Accepting the sad reality that Philippine basketball can’t compete competitively in world stage, Sporteum Philippines Inc. president Wilfredo Ortiz is laying the foundation for a “six-feet-and-under” tourney which he hopes will become a regular international event in the future.
Sporteum Philippines Inc., maker of Accel shoes and apparel, is now working on the blueprint of the ambitious project that is likely to start with a local tournament to be followed by an invitational joust initially involving only the Philippines and its Southeast Asian neighbors.
“The reality is we can’t rule the world in open basketball. If boxing and other combat sports have different weight categories, why not a six-feet-and-under level in basketball? Maybe, we can be competitive worldwide in this event,” said Ortiz.
Ortiz remembered the United States initiating the same program in the 90s but it didn’t gather steam. No more follow-up tournament was held after the initial staging.
In consultations with friends in the sport, Ortiz said their plan is to first sell the idea locally, then to the Southeast Asian circle, the Asian level and hopefully the world.
Ortiz and his company have long been supporters of Philippine basketball. In fact, they have an annual three-point shooting competition aimed at helping Filipino players improved their outside shooting.
“We could be more hopeful with this six-feet-and-under tourney,” said Ortiz of Accel, one of companies listed as affiliate members of Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas together with Tao Corp., PLDT-Smart, Nike, Harbour Centre, Cebuana Lhuillier, San Miguel Corp., Molten, Petron, Victory Liner, Champion and Discovery-Primea.
Accel will be the official outfitter of the Philippine team to the coming Olympics in Beijing.
Accel has also been supporting several Filipino athletes, including archers Amaya Paz and Kit Cojuangco who have just brought home honors from the Asian Gran Prix Championship in Thailand. Paz won the gold medal in the women’s category while Cojuangco took the silver in the men’s side. – Nelson Beltran