Guiao expects better officiating under new PBA commish Narvasa

MANILA, Philippines -- Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao has high hopes that the transition of commissionership from Chito Salud to Chito Narvasa would mean 'better days ahead' as far as officiating is concerned.

Guiao, who arrived early this week from an overseas trip, explained that every time the league appoints a new commissioner, teams can expect 'new hope and a new attitude'.

"Certainly, yes, we're expecting (changes). There's new hope with a new commissioner because he brings in a new attitude and new experience." Guiao told Philstar.com on Friday.

The fiery Rain or Shine coach, a staunch critic of officiating during the tenure of Salud, said vital to any league is the implementation of the rules of the game each season.

Guiao felt in the past seasons, the rules were not implemented consistently, leading to numerous complaints on officiating.

"We (coaches) gave him (Salud) the benefit of the doubt during his first few years (as commissioner). But after that, hindi na masyado nag-improve (officiating)," said the 56-year-old Guiao, who, amassed more than a million pesos in fines two years ago due to numerous technical fouls and suspension incurred.

But with Narvasa coming in, the Rain or Shine mentor said the PBA has someone, who understands the 'feelings of a coach', having served as coach of Shell and Puerfoods during the late 1990s.

"Malapit naman kami and he knows the feelings of a coach because he was a coach before," he said.

A plus factor for Narvasa is his understanding of the game.

"He knows the game technically and he understands the complexities of the game," added Guiao, who also serves as representative of the first district of Pampanga.

Before formally assuming the position, Narvasa started his apprenticeship by watching most of the games of the Governors Cup this past season.

The exposure gave Narvasa a better grasp of the game, which, he earlier, said has changed a lot since his time with Shell and Purefoods.

The assumption of Narvasa paves the way for the start of the league’s corporate set-up, with Salud now holding the dual positions of PBA president and CEO.