San Beda University is now setting its sights on Game 2 of the best-of-three finals showdown against Mapua University after falling short in the series opener on Wednesday.
But before heading to that crucial match, the Red Lions are looking to bring before league commissioner Tonichi Pujante their complaints on the physicality during their 68-63 loss to the Cardinals.
According to head coach Yuri Escueta, their main gunner Jacob Cortez was on the receiving end of some punches to the stomach, that were missed by the game officials.
“There were times na he was getting frustrated kasi medyo physical e, may mga times daw na nasasapak ‘yung tiyan niya. Sabi ko wala tayong magagawa,” Escueta shared.
“Ewan ko, referees should take a look. Tinatanong niya sa akin kung kailangan niya raw ba mag-flop para i-check na sinasapak siya. Sabi ko, hindi na kasi ichecheck na lang namin and ise-send sa commissioner.”
[There were times he was getting frustrated because it was getting physical. There were times he was punched in the stomach. I told him, we can't do anything. I don't know, the referees should take a look. He was asking me if he needed to flop so that the referees could check. I told him not to do it, we'll check it ourselves and send to the commissioner.]
Cortez was limited in a scoreless first half before dropping all 12 of his points in the second half to help the Red Lions erase what was once a 16-point deficit to pull to within three.
But their efforts went for naught as the Cardinals eventually sealed the escape with Clint Escamis sinking a pair of free throws for the finishing touches.
Still, Escueta said their trust in remains unwavering.
“With Jacob naman, we trust his decisions. We’re gonna view tomorrow and see how the other team is defending him para makita namin kung anong pwedeng gawin,” he added.
[With Jacob, we trust his decisions. We're gonna view tomorrow and see how the other team is defending him so we can see what we can do.]
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
