THE PBA’s four-point shot is here to stay, at least for this season, and Commissioner Willie Marcial asked critics to give it a chance with a promise that if the experiment did not get its desired effect, it will be abandoned.
Marcial said the four-point shot will be reviewed at the end of the year. But it will have to be tried first to see if works. The fans' reaction will also be a major consideration.
Speaking during the PBA Media Day on Monday at the Le Parc Event Hall in Pasay City, Marcial pleaded for understanding and asked people to wait while it is tried before making conclusions.
“Tignan natin kung magiging successful, dere-derecho na ‘yun," he said. "Kung hindi man, tingnan natin kung ano ang puwede nating gawin or puwede rin mawala. As of now, this season, may four-point (shot) tayo.”
READ PBA 4-point shot adopted without consultation with coaches
Marcial said the league saw a potential for the shot after it was tried the past two editions of the All-Star Game and was warmly accepted by fans. He said it might have the same effect in the coming conferences.
“Sa All-Star, naging successful eh. Tignan natin kung dito sa ating season, magiging successful. Sa All-Star, masaya ‘yung mga tao, maganda. Nakita naman niyo ‘yung ginawa ni [Robert] Bolick. Pero tingnan natin. Nag-iinnovate na. Tignan natin itong bagong innovation. Tulungan niyo kami na suportahan ito,” said Marcial.
Marcial said he acknowledges the apprehensions and negative comments of fans and some PBA coaches, but appealed to them to give the new rule a chance. The PBA must try new things to enliven the games and to give fans, players and teams alike a new experience, he added.
He also defended the decision to introduce the new shot, which will be taken 27 feet from the basket, and impliment it immediately saying it was the general consensus among the governors.
“Sa planning namin sa Japan, well-represented. Nandoon lahat ng mga governors. Walang kumontra. Unanimous. Nandoon din ang PBA officials. Sa tingin namin, magandang innovation.
“Sa mga coaches, siyempre, may ayaw, may gusto, okay lang ‘yun kasi hindi pa nila nasusubukan eh. Subukan muna natin. Tapos tingnan natin kung maganda ba sa liga o hindi. Para naman magkaroon ng bagong innovation. At tingnan natin kung sasaya ang mga fans,” Marcial said.
“Opinion nila ‘yun, okay sa atin ‘yun. Tingnan natin. Pagbigyan niyo muna kami. Tingnan natin kung magiging successful. Kung hindi, tingnan natin kung ano magagawa natin. Puwedeng tanggalin, puwedeng bagong innovation,” said Marcial.
“Alam mo naman ang PBA, dynamic ‘yan. Sana magtuloy-tuloy pa rin kung ano ang magandang maidudulot natin sa basketball,” said Marcial.
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