The PBA’s 4-point line was a divisive issue prior to its introduction in PBA Season 49. So how has it fared on the court a week into the 2024 PBA Governors’ Cup? 

Twelve games into the opening conference of PBA Season 49, all teams have attempted a total of 138 4-pointers and made 21.7 percent (30 makes) of those attempts, with Chris Banchero making the first 4-point shot in league history. 

PBA squads obviously fared better when taking 3-pointers (209 makes on 608 3-point attempts for a 34.4 shooting percentage), which are closer to the hoop. Distance is an obvious factor, but familiarity with the 3-pointer is also important, considering the proficiency of each team’s shooters. 

The best teams so far in terms of 4-pointers? The Magnolia Chicken Timplados and the Phoenix Fuel Masters, both of whom have made four 4-pointers as of this writing. Meanwhile, the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings have yet to make a 4-point shot, but they’ve only played one game thus far. The league leader among the players? It’s a tie between Scotty Hopson and Jerrick Ahanmisi, who both made 3 4-pointers in a single game (and missed their sole attempts in their other games) and currently have a 75 percent shooting percetnage from that distance. 

The strategies, however, offer some interesting insights. 

On offense, the introduction of a 4-pointer made a four-point lead a one-possession game, while margins as large as eight points are now considered two-possession games. Fouling a 4-point shooter also carries a heavier penalty. 

Teams naturally prefer high-percentage shot attempts, but the allure of a shot that can serve as an equalizer is intriguing. Teams that made more 4-pointers than their opponents are 7-4 (with one game having no 4-pointers made) thus far so there are indications that it can be a deciding factor strong starts and/or close games. 

The 4-pointer is odd in that it does not extend to the corners (well there’s no space left for them to put a line) so there’s not really a 4-pointer equivalent to the corner 3-pointer. Because of that, defenses would only need to concern themselves with the wing, but overall, it’s another area to put more defensive focus on. That being said, a more spread out defense will bode well for players like June Mar Fajardo, who already dominate the paint and will do so with more room to operate. 

The PBA’s 4-pointer still feels like a gimmick more suited for an All-Star game, but it’s here to stay for at least this season. Some teams are still working on integrating it into what they run, but it’s safe to say that the PBA squads have been able to adapt faster than the league’s website.