The upcoming UAAP Season 85 basketball tournaments will have an added innovation as they will feature the coaches’ challenge system.
Since the country’s premier collegiate league’s rules are fully based on the International Basketball Federation’s (FIBA), it will adopt the challenge system — which is now included in the latest rulebook the governing body released.
Coaches of the respective playing teams will have one challenge each for the whole duration of the match – regardless if their attempt would be 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.
And to have a challenge system that the bench tacticians can use, the coaches are unified that it’s a good addition for the betterment of the game
Both men’s and women’s tournaments will commence on October 1 with double-headers for each division.
Assistant coach Potit de Vera of the men’s defending champion University of the Philippines looks forward to the new add-on, which only the head coaches would have the opportunity to use.
“Given the privilege to have one, it’s gonna be interesting how it’s gonna be used by the head coaches kasi whether you win the challenge or not, you’re just given one eh,” said De Vera.
Meanwhile, Growling Tigresses bench tactician Haydee Ong is likewise positive about the new rule that benefits the teams.
“Especially for women’s malaking advantage for us especially on close games so maganda ‘yun na dinagdag ‘yung coaches challenge,” said Ong.
