Missing the boat

A few months ago, an inquiry was made by USA Basketball if Manila could host the American national team in a warm-up series preparatory to the World Championships in Japan on Aug. 19 to Sept. 3.

Philippine Basketball Association commissioner Noli Eala said he knew about the inquiry but nothing came of it because the cost of bringing in the US squad was too prohibitive.

But Basketball Association of the Philippines president Joey Lina noted the other day the US team probably looked another way because of the country’s suspension by FIBA (International Basketball Federation). Although Lina declined to speculate, he said it’s possible Manila was turned down because of the leadership crisis that has brought more disrepute to Filipino cage officials.

The country’s suspension by FIBA–which appears to be indefinite–isn’t just a dampener. It’s a downright slap on the face. If only the sport’s stakeholders got together in the spirit of unity and agreed to push forward as one, there wouldn’t be a suspension. Unfortunately, compromise is a word that’s not in their vocabulary.

The suspension has led to the Philippines forfeiting its chance to defend the Southeast Asian Games title, to play in the Asian championships and if it isn’t lifted, to compete in the Asian Games late this year. And yes, it’s likely the reason why Filipino fans will miss the rare opportunity of watching–in the flesh–the likes of LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Dwayne Wade and Carmelo Anthony in action.

Instead of Manila, USA Basketball chose Seoul as the site for its warm-up tour before proceeding to Japan. That’s right, Manila’s loss is Seoul’s gain.

Basketball is nowhere near as popular in Seoul as it is in Manila. If the US team plays here, you can bet your last centavo each game will be a sellout at the Araneta Coliseum–regardless of the opposition.

For the record, the US team head coach is Mike Krzyzewski of Duke University. Assistants are Jim Boeheim of Syracuse, Phoenix Suns coach Mike D’Antoni and Portland Trail Blazers coach Nate McMillan.

A few weeks ago, USA Basketball named the 23 players comprising the national pool that will represent the country in international competitions up to the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. It’s the first time the US is embarking on a long-term program to form a cohesive and competitive team made up of National Basketball Association (NBA) and a few collegiate stars. That’s because at the 2002 World Championships in Indianapolis, the US finished an embarrassing sixth place with a 6-3 record.

From the pool of 23, Krzyzewski and his staff will choose 12 to 15 players to bring to Korea and Japan for the World Championships which Manila hosted in 1978. The roster will be trimmed to 12 by the start of the 24-team joust. The US makes its debut in the tournament against wildcard qualifier Puerto Rico on Aug. 19 in Sapporo. Other US opponents in the preliminary round are China, Slovenia, Italy and Senegal.

The NBA players in the US pool are James, Bryant, Wade, Anthony, Gilbert Arenas, Shane Battier, Chauncey Billups, Chris Bosh, Bruce Bowen, Elton Brand, Dwight Howard, Antwan Jamison, Joe Johnson, Shawn Marion, Brad Miller, Lamar Odom, Chris Paul, Paul Pierce, Michael Redd, Luke Ridnour and Amare Stoudemire. The collegiate stars are 6-8 forward Adam Morrison of Gonzaga University and 6-4 guard J. J. Redick of Duke.

In Seoul, the US team will play the national teams of Italy, Lithuania, Turkey and Korea in a five-team tournament called the World Basketball Challenge.

Koo Young Kwan, chief executive officer of the organizing East Marketing Group, said: "The World Basketball Challenge is going to be the best and largest event in the history of Korean basketball to date. This event, which is being held in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the introduction of basketball in Korea, will stimulate the Korean basketball market by providing Korean basketball fans an opportunity to watch a world-class basketball event."

The games will be played at the Jamsil Gymnasium on Aug. 11-15. The US team will close out its training in Seoul with practices on Aug. 16 and 17.

Imagine if the US team decided to train here instead of Seoul. The impact on Philippine basketball would’ve been awesome. Filipino fans would’ve been able to watch their heroes play. Filipino coaches would’ve learned a lot by observing the US coaches at work in practice and during games. And surely, the US coaches and players would’ve agreed to conduct clinics for kids, too.

Thanks to our unflinchingly selfish basketball leaders who refuse to step down from their pedestals for the sake of unity, Philippine basketball will again miss the boat and fritter away the chance of a lifetime for the US team to play, train and practice here.

Postscript: Prominent sports personalities, particularly from the world of basketball, take center stage with friends from the entertainment industry at 7 tomorrow night for "A Big Assist for Bert and Butch." The affair will be at the Merck’s Baristro in Greenbelt 2. It’s a fund-raising show for sports editor Bert Cuevas and sportswriter Butch Maniego who are both afflicted with diabetes and face mounting medical bills. Top-flight performers of various genres will donate their time and talent to entertain the crowd. Athletes and cage stars will do the same. Organizing the benefit are sports media stalwarts Ed Picson and Beth Celis with singer extraordinaire Richard Merck. Tickets are available at the gate. It’s a show you can’t afford to miss. Plus, you get a chance to share your blessings with Bert and Butch, two guys we owe a lot to for their contributions to sports.