RP ban caused riot at SEABA

The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) order prohibiting the Philippines from participating in Southeast Asian Basketball Association (SEABA) competition almost caused a riot among Filipinos in Malaysia.

In an exclusive interview with The STAR, Boycie Zamar, head coach of the ill-fated Philippine team that was prevented from participating in the SEABA, revealed that at least three busloads of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) flew into a rage when informed that the Philippines would not be allowed to play in the tournament.

"They were very angry," a somber Zamar said upon his return. "They rented buses and came from as far away as Johor Baru. When they realized that we weren’t joking about not being allowed to play, they stoned the ticket office at the MABA (Malaysian Basketball Association) gym. The organizers couldn’t do anything."

Zamar also added that it was a source of personal pride for the Filipinos — many of whom were domestic workers — to see their countrymen beat the hosts in basketball.

"Since they work for Malaysians, it would have made them feel good to see fellow Filipinos beat Malaysians in something," Zamar added. "And since there are also many Thai domestic helpers there, it would have shown that Filipinos are better than them in that event."

Zamar, who pleaded with the organizers to let them play, said that his players were interviewed by local print and broadcast media in Kuala Lumpur, some of them even breaking into tears. When first informed of the decision, the players wept, one of them even throwing a fit in anger over the wasted year of hard work they had put in.

"Ever since our sponsor Cebuana Lhuillier pulled out, the players have been sacrificing, spending their own money, helping each other," Zamar says. "And when we were prevented from playing, we also had to pay for our hotel rooms and food, because we were not part of the tournament."

"The organizers lost money because we did not play," says Basketball Association of the Philippines secretary-general Graham Lim. Lim claimed that Malaysian season-ticket holders were upset because they had bought tickets specifically to watch the Philippines play. Zamar added that even the other coaches wanted the Philippines to play, so they could measure themselves against the Filipinos.

Yesterday, the team made a courtesy call on BAP president Joey Lina to discuss their future. Since the team no longer has a purpose, the players are uncertain of what to do with their careers. A few are set to enter the PBA Draft next month, while some may end up returning to their home province, with nothing to show after a year of hardship, loneliness and sacrifice.