HEIGHT IS NOT THE FACTOR

"Height is might," yes I agree with this. But does height really the factor or I
can tag this as a "requirement" for a Filipino player to enter the most prestig
ious and biggest league in the world, the National Basketball Association? Is it
that hard for our basketball athletes to dominate the world of basketball?
Philippines is a big country and laden with world-class athletes. Basketball spo
rt is even more embraced than its "should be" national sport which is Sepak Takr
aw, a resemblance of Sipa. So if the country is big and basketball is more pract
iced and exposed to them, why are there no "Filipino" players in NBA, is it tha
t hard?
We can deny the fact, that Filipino basketball players have also the dream to en
ter into international league and even Filipino people want to see their country
men playing in NBA. Filipinos have lots of potential, they have the skill and h
eart in playing the sport yet they find it really hard to enter NBA. Award-winni
ng Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra is a half-Filipino but being recognized
as American by the masses. Raymond Townsend and Ricardo Brown are also half-Fili
pinos drafted and played in NBA. As we can see, they are not pure Filipinos, th
ey are not even popular in the country and we can say maybe their American blood
weighs more that's why they've been qualified in the league. So what we're look
ing for is a pure Filipino who can prove that Filipinos' chances are not nil.
One of the best PBA (Philippine Basketball Association) guards , Johnny Abbarien
tos, who is short at 5'8" was scouted by the NBA but Abbarientos declined consid
ering his career would only be short-term. Smart Gilas stalwart Japeth Aguilar w
ho stands 6'10" tried his luck in NBA but still his skills we're not enough. Wit
h this, we can say that height is not a requirement.
Now, what is really the problem?
I think it is the way Filipino aspiring basketball players are molded and founde
d in their skills and knowledge. "Big things come from small beginnings," basket
ball is indeed very big in Philippines. It is evident how Filipinos crave for ba
sketball, almost every street in the country has basketball court. So what is th
en the connection of street basketball in the country? First, the point-system i
n street basketball is different. In an official game, a three-point shot is onl
y equivalent to one point in street basketball, therefore players will take a hi
gh-percentage shot by driving to the basket considering that an outside shot poi
nt which has a low-percentage shot compared to a lay-up has the same point and t
herefore, making them slashers or low-post playmakers. Filipinos lack in size an
d they should adjust. If they keep applying this type of play, it would be hard
for them because they would be defended by tall players. Though some Filipino ba
sketball players can manage this type of play, it would still be better if they
improve their perimeter and outside the arc shooting. Rules in NBA should also b
e applied to the rules in the country such as the defensive three-second violati
on not only in PBA but also in lower leagues to uplift the quality of performanc
e of the players. Basketball clinics should not only be rendered in the cities b
ut also in rural areas so that there's a higher chance of scouting prospects. Ph
ilippine Sports Commissions in coordination with high-profile universities in th
e country should still continue offering scholarship programs. Potential players
who want to try their luck in NBA should be fully supported by PSC especially i
n their equipment and financial assistance to motivate them.
NBA is still existing, basketball in the Philippines is getting bigger and bigge
r. Filipino players have the skills and talents, only proper foundation, knowled
ge, dedication, discipline, and assistance are the only lacking ingredients to c
reate the recipe of a future NBA player.
Bhandamme R. Paragas