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Jarencio blasts Game 1 officiating

“Ang ninipis ng tawag, ang kakapal ng mukha.”

These were the lasting words of University of Santo Tomas coach Pido Jarencio’s outburst, moments after the Growling Tigers dropped a 78-83 decision Saturday that moved the Ateneo Blue Eagles a win away from clinching their fifth straight UAAP men’s basketball title in front of a full-house MOA Arena.

“Ako diretsa ako makipag-usap. Hindi naman patas ‘yung tawagan. Sobra naman yung ginawa nila kay Karim (Abdul) at Kevin (Ferrer),” he added.

The 6-foot-6 Abdul, who ended up a close second in this year’s MVP race behind National University star, finished with just nine points and six boards before fouling out with still 30 seconds to play.

The long-limbed Ferrer, who was coming off a morale-boosting 17-point outing in their 63-57 win over the Bulldogs last Sept. 29, had 13 points but incurred four personal fouls.

Although admitting they “enjoyed the game,” Jarencio couldn’t help but seethe about how the game officials handled the calls, saying: ““I’m not against Ateneo. Pero bakit ganun? Unfair naman sa’min, dahil UST lang kami kaya ganun ang tawagan?”

“Never in my seven years na nag-co-coach ako sa UAAP na nag-voice out ako against the referees. Umakyat pa nga ako sa kanila. Sabi ko maging fair tayo sa mga decisions natin. Kaso ayan na naman tayo. Let the players decide, not ‘yung mga officiating. Inconsistency na naman.
“Sa atin lang, parehas naman tayo lumaban. Sana kung tinuturuan ko yung mga player na saktan mo ito. Saktan mo iyan, duraan mo ‘yan, duraan mo ‘to. Tayo fair and square ang laban natin,” he added. “Let the players decide the game, not the referees.”

Fuming as the buzzer sounded, Jarencio stormed into the court and was seen hollering at game officials.

“Ang sinasabi ko, ‘Ok, tapusin natin ang laro. Tumawag kayo ng foul kay Teng, ‘di tatlong free throws ‘yun, pa-free-throw-in ninyo, kahit walang oras. Tapusin natin ng maayos lahat. Bakit sila tumatakbo, guilty sila? Ayaw nila tapusin.

“‘Coach, technical ka.’ Bakit, nagwala ka may free throw pa. Paano mo ko i-technical eh wala nang oras? Titira na lang yung bata, si Teng. ‘Di pa nila binigay ‘yun.”

Although he may get sanctions from the Commissioner’s Office, Jarencio is unfazed, saying: “Kailangan ba mag-e-English ako para paburan ako? Ganun ba labanan dito? Bahala sila kung ano desisyon na ibibigay nila sa’kin. Sinasabi ko lang ‘yung totoo.”

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