Barrios allays fears on new rule

PBA officer-in-charge Sonny Barrios said yesterday he’s confident the referees can handle the games under the newly adopted “no-advantage, no-foul” rule, allaying fears it would do more damage to the league than provide excitement and thrill.

While admitting that the Purefoods-Sta. Lucia game last Wednesday was marked by below par officiating, Barrios said the league technical team has made adjustments and has since improved the calls.

Barrios made the remarks in reaction to Alaska Milk owner Wilfred Steven Uytengsu’s appeal for the league to reevaluate the new rule.

The Alaska owner’s appeal was actually addressed to league board chairman Tony Chua, but the body agreed to refer the matter to Barrios during the board meeting yesterday.

“We want to assure Mr. Uytengsu that the application of the rule is meant to provide more excitement, not cause injuries to the players. The philosophy, after all, is not meant to transform the games into a no-blood-no-foul contest,” said Barrios.

On the particular incident raised by Uytengsu regarding Reynel Hugnatan’s fall during the Alaska-Air21 game, Barrios said they’ve reviewed the tape and didn’t see a flagrant foul from Arwind Santos.

During yesterday’s meeting, the board approved the proposed budget and marketing plan for the season even as the selection committee drafting the guidelines for the league’s search for a permanent commissioner deferred their own meeting in the absence of Talk n Text governor Ricky Vargas.

Meanwhile, the 2007-08 Smart PBA Philippine Cup resumes today with Ginebra taking on Talk n Text in the 7:20 p.m. main game at the Araneta Coliseum.

Red Bull and Welcoat clash in the 4:35 p.m. game with top draft pick Joe Devance still a doubtful starter due to an ankle sprain he suffered on the eve of his much awaited debut against Coca-Cola Friday. Red Bull coach Yeng Guiao is serving his one-game suspension incurred for his unsportsmanlike conduct at the end of their game against Ginebra also Friday.

Ginebra looks to gain a share of the lead with Purefoods and Magnolia. Purefoods’ James Yap stood out in their first two games, becoming the first recipient of the PBA Press Corps’ Accel-Smart Player of the Week.

“It depends on his healing in the next 24 hours. He wasn’t able to join our practices since he suffered his injury Thursday,” said Welcoat coach Leo Austria.