A reader asked about timeouts in the PBA. We hope all his questions will be answered by the following piece on timeouts.

In the PBA, we have regular timeouts, 30-second timeouts and official’s timeouts.

A coach’s request for a timeout directly made to the table officials shall be granted only when the ball is dead.

A request during an alive ball situation by a player may likewise be granted at any other time and shall be directed only to the referees.
•    Each team is entitled to six (6) charged time-outs and three (3) thirty second  time-outs during  regulation  play  in  the  Eliminations  and  Semifinal Round  and  Seven (7) charged time-outs and three (3) thirty second  time-outs during  the  Finals. Each team is limited to no more than four time-outs  in  the fourth  period  and  no  more than three time-outs in the  last  two  minutes  of regulation play. 

•    In  overtime periods, each team shall be allowed two  time-outs  regardless  of  the number of time-outs called or remaining in  regulation  play  or previous  overtimes.   There is  no restriction as to when a team must  call  its time-outs  during any  overtime period.

•    There must be at least two time-outs per period. If neither team  has taken  a time-out during the first, 2nd and 3rd quarter, the team that has first possession for the quarter shall be charged a mandatory timeout at the 6 minute mark and the other team gets a mandatory timeout at the 3  minute mark. During the 4th quarter, the same rules apply except that the first team gets a mandatory timeout at 8 minute mark and 5th minute mark for the second team.

However, once a team calls a time-out before the mandatory time-out is issued, then it has fulfilled its obligation and there should be no mandatory time-out given that team for that period.  If a team elects to call two time-outs in the first period,  then  it has fulfilled its obligation for the first two  quarters  with  one mandatory  time-out required in the third period. If the team elects to call three  time-outs  within the first two periods, then  it shall have fulfilled its  obligation for  the first three period.

No  mandatory time-out shall be taken during a game  official's  suspension of  play for
1.    delay of  game warning; or
2.    retrieving an errant ball;  
3.    any inadvertent whistle or
4.    other unusual circumstance.

•    If the Coach requests a time-out during the last two minutes of regulation play or overtime(s) immediately after a successful field goal by the opposing team  or the ball is out-of-bounds in the backcourt, time-out shall be granted.   Upon resumption of play,  the team shall have the option of  putting  the ball  in  play at the free throw line extended of their front court or at the nearest spot where the timeout was granted.

A player's request for a 30 second time-out shall be granted anytime for as long as the requesting player has ball possession and control when asking for the timeout. A coach may only call for a timeout when the ball is dead.
•    Each team is entitled to three (3) 30 second time-outs throughout the game. With a maximum of two (2) per half.

•    During a 30 second time-out, a team may only substitute for one  player. If the team that asked for a timeout does not make a substitution, the other team cannot make a substitution.

•    Only one player per team may  be replaced during 30 second time-out.   If two  players  of the same team are injured at the same time and must  be  replaced during the 30-second timeout, the coach must call  a regular timeout.

•    If a third 30 second time-out is requested during a half (including  overtimes),  it  shall  be  granted. It will automatically  become  a  charged  regular time-out.   For  purposes of 30 second  time-out, overtimes are considered  to  be  an extension of the second half.

•    The  official shall instruct the timer to record  the  30-second time-out  and to inform him when the time has expired, a delay of game warning will be issued against the team.   If the team calling a 30 second time-out has no more  time-outs, it  nevertheless shall be  given a time-out but a technical foul  will be  assessed said team  for excessive time-outs.

•    Players with the ball or head coach should say and/or signal for a "30 second  time-out" when requesting this time-out.

•    If a 30 second time-out has been granted and a mandatory time-out  by  the same team is due, only the mandatory time-out will be charged.

•    A 30 second time-out shall not be granted to the defensive team during  an official's suspension of play for
1.    delay of game warning; or
2.    retrieving an errant ball; or 
3.    any other unusual circumstance.

•    During official’s timeout, Teams are not allowed to huddle. Failure to comply with this rule, teams who violate this will be given a charged timeout.

A team incurring an extra time-out due to application of the rules will be  charged  an excessive time-out.

Excessive time-out is incurred if a player or coach asks for a timeout while the team has no more regular time-out or 30 second time-out

PENALTY: Technical foul per excessive time-out. However, the team assessed a technical for excessive  time-outs  is entitled to all  regular time-out privileges.

EXCEPTION:  During  the last two  minutes  of  regulation play and/or overtime, if a team is charged with an excessive  time-out,  the ball shall remain  out-of-bounds  where the  ball was when the excessive time-out was called  (no in-bound option).