FRED C. LUMBA

Sports Ken

The report said Irving had recently turned down a contract extension offer from the Nets and that the Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks could be possible destinations for him in any move.

The Nets are fourth in the Eastern Conference with a 31-20 record.

SUB-STANDARD OFFICIATING HAUNTS PBA?

After a much-talked Com’s Cup where thousands of basketball fanatics witnessed crowd favorite Brgy. Ginebra smashed the visiting Bay Area Dragons 4-3 in the best of seven finals, the ugly head of bad officiating emerged anew in the on-going 3rd conference Gov’s Cup.

Outspoken Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao raised the issue after his team lost to Converge, 98-112 Thursday.

The defeat was the third straight for the Elasto Painters and the fourth consecutive win for the FiberXers. Guiao was ejected from the game after being slapped with his second technical in the third quarter following a foul committed by Santillan.

He felt frustrated by unfair calls against ROS when they were trying to build a momentum to catch up as the lead was not that insurmountable at 69-80.

“Hindi kami makabwelo sa mga questionable calls against us,” media reports quoted Guiao as saying.

It appears that Guiao’s senti- ments versus bad calls are somewhat parallel to the frustration expressed by Dragons mentor Brian Goorjian during the series against Ginebra in the Com’s Cup.

“I’m not saying we could have won. But we deserve better officiating,” the multi-titled bench tactician said.

Coaches’ woes about officiating have been the regular menu since the PBA’s inception in 1975.

All Commissioners during their respective stints tried their very best to improve and elevate officiating standards. Respected

NBA refs were even brought to Manila and conducted clinics.

Not only that. The NBA refs were even tasked to officiate in a couple of actual PBA games.

(This scribbler attended those NBA clinics and was promptly educated. I think a high basketball IQ - not just an average mind - is the reason why an ocean of difference separates the NBA from the PBA as far as refereeing is concerned.)

At any rate, Guiao’s tirades against very low officiating standards will not fall on deaf ears.

Com. Alex Marcial is not a stranger to these lapses. He has been around so long in the league that even with eyes closed, he will be able to determine who should be summoned to his office.

Penalizing the guilty refs is not actually the correct response.

Lapses will occur over and over again.

Com. Marcial should send them regularly to a Referees Academy to undergo education where the goal is to elevate their mental and cognitive skills. (Email feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.)