Two UP students are fighting for their right to participate in UAAP. The two were dropped from the list of players who can play in UAAP after participating in the Universiade in Russia.
It is an injustice that these students must suffer from the political squabble involving UAAP and FESSAP. It is highly irregular for UAAP to involve players in its feud with FESSAP. What valid reason does UAAP have in preventing players to participate in the World University Games anyway ? After failing to get the nod of Universiade officials to be recognized as the official Philippine organization, UAAP will do well not to get back at FESSAP at the expense of collegiate players.
I hope that the two UP students pursue their case against UP and UAAP. It is time to teach these institutions a sense of fair play and proper conduct.
Saturday, August 31, 2013
Saturday, August 24, 2013
ATENEO, LA SALLE AND NU BOYCOTT PART 2
After a post urging volleyball fans to boycott Ateneo, La Salle and NU for not allowing their top players to join the national team, I received several tweets from Lady Ateneo Eagles. The tweets explain that Alyssa Valdez turned down the invitation to be a part of the national team due to academics. But surprisingly, Valdez might play in at least three local tournaments in succession. She is currently playing in Shakey's VLeague and will play in UAAP and Uni-Games.
But in fairness to Valdez, her desire to help the national team cannot be questioned. According to my source, Valdez tried out for the Bomberinas under Coach Vangie and Doc Ian. But my source revealed that Ateneo stepped into the picture and Valdez never appeared for the Bomberinas again.
NU, on the other hand, is an interesting case. Dindin and Jaja Santiago were allowed to be a part of Bomberinas under Coach Vangie and Doc Ian. But under a new set of PVF officers, NU suddenly does not lend its two tall and talented players to the national team.
La Salle, true to form, did not lend Mika Reyes to the national team. In fact, Coach Ramil likewise turned down the post of head coach to the national team according to my source. La Salle, for its part, is merely being consistent of prioritizing its UAAP bid than any other international tournament that will bring honor to the country.
I am deeply saddened that these schools failed to answer the challenge to serve one's country through sports. Worse, these schools seem to teach their players that loyalty to their schools supersedes loyalty to one's country. What values are these schools teaching their players ?
But in fairness to Valdez, her desire to help the national team cannot be questioned. According to my source, Valdez tried out for the Bomberinas under Coach Vangie and Doc Ian. But my source revealed that Ateneo stepped into the picture and Valdez never appeared for the Bomberinas again.
NU, on the other hand, is an interesting case. Dindin and Jaja Santiago were allowed to be a part of Bomberinas under Coach Vangie and Doc Ian. But under a new set of PVF officers, NU suddenly does not lend its two tall and talented players to the national team.
La Salle, true to form, did not lend Mika Reyes to the national team. In fact, Coach Ramil likewise turned down the post of head coach to the national team according to my source. La Salle, for its part, is merely being consistent of prioritizing its UAAP bid than any other international tournament that will bring honor to the country.
I am deeply saddened that these schools failed to answer the challenge to serve one's country through sports. Worse, these schools seem to teach their players that loyalty to their schools supersedes loyalty to one's country. What values are these schools teaching their players ?
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
BOYCOTT LA SALLE, ADMU AND NU WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL TEAMS
So it is official. La Salle, Ateneo and NU have not allowed their top players to join the Philippine volleyball team. Alyssa Valdez, Dindin and Jaja Santiago and Mika Reyes have not been allowed by their respective schools to join the Philippine team that is scheduled to compete in Thailand for the Asian Senior Women's Championship.
I am so disappointed that these schools refuse to loan their top players for the national team. I consider it an insult to the Filipino people for these schools to deny the country of its best players in an international competition. I am at a loss for words on how these schools can flatly reject the call to serve one's country through sports.
I am also perplexed as to why these schools would rather have their top players play in UAAP or Shakey's VLeague rather than the Asian Senior Women's Championship. There is hardly any prestige in winning in UAAP or Shakey's VLeague. But winning in the Asian Championship is definitely a huge honor for the players and the entire country. So why the ridiculous priority on local tournaments ?
As long as these schools continue to be selfish with their players, Philippine women's volleyball will go nowhere. Philippine volleyball will remain down in the dumps as long as these schools remain selfish. In the meantime, as these schools go on with their selfish ways, the fans will do well to boycott the teams of these schools. It is time to strike back. It is time to right a wrong.
I am so disappointed that these schools refuse to loan their top players for the national team. I consider it an insult to the Filipino people for these schools to deny the country of its best players in an international competition. I am at a loss for words on how these schools can flatly reject the call to serve one's country through sports.
I am also perplexed as to why these schools would rather have their top players play in UAAP or Shakey's VLeague rather than the Asian Senior Women's Championship. There is hardly any prestige in winning in UAAP or Shakey's VLeague. But winning in the Asian Championship is definitely a huge honor for the players and the entire country. So why the ridiculous priority on local tournaments ?
As long as these schools continue to be selfish with their players, Philippine women's volleyball will go nowhere. Philippine volleyball will remain down in the dumps as long as these schools remain selfish. In the meantime, as these schools go on with their selfish ways, the fans will do well to boycott the teams of these schools. It is time to strike back. It is time to right a wrong.
Sunday, August 18, 2013
THE SBP OFFICIAL, PCSM DOCTOR AND DISCOVERY PERLAS : THE CONTINUING SAGA
As what I wrote in a previous post, a very reliable source volunteered the information that an SBP official requested a doctor from Philippine Center for Sports Medicine to issue a medical certificate stating that the players of Discovery Perlas are not fit to play and represent in the coming SEA Games. The doctor, however, refused to grant the request of the SBP official. The SBP official then proceeded to ask the PCSM doctor if he knows of another doctor who will gladly grant his request.
I would have not paid much attention to the piece of information had a PSC official not brought it up during our recent conversation. I asked the PSC official if Discovery Perlas can finally participate in the SEA Games now that SBP has endorsed the team last August 5. I was so taken aback when the PSC official said that the team's SEA Games trip is not yet definite as the players' health and fitness are questionable. It does not require a rocket scientist to connect what the PSC official said to what the SBP official requested from the PCSM doctor.
I tried to talk to the PCSM doctor to settle the issue once and for all. But despite visiting PCSM for four straight days and staying for at least five hours each day, I failed to get a response from the doctor. I even left my number with the doctor's secretary, since day one, to no avail.
I too called up the SBP official to get his side of the story. While he categorically denied asking the PCSM doctor to issue a negative medical certificate for Discovery Perlas, he admitted that he met a doctor who was introduced to him by the PCSM doctor.
What is incredible with the whole incident between the SBP official and PCSM doctor is that several other people know the truth about it. Perhaps, these people are afraid to lose their jobs. They know very well what can happen if they tell on the SBP official.
But the difficult time that the PCSM people are giving me in getting a mere comment only tells and convinces me that the information that I got is true. If the SBP official truly did not ask for a negative medical certificate for Discovery Perlas, It will be so easy for the doctor and everyone else to come out and say that there is no truth to my information. I may be dumb. But I am certainly not that dumb not to realize what is going on.
I would have not paid much attention to the piece of information had a PSC official not brought it up during our recent conversation. I asked the PSC official if Discovery Perlas can finally participate in the SEA Games now that SBP has endorsed the team last August 5. I was so taken aback when the PSC official said that the team's SEA Games trip is not yet definite as the players' health and fitness are questionable. It does not require a rocket scientist to connect what the PSC official said to what the SBP official requested from the PCSM doctor.
I tried to talk to the PCSM doctor to settle the issue once and for all. But despite visiting PCSM for four straight days and staying for at least five hours each day, I failed to get a response from the doctor. I even left my number with the doctor's secretary, since day one, to no avail.
I too called up the SBP official to get his side of the story. While he categorically denied asking the PCSM doctor to issue a negative medical certificate for Discovery Perlas, he admitted that he met a doctor who was introduced to him by the PCSM doctor.
What is incredible with the whole incident between the SBP official and PCSM doctor is that several other people know the truth about it. Perhaps, these people are afraid to lose their jobs. They know very well what can happen if they tell on the SBP official.
But the difficult time that the PCSM people are giving me in getting a mere comment only tells and convinces me that the information that I got is true. If the SBP official truly did not ask for a negative medical certificate for Discovery Perlas, It will be so easy for the doctor and everyone else to come out and say that there is no truth to my information. I may be dumb. But I am certainly not that dumb not to realize what is going on.
Sunday, August 11, 2013
DISCOVERY PERLAS AND SBP : AN UNNECESSARY MATCH-UP
To this day, Discovery Perlas, the Philippine women's basketball team, does not know whether it can participate in the 2013 SEA Games in Myanmar. Despite a silver medal finish in the last SEA Games, the team's participation to the regional tournament hangs in the air.
What I find deplorable and unacceptable is how Samahang Basketbolista ng Pilipinas makes it impossible for Discovery Perlas to go to Myanmar. First, SBP, since 2008, does not give Discovery Perlas a single centavo to fund its participation in international tournaments. International experience entails a considerable amount of money. Without financial assistance, it is impossible for any team to compete in international tournaments and gain international exposure. For the SEA Games, Discovery Perlas must find sponsors to pay for its airfare, food and hotel accommodations.Sadly, SBP will not help the team find sponsors, much less shoulder the team's expenses. Discovery Perlas must find sponsors on its own.
With no less than MVP as president, I find it rather strange that SBP does not give a single centavo to Discovery Perlas. With a budget of 100M pesos a year for Smart-Gilas, why can't MVP and SBP extend their generosity to Discovery Perlas ? Why can't MVP and SBP give a fraction of what they give to Smart-Gilas to Discovery Perlas ?
Second, SBP refuses to endorse Discovery Perlas to the 2013 SEA Games. In fact, it was the team manager of Discovery Perlas who wrote a letter of appeal for the team's case to be evaluated. PSC chairman Richie Garcia, chef-de-mission Col. Tamayo, Allan of NSA Affairs and Paul of Task Force SEA Games want the team to go to Myanmar. But they simply cannot accommodate the team because it is SBP that must make an appeal and endorsement. Interestingly, all other NSA's wrote letters of appeal in behalf of their athletes and teams. SBP is the only NSA that refuses to write an appeal for one of its teams. But members of the team say that SBP has finally issued the necessary endorsement. The endorsement came four days ago. While this is a welcome development, is it enough to send the team to Myanmar since entries by number and names have deadlines ?
Lastly, a reliable source reveals that an SBP official approached someone to issue a document that will effectively prevent Discovery Perlas from participating in Myanmar. Fortunately, the person refused to do what the SBP official requested. You will think that the SBP official will take his cue from there. But the SBP official proceeded to ask the same person if he knows someone who can and will accommodate his request.
Thus the question remains. Why is SBP doing all these to Discovery Perlas ?
What I find deplorable and unacceptable is how Samahang Basketbolista ng Pilipinas makes it impossible for Discovery Perlas to go to Myanmar. First, SBP, since 2008, does not give Discovery Perlas a single centavo to fund its participation in international tournaments. International experience entails a considerable amount of money. Without financial assistance, it is impossible for any team to compete in international tournaments and gain international exposure. For the SEA Games, Discovery Perlas must find sponsors to pay for its airfare, food and hotel accommodations.Sadly, SBP will not help the team find sponsors, much less shoulder the team's expenses. Discovery Perlas must find sponsors on its own.
With no less than MVP as president, I find it rather strange that SBP does not give a single centavo to Discovery Perlas. With a budget of 100M pesos a year for Smart-Gilas, why can't MVP and SBP extend their generosity to Discovery Perlas ? Why can't MVP and SBP give a fraction of what they give to Smart-Gilas to Discovery Perlas ?
Second, SBP refuses to endorse Discovery Perlas to the 2013 SEA Games. In fact, it was the team manager of Discovery Perlas who wrote a letter of appeal for the team's case to be evaluated. PSC chairman Richie Garcia, chef-de-mission Col. Tamayo, Allan of NSA Affairs and Paul of Task Force SEA Games want the team to go to Myanmar. But they simply cannot accommodate the team because it is SBP that must make an appeal and endorsement. Interestingly, all other NSA's wrote letters of appeal in behalf of their athletes and teams. SBP is the only NSA that refuses to write an appeal for one of its teams. But members of the team say that SBP has finally issued the necessary endorsement. The endorsement came four days ago. While this is a welcome development, is it enough to send the team to Myanmar since entries by number and names have deadlines ?
Lastly, a reliable source reveals that an SBP official approached someone to issue a document that will effectively prevent Discovery Perlas from participating in Myanmar. Fortunately, the person refused to do what the SBP official requested. You will think that the SBP official will take his cue from there. But the SBP official proceeded to ask the same person if he knows someone who can and will accommodate his request.
Thus the question remains. Why is SBP doing all these to Discovery Perlas ?
Sunday, August 4, 2013
SMART-GILAS AND FIBA ASIA 2013 : A TEST OF THE FILIPINO CHARACTER
The unexpected defeat of Smart-Gilas to Chinese-Taipei is an obvious indication that the team will have a hard time to even salvage third place. Iran and South Korea have been playing well and appear to be the teams to beat. China appears to be conserving its energy for the more crucial knockout stages. Chinese-Taipei is the biggest surprise of the tournament as it tops Group A. Qatar and Khazakstan are group toppers as well. With a lot of the teams ready to step up their games in the next round, Smart-Gilas will do well to get its act together and play its best in the more crucial rounds.
But the grim reality is that Smart-Gilas still has a lot of things missing in its arsenal. The fluidity expected from a highly-touted team is nowhere to be found. The impeccable three-point shooting that can be used against taller opponents is missing. And the dominance over lower-ranked teams is not evident at all.
Worst of all, we, Filipinos, refuse to acknowledge the weaknesses of Smart-Gilas. We are so consumed by our desire to see the team win that we remain blind to its shortcomings. We are such fanatics that we do not see the writings on the wall.
Only with an an honest and accurate assessment of Smart-Gilas will the team be able to improve as the tournament goes on. And only then can we entertain thoughts of winning.
But the grim reality is that Smart-Gilas still has a lot of things missing in its arsenal. The fluidity expected from a highly-touted team is nowhere to be found. The impeccable three-point shooting that can be used against taller opponents is missing. And the dominance over lower-ranked teams is not evident at all.
Worst of all, we, Filipinos, refuse to acknowledge the weaknesses of Smart-Gilas. We are so consumed by our desire to see the team win that we remain blind to its shortcomings. We are such fanatics that we do not see the writings on the wall.
Only with an an honest and accurate assessment of Smart-Gilas will the team be able to improve as the tournament goes on. And only then can we entertain thoughts of winning.
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