PBA adopts new rules, format

MANILA, Philippines —  The PBA Governors’ Cup will reel off on July 10 with new rules and a competition format that will make for a more exciting pathway to end the Golden Anniversary season. PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial said the new rules will put the league closer to FIBA standards although certain “house rules” like 12-minute quarters, six personal fouls to disqualification, six team fouls to penalty and the four-point shot will stay.

Marcial explained that near conformity with FIBA rules was precipitated by the league’s commitment to SBP for Gilas. He mentioned that FIBA Level 1 instructor Mohammad Al-Amiri of Kuwait will be in Manila on June 27-July 2 to conduct workshops, seminars and training sessions. Al-Amiri, 54, began his career as a referee in 1994 and was one of four Asian arbiters assigned to the 2014 FIBA World Cup in Spain.

The new PBA rules include only one coaches’ challenge per team regardless if successful or not, possession arrow after opening jumpball and the classification of unsportsmanlike and disqualifying fouls. There will be no more distinction of transition take, advantage or deliberate fouls as they now fall under the category of unsportsmanlike. The penalty situation in the last two minutes of every quarter will now revert to the FIBA provision.

The Governors’ Cup will feature two groups in the double round eliminations. The quarterfinals will be best-of-three affairs while the semifinals and finals will be best-of-seven series. The conference will take a break for the Asian Games on Aug. 15-Oct. 6 and another break for the FIBA window on Nov. 9-Dec. 3. The finals will be on Dec. 16-30.