Unusual record-breakers

Just when you think you’ve seen it all, something new comes along and bops you right between the eyes. Every so often, I think that nothing can surprise me in the torrid world of sports, particularly basketball. But I got a double whammy just last week, when I found ordinary people doing extraordinary things in the sport.

Every Wednesday evening at the small gym at St. Paul’s in Makati, surrounded by roughly carved and cut new church pews, a rather unusual doubleheader is played. Two teams play against one, consecutively. Yes, one team playing a double-header (like in baseball) every Wednesday.

Professionals? Harlem Globetrotters? Far from it. These men are ordinary employees of radio station 96.3 WRock.

"Since radio is one-way communication, we needed a means of getting feedback from our audience," recalls traffic manager Edwin Gonzalez. "So we thought of using the one sport that unites everybody, and that’s basketball."

The station’s disc jockeys announced an open invitation for anyone, yes, anyone, to play them in a regular full-court game. That same day they issued the challenge, they received twenty calls. The response has been so strong that they’ve had to increase their schedule.

"I couldn’t believe it," Gonzalez says. "There have been so many calls, mostly from banks and community teams, that we’ve had to add players. Now, we’ve even had to increase our number of games."

They normally play one game from 7 to 8 p.m., then another game immediately after. However, because of the demand, they’ve now added another playing day to their schedule, a Friday double-header at Arellano University gym. So now, the WRock jocks play four games a week, every week. And they’ve still got teams lined up as far ahead as September.

"Oh, it’s so much fun," continues the jolly Gonzalez, who’s lost a few pounds since they’ve started. "We’ve met so many interesting people. And we’re all healthier because of it," he chuckles.

As of last week, WRock’s record stood at an awesome 33 wins, 3 losses and 1 draw. That’s a stunning ninety percent of their games won. Since the games are exhibitions, ties are allowed. Their first loss came at the hands of the tall, athletic team of The STAR, coached by CEO Miguel Belmonte, about four months ago.

"I’m amazed at how many people just want to play us for the heck of it," admits DJ Rick. "And this way, we get a lot of feedback straight from our listeners, because we never get to see them."

Another team that holds a rather unique record, for its part, also has a busy schedule, accepting invitations to play exhibitions at two fiestas and other celebrations. And they probably hold the distinction of being the world’s shortest basketball team, too. They’re the service staff of Malate’s Hobbit House. You heard it right, they do have a basketball team.

They’ve been so busy, in fact, that even this writer has had trouble catching up with them. One week, they’re booked in Laguna. The next, they’re in Batangas. In between, they’re busy answering the call of show business on sitcoms on practically every major television network. And these munchkins, who barely come up to my belly button, play full-court.

"Why, doesn’t everybody?" tiny actor Goliath once asked me, with a deadpan look on his face.

The only trouble is that, sometimes, they have to leave extra early because it takes them longer to get where they’re going, especially by taxi.

"We can’t see where we’re going," they shrug.

But these little big men (who alternately use comic team names like The Dream Team, the All-Stars and – my favorite – The Giants) have not only accepted their shortened status, but have actually used it to make people happy. They’re perennial fixtures at school and community leagues, and enjoy every minute of it. One of them, Richard Morehon, is actually the beloved "mascot" of the Manila Metrostars and now the Batangas Blades. When they have a big game, they bring the young fellow along. In fact, he was at courtside for practically all of the Metrostars’ northern games during their eye-popping 22-game winning streak under Louie Alas. Morehon has a special bond with MBA MVP Romel Adducul, too, a bond that is strengthened by the proximity of Hobbit House to San Andres gym, the Blades’ practice facility.

What these two intrepid teams have proven is that you need not be a giant to play big in basketball. All you need is a giant, open heart. Now you need not wonder why WRock and Hobbit House have such loyal patrons. They share the same passion for reaching out and sharing a laugh or two.

And a nice game of hoops.