Adamson protest junked

By Anthony Divinagracia Posted Jul 28th 2013

Host Adamson University lost another battle over the week as the Falcons’ petition for a rematch against De La Salle University was junked by the UAAP technical committee Saturday.

UAAP secretary and treasurer Malou Isip of Adamson announced the decision after the technical panel met at the sidelines of yesterday’s double-header games at the Araneta Coliseum.

Isip said the rematch against La Salle was not approved for lack of technical merit.

“The rematch was not approved because it was not technical in nature it was a judgement call,” Isip said, referring to referee Francisco Olivar’s unsportsmanlike call on Adamson forward Gian Abrigo in the last 15 seconds of last Wednesday’s game and Adamson trailing by just two, 65-67.

Olivar’s call resulted in two freethrows by Norbert Torres, who jockeyed for position against Abrigo during an inbound play. Torres sank both charities and the Archers retained possession to eventually win the game.

Upon review, the technical committee also modified commissioner Chito Loyzaga’s previous decision to suspend Olivar for three games. Instead, Olivar’s suspension was raised to six games, effective yesterday, July 27, until August 1.

“Mr. Olivar is a qualified and experienced referee, who officiates both local and international games. Unfortunately, at the Adamson/De La Salle game, he made an untimely decision to call a foul in the last 15 seconds of the game. The call resulted in an advantage to La Salle, which eventually won the game,” Loyzaga said in a memorandum last Thursday.

Adamson added that it will not elevate the matter to the UAAP board.

“We were satisfied with the decision,” Isip said.