PBA @ 50, but..

TOUGHER and rough challenges stares right in the eye of Asia’s first professional league, Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) as it celebrates its 50th year of existence since its birth during the turbulent year of the country’s history.

During its’ first formative years when it started in 1975, the league likewise faces stiffer challenges as it struggled to stay alive marred by scandals such as game-fixing, players and fans riot on and off the court, coupled by unstable and shaky economy wrought by financial crises. Leading to some of the pioneering teams to close down.

It was through sheer dedication (I would say) of those few good men, led by Danny Floro of Crispa, The Silverio family, local distributor executives of Toyota Motors, Elizalde Group of Companies,(Shell and Tanduay Distillers) Don Andres Soriano of San Miguel Corporation and among others, Have kept the league above high waters.

Now as it celebrates its “Golden Anniversary”, the league is faced with tougher and rough sailing ahead, as it venture to another 50 years. This time, mass exodus of country’s top young prospects, as they seek “greener pasture” to our neighbouring countries, Japan B-league, Korean Basketball, Taiwan League, Chinese Basketball League, as well in Middle East and Euro League.

Our youngsters, were said to be lured in by those leagues with exhorbitant and sky-rocketing offers, as those league dangled as much as triple the amount PBA teams can offer. Commissioner Willy Marciial even lamented saying that they can not compete with that.

At present, 150 young players have signed up in this week's Rookie Draft Session. But experts have notice, the absent of top and quality prospects in the roster, and were reported they choose to go overseas and negotiate a deal with those teams out there.

Others, dream to gain a bigger and fat offer, by skipping the draft and some quit schools even after two or three years of play, in.a mad dash to go abroad for that once in.a lifetime opportunity.

. With these exodus, the rookie draft, as described by sports analyst, the PBA had left with “leftovers”. to content themselves. Even veterans in the league have likewise followed suit to go overseas, by voiding to sign a new contract long before its expiration.

And adding to PBA’s miseries, dispite its appeal to top collegiate league, NCAA and UAAP, both rejected the call for their respective graduating athletes to urge them join the rookie draft. Both league have one common stand, why deny these athletes to seek for a better future for their families.

One sports columnist, even called UAAP’s decision as selfish and unprofessional amidst the growing crises the PBA is facing right now.

Maybe out of frustration, Marcial has imposed of a three-year ban for those players who choses to skip the draft and players, who would forgone an existing contract despite a new offer.

I don’t think that three-year restriction would help create a solution and among other innovations the league has innitiated in the next 50 years.