Pride and Prejudice

Issues on family, morality, misunderstanding, misconceptions, deception and love.  This somewhat describes Jane Austen’s novel “Pride and Prejudice”.  There was a movie adaptation of this classic about eight years ago telling of a mother’s obsession to have her five daughters married to heirs of England’s landed gentry and of the father’s gentle but firm hand versus their mother’s crassness and insensitivity.

Now, what has this novel got to do in a sports section?  The plot somewhat relates to the ongoing real-life drama unfolding at our local school league. 

As we all know, the CESAFI high school basketball games are “cancelled indefinitely” pending resolution of cases filed between the league and a high school player barred from playing for lack of residency requirements. 

This is all about ego conceit and the resulting consequences that has become prejudicial not only to one or two individuals but to the whole high school basketball league caught in the crossfire.  Call it casualties of war, call it collateral damage or just simply pride in its highest arrogant form.  Are not all wars often caused by misguided pride?

I will let legal minds do their thing on this case as my legal opinions are solely dependent on casual conversations with lawyer friends.  Their wisdom are often intricately incomprehensible that often, even if it defies logic, it still makes sense.  Ah, lawyers and I wish I was one.

Let us focus on the issue of residency.  Personally, a one-year residency rule for high school athletes would suffice as imposing two years will hamper if not diminish the interest of an athlete from further playing.

Unless a student is exceptionally gifted, most secondary athletes develop their potential in their third year.  Their first two years are spent behind the shadows of their more senior counterparts.  They gradually move up to the ranks, showing their talents in intramural and pick up games where they are noticed by trainers and coaches.

Depending on the schools’ athletic program or the aggressiveness of a rival institution, an athlete may stay or leave in search of better playing opportunities, inclusive of perks like allowances, living quarters, scholarships, maybe some iPhones.  Usually, academic performance takes a back seat.  As long as you bring and give the W’s to your school, who cares if the only English you can speak is counting numbers one to ten. 

Now, spending two years of residency effectively frustrates a young athlete’s desire to compete.  By the time that requirement is completed, either he/she has graduated or shifted their focus to something else.  Time and talent wasted, the athlete already a victim to the rule.

What is happening now is that the rest of the CESAFI high school basketball league is prejudiced by the board’s decision.  Again, I don’t question their wisdom as it is their prerogative to do what they think is right for the league and besides, the board is peopled by learned and principled men.

It is the resulting consequences of the act that leaves a bitter aftertaste.  We’re talking family here, the CESAFI family.  Misconceptions, misunderstanding and deception led to the court case and it is beginning to get ugly.  Let's restore morality and love in the CESAFI.  Pride begets prejudice.

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It was not too long ago that I held my daughter Ana’s tiny hand.  I carried her on my arms, sent her to sleep, led her to school, yup, even played house and Barbie dolls with her.  Those were priceless memories of her childhood.

Now, someone else is holding her hands, keeping her awake, playing with her heart and escorting her to school.  By the way guys, break her heart, I break your neck.  Surely, truly, madly, deeply. 

She has grown to be a sweet young lady that I am always thankful to God for.   I am also fearful, like all fathers who have daughters, for the harm that may come in these troubled times, heaven and God forbid.

Ana, as you mature and I become senile and re-posses your Lolo’s antique recliner, you will always be my little princess, even if someone makes you his queen.  And you think you’re eighteen already.  So?  Anyways, Happy Birthday, my princess.  Love you much.

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