NCAA: Where racism reigns supreme (first of two parts)

Here goes the circus once more. This time, being the hand of power, Fr. Tamerlane Lana, OP, of Letran, the incoming host of the NCAA’s 88th season, has gone too far. He surely was loud and proud when news broke out that the Management Committee of the NCAA has gone 4-3 in favor of banning foreign student-athletes from participating in the events. This was made in light of the recent handing out of penalties to San Beda and San Sebastian for a melee in a volleyball game. And once again, racism and crab mentality demean the country’s oldest collegiate league.

What’s more depressing is that people are actually supporting this. “We must strengthen Filipino talents and athletes, so I agree with banning these “imports” who are “mercenaries,” a supporter of the proclamation – who I am pretty sure is a Letranite – wrote on Facebook. Let’s see. Without San Beda, where will you put the NCAA? This is a league of hooligans where actual mercenaries like Calvin Abueva (who is way, way overage), Ronald Pascual and a bunch of other thugs say they “study” while the foreign student-athletes who actually study are being picked on. What gives?

We Filipinos always (ALWAYS!) cry out in rage and disbelief when our country is dragged into muck when it is the actual truth. We Filipinos cry out racial discrimination whenever we are abroad and are treated badly. So how come we are doing the same to foreigners who were recruited by schools with the means to let them have free education in exchange for donning the school colors on the hardcourt? Are we such filthy hypocrites bred by our mothers and fathers?

And these hypocrites and their supporters cry that it’s in the spirit of nationalism and to promote our local player’s skills? Nationalism my foot. I’ve said it time and again: we need stiffer competition to prove our mettle. And what did that guy I quoted above say? Stiffer competition can be done later, when our local talents are ripe for the pros. Zing, dumb and dumber alert! What’s more depressing is, they even suggested, if you want foreign student-athletes to play, then stage an import laced-conference one just like the PBA. Really people, really?

God made us all equal. The only reason these student-athletes from Africa or wherever they came from are ahead is because they accepted it, acted humbly throughout, were committed to the program that recruited them and worked hard for it. Whereas we Juan Tamads were very sure of ourselves that we were content on waiting to be handed out that athletic scholarship.

Author’s note: Next week, we will try to tackle the side of San Beda and what alternatives they can have.