UST’s protest against Ateneo win denied

THE UAAP COMMISSIONER’S office has denied the protest of the University of Sto. Tomas Growling Tigers over their recent 66-68 loss to the Ateneo Blue Eagles in the 75th UAAP men’s basketball tournament.

The decision was made by UAAP commissioner, Ado Badolato, who in a report on Spin.ph, said that the calls that were made by the referees during the endgame were “judgment calls.”

UST rued the goaltending call that was slapped on center, Karim Abdul, as he blocked the shot by Ateneo’s Ryan Buenafe with just seconds remaining in the game. Officials decided that it was indeed a goaltending violation leading to the game-winning three-point play.

UST also argued that Ateneo head coach Norman Black should have been slapped a technical foul in the final seconds after he charged the referees to dispute a non-call.

The Tigers are in the thick of the hunt for the second seed and the last twice-to-beat bonus in the Final Four. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio