Lina hits ‘Fil-sham’ issue for PBA woes

As the man at the helm of the National federation for cycling, president Bert Lina is implementing a grand plan to resuscitate the sport not only in the country but outside of it.

As one of 10 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Board member though, all Lina could do is sit, suggest then wait and see.

The owner of Airfreight 2100, the sole licensee of FedEx in the country, talked about cycling with passion in yesterday’s PSA Forum at the Manila Pavilion, although the same can’t be said when the matter shifted to the dwindling public interest in Asia’s first ever pro league.

Breaking his silence for the first time on the worsening state of the league, Lina cited a lot of factors for its continuous decline, but specifically pointed out to the Fil-sham issue as the main culprit.

"People feel cheated because of this Fil-sham thing. Ang daming galit na tao kaya bagsak ang attendance sa PBA," a fiery Lina said in the forum sponsored by Red Bull, Agfa Colors and PAGCOR.

The Senate Committee on Games, Amusements and Sports under Senator Robert Barbers earlier recommended for deportation eight Fil-foreign players, led by Talk ‘N Text’s Asi Taulava, for their failure to fully substantiate their Filipino roots.

Of the 10 active teams, only Lina’s FedEx and Sta. Lucia are the ones which have no foreign-bred players in their lineups, a principle the sportsman is trying to inspire among his fellow Board members.

"But I’m only one as against 10," he said. "Now maybe they are beginning to see the light. Kung talagang ayaw ng tao, ayaw."

In the midst of the decreasing gate attendance in the league, the FedEx official earlier suggested for the PBA to reduce its ticket prices, especially those in the lower and ringside sections.

His frustrations piling up, Lina hinted of FedEx’s long-term support to cycling than basketball.

"We have a five-year commitment in the PBA, so tingnan natin after that. Alam naman natin na nagbabago rin naman ang business model," he stressed. "Pero mas magtatagal siguro ang suporta namin sa cycling."

As the newly-elected president of the country’s cycling association, Lina is already laying the groundwork on his ambition plan to give the country an Olympic medal in the sport.

That begins with his plan of constructing a velodome track along the reclamation area in Roxas Blvd. or a complete refurbishing of the Amoranto Velodrome in

Quezon City, which will cost around P15 million for the track alone, if the former should not materialize.

Likewise, he‚s looking forward of winning a first gold medal in cycling since Joselito Santos in 1995 come the Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam this December.

The RP team, bannered by Victor Espiritu and Arnel Quirimit, this year’s FedEx Tour Pilipinas champion, is participating in a Malaysian tournament prior to their departure to Ho Chi Minh city, where they will be arriving a week ahead of the rest of the Filipino delegation.

"We’re all very hopeful. Sa ipinapakita naman ng mga siklista natin, sa tingin ko maganda ang tsansa," said Lina.