The PBA is set to introduce the four-point line in the upcoming Season 49 Governors’ Cup.
Ahead of its 50th anniversary, it will be the first professional league to implement the ruling in its official games, and it is among the many steps that they are taking to be the No.1 basketball entertainment league in Asia.
Fans have since made their comments on this new ruling by the PBA — some of which are optimistic while others are not really feeling it — but when it comes to the players, how do they feel about becoming the first pro hoopers who will be firing it from the 27-foot-line?
“I think that the PBA is just trying to be creative, on how they could change the pace of the game, maybe?” Barangay Ginebra San Miguel gunner Von Pessumal told ABS-CBN News on the sidelines of the 2024 SLAM Rising Stars Classic on Sunday in Mandaluyong.
“Or maybe, attract more people to watch. But I think, obviously, it would change the game a lot,” he continued.
His fellow former Ateneo de Manila University standout Will Navarro also expressed his sentiments on the four-point line and mirrored what Pessumal shared.
“Siyempre, it’s something new. Feeling ko nag e-experiment, siguro pampa-attract din ng more crowd. I mean, like what Von said, I think only time will tell eh, kung effective ba,” he offered.
Pessumal is one of the go-to-guys of Ginebra when it comes to long-range shooting — a role that he has been doing since his stint with the San Miguel Beermen — but according to the former Blue Eagle, we might not see him or his fellow Gin Kings shoot 27-footers anytime soon.
“I don’t know how much it would be used, especially in Ginebra, I’m not sure if it’s gonna be implemented as a strategy. But I think other teams might use it more. We’ll see,” he said.
“I don’t think we’re gonna really use it as a strategy for the games. I think it will definitely change the dynamic of how you play the game especially when there is a big lead, but I don’t think that it’s gonna be a part of our strategy.”
“I don’t know. There are times when I shoot from afar, but I don’t really look for it ‘cause I think mas mataas pa rin yung percentage on the three-point line,” Pessumal continued.
On the other hand, Navarro revealed that while the NorthPort Batang Pier has put four-point lines in their practice facility, they have not really started using it in their training.
NorthPort’s Will Navarro. Photo from PBA Images.
“Not really. May mga lines, pero iilan lang yung nag a-attempt tumira ng four points. Mga isa or dalawang tao lang,” said the former Gilas Pilipinas wingman.
And as a former National team member, Navarro thinks that it might not really affect how Gilas performs on the international scene for now.
“Feeling ko hindi masyado. Kasi once mag compete ulit sila sa international, yung natural instinct pa rin naman is yung three-point line talaga. Hindi mo hahanapin yung four-point line,” said Navarro.
But if there is one thing that is for sure, the two former UAAP standouts said that only time can determine whether the four-point line is a good or bad step by the PBA.
“Only time will tell kung effective siya hindi,” said Pessumal.
“Hindi ko masabi kung it’s a good thing or bad thing. Siyempre, nag a-adjust pa rin yung mga teams,” added Navarro.
