The Magnolia Hotshots got their PBA Governors’ Cup campaign off on the wrong foot—blowing a 16-point lead in a 98-86 defeat to the Phoenix Fuel Masters.
After the game, a visibly frustrated LA Tenorio not only sounded the alarm on his team but also put the referees on blast, calling on them to adjust quickly to the PBA’s adoption of more FIBA-centric officiating.
“I mean, we’re adjusting, and I hope the referees [and] the officiating will adjust,” Tenorio told reporters. “Hindi naman sila FIBA referee. PBA referee sila, so they have to adjust din. But the thing is, they have to adjust right away kasi the teams are relying on them.”
PBA Implements More FIBA Rules
The PBA has begun implementing more FIBA rules to the league in support of the national team. Some of these rules include the use of a possession arrow, the removal of the transition take foul and clear-path foul in favour of unsportsmanlike fouls, and substitutions allowed only after the second free throw. The PBA is also allowing more contact than usual, in accordance with FIBA officiating norms.
With these changes, Tenorio is hoping the referees will be able to quickly familiarise themselves so they can make the right calls.
“Kami, nag-re-rely sa kanila ngayon to make the right calls. I know it’s hard to be consistent. Mahirap maging consistent…,” Tenorio added. “We are adjusting, they have to adjust also. FIBA rules, FIBA rules, okay lang, ganun talaga. Pero nag-a-adjust kami, dapat mag-adjust din sila ng mabilis.”
Tenorio Raises A Valid Point
Curiously, Tenorio stopped short of actually criticising how the referees called the Magnolia-Phoenix game. But it was clear he was far from satisfied—and he has a point. PBA officiating most closely resembles that of the NBA’s, so a pivot to FIBA rules would be a massive adjustment.
Aligning the rules to FIBA standards is being done to give local players a better understanding of the officiating they would encounter in FIBA competitions, and that is well and good. But if the referees cannot adjust quickly enough, the quality of officiating would be severely compromised. That happening will defeat the spirit of this important change. It will also affect the games significantly.
Tenorio and his Hotshots will return to action on Friday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, where they will take on the Blackwater Bossing. That is a week after Magnolia’s debut—and may be enough time for the referees to adjust accordingly.
