Master of whistle

Romy Guevara will always be known as the country’s basketball officiating guru with over 40 years of experience running the hardcourt. He’s now 88 and still accessible to share insights on how the game should be called. Last Christmas Day, Romy phoned for his traditional holiday greeting and dropped a reminder that if anyone needs a clarification on basketball rules, he’s just a call away.

Guevara was named outstanding referee in the PBA’s precursor MICAA, PABL, UAAP, NCAA and other leagues. He served 15 years in the PBA as a referee, supervisor of officials and consultant. For six years, Guevara earned big bucks as an expat supervisor with the Qatar Basketball Federation and paved the way for the late Moying Martelino to join as director.

At the 1978 Asian Games, he was tapped to work the women’s basketball final between South Korea and China, earning plaudits from American arbiter Hugh Richardson for his performance. Guevara gained a reputation for his competence, decisiveness and impartiality throughout the Asian region and was much sought after as a neutral referee in international competitions in Thailand, Malaysia, Bahrain, Taiwan and others. He later became a basketball lecturer on rules, once delivering an eight-hour talk without referring to notes in Cebu.

“Dati, walang head coach challenge or instant review kaya kung anong tawag namin, ‘yun na nga,” he said. “Natandaan ko we worked hard to improve officiating during the time of project director Ambassador Danding Cojuangco at PBA commissioner Jun Bernardino. Si Boss Danding, priority niya integrity. Ako ang nagpaliwanag kay coach Ron Jacobs about FIBA rules kasi noong dumating siya, alam lang niya US rules. Tumakbo ako sa UAAP at NCAA sabay kaya malaking karangalan sa akin ang tiwala nila. Noong 1994, ako nagpatakbo ng Asian Youth basketball at binigay sa akin ni Moying ang responsibility.”

Guevara, who introduced the three-referee system in the PBA, said becoming a Class A referee involves a mastery of mechanics and technique. “Apat lang ang payo ko sa mga referees,” he said. “Una, don’t get ahead of the ball. Pangalawa, don’t overload the ball. Dapat specific area of coverage ang isa’t isa. Pangatlo, don’t guess the call. At pangapat, don’t try to outsmart your co-referee. Dapat may teamwork ang tatlong referee sa loob.”

Guevara said his door is always open for anyone seeking his advice on basketball rules and officiating tips. “Dito lang ako sa bahay,” he said. “Sa dami kong experience, marami akong pwede i-share sa mga referees, commentators, coaches, players at basketball fans. Tawag lang, ready ako.”