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Tuesday, September 30, 2003
Oyson: RP was slaughtered and I told you so
By Manuel N. Oyson Jr.
Counter Punch
What did I say a week ago in this corner? That the national basketball team we were sending to the 22nd Asian Basketball Confederation (ABC) Championships was composed of lambs fit for the slaughter. Even the bold prediction of national coach Aric del Rosario to improve on its 11th place finish in the 2001 ABC in Malaysia was way off the mark eventually.
In fact, the national squad (or what pretends to be one) is in an “unenviable position” (according to a Daily Inquirer report) of trying to salvage 15th place out of the 16 nations competing in the tournament held in Harbin, China.
Today, the Filipinos are scheduled to meet either Uzkebistan or Malaysia for 15th place.
IGNOMINY? If RP loses to either team, it would have the ignominy of ending up last for the first time in the ABC tournament, once the country’s unchallenged turf 43 years ago. Pending the last consolation-round game against either Uzbekistan or Malaysia, the Filipinos lost two outings in Group D. Japan beat RP, 66-64. Qatar followed suit with a 77-69 romp. The Pinoys’ only win was against Jordan, 83-67.
Even Hong Kong was not to be denied a fleeting moment of glory as it overwhelmed the Filipinos, 66-58, in the second round. Then Syria dealt a crippling blow with a 95-77 smasher in another consolation round match. Those that advanced to the quarterfinals were Lebanon, Kazakhstan, South Korea, India, Qatar, Japan, Iran and defending champion China. China and South Korea will dispute the championship, a replay of last year’s Asian Games, won by South Korea, 102-100, in overtime.
GREED. The bitter lesson to be learned from the latest failure (I would not call it a disaster, as the sortie was doomed before the ABC started) is that the BAP or even the PBA does not consider the ABC caging a top priority. The BAP does not form a national selection until the last hour as has been the sad practice. Because of greed, the PBA also does not want to lend some of its better professional players to a national endeavor because their absence for sometime may affect crowd attendance.
But such was not the case with the megabuck stars of the NBA. Allen Iverson, Ray Allen, Jason Kidd, Tim Duncan, Mike Bibby, Tracy McGrady, Jermaine O’Neal, Karl Malone, Elton Brand, Richard Jefferson, Vince Carter and Nick Collison immediately responded to the call for flag and country in the Fiba of the Americas Qualifying Tournament last Aug. 20-31 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The American Dream Team IV, in its off-season now, will defend its Olympic title in Athens next year.
DREAMING. Again, the problem of our so-called national team was the lack of manpower because of the withdrawal of three ace members at the last hour.
The substitutes were lemons just the same. Chris Nicdao and Jonathan de Guzman did not factor at all. But even if Ranidel de Ocampo, Gary David or Ervin Soto tagged along, I doubt if the outcome would have been any different. Our chance to once again compete in the World Olympics is getting dimmer.
We blew our chance a year ago in the Busan Asian Games, even with the presence of seven Fil-foreigners, where we finished fourth. We sent a mere token team to this year’s ABC cagefest in Harbin, only to be slaughtered. I think it is time that we stop dreaming about being dominant once again in the Asian Games or ABC. Let us just concentrate on defending our title in the Southeast Asian Games. We do not need imports for this. Let us just enjoy and amuse ourselves with the games on PBA. We cannot progress beyond that. Let the Fil-fors have their day.
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “This case is in no way going to be a hindrance to my performance as commissioner of the league.” – PBA Commissioner Noli Eala, on the adultery charge filed against him by the Department of Justice
(September 30, 2003 issue)
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