Meralco bats for ‘fair officiating’

MANILA--The Meralco Bolts are simply asking for “fair and consistent” officiating even after their import, Allen Durham, was fined P30,000 for his comments regarding the referees in the wake of their loss in Game 5 of the PBA Governors’ Cup finals.

An 85-74 loss to Barangay Ginebra in Game 5 last Sunday put the Bolts on the brink of defeat in the finals for the second consecutive season. Durham was clearly displeased with how the game was officiated, however, and made his feelings known after the game.

“I’m not gonna blame it on the officials, we had our part too, but you can’t call a finals game like that,” said Durham, who had 27 points and 19 rebounds in a losing effort.

He said that in order to win Game 6 and force a Game 7, the Bolts “just got to hit a couple more shots (and) preferably not play 5-against-8 with the officiating.” Durham’s scathing remarks cost him P30,000.

“I don’t know if that solves anything,” Meralco team manager Paolo Trillo said in a statement on the fine levied against their import.

“Ginebra came out very aggressive in Game 5, and stayed away from foul trouble,” Trillo added in another pointed statement. “We have to find a way to stay aggressive in Game 6 and not get into foul trouble.”

More than anything, the Bolts simply want to be given a fair shake come Game 6, where they will be playing with their backs against the wall.

“All we can hope is for fair and consistent officiating on both sides in Game 6,” said Trillo.

In the pivotal fifth game of the series, the Bolts fell behind 33-15 early, and their attempts to mount a comeback was severely hampered by foul trouble.