When I think of the worst result of a split decision made in the NBA, the Indiana Pacers – Detroit Pistons Brawl in the Palace in Auburn Hills, Michican on November 19, 2004 would always come to mind.
A heated game turned to a brawl when a hard foul on Detroit center Ben Wallace. The foul eventually led to shoving between players involved, Wallace and Ron Artest, now known as Metta World Peace, and a fan throwing a seemingly harmless cup with soda to the hotheaded one, Artest.
Artest reacted violently to the fan that physical contact reached even to fans in the bleachers. The incident had boiled over to cause the NBA to suspended nine players for a total of 146 games and $11 million in salary being lost by the players.
Further results of the also incident included five players charged with assault, and eventually sentenced to a year of probation and community service; five fans also faced criminal charges and were banned from attending Pistons home games for life.
This fight also sparked the reasons why you now see enhanced security personnel between players and fans (event security are often seen standing on the hardcourt, facing the audience while teams huddle during timeouts and lulls) as well as the limited sale of alcohol during games.
Very recently, a local incident showed this ugly part of competition. Consequences of unpacifiable hotheads’ actions got a star of the Baguio-Benguet Education Athletic League (BBEAL) in hot water because of a series of dumb decisions made during the heat of the game.
UB Cardinal Samuel Ian Seña is now being recommended to be banished for life from playing in the league for instigating violence, punching several players including coaching staff of BCT, a referee and attempting to punch the game commissioner.
A video of the incident was caught and became viral when it was uploaded on social media. The incident happened in the final 3.4 seconds of the semifinals match between the Cardinals and the Atoms.
In a jockey for a possible rebound during a fifteen-foot shot, Seña backhanded Atom Kram Domingo who fell wriggling on the floor. The resulting consequence turned to worse as a scuffle ensued where the Cardinal bench approached the BCT side.
Even game officials and referees were not spared of the blows during the commotion. Not even game commissioner Antonio Fernandez was accorded respect as a haymaker was directed at him although he eventually avoided the hit.
Per descriptions of those who were in the venue, it was supposed to be a game of routs, comebacks and a photo finished but the blissful ending was spoiled by the incident.
BCT roared comfortably ahead and lead as high as 16 before UB came rushing back and even got the driver’s seat on Seña’s basket with only 30 seconds remaining. A few seconds later, Renzae Cosme knotted the count on a booming triple setting up for a cardiac finish.
Alas, cooler heads failed to prevail after the physical contact leading to the melee.
While there maybe other reasons why one get involved in sports, playing a game should be utmost fun and healthy. One play sports because of the want to be relaxed and entertained by the adventures and thrills the game gives. People play sports because they want to maintain sound body conditions by meeting the physical demands that games require.
It is also not hidden that varsity teams and players have agendas more than just these. For them, the stakes are much higher causing the desire to win to multiply ten to hundredfold.
Up to what extent one would go just to win a ballgame is hard to tell. It is up to one’s discretion. It would be safe to say, though, that winning the game should not be paramount above everything else because, like it or not, somebody has to loss in competition regardless of the efforts one will put into a sports endeavor.
Teams and players will always have wins and have losses at different times. How one will react to when placed in these situations will define the greatness of an athlete or team.
This writer believes that teams should not put winning at all costs over representing their institution in the best manner possible. Participation in the league is, after all, a tool for enticing more enrollees for the school. Players should not put winning at all costs over acquiring a good education and good values. Getting a shot at professional leagues, after all, is not based on possessing the athletic skills alone. Also included in the criteria is how one carry himself or herself in public.
Now that the dust settled, these possibilities resulting from the melee are at hand: (1) possible lifetime BBEAL ban for Sena, (2) one season suspension to UB’s Adriane Puzon, (3) one game suspension the rest of the Cardinal bench except for Ismael Khan Muhammad, Cosme and John Erick Victorio, (4) UB’s forfeiture of the third place finish because the one game suspension was served during the battle for third against CCDC, (4) a potential criminal case against Sena; and (5) numerous tarnished reputations that may never be reversed.
In a hindsight, it is safe to say that majority will agree with me when I say that executing a desire to win a “silly” ballgame “at all costs” is not worth it if it will lead to consequences such as these.
Sena had his reasons on why he acted or reacted the way he did on the play during the dying seconds. I could only surmise that it is his excessive desire to win the championship. Whatever they were, the possibility of a lifetime ban and a court case plus the blemish he got on his reputation as a sportman and an individual are not worth it.
Sportsmen need to be smart and play the game for the right reasons because in the above case, the extent of exhibiting a passion for winning reached a point where there isn’t a fair exchange anymore.
BY: ARMANDO M. BOLISLIS.