“Poetic Justice,” according to the Wikepedia Encyclopedia, is a scenario often played out in fictional plots or plays where “virtue is ultimately rewarded or vice punished”. Such justice is considered “poetic”, in the sense that it occurs more often in fictional plots rather than in real life. On the contrary, one such real life illustration of poetic justice is currently being unfolded right now in Puerto Rico in the 2009 FIBA Americas Basketball Championship.
The 2009 COCABA Champions, Mexico have yet to win a game in the 2009 FIBA Americas Championship currently being played in Puerto Rico. The tournament has been tough on the Mexicans as they have had to compete against regional powerhouses, the likes of Brazil, Argentina, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Uruguay, Canada, and Panama. Mexico, who has played five games so far, was humiliated by the Leandro Barbosa and Anderson Verajao led Brazilians by the score of 92-61. The Canadians, led by Joel Anthony, followed suit and won convincingly over the Mexicans by the score of 95-40; while the Puerto Ricans, led by Carlos Arroyo, had their way with them, winning by the score of 81-66. Uruguay and Argentina also got into the action, winning over the Mexican team by the score of 54-49 and 77-65, respectively.
So far in the tournament, Puerto Rico and Brazil remain undefeated, both boasting (5-0) records and assuring themselves the top two spots. Argentina, who started out slow but remains a dangerous team, stands at (4-1), followed by the Dominicans and the Uruguayans who both have (2-3) records. Canada’s (1-4) only win was against Mexico, while Panama and Mexico take up the rear with (1-4) and (0-5) records, respectively.
Quarterfinal round play continues today and puts Panama against Mexico, Argentina against Uruguay, Dominican Republic against Canada, and Brazil against Puerto Rico. On Saturday, the semifinal is slated to tip-off, followed by the finals on Sunday.
Mexico, who made the loudest ruckus against the Belizean/American players at the COCABA Championship, is just now finding out that their 106-103 controversial win over Belize, following the now famous phantom call, has hurt the legitimacy of their championship. Justice is now being served; poetic justice, that is…..