INQUIRER Sports

AS THE UAAP OPENS THIS WEEKEND, EXpect the usual frenzy of the member schools’ communities to find tickets and go bananas at the games.

UAAP schools are the biggest universities in the country with large alumni groups. Aside from students who are enrolled, students from different generations want to savor the thrills of college sports. Nothing like cheering for the old Alma mommy to rekindle one’s youth, spirit and energy.

And yet with all the hoopla, certain modes of behavior just have to be observed. Buying a ticket doesn’t simply allow you to do what you want to do. Enjoyment has to be within reasonable bounds so that everybody can enjoy the games.

Here are a couple worth considering:

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Cheer don’t jeer—There are enough college cheers and chants to keep you busy. Cheer for your team and don’t get personal with the players from rival camps.

Galleries get irritated over players who are antipatiko or maporma (snooty or cocky). But this is basketball and you can’t expect a cager to be a charm magnet. He or she has got to be intense, worrying about playing the game. Worry about how your team is playing.

The refs aren’t out to get you—I’m the worst person to sit next to in a college game because of the work I do. I give the referees the benefit of the doubt and I judge calls based on the rules and the refs’ mechanics.

Of course, fellow alumni and classmates don’t always think this way, so I’d rather watch the games on the tube at home. No ticket lines, no schoolmates asking me to do something about the refs, like I can do something about it.

It’s all right to express displeasure over calls you believe to be wrong against your side. Do so without bringing in the refs’ relatives who have nothing to do with the disputed call.

There are kids—For the older generation, think about this: Before you unleash all that bottled-up school spirit or recall a dirty sign from your joyful youth, think of the kids you brought to the game and the others around you. They’re not exactly catching you at your best and it’s hard to explain some signs from the ’70s.

Don’t pick up a fight—Let’s limit the fighting to loose-ball scrambles, rebounds and positioning. Daring an adversary you see doing the exact same things you’re doing just isn’t cool.

Why go to a game to look for postgame fights? Cheer yourself hoarse. Enjoy your victories. Share losses with schoolmates.

Have fun—College ball is all about fun. Aside from cheering incomprehensible words together or yelling terms of encouragement to your team, the experience of sitting in the gallery with friends is the stuff college memories are made of.

Witty streamers that don’t demean anybody are also a joy to tote at the arena. When your whole barkada (gang) has tickets, there are possibilities of gimmicks after games for more college bonding.

Dip and enjoy the college athletic season while keeping your head together. You’ll be glad you did.