THE PBA will observe proper decorum on the court for its 41st season, making it clear it will strictly implement rules including one that will prevent players from dropping 'their pants.'
New commissioner Chito Narvasa has made the rounds in the offseason to lecture teams about the new policies under his watch, which include a more stringent calling of fouls by the game officials.
Beginning this season, game officials will also be stricter in enforcing an old rule, one that was in place since the time of the late commissioner Jun Bernardino, that players' shirts should be properly tucked in during games.
Game officials, in fact, are determined to discourage the habit of players pulling down their shorts when they tuck in their shirts before entering games - a habit that in the past has led to 'indecent exposures' both in the PBA and NBA.
“That’s no longer allowed,” stressed Narvasa in his visit to team practices during the off-season.
Fines and eventually, suspension will be meted on players who will not abide by the rules. The league commissioner said players are still prohibited from doing it even if they wear cycling shorts or warmers as under garments.
"“Even if you have it (under garments), that’s still indecency. Any indecent act is punishable,” he told the teams.
Narvasa said a first-time offender will be fined P1,000, before penalty goes up gradually to P3,000 to P5,000, and finally suspension, on the fourth infraction.
“We will be very clear about that,” Narvasa, the former Basketball Coaches Association of the Philippines (BCAP) president, told the teams.
Narvasa also declared the league will now be stricter in calling fouls.
“A foul is a foul,” he stressed.
Among the players’ court tendencies which will now be whistled are holding on to jerseys of opposing players, grabbing an offensive opponent during an inbound play, and a dribbling player who uses his off hand to lock his defender by the elbow.
The advantage foul will now merit free throws plus possession.
The PBA will also be very, very strict on players delivering ‘karate chops’ on a rival’s head or above the shoulder, which is equivalent to flagrant foul penalty two.
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