STREET SPORTS: Crowd Control is Key
The much delayed NOPSSCEA men’s basketball Finals Game 3 finally came to an end with Colegio de Santa Ana Victorias led by former UST standout Dale Canoy winning over STI-West Negros University, 74-71, at a jam packed University of Saint La Salle Coliseum to complete a four-peat after winning three straight titles from 2017-2019. It was a see-saw battle from the start with several lead changes until Santa Ana finally pulled thru in the last 2 minutes to win.
On the other hand, NOPSSCEA still hasn’t resolved its crowd control problem with several fans, some with tickets, unable to enter the La Salle venue. There was still a small stampede happening at gate 1 of the university. It took NOPSSCEA 4 games, including a canceled one, to finally manage the stampede to a lesser extent than the ones that happened at the UNO-R and Tay Tung gyms last March 21 and March 23. They implemented the ticketing system with pay. That was actually a good idea. But the tickets were still lacking and there were complaints that outsiders, or those not belonging to the 2 schools, were not given tickets.
Basketball, being our country’s most popular sport, usually draws a large crowd of fans and spectators. NOPSSCEA should anticipate these events and issue more tickets to be available to the fans or reserve a much larger venue, like the Bago City Coliseum or Victorias City Coliseum in advance for these games so as to avoid a stampede of the fans.
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With the upcoming FIBA World Cup in August 2023, most Filipino basketball fans are wondering how the Philippine team is going to perform in the games. If there is an indicator, it would be the last 2 games of our Philippine Gilas team last Feb 24 and Feb 27 against Lebanon, which they won 107-96, and the game against Jordan, which they lost 90-91. Those games showed that the crowd can really be a factor like in the game against Jordan wherein the Gilas team came back from a 20- point deficit and almost won. Their shrieks and roars can actually put pressure on opposing teams to cause them to be rattled and lose their concentration. It also shows how good coaching may be a factor as well, like in the Jordan game, when coach Reyes put June Mar Fajardo in the starting lineup and the latter was ineffective, leading to Jordan building that early 20 point lead.I think it is still a toss-up on who will be our naturalized player, either Justin Brownlee or Jordan Clarkson. Both have their strengths and weaknesses and play essentially the same position. I think depending on the bracket Gilas Pilipinas may hold its own against the mid-level teams of Africa, Europe and the Americas but may have trouble winning against the likes of Greece, Serbia, France, Slovenia, Canada and the US. Gilas has the upcoming Southeast Asian Games and a few tune up games to prepare for this World Cup, which is a once in a lifetime event to be hosted by our country.
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One of the most wide-open NBA seasons in recent memory is coming to a close and it’s still unclear what team is going to be the winner of the Larry O Brien trophy also known as the NBA championship. It’s a little clearer in the Eastern conference with the top 3 teams Milwaukee Bucks, Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers looming as clear contenders for the Eastern Conference crown while the Cleveland Cavaliers loom as a darkhorse. Things are much more complicated in the Western Conference. The top 3 teams are the Denver Nuggets, Memphis Grizzlies and Sacramento Kings. But all the above-mentioned teams’ line-ups are either too young, or don’t have a good history in the playoffs like the teams below them jostling for playoff position. The Phoenix Suns have added Kevin Durant to compliment Chris Paul and Devin Booker but have a lean and weak bench. The defending champion Golden State Warriors, despite an up and down season, seem to be back in business but need to learn to win games outside of San Francisco. One wild card team to watch is the Los Angeles Lakers, now No. 7 after starting the season 2-10 and still with superstars Lebron James and Anthony Davis and with virtually a new roster after the trade deadline, bringing back shooter D’ Angelo Russell to the mix. With the luck of the bracket and the wide-open West, this team may just make a run in the playoffs. One disappointing team in the West is the Dallas Mavericks, despite having high profile superstars Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, acquired at the trade deadline, looks to be missing the playoffs. So brace yourself as the exciting 2022-2023 NBA seasons winds down to its last week and the playoffs loom on the horizon.*
Pio Alessandro S. Ozoa is a big fan of sports, especially basketball. A late bloomer when it comes to playing the game, he watches sports often on livestream often as a deviation from the stress of everyday life.
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