San Beda-Letran match  ‘spin tactic’ put spotlight on limits of fan distraction

MANILA, Philippines — Basketball has always been a game of nerves especially in college sport. Fans shout. Students and alumni taunt. School bands make noise. And when an opposing player goes to the free-throw line, the crowd does everything make him lose his concentration and miss the shot But the antics seen during Monday’s NCAA senior basketball match between the San Beda Red Lions and the Letran Knights raise a different question: When does cheering stop being part of the game and become an attempt to interfere with it? Members of the San Beda pep squad were seen on TV behind the Letran basket spinning giant red-and-black spiral boards whenever Letran players shoot free . San Beda eventually won, 74-65, in overtime. The incident has since drawn attention even the day after the match because the display appeared to be deliberate. The issue was the use by San Beda supporters of large, spinning objects directly in the shooter's line of sight. Under FIBA rules, not every form of crowd distraction is prohibited. Basketball crowds are expected to be loud, and there is nothing unusual about fans trying to rattle and distract an opposing player. The rules, however, do address conduct such as excessive taunting and attempts by participants...