THE PBA revealed that it will finally start implementing a challenge rule by next season.
PBA commissioner Willie Marcial said the coaches’ challenges will be discussed by the competition committee composed of head coaches before the rule is implemented beginning with the 2023-2024 season of the league.
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Mechanics of the coaches' challenge will be discussed by the competition committee, Marcial added. The rule will not be implemented immediately since the league is in the middle of its 46th season.
Marcial said the decision to look into a coach's challenge system also stemmed from discussions between the Commissioner’s Office and the head coaches of the league including TNT coach Chot Reyes.
“Nagkausap na rin kami ng mga ibang coaches katulad ni coach Chot. Ilalagay ko sa competition committee, by next season, magkakaroon tayo ng challenge rule,” said Marcial during the Power and Play program by Philippine Sports Commission chairman Noli Eala on Saturday.
The PBA already tinkering about installing a challenge rule should be welcome news for fans who have been clamoring for such following a couple of contentious calls over the past years.
The most recent controversial call, incidentally, involved Reyes during TNT’s match against Magnolia. During the final seconds, Paul Lee was rewarded with two free throws after a reach-in foul on Calvin Oftana, enabling Magnolia to escape with a 94-92 win last October 5.
A furious Reyes approached the technical committee after the game, leading to a P50,000 sanction against the TNT coach.
The PBA later upheld the Oftana foul after a review of the play the day after the game.
Marcial admitted the challenge rule has been suggested as far as two years ago, but hasn’t implemented it due to the league already implementing a review system for certain plays.
“Hindi namin ginagawa, one, ang dami na nating nire-review. Nire-review na natin ‘yung F1, F2, stepping, three points, ang dami nating reviewable na ginagawa lalo na sa last two minutes,” said Marcial.
Other local leagues are already implementing a challenge rule.
Following the lead of the NBA, the UAAP has initiated a challenge system for its basketball tournaments this season.
The Premier Volleyball League also has such rule, but the equipment for the system has yet to arrive in the country.
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