Tonight, we were sworn witnesses to one of the most awful twin bills the PBA had ever offered. Two contests that match the antics of its scripted telenovelas time slot counterparts. Not for the reason of high viewership but for its stench of fabrication. The fabrication part may not be true but be that as it may, the format that the PBA instituted for the semifinals have led to this kindof bad perception.
This PBA Governor Cup’s semi-finals format is appalling. Most of the teams’ chances are pinned on the other teams' performance. Of course they wouldn’t have to if only they did much better during the Elimination Round (that’s Talk n Text) but to carry-over their W-L slates onto the semifinals is bewildering.
Making it to the Semifinals should be enough of a reward for a team’s Elimination Round performance instead of the format where a high placing team like Talk n Text having an almost shoo-in ticket to the finals. This format even almost disregards one of the best sources of the best stories in sports: Upsets.
When TNT dropped its game against Petron during the first game, Ginebra were automatically out of the running for the last finals seat. This game only matters to Petron and Petron only. TNT can play Gilbert Lao as their point guard for the whole duration of that game and TNT will still be in the finals because they were assured of it already. On the other hand, Petron, with several injured KEY players, badly needs a win and a succeeding Ginebra win to enter the finals, which at the conclusion of tonight’s games, happened.
The problem is that the format encourages the tendency of shoo-in teams to take games for granted. It should never be, given that it is the playoffs. Every team should have the intense feeling that each game is a “must win” and each loss is a huge setback. This attitude was never in display during that TNT-Petron game-at least for one team. It is a disgusting playoffs sight. A team who takes a PLAYOFF game for granted!
Fans and critics who are very much aloud in their thoughts that the games were pre-meditated and fixed can’t be blamed because the format affords the tendency of such assumptions and tirades.
Jesus Christ. What is happening to the PBA.
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