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 Balance of Power: There is parity with the exception of theTalk 'N Text Tropang Texters

Leagues around the world are trying as much as possible to have some sort of parity between teams. That is why there are drafts and lottery picks. That is why there is a salary cap. In the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), the league somehow found some parity. It is hard to predict games in the PBA now as most teams are evenly matched. The only great exception is Manny Pangilinan's Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters.

In the first conference, the top 4 teams were Talk 'N Text, Petron Blaze Boosters, Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, and Powerade Tigers. The elimination round in the Commissioner's Cup is over and 3 of those 4 teams are out of contention for the 2nd conference title.  We can call it balance and some might call it luck or bad luck. The only immune team is the Tropang Texters and they got a fast forward ticket to the Final 4 as they finished numero uno after the single round robin elimination round. It is not surprising anymore with a team so loaded with talent that players like Japeth Aguilar, Harvey Carey, Jason Castro, and Ranidel de Ocampo come off the bench. Those 4 are sure starters in other teams. Talk 'N Text won 2 titles last year and they have defended one and they are the odds on favorite to defend their second title. Only a Petron miracle have prevented them from winning a grand slam last year. It would have been 4 straight titles for the Manny V. Pangilinan (MVP) franchise. 

MVP who happens to be the president of the Samahan Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP), the FIBA-recognized basketball association of the Philippines, has transformed the Philippine basketball landscape. He bankrolled dynasties in the college level with the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles and the San Beda Red Lions. His drive in creating winning teams in the corporate world  (Metro Pacific and Smart Communications) has transcended in sports particularly basketball. No wonder Talk 'N Text looks like an All-Star team. If you work for MVP, you have to win. The coach of the semi-successful Smart Gilas program was not renewed because the team failed to win.  For them, winning is everything. Therefore it is expected for Talk 'N Text to win if possible all their games (especially in the playoffs) in the PBA. 

Is this good for the league? Well, dynasties happen but TNT seems to be built to last longer. Unlike Crispa who had a Toyota to contend with, Talk 'N Talk seems to be miles ahead from the competition. Petron is good but they are aging and oft-injured. B-Meg seems to choke in do or die battles. Ginebra is is the crowd favorite but they are also aging and get inconsistent sometimes. Meralco is the mini-farm team of sister club TNT. Barako Bull and Air 21 are like D-League teams for good young players waiting to be sold to other teams or a place for former superstars to get decent playing time. Powerade is mediocre without their amazing guards. Rain or Shine is too streaky to be depended upon.  Alaska is setting up a new system. No wonder that any conference in 2011-12 seems to look like a battle for 2nd place.

So is this good for PBA? Well PBA seems to report of improving ratings and gate receipts. The new formats are exciting and all teams have now made it to the playoffs. Well, almost as Air 21 missed the boat again but they have improved after a winless first conference.  A new set of Final 4 will give fans a different look. Who could be this conference's cinderella? Well it be the Bolts or the Barako Bull? Who knows? Parity is really good but when teams are matched up with the Texters, results seem predictable.

Hopefully, it will change soon. Maybe next year, since the core of TNT will be part of the national team but then again the Tropang Texters will bring legendary Philippine collegiate and PBA coach Norman Black who is seeking to continue his mean streak of winning basketball titles. Good luck, to all other teams.

Links:

PBA Commissioner's Cup down to 6 teams
PBA Official Website

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???