The Barangay Ginebra team governor did not hold back on his comments on the much-talked about decision of the PBA to include a four-point line in the actual games.
PBA Vice Chairman Alfrancis Chua had heard enough of the criticisms surrounding the league’s implementation of the four-point line come Season 49.
“It’s only a line. Eh di wag n'yo gamitin. Linya lang ‘yun eh,” Chua commented in a press conference held on Wednesday, August 14 at the EDSA Shang-rila. Mandaluyong, responding to the perceived drawbacks of the newly-introduced four-point line.
With hopes of further fan engagement and leveling up the competition, the PBA is bringing in some innovations heading to the season-opening Governor's Cup and being one the major ones is the official adoption of the 27-foot-arc to actual games.
Chua emphasized that all members of the board approved of the decision and gave a candid response regarding the mixed reactions among fans– and even coaches– who are skeptical of their latest change.
One of them is Brgy. Ginebra head coach Tim Cone, who admitted he’s “not a fan” of the addition of a four-point line but said it “was beyond their control” to deal with the matter.
The winningest coach in league history however commended the PBA for being adaptable and pointed out the Gin Kings ill be one of the teams who will probably not rely heavily on the four-point line.
“We adapted things quickly and we used that fact to do the things needed to do like in the OQT and the Asian Games,” Cone said.
“I think some teams will probably go hard at it and some teams will slow down with it. I think we will be one of those that kind of go a little slow down with it.”
The same sentiment goes with acting Converge head coach Franco Atienza.
“We’re excited about it although we’re not really… we don't know what will happen. It may have an effect against us.”
Chua said he is well-aware of the variety of opinions regarding the unpopular decision and gave a candid reaction as well.
“Gusto namin ‘yung four-point shot na ‘yun. Now, iba-iba ang opinion. Ang daming nagsabi, ganito, bakit ganyan, bakit hindi sa amin sinabi,” the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel team governor bared.
“Hindi naman sinabi na sa isang quarter, kailangan tumira kayo ng tatlong beses diyan. Wala naman ganun eh."
Despite the opposition, the 58-year-old executive added that when the situation calls for it, teams will ultimately utilize the four-point line in games.
“Sa actual game, down by three, ewan ko kung hindi nila gagamitin ‘yun. Gagamitin ‘yan. Imagine mo, you are down by three, puwede ka pa manalo,” Chua said.
The 15-time champion executive further emphasized that such a bold decision is made for the sake of the league’s improvement.
“Sa amin, as governors, kasama si Commissioner, hindi naman kami magiimbento para pumangit ‘yung liga. Sa amin, ginagawa namin ito para gumanda ang liga, magkaroon ng, sinabi nga ni Chairman [Ricky Vargas], entertainment.”
“’Yung mga naiisip namin, this is all good for the league."
Finally, Chua preached patience if the decision will turn out to be a positive one.
“Tignan muna natin kung anong mangyayari, baka gumanda. Baka ‘yung iba diyan, kung sino pa ang ayaw, baka sila pa ang gumamit ng gumamit,” Chua quipped.