Sporting Chance

Fans are still talking about the nearly four-hour, P3 Million free-to-the-public bash that the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) staged to toast its Silver Anniversary at the Big Dome last Sunday.

The show took everyone's breath away. Top showbiz stars shared the spotlight with the PBA's greatest players in a glittering program that was almost dream-like. Ground-breaking Commissioner Leo Prieto probably never imagined in 1975 the league would evolve into such a national phenomenon.

To Prieto's credit, he laid the foundations of an institution that has withstood the test of time. Prieto blazed the trail for others to follow. Credit must also go to the succeeding Commissioners -- the late Col. Mariano Yenko, Rudy Salud, Rey Marquez and the man on the hot seat today, Jun Bernardino -- for maintaining the league's integrity.

Players, coaches and franchises have come and gone but the PBA has remained strong because it is an institution that stands on solid ground. How appropriate that the All-Filipino frontrunners this season are San Miguel Beer and Tanduay, the only pioneer clubs left.

As the PBA looks forward to the next 25 years, it must begin to focus on expansion and social relevance. You can't underestimate the PBA's impact on the community. It's an awesome media force. Its players are regarded as role models, whether they like it or not. The responsibility on the PBA's shoulders to create a positive and wholesome entertainment environment is huge because it reaches out to millions of fans from all walks of life.

Expansion is essential but never at the expense of the league's competitive balance. The PBA cannot be stagnant. Innovations in formats and rules can only add so much to whet the public appetite. In the end, growth is measured by more teams, more players, and more opportunities.

Two years ago, the PBA's leadership in the sports entertainment industry was threatened by the Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA). Today, the PBA's leadership is secure.

The PBA and the MBA should never have been at odds. They serve two different purposes and address two different markets. When the MBA decided to challenge the PBA head-on, the province-based league's reason for existence was suddenly put in question. The MBA raided the PBA's ranks and tried to lure superstars into its fold, not realizing that the economics of operating a home-and-away league is far more complicated than the economics of operating a Metro Manila-based league.

Newly-appointed MBA Commissioner Ogie Narvasa is on the right track in trying to revert to the league's original vision of providing a staging area for grassroots development. But is it too late? Let's hope not.

I've always believed in the MBA's vision. It was only when the MBA began to rival the PBA that something went wrong -- the move didn't make economic sense. Besides, why try to kill one league when both leagues can survive?

If there are MBA franchises interested to jump into the PBA bandwagon, they should do it now. The MBA needs to be purged -- teams that aren't interested in grassroots development should pack up. Teams that are in the game for political reasons should ship out, too, because their commitment is only skin-deep -- they're not in it for the long haul. Narvasa should seriously look into the economic parameters of operating a province-based league that is strictly for grassroots development, meaning no more astronomical salaries and no more illusions of grandeur.

As for social relevance, the PBA should follow the lead of the National Basketball Association (NBA) which has solid programs for the youth. The NBA is involved in promoting the value of reading, computer proficiency, anti-drug use, the importance of education, and many, many more social causes.

On the selection of the PBA's greatest 25 players, you and I have our own choices. I thought Yoyong Martirez, Dindo Pumaren, and Chito Loyzaga deserved spots. But then so did Lim Eng Beng, Manny Paner, and Ronnie Magsanoc.

A PBA expert described some of the choices as "shocking."

When the NBA named its top 50 players to celebrate the league's Golden Anniversary in 1997, the list also drew some flak. I, for one, didn't think James Worthy, Pat Ewing or Shaquille O'Neal deserved to be on the roster. O'Neal should eventually make it to the list of the top 100 players but I didn't think he belonged in the first 50.

Conspicuously left out were such stars as Connie Hawkins, Lou Hudson, Bob Lanier, Calvin Murphy, George McGinnis, Gail Goodrich, Artis Gilmore, Walt Bellamy, Gus Johnson, Bob McAdoo, and Spencer Haywood.

So you see, in the NBA and the PBA, you'll never escape scrutiny from discerning fans because to diehards, the game is a passion.