PBA Referees Edward Aquino, Gruta banned for the rest of the conference for Pringle non-call

Stanley Pringle shoots over Japeth Aguilar (Photo grabbed from Inquirer.net)

The PBA has banned referees Edward Aquino and Rommel Gruta for officiating for the rest of the PBA Philippine Cup admitting that the officials missed the five-second and stepping call of GlobalPort Batang Pier Guard Stanley Pringle in the dying seconds of the quarterfinal knock-out game versus Barangay Ginebra last Sunday.

The suspension will lead to both Aquino and Gruta not officiating for a minimum of 15 games and a maximum of 21 games.

Barangay Ginebra didn't file a protest of the game which was allowed until 12nn, Monday.  

Here's the statement of the PBA Office of the Commissioner in full:

All the referees were present in the meeting with the Commissioner. In their opening statement, the referees accepted that they missed the call, they were apologetic and were ready to face the sanctions that would be imposed on them.

In the deliberation with the technical committee, it was determined that two (2) violations were not called. One was the 5-second ball hogging violation which was the responsibility of referee Rommel Gruta.

The second infraction was the backing violation of GlobalPort’s Stanley Pringle, whose responsibility was that of referee Edward Aquino’s.

The technical committee also determined that only referees Aquino and Gruta were liable for these missed calls.

As a result of these two non-calls, Barangay Ginebra was denied final ball possession.

The technical committee decided that both referees shall be suspended for the rest of the ongoing Philippine Cup effective immediately.

Posted in: Barangay Ginebra vs GlobalPort,PBA,Sports