A championship series is like a poker game — a long, drawn-out poker game of a lifetime.
The opening salvo of a three-game series is the “flop” — the first three cards laid on the table wherein the players look to seize the advantage.
For Game One of both the UAAP Men’s Basketball and NCAA Seniors Basketball Finals, it was defending champions University of the Philippines and Colegio de San Juan de Letran who were able to draw first blood.
But come the second street — called the turning point or the “turn” — disaster struck both squads albeit in completely different incidents.
The kings of their respective leagues lost their aces in Zavier Lucero and Fran Yu.
2022-12-11, 15:52
Letran was looking to seize control of Game Two against College of Saint Benilde in the second frame, up 33-25 with 5:29 left in the game.
After a Robi Nayve miss, Louie Sangalang grabbed the rebound but Mark Sangco was called for an over-the-back foul.
As Sangco tumbled, Fran Yu — maybe by instinct — struck Sangco with an elbow to the head.
Yu, who had spent seven years in the collegiate level — moving from University of the East to Trail International School in Bangkok before settling in Letran, was given a disqualifying foul.
In the amateur ranks, a disqualifying foul automatically merits a one-game suspension.
Despite an appeal made by the school, the NCAA’s Management Committee stood firm.
That December 11 game held at the Big Dome marked the 24-year-old Tondo-bred cager’s last-ever game in the NCAA.
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UP, who was looking to clinch a historic back-to-back in one calendar year, was trailing neighbor Ateneo de Manila University, down 59-44 with 8:31 left in the game.
Zav Lucero, who had been leading the cudgels for the Fighting Maroons in the series, tried to rally UP back.
But as he drove to the basket, his left knee buckled at the plant.
Lucero, who was the all-time leading scorer of Division II school Cal Maritime, had to be carried out of the game.
He tore his ACL and meniscus which will make him miss the last-ever game in the UAAP.
The River
“Game Three” are the best two words in collegiate basketball. It’s where a team can reach immortality and players become legends.
Without Yu and Lucero, two aces are out.
Despite Yu and Lucero not being able to join the Knights and the Fighting Maroons, they are hoping against hope that the river — the final card in the deck — gives them the nuts — or in this case the crown.
“Kaya nila ‘yan naniniwala ako sa kanila,” said Yu, the NCAA Season 95 Finals MVP.
“Basta sundin nila yung game plan. Kita kita tayo sa Ynares.”
“I believe in you guys, you have what it takes to win it all. I’ll be there to support you guys. We put everything together, and you all know what to do to win,” Lucero told the Fighting Maroons, on the other hand.
“We just have to play the right way, share that basketball and make the right decisions.”
For the Maroons, it’s time for Carl Tamayo and Malick Diouf to carry the fight for Lucero on Monday.
Meanwhile, Kurt Reyson and Tommy Olivario will have to carry the cudgels for their King on Sunday in Antipolo.
Though it might seem that the river has already sealed their fates, the game of poker is not about the cards dealt but about dealing with the player.
And it’s never over until the final call.
