Ref who made controversial Game 3 call removed from Philippine Cup Finals series

The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) said the referee who made a controversial call in Game 3 will no longer be officiating another game in the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup Finals.

League commissioner Willie Marcial confirmed the development to GMA News Online on Monday. "Hindi na [siya] babalik sa series na ito," Marcial said.

[He will not return to this series.]

The referee, whose name was not disclosed, called a foul on TNT's Brian Heruela near the end of the first half, despite the latter being far from contact from Magnolia's Paul Lee.

Magnolia eventually won the game, 106-98.

TNT team owner Manuel V. Pangilinan aired his thoughts about Game 3's officiating, saying on Twitter: "Worst officiating by far tonight I've seen."

—JMB, GMA News