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IDENTIFYING the person who yelled ‘Ref, lutong mourning to ah’ during game three of the Barangay Geneva-Meralco semifinal series in the Philippine Cup bubble is easier said than done, as officials from the PBA.
The accusation was heard loud and clear by a live television audience, as it was apparently yelled at near one of the ambient microphones scattered on the floor inside the league bubble in the University of Angeles Foundation gymnasium.
About who he is, the league can’t say for sure.
Are you a player, coach, assistant coach or team staff? Is it someone within the bubble who is not affiliated with either team? Accusing fingers have been pointing at Meralco since the Bolts lost the entire game en route to a 91-84 loss, but insiders said league officials are not ruling out the culprit coming from the Geneva camp.
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Surprisingly, the man being tagged by fans, Meralco veteran Reynel Hugnatan, swears it wasn’t him.
Although he has not yet officially spoken to league officials, Hugnatan, according to insiders, vehemently denied shouting those words to umpires at any point in the game.
The veteran made the denial during a chance meeting with a senior league official. And PBA officials believe him, a source added.
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If it’s not Hugnatan, then who was it?
“At this point, everyone within the AUF bubble, except league officials, is considered a suspect,” said an insider who asked not to be named.
No one has cleared up yet, according to a league insider.
Frankly, there are much worse words than coaches and players yelling at referees and officials during matches. But what made this one worse was that it was heard by a live television audience tuned in to the crucial game.
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When asked whether the culprit, once identified, faces a huge penalty, league experts hope it is no different than the fines imposed on players who complain about the calls. But the final decision still rests with Commissioner Willie Marcial.
But the first step is to identify the culprit, which officials have not done at this time.
Here, see for yourself. But yes?
