Is it true — again?

There’s something about a blind item that tickles the concupiscense. Maybe, it’s because we all like to dig up the dirt, to unravel the stories behind the stories – those that don’t make it on the front page but wind up somewhere between the lines.

Chip Engelland, in a recent e-mail, said he relies on the Filipino grapevine in the US to get the latest tsismis on local sports. During the dark days of martial law, rumor-mongering was a crime. I often wondered if undercover soldiers patrolled the beauty parlors and barber shops to pick up gossipers.

Anyway, if you like puzzles and riddles, here’s another test of filling-the blanks. Remember, today’s gossip could be tomorrow’s front page news.

Is it true that a Philippine Basketball League (PBL) coach is being considered to call the shots for FedEx, assuming the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) approves its application to take over Tanduay’s franchise?

Is it true that a high-profile Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA) squad from the South is all set to pack it in and transfer to the PBL?

Is it true that Andok’s pulled out its sponsorship of the San Juan Knights in the MBA after league officials asked for each franchise to guarantee a P38 million contract for airtime on NBN? Is it true that the MBA is now shopping for a new TV home, perhaps Channel 9, after failing to convince NBN that it could raise the money?

Is it true that a Fil-Am who likes to brag that he’ll eventually play in the National Basketball Association (NBA) is on the trading block and he doesn’t know it? Maybe, if his feet were closer to the ground, this talent could blossom into a legitimate PBA superstar. But playing in the NBA? In his dreams.

Is it true that a movie actress, divorced from her PBA player-husband, had an illicit rendezvous with her import paramour in the US? When the import played here, he had no inhibitions in showing off his sexy conquest–they held hands and kissed in public, sometimes in the corridor outside the players’ dressing room before or after a game. You’d think the actress, who likes to play football, had some delicadeza.

Is it true that the MBA will institute a strict salary cap for teams and individuals next season? The economic pinch is clearly hurting the MBA which plans to play more games in Manila to save on travel costs. The salary cap is rumored to be close to the limit in the PBL. Remember when the Iloilo Megavoltz signed up Vince Hizon to a three-year contract with an escalating monthly salary of P500,000 to P600,000 to P700,000? Vince never got his money and the Megavoltz folded up.

Is it true that a former PBA team manager is trying to broker a merger between the PBL and MBA? According to PBL sources, a merger is out of the question. And if the PBL is shutting the door on the MBA, what more the PBA?

Is it true that a former MBA star is turning to just about anyone to facilitate his return to the PBA? That’s right. This ex-MBA player was formerly in the PBA. The word is he’s willing to play at any price if only to prove himself all over again. I wonder if he’ll agree to play for free.

Is it true that a PBA broadcaster is seriously courting an unattached, separated showbiz queen? He showed up at the blessing of the singer’s newly-refurbished home in Alabang but it took a few minutes before he had the guts to walk in. The broadcaster waited outside the house for another broadcaster to accompany him inside. Could the butterflies in the stomach be an omen for the love-struck broadcaster?

Is it true that a well-respected PBL official is on the way to joining the Technical Committee of the PBA?

More in tomorrow’s issue.