Where to draw the line?

Something I realized about the whole “sportsmanship” issue in the UAAP with regards to La Salle: We’re really unlucky to end up gathering the ire of almost every school… especially ADMU by our recent gestures.

I say unlucky because if it was a different situation, having an “aggressive mental game,” for lack of a better phrase, would probably be perfectly fine… for any team.

Now since I’m sure the ADMU people are first to react to this… let me qualify:

With regards to the ADMU-DLSU game, while I have no problems with trash-talking and what not… I believe that what DLSU did was in poor taste – simply because they were dominating ADMU. If the competition had been fiercer or “matched,” if you’ll allow me to say that – I doubt anyone from any side would’ve minded any type taunt to anyone during the game.

So let me state now palang, that as far as ADMU was concerned, La Salle did a shameful act as a team (the whole jiggy, time-outs, etc. etc.) by “kicking someone who was already down.” That’s why I admire the Blue Eagles in the last games against DLSU. Because although they weren’t the better team, they definitely were the bigger one.

Now why did this angle prompt me to further comment on the DLSU-FEU game? It was because as far as taunting pala was concerned, FEU drew first blood… at least from what I’ve heard.

Again, before FEU people react (but who am I kidding, it’s the Eagles that are really enjoying this field day of slamming our reputations hehehe), let me qualify once more:

The batok done by idiot team manager was inexcusable. And for all its worth, the DLSU community is in an uproar against its own because of it.

What has to be remembered however, is that they are only regretting the said end game action. Not whatever in-game taunting that was going on on either side. Because I think everyone realizes it’s part of the game. At least as far as DLSU and FEU are concerned.

Strictly speaking, Santos was reportedly the person who initiated all the taunting. Remember how Cabatug was warned? He was magnifying what Santos’ did to Araña (to a lesser degree of course) earlier. Right after Casio missed the final 3-pointer, he went to Yeo and started trash talking some more… which we then segue to Yeo’s image on TV talking to him from behind while smiling.

We all know that it wasn’t to congratulate him. I’m thinking it was more like a “don’t celebrate yet, I’m gonna get you the next game.” quip from Yeo. And as much as I’m sure that people hate (or like) that attitude, personally I don’t see anything wrong with it. Same way I don’t mind Santos shoving the painful truth against the Archers faces through harsh words when the final buzzer sounded.

We all know that even in the NBA this type of mental game is frowned upon… but let’s face it, it’s there to stay. Wether in the Philippines or whatever part of the world. And honestly, It’s even fun if both teams do it. It’s not the same, of course, if only one side is doing it (like with ADMU-DLSU)… siguro if Wesley Gonzales was still there, it would’ve been fun to watch the two teams heat each other up hahahahaa.

Personally, despite the fact that Santos started all the taunting, I don’t mind. Because he has earned every right to talk the players down in such a manner. Aside from it being a natural occurrence in basketball games, he’s been waiting a whole season to get back at DLSU for beating them. And he did single-handedly ensure FEU’s win that day. So he can trash talk all he wants IMHO, he deserves the satisfaction of talking his rivals down.

But what Salgado did was totally uncalled for. One cannot justify such actions no matter how you look at it. That wasn’t a mental strategy, that was a cheap shot plain and simple, and has no place in the UAAP.

So what is the point of my post? Basically to just clarify that everybody, especially the Eagles, to try to focus on the stuff that really matters. The link to the forum shows posts from very concerned La Sallians who see the melee attack as a very unfortunate turnout to an otherwise beautiful game. The posts that encapsulates this concern goes something like:

grabe nga..

kawawang kawawa na tau sa atenista.net..

ang masakit pa nyan e wala talagang kaclass class yung nangyari. mapapamura ka talaga.

hindi rin talaga maiiwasan na idamay buong community sa nangyari.

tinatanong na nung mga tao dun kung yun daw ba tinuturo satin.

sabay banggit sa “jiggy” chaka sa “pogi pose”….

hay….

Or

sadly, we can no longer use words such as “Glory in defeat”.

now practically every student of every school just rose from the dead like zombies and has found another source for their thirst of green blood.

But the most promising post I saw would be this:

… I also want to beat Arwind. But on the court, and in the game of basketball. Not like this, not after the game and not with a cheap shot.

There’s a proper time and place for most things; an attack like that has no place in UAAP basketball.

If there’s one thing I have to be proud of, is that we can admit our mistakes (or at least now we do, kapal naman namin kung dineny pa namin to hahahaha) 😉 I’ve run into really hard headed people from other schools who find ways to this day to defend their “perspectives,” and it amuses me… we may try to defend ourselves once in a while, but we know a foul when we see one, which is a major reason why I’m still proud to be an Archer.

Here’s to a great emotionally charged game 2 (and hopefully game 3)

I must admit though that I’m usually interested in the UAAP when it’s a DLSU-Ateneo match, and we all know that it’s simply because of the rivalry, not the game per se (though it does matter too) – as long as they get-it-on, then I’m happy!

But watching DLSU-FEU really turns out to be really good too. Because though the schools aren’t arch-rivals, we get to see the “basketball element” in the games. Both teams really are so friggin’ good, that whoever wins in the end I really don’t mind that much. They both deserve to win… yes even DLSU. Despite the bad rep we’ve been getting these days… doesn’t take away the fact that we have an excellent basketball team.