The Final Score: Why we can’t wait to watch Alaska play again

At a party yesterday, my friend left her seat and approached our table. She glared at me, raised her eyebrows and lifted her hands as if to say, “Diyan ka lang. Don’t move.” I thought, “This must be urgent.”

After practically jogging from her table to ours, she took the vacant chair next to mine. She didn’t greet mutual friends sitting around the table. I was nervous.

She’s a lawyer. A no-nonsense type. She watches basketball games along with her husband and their two daughters. I didn’t expect any sports-related questions at that moment. Was she going to deliver grim news?

She took a deep breath, widened her eyes and asked, “Si Abueva, mabait ba yun?”

“Calvin Abueva of Alaska?”

“Yes. Calvin Abueva.”

“What about him?”

“Ayaw ko siya.”

“Why?”

“Basta. Ayaw ko siya.”

[Related: Texters trump Aces in six]

I asked for a rational explanation. My friend, the no-nonsense lawyer, couldn’t provide one. Abueva made her blood boil, in a harmless way. She won’t post hurtful messages online. She won’t go berserk if she sees him at the games. Yet each time Abueva grabs a rebound over nine guys or scores on an inexplicable lay-up, she’ll roll her eyes.

Although her dislike for Abueva is innocuous, it is real. Her emotional response to whatever Calvin does is as genuine as her husband’s devotion to Ginebra. Authentic fandom. Ambivalence is not an option. I can guarantee that she is not alone. That’s the totality of Abueva’s impact. I can likewise guarantee that the more she dislikes Abueva, the more Alaska games she will watch. That’s the Simon Cowell effect.

I congratulate Alaska for their bold reinvention. What a paradigm shift. Alaska basketball in the 90’s symbolized a certain law and order. Tim’s Triangle Offense. Trust the system. Follow the rules. Win championships.

Today’s Alaska team also follows systems and rules. The Trillo Triangle. Today’s Alaska players, however, try to win games very differently. They are not your daddy’s Alaska Aces. Because it’s fun to watch them learn on the fly. It’s fun to watch them teeter on the brink of self-destruction. It’s fun to watch them go through the process of evolution.

[Related: Praises all around for Alaska head coach Trillo]

I’m not being sarcastic. It’s thrilling to see them struggle only because it will be 10 times more thrilling to see them succeed. Admit it: you secretly want opponents to lead by ten in the fourth quarter so Alaska can launch that daring comeback with just four minutes left in the game.

Because for Alaska to win such games, Abueva has to do something crazy (and it will drive my friend nuts), Cyrus Baguio has to test the laws of physics and Jvee Casio has to score two four-point plays in a row (we are going to name the four-point play after Casio someday). A surge of electricity goes around the arena because of Alaska’s new playing style. Seriously, it’s hard not to like.

I asked my friend, “Wait, what about Jvee Casio?”

Her face brightened like sunshine.

“Oh Jvee! I love Jvee Casio!” - AMD, GMA News