MANILA – Alaska Aces head coach Alex Compton hit back at the officiating anew in the 2018 PBA Governors’ Cup Finals as Magnolia Hotshots’ Andy Mark Barroca escaped suspension for punching Aces’ Chris Banchero in the groin in Game 4 on Wednesday.
Speaking to the press after their 90-76 win, Compton did not hide his anger toward the referees who did not call a foul on Barroca, who escaped suspension for Game 5 tonight after a meeting with PBA commissioner Willie Marcial.
“If we’re gonna get punched multiple times and there aren’t calls or suspensions, I’ve got a problem,” said Compton. “If you are not going to call that in the game, you are not going to have anything, punch in, as we say in my family to our kids, the male part.”
“That’s literally a low blow. And I’m not happy about it one bit,” added the American mentor. “That’s dirty basketball. Call it anything else will be a lie. But I am not a liar so I called that a dirty move.”
But Compton lauded his players for the composure and calmness, and for not fighting back in response to the “dirty basketball moves” thrown their way by several Magnolia players.
“But I’m proud of my guys. We made a deal. You have to be willing to take a punch for our team and not throw back,” Compton said. “We have multiple players take punches and not throwing back and I’m proud to be part of that team.”
Barroca came under fire after was caught by television cameras hitting Banchero in the groin while Aces import Mike Harris was taking free throws midway in the fourth quarter.
Banchero was sprawled on the floor for a few minutes before being helped to the bench. Prior to the incident, Barroca and Banchero were physical with each other and were called for double technical for extra motion.
“Mainit lang iyong laban,” Barroca said. “Nangyari na iyon e. Hindi naman sa (binabalewala) ko iyong insidente na iyon pero part of the game iyon e. Magkaibigan naman kami ni Chris off the court.”
”Pisikalan lang kami ni Chris pero sabi ni Commissioner Marcial na ’wag daw masyado. ’Di raw maganda na masyadong madiin,” he added. “Wala namang napag-usapan na suspension o fine.”/PN
