RP Team: Patriotism and commercialism

I know this post will hardly create a ripple as the Philippines begins its quest to return to Olympic basketball in Tokushima, Japan in a few hours.

Boy, the Philippine Team has gotten everyone here so excited. But really, how strong are our chances of getting past everyone in Tokushima? I say its slim. You see, the field in Tokushima is obviously tough with even Iran and Kazakhstan among the likely teams that are capable of springing a surprise. Add the fact that our pricey PBA stars we are sending aren't actually proven subjects when it comes to the international brand of play, which is free-wheeling motion passing offense and deadly three-point shooting.

Only Argentina has mastered this kind of play. And for the NBA stars, whom we look up because of their high-flying exploits, I give them a failing grade on that aspect. Sure, they're the world's finest athletes but basketball is a team game and it takes five people working together on court to pull off a big W. A few days ago, I watched the Team USA hopefuls in scrimmage and it looked more than an All-Star game rather than training for a tough tournament like the Fiba-Americas Championship. Isolation plays, like what was set up for Kobe Bryant to hit the game winner against Lebron and Co., is not the way to go.

Bryant is not an isolated case. Just watch Mark Caguioa and Jimmy Alapag later. I am pretty sure these guys will try to do the same. Chot Reyes may justify that we have the quickest guards in Asia but I still think that even if our guards play a 100 percent game-in and game-out, it doesn't ensure us an Olympic berth.

I am one with every Filipino in praying that our team overcome the odds and make the Olympics for the first time in 35 years. I just feel sick thinking that behind this sense of patriotism, lies the PBA's brand of commercialism.

I agree with Mr. Percy Della in his commentary that came out on the Inquirer Saturday. Yeah, how about the other sports where we really have a realistic chance of winning an Olympic gold like boxing. Word has it, though, that our poor pugilists, who had to share shorts during the Asian Games, are getting help from Mr Manny Pangilinan. Now, that's good news.

As for as Chot Reyes' ability to conjure quotable quotes on his team's success and failures, I also agree with Mr. Della.

We are tolerating a coach who turns his team’s failings into sports headlines and the grotesque into good news. We the sports media are playing into his hands. We can’t seem to see through the smoke and mirrors. We choose to be thunder-struck when he elevates the post-game interview into his stage. We tend to go along as he feeds the frenzy of our cage-crazed populace with the sound and fury of his quotable quotes. When are we finally going to get it? That Chot’s chatter is just that. Empty talk.

Chot wiggles his way out of criticism by providing us the quotes. He makes it appear that the team is still on a learning process. Oh really? But we buy it.

Back to PBA, the Philippine Team has become its major marketing arm. Add San Miguel to the mix. Oh sorry, I forgot, its supposed to be the San Miguel-Team Pilipinas.

I find it ironic how Mr. Noli Eala blabbers about the sacrifices of the players in the team for flag and country. I don't think so. These guys recieve the same salary when they play in the PBA. And how about this for patriotism Mr. Eala, our team is called, San Miguel-Philippines. Sure, they spent alot for the team. Even Mr. Pangilinan rolled a lot of cash as well. But hey, its all supposed to be for the flag. So how come, San Miguel is ahead of the Philippines?

So much for patriotism and commercialism.