Us vs them

Forces are still trying to prevent the cool of Christmas by stirring up the stew against the Fil-Ams playing in the PBA. Last Wednesday, a troop of local players presented to Sen. Robert Barbers, chairman of the Committee of Games and Amusements, a signed manifesto asking for the continuation of the hearings against alleged fake Fil-Am players in the PBA.

The local players were afraid that those under scrutiny would skip town for the holidays, and that the issue would die. Barbers relented, and held a third hearing Monday. However, all that took place was additional questioning and collecting of pertinent papers. In addition, this writer has been continually deluged with e-mail voicing out loud opinions for and against Fil-foreign players.

There is no need to fester an air of us vs them, as if the Fil-Ams were unwelcome invaders to our country and taking food out of our mouths. The main problem is one of enforcement. Can the government agencies involved enforce the law pertinent to aliens illegally working in the Philippines? Or will strong-arming continue to be rule above the rule of law?

On the other side of the coin, many Fil-Am players feel bad because they aren’t bad people to begin with. Many of them now have families here, and have, in fact, literally set up house. Some are awaiting renewal of their contracts, which seems to take forever. One particular Fil-Am center told The Star that his team is waiting for his contract to expire first, before negotiating with him. Such tactics are unfair to the player, Fil-Am or fully-bred local.

Further, there seems to be some unwritten expectation for these players to "act Pinoy," whatever that means. Honestly, many of them eat Filipino food and watch Filipino television programs. Does that mean they make the grade? What about the local players who constantly eat at foreign fastfood restaurants and listen to American music? Does the reverse apply to them?

The PBA or individual teams should condition incoming Fil-Ams to the culture they will experience here, the mores and social behavior patterns which are generally deemed "acceptable." They should come in quietly, not too loud, and earn their stripes before flashing them like primping zebras. There is no need for posturing right away. Many of them learned this lesson the hard way.

The fickle PBA audience must make its voice heard regarding what role the Fil-Ams will play in basketball in this country. Primarily, are they here to transfer technology, or challenge local players to raise the bar? And what of the perks and packages they get? If they are here to teach something new to the "locals," does this mean they should get more?

Globalization is the key, and PBA commissioner Noli Eala is on this track. Why close the door, when everyone is kicking it open? Let us diversify, instead, bring in Asian imports and visiting teams, to absorb what we can from each country. We are, after all, supposed to be one of the basketball capitals of the world.

After a while, we will realize that our pride has also kept us from improving the past few years. We closed in on ourselves. And nobody ever functions properly if they’ve merely been released from an isolated society of zealots. Let’s embrace our love for the sport, but also accept that we don’t know everything.

Merry Christmas, everyone. God bless.

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