Four-ever? Marcial says second arc will stay ‘for as long as I am commissioner’
As the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) enters its second season with a four-point line, commissioner Willie Marcial confirmed the arc is here to stay—at least for the foreseeable future.
“I think it will stay forever,” Marcial said, before backtracking: “As long as I’m commissioner, the four-point line will be used.”
The 2024-25 season served as a trial run for the innovation and the results are in: PBA teams attempted 2,298 shots from the four-point area, converting 554 for a 24.1 percent success rate across three conferences. TNT won both import-laden titles while San Miguel Beer clinched the Philippine Cup.
TNT ranked last in four-point shooting (17.9 percent, 32-of-179), while San Miguel shot above the league average by hitting 65-of-258 (25.2 percent).
Magnolia made the most of the rule tweak, hitting a league-best 32.4 percent (83-of-256), thanks largely to snipers Paul Lee, Peter Alfaro, and Jerrick Ahanmisi. Lee led all locals with 31 makes, while Ahanmisi—who recently signed a one-year deal with Terrafirma—followed with 28. Alfaro, meanwhile, led the league in efficiency at 57.1 percent (8-of-14).
Blackwater was second overall in percentage, making 67-of-233 (28.8 percent), driven by import George King’s 42 makes on 123 attempts. Phoenix (28.3 percent), Meralco (26.6), and Terrafirma (25.5) rounded out the top five.
Below San Miguel in efficiency were NLEX (23.3 percent), NorthPort (19.3), Converge (19.1), Rain or Shine (18.3) and Barangay Ginebra (18.2).
Marcial noted that Fiba had requested data on the four-point line’s use, though it’s unclear whether basketball’s global body was satisfied or if other leagues are seriously considering the idea.
While the rule has produced dramatic moments—most notably a pair of four-point game-winners by import Scotty Hopson in the Governors’ Cup—it still divides opinion. Some teams use it opportunistically or out of desperation.
But when the 2025-26 season opens on Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum with a clash between rivals Barangay Ginebra and Magnolia, the arc will be there.
Marcial often compares the four-point argument to the debate on who was the best actor to portray James Bond on the silver screen.
“There are people who like it, there are people who don’t,” Marcial said.
