CAN’T say I’m surprised that players from the University of the Visayas figured in another altercation with rival SHS-Ateneo de Cebu in the Cesafi high school competition. After a testy pre-season that saw UV paying more than P50,000 in fines for a fracas with Don Bosco, the Lancers should have been on their best behavior.
But they weren’t, again.
And the school that is gaining a reputation for dirty play is yet in another case of dirty play. Why? Because yet again, the players let their emotions control them despite numerous reminders from a coaching staff and management that bear the brunt of their actions.
This time, it's not just a mere punching incident, but a choke. One captured by a photographer of Ateneo. The parents of Ateneo have learned to station photogs from all angles to capture all angles.
That’s what they have learned through playing UV through the years. Basketball is physical, they always say and that's true but a head-choke? Another round of punishment from Samsam, who already did his part in the pre-season might get the players to behave for a few games but I doubt there is a punishment severe enough to change a mindset.
This is not what we teach at UV, Samsam said of the school that advertise itself as one with the heart. Everyone in the political circles also know how big the hearts of the Gullases are, but they and UV itself get affected by its high school basketball team.
School mates and other athletes get tagged as dirty players too because of this, something the high school basketball team either refuse to acknowledge or are unaware of.
Since Samsam took over, he’s put more emphasis on education and character, rather than titles. And it’s UV's character that always takes a hit because of this.
Take note, it's the school's character, not just the high school basketball team's character.
This should be the last incident involving this high school squad.
Another one like this may lead some to think that it's institutional.
Learn from your team manager.
Put a premium on values.
Rico Navarro, the athletic director of Ateneo, once explained the concept of "teachable moments," which is regularly practiced in Ateneo.
Perhaps instead of taking an angst-ridden us against the world attitude, the high school team and its coaches can use the latest incident as a teachable moment.
There are a lot of ways to skin a cat, my favorite math teacher in high school (may his soul rest in peace) used to say. There are a lot of actions UV can take, but first, the school has to answer a simple question.
What kind of basketball team does it want? One that plays roughs or one that really represent the school.
Either kind can win games and titles you know. (mikelimpag@gmail.com)