TIP OF THE ICEBERG

Sports Editorial

The Filipinos are undeniably talented when it comes to singing, dancing, and sports. But
one of the things that we are truly known for is the country’s love for Basketball. It has become
widely celebrated that youngsters and adults would find a way to place a hoop even on the
narrowest alleys and abandoned places. If it were not for Sipa, Basketball could be the national
sport of the Philippines for its fame. But the raging love of the Filipino people for the sport
shrouds other sporting activities where our countrymen could be more active and have higher
chances of winning in the international scene.
The Philippine basketball team, Gilas Pilipinas, has been widely supported by many
Filipinos and has faced many goliaths around the world. That is why even the thought that Gilas
will never stand a chance against numerous monstrous teams around the world would be
straight-up blasphemous for many fans. The conviction of support will always be stronger than
obvious facts.
As of the moment, Philippines is sitting at rank 40 in the FIBA World Rankings. Of course,
Spain, United States of America, and Australia would be in the top three. And it is without a
doubt that Gilas would need more than just “puso” of playing the sport and “laban” of
competing against these giants to at least challenge other teams. We need bigger and stronger
men who could go head-to-head with these colossi in the court.
Evidently, the sport basketball is a game of height and skill and unless the next Filipino
players grow from 6ft to 7ft tall, be as athletic and agile as those with other countries and be at
par when it comes to training and routines, then perhaps there’s a chance.
Another thing you must consider is the lesser support that our other athletes have
compared to our Filipino basketball teams. When you have your eye on the prize and where a
return on investment is quicker, it is inevitable to forget other sports where we could have a
fighting chance.
Some of these Filipino athletes who deserve to be given paramount support are Hidlyn
Diaz, a weightlifter and the first-ever Olympic gold medalist from the Philippines, Carlos Yulo,
another Olympic gymnast qualifier, Margielyn Didal, an Asian Games gold medalist
skateboarder, and Wesley So, who is now a renowned Chess Grandmaster. They are no
strangers in asking for help.
Diaz, Yulo, and Didal – all representing the Philippines in their respective events – have
been deprived of their much-needed support. Likewise, Filipino Ice Figure Skater, Michael
Martinez’s supporters also beg for support for the Winter Olympics in 2022. Moreover, So is
representing US where he could have been representing the Filipinos instead if it weren’t for
the lack of support and was deprived of the incentives that were usually awarded to Filipino
athletes.
As a nation, we should give our best support equally to all our athletes, regardless of
how famous or how celebrated the sport is in our country. We are not supposed to pick our
favorite child but rather, let them feel that they are all important. This is not to say that we
should altogether forget basketball. Instead, we should shift our focus on other sports where
Filipinos could really shine. We should give the spotlight to those who truly deserve it, too.
Basketball is just the tip of the iceberg and there are a lot of sports where Filipinos can be at the
top.