Exhibition mentality

This writer chanced upon the NCAA champion San Sebastian Stags at the Ninoy Aquino airport in the early hours of yesterday morning. I found it incredibly strange, since less than twelve hours before, the team was demolished by a depleted De La Salle Green Archers in the Showdown for Bantay Bata which I covered for Studio 23.

I found myself wondering how the former champions could have booked themselves on a flight to the south so soon after a game, considering how heavy the air traffic is this weekend, what with the Masskara festival in Bacolod and other celebrations. The thought suddenly crossed my mind: perhaps they didn’t plan on winning, after all.

This curious possibility is nothing new to Philippine basketball. After all, we seem to have a growing aversion to exhibition games. Since the PBA’s inception of the North-South All-Star series, not too many versions of this affair connect with audiences in the country. Is it because we are so full of basketball that another addition to the calendar doesn’t have the same kind of drawing power? Unfortunately, the Showdown for Bantay Bata is for the most politically correct of motives: to build a village for orphaned and abused children, the most unfortunate of us all. But, despite this noblest of reasons, the UAAP and NCAA schools seem to have a really hard time getting "up" for the games. Even my broadcast partner last Thursday, Purefoods assistant coach Ronnie Magsanoc, commented on the lack of intensity more than once.

It’s probably the let-down from all the playing. After all, college teams spend three intense months preparing for their respective tournaments, then spend another three months playing them. And they do have to study, too, you know. It’s just a shame that they don’t seem to take these kinds of events too seriously (save for the few players) hanging on to roster spots by the skin of their teeth. I guess what looks like good public relations at the institutional level may not be too appealing to young men who want a vacation from this draining extracurricular activity. Last year, former champion De La Salle won only one game against teams it could have easily dominated, experimenting with rookies playing extended minutes. This year, runner-up Ateneo de Manila backed out because the shortened version of the tournament clashed with final exams. What a shame.

Even the PBA All-Star game has seen a decline over the past few years. Part of it may be attributed to the emergence of the Fil-Ams, who may win games for their owners, but don’t necessarily connect with the Juan dela Cruz who finds his dreams of becoming a pro himself diminishing with each new arrival from overseas.

But ironically, two other All-Star celebrations seem to be drawing huge crowds wherever they go. The Crispa-Toyota reunion, for example, was sold out two weeks before the PBA All-Star Game. The main event itself was overshadowed by its own sideshow. And the San Miguel All-Stars, who have been tirelessly on the road for seven months under the baton of project director Eric Altamirano, seem to have connected with audiences. It helps a lot that they play mainly in the provinces.

So what is the appeal of the Crispa-Toyota redux? For one, it pulls back the older fan base of the PBA, those who remember when basketball seemed a purer, less complex pursuit, pre-triangle offense days. Now, it’s becoming a bump and grind, jump-shooting to death endeavor, with scores gradually sliding south. Aside from that, personalities seemed more striking, less bland. Players were specialists who had signature moves, whereas today they seem to be do-it-all types who appear to have all the same skills at a certain level.

As for the San Miguel All-Stars, the appeal seems to be very similar, with the additional modifier that they are going to their audience, the people who never had a chance to watch these players in their prime, but admired them nevertheless. I am still impressed by the recall that Ramon Fernandez, Hector Calma and Samboy Lim have, especially out of town. That kind of good will can’t be made. It was a heart string pulled that still resonates.

Perhaps the young players of today could learn a lesson or two from the old-timers. They can rest on their laurels when the game doesn’t appeal to them anymore, when there are no longer audiences to cheer up, less fortunate countrymen with whom blessings must be shared. There is nothing "cool" about passing up on the chance to serve, even if you are a servant in short pants.

Gratitude is a virtue that many of today’s players have not learned. Give back to the game.