Players, coaches say games very physical

Expect slambang action as Barangay Ginebra and Red Bull, two teams used to playing physical game, clash today at the Astrodome in the third play date of a PBA tournament that has taken a new dimension with accent on physical play.

Coca-Cola and Welcoat are the two other teams getting their initial test in the “no advantage, no foul rule” being enforced in the 2007 Smart PBA. They battle in the 4:35 p.m. curtain-raiser.

The PBA has adopted the FIBA appreciation of fouls with the hope of making the league more exciting by leaning towards physical games and giving more leeway on defense.

 It’s also the league’s intention to have its players get used to FIBA officiating to make them ready for future international competitions.

PBA technical chief Perry Martinez noted the game has become very physical since a player can “dislodge, displace and dispossess” an offensive player and get away without a foul if he doesn’t get any advantage in the process.

“Whereas before it’s automatically a foul, now the refs will have to analyze first whether a player gains advantage in dislodging or displacing a rival player,” he said.

“We have asked the teams to bear with our refs because all of us we’ll go through the period of adjustment. But we’re confident if we all get adjusted and used to it, we’ll see free-wheeling, exciting games,” Martinez added.

Coaches and players are not complaining for as long as the referees call it consistently. But there are those hoping that league officials temper the rule a little bit.

“It has become physical out there so we have to be serious in our weight training. It’s okay but there should be a limit  to avoid confrontations,” said Purefoods’ James Yap, the 2006 MVP.

“I welcome the physicality but it has to be controlled and managed. The league has to rationalize the calls. Otherwise, there would be too many fights and too many coaches being thrown out,” said Red Bull coach Yeng Guiao.

“While before mere touch fouls were being called, this time excessive contacts are allowed. I don’t know if it’s overreaction but, to me, it borders on ridiculous,” Guiao added. “I don’t think this is the way we wanted it when we had a meeting.”

The Giants went through a total of nine technical fouls, two ejections, a handful of flagrant fouls and countless near-brawl situations before putting the Realtors away.