The Unorthodox Path To Redemption

Photo courtesy of Paul Ryan Tan and the PBA

There was a point in time in which I thought I would never see the Tigers in the finals again in my lifetime.  Every time I would watch teams like Talk N' Text, Petron, and Alaska in the finals, I would be wondering when I will ever see the Tigers in this stage again.

This franchise started out strong, winning a title in its maiden year and reaching the finals 4 times in its first 2 years.  Despite not having a star-studded lineup, that team was considered an elite, and it was a good time to be a Tigers fan.

However, the team's fortune took a steep dive to the worse in the next several years.  Chot Reyes leaving, Jeffrey Cariaso, Johnny Abarrientos, Rudy Hatfield and Rafi Reavis gone, and the fanbase consequently dwindling down.

A couple of years ago, a non-Tiger fan asked in a basketball forum "Bakit kukunti na lang ang fans ng Tigers?"  I tried to offer a brief response that the fans are just there, laying low, and waiting for the exact moment to pounce and be heard again.  That moment is now.

I have always thought that the Tigers have the best fans.  If you are able to endure 8 years of drought and basketball futility and still managed to stick it out with this team, then your fandom is genuine.

A Team of Destiny.  That is how this team have looked this conference.  Sweeping the number one team, coming back from double-digit deficits to win games, surviving 3 do-or-die games, and just refusing to ever give up.

The path to redemption that the Tigers have taken is not a typical one.  The Tigers managed to disprove several common basketball cliches along the way to the finals.

People said it would take more than one man to carry a team far.  But sometimes all it takes is one man, providing he is the right one, and for Powerade, that is Gary David. While needless to say that the arrival of Marcio Lassiter and Jvee Casio have provided immense impact, we have seen David lift this team from large deficits all by himself.  His string of scoring performances have never been seen in recent memory in local basketball.

Defense wins championships they say, but Powerade has threatened to dispel such theory by trying to outscore their opponents as a way to win.  Sometimes you just have to stick to your strengths, and scoring is Powerade's strongest point this season.

Size matters.  True.  If Powerade had a choice, they wouldn't want to play undersized.  But the team has managed to maximize the manpower they have.  Doug Kramer is the center at 6'4".  Sean Anthony, a small forward for most of his career, plays as a power forward.  Marcio Lassiter, 6'2", mans the 3 spot.  What this team lacks in size, makes up for it with tenacity and energy.

The story is not yet over.  In fact, maybe the best is still yet to come.  But whatever happens in the finals, I'm happy of what this team have achieved.  I have never had this much fun as a basketball fan in my whole life.  I have never seen such great games from the only team I will ever support.

No longer will people look down on the Tigers.  The league have taken notice.

We are back.

Roar out.