OFFICIATING in the coming PBA Governors’ Cup will go hybrid.
In line with the thrust to make PBA players especially those in the Gilas Pilipinas pool familiar with FIBA rules, the league is set to adopt certain guidelines on officiating adhering to the standards set by the world governing body for basketball.
The impending changes were brought up during league officials' meeting with PBA coaches.
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“Magbabago tayo next conference ng tawagan, situational and fouls,” stressed Commissioner Willie Marcial, who graced the Gilas Pilipinas open workout on Monday at the FilOil EcoOil Center in San Juan.
“Much closer (to FIBA calls). Ganun ka-suporta ang PBA sa Gilas Pilipinas.”
Jumpballs will now be scrapped in favor of possession arrows, although the PBA will stick to its 12 minutes per quarter, six personal fouls, length of timeouts, and the four-point line.
“Hindi naman lahat babaguhin,” said PBA board vice-chairman and Barangay Ginebra governor Alfrancis Chua.
But he likewise emphasized the adjustment will specifically be beneficial to members of the national team pool.
“Yung adjustment kasi talagang malayo. Every time we play (internationally), iba yung fouls dito (PBA), iba yung fouls doon (FIBA). We’re just adjusting middle of the game na,” added Chua, who is also Gilas program director and team manager.
“Minsan sobrang physical sila, minsan naman mahipan mo lang foul,” he said. “So we need to adapt. We’re just thinking to at least help the players who are playing for Gilas.”
Officiating has become again a major issue in the mid-season Commissioner's Cup.
Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao complained about Chua's presence and complaining on the Ginebra bench as intimidating to game officials, while TNT counterpart Chot Reyes also had his own misgivings about the matter, referring with a poker face to officiating in the just-concluded best-of-seven finals as 'excellent.'
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