Country above all else
During the announcement of Chooks-to-Go’s initiative for a sustainable 3×3 basketball program, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director Sonny Barrios made clear that the federation is hoping that the schools and the PBA ball clubs allow their players for the upcoming 3×3 national team campaigns of the country.
This visibly irked Bounty Agro Ventures Incorporated president Ronald Mascariñas, who asked why the SBP needs clearance even if national team duties should be above all else.
“Ang point ko lang, the needs of the country should always come first. Country first before your school, country first before your ball club.
“But what’s happening right now is yourself first before your country. ‘Yun ang gusto namin mabago. Because that’s wrong. Very wrong. Itong sports is a good vehicle to send that message,” the amiable executive shared.
For years, the Philippine Men’s National Basketball Team has been unable form the optimum lineup it needs to compete in the world stage. Though there have been remedies like the “one-player-per-team”-rule implemented by the PBA for Gilas, it still limits the national team’s choices.
“They should be shamed. Everytime they do that, dapat ipamukha sa kanila na nakakahiya ‘yung ginagawa nila,” a passionate Mascariñas expressed. “Right now everybody is being polite.
“Presidente ng isang eskwelahan sasabihin niya na hindi pwedeng ipahiram ang player dahil may tournament kami, dapat ipamukha sa kanya ng publiko na mali ang kanyang sagot. And we cannot continue to keep quiet about it, pretending that it is alright cause it is not alright, in fact, bastos ‘yun.”
That is why Chooks-to-Go’s plan for its fulltime 3×3 national team is large in scope. Instead of relying solely on schools and clubs, they will go around the Philippines to hold tryouts and pocket tournaments to find players willing to serve for flag and country.
“Yung ibang stakeholders if they’re not cooperative, if they will not change their mindset, we don’t mind because we’re reaching out to grassroots all over the country beyond the collegiate level, beyond the organized basketball leagues in the country. We will scour for talent to form a competitive national team.”
