Debate equals grand opportunity

After Saturday’s piece on the PBA’s celebration honoring its 40 greatest players, more reactions and interesting new points of view emerged from fans, media and even some of the PBA legends themselves. Perhaps it’s time that a dialogue is opened up between the league and its retired players, instead of the latter lobbing shots from over the wall at the league they helped build. In this writer’s experience, it is always better to seek dialogue – within reason – than continue to ignore an opposing point of view. Besides, what is to be lost by rebuilding relationships with our elders?

Filtering all the opinions can be a chore, and this writer has avoided being drawn into the fray and used as a lightning rod for further animosity. This columnist has always preferred the big picture, the long view, the historical perspective, as much as possible. The challenge in anything involving the PBA is that many Filipinos have a feeling of ownership towards the league, and that is also a valid point. The PBA, its teams and players have repeatedly acknowledged the fans and how they have been a source of the league’s success throughout the decades. Everyone feels they have a say. Once you eliminate those who criticize using pseudonyms, foul language and personal attacks, there is a lot of substance in the comments and observations.

After running the PBA broadcasts from 1990 to 1992, this writer was an outside observer of the league for almost two decades. From 2002 to 2008, independently producing The Basketball Show gave me a rare opportunity to chronicle and showcase what was good about the PBA and all other basketball leagues. Almost five years ago, I first broached the idea of creating a documentary to preserve the history of the PBA for future generations. That was purely a desire as a long-time fan of the sport, the league, and the men who inspired me to likewise be a pioneer in sports broadcasting over the last three decades. I can’t tell you how many times I was frustrated, but getting to know all the PBA’s greatest players, coaches and executives kept me in the game. I would hate for that intention to be used by one side or the other in this debate. It is awkward when everyone involved is a friend, and that’s an understatement. It is also draining. But much as I would rather step back out onto the sidelines, this may be an opportunity for strengthening ties and teamwork, or at least healthy, mature conversation.

The question now is how to move forward. With the league’s structural changes set to be implemented after this season, there will be more formality, more structure, more thought, and more permanence to the way things are done, and that is a good thing. For the fans and former players, this may be an opportunity to get involved, find a system for making their opinions heard, forming a stronger relationship with their league. Even the Olympic Games have improved with the input of spectators and fans.

The process for determining the final five of the 40 greatest players was a secret ballot. The danger there, according to some fans, is that the point of view may be that of an opposing player or coach. In any matter of this consideration, it is always beneficial to hear from teammates of the players concerned, as well. After all, the most intense rival you had would also likely be the first person you’d pick in a game of life and death. Objectively, it’s all a matter of which direction their passion is pointed. In an interview for the PBA documentary, Abe King told me how happy four-time PBA MVP Alvin Patrimonio was when they finally became teammates at Purefoods. The Captain has admitted that as a defender, King gave him the most problems, and it was a relief for them to be on the same side. After all, it is an opposing player’s job to keep you from performing at your best. But when he’s on your side, he can be your best friend.

PBA Hall of Famer Ricardo Brown also raised an interesting point, partly in response to Saturday’s column. He says that the previously included all- time greats are not guaranteed a spot in future selections, and he’s right. Future revisions will not necessarily be made to correct what was previously done, but to acknowledge those who, in the future, will surpass what has been accomplished. Tim Cone told this writer that one of the most gratifying things about breaking Baby Dalupan’s record of championships in the PBA is that it brought Dalupan back into the conversation. Cone says all coaches owe the Maestro a debt of gratitude for blazing the trail for them, and he hopes that, in the future, when some younger coach is winning 25 championships or so, he and Dalupan will become part of the story again, as well. It’s a great sentiment.

Let’s bear in mind, too, that the reason more than a few PBA pioneers feel so strongly is what they had to go through in the league’s first years. Salaries were small. Training conditions were spartan, travel was more difficult, playing conditions not as luxurious. They wore canvas sneakers, didn’t tape their ankles, and played against some of the most rugged individuals you will find anywhere. If you were injured, you still played. Fans followed teams, not individual players. Asking to be traded was tantamount to treachery. Coaches were still learning their craft. Imports were bigger and were generally NBA veterans or top US college players. The PBA then did more with less. They feel that the changes and improvements made in the local game are also largely due to what they sacrificed in those formative years. It is hard for a parent to simply stand by and do nothing when he feels his children need his guidance and experience.

In all discussions, the most difficult aspect to establish is motive, agenda. Given that there are many means to express displeasure (the boundless panorama of social media), what next?