IT’S not only the rules but also the personnel that enforces the rules that have undergone changes in the PBA ahead of its 50th season.
Former player Joey Guanio will now be the head of the league’s technical group, while recently retired referee Nol Quilinguen is the newly-designated supervisor of officials.
They replaced Eric Castro and Bong Pascual, respectively.
READ Mo Tautuaa's nullified dunk in PBA Finals prompts rule change
Castro is now assigned as head of league operations, while Pascual remains part of the PBA’s technical staff.
Commissioner Willie Marcial confirmed the changes just days before the league kicks off its new season at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Oct. 5.
“Si Mr. Eric Castro nilagay na natin sa operations. And si Nol Quilinguen na nag-retire na as referee, ginawa na nating head ng referees. So yun ang mga kaunting changes,” he said.
Castro likewise gave up his position as deputy commissioner.
“Pinag-usapan na namin sa board yan, parang ganun ang mangyayari. So bakante ang deputy commissioner (position),” according to Marcial.
The league didn’t offer any explanation or expound about the appointment of new people in the two sensitive posts, but obviously, the issue that marred the finals of the season-ending Philippine Cup between San Miguel and TNT led to the changes.
Castro and Pascual were caught in a storm of controversy when as part of the technical committee team, they called for a review the dunk of Mo Tautuaa in the final six seconds of Game 1 of the finals that led to the basket being nullified as offensive interference.
The nullification led to TNT regaining the lead, 97-96, and the Tropang 5G eventually winning the game, 99-96.
The Beermen threatened to file a protest on the outcome of the game the morning after, but were pre-empted by a hastily-arranged press conference where league officials shed light on the technical committee’s decision to review the controversial play.
From hereon, Marcial said the technical committee can no longer review plays in the final two minutes of the game if there are no calls on the floor.
“Pag last two minutes at two or three points (ang lamang), hindi natawagan ng referee, final na yun. Mananagot na lang yung referee sa atin,” the commissioner said.
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