For Love of... the Game?

As mentioned in my previous post, the motivation to restart this blog was brought about by a desire to give my 2 cents on this entire mess involving the top pick in the 2009 PBA draft, Japeth Aguilar.  

For those who haven't followed the particulars of this case, it basically revolves around the question of whether Japeth should sign the contract being offered by the PBA team that drafted him (Burger King), or follow his declared preference and play for the Smart Gilas developmental team under Rajko Toroman. Of course, this comes on the heels of a sudden turnaround from his earlier commitment to turn pro and sign the 3 year, 8.5 million peso contract.

This issue has been complicated further after a report filed by Rey Joble of Manila Standard Today alleged that Japeth was offered by Smart Gilas a contract more than double the amount being offered by Burger King. Some have even suggested that such a report might be libelous as it tends to malign the reputation of the young cager. 

My take on the issue is this: in an ideal world, Japeth should be free to play where he wants to. Regardless of whether his motivation is the love of flag or money, that shouldn't be put into question. After all, it's his basketball career. 

However, as all hardened Filipino basketball fans know, in this country nothing is as simple that. There are just too many personalities involved, or as Bill Velasco put it in his Philippine Star column, a case of them wearing many hats. Now, the leadership of the PBA led by Burger King's Lito Alvarez has threatened to ban Japeth permanently. Also being threatened is the long-term program of Smart Gilas aimed at making the 2012 London Olympics, as the PBA in what seems to be a knee-jerk reaction, has suddenly expressed interest in continuing to represent the country in elite international tournaments.

This is where the article of Joble comes into play. If one reads the article on its face it seems devoid of any imputation of wrongdoing or malice. My personal take on it is that the article alone would not suffice to make a case for libel. He simply stated that:

A highly-placed source told Standard Today that the 6’9” former Western Kentucky University player was offered the whopping three-year contract by the team backed by Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas and bankrolled by Smart Communications.

The same source said Aguilar is set to get P350,000 in his first year, P500,000 in his second year and P700,000 in his final year with Smart-Gilas, more than double the P8.7 million Burger King, the PBA team which drafted the 22-year-old cager, offered him.

The Whopper’s offer, which was the maximum salary allowed for a rookie, was rejected by Aguilar’s camp.

To put it simply, if an ordinary person were to read this, would it be sufficient to put Japeth in a bad light? It seems clear to me that it would not. At most, one could say that he was just after more money. But then again, show me a basketball player who isn't on the lookout for a better deal. Particularly in Japeth's case, where he is the primary family breadwinner, wouldn't taking more money be the smart thing to do? (pun not intended)

But even assuming for the sake of argument that the Joble article is indeed libelous, I don't think that Japeth is the aggrieved party here. If one reads carefully it can be seen that it was Smart Gilas which allegedly offered the enormous amount. Given the context of this tug-of-war, as stated above, it would seem that Smart Gilas is being made to appear as the kontrabida.

In local parlance, sinulot nila si Japeth. As such, Smart Gilas, through Noli Eala or MVP can allege that the article puts them in a bad light and threatens to sow the seeds of discord, which may weaken an already shaky SBP leadership.