Shorts: False Positives

(Each week, From the Fifty Peso Seats has a weekly edition of shorts, compilations of interesting but short posts of developments and trivia about the sporting world.)

Trouble in the Bedroom?

     The Smart GIlas Philippine National Basketball Team recently signed former NBA player Jamal Sampson to be its naturalization candidate, replacing the troubled C.J.Giles.  A few days after signing though, Sampson came up limping with a sore back in Gilas' game versus the Barako Bull Energy Boosters.  Rumors started to swirl that Sampson hid the injury so that he could sign first, but Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas Executive Director Noli Eala assured the public that there was no hidden pre-existing injury.  Eala claimed that Sampson not only underwent a thorough physical, but also participated in tough practices and drills with the GIlas Team, showing the injury came up only recently.  Eala also assured that Sampson is seeing chiropractors for the back injury deemed to be not serious.  It seems the back injury could have been brought about by problems with Sampson's bed. In spite of Eala's assurance, this is still not an auspicious beginning for Sampson's career with Gilas.

Scrooge in a Tie

      With the Phil Cycling deep into election trouble, 12 of 13 cyclists from the Philippines were barred from competition in the 27th South East Asian Games in Laos.  The only cyclist allowed to compete, veteran Maritess Bitbit, signified that she wanted to compete, but then submitted a letter declaring her intention to withdraw from the race.  Days later, Bitbit was depressed as she told family and friends that she desperately wanted to compete, but was prevailed upon by Philippine Olympic Committee President Jose "Peping" Cojuangco to withdraw.  Cojuangco coaxed her to withdraw to "show sympathy" to her other fellow cyclists who were barred from competition.  

     With Bitbit expected to bring home as much as three gold medals, the resignation has cost her around PhP 600,000 in cash incentives from the government.  With athletes receiving meager allowances every month, that amount would have been a boon to Bitbit and her family.  Furthermore, the three golds would be a big boost to the Philippine campaign as it is currently struggling in 6th positions in the overall medal tally.  This piece of unfortunate developments is made extra rich by the fact that the cause of the election trouble, Cojuangco (who held the original Cycling elections and then pulled the recognition after) was callous enough to impress upon Bitbit the need to, "sympathize."  It will be a cold Christmas for Bitbit as she also expects to retire soon, and she only has Scrooge to thank for that.