The PBA’s Golden Anniversary season will usher in a ton of changes from coaches to players to rules to schedules to a new team owner, making the 50th year celebration a treat full of surprises. The Philippine Cup starts Sunday with no less than a Manila Clasico the only game on the bill at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Barangay Ginebra coach Tim Cone will match wits with Magnolia counterpart and long-time protege LA Tenorio in a battle that pits teacher against student. It’ll be LA’s PBA coaching kickoff and his baptism couldn’t be more challenging.
Tenorio is one of five new head coaches this season. The others are Phoenix’ Willy Wilson, Terrafirma’s Ronald Tubid, Pureblends’ Johnedel Cardel and Converge’s Vice Gov. Dennis (Delta) Pineda. As for player movements, the list is long. The league’s senior statesman Rafi Reavis, 48, got a new lease on life when he was signed by Converge after his release from Magnolia. Larry Muyang is back with Vice Gov. Pineda at Converge. Tyrus Hill and Kevin Ferrer jumped to TNT. Jed Mendoza, Paul Zamar and David Murrell went to Blackwater. Aljun Melecio, Von Pessumal and Jeo Ambohot joined Pureblends while Prince Caperal, Yousef Taha, Francis Escandor, Bryan Santos and Evan Nelle transferred to Phoenix. Norbert Torres switched to Ginebra. Paul Garcia, Jerrick Ahanmisi and Prince Rivero hooked up with Terrafirma. Magnolia reeled in Paolo Taha and Javi Gomez de Liaño. Stanley Pringle left Terrafirma for Rain or Shine.
From the draft comes a slew of newcomers. Juan Gomez de Liaño and Kobe Monje are with Converge. Dalph Panopio and Jack Cruz-Dumont hopped to the Bossing. JM Bravo and Ira Bataller were enlisted by Terrafirma. Magnolia tapped Gab Gomez. Pureblends collared Mario Barasi while Phoenix took in Dave Ando. San Miguel Beer inked Chris Miller to a two-year deal and Sonny Estil was taken by Ginebra.
The rule changes were initially discussed with coaches Leo Austria, Luigi Trillo, Olsen Racela, Adonis Tierra, Yuri Escueta, Yeng Guiao, Monch Gavierez, Rensy Bajar, Jun Villarin, Christian de la Cruz, Jeff Cariaso and Franco Atienza. Then, the changes were brought to the Competition Committee made up of Guiao, Austria, Atienza, Trillo and Cariaso for consultation before Commissioner Willie Marcial gave his final approval.
The changes are on a coach’s challenge, a call may be corrected provided it was on the same play phase; no travel will be whistled on a player who makes a legitimate shot attempt and catches it even without touching the board, ring or another player; excessive swinging of the elbow from left to right and back will result in a technical foul without losing possession; no team will be allowed an excessive timeout; an offensive foul is counted as a team foul; in the last two minutes, the referee may review a made basket if two, three, four or a foul shot on a dead ball and if no review, the shot will no longer be reviewable; the same process will be applied regarding basket interference in the last two minutes; a flagrant foul penalty 1 will be assessed on a player who, in trying to save possession, throws the ball with a clear view to the head of an opposing player and in the last two minutes of every quarter, a second team foul will mean entering penalty situation.
The schedules will be staggered over 15 months with the PBA taking a break for five FIBA World Cup Asia qualifying windows up to next year and the Asian Games. Games will be played in Dubai, Bahrain, Ilocos Sur and Cagayan de Oro aside from Metro Manila venues.