Who’s the Mama’s Boy?

By popular request, here are more tidbits of the "is it true" variety. Remember today’s questions may lead to answers that could be tomorrow’s headlines. So take note. For those who feel alluded to, please understand that it’s deliberate on our part to put you on notice. If you’ve done something wrong don’t think you can get away with it. If your conscience doesn’t bother you, "is it true" will.

Is it true that a pro basketball player recently sent his mother to talk to his coach in explaining his absence from practice? Apparently, the player was bumped around the previous two practices and thought he earned some rest for his battered body. As if you didn’t know, the player dislikes physical contact.

So what did the coach do? He refused to talk to the mother who after all, isn’t under contract by the team. The player should’ve had the guts to speak out instead of letting his mother speak in his behalf. Incidentally, the player has seen action in only two games so far in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Samsung Governors Cup.

Is it true that a long-time PBA import agreed to a pay cut just to play a final conference here? He’s openly confessed this is his last tour of duty in the local league. The veteran has clearly lost a step or two and sometimes, defenders snatch the ball away from his hands with utmost disrespect. Is it true that the import has impaired vision in one eye? But wait. One thing about this import, he’s got heart. And when it comes to stepping up in the playoffs, he delivers—almost without fail. This import is far from finished, his fans insist.

Is it true that a PBA club, already out of contention for a quarterfinals slot in the Samsung Governors Cup, is bringing in an import to play just one game before exiting? The plan is to rehire the import for the Second Conference whose format will be decided in a PBA Board meeting this Friday. But the word is the import has been invited to no less than 11 National Basketball Association (NBA) summer camps. So if he plays in the Second Conference, he’ll be taking off for a few weeks in July to check out his NBA options.

The import is supposed to be hot stuff. In four years as an NCAA Division I player, his varsity team won at least 24 games each season. He’s an inside-outside operator who’s comfortable posting up, slashing, or hitting the perimeter jumper. He could be the real thing. But in this age of lemons and head cases, is there such a player as a blue-chipper?

Is it true that an injured national team hopeful has been told by doctors he should’ve rested his busted knee last year instead of playing hurt? There’s fluid in the knee and the player, who’s undergoing rehab, won’t be ready to play until September. It looks like he can forget about his dream of playing in Busan.

Is it true that a popular pro cager is secretly dating a former Binibining Pilipinas—naturally, behind his wife’s back? He has a reputation as a wholesome family man so his philandering has come as a surprise to his fans. How will his wife react when she finds out what her husband has been up to? Your guess is as good as ours.

Is it true that a pro basketball coach was fired a few months ago because of disciplinary reasons despite a live contract? The talk is the coach often reported drunk and late for practice. Worse, he played favorites among the players. The exasperated team owner dismissed not only the coach but the players who were part of his clique. Is it true that the coach has filed a case against the owner for breach of contract? Does he know that a contract may be scratched for cause?

Is it true that at the Asian Games several years ago, a former national basketball team coach suggested an innovative way for his youthful center—still a little wet behind the ears—to defend against a taller player? The suggestion was to poke his fingers in the eyes of the opponent. Guess what? The trick worked. And the referees never saw a thing. When the player told his coach what he did, the wise man said, "Huwag ka lang maingay."

Is it true that a PBA rookie is now on the injured list after suffering a bad sprain in his "virgin" ankle? He never liked to be taped and since a veteran—whom he idolizes—in his team plays without tape, he, too, thought he could survive the twists and turns of pro play unprotected. He’s regretting his stubbornness—now that he’s been devirginized.

Is it true that this PBA player was vomited out of his previous team because of his poor attitude and lack of desire? Since his departure from the team that loathed him, he has made a complete turnaround and is now playing like an All-Star. What a change of scenery can do.

Is it true that this PBA team hasn’t been paying its players on time? Salaries and won-game bonuses are delayed in coming. Could it be a sign of the times? Let’s hope the players don’t despair and give up before the jumpball of every game.

Is it true that a Fil-Am, hoping to play in the Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA), has flown back to the US to complete his papers for submission to the Department of Justice (DOJ)? Another Fil-Am is waiting around for his DOJ clearance which still hasn’t come. And still another jobless Fil-Am—a three-year PBA veteran—is practicing with a popular pro club, hoping to land a spot on the roster for the Second Conference.

Is it true that a colorful Fil-Am player got the tongue-lashing of his life from his coach after scoring on an acrobatic, incredible, out-of-this-world shot during a PBA game? The coach wanted it known that there’s no place for showboating or throwing up trick shots in a game. It didn’t matter that the player’s shot went in.

And so goes another chapter in our never-ending series of spreading the good and not-so-good side of Philippine sports.