Cheap thrills
Last Wednesday, amid moves to get the pork barrel scam queen out of jail and possibly get her to “spill the beans” and make her a state witness, and the order by a court to release from prison a son of the clan accused of the worst massacre in modern history, some of us in the office who are citizens of the Diliman Republic gladly took a break from the usual run of gruesome news to celebrate a landmark victory – the UP (University of the Philippines) women’s volleyball team decisively beat the defending champions in straight sets. It was quickly pointed out to us that that was only the third game of the series and a long, long way – something like 11 more games at least, not counting play-offs – from the championship. But we’re more than happy to bask in this three-win/zero-loss record, taking it as an auspicious omen, a good sign… hmm, how sweet the taste of victory!
This degree of celebration for a sports victory that others may consider minor speaks of how much value we place on each victory, because – alas! – they come so seldom. But we’re quite confident our Lady Maroons will rack up many more victories and eventually lift up that trophy.
I remember when we scored a win in the UAAP men’s basketball league, we felt there should be a bonfire on campus that evening to celebrate. And when we won a second game, we ganged up on our sports editor (who, by the way, is not from Diliman) to force him to make it his page’s main story (we did not succeed, but only because he was jealous of our winning streak). When we lost a game against the repeating champions some years back (that team has been depleted of its stars and is no longer in serious contention) I told their coach – who I met in church the next day – that UP should’ve won but the referees stole the game from us. He was of course shocked at my imagination and audacity, but good naturally told me, “Maybe next time.”
The problem with UP and sports, I am reminded time and again, is that the school doesn’t go around scouting for talent nationally or internationally (as some schools now do), doesn’t invest in serious training and incentives for top athletes and – for heaven’s sake – still insists on athletes maintaining good grades. “How can you expect a guy to play good basketball if he still has to pass calculus and write essays?” That comment about sums up the gamut of opinions on my university’s sports program.
I don’t know if that comment implies that athletes – at least the good ones – from other schools don’t have to pass calculus and write essays, if they are indeed given a pass on academics as long as they shine on the hardcourt and playing field. I sure hope not. I hope collegiate sports has not become such a commercial endeavor that winning is all that counts, and it is but a stepping stone to a lucrative career in sports and showbiz. I may be naive but I still believe you go to university to get an education so that you can go on to have a career, practise a profession, start a business or do research and advance human knowledge.