Salud said the three – rookie Jessie Jaravejo, Nestor Sambrano and Edward Aquino – were each slapped one-game suspensions for inconsistent calls during the game between Barangay Ginebra and Barako Bull in the PBA Philippine Cup last Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Kings eventually won the encounter against the Energy Boosters, 90-78.

Sambrano is classified as a Class A referee, Aquino Class B and Jaravejo Class C.

“They were suspended because of repeated lapses in judgment and failure to adhere on the guidelines and the philosophy we’re implementing this season,” Salud said. The referees, according to Salud, “were repeatedly calling touch fouls.”

This is not the first time that the PBA suspended referees, although this marked the first that the league penalized three referees who officiated the same game. The first referee who was suspended was Joel Ngo last month.

Salud said that the PBA is doing everything to be consistent on its officiating.

“We will impose stiff disciplinary measures, point to their mistake and caution them not to make the similar mistakes,” Salud added.

In addition to the suspension, the Commissioner’s Office also fined (game allowance) a fourth referee, Dennis Barbasena, for failing to remind the three referees of their mistakes when Barako Bull was given ball possession at the start of the fourth period instead of Ginebra.

“That’s the fault of the three referees, but also, that’s the duty of the fourth referee to remind them (regarding ball possession),” Salud said.

Waylon Galvez, Manila Bulletin