PBA suspends referee, as Allado rips league after Barako's exit

(Updated 4:12pm) A controversial non-call during Tuesday night's knockout game between the Powerade Tigers and the Barako Bull Energy has resulted in a referee suspended for the rest of the season, and a rant on Twitter by Energy big man Don Allado, which he later deleted.

PBA media bureau head Willie Marcial confirmed in an interview with GMA News Online that the referee who failed to call a three-second violation on Powerade import Omar Sneed in the last three minutes of the game had been suspended for the rest of the season.

The non-call resulted in Jvee Casio sinking a floater that made it 97-89 late in the game, with the Barako Bull attempting to rally.

They would later go on to lose the game, 99-95, eliminating them from the running in the Governors' Cup.

After the loss, veteran Don Allado took to Twitter, tweeting out, "I can accept losing to teams. But I can't accept losing bcoz of referees [sic]."

I can accept losing to teams. But I can't accept losing bcoz of referees.

— Don Allado (@alotofDON) July 3, 2012
 
 
 
 
 

I congratulate the Powerade team tonight for winning. Happy 4 my friends there. : ) Gluck guys!

— Don Allado (@alotofDON) July 3, 2012
 
 
 
 
 

I'm the guy that says what others can't.#PBA games are fixed. They control who is in & who is out. It's a disgrace to be in this league.

— Don Allado (@alotofDON) July 3, 2012
 
 
 
 
 

I am bitter about losing. Not to Powerade, but to #PBA . In my opinion, this leaguehas little credibility left.

— Don Allado (@alotofDON) July 3, 2012
 
 
 
 
 

@yuri_ph tnx pare. But I hope they sanction me. I will expose them all.

— Don Allado (@alotofDON) July 3, 2012
 
 
 
 
 

I feel for #BarakoRepubliq management. They put in time, effort & resources to form a competitive team like this only to be wasted by #PBA

— Don Allado (@alotofDON) July 3, 2012
 
 
 
 
 

@iamnottherealme this has nothing to do with Powerade. They didnt make the non calls. Its PBA only.

— Don Allado (@alotofDON) July 3, 2012
 
 
 
 
 

{BA Commissioner Chito Salud later released a statement about the Allado's tweets, saying, "He [Allado] is certainly way out of line. He is indicting not just the game officials, but the entire organization and membership of the league, his co-players and team officials alike

"This is a serious accusation and I do not intend to take it lightly," Salud added, though he did not specify what sanction he planned on imposing.

However, as of 4:11pm, Wednesday, Allado has since deleted his controversial tweets, leaving only his message of congratulations to the Powerade team. It is not immediately known if he did so at the behest of the league, or his team's management.

Powerade faces Meralco on Wednesday in a knock-out game for the last semifinal berth in the Governors' Cup.  - AMD, GMA News