To: The PBA team owners.
As we know, the 2015 FIBA Asia Cup is nearing us. After a exhilarating performance during the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship and the 2014 FIBA World Cup, the Philippines will get another chance to show the world what they have, and show that we are the best team in Asia.
That being said, the Gilas Pilipinas needs all the firepower they need. Last year, you assembled one of the best Philippine teams ever, but admittedly, the team could have been better. After all, many players were not allowed by their mother clubs to play. Case in point: Marcio Lassiter, who said that injuries wouldn't allow him to play, but rumors circulated that he wasn't released by his team.
This year, you face this dilemma once more. But this time, instead of supporting the program even more, you seem to not even care about the team. In fact, you have an iron grip on your players, hanging on to them like your life depended on it.
I understand that you want to preserve your players, because of course, they are one of your money-making assets. If ever your team falters, your sales might go down. I also understand that some of you have conflicts with other teams or even the MVP group (looking at you, SMC owners). Dahil nga ma-pride kayo, ayaw niyong tulungan yung ibang grupo.
Well news flash, mas importante ang pride sa bayan kaysa sa pansariling pride.
Pilipino din naman kayo di ba? Hindi ba kayo proud sa achievements ng bayan? Other countries out there are doing everything they can to help their team. I believe that the reason why USA has been so successful every year is because they get all the top talent without any problem at all. All their players are from the NBA, a league similar to the PBA, and yet the players can join the team without restrictions from their ball-clubs. The only thing keeping players are their own personal reasons, like injuries or family matters. And yet, here in the Philippines, many players want to join Gilas, but are not allowed by their teams. Kasi nga, parang mas importante pa ang pera sa inyo kaysa sa puso.
Theoretically, we can create a team that is globally competitive, a team that can go toe-to-toe with the likes of Argentina, Croatia, and France. You guys did it last year, and boy was that team a surprise! We all expected that we'd be outscored heavily, that we would be no match, but after really close defeats against Croatia, Argentina, Puerto Rico, we finally notched a victory against Senegal. The core that we had before is no more, however. Jimmy Alapag has retired. Japeth Aguilar is out with an injury, and June Mar Fajardo could soon follow. Marc Pingris is questionable. LA Tenorio is unavailable also.
I know a lot of talent can be found in the PBA. We already have a probable replacement for LA in Terrence Romeo, the MVP of the recent FIBA 3x3 Manila Masters. We also have Calvin Abueva in case Ping is unavailable. But I know that there are a whole lot of other players there that can contribute big time. So please, team owners. Disregard the fact that you are bitter rivals. Remove the fact that you might lose money. The Philippines is calling for you to help. WE NEED YOU.
Sincerely,
An avid basketball fan
An avid basketball fan
