On Angas, Staredowns and That Catriona Turn

One of the topics that always generate that much social media hysteria is the swag being displayed by players while inside the court. Fans usually have a lot to say when giving out their opinions, supportive or otherwise, especially while the issue is still the toast of the online threads.

For this piece, the only event that will be given ample mention is the recent Perpetual-PLDT match in the Spikers' Turf 2019 Open Conference played on September 12, 2019.

One condition that needs to be acknowledged here is that ANGAS, or swag, is an attitude that is quite intrinsic, although definitely NOT unique, to the Filipino style of play, not just in volleyball. That is the very reason why one can hear the justification that "it is part of the game." Another matter that needs to be asked, though, is, agreeably, it is part of the local sports psyche, but is it in violation of the rules?

When rules are being brought up, the MOST IMPORTANT factor to note here is: the PRIME implementing ENTITIES of ANY guidelines in sports, both for general regulations laid out by a world-governing body and specific directives by a league, are ALWAYS PRESENT on the time when the action is actually happening. These entities are the REFEREES. They are tasked to, among others, determine if a player's behavior (physical actions, motions and gestures) is excessively aggressive enough to merit a subtle warning or, worse, a series of subsequent penalties. It can therefore be suggested that, indeed, a player can be put into his or her proper place during the game, not just by coaches, teammates or family members and friends who may be in the crowd watching, but BY THE very legitimate FIGURES of AUTHORITY officiating the game.

Supposing there is an oversight on the referees' part? Then the league itself SHOULD be the next POINT of REVIEW for the actions being taken inside the court. Fans  do need to accept, though, that the leagues are going to perceive these matters, not only on its formal and moral concepts, but also on the entertainment and commercial value that it brings to the table. This statement may not sound proper to some, but this is the TRUTH.

So what about the PLDT-Perpetual game? True, there are some actions in there that would have merited more than the words of caution that came from the referees. The OFFICIALS let the matter proceed on its own thereafter. For that, men's volleyball watchers can only laugh or grimace, depending on which side of the fence they are on.

For the few fans, however, who think the antics made the match a street-game or "larong kalye," it should be pointed out that game OFFICIALS are there. They are the ones who should elevate the game to what it should be. In truth, the fact that REFEREES are there already negates the "larong kalye" concept.

For those other few that use the term "binakla ang laro," a self-check is highly recommended whether it is just a homophobic (maybe misogynistic as well?) alter-ego that is talking. Angas or a staredown, no matter how masculine, feminine or in-between  it is executed, is just always the same angas.

For other fans who opine that one team is more aggressive than the other, a subtle suggestion should be offered that, just maybe, their very definition of angas or swag and yabang, which are often carelessly used differently depending on who is being alluded to, is somewhat affected by their personal bias or choices. This recommendation may also apply to other "aspects" of Philippine Volleyball or even Philippine Sports in general.

If there is one circumstance that is most certain, though, the question is not who or which team was excessively or more "maangas" than the other. The more legit question is, in the context of that Perpetual vs PLDT game, who was more effective in achieving their purpose? Judging by the result, the Perpetual swag seems to be more lethal, which can make everyone consider that, maybe sometimes, a simple Catriona Gray 180° turn can inflict more damage to an opposing player's pride than an overtly aggressive staredown.

Spikers' Turf 2019 Open Conference: The Leads at the Halfway Point

As the Open Conference of the 4th season of Spikers' Turf reaches its halfway mark, quite a number of fans' expectations are being turned into almost-reality with few surprises on the side keeping the guessing games exciting still. All four pools are displaying decent markers of how these tables may turn by the end of preliminaries, as only the Top 2 teams from each pool can qualify for the quarterfinal round.

Pool A: Which one team can be as hi-def as Cignal?

The first pool includes 3 collegiate squads, 2 of which are Final 4 teams from their respective major leagues. At this point, however, Adamson, despite having the most points currently in the pool with 7 and standing at 2-2, and EAC, who sports a 1-2 win-loss card, are almost praying for a miracle just to clinch a tie for a quarterfinals spot. NCBA, at 0-3, is most definitely out of contention. The two teams that may still give Cignal slight competition at the top is VNS VC and IEM, 2 clubs which finished 10th & 9th in the Reinforced Conference. The Griffins are showing a 2-0 performance, with the looming challenge of still having to face Cignal, while the Phoenix Volley Masters, after already battling the HD Spikers, stands at 1-1. The match-up between these two teams will be telling, even as Cignal faces their next assignment, EAC, gunning for a third straight win without a loss.

Pool B: Who can fly as high as Air Force Go For Gold?

Pool B is being led, fittingly so, by defending champion Air Force Go For Gold, sitting on top with a 3-0 slate. The two teams that the Jet Spikers are yet to meet are Eco Oil DLSU, with a 2-0 standing, and Ateneo, who just recently played their first match and is at 1-0. The next pool match is actually between these schools, the result of which may indicate who can keep up with Air Force. The losing team in this match-up may share the status of Easytrip Roadspikers, which currently totes a 1-1 win-loss plate. Both will have to work hard to avoid a very critical 2nd loss. The other two collegiate varsities in the pool, Lyceum and CEU, are virtually out of the running with no wins and  three losses.

Pool C: Are the Altas powerful enough for PLDT?

Many fans are calling Pool C as the "Death Pool" because the previous conferences' 3rd & 6th placers are grouped with a UAAP finalist and an NCAA defending champion. But lo and behold! It is the first pool that gave the tournament its first quarterfinalist in Perpetual, bursting out of the gate at full speed to dangle a 4-0 win-loss hand. The Altas are facing next PLDT, also undefeated with two victories in tow, and will just then sit out the rest of the eliminations watching which team between Coast Guard and Hachiran FEU, both with 1-1 slates, can avoid that worrisome second loss as both will have to fend off PLDT yet. The 3rd student team in the group, San Sebastian, are holding on to dire ropes with a 0-2 card, while the biggest surprise of all, BCDA Army, the team that almost made a late run for a final 4 spot in the previous conference, is completely out, with no chance of advancing, after going 0-4 early in the tournament.

Pool D: Who can slam as hard as Sta. Elena NU?

The last group is turning out to be the tightest pool as PNP's withdrawal turned Pool D into an almost-collegiate list, with only PG-JC Navy joining 5 school-based teams. Sta. Elena NU Ball Hammers, despite being students, are touted as pool favorites after the same line-up showed an incredibly respectable Final 4 finish in the 2019 Reinforced Conference. They are proving that by quickly flashing a 2-0 standing. The chances of NCAA teams Mapua, Arellano and San Beda are now being limited by the fact that all have suffered that dreaded 2 defeats, despite featuring in the pool's more exciting 5-setters. PG-JC Navy and UST are thus left with the task of trying to keep up with NU. They will face each other next, with the Sea Lions having an advantage with a 1-0 plate and UST treading dangerously on a 2-1 card.

Pooling the odds:

Pool A - Cignal is the safest bet for a QF top spot, IEM & VNS VC are battling for the 2nd spot, which will depend on who can beat the other and on who can avoid a collegiate upset.

Pool B - Air Force Go For Gold is going to need to push harder if it hopes to sweep the pool with Eco Oil DLSU and Ateneo still up, but their experience can make it happen. It's a 3-way fight for the 2nd spot as Easytrip can match-up with these 2 collegiate squads.

Pool C - Only PLDT can really dash Perpetual's hopes of a #1 finish in the pool. Their duel may as well determine the top rank. A win by PLDT can add that extra confidence needed to defeat Coast Guard and Hachiran FEU. A Perpetual sweep, however, can give a boost to the Dolphins and the Tamaraws.

Pool D - The match between PG-JC Navy and UST will make it easier for the pool to take its course. A Sea Lions win will just set-up them up with an all-important game with the Ball Hammers to determine the top spot. UST is on a harder task of winning against both PG-JC Navy and Sta. Elena NU.

The only prediction we can state with certainty is that the playoff rounds are going to be more exciting, as the expected entry of the Big 4, Cignal, Air Force Go For Gold, PLDT and Sta. Elena NU, is still way on its course. The current path may seem to point to the inclusion of 2 more collegiate squads in the quarterfinals, though, and that is a celebration worthy enough for this "combined" "two-in-one" tournament as most of the school-based team are making good accounts of themselves in giving commercial clubs a run for their hard-earned places.