MBA knockout semis up

The MBA took 10 games to determine the First Conference semifinalists, but will need just one game to find out the title protagonists.

What’s the reason behind the league’s sudden shift to the knockout playoffs?

Ramon Tuason, MBA director for marketing and business development, has a stock answer–impact.

"We have realized that the most effective tool for exposure is a one shot deal. Sudden-death treatment is preferable to a dragging series," said Tuason.

As examples, Tuason cited the Super Bowl and Indianapolis 500, both of which have long build-ups but culminate in one deciding game.

For the South Conference, the decider involving the RCPI Negros Slashers and the Davao Eagles will be Saturday night at the University of St. La Coliseum in Bacolod City.

The Northern Conference decider pitting the Olongapo Volunteers against the LBC Batangas Blades will be at 3 p.m. on Sunday at the Olongapo Convention Center.

RCPI Negros, being mentored by Joshua Villapando, and newcomer Olongapo, being coached by Junel Baculi, gained the homecourt advantage by topping the eliminations of their respective conferences.

The Slashers wound up with a 7-win, 3-loss record, same as the Volunteers.

The reigning national titlist Blades and the Eagles finished at 6-4. Come Saturday and Sunday, however, these cards would no longer matter as all the teams must win or die.

The semifinal survivors will clash in a best-of-five series for the First Conference crown starting May 25.

Under the 2-2-1 format, Games One and Two will be held at the homecourt of the team with the better elimination round record. Game Three and, if necessary, Game Four will transfer to the other team’s homecourt. Should the series go the full route, Game Five will return to the venue of Game One and Two. The semifinals and finals will be telecast live over NBN 4.