RAIN or Shine coach Yeng Guiao hailed the rules changes made by the PBA which he said bring the league closer to the Fiba game starting in its 48th season.
Guiao said all PBA coaches were in agreement with the revisions to the rules, most notably the scrapping of player timeouts, saying that it will ultimately help the national team program.
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“Magandang development ‘yun. Actually, ‘yung mga rules na ‘yun, unanimous kaming mga coaches,” said Guiao. “We were consulted by the commissioner, by the technical committee, we had meetings about that, we had video sessions about that.
“Na-fine tune na rin naman nila dahil ‘yung unang application (during the PBA on Tour), medyo rough pa eh. Pero etong next season, I think mas refined na ‘yung pag-apply nung mga rules dahil napag-usapan na namin kung saan puwedeng iimprove ‘yung mga rules na ‘yun,” said Guiao.
By revising a few rules, Guiao said PBA players will eventually get used to the Fiba game when they compete internationally, whether with Gilas Pilipinas or even a club team.
“Natutuwa ako dahil we are going closer to the Fiba rules. As I’ve said before, that’s going to help our national team, help our players who would become Gilas players.
"Also, madalas tayo lumabas at maglaro ng international games. Even ‘yung mga individual teams, not just our national team. Kami naglaro kami ng Jones Cup, Meralco nakapaglaro ng Doha, ‘yung EASL, isa pang international tournament that we regularly participate in.
Adjusting to international rules
"Dapat talaga mag-adjust na tayo towards international rules and that’s going to help us in the SEA Games, that’s going to help us sa Asian Games, kumporme kami lahat dito. We have no complaints about getting closer to the Fiba rules,” said Guiao.
Guiao said the biggest adjustment about the new rules is the player timeouts.
“That will also require tactical adjustments sa coaching aspect. It will also require an adjustment from the players’ side na nasanay na sila na puwede sila mag-timeout. One thing about that is it’s going to reward good defense and defensive intensity. Wala ka nang bail-out with the timeouts. I think that’s a good development,” said Guiao.
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