Apples and oranges

The attempt to embarrass the PBA and its TV coveror by flaunting the ratings of the recent two-leg Asean Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup semifinals between the Philippines and Indonesia on a rival network was a crass display of news manipulation to promote a hidden agenda.

Instead of hailing the growing interest in sports by the TV viewing public, a misleading piece was recently published (not in The Star) comparing the ratings of the football matches and the PBA games as if to compare apples and oranges. If the motive was to generate advertising support for football, then the attempt was indirectly constructive. But as it came at the expense of the PBA, it was directly destructive.

The Azkals’ first semifinal match was played on a Thursday, Dec. 16, when the PBA wasn’t on the air. In fact, the PBA had just finished its elimination stage in the Philippine Cup. To compare the ratings of the football match with a PBA game at random could only be an exercise of selective justification.

As for the Azkals’ second match last Dec. 19, it came almost head-to-head against a PBA game that day. The football match started at 8 p.m. while the San Miguel Beer-Air 21 contest began much earlier. Pitting both games against each other leaves a bad taste in the mouth. It’s a kind of conflict that fans can do without. First, the semifinals match was extremely crucial as the Azkals’ fate hung in the balance. Second, by the time the football match came on the air, the outcome of the PBA game was virtually settled as San Miguel won by 22 in the end. San Miguel had a twice-to-beat advantage over Air 21 so even if the Express won, there would still be a rematch. In contrast, there would be no tomorrow for the Azkals if they lost. So the implications of the ending of both contests meant a world of difference.

Anyone with a heart for Philippine sports wouldn’t think of pitting football against basketball. Why try to promote one by destroying the other? Why not stress the positive by saying what a treat for Filipino fans to watch the Suzuki Cup and the PBA without having to make a choice of one over the other. Note that the PBA game was close to ending when the Azkals match got going. Surely, there is enough enmity in the world without adding to it by sowing intrigue in sports from the media point of view. Why can’t we be positive for a change? Why do we resort to contorting a news item to suit a special interest?

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If the motivation was to promote the Azkals’ carrying station in light of the PBA coveror announcing it wouldn’t bid for the TV rights next season, then the write-up should’ve been published as a paid press release without compromising the integrity of the printed word.

The Azkals’ success in the Suzuki Cup has generated widespread fan interest in football and it’s a positive development for sports as a whole. It’s important for the Azkals to ride on the momentum of their Suzuki Cup feat by performing creditably in the coming home-and-away series against Mongolia in the Asian Football Confederation Challenge Cup starting Feb. 9 at the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City. If the Azkals falter, they run the risk of fans calling their Suzuki Cup surge a fluke.

But while we’re all excited about the Azkals, we should be equally excited about the PBA semifinals which got off to a rousing start last Sunday. By the way, the Ginebra San Miguel-Alaska knockout game drew a mammoth crowd at the Cuneta Astrodome last Saturday which was Christmas Day. The building was packed to the rafters and the fans surely got their money’s worth. It would be unfair to compare the ratings of that game with the ratings of any of the two Philippines-Indonesia semifinals matches. Besides, what do you gain by comparing the ratings? What’s the point? You wouldn’t pit one over the other if you’re sincere about your love for Philippine sports.

Would you compare the ratings of the Manny Pacquiao-Antonio Margarito fight with the ratings of the Nonito Donaire-Vladimir Sidorenko bout? I wouldn’t. What for? Can’t we just be grateful that as fans, we were able to watch both contests on free TV?

There is enough animosity in the world as it is. Why fan the fumes of intrigue by misleading the public through a comparison of ratings of two sporting events with different time slots, different implications and different circumstances? It’s never tasteful to compare apples and oranges.

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Ginebra San Miguel coach Joseph Uichico sent in this note as a follow-up to his tribute on coach Ron Jacobs, published in last Sunday’s column: “I admire (Jacobs’ wife) Mennen for her loving care and dedication to coach Ron. With my wish for Coach goes our family’s good wishes and prayers that God continue to shower Mennen with His special graces and good health to care for coach Ron, our mentor. A toast to that. I think Mennen is an inspiration to Coach and to all of us.”

Former PBA MVP Ricardo Brown also wrote in a note about the tribute to Jacobs: “Once again, your words have touched many of us who crossed paths with Coach Ron on and off the basketball court. I know how much he is appreciated in the Philippines because he did some very extraordinary things on the Philippine hardcourts that were new and innovative to Philippine basketball. As is always the case, the greatest basketball fans in the world, the Filipinos, know good basketball when they see it – and coach Ron’s teams epitomized teamwork, a great work ethic and sportsmanship. And I can tell you that there is one thing coach Ron and I had very much in common – every time we took the floor and it didn’t matter who we were playing, we expected to win. It was an honor and privilege to be a part of this tribute to a man who greatly influenced Philippine basketball in a positive way.”