Chickening out

The road to glory could come to an end for Purefoods and Alaska in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup at the Araneta Coliseum tonight.

Out to shut the door are Red Bull and San Miguel Beer, both enjoying what is in effect a twice-to-beat advantage entering Game 4 in separate best-of-5 semifinal series. Unless something short of a miracle happens, it looks like the Thunder and Beermen are headed for the Finals.

Unfortunately, last Friday’s twinbill had some regrettable moments. Sure, a Game 3 in a best-of-5 series that’s tied at 1-all is pivotal and players will fight to the bitter end to win. But there’s a limit to what one can do in the excuse of playing physical. Hooliganism has no place on the court. Playing defense doesn’t mean you have to hurt somebody to throw him off his game.

In Game 3 of the San Miguel-Alaska series, Freddie Abuda was bloodied during a loose ball scramble with Sean Chambers. I couldn’t be sure if Abuda got a busted lip or a bloodied nose. Whatever, blood was spilled as he grappled with Chambers for the leather on the floor. Courtside fans swore Chambers deliberately planted an elbow on Abuda’s throat as they scuffled. I didn’t see it myself. There were too many bodies that blocked my view from where I stood in the corridor leading to the floor. The referees apparently saw it — Chambers was slapped a technical.

Now, let’s put things in perspective. Sean’s not a bad guy. He wouldn’t have lasted 13 years in the PBA if he had a reputation as a goon. Basketball is an emotional game. Sometimes, you do things in the spur of the moment — sometimes, your intensity gets the better of you. That’s what happened to Sean. He got a technical for it and I’m sure he’ll be the first to tell you he deserved it. I don’t think the elbow on Abuda was premeditated. Sean’s not that kind of guy.

Sean had a horrible night Friday. He shot only two points at the half — from free throws — and finished with six, his lowest output ever since lacing up for Alaska in 1989. In the Third Conference last year, Chambers’ single-game low was 11 points. And in the previous year, it was 10. Back in 1991, Chambers’ season-low was 33 points. So you can imagine Chambers’ frustration and Abuda had a lot to do with his misery.

Players are human. They’re bound to make mistakes.

Still, the scuffle that led to spilled blood was something you wouldn’t like to see in a game.

* * *

In the Red Bull-Purefoods thriller that same night, I was shocked at the way the referees let Junthy Valenzuela get away with just a deliberate foul after clotheslining David Wood on a breakaway. Valenzuela is only 22 and a budding star. But if he thinks he can get away with a slight rap on the wrist for a flagrant foul, the referees are doing him an injustice. How can he learn from his mistake if he’s not taught the hard way?

It wasn’t a light hit. Wood fell on his back and suffered a bloody nose. The sad thing about it, Valenzuela didn’t bother to apologize. Valenzuela didn’t go for the ball — he went for the man. The referees chickened out by not calling a flagrant.

Earlier, Lordy Tugade flailed at Noy Castillo in a bruising play. Surprisingly, the referees didn’t call a technical for the second motion. If they had called it, maybe Valenzuela would’ve had second thoughts before roughing up Wood. That’s how important a referee’s call is in keeping a game under control. A missed call can make a big difference.

The referees also missed a call when Andy Seigle put a hand on Antonio Lang’s face after banging bodies under the basket. Seigle deserved at least a technical for it. He’d gotten a technical earlier so he would’ve been ejected on a second offense. Luckily, things didn’t get out of hand because of the missed calls.

* * *

It’s not fair to label the Thunder as the Red Bullies. It’s not fair to coach Yeng Guiao who’s done a masterful job in transforming the Thunder into a cohesive unit that plays to its strengths. Red Bull has what it takes to go all the way to the Finals — without resorting to rough stuff. The team has all the tools — firepower, youth, experience, depth, size, and desire.

If last Friday’s games were hard-fought, imagine how tonight’s games will be. Purefoods and Alaska are in a do-or-die situation.

Before the first tap in both games tonight, I suggest the referees summon the opposing coaches and team captains on the court — for all to see. The referees should make it crystal clear that they’ll call it tight, that they won’t tolerate dirty play, and that they won’t hesitate to eject anyone who deserves it.

Let the fans and the players know that the referees mean business — that they won’t chicken out again.