Let’s support our national five

While public support and interest in professional boxing has grown substantially due largely to the amazing achievements of pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao and heir apparent Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire, basketball consistently remains the sporting passion of the nation.
No other sport has drawn so many to play the game—or try to—as basketball. And while our achievements internationally may often be scoffed at by those whose memories linger in the era when the Philippines dominated the sport in Asia and finished third in the World Championships in Brazil in 1954, it is still the sport that millions of Filipinos follow, compete in and enjoy.
No other sport boasts of as many leagues and tournaments all year round as basketball.
With a passionate lover of the game as the esteemed businessman-sportsman Manny Pangilinan, who is president of the governing body, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, the committed effort to restore the Philippines’ rightful place in Asia continues.
The excitement of basketball and its hold on people from all walks of life and of all ages can be gleaned from the following of the collegiate leagues, the various amateur tournaments and, of course, the pro league PBA.
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The fact that such a preeminent network as ABS-CBN covers the UAAP and NCAA, the Champions League and other tournaments is in itself a testament to the popularity of the sport and the audiences it commands.
The Solar Sports coverage of the PBA over Studio 23 has added another dimension to the league in terms of the audience it reaches and the possibilities for the near future.
The emergence of ABC 5 in the sporting arena adds to a network rivalry that should further strengthen interest in other sports, not just basketball, and enhance the visual and production quality of the coverage.
It will also provide another venue for the telecast of basketball, boxing, football and other sports following a tie-up with IBC 13, where currently the PBA Development League games are shown.
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In a major effort to give Filipinos a chance to watch the Smart Gilas national team, honing its skills for the tough grind in the Fiba Asia qualifiers for the 2012 London Olympics, the SBP is hosting the Fiba Asia Champions Cup beginning Saturday at the PhilSports Arena, formerly known as the Ultra.
Our people need to turn out and provide the kind of support our national team needs, as well as show visiting teams from the Middle East—where the power now resides, besides China of course—that we love the sport and stand behind our Smart Gilas national team come hell or high water.
Frankly, we can do no less.