Novel format ushers in Blades-Knights duel

The novel 1-2-2 format of the best-of-five series will be adopted in the MBA Second Phase Northern Conference finals featuring the LBC Batangas Blades and the Andok’s San Juan Knights starting Wednesday.

Under this format, Game One would be played at the Blades home (De La Salle Lipa Sentrum), followed by Games Two and Three at the Knights’ turf (San Juan Gym). If necessary, Games Four and Five would return to De La Salle Lipa.

MBA commissioner Butch Antonio bared this yesterday, explaining that the deviation from the usual 2-2-1 format was necessary because of the unavailability of the De La Salle Lipa Sentrum for the supposed Game Two on Nov. 30.

"This way, the Blades retain their homecourt edge," said Antonio, adding that he informed both the Knights and the FedEx Laguna Lakers about the development before Game Two of their semifinal showdown on Friday.

That time, the Knights repeated over the Lakers, 105-77, to arrange the championship series with the Blades, who gained the homecourt advantage by virtue of their topping the elimination round. Andok’s San Juan also bested FedEx Laguna, 88-85, in Game One on Wednesday.

Rafi Reavis and Chito Victolero shared stellar honors for the Knights in Game Two. The 6-foot-8 Reavis scored 13 points and grabbed 22 rebounds while Victolero contributed 19 points, 7 assists, 5 steals and 5 rebounds. Bruce Dacia and Chris Calaguio carried the offensive load with 26 and 18 points, respectively.

The LBC Batangas Blades management headed by brothers Santi and Dino Araneta requested for the format change after being told that a function has been slated at the Sentrum on Nov. 30.