The local basketball world was thrown into a frenzy at the conclusion of Game 1 of the 2025 PBA Philippine Cup Finals.
What started as a sure victory for TNT Tropang 5G turned into a heart-pounding, head-scratching thriller that left fans, players and San Miguel Beermen's coaching staff clamoring for answers.
For three quarters, TNT looked in full control and had a lead as big as 24 points. But San Miguel stormed back to even take the lead briefly.
And that exact basket that enabled them to taste the advantage was nullified during the final seconds of the game.
Mo Tautuaa drove to the rim for a dunk attempt, which was challenged by Kelly Williams. The defense made the ball bounce high, yet ultimately it still went in to put San Miguel up 98-97 with 56 seconds left in the fourth quarter.
However, a dispute regarding that basket would cause every bit of confusion.
As Chris Ross was able to force a jump ball against Jordan Heading with 6.2 seconds left in the game, this specific dead-ball situation became an opportunity for a review, ultimately overturning that field goal to not being counted -- a four-point swing that gave TNT the upper hand to take Game 1.
The call sparked widespread debate across the league and questions raised about the timing, process, and overall consistency of the review.
With emotions running high and both teams now on edge, the rest of the series promises to be nothing short of electric.
But before looking ahead, let's break down the controversial sequence that could very well become the turning point in this finals showdown between TNT and San Miguel.
What violation was committed by Tautuaa?
The violation called on Mo Tautuaa was offensive basketball interference, a clear infraction in the PBA rulebook.
In the final minute of Game 1, Tautuaa's powerful dunk attempt -- challenged by Williams -- bounced high off the rim and eventually dropped through. Initially ruled a good basket that gave San Miguel a one-point lead, it was later overturned during review.
Upon further inspection, Tautuaa was seen holding onto the rim as the ball hovered above the cylinder, triggering the interference call.
PBA deputy commissioner Eric Castro clarified this reasoning in a press conference after the tightly contested game.
"Regardless kung may tamaan siyang part ng ring, the fact na nahila niya 'yung ring pababa is a violation already. Considered na offensive basketball interference," Castro said.
The officials judged that even if the contact seemed natural to the dunk motion, the continuous grasp of the rim during the ball's descent met the criteria for a violation under league rules.
Why was it called "basket interference"?
It was ruled basket interference, rather than goaltending, because the infraction involved illegal contact with the basket, not the ball, while it was still in scoring position.
Tautuaa's hand staying on the rim while the ball bounced above it placed the action squarely within the rule's definition. It didn't matter whether he intended to affect the shot -- what mattered was the effect of his contact on a live ball above the cylinder.
This interpretation mirrors FIBA Article 31.2.4, which states: "Interference occurs if a player touches the basket or the backboard while the ball is on or within the basket and is in the process of entering the basket, or causes the ring to vibrate."
The PBA applied this logic directly. By holding the rim as the ball hovered above it, Tautuaa's action was considered enough to possibly influence the ball's path.
While not a common call in late-game situations, the referees used this FIBA ruling as a reference to overturn the decision to count the shot.
Why did the review take so long?
The timing of the review created confusion for fans and players alike. But the clear thing here is the PBA reviews can only be initiated during natural dead-ball situations.
In this case, the opportunity came after Ross forced a jump ball with 6.2 seconds left. Only then were officials able to announce and execute the review of the previous scoring play, causing a significant delay in game action.
Castro acknowledged the timing of it and explained this exact point.
"We've been reviewing it habang live ball, but that was the only time that we were able to announce it through our barker, the correction," he added.
The long delay stemmed from needing multiple angles and ensuring the ruling was correct under pressure.
Still, the extended pause and the retroactive nature of the overturn made the moment all the more jarring -- especially for San Miguel, who had just completed a massive comeback.
How can this affect the series?
The emotional fallout from the overturned basket could have a ripple effect on the rest of the series.
San Miguel had clawed back from a 24-point deficit and briefly seized momentum. For that game-altering moment to be reversed not only handed TNT the win but also left the team visibly frustrated.
Such a moment can linger -- not just tactically, but mentally -- for a veteran team like San Miguel, who are now staring at a 1-0 deficit.
Tautuaa, at the center of this controversial call, didn't hold back when asked about his reaction towards the decision.
"That's the exact opposite of a right call. Let us decide the game. It's simple," the bruising center said.
His comments reflect the frustration of a team that believed they had earned the win on the court. Whether this fuels San Miguel's fire or rattles their composure remains to be seen.
But in a rivalry this intense, every edge, emotional or otherwise, matters. The controversy has already shaped the narrative; now it's up to the players to shape the outcome.