UAAP to implement coach’s challenge for Season 85 basketball tournaments

New rules for UAAP Season 85 basketball tournaments. –INQUIRER FILE

MANILA, Philippines — The UAAP will implement a coach’s challenge system for the men’s and women’s basketball tournaments this Season 85.

The league made the announcement on Friday as part of its innovation for the upcoming season, in accordance with the rules of world basketball governing body Fiba.

Fiba has included the “head coach challenge,” which gives the coach for an instant replay review, in its latest rulebook which will come to force October 1.

According to the UAAP, both head coaches will have one challenge each for the whole duration of the match, regardless whether the challenge is successful or not.

“Basically, it’s part of the new Fiba rules and UAAP is 100 percent Fiba rules so we added the challenge,” said UAAP Season 85 basketball commissioner Dickie Bachmann during the league’s basketball coaches meeting on Friday held at Adamson University.

University of the Philippines men’s basketball team assistant coach Potit de Vera and University of Santo Tomas women’s head coach Haydee Ong are two of the many coaches who are elated with the innovation as they can finally review a questionable call when the men’s and women’s basketball tournaments tip off on October 1.

“Given the privilege to have one, it’s gonna be interesting how it’s gonna be used by the head coaches because whether you win the challenge or not, you’re just given one eh,” said De Vera, speaking for Fighting Maroons head coach Goldwin Monteverde.

“Especially for women’s, it’s a big advantage for us, especially on close games. The coaches’ challenge is a good addition,” Ong added.