Frankly speaking, I am wasting my time watching the PBA games.
Although the Philippine Cup (All-Filipino) conference is already in its semi final phase, the results of the series between TNT and SMB in games 4 and 5 did not reflect the quality of championship play that was expected.
Trailing 2-1, the Beermen toyed with Tropang Giga and led by a mile the rest of the way to equalize at 2-all.
Why coach Chot Reyes sat down his frontliners after Erram was injured and left the game for good in the first quarter was a form of surrender.
Of course, you can’t take away the coach’s tactical privilege.
As is often practiced, the philosophy of “one step backward and two steps forward” is embraced by all.
He fielded an entirely raw crew – among them his three (four?) rookies which San Miguel mentor Leo Austria exploited to the hilt, to ensure his boys get to tie the series safely and transform it into a best-of-three.
Because they enjoyed a 2-1 edge, was TNT entitled to give the game away without giving it a fight?
That dismal performance by TNT did not speak highly of the coaching staff who treated their supporters and fans as if they did not matter at all.
Yes, PBA fans did not deserve to watch such lopsided results and I think they (the fans, including this scribbler) were somehow betrayed.
In Game 5 held Wednesday, playing in full force including the return to active duty of former MVP Kelly Williams, TNT unleashed its savage and monstrous character by building up 20 plus leads over the Beermen on the way to registering a 3-2 series advantage.
San Miguel Beer is the 5-time Philippine Cup champion, a team you can’t take for granted.
But Tropang Giga ran roughshod over them.
Ang sakit sa mata!
Imagine a squad that has a core of the cream of the crop (creme’ dela creme’).
I had expected the intensity of the matches to heighten after the quarters as was usual during the pre-pandemic PBA conference which were even scheduled and played before out-of-town audiences.
Are the series being stretched to reach the seventh game of the series to produce and hype a rivalry that approximates the Crispa-Toyota of yore?
I don’t know. Maybe,maybe not.
Without fans and the physical presence of spectators, do not expect the PBA contests to produce A-1 results.
The thunderous cheers, booing and catcalls are integral elements that make sports events historic, monumental and legendary.
Won’t the GAB seek IATF to relax its rules and allow even a motley crowd of 500 or 1,000 basketball fans to enjoy the games in physical attendance?
I promised myself not to anymore waste time (and electricity costs) watching PBA games while the pandemic protocols are enforced.
Walang kwenta. (Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!
