JUMP BALLS will no longer be called whenever possession cannot be clearly established in the last two minutes of a game.
Instead, the possession arrow will determine which team is awarded the ball.
In the past, a jump ball is called whenever possession is not clearly established. This time the team with the possession arrow, which alternates after every possession, will inbound the ball.
In the next possession, when the arrow is flipped to the opposite direction, the other team team will be awarded the ball if there is another situation when possession is not clearly established.
The rule is used by FIBA in many levels of competition and it is currently being deliberated on by the management committee.
And it will most likely be implemented this Saturday at the start of the 93rd National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
“We have agreed on this in principle. And this proposal is now with the Mancom,” said Deputy Commissioner Rebo Saguisag, who was commissioner of the UAAP in its last two seasons
Saguisag, who is assisting commissioner Bai Cristobal in the technical side of running the basketball matches, said this is the only change in the rules that they are implementing.
Saguisag also talked about the officiating in the league during yesterday’s weekly PSA Forum at the Golden Phoenix Hotel in Pasay City.
The San Beda Red Lions open their title defense when they clash with host San Sebastian in the 2 p.m. opener.
Then, the Mapua Cardinals and the Arellano University Chiefs will collide at 4 p.m.
The NCAA has tapped the Basketball Referees Association for Schools, Colleges and Universities as its officiating team.
Saguisag said they decided to tap a 40-man pool of referees from one group so that they will have one interpretation of the rules they are trying to implement this year.
Last year, the NCAA appointed Andy Jao as commissioner and decided to tap a pool of referees from three separate groups.
“This year, we tapped BRASCU because we want consistency and one interpretation of our rules,” Saguisag said.
Saguisag added that the “hand check” rule stays and they will religiously implement it this season.