By REYNALD MAGALLON
Barangay Ginebra guards LA Tenorio and Scottie Thompson were left frustrated – and furious – over an offensive foul called on the latter that allowed Meralco to escape with a 106-104 victory in the deciding Game 3.
Thompson was assessed for an offensive foul – his sixth and final foul – after appearing to have warded off Cliff Hodge during a fastbreak play with 10 seconds left on the clock.
The Bolts were only ahead by two, 106-104.
“Nakaka-frustrate para sa akin, sa sarili but di ko rin alam eh wala akong masabi. Breaks of the game. Marami nangyari pero siguro nga, iba yung nakita ng referees sa nakita namin. Siguro it happens, ganun siguro talaga yung basketball,” said Thompson, who finished with 26 points.
While Thompson accepted the non-call with calmness, Tenorio was fuming even after walking out of the Ginebra dugout, already an hour after the game.
The usually collected and approachable veteran declined to have an interview with the members of the press, although he gave a piece of his mind especially towards the referee who called the foul.
“Huwag ninyo na ako munang interbiyuhin baka ano lang masabi ko sa officiating,” said Tenorio before uttering expletive words towards the referee. “Siya nag-decide ng laro. Ang ganda ganda ng laro, e.”
The frustration was also understandable for the Kings as their comeback bid from 21 points down still went to waste. It was Tenorio who gave Ginebra its first taste of the lead, 104-103, since the first quarter but a huge triple from Raymond Almazan with exactly a minute left regained the lead for the Bolts.
Aside from Thompson’s attempt, Ginebra still had a chance to send the game to an extra period in the final seconds but Stanley Pringle came up short in his last second jumper.
“Masakit for us. Talagang binigay namin yung best namin. We fought hard na makabalik sa game kinulang, ganun talaga siguro yung basketball,” said Thompson.
