Why college hoops? (Part 1 of 2)
Many may be wondering why I concentrate more on college hoops rather than cover the more prestigious professional league. Simple. College basketball, whether here in the Philippines or over at the United States of America, is more exhilirating.
It sends my spine a-tingling whenever I hear the drumbeat of a school cheer. A real school cheer. I do not know, but it quickens my blood and my whole being just wants to jump and yell, especially if it’s an Ateneo game. There is a magic that is unexplainable when it is college hoops. Young and old, rabid fans, lukewarm supporters and fair-weathered fans alike all join together and fill an entire arena to the brim. I only see this kind of turnout in the professional leagues when it’s playoff time. But otherwise, fans are content wathing the season play out in the boob tube. That is with regards to the PBA. The NBA still has a huge followinhg even in the regular season that just balloons in the post-season. But for college basketball, be it the NCAA, UAAP or the US NCAA, it’s a constant. Much more so when it is rivalry week for the three leagues I’ve mentioned.
While US colleges and universities do have arenas on-campus that are as huge as the Smart Araneta Coliseum, fans, whether they be alumni, current students, or town members who support their local university, troop to their respective arenas, fill it to the rafters and create a crowd that can rival that of a football stadium in Europe. That is endearing to me as a basketball fan. I wouldn’t like to watch games if it were just a paltry sum of supporters milling about. I guess that’s the brand of Philippine basketball. No one would care unless it’s a Ginebra game, even when tickets are generally cheaper than what they used to be.
In the States, whether the opponent of my beloved North Carolina Tar Heels is Duke University or a little-known Division I program that flounders, the Dean Smith Center is always filled to the rafters. It’s much like San Beda’s Red Army showing up every game, whether it be against Letran, San Sebastian or Perpetual. The same can be said for the 6th Man of the Blue and White. Whether it is against De La Salle, our bitter rival, or University of the East, we always show up. Though i admonish the fact that since the back-to-back titles, only a few, including yours truly, have been cheering their hearts out whereas on the other side of the fence, the Red Army cheers until their throats run dry.
Another factor that I love regarding college hoops is the unpredictability. Sure, there would be doormats, it cannot be helped, but there are also small and big surprises. Who would’ve thought that Letran can match up well against San Sebastian regarding star power? Who would’ve thought that De La Salle, with a slew of promising recruits and a star returnee, will flounder and miss the Final Four bus? Who would’ve thought that Ray Parks would win the MVP without gaining a Final Four ticket? Who would’ve thought that JRU, and not Mapua, would go to the semis? Those are but a few scenarios that caused true observers some shock. And it’s a reason why college hoops is better. Take for example, in the PBA, will there be surprises, outside of Tim Cone going out of Alaska? The title contenders are set in stone for like the past five years. It will be Talk N Text as always, together with Petron, maybe a bit of B-Meg and Alaska as well. Unless of course, the league decides to expand and the bevy of stars these two teams employ will be dispersed elsewhere. But that won’t be happening anytime soon.
But there would be another week for that.
