HERE’S a scene in the Basketball Association (PBA).
With 10 seconds left in a game, Valentin Dakuykoy a.k.a. VD blocks a lay-up by Quintin Balajadia a.k.a. QB.
VD grabs the rebound. With his team up by a point, what’s the wisest thing for him to do?
Freeze the ball. Milk the clock. And, easily, he can convert that one-point lead into victory. He can practically effortlessly do those as he is a certified point guard.
But with the ball securely locked in his hands and with VD all set to execute that logic-based plan for his team, one of the three referees blows his whistle.
Why is that? Why the game stoppage?
A goal-tending violation might have been committed by VD?
Who initiated the halting of the game?
The aggrieved coach, whose team is behind by a solitary point? Is that allowed? If yes, and his gripe is upheld, his team gets to lead by one. VD could just simply scratch his head in dismay watching at the pathetic proceedings?
In the National Basketball Association (NBA), that is not allowed. Without a whistle on a particular play, the game proceeds without delay.
The NBA sees no need for a so-called video review of the play. But that is not so in the PBA? Meaning, without a whistle being blown, the referees can still stop play and order a video review of the play?
Seemingly, yes?
If memory serves, I’ve already seen not just one case but two instances of that sort when a no call for that particular play cited above got referee-reversed after a video review—on the say-so of the men in stripe. The team behind a point eventually ended up the winner. By a point.
I hope I am wrong, Commissioner Willie (Marcial)?
And, speaking of PBA rules, let’s go to teams not 100 percent ready for the PBA Governors’ Cup that blasts off on Wednesday at the Ynares Center in Pasig City.
Their reason?
Their imports have yet to arrive.
Well, they cite the delay as being caused by the pandemic. To a certain degree, that’s valid.
But how come the other teams could comply? And, sadly, for being so punctual and law-abiding, they are being “punished” by subjecting them to tiresome every-other-day game assignments?
A bit unfair.
In the not-so-distant past, teams without imports are penalized and fined. If they play import-less, they are assessed corresponding fines—at times, hefty.
Has the PBA officialdom now waived the rules on penalties and fines?
I pray not. For that’d be circumvention of the rules. Weakens the foundations of the league we all love.
VD could even end up scratching his head non-stop.
THAT’S IT Congrats to Ed Picson for his election as president of ABAP (Alliance of Boxing Associations in the Philippines). I know your mission: Produce some more medals when the 2024 Paris Olympics comes around. All the best, Pareng Ed.