Source: mb.com.ph
Games Wednesday (Astrodome, Pasay City)
5 p.m. — Air21 vs Rain or Shine
7:30 p.m. — Alaska vs B-Meg Derby Ace
MANILA, Philippines — The decision of new PBA Commissioner Angelico “Chito” Salud to redefine some rules, particularly on the way the fouls are called in the week-old Philippine Cup, received mixed reactions.
The league now operates under the framework of “only clear and hard contacts will be called,” eliminating touch fouls and marginal contact fouls.
The new framework also helps the league to define if the call was a block or a charge, a duty foul or a hard one, or a more severe infraction, which may result to Flagrant Foul 1 or 2.
“There are mixed reactions,” Salud said. “There are people saying it’s too physical, but there are some saying touch fouls are still being called.”
“But let it be clear, the framework does not encourage physicality, but it will allow hard, honest and correct basketball. We have emphasis on the freedom of offense movement, because that balances when we removed the touch foul,” he added.
The 10 coaches of the PBA teams were one in saying that the game has become more exciting, although some of them expressed concern that too much physicality may result to fights.
And with that, the PBA referees should always be under control.
“I think the fans love it,” said Talk ‘N Text coach Chot Reyes, whose team claimed the early lead with a 2-0 record after beating San Miguel Beer, 97-83, late Sunday at the Astrodome in Pasay City.
“As long as the thin line between physicality and “thuggery” isn’t crossed and players make legit defensive plays instead of going after their men, then it's fine,” Reyes said.
“People expect that there might be fights,” Rain or Shine mentor Caloy Garcia said.
“Being physical is okay, but not knowing what a foul is different. There’s no specific guideline on what a foul really is. Players, coaches, referees and fans are all adjusting,” he said.
“I think it makes the game faster and exciting. But anything in excess is always not good. Too much physicality hinders a player’s chance to show his skills and will just encourage brute strength, which is only one aspect of the game,” said SMB assistant coach Gee Abanilla.
So far, statistics have showed improvement under the framework of allowing a free-flowing offense.
The points per game through eight matches have increased to 84.8 points, compared to 84.1 points in last season’s Philippine Cup.
Also, the fouls called dropped to an averaged on 21.08 per game from 23.86, a reason why foul shots given also fell from 25.2 to 22.8.
“It’s a work in progress, we’re still adjusting. But we will adjust ahead of the teams,” said Salud.
“On the third or fourth run of the refs, that would be it. That would be the framework that we envision for the season. I would say now, they (referees) 80 percent on the frame work.”
Coach Tim Cone of Fiesta Cup champion Alaska said he’s just observing developments, saying: “At this point, I’m just keeping an open mind, seeing where all this will lead. My only concern is the low scores and the poor shooting percentages of the offenses.”
The physicality of the game, however, led to painful results to some players, including Powerade forward Eddie Laure (cut on lower lip), B-Meg Derby Ace’s Rico Maierhofer (cut on chin) and Alaska rookie Elmer Espiritu (cut on lower lip).
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