Ginebra escapes on Mac Baracael’s free throws, but Rain or Shine set to file protest

Mac Baracael hit three free throws with three-tenths of a second left to lift Barangay Ginebra San Miguel to a 101-100 victory over the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters on Saturday at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.

But the Elasto Painters are putting the game under protest over the circumstances surrounding the foul called on Beau Belga on Baracael’s attempt.

The Rain or Shine bench howled in protest over the foul call, while television replays showed that there should have been more time on the clock after the call was made.

The Elasto Painters earlier went up by two points, 100-98, after a tough jumper by import Arizona Reid over Ginebra counterpart Dior Lowhorn. Ginebra set up a play for Baracael, who pulled up from beyond the arc just as a referee called a foul on Belga.

Baracael coolly sank the three free throws to provide the marginal points.

“We’re just lucky the referee called a foul,” said Ginebra coach Ato Agustin.

“Hindi kami nawalan ng pag-asa dun sa last two seconds.”

Rain or Shien owners Raymond Yu and Terry Que rushed to the PBA press room after the match to speak with the league’s media bureau chief Willie Marcial after the game.

“Ba’t naman ganun, pare?” asked the visibly-frustrated Yu. “Pare, hindi ka dapat tumatawag ng ganun.”

Mark Caguioa exploded for 32 points along with eight rebounds, while import Dior Lowhorn added 31 and nine for Ginebra, whose record improved to 3-4.

Reid had 40 points, 12 rebounds, and five assists to lead Rain or Shine, which saw its record drop to 4-4.

“The call that was made by referee (Nol) Quilingen on defender Belga. As to the contact made by defender Belga on the shooter Baracael the last two seconds was a correct call. There was a contact on the shooter, the rules provide any contact on a squared up shooter that may have affected the ability of the shooter to make the basket, will be called for a foul. Referee Quilingen was spot on. He made the correct call,” said the league commissioner. via Spin.ph