Sports Eye

By October 20, 2014Opinion, Sports Eye

Piteous referees

Jess Garcia

By Jesus A. Garcia, Jr.

AS expected, the province’s two titan teams led by defending champions Lyceum Northwestern University Dukes and 2005 titlists UPang-PHINMA Flames eventually ended up the best in the 2014 UCAAP Jimmy Fernandez Basketball Challenge, outclassing six other tertiary school teams. Both now ready to battle it out in the much-awaited finals in the best-of-three series starting on Saturday (October 18) at DWAD gym.

The Flames overwhelmed AIE College Green Archers last Wednesday and the Dukes not only overpowered the Urdaneta City based eastern Pangasinan champion International College of Excellence Maharlika by big a margin of 30 points (57-27) but also won by forfeiture as a result of alleged poor officiating by two of the three referees. A similar complaint was raised during the Dukes-Flames match last October 9. According to chief referee Jun Amado, he received nasty text messages blaming his boys and the table officials for the texter’s team’s defeat. “That’s unfair,” Amado said.

ICE head coach Zaldy Garcia accepted his team’s defeat but with some bitterness. He said their setback last Thursday in the hands of the Dukes was caused by numerous uncalled calls against the Dukes. But if that was really the case, why didn’t he file a formal protest?

I still recall how Gilas Pilipinas head coach Chot Reyes grumbled during the interview after their game against 16th world ranked Croatia during this year’s FIBA World Cup, and which Gilas finally lost in overtime. He said that if only the referees had done a better job, our Gilas would have won the match without going to the extra period anymore, and Gilas in the end should have entered the the “round-of-16,” which was Reyes’ main goal. You can see and say how pitiful the referees are, the perennial scapegoat in every defeat.

Like I always say, this kind of accusation is does not only happen in basketball games but also in other disciplines like baseball, volleyball, football, hockey, among others. Especially in boxing, the referees and the ring judges are often criticized for erroneous scoring. Look what happened to our boxers in the just recently concluded 17th Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea. in fairness to our nationals, our two boxers (if not three) Charly Suarez and Mark Anthony Barriga were robbed of victories for the privilege to stand at the gold medal podium.

By the time you read this piece, I’m sure the first game of the best-of-three championship series scheduled on October 18 (Satuday) is already done. Dukes head coach was very confident to retain the title and self-assured to advance for the PCCL North-Central Luzon tourney that will be hosted by Dagupan City on November 3-5. I have not yet talked to media-shy Flames head coach Jay Ronquillo but Flames diehard fan and former Mapandan veem Ms. Siony Calimlim is firm in her belief that the scorching Flames will duplicate their victory against the piercing Dukes of Gumarang. Let’s wait and see the game is played out. Hopefully the court officials will not be the fall-guys this time. Siya nawa.

*          *          *          *

My heartfelt congrats to our two local volleybelles Melanie Carrera of Dagupan City and Cindy Benitez of Binmaley for winning the fourth and final leg of the 2014 Petron Ladies Beach Volleyball Tournament diadem held at the sand-courts of University of the East-Caloocan campus last weekend. The duo reached the finals after beating co-Pangasinenses Viray twins Jeziela and Nieza, 21-9, and winning convincingly over UE’s standouts and more skilled Krycel Cueva and Francisclyn Cais, 21-13 and 21-19 in their best-of-three finals showdown. Mabuhay kayo mga binibini. You brought honor to the province and keep up with the good play.

*          *          *          *

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “A man’s pride will bring him low, but the humble in spirit will retain honor.” PROVERBS 29: 23

Back to Homepage

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments