PBA, nat’l team good for each other

IN the 1950s to the 1970s, it was relatively easy to form the national basketball team.

The Basketball Association of the Philippines, the Manila Industrial Commercial Athletic Association (Micaa), UAAP, NCAA and other leagues played their games. And when it was time to form the country’s team to the Asian Basketball Confederation (forerunner of the Fiba Asia) tournament, the Asian Games or the Olympics, they gathered the best players together.

Back then, the rest of Asia didn’t play the game that well yet and the Filipino was already a natural baller. That’s why the Philippines dominated the field for a very long time. You really didn’t have to do lengthy training camps at home or overseas.

Asian competition was limited back then to Japan, South Korea, Republic of China (now Chinese Taipei), India, Hong Kong, Singapore and others.

In spite of having one or two superstars, these teams could not really match up against a whole gang of talented Filipino cagers. They had to hire foreign coaches and go abroad constantly to learn to play better. With their vibrant economies, many of them could avail themselves of foreign help.

China kept its doors closed for the longest time and simply barged into the sports scene when the political climate changed. And when they emerged, they came with their giants.

The Chinese toured Europe and the United States and, even if they were beaten badly by superior teams, they were really learning the game.

Eventually, China dominated Asia in the 1980s and 1990s, as the Philippines could no longer field its stars, who were already playing in a pro league of their own. Team owners, who held the contracts of the star players and paid them fees no one ever really knew about, had tired of the BAP raiding their ranks and formed the Philippine Basketball Association.

This stretch of basketball history becomes relevant anew as the PBA reviews its role under the Gilas program of Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas. The stress of having to field star players for the national cause has again become an issue along with calls for a more nationalistic attitude by the players.

Regardless of how the PBA eventually participates, public clamor and common sense dictate that the Nationals should still come from their teams.

To be fair, the PBA has offered its players since Robert Jaworski’s silver-medal Asian Games squad in 1990. And it must continue to do so because PBA competition keeps the players sharp and battle-ready.

This contrasts to having a team of young players who will serve the national cause before turning pro.

Although this formula had its successes with NCC and the Smart Gilas version a few years back, this doesn’t hold very well in the long run because our Asian opponents that now include those from the Middle East are more grizzled and bigger than any young pool you can assemble. Sure an American reinforcement helps but one giant can’t stop an army of experienced giants and sharpshooters.

USA Basketball altered its approach when pros became legit for the 1992 Olympics. The NBA and international participation are good for each other and should also be the case for the PBA and playing for the country.