I KNEW that whatever decision organizers of the Gov Cup for basketball regarding the Naga vs. Minglanilla basketball game reached would displease one team. That bizarre ending, which saw Naga sinking a game-winning three to win by two, was unprecedented. Naga had six players and some contend that the extra man led to the open basket.
We faced a similar case in the SunStar Cup, when a video replay was presented to counter a decision--a disallowed goal that should have been called in--and since video reviews aren’t allowed in football, we merely said that we go with the referee’s decision.
The Gov Cup organizers could have taken that route, but I think some would think that that would be an easy way out so I think what they did was the next best thing. Their decision, issued a few days after the game, called for a replay of the final five minutes, not just the final .7 seconds and I think that is as fair as they can be.
There’s only one thing that I don’t like about how the decision was worded, when it said that Naga maliciously fielded six players because I don’t think that was the intent of Naga.
Playing the final 0.7 second only would favor Minglanilla, while not ordering a replay would of course, favor, the winner Naga. So, a replay of the final five minutes of overtime I think is the next best thing.
Of course, this could set a precedent, and some team, in the future, armed with a video would present evidence of a wrong call or demand a replay.
But I think that would not be the case, this isn’t a botched call but a breakdown in everything about the game--the referees, the table officials, both coaches concerned. This isn’t a disputed foul or anything.
I heard Minglanilla isn’t willing to re-play the five minutes and want an outright win credited to them, but I think that’s being short-sighted.
Just as the organizers ventured into unchartered waters in coming up with a decision fair for both, both Naga and Minglanilla to must venture into the unchartered waters of unselfishness and cooperation. There’s no need to get one up against the other for the sake of a single victory. Yes, it’s not a 100 percent fair but this is sports, there is no such thing as perfect officials making perfect calls all the time.
That .7 second of confusion now needs a lot of time for level-headed discussion among members of both theams and I hope they both agree to a replay. It’s the best thing to do actually.