Officiating in the upcoming University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 89 basketball tournament will more closely align with international standards.

UAAP basketball commissioner Jai Reyes said game officials will strictly follow FIBA officiating rules during matches, especially calls on bench decorum and marginal contacts.

“The most important point in aligning with FIBA is that our officials can already enact these standards already,” Reyes said on Tuesday during the UAAP press conference held at the Novotel Manila in Cubao, Quezon City.

In fact, the league conducted a referees’ refresher course handled by FIBA instructor Mohammed Al Amiri from 15 to 23 July.

Reyes underscored the importance of updating not only referees’ knowledge to meet current international standards but also the student-athletes’ and coaches’ understanding of basketball rules on the world stage.

“So, the UAAP is here to educate our athletes and students. So, we want everybody to be ready when they step out of the UAAP to bigger stages,” Reyes added.

Reyes warned teams to observe proper bench decorum at all times or risk getting flagged with technical fouls.

“Technically, bench decorum will be our main point of concern as instructed by our FIBA foreign instructor,” he said.

“We had two FIBA officials come to the Philippines and observe our games. And what they both observed was that bench decorum has to be aligned further with (that of) FIBA. So, coaches, there may be more technical fouls this year, so keep your benches in control.”

Referees, on the other hand, will be more lenient with contacts as long as it doesn’t impede play.

“I think also, watching the previously concluded Gilas window, is that marginal contact will be a part of the emphasis this year,” Reyes said.

“Referees will allow play to continue if they deem or feel like the contact has no effect on the play. I think this will also minimize or make our game time faster. IRS (instant review system) will be faster also,” he added.

“But really, the goal is for our athletes and coaches and even officials to be ready for FIBA competitions on the world stage.”

Season 89 will officially open on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena with Vice Ganda and Gloc-9 headlining the festivities.

Men’s basketball hostilities begin on Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum featuring host Far Eastern University facing Adamson University at 12 p.m., followed by defending champion De La Salle University taking on National University at 2:30 p.m. in a rematch of last season’s Final Four.

University of the Philippines will then square off against University of Santo Tomas at 6 p.m.