may mga balak silang maging isa sa coaching staff ng Barangay Ginebra hanggang sa sila na ang susunod na tatanggap ng PBA Coach of the Year award.Sila rin yung mga feeling team managers na kung makapuna sa mga plays at turnovers ng Barangay Ginebra ay akala mo ay sila lang ang magaling. Siguro mataas ang basketball IQ nila kaya ganon.
HASHTAGS: #YunLangNalusutanPaKayo? #DapatPinasaMo! #AnongKlasengPlayYon? #PlayBaYon?
AKTV/Paolo Papa
III. THE WAR FREAK
Nakakatakot ang mga taga-suportang ito. Sila yung mga taga-suportang hindi alam sa salitang “kalma.” Tuwing natatalo ang Barangay Ginebra, iwasang makahalubilo ang ganitong klase ng mga taga-suporta dahil mapagbabalingan nila ng galit ang una nilang makakabangga.Huwag na huwag ding aasarin at kakantiin ang ganitong mga taga-suporta tuwing talo ang Barangay Ginebra dahil tiyak, madadamay ka sa init ng ulo nila. Kahit ang pinakatahimik ay nagiging Incredible Hulk kapag idiniin mo pa sa mukha nila na talo ang Ginebra.
Bigyan sila ng ilang oras upang mawala ang init ng ulo nila, dahil kung hindi, delikado ka. Pramis talaga.
HASHTAG: #!@#$%^&*()!!!
IV. MGA INSTANT
Sila yung mga taga-suporta na bigla-bigla na lang nagbabago tuwing natatalo ang Barangay Ginebra.Marami sa kanila ay mga Instant Tanggero/a — yung mga direcho agad sa inuman pagkatapos ng laban. Madalas silang umagahin sa mga ganitong pagkakataon.
Mayroon rin namang mga Instant na Mapamahiin — yung mga agad-agad na magpapahula sa Quiapo kinabukasan, o sasadya sa isang Feng Shui expert at bigla biglang maglilipat ng mga gamit sa bahay.
Marami rin sa kanila ang mga biglang mag-i-Instant Diet — yung mga magha-hunger strike buong gabi, at minsan ay hangang sa umaga kinabukasan, dahil sa pagkatalo ng Barangay Ginebra.
Kung maraming mga nagi-instant diet, marami ring nagiging Instant Morning Person — o yung mga diretcho sa kama at idadaan nalang sa tulog ang sama ng loob.
May ilan ring nagiging Instant Fan ng Kalaban ng huling team na tumalo sa Ginebra. Ang sigaw nila, “Resbak na ‘to!”
Mayroon ring mga nagiging Instant Relihiyoso — yung mga diretso sa simbahan kinabukasan para magdasal, mag-novena, o mangumpisal.
Nariyan rin ang ilang mga nagiging Instant Gamer — yung mga diretso laro ng mga computer games, at dudurugin ang mga kalaban na para bang sila yung nakalaban ng Ginebra.
HASHTAGS: #TaraInom #HindiMakakainDahilTaloNaNaman #Zzzzzzzz #MatataloDinKayo #TaraDOTA #LordPleaseNamanPo
AKTV/Paolo Papa
V. GAMEPLAN: ATTACK THE NEW MEDIA
Sila yung mga taga-suporta na diretso sa Twitter at Facebook pagkatapos matalo ng Barangay Ginebra. Mauubos ang buong gabi nila sa paghahasik ng kanilang galit sa kani-kanilang mga accounts.Malupit magwala sa Twitter at Facebook ang mga taga-suportang ito. Kung wala sila sa mga sariling account nila, nakabukas naman sa sampung tabs ang iba’t ibang mga fan pages at groups at doon sila naghahasik ng lagim.
Kung ganito na katindi ang sitwasyon sa Facebook, mas nagkakagulo na sa Twitter. Hindi lang basta umaatake ng tweets ang ilan sa mga taga-suportang ito dahil naka-mention pa sa mga players, coaches, at iba’t-ibang sports personalities ang galit nila. Patay na.
HASHTAG: Wala. Direcho lang. “@player Bakit hindi mo pinasa agad? Lagot ka.”
VI. THE EMO
Sila yung mga sobrang emosyonal sa taga-suporta na daig pa ang brokenhearted tuwing natatalo ang Ginebra. Hindi makakain, hindi makatulog, hindi makausap. Nakaka-bagabag sila.Sila yung papasok sa klase o sa trabaho na sira ang mood o bad trip sa susunod na limang araw o hanggang sa susunod na laban ng Ginebra. Feeling nila magugunaw na ang mundo. Tulala. Hindi makapagsalita.
Mayroon sa kanilang hindi makakain (gaya ng mga Instant na nag-da-Diet) at mayroon rin namang idinadaan sa kain ang sama ng loob. Minsan, idinadaan din sa pagba-blog, at pagsusulat ng “Dear diary, syet na malagket. Talo na naman ang Ginebra. Ang sakit-sakit…”
May mga umiiyak rin sa kanila tuwing natatalo ang Barangay Ginebra. As in iyak talaga.
HASHTAGS: #Ouch #AngSakit #Laslas
AKTV/Paolo Papa
VII. IN DENIAL
Sila yung mga taga-suporta na hindi matanggap ang pagkatalo ng Barangay Ginebra. Kahit pang-ilang talo na yun ng Ginebra, hindi pa rin nila kaya.Coping mechanism ng ilan sa kanila ang pagkakaroon ng selective memory. Ang sistema, pagkagising nila sa umaga, parang normal na araw lang at hindi na nila maalala na natalo ang Barangay Ginebra noong nakaraang gabi. Minsan umaabot ng isang linggo ang sakit na ito. O isang conference. O isang season. Depende.
Kasama din dito ang mga taga-suporta na NR – no response, at poker face. Sa sobrang sakit ng pagkatalo, hindi na nila alam kung paano magre-react at kung ano ang sasabihin. Kawawa naman.
HASHTAG: Wala. Parang walang nangyaring laro ng Ginebra.
VIII. DAKILANG PALUSOT
Kuwela ang mga taga-suportang ito. Sila yung mga tipo na tuwing natatalo ang Ginebra, dadaanin nalang nila sa kung anu-anong pagdadahilan. Ito ang Top Three na palusot nila ayon sa nakaraang nationwide Ginebra fanbase survey (Echos. Walang survey na naganap):- Talo ang Ginebra? Walaaaa! Paramihan nalang ng hairstyle ng isang player!
- Talo na naman ang Ginebra?? Okaaaaay lang! Paguwapuhan nalang ng line-up!
- Ha??? Talo na naman ang Ginebra??? Paramihan nalang ng fans!!! Wooohooo!
AKTV/Paolo Papa
IX. BANDWAGON
Bad trip ang mga taga-suportang ito. Ang sarap sungalngalin. Seryoso. Sila yung mga taga-suportang nandyan lang tuwing panalo ang Ginebra tapos sabay kabig ng panlalait kapag natalo. Mga mukha niyo.HASHTAG: #Balimbing
X. PAPAMPAM
Mga taga-suporta ng ibang koponan na malalakas ang loob na mang-away ng mga taga Barangay Ginebra. Hindi naman sila nananakit, nakiki-epal lang talaga. Bad trip.Sila ang suki ng mga War Freak. Sila rin yung kinukuyog ng mga nasa Twitter at Facebook. Kawawa naman. Pero ang lalakas kasi talaga mang-asar kaya sorry nalang.
HASHTAGS: #WeakNgGinebraNiyoBoo #ButiNgaTaloGinebra
AKTV/Paul Ryan Tan
XI. MANHID
Sila yung mga taga-suporta na sa tinagal-tagal sa likod ng Ginebra, nasanay na sa bawat pagkatalo nila.Kasama rin dito yung mga sobrang apektado at sobrang nasaktan sa pagkatalo ng Barangay Ginebra kaya bumigay na sila.
Meron rin sa kanilang deadma na lang tuwing natatalo ang Ginebra lalo na kapag galing sa malaking lamang tapos natalo pa.
HASHTAGS: #SakitNaNilaYan #LagiNamangGanyanEh #KDot
XII. THE OPTIMIST
Sila yung mga sobrang isinasabuhay ang pagiging isang mabait at kalmadong taga-suporta ng Barangay Ginebra tuwing natatalo sila.Sila rin yung mga panabla ng lahat ng iba pang uri ng taga-suporta. Sila rin yung mga taga-suportang pilit na binubuhay ang puso at tiwala ng buong barangay dahil para sa kanila, kayang kaya naman manalo ng Ginebra.
Wala kang maririnig o mababasang kahit anong negatibo mula sa kanila. Ang tanging hangad lang nila, bumawi ang Barangay Ginebra sa susunod na laro ng bonggang bongga.
Hindi rin sila nawawalan ng pag-asa. Naniniwala sila na walang dapat sisihin at walang may gusto na matalo ang mahal nilang Barangay Ginebra.
HASHTAGS: #BounceBack #GinebraPaRin #NeverSayDie #Laban #PusoLang
Tuwing natatalo ang Barangay Ginebra, nagsisilabasan ang iba’t ibang uri ng mga taga-suporta. Ngunit ating tandaan na kahit pa nahahati tayo sa iba’t ibang kategorya depende sa ating ugali at paniniwala, lahat pa rin tayo ay naghahangad ng kampeonato para sa ating pinakamamahal na koponan.
May mga iba’t ibang uri ng taga-suporta ang Barangay Ginebra. Ikaw, sino ka sa kanila? Comment na! :)
(Ang listahan na ito ay pinagtulungang buuin ng mga taga-suporta ng Barangay Ginebra sa Twitter. Muli, maraming salamat! Kayo na talaga!)
Si Kaye Cabal ang taga-pamahala ng @barangayginebra Twitter account. Ang sanaysay na ito ayunang inilathala sa kanyang blog. Para sa mas marami pang usapang-Ginebra, sundan siya saTwitter o sa kanyang blog.
Veteran games official Guevarra left fuming by Alas slit-throat gesture By the staff
Letran coach Louie Alas makes the slit-throat gesture after being called for a technical foul for excessive complaining in the third quarter of Game Two of the NCAA Finals on Saturday. Jerome Ascano
VETERAN supervisor of referees Romy Guevarra on Monday said he was only standing up for his referees when he confronted Letran coach Louie Alas over his slit-throat gesture near the end of Game Two of the NCAA basketball finals on Saturday night.
Guevarra, a games official for the last 40 years and the PBA’s supervisor of referees for 14 years, charged towards the Letran bench and was seen giving Alas the dirty finger before being led out of the court as the final seconds ticked away in Letran’s 62-55 victory over San Beda.
The 75-year-old said it was unfortunate that he failed to control his emotions, but admitted feeling so bad after Alas made the slit-throat gesture in the direction of Guevarra and technical committee member Bai Cristobal after being slapped a technical in the third quarter.
“Kung may nagawa man akong mali, hindi ko sinasadya,” the veteran games official told Spin.ph. “Masamang-masama ang loob ko. Sabi ko nga, ‘Bakit mo kami ginaganoon?’ Masyado n’ya kaming minaliit. Nirerespeto namin s’ya, sana respetuhin n’ya rin kami.
“Sa tanda kong ito, wala akong ginagawan na masama. Kami nga ni (Commissioner) Joe (Lipa), ayaw naman sana namin ang trabaho na ito, gusto lang naming makatulong sa basketball at sa liga. Kaso, binastos n’ya kami.”
More than anything else, Guevarra said he wanted to stand by his referees, who he had personally handpicked and trained over the past two years. He said he can vouch for the integrity of the officials in the face of insinuations made by Alas during the game that they had been bought.
“Mga batang referee ang mga ito, mga wala pang tahid. Mga honest ang mga ito. Kaya ganoon na lang ang kagustuhan kong manindigan para sa kanila. Kung hindi, baka maduwag na ang mga ‘yan,” he said.
Despite the controversy, the well-respected Guevarra, who has refereed over 3,000 games and overseen an estimated 17,000 matches in a career that brought him to places like Qatar and Bahrain, assured that officiating will be fair in the deciding Game Three of the Finals.
“Wala akong galit kay Louie, wala akong galit sa Letran,” he said. “Despite ng nangyari, parehas pa rin kami. Kung may mali man, sinisigurado kong hindi sinasadya ‘yon.”
Guevarra, a games official for the last 40 years and the PBA’s supervisor of referees for 14 years, charged towards the Letran bench and was seen giving Alas the dirty finger before being led out of the court as the final seconds ticked away in Letran’s 62-55 victory over San Beda.
The 75-year-old said it was unfortunate that he failed to control his emotions, but admitted feeling so bad after Alas made the slit-throat gesture in the direction of Guevarra and technical committee member Bai Cristobal after being slapped a technical in the third quarter.
“Kung may nagawa man akong mali, hindi ko sinasadya,” the veteran games official told Spin.ph. “Masamang-masama ang loob ko. Sabi ko nga, ‘Bakit mo kami ginaganoon?’ Masyado n’ya kaming minaliit. Nirerespeto namin s’ya, sana respetuhin n’ya rin kami.
“Sa tanda kong ito, wala akong ginagawan na masama. Kami nga ni (Commissioner) Joe (Lipa), ayaw naman sana namin ang trabaho na ito, gusto lang naming makatulong sa basketball at sa liga. Kaso, binastos n’ya kami.”
More than anything else, Guevarra said he wanted to stand by his referees, who he had personally handpicked and trained over the past two years. He said he can vouch for the integrity of the officials in the face of insinuations made by Alas during the game that they had been bought.
“Mga batang referee ang mga ito, mga wala pang tahid. Mga honest ang mga ito. Kaya ganoon na lang ang kagustuhan kong manindigan para sa kanila. Kung hindi, baka maduwag na ang mga ‘yan,” he said.
Despite the controversy, the well-respected Guevarra, who has refereed over 3,000 games and overseen an estimated 17,000 matches in a career that brought him to places like Qatar and Bahrain, assured that officiating will be fair in the deciding Game Three of the Finals.
“Wala akong galit kay Louie, wala akong galit sa Letran,” he said. “Despite ng nangyari, parehas pa rin kami. Kung may mali man, sinisigurado kong hindi sinasadya ‘yon.”
Follow the writer on Twitter: @spinph
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