Nobody but you

Former PBA player and coach Eric Altamirano has borrowed an exciting idea to bring out the survival instincts of basketball junkies. He’s staging a one-on-one tournament called “Last Man Standing” where the focus is showcasing individual skills in a game of one-upmanship.

You and I know that basketball is a team sport and chemistry is essential in winning. We also know that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, meaning the five teammates on the floor must blend to make beautiful music together. Individually, they may not be a force but as a unit, they could be unbeatable.

But everything starts with a player learning the basics of how to play the game. Altamirano’s Coach E Basketball School is big on teaching the fundamentals to kids and that orientation has given life to “Last Man Standing.”

What makes the tournament unique is it’s every man for himself, nobody to turn to. It’s survival of the best. You compete mano-a-mano like two gladiators in a ring and go for the win.

“The tournament gives players the avenue to display their individual skills and compete against the best,” said Altamirano, a six-year pro who coached Purefoods to the PBA All-Filipino title in 1997. “This is in line with our mission of focusing on developing the basic fundamental skills of the game.”

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Altamirano said ABS-CBN producer Itos Valdez broached the concept of a one-on-one tournament to Xavy Nunag, president of International Basketball Academy which is the umbrella organization for Coach E and similarly-owned projects.

Nunag, in turn, told Altamirano about it.

“Itos approached me with the idea some time last year,” related Nunag. “He thought of a one-on-one tournament because it hadn’t been done at the school level and the leagues have been either three-on-three or five-on-five. He had just finished doing a national cheering competition for Studio 23 and wanted to do something on basketball. We sat down and I figured out a format with his inputs.”

The first stage is the eliminations at the Music Hall of SM Mall of Asia (MOA). Players will be split into three divisions – grade school, high school and open. There is no age limit in the open category and varsity cagers may join.

To enter the tournament, players are required to buy Hi-Smart Multivitamins at Watsons drugstores in MOA. Hi-Smart is the sponsor of the one-on-one challenge. Players in the grade school division must purchase at least P250 worth of Hi-Smart Multivitamins. The minimum amount in the high school level is P350 and P550 in the open class.

Upon purchase of the multivitamins, a player will be given an information sheet and a phone number to call to confirm participation in the tournament. Once confirmed, players will be asked to suit up, bring their proof of enrollment (except for the open division) and turn in their information sheets to the “Last Man Standing” organizers at 10 a.m. at the Music Hall in MOA this Sunday. Players must be ready to compete when they register.

Winners will advance to the finals on June 11 at the same venue.

Altamirano, 43, said he hopes to eventually hold one-on-one tournaments in all the SM malls. “I remember the PBA did a one-on-one tournament years ago with Shakey’s and it was a big hit,” he went on. “I submitted a proposal to Mr. Hans Sy of SM and he liked the idea. We agreed to do a pilot in MOA and if things work out, we’ll do a tournament in every SM mall next year leading to a Grand National Finals. Itos will probably produce it for TV as a reality series.”

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Altamirano said the tournament could open doors for aspiring players. “We are expecting to see young talents out there waiting to be discovered,” he continued. “This can be their ticket to the big leagues. There is nowhere to hide in this game. No team, no teammates to pass the ball to when you’re exhausted. It’s all you out there. Last man standing.”

A game ends when four minutes are up or a player scores 11 points, whichever comes first. If a player scores, he retains possession under the make-it-take-it rule. The shot clock is set at 12 seconds. If the defensive player rebounds the ball, he has to go above the three-point arc or top of the key to start his possession. Three fouls will result in a penalty situation where one free throw will be awarded. A free throw is good for two points. A technical foul will award two free throws (two points each) and ball possession.

Prizes are as follows: Grade school champion – P15,000 and a one-year scholarship from the Coach E Basketball school, grade school runner-up – P5,000 gift certificates, high school champion – P25,000, high school runner-up – P5,000 gift certificates, open champion – P50,000 and open runner-up – P5,000 gift certificates.

Altamirano said he expects an army of players to show up on Sunday. To speed up the process, the eliminations and finals will feature a knockout system, win or go home.

“Ex-pros, former varsity players and current varsity players can join the open division,” Altamirano pointed out. “We’re looking for the best one-on-one players so it’s anybody’s game.”