PBA must take up cudgels for RP basketball

PBA commissioner Noli Eala said yesterday the country’s premier pro league must take the initiative in drafting a program that could pave the way for the reemergence of the Philippines as basketball kingpin of Asia.

"I don’t think we can turn a blind eye on the Philippine team. As a Filipino and a basketball fan, we should be concerned," said Eala in the aftermath of the embarrassing performance of the RP squad in the recent ABC championship in China.

"It is a major concern for the PBA that the national team has been relegated to a very lowly position in international arena. I think everybody must now come together and rationalize a basketball program. The PBA is willing to help and in fact take a major part in this endeavor so that we can regain some kind of respect in international league," Eala added.

The PBA commissioner said his plan is to reformat the PBA calendar, synchronizing it with the FIBA schedule to enable its players to join the national team in tournaments overseas.

He said he has broached the idea to some members of the PBA board and they appeared receptive. The board will discuss the plan in a special meeting next week.

"If we’re really committed to help the RP team, it’s time to come up with a synchronized calendar. And it’s not only meant to address the problem of availability of players for the RP team but also the PBA problem on gate attendance," said Eala on his plan for the league to take a break in a stretch — from July to September – when all the FIBA tournaments are held.

"It’s like shooting two birds with one stone or two baskets with one ball kasi pati ang problema ng PBA sa gate attendance during the rainy season and the start of classes maa-address," he added.

If Eala’s proposal is approved by the board, the PBA would have an abbreviated 2004 season, ending probably in June. Then the new format begins with the 2004-2005 season starting in October.

"If this is approved, then I can have a little breakfast with the other basketball patrons and league officials. Everybody can take the cue from there," said Eala.

With the country’s best players suiting up for the RP team, Eala has no doubt the Philippines can regain basketball supremacy in the region and get a chance to take another crack at the Olympics or the World Basketball Championship.

"The talent level in the PBA has grown faster than the talent level in the whole region. We went within seconds of making it to the Asian Games final in Busan. And I don’t think China is invincible," said Eala.

"And this proposal could be a source of inspiration for Filipino players kasi hindi lang makalaro sa PBA ang tatargetin mo ngayon kundi pati maglaro sa Olympics," Eala added.

Meanwhile, Purefoods, instead of bringing back Derrick Brown, is fielding in former US high school top prospect Leonard Cooke as it plays FedEx in the Samsung PBA Reinforced Conference at the Ynares Center in Antipolo today.

Red Bull Barako and Barangay Ginebra clash in the other game while Joey Mente and Brandon Cablay mix it up in the Ginebra-Purefoods King of the Court one-on-one tournament.

The 22-year-old Cooke, rated by the Sporting News in 2002 as the third best high school senior in the whole US behind only Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudamire, is suiting up with the Hotdogs fresh from his stint with the Brooklyn Kings in the USBL where he emerged the Rookie of the Year after leading the league in scoring (28.9 points), offensive rebounds and steals.