Refs, coaches must forge harmonious relationship

Build friendship, not animosity. Veteran whistle-blower Romy Guevarra encouraged the referees and coaches of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (CESAFI) to create a harmonious relationship between them for the betterment of the league.

Speaking before close to 50 CESAFI coaches and referees who attended the one-day seminar/workshop he conducted yesterday at the UV Gym, Guevarra said in a basketball match, tension oftentimes escalates between referees and coaches, thus, it is very essential that they should learn to understand and respect each other.

"The referees are the natural enemy of the coaches. It is very important that they must build a harmonious relationship. To do that, they must know each other's likes and dislikes," said Guevarra.

"There can be no basketball without the referees, coaches and players so it is important that they should understand each other to lessen, if not avoid, trouble during games," added Guevarra, who is in town upon the invitation of CESAFI president Jose "Dodong" R. Gullas.

Gullas spent money from his own pocket just to bring Guevarra in here because he wants to make sure that the CESAFI referees will be apprised on the latest rules of the sport going into the league's 5th season tentatively set to start on July 31 at the Cebu Coliseum.

Guevarra said there may be no perfect officiating, but there are certain ways and measures that could help the referees improve their craft.

"They must be physically fit, know the proper mechanics of the game and should have correct interpretation of the rules," said Guevarra.

"They should also watch games on television and study the errors of the officials. Whatever they've learned out of that they should put them into actual practice."

Guevarra, on the other hand, reminded the referees of their primordial duties that is to protect the interest of the league and foster the spirit of fair play at all times.

"Dapat hindi malimutan ng mga referees ang kanilang tungkulin to protect the interest of the league and promote fair play at all times," said Gueverra, who once served as the PBA chief of referees.

In his shining 35-year career as a basketball referee, the 67-year-old Gueverra has had officiated at least 3,000 games, including a little over a 100 championships.

A former PBL consulant, Guevarra is currently the technical consultant of NCAA and UAAP, CESAFI's counterparts in Manila.

Guevarra said that being frequently harassed and at the receiving end of innuendos and insulting remarks are just part of the intricacies of being a referee and that those who are in the job must endure them gamely.

"A referee is the most aggrieved person in every game but if you like what you're doing, you'll enjoy it," said Guevarra.