Basketball is Not the Only Sport

The FEU quadrangle after the rain

On a daily basis for the past week, news about a suggested merger between the country’s two famous collegiate leagues, the University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) and the National College Athletic Association (NCAA), was published on newspapers. I’m not against the idea but it casts an old and extensive shadow over other sports included in the said leagues. These are two very old and traditional leagues with very established identities.

I don’t have a good view of the NCAA, but like in the UAAP, I do know that these leagues are composed of other sports. The idea of merging the two leagues just because of promoting Basketball (once again) somewhat discards the presence of the other sports. Though the ‘merger’ as stated in the Inquirer is still issue-stricken and will need to be talked over by UAAP, NCAA and BAP-Samahan ng Basketbol officials, they shouldn’t shun other competitive sports aside.

  

During my senior days in high school, there was a boom in the popularity of volleyball in the country. This I credit to Shakey’s V league where collegiate women’s volleyball teams competed regardless if they’re UAAP or NCAA member schools. Those whose name resounded strongly with the crowd or on the statistics sheet were the ones chosen to be part of the Philippine Volleyball Team. I don’t have the exact timeline when the likes of Michelle Carolino from De La Salle University and Mary Jean Balse from the University of Santo Tomas have battled against other Asian contenders.

  

And volleyball is just one of the other sports.

There are still other sports where Filipinos exhibit skill and competitiveness but the limelight seem to deny them recognition as the cheers ring loud for Basketball. Not that I’m against the game. In fact, I enjoy watching the basketball games in Araneta. I’ve accepted that basketball is a national sport and a pivotal part of our culture. What I’m trying drive at though, is for shoots to share the fame with smashes, high kicks, goals, spikes and checkmates.

  

The adrenalin-rush, fascination, gasping, yelling, cheering and crowd-wowing stunts are not limited in a Basketball court.