EVEN among the UAAP coaches, the four-point line remains a polarizing move.
Some like it, some don’t, but all the mentors agree that it’s something that they will look closely on as the PBA has chosen to move forward with the innovation starting in the 49th season.
“It's not for everyone,” said Adamson coach Nash Racela, understanding how divisive the move was.
Far Eastern University coach Sean Chambers, who considers himself a basketball purist, admitted that he’s still skeptical with the introduction of the 27-foot arc.
“I'm just gonna watch how it impacts the game. But so far, right now, I noticed that the PBA teams are not running to it and they're staying true to who they are. A lot of the (four-point) shots are happening by chance, like at the end of the shot clock or the end of the quarter. It's not like they're designing plays for a four-point shot,” he said.
“They're staying true to their game, and so far I guess I'm gonna say ok lang, walang problema.”
For University of the Philippines coach Goldwin Monteverde, he focused more on how it changes the nuances of the game. Indeed, the four-point line has changed the dynamics of what was once a safe three-point lead, and that four-point leads are now basically one-possession games.
“It’s something new. Pero as a coach, nandoon pa rin ako sa part ng coaching, na yung dating two-possession game, magiging one-possession na lang,” he said.
Few tacticians understand the move and see the added excitement provided by the longer arc, so much so that University of the East mentor Jack Santiago wishes more leagues would be open to the prospects of the four-point line.
In the same light, he said that if this will be the norm, our players should also have to adapt to this longer line – which also means discovering more sharp-shooters from way out.
“I think it's gonna be exciting. It's a new look and hopefully, it will (be adapted) to other leagues also,” he said. “But of course, we'll need to adjust kasi 'di naman tayo lahat na-ready dun.”
La Salle coach Topex Robinson remains surprised that the four-point line saw the light of day, but he also understood that as long as it garners interest, it will always be good for the sport.
“It's entertaining. It's something that I never imagined would come to fruition. It's something that people are talking about, so that's good for business,” he said.
With that being said, Spin.ph challenged all eight UAAP men’s basketball head coaches to try the four-point line.
And who was the best among the bunch? No less than Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin, who didn’t just make three consecutive four-pointers, but also added a halfcourt shot as a cherry on top of the sundae.
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