Thriving on new rules, Giants eye sixth win

With its perfect 5-0 record, it seems that Purefoods is the only one capable of adjusting to the new rules being used in the PBA Smart Philippine Cup.

“We just have to roll with the punches and ride with the waves,” said Purefoods head coach Ryan Gregorio as he heads to today’s encounter with Coca-Cola at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

The game is set at 7:20 p.m., and just looking at the team standings would put Purefoods on the side of the favorite as it shoots for its sixth win. The other game between Magnolia and Alaska Milk is scheduled at 4:35 p.m.

Gregorio said the new rules, patterned after the ones being used in international competitions, are part of the challenge in the tournament where the defending champion, Ginebra, is rock-bottom.

“What’s important is that the referees are adjusting and my players are also adjusting. The most important thing is action and reaction. We are reacting positively to the officiating,” he said.

But some of the coaches, if not most, are on the opposite page, saying the new rules have led to too much pushing and shoving and it’s now hard to distinguish between a foul and a non-foul. “I think the sentiments boil down to one thing: they are really asking for a more consistent implementation of the existing rules,” observed Atty. Chito Salud, consultant to PBA officer-in-charge Sonny Barrios. Purefoods is enjoying its best start in franchise history, and a 27-point victory over Ginebra last Sunday at the Astrodome pushed the team past its previous best – a 4-0 start in 1991. – Abac Cordero