During the championship of the Philippine National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) last November 2019, the series pitted staunch rivals, San Beda University (SBU) Red Lions and the Colegio de San Juan de Letran (CSJL) Knights. The Knights won the series, 2-1, on November 19, 2019.

The Philippine NCAA aligns its rules to the Official Basketball Rules of the Federation Internationale de Basketball (FIBA). Along this line, we raise the following issues that merit attention by the NCAA, and the national basketball federation sanctioned by the FIBA, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP), and ultimately, the International Basketball Federation (FIBA).

Article 2.4.5 Team Bench Areas - There must be 16 seats available in each team bench area for the head coach, the assistant coaches, the substitutes, the excluded players and the accompanying delegation members. Any other persons shall be at least 2 meters behind the team bench.

We enjoin the league to strictly observe these team bench areas. This is for the protection of our collegiate athletes from any semblance of outside influence, and that of the league to plug any loopholes succumbing to possible interference game-fixing elements and syndicates. 

During the series, team outsiders, school officials and supporters from the CSJL side were seen to approach the bench calling out plays during live ball situations and time-outs. These areas are strictly limited to coaches, assistants and accompanying delegation members described in Article 2.4.5 of the FIBA Rules. 

Article 46: Crew Chief Duties and Powers

(9) Approve and sign the scoresheet at the end of playing time, terminating the officials' administration and connection with the game. The officials' power shall begin when they arrive on the playing court 20 minutes before the game is scheduled to begin, and end when the game clock signal sounds for the end of the game as approved by the officials.

(12) Be authorized to approve before the game and use, if available, an Instant Replay System (IRS) to decide before he signs the scoresheet: 

• At the end of the quarter or overtime, (a) foul was committed before the end of the quarter or overtime

At the end of regulation in Game 3 of NCAA Men's Basketball Finals, it was in clear and plain view that a member of the NCAA Management Committee (ManCom) impeded the referees from approaching the officials’ table to exercise their duties to approve and sign the score sheet under Article 46 (9), and/or use the Instant Replay System if a foul was indeed committed under Article 46 (12). This occurred during the last play sequence, right before the final buzzer sounded. 

Revelry aside, no school or league official can approach the referees in any instance. These rules were written not just for formality or protocol's sake. These rules are written for a reason; to protect the athletes and the integrity of the game we all love. 

We prompt all NCAA Philippines Member schools to abide by FIBA standards and be at par with the world’s best. We support the league in its efforts to advance this objective. We look forward to positive steps in place, leading to the 96th season of the oldest collegiate basketball tournament in the country.

(Cover Photo by Red Garcia)