THE 2018 Asian Games in Palembang Jakarta, Indonesia is just a few days away and our participation goes with a myriad of drama, with all the plot twists fit for a teleserye.
Most headline hogging is the men's basketball team's participation. Philippines basketball has been in the radars of basketball aficionados since the infamous “basketbrawl” at the Philippine Arena last July 2. That drama even eclipsed Lebron's much anticipated free-agency decision at almost around that time as well.
After the sanctions received by the team from Fiba, the Asian Games participation was put in jeopardy and everyone was left scratching for a remedy for the Asian Games. Players originally set to join were no longer eligible as per the Fiba sanction.
A generous PBA ball club (Rain or Shine) has offered its core players only to be told that SBP is withdrawing from the competition.
A couple of days later, SBP rescinded its earlier decision and also declared that they are “moving heaven & earth” to get a prized Fil-Am (Jordan Clarkson of Cleveland Cavaliers) to join the team, only to be denied by his mother league from participating, citing their league's house rules on players participating in competitions outside their own league.
An interesting plot with sub-plots that brings everybody’s best thoughts and opinions to the fore, turning every Filipino into basketball and sports analyst overnight, polarizing the country into those condemning the SBP officials for lack of foresight and preparations and those criticizing the decisions of Fiba and the NBA, which most have deemed “hurt” our pride as a basketball loving nation.
For a nation that takes pride on PUSO and LABAN, reactions are very understandable. We are one proud nation.
As the competitions in the 2018 Asian Games commences, these plots and sub-plots bring spice to the event.
However, let us not lose sight of the reason for our participation to the Asian Games, which is solidarity with our Asian brothers and sisters through sports and show them, “Ang PUSO ng Pilipinong handang LUMABAN.” Let us show our support for our athletes and unite as a nation in spite of adversity.
Mabuhay Ang Atletang Pilipino, Mabuhay Ang Pilipinas!
(Editor's note: Mark Paul Samante, currently working as Ateneo de Davao University director for Community Engagement and Advocacy Council, was a former basketball coach and sports director at Addu and he also had a stint as Philippine Sports Institute Davao City director. His Game On! column will be published here every Wednesday.)