With only five minutes left in the game and GlobalPort trying to make a run, Batang Pier guard Sol Mercado was assessed a flagrant foul penalty one after trying to prevent Talk ‘N Text import Tony Mitchell from completing a breakaway dunk.
That doused cold water on GlobalPort’s rally, as Mercado had to sit on the bench for three minutes.
“If there’s five minutes in the game and we’re on a comeback, that call was a crucial one. I’m not known to be a dirty player and I’ve never been,” Mercado told InterAKTV in an exclusive interview.
Mercado let out his frustration about the call late in the Batang Pier’s 102-95 loss to Talk ‘N Text on Sunday night. He said he had no intention of hurting Mitchell, noting how the two men exchanged acknowledgements after the play.
“If you look at it, I went for his arms. I don’t want him to get it done because it would change the momentum of the game. If he gets a dunk, then he’s gonna bring their momentum up and we’re gonna lose our momentum,” said Mercado.
“So I fouled him. I didn’t go for his head, his body or his legs. Everyone on their team is like saying, don’t worry it’s just a regular foul because I just went for his arms.”
The referee, Art Herrera, however, saw things differently.
“The ref said I didn’t go for the ball, but I explained to him, ‘How can I go for the ball? He jumps high so how can I ever reach the ball?’ If I can block the shot then it’s different but he’s 6-foot-5, he jumps high, of course I have to take his arm out so that he can’t get the shot,” said Mercado.
The call proved to be a crucial one as Talk N Text padded its lead back to 12 points inside the three-minute mark. By the time Mercado returned, it was too late.
“It’s frustrating because I have to sit on the bench for three minutes and we’re making a comeback. Now when I came back, it’s too late,” said Mercado.
As a player, Mercado knows that there’s no such thing as perfect officiating, but he wants referees to also make adjustments.
“As a ref, you also have to understand the flow and momentum of the game. I’m the starting point guard of the team, the leader of the team then I will sit down on the bench for three minutes. The guy didn’t get hurt. It’s so frustrating,” said Mercado.
The hotshot guard added that he is ready to defend his position even to PBA commissioner Chito Salud.
“If they call me in to talk to Commissioner, I’m gonna go. I’ll really need him to let him know. That’s not right.”
Source: http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/sol-mercado-complains-about-crucial-flagrant-foul-ready-to-make-case-to-pba-commissioner
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