You can’t please everybody.
Many fans – on social media – are bashing the selection of several Ginebra players to the All-Star cast that will see action in Passi City, iloilo this weekend.
These folks don’t realize that the mandate to vote for the All-Star composition is in the hands of PBA fans.
The legions (hundreds of thousands and more) are definitely a reflection of the fan base support rooting for Brgy. Ginebra and its roster of players.
That is why Japeth Aguilar, Scottie Thompson were one, two in the voting and Tim Cone was voted the number one coach.
(Equitably speaking, San Mig’s JunMar Fajardo should have been voted number one or two, at the least.)
It is undeniably a popularity contest. That’s the (painful) truth.
If, let’s say, TNT or Magnolia or San Miguel had the most fan base support, it should be obvious that more of those selected for the All Star would come from their ranks.
Fans don’t mind if the player they choose don’t have the highest performance rating in shooting, steals, assists, blocks, rebounds or other departments.
To them, what simply matters is that the fellow that has suited up for the All Star is the apple of their eyes.
Ideally, someone, at least the top performer from the other teams below the leader board, should have been picked out.
I won’t name names but there are standouts from the other ballclubs.
A wise suggestion from coach Yeng Guiao is that a certain percentage of the vote (say 80%) could come from the fans and the remaining 20% could come from the media and the players themselves.
Or that the PBA Com’s office could formulate a new method that is acceptable to the basketball community, in a manner of speaking.
Regardless, the present formula gives the fans the blanket authority to pick who they want to see play in the All Star.
Com. Marcial does not want to alienate the fans because the PBA owes its many decades of success – commercial and otherwise – to the basketball fanatics.
Because Ginebra alone was able to comparatively build the strongest fan base through the years, Marcial might find it discomforting to break the cycle even if future actions will lead to balance the current situation.
But, in the end, PBA fans in general want to watch not only a thrilling contest among the PBA’s best but also a tight duel that would put them on the edge of their seats for 48 minutes.
Not all of the 24 players chosen were of All Star quality. Some are newbies and some have average performance rating and have yet to achieve milestones.
I guess the “All Star” phrase has been just re-defined. (Email feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!
