PBL’s close call

Today marks the exciting climax to the PBL’s season, as Fash Liquid Detergent tries to rewrite amateur basketball history at the expense of Welcoat Paints, the league’s most durable and successful franchise.

I have known Chino Trinidad for most of my career as a sportswriter and broadcaster. The dynamic young son of columnist Recah Trinidad has always struck me as someone who never gave up, always followed his vision when all others have had their faith weakened by struggle, and was always practical about life and work. He has always been passionate about his work and his friends. That is why it struck me as a huge surprise to hear that he had resigned in his fourth year as commissioner of the Philippine Basketball League immediately before Game 3 of the Platinum Cup Finals last Tuesday.

"For the past so many months, I’ve been thinking about what my career path should be," said the intense league official then. "Of course, when you are tasked to do something, you’ll look back and see where it’s gone. I think the PBL has grown by leaps and bounds. I think the teams, the players, everyone involved in the league — even the fans, got involved."

The straw that broke the camel’s back was the perceived defiance of the Welcoat players as the league gave out its awards for outstanding performance. Fash’s phenomenal guard Peter June Simon — a standout for the Davao Eagles in the MBA’s waning seasons — was named Most Valuable Player. The Welcoat players wore small sashes on their jerseys proclaiming their support for the vastly improved Jojo Tangkay as MVP.

"We really thought it would be Jojo, because his hard work has really been outstanding," says Welcoat center Marc Pingris. "Even in practice, we joke about how serious he is. He will bump you and take the contact no matter what size you are. In the dug-out, Jojo was crying, Mac (Cuan) was crying. I told him, nevermind. What’s important is the championship trophy. That’s what we’ll get."

"I’m not questioning Simon," Cuan adds. "I know he’s deserving. But I know how hard Jojo works. So I was really affected. One by one, the players just had the sticker put on their jerseys."

"We expected Tangkay to be the MVP, so we were disappointed when it was Simon," admitted James Yap. "I don’t know who started this, I just had it put on my jersey."

Trinidad took the move as an affront to his authority, and emotionally resigned on the spot.

"For me, the finals is like the icing on the cake, so I don’t think I’m leaving midstream," he assured fans. "The players are giving their utmost best, so my job is almost finished."

Since taking over the league’s day-to-day operations in 2000, Trinidad has bitten the bullet and made the most of the PBL’s circumstances. He rode out a depletion caused by the arrival of the MBA. His age limit of 27 kept the league’s players fresh and exciting, and, despite the revolving door of members, the league was stable and growing. The PBL developed competition in the south, and increased its awareness. Now, they are negotiating a strong deal with ABS-CBN’s Studio 23 for a more high-profile home.

"The PBL has become a part of me, and maybe vice versa. The PBL has given me so much, the teams have given me the leeway and authority to run the league.

There are things that you don’t really ask for, but are given — like respect. For the last four years, some have felt that I haven’t earned that respect, but not to the point that they interpret what we do negatively."

The PBL board unanimously rejected Trinidad’s resignation, and chairman Dioceldo Sy convinced him to stay on. The Welcoat players apologized to the fans, but not to Trinidad.

"I was caught by surprise," Sy confessed. "You can see commissioner was hurt. The board denied his resignation, and I hope he reconsiders and stays on."

Whether they admit it or not, the PBL owes Trinidad a lot, and his vision has given the league a leg up on any other similar organization. And he has always had the best for his sport in mind.

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Catch all the PBL action on The Basketball Show at 4 p.m. over IBC-13.