FUTURE STARS STRUT IN A SPECIAL JUNIOR DISPLAY
By John Cairns
YUNG SHUE WAN, Lamma Island, Hong Kong – Triumphant screaming, dancing, high-fives and other celebrations erupted on Sunday among supporters of the Lamma Island Pinoy Basketball League's blue-uniformed Lamma Archers.
Completing a colossal, season-long comeback (but just barely), the Archers scored a crucial winning basket on a medium-range jump-shot in the final seconds to defeat plucky Huggen D’ass (red uniforms) 81-79 in a high-stakes game at Yung Shue Wan's outdoor basketball court.
The Archers, who lost their first two games and languished last early in the five-team LIPBL season, have ended the regular schedule in first place. On December 4, they face the second-place Gray Hawks in a much-anticipated title game.
Relentless, the never-say-die Archers had to play well. They trailed for much of Sunday's game but then took the lead, only to see Huggen D'ass rally to knot the score 79-79.
“You scared us,” said one of the Archers to a Huggen D'ass player during the post-game handshakes.
“We never once intended to give you this game,” the losing-team member replied.
As usual, the Archers excelled by moving quickly, with or without the ball. They have a well-balanced lineup, and every player contributes.
In a more lopsided contest, the Lamma Lickers, who failed to qualify for the league's final-day playoffs, exorcised some demons by pummeling the third-place Awesome Tigers 106-79. The Tigers appeared slightly disheartened after watching the Archers eliminate them from title contention.
Ultimate Result Defies Prediction
Outcome of the title game looks tough to predict. Although the Archers defeated the Gray Hawks twice in league play, that's an unreliable indicator. Both times the Gray Hawks had key players missing. Assuming that everyone turns up for the final, they'll be much stronger. Meanwhile, the Archers have improved consistently all season. If that trend continues, they'll play their best-yet next Sunday.
A few other predictions look entirely safe. For example: the final game will be hard-fought, excitement at courtside will run high, and this, the LIPBL's second season (its first with limited numbers of non-Pinoy players), will be judged as successful.
Juniors Shuffle and Shoot
In a crowd-pleasing event before Sunday's league games, almost 20 youngsters (aged 13 or below) showed their skills in a series of half-court games. Definitely, some of them will mature into Lamma hoops stars.
At intervals, the youngsters gathered around temporary coaches for instruction. Many of these junior players, blessed with high energy and irrepressible chirpiness, had more to say in team huddles than their LIPBL counterparts do. The latter tend to listen (not always well), gasp for air and try to conserve energy.
Quiet Enough to Nap
A few residents living near the basketball court like to complain about the crowd noises and game sounds during LIPBL action.
On Sunday, my wife took our new dog, a puppy named Toffee, to watch the Archers play Huggen D'ass. Toffee traded greetings with many children in the crowd. Then she curled up on my wife's backpack, beside a spare basketball, and slept soundly at courtside.
So one of the LIPBL's most exciting and meaningful games wasn't so loud after all. Definitely, it didn't deter a puppy from snoozing.
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Final Regular-Season Standings
Lamma Archers (blue) – 6 wins, 2 losses
Gray Hawks (gray) – 6 wins, 2 losses
Awesome Tigers (green) – 4 wins, 4 losses
Huggen D'ass (red) – 2 wins, 6 losses
Lamma Lickers (yellow) – 2 wins, 6 losses
Summary: The Archers finish first, winning the regular season due to earlier victories over the Gray Hawks. Likewise, Huggen D'ass takes the final playoff position, having twice defeated the Lickers.
Championship day is December 4. First, the Awesome Tigers face Huggen D'ass for third-place bragging rights. Then the Archers and the Gray Hawks square off in a one-game, winner-take-all showdown for the overall title.
The LIPBL organizing committee plans final-day skills contests and trophy presentations. With good weather, the final-day crowd could be the largest in league history.
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