TO err is human, to forgive, divine.
The PBA has admitted that game officials and the technical committee muffed a crucial call in Game 2 of the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals duel pitting TNT and Rain or Shine last Friday night.
With the game clock down to 7.7 seconds and the Tropang 5G trailing 96-99, TNT gunner Calvin Oftana drew a foul from Elasto Painter Gian Mamuyac while attempting a four-pointer but Oftana was only awarded three free throws, which he drained to forge overtime.
Pro league deputy commissioner Eric Castro later admitted that Oftana was clipped while shooting a four.
“The referees initiated a review to determine whether the foul occurred on a three-point attempt or from the four-point area,” Castro said in a statement over the weekend. “Following the review, it was ruled that the foul occurred on a three-point shot attempt. Oftana was subsequently awarded three free throws, all of which he converted, sending the game into overtime.
“However, video footage from members of the media has surfaced, clearly indicating that Oftana was beyond the four-point line at the time of the foul, thus qualifying the play as a four-point shot attempt. Our official reviews are based on video feeds from our cameras from different angles. These serve as our sole basis for decision-making during in-game reviews. While we strive to provide accurate rulings, our assessments are inherently limited to the footage available within these camera perspectives.”
