NBA finals predictions and analysis

By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.

THE global sports scene is now focused on the French Open and the NBA finals. But Filipino sports fans follow the NBA finals more than the French Open as basketball is indisputably the numero uno sport for Filipinos. Basketball fans from all walks of life like the magta-taho and other ambulant vendors, barbers, jeepney drivers, and company executives all have a piece to say about their own analysis, synopsis and especially their predictions. Many actually put money on their chosen team, some just for fun and some for serious gambling. My Guam-based son Elcid, who is into basketball, told me sadly that he lost $50 for choosing the Dallas Mavericks to win the first game.

I and two friends — Mangaldan election officer Johnny Valencia and Antonio Jimenez — predicted that Dallas and Miami will win the western and eastern conferences, respectively, and will fight for NBA’s title this year. How right we were! My cumpadre the former Bonuan Gueset chairman Angel Gumarang picked the Chicago Bulls to beat Miami and clash for the title. Unfortunately the Bulls lost to the Heat.

We saw in the first game of the NBA finals how the Heat trounced the stubborn Mavericks, 92-84, last Wednesday. The Mavericks collapsed at the homestretch to yield the first encounter.

In my analysis, there were three big factors that caused the Mavs’ debacle. Firstly, the Big 3 of the Heat, namely: Lebron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh, were not neutralized. Secondly, the home court advantage also played a major role. Miami got a lot of cheers from the partisan crowd every time they converted a shot while Dallas received jeers and catcalls. That’s common.

The second game held last Friday was very different. The Mavs were fantastic. But what stunned me was how the Heat, leading by as much as 15 points, 88-73, in the fourth and final quarter collapsed in the dying minutes of the game with the Mavs orchestrating a 20-2 run led by Dirk Nowitzki to win the pulsating match, 95-93, and even the series 1-1 all. The Heat were humiliated in their own turf and now expects to encounter some jeers and taunts at Dallas court on the third skirmish. I felt that the Heat was unable to contain Nowitzki’s last trey and especially his basket that sealed the hostility.

I am supposed to pick Dallas to win the title because my father was a Mexican who lived in Texas until his demise. It’s the state where I migrated and where an abundant number of relatives live. But my mind tells me that it will be Miami that will capture the title this year. However, like Gumarang, another friend Eugene Cruz of DPWH Lingayen says it will be the Mavericks who will win this time because they are very hungry for victory.

Yes, he got a point. But I will continue to stand by my choice. Amen.

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My big congrats to our Pangasinan cyclists who bagged the 1-2 honor in the recently concluded nine-day Camsur Tour. Mapandan son-in-law Irish Valenzuela pocketed the top prize P500,000 and Asingan son Baler Ravina collected the P300,000 second place reward. Valenzuela, 24, was born in Tabaco, Albay. For more than three years now, he has been a resident of barangay Baloling in Mapandan. Valenzuela’s team 7-Eleven also bagged the team honor worth P300,000. Manaoag native Ericson Obosa ruled the Sprint plum valued at P50,000 while Llyod Reynante of Muntinlupa City topped the King of the Mountain honor, also worth P50,000.

Mabuhay kayo guys and keep up the good work.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: And Almighty God said ‘If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. They shall surely put to death. Their blood shall be upon them. LEVITICUS 20: 13

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