If it were up to PBA commissioner Willie Marcial, the 4-point line would stay in the league ‘forever.’
Marcial said that the 4-point line will be staying in the league for the PBA Season 50, and possibly for more seasons moving forward.
‘Siguro forever na yan, as ako [ang] commissioner,’ Marcial told reporters during the PBA preseason press conference Wednesday at the Shangri-La The Fort Manila in Taguig City.
”Di ko alam kung ibang commissioner na. Pero as ako commissioner, stay ang 4-point line,’ he added.
The PBA, last season, introduced the 4-point line, which had been set 27 feet away from the ring.
This added a new dimension to the game, as teams could go for the win despite being down three points.
“Pag gumagawa tayo ng bagong innovation, meron talagang di nasisiyahan, may nasisiyahan. Pero kumukuha na ang FIBA ng datos sa atin. So ‘di ko alam kung masisiyahan sila sa datos,’ Marcial said.
Other leagues, including those abroad, have also inquired about the 4-point shot, the executive bared.
‘So, nagtatanong sila, nagi-inquire. Tinatanong ko din sa kanila, ano ba sa palagay niyo? Yung iba okay, yung iba, hindi. Hindi mo masasabi,’ he added.
Before its implementation during last season, the PBA tested out the 4-point line in All-Star games.
Meralco guard Chris Banchero was the first player to sink a 4-pointer in an official game, during the season opener in August last year.
Rule changes
In the same press conference Wednesday, Marcial said that there will be nine rule changes for Season 50.
One of the rule changes is referees will now explain the ruling, live, whether a coach’s challenge is successful or unsuccessful.
During challenges, players can also form huddles with their coaches.
Teams reaching two fouls in the last two minutes of every quarter will also put them in penalty.
The referee may also review a made basket if it is a 2-, 3- or a 4-pointer, but if there will be no immediate review, the shot will no longer be reviewable. The same process will also be applied regarding basket interference in the last two minutes.
Other rule changes to be implemented this season are: throwing the ball at a player’s head with clear vision to save the ball from going out of bounds will lead to a flagrant foul penalty one infraction; a player who air-balled a legitimate shot may pick up the ball without being whistled for a travel violation; an excessive elbow from left to right will result in a technical foul; no extra time out will be allowed; and an offensive foul will count as a team foul.