MY apologies to my dear Americans for, almost hesitantly, I will have to crack the whip on one of their kind for this my last All Write for 2014.
I can’t help it, indeed.
For, if only to set the record straight, I hate it when someone of different skin scolds us for something that is entirely not of his own business.
That’s what Tab Baldwin, American, did to Arwind Santos, Filipino, only days ago.
This was the fourth game of the best-of-seven semifinal series between San Miguel Beer and Talk ‘N Text in the PBA Philippine Cup.
With seconds remaining, San Miguel Beer had secured a sure win.
Then, Santos got a pass near the goal. By instant instinct, Santos did a slam-dunk.
Very Filipino.
It was a meaningless two points.
But to Santos, it was all that mattered at that moment.
And to Filipino fans steeped in basketball lore, it was as meaningful as a simple-looking free throw that went in to seal a one-point victory in a championship clash.
Very Pinoy.
Alas, to Baldwin, Santos did a monumental mistake, as though the one-time MVP had killed someone cold-bloodedly.
After the game that officially produced a 4-0 shaming of TNT where Baldwin is a coaching consultant, confronted Santos and said, “Why did you have to be respectful?”
Or words to that effect.
It was obvious Baldwin, chin up, eyes gouging out in monstrous anger, resented Arwind’s dunk.
“In the NBA, Arwind’s dunk is considered ‘piling on’ and amounted to an insult to the beaten team,” said balikbayan Jun Magturo.
Yes, it is, but this is the PBA, where we do it our way and, while at it, we put no malice in it.
With his dunk that served as the so-called icing on the cake, did Santos disrespect Baldwin, TNT?
“That was farthest from my mind,” said Santos. “I did it simply for the fans.”
He did it for Philippine basketball. For Filipino culture.
By acting as the typical “Ugly American,” Baldwin was the most disrespectful animal
this evening, trying to impose his will on a culture not his own.
He is from TNT and he had the temerity to confront one from the SMB backyard? If that’s not trespassing per se, what is?
And to think he had just been appointed coach of Gilas.
Woe to his Gilas players on Judgment Day.
(alsol47@yahoo.com)