Even as Bay Area Dragons coach Brian Goorjian vows to “hit back” in Game 2 of the Com’s Cup Final Series versus Brgy. Ginebra yesterday, sorry that we are unable to report the results today because of time constraints.
The 69-year old American-Australian mentor thought the three fouls called against Zhu Songwei very early in the game told against his forward’s performance. Zhu had put in 5 points at that time.
Goorjian had to sit Zhu on the bench and this contributed, according to him, to the 96-81 loss in the Finals opener.
He added that Nicholson was double, triple teamed but no fouls were leveled against Ginebra players.
Goorjian did not like the apparent double standard on defense, especially on Nicholson who was limited to just 27 pts, his lowest.
In post game interviews, the Dragons bench tactician said “they guarded Nicholson like that but there was no penalty.”
The burly ex-NBAer produced just nine free throws in 39 minutes on the floor.
How game officials and the commissioner’s office will react to Gorjian’s plea will have been shown in yesterday’s Game 2.
I understand where this fellow is coming from.
The Dragons seemed too gentlemanly enough not to swap hard physical fouls with their hosts because Goorjian’s boys seemed to have a different understanding of the PBA rules.
Nicholson himself had some “good words” about how Standhardinger and the rest of Ginebra players defended him.
In so many words, the Dragons high scoring forward told the sports media that he had been around basketball a long time that he knows the kind of defense allowed and disallowed.
“I don’t know why it is allowed here,” referring to Ginebra’s physical play without the refs making the right calls.
These accusations may or may not fall on deaf ears but if we take Goorjian seriously, he will resort to the kind of physical game Ginebra is dishing against his platoon.
The Dragons did not come here to play goodwill games.
Yes, they are in part goodwill ambassadors but make no mistake about it.
They are taking part to win the championship trophy because they know they can beat all the PBA teams if officiating
is fair and just.
Oops. This hurts. (Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!
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