Philippine national basketball team coach Tim Cone placed some of the blame on officiating after a heartbreaking one-point defeat to Brazil in the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers on Wednesday.

The Philippines fought valiantly throughout the contest, but ultimately fell short with a final score of 83-82. Cone expressed his frustrations with certain calls made by the referees, believing they played a role in the close outcome.

“There were some calls that were questionable, to say the least,” Cone was quoted as saying after the game. “We felt like we were getting on the wrong end of some whistles, and it definitely affected the momentum at times.”

While Cone acknowledged the team’s shortcomings, he maintained that the officiating decisions should not be overlooked.

“We’re not going to use that as an excuse for the loss,” Cone clarified. “We had our own opportunities to win the game, and we didn’t capitalize on them. But you can’t help but wonder how things might have been different if a few of those calls went our way.”

Cone’s comments are likely to spark discussions about officiating in international basketball. The fast-paced nature of the game and the pressure of high-stakes competition can make it difficult for referees to always make the perfect call.

However, Cone’s frustrations highlight the importance of fair and consistent officiating in ensuring a level playing field for all teams.

The Philippine team will have to regroup quickly, as they are set to face Uruguay in their next qualifying match. With their World Cup hopes still alive, Cone will be hoping for a better performance from his team and a more favorable outcome from the referees.