I've not read the Air International article and it's been a good many years since I passed through Valley but when I was there 208 Sqn taught aerobatics and 19(F) Sqn taught Basic Fighting Manoeuvres.
The difference being that 208 did it purely as an aircraft handling exercise hence it was called aerobatics and 19(F) did it as a way of using the aircraft to win a fight.
BFM undoubtedly have their roots in aerobatics but sometimes you just don't care how perfect your manoeuvre is, you just want to haul your nose round and get a firing solution.