For national cause
Changes are expected to be heavily felt on Friday when the PBA Governors’ Cup—using mostly Fiba rules aimed at helping the Gilas Pilipinas program—tips off.
Teams have been given a dress rehearsal of what to expect during tune-up games held over the past three weeks, with the league even bringing in Fiba instructor Mohammad Al-Amiri to give officials a run-through of the changes.
While the PBA will keep some of its own guidelines, namely the four 12-minute quarters, six personal fouls and the polarizing four-point line, how games are called will have Fiba interpretations in mind.
“Every time we play internationally, how fouls are called in the PBA and Fiba are different,” said PBA vice chairman Alfrancis Chua of Barangay Ginebra, who also acts as Gilas program director and team manager. “(In playing internationally,) we would only (be able to) adjust during the middle of the game.”
Some of the changes have been evident during the tune-ups.
When San Miguel Beer edged out Magnolia, 94-92, the trailing Hotshots had to foul multiple times before they came into penalty in order for the Beermen to take free throws during the final seconds. Under previous PBA rules, teams had to foul just once inside the last two minutes before the penalty situation.
Different judgement
Substitutions during free throws will have to come after the last attempt, instead of before the final foul shots, while how fouls are called will be based on Fiba guidelines, including unsportsmanlike infractions, which will also have a different judgment.
“Sometimes, the physicality is too much and sometimes a soft bump will result in a foul,” Chua said. “So we need to adapt. We’re just thinking of at least helping the players who are playing for Gilas.”
While the rule changes seem like a welcome development for those who have been urging the PBA to use FIBA rules strictly, at least one coach has some reservations.
“Fiba rules are okay, but I think it may take some time for teams to get used to it,” Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao said. “I still think there are PBA rules that can still improve the game. But I guess the PBA is trying to help our national team by leaning towards Fiba rules.
“But there’s no perfect system. We know that some of the PBA rules are lacking by themselves and the same can be said with Fiba rules,” added the outspoken mentor.
One point Guiao raised was the changes in the Challenge System, in which teams are only allowed to call once, unlike in the past when teams can have an additional challenge in the event of a successful contention.
Coaches’ limitations
Guiao also questioned the limitations on what coaches and teams can challenge under Fiba guidelines.
“You cannot challenge the fouls,” he said. “You can only challenge whether it would be upgraded or downgraded. So the leverage goes back to the referees. If the referees make a mistake, you cannot do anything about it. Unlike before, as a coach, you can have a remedy.
“Your remedy is lessened when it comes to Fiba rules,” Guiao went on. “And for us coaches, it’s very important that you feel you have some control over the officiating. But now, it will be lost or reduced. That’s my apprehension.”
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