The grand plan

The Philippines has a golden chance to make it back into Olympic basketball competition. The door is open, a small crack of hope, letting a glimmer of light in for the first time since 1972.

So what is the scenario?

First, China is hosting the Olympics in 2008. This means they will likely be seeded to the men’s basketball event, and will not need to qualify. Secondly, China is actually in a position to help the Philippines. If they place sixth or higher in the World Basketball Championships, Asia will be rewarded with a third slot in 2008.

The Philippines will then have to slug it out with three or four other contenders for the two remaining slots.

But what would the picture be locally?

Looking ahead, the PBA is inclined to keep representing the country at the Asian level. But it is in the unenviable position of being damned if it does, damned if it doesn’t. They win, it’s par for the course. If they lose, they take the blame, even if it isn’t their job in the first place. So the situation cannot persist.

The PBA is now mulling a transitional period wherein they will engineer the country’s return to Olympic basketball, then return the reins to the Basketball Association of the Philippines, so they can finish the job.

There are, however, pre-conditions. Next year, a pool of players 19 to 21 years old will be selected to train for 2008. All PBA members must agree not to recruit the players picked for the national pool for four years, the full Olympic cycle.

The team may enter the PBL as a guest entry, to hone their chemistry. In the meantime, the PBA plays for flag and country. Once the team is strong enough, it moves up to the PBA. Gradually, members of the team are integrated into the Asian campaign, to get their feet wet.

If all goes well, the PBA national team wins an Olympic berth, then bows out with glory. The RP team then flies to China to play in the Olympic Games. Its players then enter the PBA, strong, confident and incomparably experienced. While all of this is going on, the same process is being applied to the next Philippine team. A new group of players, 18 and below, start full-time training for the future. In this manner, the BAP will have a transition period to prepare to run the national program. Sponsors like Cebuana Lhuillier and Air 21 will have long-term identification with and goodwill for their support. Lastly, the PBA will leave a lasting legacy as the magnanimous big brother of Philippine basketball.