PBA suspends referees over late non-call on Mark Barroca

Following a thorough analysis of the recent match between Magnolia and Brgy. Ginebra, the PBA has made the decision to suspend the entire officiating crew. This action was taken due to their failure to make a crucial call against Hotshots guard Mark Barroca, who was defending Gin Kings star Scottie Thompson as he made his way towards the basket in the closing moments of the payoff period.

At that particular moment, the Hotshots were leading with a score of 92-91 and there were only 11.5 seconds remaining on the game clock. Despite this, the crowd still had an opportunity to take the lead as they possessed the ball.

As Thompson attempted a baseline drive, Barroca defended him and managed to hit his right arm, causing the one-time PBA Most Valuable Player to miss his layup. The replay confirmed that Barroca’s hit was indeed on target.

Following the missed layup, Magnolia guard Jio Jalalon grabbed the rebound and was fouled by Thompson, who did so in order to stop the clock.

“Unacceptable. There was contact. We failed to make a call,” PBA deputy commissioner Eric Castro said in a statement posted at the pro league’s website on Monday morning.

“During the game – in real time while the play was on, the game crew did not see a foul. The officials failed to call a foul (missed call) on Barroca against Thompson in the last 11.5 seconds of the 4th quarter,” he explained.

“With this, the officiating crew of the game between Barangay Ginebra and Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots are suspended for failing to assess the infraction.”

Brgy. Ginebra’s coach Tim Cone was very angry and ran onto the court to complain about a foul that he believed should have been called on Barroca.

Jalalon made one of his free throws, while Christian Standhardinger missed a shot that would have tied the game and sent it into overtime. Magnolia won the game despite trailing by 26 points in the first half.