Doble: Not over yet

EVERYONE thought that 2012 NOPSSCEA college basketball is over after West Negros University was declared champion. Runner up University of Negros Occidental Recoletos failed to appear for game 2 of the best-of-3 finals on a Wednesday.

By the time you read this, the ad hoc committee created to investigate the controversy might have submitted its recommendation to the NOPSSCEA Board for decision. Funny, don't you think.

There are only four collegiate teams vying for the title. The other two are University of St. La Salle which placed third and Colegio de San Agustin Bacolod. After a double round robin eliminations, a semi final and the finals cut short to one instead of two or three, now we have the honorable members of the NOPSSCEA deciding whether to have game 2 or possibly game 3.

Granting that UAAP reversed Commissioner Ato Badolato's decision on the buzzer-beating win of Far Eastern University over National University, where does Pastor Renato Bravo and assistant commish George Acot go? Will they continue to run the show if NOPSSCEA decides to extend the series? Its like spitting in a closed car window.

Will the Mustangs have the time to spar with the Rams when they are busy with the Philippine Collegiate Championship League whose schedule is already final before the tournament has started? And what about their participation in the Sandugo UNIGAMES which start on October 22 hosted by USLS in Bacolod City?

What happens to the agreement of coaches as to the schedule whom NOPSSCEA Sports task force chairman Tony Agustin had in his possession? UNO-R's schedule of exams on a weekday is what former NOPSSCEA sports TF chief Ericson Rios is citing as reason for the Rams non-appearance. Why have they not thought of that before agreeing on their championship schedule?

Somebody is telling a lie or evading the real issue that the referees will decide who will win or lose. Just like in the UAAP when UST blamed the whistleblowers for losing Game 1 after Ateneo trailed all the way. It is easy to criticize if you are the vanquished party. People will say you're sour-graping but who knows, really.

Those invisible things are the secret of the ecstacy of victory and the agony of defeat. What if Referees Commissioner Felipe Bat-og decided to have a pool of referees and have them draw lots before the game? Will it satisfy the finalists? Will both teams agree?

How come Game 2 was not held at USLS Coliseum just to erase all doubts. There are more questions to ask but for sure the NOPSSCEA Board has made up its mind upon the ad hoc's recommendation.

Let us wait and be patient.

After all, patience is a virtue that carries a lot of wait.