Coach's challenge to be implemented in PBA preseason games

The coach's challenge will have a test run in the PBA on Tour. Dennis Acosta (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

PASAY—The coach's challenge will make a de facto PBA debut during its preseason games that will be called "PBA on Tour".

The coach's challenge is one of the new rules that the league is looking to add for the upcoming 48th season which is tentatively scheduled to begin in October.

The said rule was presented along with the new proposals during a meeting with coaches on Wednesday, which was met with signs of approval.

"Gusto ito lahat ng coaches," PBA deputy commissioner Eric Castro said on Thursday.

The coach's challenge will be first used on May 21, when NLEX and Blackwater collide in the first game of the PBA on Tour at the Caloocan Sports Complex.

Also to be tested during the preseason event are updated rules on "transition take fouls" and on technical and flagrant fouls.

As a means to make the games faster, the PBA also looks to bring back an old rule in which the clock will continue to run even after a basket is made during the final minute of the first three quarters as well as a modification in the goaltending review rule in which the team that gets immediate control of the ball after a goaltending call has been overturned will have possession after the review.

"As much as the teams will have the opportunity to try new combinations and game schemes, the league will take the opportunity to experiment with new rules and rule interpretations with the objective of improving the PBA game and making it even more exciting," said PBA commissioner Willie Marcial.

After the preseason games, the new rules will be up for final approval by the PBA Board of Governors, and they will be fully implemented come the regular season.

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