SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga—Even in its grassroots arm, the Pilipinas Super League (PSL) is strict on how the team should act post-game regardless of the result.
The Pasig-Cocolife Pirates learned that the hard way as they were fined a total of PHP25,000 even as one of their officials has been banned from the PSL 21U for a tussle that took place after Game 2 of their Luzon Leg semifinal series against the ICC Blue Hawks.
After the Thursday night game at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center here won by ICC, 92-87, effectively sending the best-of-three series into a deciding Game 3, Pasig team official Jarvis Co was seen charging at a referee and hurling some words even as some others joined either to pacify Co or confront the officiating crew too.
The confrontation violated a league rule on halftime and endgame conduct, which reads “At halftime and at the end of each game, the coach and his players are to leave the court and go directly to their dressing room without pause or delay. There is absolutely no talking to game officials.” For violating the said rule, the Pirates have been fined PHP20,000.
A separate PHP5,000 fine has been slapped to Co himself for “conduct unbecoming of a team official.” Worse, the PSL has banned him too from watching the games live in person.
Pasig is expected to pay the fine before their scheduled rubber match against ICC later Sunday also at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center.
PSL president Rocky Chan said that while the referees may not get some of their calls right, Pasig should have stayed composed despite the officiating lapses.
“Ang point dyan, hindi perfect ang officiating. There might be lapses of calls during the duration of the game, but this did not happen during the crucial stretch. But, still that Pasig team’s officials attacking our league officiating is unacceptable and will not be tolerated by the league,” Chan said.
On the other hand, PSL head of basketball operations Leo Isaac said that even the officiating crew present in the game has been disciplined as well, a testament that the league vows to improve its officiating as the under-21 division progresses even as it awaits for the return of its professional division.
“The league cannot tolerate such actions especially as we are doing our best to be role models to the youth. On our end, officiating continues to improve as well and the referees will also be penalized,” said Isaac.
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