PBA admits missed backcourt call in Magnolia loss to NLEX

The Philippine Basketball Association has acknowledged a crucial officiating lapse that played a key role in shifting momentum during the Magnolia Hotshots’ 112-105 loss to the NLEX Road Warriors in the Commissioner’s Cup.

In a game that was still up for grabs entering the fourth quarter, the league admitted a backcourt violation should have been called on Kevin Alas during a sequence that ultimately sparked a decisive NLEX run.

With the score tied at 84-all and 10:55 remaining, Alas — already in the frontcourt and close to stepping out of bounds — passed the ball back to JB Bahio, who had not yet crossed midcourt. The play went uncalled, despite meeting the criteria for a backcourt violation.

The missed infraction immediately drew protests from Magnolia’s bench, led by head coach LA Tenorio, who stepped onto the court to question the decision.

Instead of a turnover, however, Magnolia was assessed a technical foul after Tenorio’s outburst.

Alas converted the free throw, and on the ensuing possession, Tony Semerad buried a three-pointer — turning what could have been Magnolia possession into a four-point swing in favor of NLEX.

From there, the Road Warriors seized control.

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NLEX’s Cady Lalanne finishes with 24 pts, 11 rebs, 3 blks, 2 asts and 1 stl vs Magnolia.

Schonny Winston adds 14 pts, 6 rebs, 6 asts and 3 stls for the Road Warriors.

JB Bahio 14p/6r/3a
Robert Bolick 14p/5r/5a/2s
LJ Gonzales 13p/7r/3a/2s
Kevin Alas 13p
Anthony Semerad 11p/2r/1s pic.twitter.com/e8jRTv94UC

— PBA Statsline (@pbastatsline) March 16, 2026

The sequence broke the deadlock and gave NLEX an 88-84 lead, a cushion it would not relinquish as Magnolia was forced to chase the game the rest of the way.

While the league’s admission confirmed what Magnolia had argued in real time, the ruling came too late to change the outcome.

The loss dropped the Hotshots to 0-2 in the conference, marking their first winless start through two games in three seasons, or since the Season 47 Governors’ Cup.

That campaign saw Magnolia recover from an 0-3 start behind a mid-conference import change, eventually finishing strong enough to reach the playoffs — a reminder that early setbacks are not always definitive.

Still, this latest defeat carries added frustration. Beyond the result, it underscores how a single missed call — now officially acknowledged — can alter the course of a game.

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