Refs won’t get in the way – Narvasa
PBA Commissioner Chito Narvasa vowed officiating won’t get in the way of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup finals between San Miguel Beer (SMB) and TNT KaTropa starting today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“It will not happen. The referees will call what is necessary based on the rules,” said Narvasa.
The two teams arranged a best-of-7 title showdown for only the fourth time in league history after dispatching their respective rivals in four games in the best-of-5 semifinals. SMB defeated Star and TNT downed Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.
Narvasa has been forewarned by recent events.
In the previous NBA Finals won by the Golden State Warriors against the Cleveland Cavaliers, observers criticized the amount of fouls and technical fouls called, leading to countless stoppages of plays, particularly in Game 4.
Narvasa stressed that won’t be an issue in the PBA because video replays would only be done on specific calls, including Flagrant Foul 1 and Flagrant Foul 2 calls, while three-point shots that need clarification would be reviewed even as play continues.
“Other than that, we won’t review plays. For example, goal tending violations… if the refs missed it, play would continue. We won’t stop, we’ll continue playing,” said Narvasa, adding that reviewable plays that are in question should be done at the review room of the PBA office, especially if there is a protest filed by a team.
Because of the rivalry between the two companies, featuring their flagship teams – TNT under businessman Manny V. Pangilinan and SMB for the San Miguel Corporation of Ramon S. Ang – the series is expected to be extremely emotional and physical, with not just a championship trophy at stake.
With that, the referees are welladvised to be in control of the games, able to pacify heated situations and diffuse light pushing-and-shoving exchanges before they escalate.