Big J advises Olympians to compete proudly
Basketball’s living legend Robert Jaworski yesterday encouraged the country’s delegation of 11 athletes competing in the London Olympics on July 27-Aug. 12 to give it their all, feel the pride of representing 95 million Filipinos and leave the rest to God.
“My advice is for them not to feel the burden (of going against the odds),” said Jaworski whose Ginebra San Miguel No. 7 jersey will be retired in a 45-minute ceremony in between two PBA Governors Cup semifinal games at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on July 8. “They should get energy from the support extended by our countrymen and strive to be the best they can be. They’re gifted and blessed for qualifying to compete in the Olympics which is an honor in itself.”
Jaworski said it’s not just about winning and cited the case of boxer Timothy Bradley, Jr. who recently won over Manny Pacquiao by split decision even as he didn’t deserve the victory. “Let’s represent our country with dignity,” he said. “I don’t think we should give up on our Olympic dream. And in the quest for our first Olympic gold, it’s not right that we put basketball aside and give priority to other sports. Basketball is the sport that we all enjoy and love. It’s a team sport where we learn so much that we can apply in life. Let’s not be intimidated by taller players. Let’s take the challenge and do things to balance the competition, like use our quickness to play faster and shoot farther. Wearing new basketball shoes won’t make you a better player. If you wear old shoes but you play with your heart and trust in God, you’ll come out a winner.”
Jaworski said his most memorable basketball moments came with the national team. “The two most meaningful experiences happened six years apart,” he said. “The first was when we beat Korea in Seoul for the ABC (now FIBA-Asia) title in 1967 for the right to play in the Mexico Olympics. Then, we beat Korea again, this time in Manila, in 1973. We showed how team sports, in particular basketball, can be a unifying force in the country – it’s about all of us together. As a national player, it was an honor to be part of a team that won over Korea in Seoul and Manila six years apart.”
The Big J mentioned that coaching the Philippine squad to the silver medal at the Beijing Asian Games in 1990 was another unforgettable experience. “But it wouldn’t have happened without guys like (Benjie) Paras and (Allan) Caidic,” he said. The Philippines lost to China in the finals. “I don’t think it was a bad loss,” added Jaworski. “In a sport you play, you work and train hard but always remember to trust in God in whatever you do because He will show you the right way.”
Jaworski said while his jersey will be retired, his mission in life is far from over. “I’m open to whatever challenge comes my way in any arena,” he said. “I hope to continue to make a positive difference in the lives of our people.”
The never- say- die spirit that Jaworski personified as an athlete remains the force that drives Barangay Ginebra in the PBA. “You can’t cheat the public,” said Jaworski who compiled over 10,000 points, 3,000 rebounds, 5,000 assists and 500 steals in a 24-year PBA career. “They can read you. As a player, you can’t disappoint the fans especially at the most crucial times. When you lose in the score, you’re crying in the inside but you bounce back. You can fall 100 times but you get up 101 times. It’s true that the hardest thing to do is rising from a fall. We can learn from Japan’s example. Japan was devastated in World War II. The Japanese wanted to show the world that they could live in peace, in freedom, that they could rise from the ashes. In 1964, Tokyo hosted the Olympics and through sports, the Japanese proved their resiliency.”
Jaworski singled out Alvin Patrimonio, Atoy Co, Ramon Fernandez and Bogs Adornado as among the country’s greatest basketball players ever. “We’ve got a lot of talent in the PBA today and I wouldn’t be surprised if they surpass the achievements of the legends,” he said. “In my time, I got to play against some of the world’s best players like Earl Monroe and Elgin Baylor. As for coaching, I’ll admit I don’t know too much about all the scientific stuff. All I know is to be a successful coach, you must be dedicated, work hard and do your planning and scouting. Whether you’re a player or a coach, do everything with your heart. It’s not just about the knowledge of the game but there’s also the human relationship aspect. A model coach is Baby Dalupan who was my mentor.”
Jaworski, 66, said he might just surprise everyone by making a comeback. “Since No. 7 will be retired, I could wear No. 7 1/2,” he joked. “I could come in to take that three-point shot. But really, I’d like to get kids into sports rather than they spend time in front of computers. Sports promotes national pride. We’ve seen Manny Pacquiao’s example in inspiring and unifying our countrymen.”