PBA sees first use of coach challenge in Blackwater-NLEX preseason game

With still 3:22 remaining in the fourth period of the Blackwater Bossing-NLEX Road Warriors PBA on Tour match on Sunday, Joshua Torralba and Sean Anthony were jockeying for position in the low block.

Anthony was initially called for a foul. But the seasoned forward was adamant he didn’t commit the violation.

NLEX coach Frankie Lim then decided to use the “head coach challenge,” which is among the new rules being implemented on a trial basis.

After review, the call was reversed. The foul was apparently on Torralba, not Anthony, who ended up canning the pair of free throws as the Road Warriors inched closer, 85-81.

Blackwater, though, still ran away with the 93-88 win at the Caloocan Sports Complex.

According to the proposed rule, a team is entitled to challenge a call once per half.

Another 1st

3:22 4q NLEX utilizing their ‘coach’s challenge’

SUCCESS! Torralba foul on Anthony.

A head coach will be allowed to challenge a call once per half (no carryover if unused) during a game, only if the team has full timeouts remaining.#PBAOnTour #PBAGameTayoDito

— PBA (@pbaconnect) May 21, 2023

Only the following calls are allowed to be challenged:

HEAD COACH CHALLENGE

The ff are allowed to
be challenged:

A.) Act of shooting / sideline
B.) Foul (common foul / charging / blocking) Travelling
C.) Flopping
D.) 8-second violation
E.) Backcourt violation
F.) Timeout / Held ball
G.) Out-of-bounds
H.) Remaining shotclock

— PBA (@pbaconnect) May 21, 2023

An unsuccessful challenge, though, will cost the team a full timeout.

In a May 4 article on the league’s website, deputy commissioner Eric Castro said this rule was met with optimism when it was first introduced to the coaches in a meeting.

“A major change or rule introduction is the head coach challenge Gusto ito ng lahat ng coaches,” Castro said.

(GM)