IN A bid to make the basketball tournament more exciting, the Baguio-Benguet Educational Athletic League (BBEAL) is set to implement the new rules adopted by Fiba.
BBEAL basketball commissioner Djalma Arnedo said the new Fiba rules took effect October 1.
Arnedo added BBEAL will be the first collegiate league to adopt the new system when it opens its 32nd season on October 27 with the University of the Philippines - Baguio hosting the yearlong sports tournament.
According to Fiba, the modifications will help make the game more spectacular, free-flowing and fluid.
Fiba, in its website added these changes come after Fiba's Rules Advisory Group (RAG) - which consists of experts from Fiba, the NBA and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) - analyzed 32 proposals and made recommendations to FIBA's Technical Commission at its meeting on June 6 to 7.
RAG held extensive talks and consultations with these bodies as well as the FIBA Players' Commission and the World Association of Basketball Coaches (WABC) in the lead up to the meeting.
FIBA's Technical Commission reviewed all 32 proposals and approved 14 of them, paving the way for the Central Board to give the final green light.
The new FIBA rule was discussed by international referee Ariel Balmeo during the two day refreshers course for the officiating officials and coaches last weekend at the University of Baguio Gym.
The National Amateur Basketball Referees Organization (Nabro) will be calling the shots for the centerpiece tournament with the University of the Cordilleras eyeing a rare grand slam opportunity.
Fiery NLEX Road Warriors coach Yeng Guiao will be the guest speaker during the opening which was originally slated October 20 but was moved to a later date to accommodate the schedule of the current Philippine national team head coach, also UP alumnus himself.
UC will have its hands full against last year’s fourth place finisher Saint Louis University, Benguet State University and the Philippine Military Academy as they clash for the top spot in Bracket A.
Bunched in Bracket B is last year’s runner–up Baguio College of Technology, many time BBEAL champion University of Baguio, Baguio Central University, Cordillera Career Development College, and season host University of the Philippines–Baguio.
In the women’s side, defending champion UB will lead Bracket A and will go up against SLU, BCT, ad BSU while teams in bracket B are UC, PMA, Pines City Colleges, and Kings College of the Philippines. (Roderick Osis