MPBL referees go through FIBA refresher

With the Chooks-to-Go Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Invitiational just three weeks away, the league ensured that its officials are ready to for their on-court responsibilities.

Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas technical head Hector Villanueva gathered the 26 referees tasked to handle the tournament at the Prestige Tower Roofdeck in Pasig City for a FIBA-endorsed refresher course Saturday night.

Villanueva invited recently-retired FIBA-licensed referee Liberato Valenzuela to speak in this course. Valenzuela is an honorary FIBA member and a FIBA Rules Contributor.

“By the time mag start tayo we will be 110% ready,” said Villanueva. “Magpapatuloy kasi ang physical conditioning namin like kanina nag drills and exercises tayo sa Victoria Sports. And we also plan to hold regular meetings para lalong maging malinaw sa ating mga referees yung mga bagong set of rules ng FIBA that will apply to the games sa Invitational."

“Actually na-touch kami sa sinabi ni Comm. Kenneth (Duremdes) na hawak namin ang integrity ng liga. We will make sure na maayos ang officiating sa liga,” he continued.

The course is a chance for the referees to be updated on the latest revisions on the FIBA rulebook, among which includes stricter enforcement for double fouls, window for technical fouls, as well as for instant replay.

Duremdes adds, "We reassure the viewers na magiging maganda yung games natin lalo na sa officiating. Yung integridad and professionalism kasi ng liga talagang nakasalalay sa good officiating and alam ko naman na our referees and technical officials are up to the task."

He also says, "This is also in line with the direction ng ating league founder [Manny Pacquiao] kaya wala akong duda na magiging maayos ang lahat."

Aside from the referees, the coaching staff of both Imus and GenSan were present in the refresher course.