I once quipped during the height of the World Cup 2010 in South Africa, that if Filipinos embraced football, we could have been contenders for the World Cup. We could be twice as fast as any World cup players. There's no need to measure height since the height isn't a real big deal in football. If we ever decided to join the World Cup, we could probably be at par with the best teams in the World. We're better off playing football.Yet a few months after, here I am watching old clips from old PBA games particularly the Toyota-Crispa Reunion in 2003 where most of the old guys sweat it out like they were in their mid-20s. It was a fun match full of heart and passion. Those were times when most of the players wore short shorts and could really fly (yes, guys could wear short shorts and get cheered at by beautiful girls). I don't know about now since I never get to watch any of the games.
Moreover, I bought a PSP three weeks ago. I loaded some games. If you'd look at it, you'd definitely laugh. I have two different versions of an NBA game and I get to play those two more than the other games on my device. I just caught myself today, and had a good laugh out of it.
In another note, the book by Rafe Bartholomew is now out in the Philippines. It's called "Pacific Rims." (The author didn't pay me to promote this. I haven't even read the book yet.) As the author put it, this is about the Philippines where basketball is ingrained in every street in each of the 7,107 islands of our country. In an interview, the author even says that the most basic aspects of our society revolves around basketball, politics for one, is also affected by the hard court.
True enough, this country may not boast of tall players, but watching the game of old guys bumping and bruising each other to get an orange ball inside a hoop is exhilarating. Sure, catching the one point lead of one team in football gives you the thrills as well, but the action of basketball seemed to be more appealing to the hearts of every Filipino.
Sure, anyone could enumerate wonderful reasons why Filipinos should take up football instead. Yet once you hear the "swooop" of the ball hitting the net, the reasons fade and the game begins.
Mis mo!
True. Filipinos already have the passion, ability, IQ, and talent for basketball. They do not need to embrace a new sport just to be competitive in the international stage.
ReplyDeleteThey just need to change the culture and training methods, especially in the amateur and -16 level. Mentors of the sport should teach 6'3'' or 6'4'' players how to play some if not a lot of small ball. Do not develop them to be JUST post players. However, this is easier said than done....
ReplyDeletehahaha! true. It's easier said than done. In fact, it's almost like changing a sport. It would also be better if the mentors give more stress on teamwork and the importance of play strategies so as to avoid the superstar-feeling-but-not-really attitude.
ReplyDeletefootball nalang. hindi pwede ang bakaw at buwaya doon. not like in basketball. someone can hog the ball all the time.
ReplyDeleteoo nga no? hahaha... tama football nalang!
ReplyDelete