Peter June Simon knocked down a jumpshot with 19.4 seconds left to lead the San Mig Coffee Mixers to a controversial 92-91 win over Barako Bull Energy Cola last night in the 38th PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The game ended in a chaotic note after the Energy Cola contested what they perceived was a goal-tending violation that was not called by the referees.
After Simon’s crucial basket, Barako Bull sued for timeout and mapped the game’s final play.
During the play, Josh Urbiztondo drove toward the basket before dishing off a pass to Enrico Villanueva, who quickly put up a one-handed shot.
The ball bounced on top of the rim several times and while the leather was still on the ring, San Mig Coffee’s Rafi Reavis swatted it away. Reavis eventually grabbed the ball as time expired. The entire Barako Bull squad protested the non-call but to no avail.
League commissioner Chito Salud later clarified during the halftime break of last night’s second game that what Reavis did was legal.
Salud pointed out a rule change in 2006 allowing an offensive or defensive player to touch the ball after it hit the rim.
“Basta yung bola tumama na sa ring, pwede nang galawin ‘yan. FIBA rules ang sinusundan ng PBA,” said Salud.
Villanueva was also seen confronting Salud after the win was awarded to the Coffee Mixers but the league commissioner just shrugged off the incident.
“Kung itsura ni Enrico na nagagalit siya, charge it to passion,” said Salud.
With the win, the Coffee Maxers improved to 3-2 (win-loss), while Barako Bull dropped to 2-4.
Barako Bull erected a 12-point lead in the third but San Mig Coffee staged a scorching 25-5 run bridging the third and fourth periods to zoom ahead.
San Miguel led by as many as 10 points in the fourth but Barako Bull launched its own searing rally and saw them regaining the lead, 91-90, with 1:18 left.
BOX SCORES:
SANMIG COFFEE (92)- Yap 21, Simon 15, Ramos 10, Barroca 9, Gonzales 9, Pingris 9, De Ocampo 8, Devance 5, Reavis 5, Villanueva 1.
BARAKO (91)- Tubid 17, Villanueva 16, Urbiztondo 14, Kramer 12, Pennisi 12, Najorda 9, Yap 5, Anthony 4, Cervantes 2, Alvarez 0, Ballesteros 0.