FRED C. LUMBA SPORTS KEN CHAMPS AT (LONG) LAST

points and that was when nothing seems to be going right for the Nuggets.

For his herculean performance, the two-time MVP (20212022 was awarded the Bill Russell MVP Finals trophy.

“This (lifting the trophy) means even much more to me because we are not in it for ourselves but for the next guy next to us,” Jokic exultantly said, comparing the value of his MVP in the regular NBA season to the Bill Russelll award.

For awhile, this corner thought the Heat might get a reprieve, survive Game 5 and fight again for another day (Game 6, that is).

Denver was missing from beyond the arc and Murray and company were only good for 3 three pointers out of 22.

They also did not make 7 of their first 13 free throws.

This is where I strongly believed that Destiny played its role accordingly and picked the Nuggets to find their place - finally - in the NBA colorful history.

Imagine that Miami was still ahead as Jimmy Buttler canned two gift shots to help the Heat regain a one-point lead, time down to 1:58.

In a somewhat crude situation, Bruce brown was able to sneak past Miami defenders, scooped the offesnive rebound and tipped it in.

That gave the lead to Denver for good.

In the return play, Butler, who finished with 21, attempted a trey to hopefully tie the score but he missed it.

In the ensuing plays Brown and Kentavious Caldwell Pope were desperately fouled in succession for the finally mark.

Miami coach Eric Spoelstra acknowledged that his boys lost to a better team.

Pity that the Heat failed to take advantage of Jokic’s two personals in the first quarter. He rode the bench alongside Murray and

Aaron Gordon for a time but Miami could only muster erecting a seven point margin in the first 24 minutes of action.

But you saw the Nuggets patiently pressure their opponents, grinding them slowly till Murray enabled Jokic to score relentlessly in their typical pick and roll.

My, I am oftentimes wishing Kai Sotto were as hugely built as Jokic to see how Gilas would fare against its much vaunted opponents from Europe, the US, South America and Australia.

Oh, am I dreaming? (Email feedback to fredlumba@yahoo. com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!

RETOOLING... FROM 8

and learning from latest development in sports that aspiring sports managers develop their skills which they can impart it to their athletes. Of course resources and equipment also form as an important part of an athlete’s training but it can be remedied if you have the network and knew whom to approach when you need something.

WIIFM

“W.I.I.F.M or What’s in it for me? This question more or less sums up the need of the sponsor or donor when ask to sponsor an event,” said Bernardo.

Sponsors, she said, are willing to shell out financial support or sponsorship through other means when they can see something in return in terms of reciprocity. It has to be a symbiotic relationship where everyone will benefit from each other. “That’s the main reason that sports manager should have adequate training on sports event planning,” she added.

Bernardo advised sports managers to seek the low hanging fruits for harvest, look for sports that are popular and have easy access to the community or locality; be creative in tapping the support of the available resources and sponsors in the locality.”

She encouraged everyone to be open to ideas and tap the support of the organization in running their local sports management.

Bernardo capped her talk by singing a few lines from the movie The Little Mermaid: “I want to be a part of your world.”