Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao had the first glimpse of how the new PBA officiating philosophy would look like, and he says it is “something worth trying.”
“I think the results will prove whether it is good or bad but it is always good to experiment,” Guiao said.
The Elasto Painters used a huge second half rally to thwart the Star Hotshots, 96-87. Save for some moments where Guiao would let his voice echo throughout the entire venue, the fiery mentor wasn’t complaining too much, relative to past games.
Guiao even joked the PBA could be starting a trend with it.
“I guess kapag nabalitaan ng FIBA o NBA ito baka gawin rin nila. Maybe we are setting a trend somehow,” Guiao said, elated.
“Bottomline is bumuti ba ang officiating and did it create a positive outlook on the teams. Let’s give it a time and then we have a judgement. It’s worth trying.”
Guiao even said that with referees now being substituted in-game, they have to show a good performance each time.
“They know they can be substituted so they have to give their best. If they are tired pwede rin sila palitan. Mahirap magreferee ng pagod ka,” he said.
PBA Commissioner Atty. Chito Narvasa said during the opening ceremonies he hopes fans will understand the officiating changes as the league adjusts to a stricter philosophy which focuses on calling unneccessary on a more consistent basis.
“(The league) shall focus on players’ skills rather than strength to make the games more exciting and entertaining,” Narvasa added.
