Last week, we tackled the issue of the NCAA Management Committee’s decision to ban foreign student-athletes from donning school colors. Well, the decision is still up to the NCAA Fallacy-Er-Policy Board. But my inkling here is that they will approve. After all, who wants to be threatened with the “wrath of God?”
So what can San Beda and its community do? As of the moment, they can only appeal, appeal and appeal the preposterous sanctions meted out along with this silly announcement from the ManCom. But apart from appealing and being mad about the situation? San Beda still has lots of options. Say, greener pastures here and there, if you get my drift. There’s that pending University status. And of course, stay and fight.
Let’s see option number one. This option goes with option number two, which is getting a University status. If San Beda does get it, I don’t think the UAAP would bat an eyelid or two before snatching them and handing them out a posh invitation to their club. If they do jump to the UAAP, well, San Beda would be reunited with Ateneo, and my best guess is, the old fellows will be packing the Smart Araneta reminiscing the days that had been between then Blue and the Red. As bitter as the rivalry is of Ateneo and La Salle, San Beda will always be the first and foremost. Heck, Ateneo and La Salle have not played a closed door game for all the marbles.
If that happens, and I know it will happen eventually, why, the UAAP just got another boost in sales. Sorry to the NCAA, but when you are a league of crabs and narrow-minded people, you are left eating the dust even if you changed networks. We all know that the only packed-gym game of the NCAA is between San Beda and Letran, which, let’s be honest, haven’t been close for years since RJ Jazul and Rey Guevarra graduated. The others? They’re just decorations. The games against San Sebastian? Oh please. Those Stags “fans” leave by the third quarter when their team is about to lose.
There’s always the option to stay and fight, like a Lion protecting his pride. But it is not feasible enough for me, but of course they may see it differently. The whole NCAA and San Beda have three months to correct this erroneous pronouncement by the new hosts. If it fails, well, there goes the league. The way San Beda put the league back on track by their huge fan base is really something. Take that away, what do you have? An inter-baranggay or worse, as my friend puts it, an inter-tsinelas league? That’s what we are looking at if the Big Red Machine decides to take a turn and go to the UAAP, with the University status blessing.
Let’s just hope the perpetrators of this said banning have their senses returned, or else, I, with everything that is within my power, will try to rack this up to the international sports community. Well, imagine the fury that will rise from the different sectors. I’m sure these ManCom people who have no balls will be forced to reconsider or suffer the wrath of the world regarding racism, which is kind of teetering in the balance with regards to the shooting of Trayvon Martin.
Your move, gentlemen.