PBA can use a tribal bridge to the past

THIS WILL be short and hopefully sweet. PBA bigwigs have converged in Bangkok, in lieu of Hong Kong, to seek ways to enliven the pro league. Call it a diagnosis or planning session. There are many items lined up. But what has stuck out like a sore thumb, even before they departed for the Thai capital, was the worrisome league attendance. * * * No, you don’t call the PBA population sick, but it’s definitely decimated. Something is definitely wrong out there. “Attendance, it’s on top of my list,” said PBA Commissioner Chito Salud. The young league chieftain, scion to a revered and very successful commissioner, did not mince words. He swore they need a drastic improvement at the gates. That was his exact word, drastic, meaning monumental. * * * For starters, Salud batted early to repair and reform officiating. He sounded very certain that fair, responsible officiating will result in livelier, relevant competition. Salud can only be expected to succeed in this noble endeavor. Just the same, he was reminded earlier that fans had been running to watch PBA games when officiating was worse than it is today. There definitely is a deeper affliction besetting the pro league. * * * The Bangkok planning session can only be expected to bear fruits. The problem is that they may have left behind in their rush a tested reader of crowd taste and preference. “Wala ng init, the great action of the old days are  all gone,” our man of the hour told the Inquirer recently. The fellow’s name? Well not Jaworski, Rudy Salud or Atoy Co, although they definitely know what has gone wrong. Anyway, Juan de la Cruz sounds more like it. All for the simple fact that you hear this yearning for the fierce tribal rivalry of old whenever you ask what’s been missing in pro league games today. The core of it all is that old and new devotees find it terribly hard to honestly identify with beefy, hairy and often doubtful Fil-Ams that have invaded the native basketball backyard. * * * Have to cut this short. Will elaborate on this next time out. You see, this item is being done solely with my weary left hand. The right hand has been injured and rendered useless in a freak accident at the height of an evening thunderstorm involving a lightless tricycle whose mindless driver had no license and vehicle registry. The bad hand will either be put in a cast or bandaged heavily anytime now. Stay great all you gentle folks out there.  Wish me luck if you may. * * * HAPPY NOTES “Fresh Chilean sea bass. The dish is genius… it’s very light, fresh, divine.” Please read talented Celina Charvet’s sweet, unforgettable foodie adventure at www.beyondhomecooked.blogspot.com  and be an instant fan… The Hydrocephalus Foundation of the Philippines, headed by Dr. Manny Cacdac, will be launched formally at the Makati Tower Club at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept 25. This is an event that truly matters.