Cebu First District representative and UV team manager Gerard Anthony “Samsam” Gullas Jr. (CDN FILE PHOTO).
The dust has barely settled on the celebration of the University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers after winning their 11th Cesafi title on Saturday, but team manager Gerald Anthony “Samsam” Gullas won’t rest on his squad’s laurels and will instead prepare to help the league become better in time for the 2017 season.
Gullas has vowed to become more participative in the league’s Board of Trustees meetings and planning sessions in order to bring about change, in particular, to the basketball competition, which has received its fair share of critiques from basketball fans and observers alike.
The young politician started by proposing that the top two finishers of the double round-robin elimination round be given a twice-to-beat advantage over the third and fourth placers in a crossover semifinals format.
“Credit should be given where it is due. I believe, that Southwestern University (SWU) wasn’t given the credit it deserved for sweeping the elimination round,” said Gullas, referring to the doomed campaign of the SWU Cobras which, after completing a 12-0 (win-loss) sweep of the classification round, failed to advance to the finals after getting beaten by the Green Lancers in the round-robin semis. “Why not do a double round-robin, let the top four advance and give the top two squads a twice-to-beat advantage?”
Gullas explained the rationale behind his proposal.
“We should do this because honestly, even though UV and USC made it to the finals, we have our own share of critics as well. USC won against UV in the eliminations and in the semifinals. So does that mean since we won the title, we gave those games away? Why question and criticize UV and USC for playing the game that they love to the best of their ability?”
Statistics matter
Gullas also touched on the proper documentation and dissemination of the players’ respective statistics, and proposed that these should be used to give out the special awards at the end of the season.
“We should base awards on statistics and wins. Players love it when they get to see how they did in the games. Bottom line is to collect stats. Buy an iPad. Buy and download an app. Then you get even the most detailed stats such as +/-, efficiency, PER, ratios, aside from basic and usual statistics such as points, assists and rebounds.”
Gullas’ assessment was also concurred by SWU assistant coach Rafael Alcoseba.
“Stats gives players exposure, stats validates players hard work. Stats help players have a shot in Manila since Manila teams review players based on stats as a tool in scouting players,” he said. “Stats matter.”
Gullas is also hoping that more awards will be made available for players to aspire for.
“Trust me, players love awards, I think it’s our narcissistic nature. In barangay leagues, players are already happy when they get awards, how much more when it’s on the biggest state in Cebu amateur basketball?”
And finally, Gullas said that the league should use social media to its advantage by posting relevant content on its page. “Make documentaries on teams, how they manage academics and sports, interview students and athletes, interview fans. Post them all on Facebook. You’ll see, there will be a lot of people who will come watch the games because of the increase in awareness.”