WITH the outcome beyond doubt and with Alab Pilipinas preparing to put away the Zuhai Wolf Warriors in their debut in Cebu, it was the crowd that took a share of the spotlight.
Flamboyant Zuhai import Mike Taylor was riding the bench and he probably got the surprise of his life when the pro-Alab crowd chanted his name, urging the coach to field him back in so he could throw more highlight moves.
He gamely joined the chants, even stood up and waved his towel but quickly sat when he saw the coach.
That’s something you don’t see in every basketball game, the opposing fans cheering for the visiting team’s imports and that’s one of the reason the Cebu jaunt of Alab Pilipinas was unique and special. In fact, it was so special that coach Jimmy Alapag was already talking about a second game in Cebu even if all the details weren’t ironed out. But I guess, Alapag knew that there would be a second game if the first hosting was successful.
And what a success that first game was with tickets selling out two days before the actual game. Heck, the organizers didn’t announce that because that would only mean scalpers would make a killing on game day.
The venue was nearly packed even before kickoff and we all know how some Pinoys love to arrive right after tipoff with basketball venues filling up in the middle of the first quarter. That wasn’t the case in Alab’s first home game in Cebu.
Post game, aside from the players, Alapag and his coaching staff Danny Seigle and Eric Menk were also mobbed by the crowd for autographs and photos and I heard the two were surprised that the Cebuano fans still remembered them.
Now, Alab Pilipinas will return and this time, it won’t be against the cellar-dwelling Zuhai Warriors but the no. 2 team Saigon Heat still at the Hoopsdome on Feb. 3.
Alab currently leads the ABL with a 9-2 record, while Saigon is second at 10-4. Alab started its season late. Though I’m hoping for another easy win, I don’t think Saigon will just roll over and let Alab pick up a home win.
That makes the Feb. 3 game more exciting than the first one. I think tickets will be again selling out quickly so those who plan to watch the game better secure theirs early, lest the scalpers secure it for them.
I think this time, the crowd will also play a crucial factor but it won’t be like the first one, where they cheered for the opposing team’s import to make the game more interesting.
So, this Feb. 3 is Alab Cebu (I love Cebu) time again.