On the SMB protest on their game vs TNT

Last January 16, 2010, the Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters played San Miguel Beer in Zamboanga City. The Texters brought the wrong uniform to the venue prompting PBA Commissioner Sonny Barrios to grant them a one hour extension to get the proper uniform. When the two teams played, TNT won 93-91. Immediately after the match, SMB Manager Hec Calma and Head Coach Siot Tanquincen placed the game under protest citing that the game should have started on time. Commissioner Barrios on the other hand made the decision to accommodate the fans more so since they hardly play in Zamboanga.

Team SMB has denied that they are protesting to enable their sister teams to catch up to TNT in the standings. They agreed to play the match because of the 10,000 fans that showed up.

I think that this was a unique and an unusual circumstance. The fact that SMB saw it fit to continue playing for fear of a riot means the game has some bearing on the Commissioner's decision. It shouldn't be the norm but rather open to interpretation depending on the circumstances. If SMB had won would they have placed it under protest? That's sounds pretty weird, don't it? But I don't think they will. Suck up this loss, SMB.

I think the Commish called it right on this. However, the PBA Board will tackle this issue in a meeting today Thursday at the PBA offices.

Some will cite a precedent when former PBA Commish Leo Prieto forfeited the match between Presto and Emtex of Brazil in 1977. Presto brought the wrong uniform and the match was rendered an exhibition game. I'm not sure how lawyers treat precedent but IMHO, it's a case-to-case basis matter. Any league will always be challenged by situations like this; stuff that is not covered by league rules. For example in the NBA, the League has banned players from tweeting and engaging in social networking applications during games. That is something not previously covered in any league rule.

While Prieto's ruling might have been good for the time (that competition was an Invitational Cup), this match between TNT and SMB has bearing on the current standings. I would, however, fine TNT. Don't they have an equipment manager for this?

All I can say is this will certainly stoke the fires of the rivalry between these teams considering that TNT Chot Reyes came from SMB where Tanquincen replaced him.