MANILA – NLEX Road Warriors head coach Yeng Guiao was left fuming by what he suggested as poor officiating during their PBA Commissioner’s Cup game against Rain or Shine Elasto Painters Wednesday night.
Painters nipped NLEX 98-97 for its third straight win in the conference at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
Guiao did not hide his disappointment during a postgame interview in what he deemed as three errors by referees that could have changed the outcome of the match.
“It’s another one of those games where the refs robbed you of a victory,” said the seven-time PBA champion coach. “We’ll have to check with the commissioner on what they think about these calls.”
Guiao cited the no goaltending goal on Painters’ Gabe Norwood when he foiled a shot of a Road Warriors’ guard Juan Miguel Tiongson near the basket early in the fourth quarter.
He also cited the foul on Road Warriors import Arnett Moultrie that led to the game-winning free throw of Painters import Reginald Johnson and the steal of Painters’ Chris Tiu on Tiongson, which Guiao deemed as a clear foul.
“So (those are the) three calls that I think killed us,” said Guiao, who is hoping to avoid a three-game skid for Road Warriors when they face Meralco Bolts tonight at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Still, “I am pleased that we had a chance” against the league-leading Painters (3-0), Guiao said.
“I am also pleased with (Moultrie),” he added. “It’s going to take him a little bit of getting used to the local style of play. But tingin ko naman maganda nang debut for him.”/PN
