Basketball overload

The premiere basketball leagues in and out of the country ended their championship series within two days of each other. But still insatiable is a people who eat basketball for breakfast, including millions with nothing to break their fast. Meralco bolted out of a 14-year wait to win its inaugural title. Finally. And for the power consumer fans to forget about its service and cost issues. Temporarily.

In a deadlock with 3.3 seconds on the clock, Chris Newsome fired awesome. He stayed on with the team the longest while it watched its brother team win title after title in what could be the best form of sibling rivalry. They fight for glory, even for money, through hard work, not parental favoritism.

Now their time came, to finally move on from the bitter memory of its biggest heartbreak. In the hands of Justin Brownlee who also beat the buzz, and the bolts, for the 2016 Governor’s Cup. Always the thrill of basketball, the dying split of a second resurrect the dead in an instant.

The Philippine Cup came with a price. Meralco had to decide, no matter who gets hurt, oftentimes at the expense of power consumers. Management prerogative. In the context of the power to hire and fire. It recalibrated every year, picked up new players but retained the best. Painfully, it had to behead its head coach. Not that he did something wrong. He was consistent. But the lack of title also was. Time to pack up and pick up. It’s the crown that matters. No room for sentimental choices. It’s not even about loyalty, but who brings the royalty. And for now the bolts are kings of the ring.

They came close before, but lost just the same. Always the beauty of sports, try again no matter who you are up or down against. While the body still delivers. Every team or player deserves a second chance, even third, fourth. Endless. Like a battered woman giving and forgiving while her flesh and spirit suffer.

June Mar Fajardo remains positive. He knows what he and his fellow beermen can do. Or do better. Even if it stings. For the first time, San Miguel lost the All-Filipino conference finals since they drafted the mammoth of the south fourteen years ago. The first time hurts and humbles. The gentle giant concedes the bolts deserved to win after 14 seasons of trying. Winning is everything, but not for everyone. Losing is also winning. Or better yet earning, experience or lesson. Or both.

And by now Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving must have learned a lesson they knew all along. It is not about them, but the team. For now the Mavs should rest. Physically. But sure they can’t help but contemplate what could have been. Or what could have worked. Like the Jay-conspiracy of partners in crime Tatum and Brown. Thought incompatible, one of them is now most valuable. No need to name name. Both deserve the name.