I love talking with old-timers in sports because talking with them makes you realize that what you think is important, won’t matter when you’re 50 or 60. In football, when San Miguel loosens tongues and the stories flow, oh, boy, do these old-timers have stories to tell. And often the stories have the same theme. They’ve forgotten the scores, the tournaments, or even the winner, but they never forget certain individuals.
“That crazy guy? He’s dirty! He makes sure the ref isn’t looking when he throws a punch! He still does that now!”
Somehow, it’s not an apt translation of this statement.
“Kanang boanga? Maldito kaayo, taymingun nakatalikod ref para mamigay. Tanawa ron, boang ra gyapon.”
What does that tell you? It means 20 or 30 years down the road, people will forget how many points you scored, but they’d never forget if you punched someone.
A brother and a father starting a fight for what happened in a game? They may think it adds to their toughie image, not knowing their peers laugh behind their backs and 10 or 20 years from now, they will say, “Tan-awa, hantud karon, palaban gihapon papa… konsintidor gihapon papa.”
The Cesafi has yet to impose its own sanctions. That there have been no apologies from the key instigators should weigh against them.
It must. Because frankly, it’s time for the league to teach individuals that those who seek violence post-match have no place in the league.
Why is it that some coaches, and parents even, put such low importance on values in sports?
And it’s not just in the college game. Over in the Cviraa, the basketball finals ended prematurely with one team ending up getting declared as champions because, based on what was relayed to me, their opponents were either auditioning for WWE, Just For Laughs or Dancing with the Stars.
It makes for a memorable game, yes. But it also reflects poorly on their schools, officials, coaches, heads of delegations and, ultimately, parents.
Color me old-fashioned so that I see the journey as more important than the destination. Do I see how one plays the game as more important than the result?
But putting a premium on values, not results, shouldn’t be considered old-fashioned right?
It should be the priority.
When did things change?