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| Great job PBA, AKTV! |
While this entry would've been better had I gotten hold of PBA gate receipts, here are some of the things that I've seen this season that has made me believe that the love for Asia's oldest play-for-pay league is slowly on the rise if not back at this point.
1. Well attended weekday games
Weekend games are a given, specially if the top tier teams are on the headlines. But a good sized crowd on a Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday for a Barako Bulls match? That's what having a bunch of veterans with starpower does for any team I guess.
2. Substance over style
Today, I argue that Jaworski was known more for his mega personality rather than his gameplay. He was a big point guard, yes, but not necessarily the best of his time. But he had everything you wanted from a TV basketball superstar- height, looks, appeal and the gift of gab which wasn't big among players back in the day. Now, we have guys who are not great on TV, but are just plain beasts on the court. Jayson Castro is arguably the best slasher in the league today. Mark Caguioa's brash attitude is tolerated only because he's with Ginebra but other than that you can't trust him to pitch anything. Arwind Santos is hands down the best Filipino basketball player on BOTH ends of the court today and all he has to his name is a roof sealant. See? They're not TV showbiz types, but they are legit, world class basketball players. Even James Yap looks a lot better minus the Kris Aquino bullshit and when he's just out there on the court.
3. SMART Gilas effect
When the MBA folded, the PBA's popularity dipped a bit because we saw players who were coasting (hello pre-Kelly Williams Marlou Aquino and Dennis Espino). But create a little competition, say, the SMART Gilas team and call out the PBA's stars, and you're bound to draw a lot of interest. That's what happened this year, with all the Gilas boys "graduating" to the pros. We all wanted to see if they could hack it with the big boys, and hack it they did. It also gave the younger generation, future basketball players so to speak, reason to dream for the pros knowing that hey, college stars- not just flashy Fil-Ams, are being rewarded for their efforts and recognized in the PBA (Paul Lee, Jayvee Casio).
4. AKTV
I can't speak for the Southern regions, but a lot of love should be thrown AKTV's way. Who cares if it's run by MVP who just so happens to own two franchises in the PBA? We're still getting great coverages and being treated to acceptable commentating by Mico Halili, Magoo Marjon, Jason Webb, Quinito Henson and BOY BENGA! Yes, he's that famous that we won't even call him Chiqui Reyes anymore. BOY BENGA na lang. And when he finally gets to step in for Ms Patricia Hizon at the AKTV Center, we shall christen it "HOUSE OF BENGA."
5. Kampihan Na plug
Another brilliant move by the AKTV team. Yes, they featured players over teams, but they didn't go with just "James Yap vs Mark Caguioa" or "Arwind Santos vs Kelly Williams." They went with styles. Shot blocker vs Scorer. Shooter vs Slasher. Malaki kontra maliit. Something every basketball fan could easily relate to regardless of affiliation. Sometimes AKTV drops the ball (Mark Yee on website banners FTW), but mostly, it's been all aces from where I sit.
Lastly, and I guess the biggest factor of it all, is that the PBA has a credible commissioner in Chito Salud who seems to enjoy the support of the league and its board. They respect his decisions, even when he intervenes in lopsided trades. Yes, he gets outfoxed at times, but on a per case basis, he almost always delivers by pushing for parity and fair play. We're not looking at an old timer who could be bullied like Sonny Barrios, or a controversial personality like Noli Eala, what we have here is a man driven to make the product stand out for itself-- as it should be.
From a life-long PBA fan, great job to the whole PBA family!
P.S.
If only you could tell boss MVP to buy more satellites so I can watch the games whenever I'm on business down South? KTNXBYE. :)
