PBA: San Mig Coffee escapes Barako Bull after 'goaltend' confusion

(Updated 7:31pm) What is and isn't a goaltend under PBA rules came under scrutiny after a wild finish that saw Rafi Reavis tip out an Enrico Vilanueva shot from the rim with about two seconds left to play, to clinch a win for the San Mig Coffee Mixers. Players and the coaching staff from the Barako Bull Energy Cola thought Reavis had committed a goaltending violation, but the referees let stand San Mig Coffee's 92-91, Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, citing the leaguee's use of FIBA rules. “Basta tumama na ng ring, puwede nang tapikin ‘yun,” explained PBA commissioner Chito Salud, who was met with irate Barako Bull players on their way to the dugout. “The only time you can’t do that is if there’s no time left in the clock.” Said rule was first introduced back in 2006, along with several other changes that brought the PBA more in line with international competition and away from the NBA's style of play. As a result, the Mixers moved off the .500 mark to improve to 3-2. Barako Bull on the other hand, lost their second straight, to fall to 2-4. In the game's penultimate play, James Yap missed a jumper, but Marc Pingris, in his return to action following a two-game absence, hauled in an offensive board to give his team a second look. Despite San Mig head coach Tim Cone hollering for his side to call a timeout, PJ Simon, who didn't see Cone, instead broke his man down and rose up for the go-ahead jumper. “That play was really supposed to be for PJ but the ball found its way to James [Yap] because we always go to James,” said Cone after the game. “We have to diversify our offense because we’re too reliant on James. He comes through 99% of the time for us but he can’t do it every time with the defense concentrating on him.” Barako Bull started the game by displaying the strength of their front court. Villanueva led their charge by scoring eight points in the very first quarter, 24-17. The second quarter was a duel between Aldrech Ramos and Doug Kramer, as the substitute bigs from both teams scored 10 points apiece in a quarter that ended with Barako Bull holding a 48-42 lead. A lay-up by Josh Urbiztondo gave the Barako Bull a 57-45 lead early in the third quarter but this was followed by a 14-0 run by the Mixers, capped by six straight points from Simon. Yap then closed San Mig’s big third quarter via a three ball with 15 seconds left to give his team a 66-61 lead heading into the payoff period. Yap, who was unable to complete their last game against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters due to being ejected, made up for lost time, as he carried the Mixers in the fourth quarter by making 13 of his 21 points in the final 12 minutes. Still, the barrage from the 2012 Commissioner's Cup Finals MVP was not enough, as Barako Bull clawed their way into the game thanks to back-to-back threes from Ronald Tubid. Villanueva then scored off a Tubid assist with 1:18 left in the clock to give Barako a 91-90 lead. After Simon's strike put San Mig back up ahead, Barako sued for time. On a set play, Josh Urbiztondo found Villanueva, whose shot struck the ring, before Reavis cleared it away. “Rafi [Reavis] always does that even on free throws,” explained Cone. “It was a smart, smart play by Rafi.” Barako Bull head coach Junel Baculi had a different opinion. “For me, they should have let the players decide the game,” he said. “We executed a well-designed endgame play and we were capable of winning. They should have let the players decide the game and not the officials.” The Barako Bull head coach added that they have yet to decide if they are going to put the game under protest. “We will review the tape and we will see what actions we should do,” said Baculi. “If you’re going to ask an opinion, my opinion is the basket should have counted. We were robbed of a win." Yap scored 21 points on 8-of-19 shooting, and added four rebounds. San Mig's next three top-scorers all came off the bench - PJ Simon tallied 15 markers, rookie Aldrech Ramos had 10, and his FEU teammate Mark Barroca chimed in nine, along with four assists and two steals. Pingris had nine points and five boards in 26 minutes of play in his return. Ronald Tubid had 17 points to lead Barako Bull. Enrico Villanueva put together an impressive statline of 16 points, six rebounds and five assists, but his time on the court was limited, due to five fouls. Former B-MEG Llamados, the prior incarnation of the San Mig Coffee Mixers, Josh Urbiztondo and Roger Yap combined for 19 points against their old team.   In a closely-fought game, free throws turned out to be the deciding factor, as San Mig got 25 looks from the foul line and made 19. Barako Bull on the other hand, got just 11 trips to the stripe and made 10. - AMD, GMA News The scores: San Mig Coffee 92 - Yap 21, Simon 15, Ramos 10, Barroca 9, Gonzales 9, Pingris 9, De Ocampo 8, Devance 5, Reavis 5, Villanueva 1. Barako Bull Energy 91 - Tubid 17, Villanueva 16, Urbiztondo 14, Kramer 12, Pennisi 12, Najorda 9, Yap 5, Anthony 4, Cervantes 2, Alvarez 0, Ballesteros 0. Quarter scoring: 17-24, 42-48, 66-61, 92-91