The return of physicality in PBA games early this 43rd season has drawn raves from the coaches and the fans. At last, the matches are decided by the players themselves and not by the way the referees blow their whistles.
All the fans, the players, and ultimately the coaches have been longing for this, as physical play had been heavily controlled during the administration of former commissioner Chito Narvasa from 2015 to 2017.
“The games are being called a little differently now. They’re allowing a little bit more contact or a lot more contact,” said Meralco Bolts head coach Norman Black.
“I love it. I’m an old school guy so you can imagine. No harm, no foul.”
“The physicality’s good. It’s good for the game. It’s real men going at it,” opined Alaska Aces head coach Alex Compton on the other hand, seconding Black’s sentiments.
“I like the direction the league is going in with officiating.”
It is just one of the many positive changes that are currently taking place in the league under the management of officer-in-charge Willie Marcial. But he insisted that tweaks haven’t really been made in terms of calling games.
“Wala, pinapalaro lang namin. Walang pagbabago yun,” said the amiable league official on Monday evening, when he paid Gilas Pilipinas a surprise visit at the Meralco Gym in Pasig City.
“Pinapalaro lang namin yung mga players.”
All that he’s doing, according to Marcial, is simply reminding the referees to be firm with their calls.
“Sinabihan ko lang yung mga referees na, ‘Manindigan kayo kung ano talaga.'”
With more consistent calls comes the shorter duration of games compared to the past two seasons, as time-consuming reviews by referees and officials has not occurred in matches too often this season.
“Mas mabilis na (mga laro ngayon),” said Marcial, also the league’s former external affairs and communications head.
“One hour (and) 56 (minutes), one hour 52… ‘Di umaabot ng dalawang oras eh.”
