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PBA Clarifies Basket Interference Call In TNT's Narrow Finals Win Over San Miguel
Photo credit: PBA
In the aftermath of TNT Tropang 5G’s thrilling 99-96 victory over San Miguel Beer in Game 1 of the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup Finals, a key moment involving a nullified dunk attempt has sparked renewed attention toward a rule change quietly implemented back in Season 44.
Appearing on The Starting Lineup on One News and Pilipinas Live Monday night, PBA deputy commissioner Eric Castro shed light on the controversial call — or more accurately, the absence of one — and clarified his earlier postgame remarks.
“We’re here to give proper context to what happened on Sunday night regarding the goal tending and basket interference violation,” Castro explained. “I want to correct myself — we can still review goal tending and basket interference even after the game clock expires, provided a review was triggered before that.”
Castro pointed back to a significant rule change introduced in 2019 during Season 44, which allowed referees to initiate video review on goal tending and basket interference at any point in the game, not just within the final two minutes as was previously the case.
“Now, we’re allowed to review those situations during the whole game, buong game na,” he emphasized.
The controversy erupted with 56.1 seconds left on the clock when San Miguel’s Moala Tautuaa attempted a dunk. He missed the shot but grabbed the rim while the ball was still in the air. As the ring visibly shook, the ball dropped into the basket — a situation that merited a second look under the revised rules.
None of the three game officials blew a whistle on the play. Referee Mardy Montoya, positioned at center, was confident it wasn’t interference. Trail official Rommel Gruta and lead referee Jerry Narandan, however, were uncertain.
It wasn’t until the next dead ball — with just 6.2 seconds remaining — that the PBA’s Technical Committee initiated a review. The result: basket interference was called, and the two points that would’ve given San Miguel a late lead were erased. Instead of going up 98-97, the Beermen fell behind 97-96 — a turning point that helped TNT secure a vital Game 1 win.
Castro also confirmed that San Miguel representatives visited the PBA office early Monday to file a formal protest but eventually decided against it. According to the deputy commissioner, the team opted not to proceed following the league’s press conference the night before, which they felt had “pre-empted their protest.”
The moment was a tough break for San Miguel, but it underscored the importance of rules that aim to get the call right — even if it comes late. As the finals series continues, fans and teams alike will likely be paying even closer attention to the details, knowing just how pivotal a single ruling can be.
Appearing on The Starting Lineup on One News and Pilipinas Live Monday night, PBA deputy commissioner Eric Castro shed light on the controversial call — or more accurately, the absence of one — and clarified his earlier postgame remarks.
“We’re here to give proper context to what happened on Sunday night regarding the goal tending and basket interference violation,” Castro explained. “I want to correct myself — we can still review goal tending and basket interference even after the game clock expires, provided a review was triggered before that.”
Castro pointed back to a significant rule change introduced in 2019 during Season 44, which allowed referees to initiate video review on goal tending and basket interference at any point in the game, not just within the final two minutes as was previously the case.
“Now, we’re allowed to review those situations during the whole game, buong game na,” he emphasized.
The controversy erupted with 56.1 seconds left on the clock when San Miguel’s Moala Tautuaa attempted a dunk. He missed the shot but grabbed the rim while the ball was still in the air. As the ring visibly shook, the ball dropped into the basket — a situation that merited a second look under the revised rules.
None of the three game officials blew a whistle on the play. Referee Mardy Montoya, positioned at center, was confident it wasn’t interference. Trail official Rommel Gruta and lead referee Jerry Narandan, however, were uncertain.
It wasn’t until the next dead ball — with just 6.2 seconds remaining — that the PBA’s Technical Committee initiated a review. The result: basket interference was called, and the two points that would’ve given San Miguel a late lead were erased. Instead of going up 98-97, the Beermen fell behind 97-96 — a turning point that helped TNT secure a vital Game 1 win.
Castro also confirmed that San Miguel representatives visited the PBA office early Monday to file a formal protest but eventually decided against it. According to the deputy commissioner, the team opted not to proceed following the league’s press conference the night before, which they felt had “pre-empted their protest.”
The moment was a tough break for San Miguel, but it underscored the importance of rules that aim to get the call right — even if it comes late. As the finals series continues, fans and teams alike will likely be paying even closer attention to the details, knowing just how pivotal a single ruling can be.
Jul 15, 2025
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