Korean cage legend wants to stay in RP

Korean cage legend Shin Dong Pa is back for another visit in the country, looking forward for a reunion with his Filipino basketball contemporaries and even thinking on settling in the place he calls second home.

“I can’t count how many times I’ve been here. I love, in particular, Pagsangjan. I feel at home when I’m in the Philippines,” said Shin, in town mainly to visit Manila-based businessman friend Lee Eal Mo, president of Phildipphil Inc. which is developing the Uptown21 Condo in Culiat, Quezon City.

In a dinner with some Filipino sportswriters, Shin, probably the greatest Korean cager of all time, reminisced about his playing days and shared his thoughts on present-day basketball.

He’s still very much into the game being the vice president of the Korea Basketball Association and working as a sports announcer/commentator for SBS – a major Korean broadcasting station.

He observes the Philippines lost its edge against its rivals in Asia with Filipino players becoming too individualistic in play, sacrificing teamwork.

“The Philippines used to be good in individual skills and teamwork. Now, they’re only good in individual skills. They play with too much dribble when passing is faster than dribbling,” said Shin, anchor of the Korean team in winning the 1969 ABC championship and the 1970 Asian Games.

He also thinks the formation of the local pro league may have caused the decline of Philippines in international competitions. He says the same is being experienced in Korea now.

“The attitude of the players has changed. The players now want to play more for money than national pride. Gone are the days when players are nationalistic and patriotic,” rued Shin.

He recalled his personal experience, declining offers to play in the US, Europe and even in the Philippines.

A slick shooter, Shin said former BAP president Lito Puyat vigorously courted him to play for the Manila Bank from 1970-74. “He even told me that I can name the players that I want as teammates and he would get it for me,” Shin said.

Three decades later, Shin is settling in the country after all. He’s purchasing a unit at Uptown21 which he helps promote.

Today, he will be reunited with Filipino players Robert Jaworski, Freddie Webb, Jimmy Mariano, Manny Paner, Yoyong Martirez and Atoy Co as they grace the Uptown21 Condo Fiesta, a promotional event of the project which will be ready for occupation by March next year.

He named Ed Ocampo, Webb and Ciso Bernardo as among the best Filipino players he faced. And he’s sad that both Ocampo and Bernardo have passed away.

He also had fond memories of Big Boy Reynoso whom he described the meanest and toughest player in their time.

If there’s another lifetime, Shin said he would choose to live in the Philippines, saying he’s never seen people who love basketball more than the Filipinos do.