?Great things happen to great people?
By Recah Trinidad
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 21 Jun 2016
A REPORT from Oakland, California that the defending champion Golden State Warriors were being pegged plus-five favorites over the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 7 of the NBA Finals was received with mixed amusement and disaprroval around Metro Manila.
Out in the Mandaluyong City wet market sports hub, one group in the vegetable section squandered a total of P70, 000 after the Warriors surrendered the NBA crown to the Cavaliers yesterday. This same group, mind you, had previously hit a mini jackpot betting on Cleveland in Game 6 of the Finals.
The losing group had honestly believed the two-game winning momentum gained by the Cavaliers, who had had a dismal 0-2 start in the NBA title play-offs, would automatically evaporate once the Finals moved back to Oakland for the all-or-nothing Game 7.
**
On the other hand, fruit and dried fish push-cart vendors along New Panaderos, off the main market, stuck it out with the Cavaliers. They bagged a hefty bonus after the P1,000 they placed on the underdog Cavaliers paid a handsome P3,000 dividend each in the E-Gaming outlet.
Reviewing the contrasting sentiments, it would appear that emotional Golden State fanatics felt the Warriors, despite back-to-back losses that forced the 3-all Finals stand-off, would be solid and unbeatable in their homecourt for Game 7.
They lost dismally because those who sided with the underdog Cavaliers treated the event more objectively.
**
How the Cavaliers, who had dropped to a 3-1 Finals hole, clawed back to deal the record-setting Warriors (73-game season wins) a third straight defeat in franchise history also culminated a 52-year hunt for a first ever championship for the northern Ohio city.
?This is what I came back for,? cried the mighty and magnificent LeBron James who left Miami and returned to his mother pro club two years ago.
Of course, everything had seemed indefinite and unsure in the blazing-seesaw Game 7, until the phenomenal Keyrie Irving connected with a towering 3-pointer off Stephen Curry from right quarter, 1:09 left.
**
?Best player on the planet,? said Irving of James, who scored a triple double (27 pts., 11 assists, 11 rebounds) to emerge the Finals MVP for the third time. He had won the award in 2012 and 2013 with Miami.
Cleveland coach Tyronn Lue said James deserves the honor because he has a great heart.
?Great things happen to great people,? Lue extolled.
James,who had just emerged from a joyous romance with the woodcourt, said he could not wait to come home and hoist the trophies at the Cleveland home terminal.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Recah Trinidad.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Efe Ajagba vs Charles Martin: Zuffa Heavyweights Square Off on Sunday
By Chris Carlson, Sun, 15 Feb 2026“The Nightmare” Back in Action: Oguni vs Tapales April 3 in Japan
By Carlos Costa, Sun, 15 Feb 2026Cold Comfort: Tapales and Vitor Frozen Out in Moscow Heartbreaker
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 14 Feb 2026WBC Celebrates 63 years of dedication to the sports and fighters
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 14 Feb 2026BOXING STARS FROM AROUND THE WORLD LINING UP FOR 2026 HALL OF FAME WEEKEND IN "BOXING’S HOMETOWN"
Sat, 14 Feb 2026Filipino Boxers Make Weight in Brico Santig's Valentine's Show in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, Sat, 14 Feb 2026Filipinos Vitor and Tapales Take on Russians for IBF Asia Titles in Moscow Today
By Dong Secuya, Fri, 13 Feb 2026Manny Pacquiao Promotions Returns to Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, Calif. with a Pair of World Championship Bouts
Fri, 13 Feb 2026IOAN CROFT AND GARAN CROFT SIGN FOR MATCHROOM BOXING AS EDDIE HEARN LOOKS AHEAD TO BRIGHT FUTURE FOR EXCITING WELSH TWINS
Fri, 13 Feb 20263 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Marco Antonio Barrera Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
Fri, 13 Feb 2026Day One Concludes at 2026 USA Boxing International Open
Thu, 12 Feb 2026Female Boxing GOAT Katie Taylor to be Special guest at All-N.E. Golden Gloves Thursday, Feb. 12, in Lowell, MA
Thu, 12 Feb 2026Brandon McCarthy Signs with Wise Owl Boxing, Set to Make Noise at 135 lbs
Thu, 12 Feb 2026Filipino Boxers Set for Action on Valentine's Day in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, Wed, 11 Feb 2026Oklahoma Outplays LA Lakers, 119-110; Arrests Skid to Hold on to League Lead
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Wed, 11 Feb 2026