Cesafi officials on Jaguars’ 3-point buzzer-beater against Panthers: It is counted

Cesafi and basketball officials have unanimously decided during a meeting today to count the three-point buzzer beater of the USJ-R Jaguars against the USP-F Panthers. | Cesafi photo

CEBU CITY, Philippines — The Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) officials and basketball tournament officials unanimously decided to count the controversial three-point buzzer beater of University of San Jose-Recoletos’ (USJ-R) Jaguars’ Elmer Echavez that won them the game last night, Nov. 13, at the Cebu Coliseum against the University of Southern Philippines-Foundation (USP-F) Panthers.

The buzzer beater pulled the Jaguars two points up against the Panthers to win the game, 67-65. 

In a statement signed by Cesafi Commissioner Felix Tiukinhoy, deputy commissioners Lawyer Jesus Velez, Danilo Villadolid, and Danilo Duran, they unanimously decided to count Echavez’s basket contrary to what the Panthers were trying to protest that the latter’s three-point shot did not count.

“In our discussion and review, we are unanimous also unanimous in our findings that there was no irregularity on the part of the referees nor the table officials in counting the 3-point basket made by USJ-R player Elmer Echavez,” the Cesafi officials’ statement said. 

Tiukinhoy held a meeting with the Cesafi officials to review the matter and invited the table officials, chief referee Ed Aguelo, and the three referees that manned the game between the Panthers and the Jaguars. 

“When Elmer Echavez received the ball near the midcourt, he immediately dribbled once and then shoot the ball and almost at the same time the buzzer sounded. The 3-point attempt was good,” the statement said.

The Cesafi officials also uplifted the FIBA ruling that dictates that the referees’ decision of the game is already final and irreversible. 

However, USP-F’s athletic director, Brian Jereza, is adamant that the basket did not count. 

“Anywhere in the basketball world 1.2 seconds is a catch and shoot situation.  Sending a letter this afternoon but Cesafi already sent me letter with there decision,” said Jereza.

It can be recalled that there were numerous incidents that Cebu Coliseum’s scoreboard and timer malfunctioned, forcing the table officials to manually count the shot clock and even score the game manually. 

With the defeat, USP-F remains at the No. 2 spot with five wins and three losses, while the Jaguars earned their third win in seven games to climb to the No. 4 spot, dislodging USC with a 3-5 (win-loss) card.

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