This past week or so, I have been disappointed and saddened by some developments in the world of sports. First, Sacramento Kings Forward Shareef Abdur-Rahim announced that he would retireafter 12 seasons in the NBA. Then, I found out that in selecting Rabeth Al-Hussaini as this year's UAAP Basketball Most Valuable Player (MVP), the committe barely even bothered to take a look at JVee Casio of La Salle or Al-Hussaini's teammate, Chris Tiu. Lastly, as Ateneo won its first UAAP basketball championship in 6 years, the defeated La Sallians did not even bother to pick up their 1st Runner -up trophy.
Shareef Abdur-Rahim entered the NBA via the Vancouver Grizzlies in 1996 out of California and quickly showed what he could do. He was a quick and cerebral forward who was very effective both in the inside and outside. For twelve years, he averaged 18.75 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists, which is quite impressive for a player who played for four teams. He was a very consistent and professional player, always around to do his job on the court, quite a friendly presence off it, and he rarely complained or asked to be traded. Actually the knock on him was that he was too consistent, too, "vanilla," and that he wasn't a winner as he only reached the playoffs once in his career. I, however, liked his game as I deem consistency as a great asset to any team. I think it was unfortunate that he was never able to play on a championship team. Besides, he was able to win a gold medal in the Olympics with the 2000 U.S. Basketball Team, a feat that has eluded countless NBA "stars." I jst regret that his career ended not on his own terms, but with an injury. I would have loved to see him win an NBA Championship by finally joining a great team. I am glad, though, that the Kings will give him a front office job soon. He deserves it.
In basketball, the MVP award is the most prestigious individual award given to a player. In my eyes, it should be given to the player whose presence is the most key factor in the team winning. Picking Al-Hussaini, who has averaged a double double in points and rebounds this season, may not be a horrible decision, I think it's erroneous nevertheless. Ateneo's victory this season was a testament to team play and defense, two things all coaches preach. Coach Norman Black did a masterful job of molding this team and while Al-Hussaini was the most high-profile player because of his points, I think Chris Tiu deserved at least a co-MVP award or even just a mention of his name during the deliberations. Tiu was the team's clear leader this season, and while his number were great, his contributions far outreached his statistics. A certain calm and swagger can always be clearly seen whenever Tiu presided over the team's offense and this, oftentimes, kept the opponents from coming back once Ateneo established a lead. Tiu was the selfless leader, as Black said who never cared about the stats, and btw, he managed to be on the Dean's List while studying at the Ateneo. How many MVPs can boast of that? Picking Al-Hussaini just continues the trend of picking high profile players to win the award. Picking Tiu would have had better impact. What better way to convince kids that sports is not the be all and end all and that studies are just as important than by picking an unselfish leader on the court who was also Dean's Lister?
Losing is never a great thing, but losing to bitter rival is much worse. Losing to a bitter rival with controversial call up in the air (I thought Maierhoffer deserved the ejection, but it was still a close call) is the worst. Nevertheless, not coming out to receive the 1st runner-up award is the most embarrassing thing La Salle has done in quite a while. At least their other controversies, the Manny Salgado incident and the falsified player records, had unsavory individuals causing the incidents. This pitiful display of classlessness is nothing like the exemplary values being taught at La Salle. I have tons of La Sallians as friends and none of them are sore losers like this. I understand the players not wanting to come out because of the sheer frustration of losing, but the managment and coaching staff should have known better. They should have convinced their player to come out, hold their heads up high for giving Ateneo a good fight and accepted the 1st Runenr-up trophy. Instead, we've got officials silent and coach Franz "abandon" Pumaren castigating referees for what he deemed as the, "worst officiated game of his life" and a game scripted for Ateneo to win. It's great to know that Coach Pumaren also handles the NATIONAL YOUTH TEAM. It's never too early to teach the kids to find excuses for losing, eh?
These three stories have saddened me enough to write a column about it, but I would be daft to stop watching sports. After all, where else can I find great and inspiring stories like this teamwork-loaded Ateneo team, and players like Abdur-Rahim and Tiu.
