Suspicious behavior

You can never prove game-fixing or point-shaving. There are no receipts, almost all conversations are verbal, and even text messages are in code. But there are ways to mitigate the creativity of those who dare to tamper with the games that we all love.

First, identify, suspicious or unusual behavior. Events that you don’t normally see in a basketball game, actions you don’t normally see from a particular player. Shots they don’t normally miss awkward free throws, illogical plays. These can all raise suspicions that can propel an investigation.

In the last few weeks, this writer has observed how  betting on basketball has adversely affected the game, to the disillusionment of fans and television viewers. Fortunately, some leagues take a direct hand in trying to repair the situation. But you have to dig deep to find out if the team owners, players, coaches or even referees are involved.

Imagine a tied game. One of the veteran players of a team receives the inbound with five seconds to go, then proceeds to calmly dribble away the time, forcing overtime. This writer recently learned that the odds for an overtime game soar to at least 14 times the initial bet placed. Therefore, your P100 would win P1,400 or more. Then there’s also betting on the ending score for quarter and at the end of the game, aside from the actual outcome of the game itself.

Now, imagine a team whose best player has already scored 25 points in the first three quarters. He is surprisingly benched for the rest of the game. The game goes into overtime. In overtime, the same team starts with an all-local lineup, even if they have imports who have been playing well. They go on to lose the game. In another instance, a player throws up a lay-up on a breakaway fastbreak and hits the underside of the rim. Another airballs his free throws in crucial situations, even if he’s been there so many times before. Some just have less finesse in executing their deception than others.

The Games and Amusements Board, which oversees professional sports in the country, is investigating these cases and others. GAB basketball division officer Arnulfo Moriles has been supervising one international league’s games, and will summon erring teams to explain their behavior. When the rigging gets too obvious, leagues can suspend or ban teams or players outright, and the GAB can strip them of their licenses to play. They then lose their livelihood over one bad decision.

As fans, we can do more than just howl from the stands. We can point out suspicious behavior to the GAB, and help them build a case. If not, we will keep having to suffer through the bitter feeling of knowing that the joy is being sucked out of the game by people who care more about money than integrity.