When PBA Season 50 tips off on Sunday, expect a few PBA rule changes to take effect. This after league higher-ups agreed on several rule modifications supposedly meant to make games more exciting. Thankfully, some of these PBA rule changes hit the nail right on the head. But, in typical PBA fashion, some changes are complete head-scratchers. A couple, meanwhile, need a bit more clarity.
With that being said, let’s break down the PBA rule changes into those that make sense, those that don’t make sense, and those that need to be clarified.
PBA Rule Changes That Make Sense
- Play may be corrected on a coach’s challenge only if it was on the same play phase. It has mostly been this way for the coaches’ challenge rule and it’s just right. If a coach challenges a call, it has to be immediate and within the course of the play.
- Excessive swinging of the elbow from left to right and back will result in a technical foul without losing possession. This is essentially an act of aggression, so it makes perfect sense to penalize it somewhat.
- No team will be allowed an excessive timeout. Timeouts are capped at a certain number, so teams need to stay within that limit.
- When a player throws the ball to the head of an opposing with a clear view of it while saving possession, the former will be assessed a flagrant foul penalty 1. Throwing the ball to the head of an opposing player is not only unnecessary but also dangerous. The flagrant foul call in this case is warranted.
PBA Rule Changes That Don’t Make Sense
- No travel will be whistled on a player who makes a legitimate shot attempt and catches it even without touching the board, ring, or another player. This is a travel in any league at any level and has been so for time immemorial. Why suddenly make it legal—and at the pro level at that?
- An offensive foul now counts as team foul. The last thing fans want is teams getting in penalty early in a quarter. Counting offensive fouls as team fouls all but guarantees that. Besides, the penalties that come with an offensive foul—loss of possession and a personal foul—are enough.
- In the last two minutes of every quarter, a second team foul will mean entering penalty situation. Why penalize a team for playing defense without fouling?
PBA Rule Changes That Need to Be Clarified
- In the last two minutes, the referee may review a made basket if two, three, four or a foul shot on a dead ball and if no review, the shot will no longer be reviewable.
- In the last two minutes, the referee may review for basket interference if two, three, four or a foul shot on a dead ball and if no review, the shot will no longer be reviewable.
The wording of these PBA rule changes is a bit ambiguous—or even downright confusing. The league must explain these modifications a bit more in-depth so fans, players, and coaches won’t get confused.
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The PBA’s golden season will tip off on Sunday, October 5, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. The opening game of Season 50 will feature Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and the Magnolia Hotshots. It will be preceded by the Leo Awards and the opening ceremonies.
