PBA Cry-babies

ABS-CBN Interactive has this article about local professional basketball players whining about the league's move to grant amnesty to Filipino-American players. Usually, the league doesn't allow them to play, although a few may have "slipped" past "vigilant" eyes.

My take on this is: let the Fil-Ams play.

If I was a pro basketball player, I'd say "bring it on". Let the league worry about the legality.

Part of the reason of the waning support for the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) is the fact that it's not exciting to watch, or more accurately, it's not worth the money to pay to watch (more on this later). Players lack both intensity and talent. Part of the reason they allowed some obviously non-indigenous talent is that they play better, play faster, play bigger and they bring the crowd in. When you're up against these people, they'll force you to work harder, be better prepared, train longer.

These people are just looking for an excuse to be the best among the mediocre. How do we expect to challenge Asia's best with these kinds of athletes? Raise the bar, open the floodgates. Bring in the fans.

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One good thing the PBA has done this season is to sell upperbox and bleacher tickets for a measly 5 pesos. Sure enough, it does bring the crowd. Good idea. It was embarrassing to see previous seasons with empty bleacher/upper box seats that the cameras have to come in close at everything so that the unoccupied places won't be shown on TV. This is the people's game, a game for the masses. Now, the masses can afford it.