New PBA rules aim to ease Gilas transition to FIBA play — Marcial

Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) commissioner Willie Marcial on Monday expressed the league’s support for the Gilas Pilipinas program under the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) by implementing rule changes more aligned with FIBA-style play in the upcoming conference.

Marcial said a meeting with coaches was held earlier in the day, where adjustments were discussed on situational foul calls, screen-setting, and the replacement of jump balls with possession arrows.

Gilas Pilipinas program director and team manager Alfrancis Chua welcomed the move, noting the significant differences between PBA and FIBA rules.

“Kasi ‘yung adjustment, talagang malayo. Every time we play, pagdating sa FIBA, iba ‘yung fouls dito, iba ‘yung fouls doon,” Chua said.

(The adjustment, it's really big. Every time we play, when we get to FIBA, the fouls are different here and it's different there.)

Despite the changes, the league will retain 12-minute quarters, a six-personal foul limit, and the four-point line.

Gilas head coach Tim Cone said players must embrace the changes with an open mind as they try to ease the transition to the international game.

“Players are gonna have to start the conference with an open mind. You learn to adjust,” Cone said.

The Philippines will compete in the third window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, facing New Zealand on July 3 and Australia on July 6.

—JMB, GMA News