FIBA rules to be used for UAAP games

MANILA, Philippines – The UAAP is making changes to the way their basketball tournament games are played for Season 78 with the aim of improving competition and lessening issues related to technical aspects of matches.

During the press conference for the 2015-2016 season of the collegiate sports league, new UAAP commissioner Rebo Saguisag told Rappler in an interview that the league will be implementing FIBA rules for basketball games, which includes utilizing IRS (Instant Replay System) for situations when disputes over whether a shot was worth 3 points or 2 arise.

Saguisag, who’s the first lawyer since Chito Narvasa to hold his new job, told Rappler that the decision to use the FIBA rules was generated by the rapid increase of UAAP house rules – something both he and the league board observed.

“Because of this, nagkakaroon nang confusion na. So, sabi namin (… there was confusion, so we said), why not simplify matters?” Saguisag told Rappler at the Gateway branch of Gateway on Tuesday, September 1. 

“Let’s just go back to the FIBA rules. Anyway, yung gumagawa nang (the ones who made) FIBA, every two years they change it because to reflect internationally. So why not just differ to their expertise? That was the wisdom behind that move.”

Saguisag highlighted two aspects of the FIBA rules that will be most felt during UAAP games: the No Charge Semi-Circle rule and the Technical Foul Penalty.

According to official basketball rules on the FIBA website, “The no-charge semi-circle rule shall be applied when the defensive player has one foot or both feet in contact with the no-charge semi-circle. The no-charge semi-circle lines are part of the no-charge semi-circle areas.”

The semi-circle being referred to is the area beneath the rim. To simplify the rule: if a defender is in that zone while an offensive player comes charging at him for a shot attempt, no offensive foul will be called.

In previous years, a technical foul yielded two free throws for the opposing side, plus ball possession. That now changes with the application of the FIBA rules, which states that a technical foul will lead to just one free throw attempt by the opposing team.

“The technical fouls [rule] is also big, because from two, it will go down to one,” Saguisag said.

Another big change is with the shot clock. Under the FIBA rules, when a team grabs an offensive rebound, the shot clock will reset to just 14 seconds instead of starting over with 24 seconds again.

With the IRS, Saguisag notes that the biggest change is that UAAP officials – whom they get from Brascu – now can stop play at any time of the game and use the instant replay system to determine if a made shot was a 3-pointer or 2-pointer.

Saguisag admits that the aforementioned new inclusion was due to an incident during the second-round game between the Ateneo Blue Eagles and FEU Tamaraws last UAAP season. 

In that match, Von Pessumal hit a jumper from the left corner with 3:20 left in the fourth quarter which was originally ruled just a two-pointer. But later on with 27 seconds left in the game, the referees changed the shot to a 3-ball and completely altered the complexion of the contest. 

The change, which took place right before Mike Tolomia was about to attempt free throws, cut FEU’s lead to one, 58-57, instead of two. Tolomia split his charities, and later on with 20 seconds left, Kiefer Ravena hit a basket to tie the game and send it to overtime, where the Blue Eagles sealed the victory and the number one seed entering the Final Four round.

FEU filed the game for protest, but was shot down by then UAAP Commissioner Andy Jao, who claimed the game referee actually signalled the shot a 3-pointer, but it was the scorekeeper’s mistake for failing to count it as such.

“There are no big theories, no big changes. It depends on what will happen. If you take into context what happened last year, the IRS is a big step,” said Saguisag, who also said that calls on which team touched the ball last before going out of bounds is also reviewable in the last two minutes of a game.

Whistles on offensive fouls, however, are not reviewable since they are “judgment calls,” said Saguisag.

The commissioner holds the power

Last season, the UAAP board wielded power to the commissioner to make decisions on technical problems such as suspensions, decisions on protests, and so on. Saguisag will have the same liberty in Season 78.

“Last year, there was already a movement. The board already agreed to divest their power and let the commissioner do his job. So, yes, pretty much we agreed especially on technical matters. Sabi nang board, ‘Hands off na kami diyan,’” he told Rappler.

(The board said, “we’re already hands off with that matter.)

“I think they agree that’s why you hire the commissioner in the first place. Otherwise, why hire one?”

When asked if he will consider implementing replays of games whose outcomes are controversial due to a bad call or similar issue, Saguisag was iffy on the matter.

“As a general proposition – again, with a disclaimer that general propositions do not decide concrete cases – but that being said, my policy, I don’t think that will be good for the sport or the league,” he said.

“I’ve always said it’s a game played by human beings, officiated by human beings. There will always be room for error. For as long the error was done in good faith, with proper mechanics, then the results of the game should stay.”

“But if we need to punish someone or, say, a referee isn’t in the right position to make the right call, then ibang matter yun (that’s a different matter),” he mentioned. “But you cannot penalize a winning team for the fault of an official.”

The latest season of the UAAP opens on Saturday, September 5, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. – Rappler.com