MANILA — Batangas City team manager Gerry Tee hit out at Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) operations chief Zaldy Realubit for poorly managing the team's situation in Game 3 of its Southern Division semifinal series against Zamboanga.
Following the Athletics' 67-57 win against the Rapidos that tied their best-of-three series at 1-all coupled by the Davao Occidental Tigers' 87-67 rout of the Bacoor City Strikers to sweep their own league quarterfinal clash, the rubber match between the Athletics and the Rapidos should logically take place on Tuesday night at the Batangas City Sports Center.
But Realubit, in an effort to limit expenses, proposed to have the said game on Monday night preceding the other divisional semifinal between Manila and Bataan at the Bataan People's Center in Balanga, which drew the ire of Tee.
“[That was] very unprofessional. The home court advantage is very sacred to us and there’s no way we’re going to give it come hell or high water” Tee said.
He even said Realubit's cost-cutting reasoning is "a lame excuse".
“Ever since, Senator [Manny] Pacquiao was telling all of us that the MPBL should be patterned after the NBA. How come you will put the other series in the Northern Division. Eh di nawala yung home court advantage namin (We will not enjoy our home court advantage)," Tee added.
Eventually, Commissioner Kenneth Duremdes stepped in and, with Pacquiao's nod, resolved that Game 3 between Zamboanga and Batangas City will take place at the Batangas City Sports Center on Tuesday night as scheduled.
Meanwhile, Tee also raised concerns on current Rapidos consultant Bai Cristobal, who worked with the league as technical head.
“He still has his influence on the referees who are officiating there," Tee said on Cristobal.
"As for Bai Cristobal, he should not be in any way, be given a chance to become an official of the MPBL because of his track record. Maliit lang ang mundo ng basketball and alam na alam namin yan (Basketball has small world and we know that)," he added.
Tee further quipped, "For the sake of delicadeza, Realubit should inhibit himself from making decisions as far as technicality issues are concerned”.
He urged Realubit, Emer Oreta, and Assistant Commissioner Satar Macantal to “do the right things and make things right”.
“Let us approach every game with honor for this is the essence of sportsmanship. Remember that when we play pickup games even without refs, we play on an honesty system. This is the hallmark of basketball and it’s how our MPBL games should be played with dignity in the spirit of sportsmanship. It should start with these officials. They should be trustworthy,” he said. (PNA)
