AT a time when the NBA has increased the number of its do-or-die games in a season through the Play-In Tournament - a format that has since been copied by the MPBL, the PBA has done away with one beginning in its 50th Season.
During Tuesday's season launch, PBA commissioner Willie Marcial confirmed that the pro league has decided to scrap the format that calls for a sudden-death match in the event of ties for the eighth and last spot in the playoffs. stage.
In its place, the quotient system will be used to break ties for the 8th spot, the same way ties are decided for the No. 4 seed, incidentally the last twice-to-beat spot under the current PBA tournament format.
But why?
The decision seemed odd, considering that do-or-die games are the most exciting to watch for most basketball fans, not just in the PBA but in all levels - the sight of two teams fighting to stay alive really must-watch theater.
In fact, one of the most memorable PBA games of recent years was Terrafirma's victory over NorthPort in their sudden-death match for the No. 8 spot in the 2024 Philippine Cup to reach the playoffs for the first time in 8 years.
That the eight-seeded Dyip went on to beat San Miguel in the first game of the quarterfinals counted as the most memorable moment in their otherwise forgettable stay in the PBA, never mind if SMB went on to win the second game.
All that drama, however, will be gone now, replaced by a quotient system that will count the points scored against points allowed. If that won't break the tie, the head-to-head records of the two teams that figured in the tie come into play. If that can't do it, a toss coin will be used to settle the issue once and for all.
Imagine, a toss coin to replace the drama of a knockout game.
Intrigued, we asked the PBA about the decision and Marcial willingly obliged. He explained the league went for a format that, first and foremost, would enable it to schedule games from elims to playoffs without suddenly being derailed by a knockout game.
That certainty is needed especially at this time, Marcial added. when it has become harder and harder to book venues on short notice since the UAAP, NCAA, and the PVL are all holding games simultaneously, especially during weekends.
"Mahirap ng gawin 'yon, especially in the ber months," Marcial said.
With the quotient system in play, Marcial also hopes teams won't ease up late in blowout games, knowing that every point counts in the end. That should make for good finishes to games, he added.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
