Guiao optimistic on new rule changes by Narvasa

MANILA, Philippines -- Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao sounded optimistic that the latest rule change on personal fouls under new PBA commissioner Chito Narvasa could eliminate excessive physicality and hopefully, ensure smooth ball games next season.

Guiao said Narvasa personally visited the Elasto Painters in practice last week to explain the latest rule change as part of the Office of the Commissioner’s move to improve on the much-maligned officiating.

“Meron na siyang (Narvasa) ini-impose na adjustment even before he came to practice. Iyung mga discretion ng referees nila, kinontian na saka yung problem of interpretation on rules sa fouls, tinanggal na nila, so a foul is a foul, ” Guiao told Philstar.com on Friday.

Guiao contained that in the past few seasons under former commissioner Chito Salud, referees were ‘empowered’ in some ways as to what specific penalty they can levy on a player who gives up a foul.

“Dati kasi, ang foul dine-determine pa kung nakaka-affect ba siya sa play or not,” noted the fiery Rain or Shine mentor, one of the staunchest critics on officiating.

“Kapag na-decide ng referees na hindi na tawagan, hindi na tatawagan, to the point na tulakan na ng tulakan at wala ng tinatawagan,” he said.

Although Guiao said he is not totally opposed to the referees’ empowerment, he felt that officiating went to the extreme at times, leading to ruggedness that at times, would go overboard.

“I understand the philosophy and I was in agreement with Salud. But it went overboard. Hindi na na-balance between basketball action and yung abuse of physicality,” explained the 56-year-old congressman from the first district of Pampanga.