The home-and-away format

Every playing arena have distinct characteristics known only to teams and players regularly using the venue.  This gives them the edge when a visiting team comes over for a game.  Team sports call this benefit as home-court advantage.

When games are held in a team’s arena, the home crowd is considered as the extra player on the playing court.  Aside from the solid support, the crowd can intimidate opposing teams by loud cheers and chants.  It is not uncommon for game officials and referees, specially the new ones, to be psychologically influenced by the home crowd which could affect the outcome of the game that would favor the home team.

Familiarity with the venue will also be a factor.  I know not all playing venues are alike and that there would be quirks on the surface and only those who had been using it, playing on it knows.  Being comfortable in an environment is already a plus.

Quirks could be some slight incline on the court, lighting could also be a factor that a home team can exploit.  Home team players have their sweet spots on the court and which part to avoid.  Familiarity usually creates advantages and the crowd support give the team that extra boost and energy when things get tight.

In a recent article written by sports journalist Jonas Panerio, a good number of CESAFI coaches reportedly liked the idea of the school league adopting a home-and-away format and this corner supports the idea.  I seldom get to watch CESAFI games but in the rare times that I did, it does need the crowd.

To the best of my knowledge, five schools (USC, USPF, UC, USJ-R and SWU) have gyms that can host CESAFI games.  The league opens sometime in July and I think the CESAFI board should make their call to bring the students and alumni back to the venues, their home courts and cheer for their teams.

I can imagine UV hosting UC at their upgraded gym, with students sitting behind the goal posts distracting a Webmaster making a free throw.  Likewise, UC’s fans will be returning the favor when the Lancers come to their turf. Students can then blame the game when on the following day they can’t do their oral exams because they had gotten hoarse shouting.  How I wish CESAFI games to be like the UAAP and the NCA A games in Manila where alumni and student support is very visible.

The format will not be limited to crowd support.  CESAFI home teams can set-up booths selling team merchandise like t-shirts, caps, hoodies and sweaters, considering that some of our venues are air conditioned.  Yes, these things aside from regular snack items.  Not only will this generate income for the school but will likewise invite and inspire the students to wear their school colors on game time.  The more affluent students whose allowances are higher than the monthly salaries of their teachers will gladly buy merchandise for themselves and their close friends.  And would it be nice to see one section of the venue bathed in, let’s say green and with the opposite side gleaming in yellow.

Elimination round will have to be a double-round-robin affair to afford teams hosting opportunities.   The Final Four will have home games determined as to their number of games won at home.

The new format, if implemented, can have out-of-towners coming in to watch and enjoy the game and could interest not only athletes but new enrollees as well.  Often, a school’s gym is an attraction to prospective students and they have to check it out themselves to see if what they had been hearing is really true.  Seeing is believing.

The ball is in the CESAFI board’s homecourt.  If it can’t be implemented this season, hopefully, we’ll have the home-and-away format by 2020.

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