Aces struggle with new PBA rule

The Alaska Aces, like all the other Philippine Basketball Association teams, are struggling with the way PBA referees are officiating games allowing more contact in a bid to make the games more exciting.

“Honestly, they are overdoing it,” said Alaska Aces team captain Jeff Cariaso. “Sobrang extreme. Before, kaunting dikit lang foul na. Now, sobra naman the other way. It really takes a lot of contact before a foul is called. They are messing up the integrity of the game.”

The Alaska team captain said the way the referees are officiating the game is certainly past the line of what basketball is all about. However, he did concede that the referees are obviously trying to correct their mistakes.

“There was a marked difference between our first and second games,” said Cariaso. “I think the PBA is trying to find a balance. Our first game was more American football than basketball. There was so much holding and pushing without a foul being called. But the referees tried to adjust in the second game. Hopefully it continues to improve to the point that they will find an acceptable balance.”

Cariaso’s view is shared by Alaska President and Chief Operating Officer Wilfred Steven Uytengsu, Jr. who called for a reevaluation of the league policy in a letter to PBA Chairman Tony Chua.

“The new interpretation of the rules has resulted in very rough games,” said Uytengsu. “There have been hard and flagrant fouls, increased technical fouls, scores of non-calls, and a general degradation of the quality of defense. This has encouraged players to now play defense by pushing shoving, holding and even elbowing which is certainly not in the spirit of the game.”

Similar sentiments were voiced by officials of other teams. Former PBA Chairman Sta. Lucia’s Buddy Encarnado referenced the column of Tito Talao in the tabloid Tempo. “Talao in his piece described the action in PBA basketball games as ‘Hand to hand combat.’ That says it all,” said Encarnado.

Even Red Bull coach Yeng Guiao, whose team is known as among the most physical in the league, expressed his apprehensions about the way the referees are officiating the games.

“Nobody knows what a foul is anymore,” said Guiao. “We should reevaluate the implementation of the league policy on what constitutes a foul. We went from one extreme to the other in a very short span of time.”

Even winning coaches are not all sold on the change in rules.

“The difference is night and day not even even between this conference and last conference but actually between this conference’s pre-season and this conference’s actual games,” said Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio whose Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants are leading the Philippine Cup with two straight victories. “It’s really difficult to adjust to the drastic change.”

Observers noted that the referees cannot be blamed because leeway that was given to them was simply too much. The change from the rules that have been followed over the years is simply too great.

“At this early stage we can expect a lot of wear and tear and possibly the recurrence of injuries on our players,” said Uytengsu. “This will no doubt have a negative impact on PBA attendance when our top players are sitting on the bench. I am sure the Board and the Commissioner’s Office will want to reevaluate the situation and do what is best for the League, its players and its fans.”