How the PBA can adapt amidst player emigration in the eyes of Blackwater coach
Having coached multiple international and domestic teams from all levels, former Phoenix Fuel Masters head coach Ariel Vanguardia understands the shift in the ever-evolving sport of basketball.
The Philippine basketball landscape has been undergoing a sudden transposition of talents, stemming from the migration of stars for professional gigs abroad. With this, Vanguardia has laid out some ideas on how the changing of scenery can benefit the PBA and the Philippines as a whole.
“It’s a global game,” declared Vanguardia, who once led the Westsports Malaysia Dragons to its first ASEAN Basketball League (ABL) title in 2016.
After Thirdy Ravena signed his initial deal in Japan’s B-League last year, amateur standouts such as Juan and Javi Gomez-De Liano, Kenmark Carino, and NLEX Road Warriors’ star Kiefer Ravena, Thirdy’s older brother, had since followed suit, establishing the JBL Asian import door as a sensible option in pursuing to play abroad.
With more lucrative signings still yet to emerge, Vanguardia sees little to no concern about the progress of the Philippines’ premier professional league.
“(The PBA) is trying to stock up on our best players. We don’t want to lose our best players,” said Vanguardia. “But again, it’s a global game.”
Without any local collegiate league in operation, the propositions from Japanese teams to sweeten the pot were too enticing to reject. The salary starts a few thousands above the declared PBA max salary, which also comes with free season-long. By signing, the player would also be exposed to international basketball, loading him with further experience and knowledge which he can put to good use when he decides to return to the Philippines.
That final point was exactly what Vanguardia noted as to why the PBA should mellow out in its stand against local cagers.
“It’s good to open up because it will only improve us,” Vanguardia affirmed. “ “Look at Thirdy (Ravena), once he comes back here, he’ll definitely be a better player now than he was with Ateneo.”
However, the spread of Filipino hoopers abroad is not new.
The late Ric-Ric Marata was one of the very first hoopers who tested waters overseas as he spent three months in Canada to play for the Vancouver Nighthawks that played in the now-defunct World Basketball League before joining the PH pro ranks in 1989.
After Marata’s brief overseas stint, superstars in the likes of Bong Alvarez and Vince Hizon spent the twilight of their careers abroad, taking their talents to the United States Basketball League and becoming the first Filipinos to play professionally in America.
Filipino standouts and PBA veterans had since found new basketball homes abroad as regional leagues such as the ABL and other Southeast Asian confederations provided opportunities for players who seek stepping stones and unique career paths such as Bobby Ray Parks, Josh Urbiztondo, Leo Avenido and many more.
With all things considered, Vanguardia believes that opening the doors of opportunities, inbound and outbound, would allow the first-ever pay-to-play league in Asia to ultimately spread its wings to the world.
“If they open up, tayo din dapat mag-open up. (Teams) could get an (Asian) player that doesn’t need to go to the draft and is competitive enough. That could even the playing field,” Vanguardia postulated.
“Okay din sakin mag-import ng one or two more European (imports), and then damihan natin ng konti ang teams,” he added. “There will come a point that the PBA has to grow because the other leagues are growing too like Japan and Korea.”
In terms of exporting talents to other leagues, the veteran mentor hopes not just an increased level of competitiveness for the outgoing stars but also a restored credence for local players whose bound to take over.
“There might be lesser talents in the league but I think there will be more players that will be given a chance,” Vanguardia stated.
“Somebody will step up. Madaming players sa Pilipinas. Let’s not be scared to lose them.”
For a mentor who had seen basketball globalize in recent years, he perceives the current influx of departing stars as a sign of a bright future for the basketball-loving nation.
“This will definitely improve us in the long run.”
