RP team troubles hit new low - THE GAME OF MY LIFE by Bill Velasco

The feud over the Basketball Association of the Philippines hit a new low, as Freddie Jalasco, recognized by the Philippine Olympic Committee as BAP president, revealed he has been considering firing national men’s coach Boycie Zamar and national women’s coach Bay Cristobal for allegedly taking sides.

According to Zamar, their actions were skewed by media reports coming out in a major broadsheet and tabloid group.

"On February 10, two tabloids reported that we wanted the struggles upstairs resolved, which is right," Zamar recalled. "But in another paper on Feb. 28, it was misinterpreted that we were taking sides."

On the same day, Jalasco fired off a memo to Zamar, which said:

"Please favor the Basketball Association of the Philippines with a written explanation on your reported stand vis-a-vis the BAP imbroglio concerning the BAP accredited by the Philippine Olympic Committee and recognized by the Philippine Sports Commission on one hand, and the group of Messrs. Quintellano Literal and Graham Lim on the other as carried in today’s issues of the Manila Bulletin and Tempo… You have 48 hours to submit your response before this case is submitted to the BAP Executive Board for resolution."

A copy of the letter was furnished BAP chairman Lito Puyat, POC president Celso Dayrit, and PSC chair Butch Tuason.

"Why should I take sides? I’m here for basketball," said an exasperated Zamar, who lays the blame for the misunderstanding squarely in the lap of the press responsible for the story. "We can see what’s going on. Since November, the people I can see taking care of us are at the BAP office, from our medical certificates to our practice arrangements. If the media interprets my actions that way, it’s probably because they’re the ones who feel Mr. Literal should be the president. He even feeds them; he went with us to the south. I have nothing against either Mr. Jalasco or Mr. Literal. We just made the statement that the fighting upstairs should stop because it demoralizes the players."

"I can’t do anything if Mr. Jalasco wants to fire me," the former Manila Metrostars mentor continued. "I’m not taking sides. I spoke to both Mr. Jalasco and Mr. Literal before our southern swing, explaining that it was a tune-up that was important to the players. Why should I take sides with personalities?"

"He can take me out if he wants, but I will never resign, because this is my commitment."

As it is, the young coach already has a lot on his plate. Zamar says that, before the men’s team left for Cebu and Bacolod last weekend, the San Juan Knights did not permit Chris Calaguio, Omanzie Rodriguez and Chito Victolero to join them. Zamar has to meet with the team’s management and each of the players to get an unconditional commitment for the national interests. There are other players waiting in the wings, most notably Iloilo’s Vince Hizon.

"Why not Vince? He is much more willing," comments Zamar. "He has fame and fortune, yet he’s just waiting to join the RP team. So are Biboy Simon, Mike Mañigo and our young big men like (Youth team member) Mark Pingris."

Despite the depletion, the nationals played exceedingly well in the south, leading the MBA Intra-Conference Challenge champion Cebu Gems by 15 before almost collapsing due to lack of manpower. The RP team won a squeaker, 73-72, thanks to great play by Cebu’s own Stephen Padilla and PBL standout Edgar Echavez. Despite the fatigue and lack of sleep, the squad then traveled to Bacolod to face MBA Southern Conference champion Negros Slashers. This time, it was the other way around. The nationals scrambled to overcome a 16-point deficit and escape with a 72-67 victory.

Later this month, the men’s team is scheduled to play Korea, the Laguna Lakers and some amateur and collegiate teams. On the 18th, they travel to Dumaguete. Three days later, they’ll be in Ormoc. So far, the trips have been fruitful in raising funds for the team’s allowances and future expenses. In April, they play in an ABC qualifier in Bangkok, Thailand. The top two teams vie in the ABC Men’s Championship in July.

Zamar emphasizes how hard the players have been working since November, and how the internal squabbling is counterproductive to the team’s progress, and was one of the reasons why their trip to Mindanao was cancelled. Conversely, other teams like Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia have been preparing for two years.

"How much is (1998 MBA MVP) John Ferriols making? Just P2,500 a month in allowance. These are the MBA superstars, yet they have given up so much, specially the players from the south. They sleep in mosquito-infested quarters where there’s only one air-conditioner and the comfort room smells. Sometimes, they stay in each other’s houses. And this is the first time that Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao are represented on the national team.

"Why don’t people visit them so they can see what these players have sacrificed? It’s not my team. This is for the Philippines."

Good point.