PBA consistent on new rules, official assures

The PBA said while there’s no such thing as a “perfectly officiated game,” it would continue to work under its own guidelines in the hope of keeping things in place in the Smart Philippine Cup.

Speaking in behalf of PBA officer-in-charge Sonny Barrios, Atty. Chito Salud yesterday reacted to the issues raised by some coaches regarding the new rules being implemented in the PBA.

Red Bull’s Yeng Guiao and Alaska’s Tim Cone said the referees have allowed too much “pushing and shoving,” leading to numerous non-calls that have made the game look like a UFC battle. Salud made several clarifications for the coaches, players, team officials and even the public to seriously understand.

“I think the sentiments boil down to one thing: they are really asking for a more consistent implementation of the existing rules,” said Salud, son of the former commissioner, Atty. Rodrigo Salud.

“The question of what is a foul is rhetorical. But even if it is rhetorical, we have to address that,” he said of Guiao’s statement saying, “I’m not really sure what a foul is and when a foul is not.”

“The rules say that a foul is when a player holds, pushes or charges into an opponent. That is a foul. Under our philosophy we call it a foul when it is a clear and hard attack,” said Salud.

He described what these coaches feel as non-calls as “incidental contacts.”

“These incidental contacts are not illegal. They are allowed. A contact is incidental when it is an effort by a player to play an opponent, reach for a loose ball or to perform normal offensive and defensive movements.”

“And if they don’t fall under those (holding, pushing and charging) categories, these are considered incidental,” said  Salud. The new rules are pattered after the FIBA rules, and are being implemented in the PBA to give its players a better feel of the international brand of play.

“This is something new for everybody. And we’re seventy to eighty percent there,” said Salud.

Salud said the PBA has always been, and will always be “open to criticisms,” adding that Perry Martinez, head of the technical committee, can sit always down with the coaches.

“Once again he can clarify the rules with the coaches or conduct one-on-one discussions with them. The office of the commissioner will make sure that this does not get out of hand,” said Salud. – Abac Cordero