Behind the Whistle: Inside the UAAP’s Quiet Overhaul of Officiating

On Wednesday, October 22, I was given access to observe how the UAAP manages its officiating. 

The setting was a small room behind the court at the Mall of Asia Arena, about an hour before the men’s game between UP and NU. Present were Commissioner Jai Reyes, Deputy Commissioner Dino Lee, a league official in charge of referee assignments, and assistant coaches from both teams.

At the center of the table was an empty bottle. This bottle, surprisingly, plays a key role in every UAAP basketball game. It is used as the container for the drawing of lots to determine the referees for each match. 

Inside were four small pieces of paper with the names of officials written on them. Three names would be drawn to officiate the game, while the fourth would serve as the alternate responsible for noting correct and incorrect calls and ready to step in if an injury occurs.

This draw takes place during halftime of the preceding game, except for the first match of the day, which is drawn an hour before tip-off. The process is designed to maintain fairness and prevent teams from knowing who will officiate in advance. Once the names are drawn, coaches are allowed a short period to bring up issues or ask clarifying questions. That day, the discussion focused on the recent increase in lane violation calls.

Reyes and Lee explained that the UAAP strictly follows FIBA guidelines but has emphasized certain points this season. Defensive “sundot” attempts, where a player leans in with the shoulder to poke at the ball, will be called as fouls. Offensive players who use their hips or bodies to create space for teammates during hand-offs or screens will also be penalized. Another adjustment concerns communication: only head coaches are allowed to speak with referees during a game. If an assistant coach approaches an official, it results in a warning for the first infraction and a technical foul for the second.

On the topic of lane violations, the commissioners clarified the rules in detail. Players positioned near the paint may enter once the ball leaves the shooter’s hand. Those beyond the three-point line must wait until the ball hits the rim. “Fake” lane violations—where a player pretends to step in and out of the paint before the release—are allowed. The officials cited Jacob Cortez’s sequence during La Salle’s win over UP in the first round as a proper example.

Each game is assessed by the four commissioners and the FIBA-certified instructor. So far, ten suspensions and six bans have been implemented this season based on these audits. Reviews for Wednesday games are submitted on Thursday, while those from weekend games go in on Tuesday. When there is disagreement about the accuracy of a call, the Philippines’ only FIBA-certified instructor, Bong Pascual, has the final say. This instructor, notably, once officiated the USA vs. Turkey game in the 2019 FIBA World Cup.

The Commissioner’s Office also clarified that it operates independently from the referee group and serves as the body that audits officiating performance. Reyes said, “The whole system is objective, emotionless, and actionable.” According to him, this is part of the reason the league has raised officiating standards expected from UAAP level of play.

Every call and potential missed call is logged, complete with video and referee microphone audio. Together with the accuracy grading system, the UAAP is the only league in the country conducting officiating reviews at this level of detail. 

Reyes and Lee noted that fans and even coaches in the Philippines are still adjusting to strict FIBA interpretations. “Even the SBP recognized there would be an adjustment period during our preseason meeting,” Reyes said. “We have no league in the country that strictly adheres to FIBA interpretations.” The UAAP, they emphasized, is intentionally maintaining that standard.

The league’s pool currently includes seven referees who also officiate in international FIBA tournaments. From the 60 referees who began the season, the number has been reduced to 30 through suspensions, bans, and departures due to schedule conflicts with other leagues. Referees who score below 80 percent in their individual ratings receive a suspension, while those below 70 percent are banned for the season.

Referee compensation has also been standardized and according to referee qualifications because the UAAP has an in-house pool. This pay scale, which the league isn’t permitted to officially reveal, applies across all divisions, replacing earlier systems that varied by tournament.

The league tracks officiating performance with precision. Based on documents shared with me, the overall call accuracy for the first round across all divisions stands at 93.5 percent—roughly similar to the NBA’s reported rate. 

Discipline extends beyond the referees. The UAAP Board of Managing Directors imposed a four-game suspension on UE coach Chris Gavina following his profanity-filled remarks after an overtime loss to La Salle, citing that while criticism is part of competition, personal attacks on officials are not. In its statement, the league reiterated that “the use of profane language and making unfounded allegations against game officials is unacceptable in the UAAP. Any future statements that demean or disrespect referees will result in sanctions.”

The same release highlighted the strength of the officiating pool. Seven of the nine active FIBA international referees in the Philippines are part of the UAAP group. Five hold the highest FIBA license, and one is part of the elite group authorized to officiate top-tier international competitions. All are guided by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas and the country’s only FIBA-certified instructor.

Disciplinary consistency also applies to players. The three-game suspension of Wello Lingolingo was explained by the Commissioner’s Office as a decision to protect players and prevent similar incidents that could lead to injuries, referring to the foul committed on Kean Baclaan.

From observing the process firsthand, it’s clear that officiating in the UAAP is treated as both a technical craft and a continuing effort to align with global standards. Every call is reviewed, every referee graded, and every coach held accountable for conduct. The system is not perfect, but it is deliberate, transparent, and built on constant evaluation.

Behind the whistle is a process that few see, a reminder that officiating is more than judgment calls and controversies. It is preparation, auditing, and accountability: one game, one draw, and one decision at a time.

For more of my UAAP stories, view here.