Philippines coach slams ref choice after men’s basketball loss
JAKARTA: The Philippines' basketball coach said a referee from “Chinese territory” should not have officiated his side's narrow loss to China at the Asian Games, querying the number of fouls his side was awarded.
A Philippines side bolstered by newly arrived NBA star Jordan Clarkson were pipped 82- 80 in Tuesday's thrilling match after China scored two free throws awarded by the Hong Kong referee with just 13 seconds left.
“They let a Hong Kong referee, which is also Chinese territory, referee against us,” said Yeng Guiao. “And they gave them 39 free throws and they gave us only 15, no?”
“So I thought somebody from Hong Kong which is controlled by China should not referee a China game,” Guaio told ABS- CBN on Wednesday, referring to chief official Yuen Chun Yip.
Hong Kong is a semi-autonomous Special Administrative Region of China, but competes separately at major sports events including the Olympics and Asian Games.
The loss leaves the Philippines relying on results elsewhere in their group to progress to the knockouts of Asia's regional Olympics.
The Phi l ippines side are no strangers to controversy, and almost did not attend the tournament after having 10 players and two coaches suspended by world body FIBA following an on- court brawl in a World Cup qualifier against Australia. — AFP