Classic Game 7 still talked about... for the wrong reasons

The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) has just concluded one of its best championships series ever. The B-Meg Llamados took the 2011-12 PBA Commissioner's Cup title by beating the hard-fighting Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters in a memorable Game 7.

It was a great series indeed as the PBA is boasting of high ratings and very high gate receipts. Those are not the reasons though why a lot of people is still talking about the series.  Many fanatics are talking about the foul that happened with 1.2 seconds left in regulation in Game 7 of the series.

With TNT leading by 2, James Yap threw a pass to Best Import awardee Denzel Bowles who was then "fouled" by Kelly Williams while attempting a hurried shot. Many fans are angry while many as well as are laughing because the TNT dynasty and their dreams of total domination has been obliterated by a single whistle by a referee. Tears of joy were replaced by tears of sorrow. A lot of bettors are screaming Yes and No simultaneously. Here is a video of the most memorable play of the series:

Was there a foul? The PBA says yes while TNT officials are still fuming about the "bad" officiating.  Are they just sore losers or is there really a problem in officiating. Foul or not, this supposed classic series will be remembered by that call. People will forget how Bowles made the 2 biggest free throws of his life or how Alapag played his hearts out in this game, but the foul defined the game and it made the PBA somewhat relevant once again.

Hurry up with the next conference already!!!

Links:
Super Ending: B-Meg "Bowles" over TNT
TNT players absent in the All-Star festivities
Game 7 beckons!

PBA Governor's Cup Finals: Petron vs. Talk 'N Text subplots

Tomorrow will be the Game 7 of the 2011 PBA Governor's Cup Finals between league giants Petron Blaze Boosters and the Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters. It all ends of on a Sunday. Game 7, the last game of the season, what more can you ask for?

It is like the PBA follows a very good script. So many nice subplots:

MVP vs. SMC

The PBA is now dominated by 2 big conglomerates: The old SMB dynasty that includes Petron, Ginebra, and B-Meg and the upstart MVP teams Talk 'N Text, Meralco Bolts and Smart-Gilas.  The game 7 will be big in determining who is BIG BOSS of the league. If TNT wins then it's 3 in a row for MVP, a GRAND SLAM! If Petron wins then it's a big slap on the face of MVP. A symbol that being the richest does not guarantee a championship. Manny Pangilinan is set to own the PBA Grand Slam and he supports the best teams in college as well as the national team. Sa kanya na lang ba lahat? Not if Petron can do something about it.

CHOT vs. ATO

There has been some intrigue between the 2 players in the earlier games of the series and this game will be crucial in determining who is the better coach. Chot has won a lot of titles in the PBA and Ato who was a former league MVP has been successful in college basketball coaching. Will Chot join the list of legendary coaches?

Arwind vs. Jimmy

When we talk about stats, nobody can dispute that Arwind Santos probably is the best player in the league but the MVP this season though was Jimmy Alapag. For me, individual accolades is not as important as who will win this Game 7. Arwind can exact revenge by preventing Jimmy win a Grand Slam. While Jimmy can try to prove why he is a deserving MVP.

All questions can be answered in Game 7. All roads lead to Araneta. Looking back, at the earlier games of the series, I just hope that this game will not be rout.  The season should be decided by the final shot of this game. This should be a classic. The changing of the guard in the PBA is at hand and we could be witnesses the beginning of a new era. Or it could be just be more of the same thing.

It is nice to see that there are still games in the PBA that has some relevance and back story (It's been fewer and far in between in recent years, with the emergence of the UAAP).

Who is your bet???