The stakes are so high now in Philippine college basketball. More and more Filipino millionaires and billionaires are supporting college teams. Manny Pangilinan, the Philippine's sports Godfather is Ateneo's chief backer. The National University is now supported by Henry Sy of SM. The UAAP is becoming the battleground of the rich. Winning is becoming the main goal for teams. Nothing is wrong with that but taken to the extreme it might have a detrimental in Philippine basketball in general. Here are some observations about the goings on of the Philippine College Basketball:
1. Collegiate Imports - Foreigners are starting to invade the Phlippine college scene. We see a lot of Africans, Americans, and other nationalities in Philippine college teams. I do not know what they came here for? Maybe they love our quality education. A lot of them can definitely play hoops. It's funny that even the State University has an African import in the team. Southwestern University in Cebu has one too. So is FEU, Adamson, UST, and NU. Are they paid mercenaries to capture collegiate championships? If left unchecked, we might have an uncontrolled influx of foreign that would mean less scholarships for Pinoy baskebtall players.
2. Billionaire backers - the war chest of some college teams could rival PBA teams. The main difference here is that there is no salary cap in running a college team here in the Philippines. Unlike in the US NCAA where benefits and perks are strictly monitored, here in the country there is no way to check. NU even lured Ray Parks from a Division I career. It might not be a dubious decision since he is Filipino but what could stop rich Philippine schools from recruiting blue chip American players to the Philippines. There is not much restrictions here. The level of competition will definitely improve but only for those teams who can afford.
3. Talent Disparity - No.2 is a big factor of this. Many teams are now hoarding the best talents in basketball. One prime example is Ateneo, for this year's war they were able to add Greg Slaughter (Cesafi MVP and champ at UV), Kiefer Ravena, and Von Pessumal (3-time UAAP Jrs. Champ with Ateneo HS), and supposed to be Mark Jayven Tallo (Cesafi Jrs. MVP and TNT MVP ng Bayan- decided to leave ADMU before the season started). Next year they might have Chris Newsome (NCAA Div. II), Kris Porter (Ateneo Eaglets), and comebacking Ryan Buenafe. Other teams like UP are fighting for "scraps". The UAAP is starting to look like the PBA where only few teams can contend for a championship and if they continue the trend then it will become boring. How can we continue rivalries when one team is way superior than its rival. Hopefully the strong schools will not be so greedy that they will allow some of their good recruits to play for other schools instead of staying in Team B or ride the bench.
I do not blame teams for doing everything to be the champion. It is just not good if we do not have rules. With millions of money pouring in the basketball programs, the leagues should at least have a way to make sure that these players are truly amateurs and not acting like a semi-pro team. A level playing field might not be possible but there should be a way to at least let the lowly teams to equalize in talent level just like the luxury tax threshold in MLB. If a team overspends to a certain level, they must "subsidize" for scholarships of other teams.
There must be a way to control this or else college leagues will become 2 or 3 team leagues and we will fail to develop better basketball talents for the national team and the pros.
