CANDON CITY, Ilocos Sur — The PBA is taking a page out of the old Metropolitan Basketball Association’s (MBA) rulebook in an attempt to spice up the Rookies/Sophomores versus Juniors tiff in the Season 50 All-Star festivities.
The league will be implementing the ‘Blitz Three,’ which could influence the offense of the teams competing on Friday at the Candon City Arena here.
For a quick look-back, the rule counted a field goal as three points, provided that it was made within the first four seconds of a change of possession.
The PBA, however, decided to make some modifications to the unique ruling by their old rivals. Instead of four, teams able to score within the first seven seconds of a change of possession will earn three points.
This further adds entertainment value to the All-Stars, just like when the league applied a four-point shot back in 2023 in Passi City, Iloilo, which eventually became a part of regular games beginning in the 2024 Governors’ Cup.
But the league’s technical group, led by former player turned executive Joey Guanio, was quick to shun any idea of the ‘Blitz 3’ following the four-pointer.
This isn’t the first time, however, that a league has adopted the innovative rule — made by the MBA back in 2001 — to try to quicken the pace of games.
In its 2025 season, NBL Pilipinas introduced the ‘Blaze 3,’ where any made basket within the first five seconds of the shot clock is worth three points.
Meanwhile, the PBA is also making the All-Star Game on Sunday even more exciting by reimplementing the three-point dunk, which should encourage players from Solid North and Solid South to put on high-flying acts.
