THE PBA’s 49th season opens shop with the Governors’ Cup this Sunday, Aug. 18, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum with a controversial innovation–the four-point line and three new rules.
“As mentioned by chairman (Ricky) Vargas and Commissioner Willie (Marcial), we have three new rules for the 49th season. Number one is the removal of the over-the-backboard violation para mapalapit tayo sa FIBA rules,” PBA deputy chief Eric Castro said yesterday during the season launch at the EDSA Shangri-La Manila in Mandaluyong.
“Second is the restriction of the official suspension of play. As you noticed, a lot of players, when they go down, minsan medyo matagal bago bumangon.
“Third will be the coaches’ hash mark. Before, when coaches cross the hash mark, it will be a violation. We will give them some leeway. We’re just going to give them a warning and the second time they do that, technical na,” he added.
Philippine Cup champion Meralco squares off with Magnolia in the match that will kick off the new cage wars after the opening ceremonies and the 48th season Leo Awards.
Despite being taken to task for the implementation of the four-point shot, the pro league stood its ground, convinced it will not only spice up the games but will serve Asia’s pioneering league in good stead.
“When we were in Japan (for the planning) and when we decided, all of us na governors walang humindi, meaning lahat kami unanimous na gusto namin iyong four-point shot,” Ginebra team governor and pro league vice chairman Alfrancis Chua said. “Siyempre iba-iba ang opinion. May mga nagsabi na bakit ganito, bakit ganyan, bakit hindi sa amin sinabi.
“But it’s only a line. Puwede namang hindi gamitin. Hindi naman sinabi na sa isang quarter tumira kayo nang tatlong beses diyan. If you wanna use it, use it. Pero subukan mo, down by three, puwede ka pang manalo. Hindi naman kami mag-i-imbento para pumangit ang liga. Ang sa amin, ginagawa namin ito para gumanda ang liga.”
The Bolts will be bannered by returning import Allen Durham while the Hotshots will parade former NBA slam dunk champion Glenn Robinson III.
A total of six playdates are scheduled in the first month of the meet, with the league paving way for two coming international tourneys the PBA is a major part of.
Are exciting times back or will the PBA end up as the subject of ridicule anew?
