PBA Chairman Ricky Vargas spoke up on implementing the four-point line: "We are entertainment basketball, so we will do that.”
You sure don't wanna miss this, PBA fans.
Chairman Ricky Vargas announced on Wednesday that the league will offer a special offer to fans on the Season 49 opening day, August 18.
He also defending the league's implementation of the four-point line.
Vargas shared that the tickets from the upper box level and up for the Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots vs Meralco Bolts game on Sunday will be priced at 49 pesos. This will be given on a first come, first serve basis to celebrate the Governors' Cup opener.
“During [the] opening, we normally have a lot of fans who come and attend and this time, we’re going to open it to people. [It’s a way of] pasasalamat by the PBA board and community,” Vargas said in a press conference held on Wednesday, August 14.
The TNT Tropang Giga governor also weighed in on the implementation of the four-point line, which sparked a debate from the fans since its announcement.
“Matagal nang iniisip ng ibang liga ‘to, maski ang NBA iniisip na nila ‘to. In fact, even FIBA is thinking about it.”
“Nauna tayo kasi we are PBA, we are entertainment basketball so we will do that,” he added.
Vargas also hints that the board is in the process of studying “two to three” rules that “will change the way basketball will be played.”
“If you do not innovate, you die. The PBA will innovate with fans in mind,” Vargas insisted.
Beside the four-point shot, the league also welcomed other rules: the removal of the "over the backboard" violation, the added restriction on the official suspension of play that will give 15 seconds when a player who appeared to be injured get to his feet.
Finally, in instances where the coaches enter the hashmark inside the court, they will receive a warning first before getting a technical foul in light of a repetitive action.
Vargas also added that the league will remove the height limit in the Commissioner’s Cup, with the invitation of reigning Hong Kong A1 Division champions Hong Kong Eastern already a “done deal” as a guest team.