When the game ends

LOS ANGELES - In the dynamic world of sports, nothing is permanent. Rules change and records are broken. Players come and go. When the buzzer signals the end of the game, players know it’s time to leave and start something else outside the hardcourt.

"Sa basketball naman masuwerte ka na ‘pag naka-15 years ka. Kadalasan, less than that, tapos na ang career mo," said this one-time popular Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) idol.

At the start of his basketball career, Yves Dignadice immediately created a following among colegialas and other basketball fans. With his height (6’4) and dark features, he commanded attention. But what sustained their interest in him was his basketball prowess that capitalized on perfect combination of size and speed. Within his first four years of pro basketball with San Miguel, he proved useful under the basket, grabbing 6 boards per game.

The following years would see steady performance from this Ilonggo cager, although he had his own share of injuries during his time, reason for him to regard his PBA years as "not totally fulfilling." According to him "Hindi pa rin ako kuntento sa performance ko sa PBA kasi nahirapan akong maglaro dahil sa mga injuries ko noon." But fighter that he was, Dignadice stayed on in the PBA until 2000. His last memories of the league were with Barangay Ginebra.

After retiring from the PBA, Dignadice decided to move to Los Angeles and work on something that doesn’t revolve around the ball. Knowing that his two years of college in De La Salle University won’t suffice for him to start a career here in the States, Dignadice’s first move was to enroll in an adult school. In Lakewood, he signed up for a refresher course in computer application for three months. And though he finished the program, his first job had entirely nothing to do with computers. He was hired as a security guard at Crown Plaza Hotel in Redondo Beach. A few months later, he was promoted as officer-in-charge. "But I had to quit kasi hindi ko kaya ‘yung oras. Swing shifts kami at graveyard," he explained.

Since then he has found another job as a supervisor in a cable company. And is currently planning to fulfill dreams halted when glamour, excitement, and love for the game lured him into the PBA. "I want to finish school. Hindi ko nagawa noon e. Ngayon, puwede na." He is looking into courses on satellite and cable or fiber optics. Yves is also currently waiting for his green card.

Naning Valenciano’s case is different. He entered the PBA in 1981 to play for Crispa and spent his best years in the league, playing for teams as varied as Alaska, Purefoods, Pepsi, and Sta. Lucia. And while Yves thinks less of his PBA days, Valenciano treasures his. "Nagpapasalamat ako at nabigyan ng pagkakataon makapaglaro sa PBA. Maganda din ‘yung samahan naming mga players noon," said this sniper who averaged 14.5 points per game when he played for Pepsi in 1991.

He used to impress fans with his accurate outside shooting. But when age caught up with him, he decided to hang his jersey and leave for the states. "Kasi noon puro basketball lang ako. Nung mag-retire ako, sabi ko pamilya naman." Right now he spends time with his two kids who are both attending school here in LA.

While some ballers are blessed with a decent life span in professional ball. Others are not as fortunate. Brixter Encarnacion’s three years are certainly fleeting and less sensational.

After playing for a year with the Stags, he flew to California to be with his parents and brother. Here, he worked at the Los Angeles Airport (LAA). After some time, love for basketball took over and it was enough to convince him to go back and try his luck in Manila. He redonned his Stags jersey and helped anchor the team to win its fifth peat. From here Brixter went on to play for Chowking in 1997. After just a year in the Philippine Basketball League (PBL), he inked his first contract in pro basketball. Little did he know that it would be his last.

In Pop Cola, he recalls good times with teammates Vergel Meneses, Boybits Victoria and Nic Belasco. "Pangarap ko talaga na makalaro ‘yung mga idols ko. Parang panaginip na nakarating ako sa PBA. Halos lahat ng nagba-basketball ito ang pangarap." However, the dream turned into a nightmare for this cager after he realized that he was not being given enough minutes. There were not enough opportunities for him to show his game. "Nakakalungkot. Sobrang bigay-todo sa practice. Akala mo ok na. Tapos ‘pag game, hindi ka naman ipapasok."

Needless to say, he was traded after the second year. His three-year contract expired with Shell. And along with it expired the dream of someday making it and making it good in the well-loved Bayan ng Superstars. "Parang panaginip na lang talaga. ‘Pag nakikita ko sa tv, kilala ko na lang sila kasi idolo ko sila."

Nonetheless, this Caviteno values his bittersweet experience in the PBA. Because of those three years, he was able to invest in a house and lot of his own, something some professional ballers have not done despite many celebrated years in the league. "OK na din ako sa narating ko. Give way naman sa bagong players." Right now, he still considers himself blessed that he has the option of staying here and starting a new life. He is awaiting his US citizenship confirmation. "’Yung iba wala naming ibang alam na pagkukunan kung hindi basketball. Paano ‘pag natapos ang career nila?"

Whether they reached their goals and fulfilled their ambitions in the PBA, "finish or not finish" as my old teachers liked to say, it’s "pass the papers" for these players. Time to pass the ball and relinquish their slots to other players. But there’s a bigger game that needs to be played. And now they’re just happy playing to score in the game of life.

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