PBA to implement new rules on goaltending review, traveling, timeouts

Several significant rule changes that will take effect this upcoming PBA Season 44 which kicks off on Sunday.

The league aims to make the games better with the implementation of the new rules.

“The new rules have been already approved by the PBA Board and we’ve already talked to the coaches about it,” said PBA commissioner Willie Marcial on Tuesday during the preseason press conference at Conrad Hotel.

There are three new rules that will be implemented at the start of the 44th Season on Sunday which are the review of goaltending calls, adoption of FIBA rules on traveling and leeway for coaches to verbally call a timeout without the need to gesture for one.

“Goaltending will be reviewable from start to finish like how we review if a basket is three-points or not. On traveling, we will adopt FIBA rules because we’re not taking advantage of that extra step. The NBA and FIBA have been doing it and we’re now going to do it too,” he said.

The PBA Leo Awards will kick off the new season followed by an opening day showdown between rivals Barangay Ginebra and TNT at Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.