Free market economy

The day has finally come. The rest of the world is now acknowledging the competitiveness, inherent skill and athletic ability of Filipino basketball players. Over a dozen have already made the trip to Japan to earn a living and make a better life for themselves and their families. In recent times, Filipinos were hired as imports mainly in Southeast Asian countries like Indonesia, and smaller markets in other parts of the world. But Japan is a continental power, a strong rival in Asia. The demand for Filipino talent is a good sign, a stamp of approval that they are, indeed, world class.

In the 1970’s, the national government actually commissioned a study to learn why Filipino athletes were no longer as dominant as they used to be in international sports. The final report was roughly two inches thick. It made two core statements. Firstly, Filipino athletes (and coaches) had gotten complacent. Secondly, the other countries had caught up. Still, no serious overarching program was implemented to remedy the situation. Instead of remaining master of countries like China and Australia in sports like basketball, the country fell into the role of also-ran. In the early 2000’s, a youth basketball team from the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), visited the country and ran roughshod over several strong, seasoned commercial teams in an exhibition tournament.

The United States has undergone a similar cycle, twice in the last 40 years, in fact. Initially, they were unbeaten in Olympic basketball until that unfortunate cheating incident in the 1972 basketball finals. Since men’s basketball was introduced in Berlin in 1936 up to that point, America had amassed a 63-0 record. After that hiccup, the US continued to win with student-athletes, since professionals were still not allowed in amateur tournaments. However, European countries were allowing their athletes to bounce back and forth between pro and amateur status. In Seoul in 1988, it finally caught up with USA Basketball. That led to the formation of the Dream Team, which only had one amateur player. The first version of that team went undefeated, and by huge margins. But no perfect record exists anymore. Team USA has tasted defeat time and again. In 2004, Argentina won the Olympic gold medal. Since 1950, other countries like Argentina, Brazil, the Soviet Union, Yugoslavia and Spain have won the FIBA Basketball World Cup.

Why are Filipino basketball players leaving the country to play in Japan? Of course, compensation is a major factor. They don’t have to work their way up the food chain. And the pay is in a more powerful currency. Next, they are treated as expats, celebrities, with great perks and privileges. Also, teams in foreign leagues recruit imports specifically for the position they need. That’s why Filipino guards have the same opportunities as frontcourt players. Australia was one of the first countries to do this. Their American imports were often guards and forwards, many of whom played in the Philippines when smaller imports were regularly featured, like Crispa’s Al Green. (Green even acquired Australian citizenship in 1984.) In the Philippines, size is generally still the priority. Also, Japan is a great market for geographically-limited endorsements. Since the early 1980’s, Hollywood celebrities and American athletes could earn big bucks by appearing in commercials there. Rich Japan may also be a launchpad to other overseas markets. Remember, this is a generation that inescapably knows someone who has an OFW parent, so working abroad isn’t as scary a proposition. This is a generation if global citizens.