PHNOM PENH—If it’s not allowed in the Olympics, it should not be allowed in the Southeast Asian Games.
Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richard “Dickie” Bachmann on Sunday expressed his strong opinion on the rampant use of naturalized players in the biennial games in the aftermath of the Philippines’ heartbreaking setback in the 3×3 men’s basketball at the hands of a Cambodian team that had all three American cagers on the playing court.
A physically imposing Cambodian squad of naturalized players, 6’2” Darrin Dorsey, 6’8” Brandon Peterson and 6’6” Sayeed Pridgett manhandled a Filipino side of Almond Vosotros, Lervin Flores, Joseph Eriobu and Joseph Sedurifa in the finals, 15-20, to give the host its first-ever gold in the sport.
Dorsey and Peterson are teammates with the Jordan club Orthodox Amman of the West Asia Super League, while Pridgett currently plays for Greece’s Karditsa.
Tep Chhorath is the team’s only pure Cambodian player, who never played a single second in the finale.
The SEA Games has its own set of rules on eligibility as it allows countries to field in as many naturalized players as they wish, a ruling which Cambodia took advantage of to the fullest. In the Olympic Games, which follow FIBA rules, only one naturalized player is allowed.
“Kudos to our 3×3 team, we have actually improved from our bronze finish in Vietnam, and now, challenging a foreign Cambodia team. It is tough,” said Bachmann, a former basketball player himself. “I wouldn’t call it unfair, because it is legal now. But it (rules) is something SEA Games has to talk about. On a personal note, I just feel that if it’s not allowed in the Olympics, it should not be allowed in events in the SEA Games or the Asian Games.”
But while the PSC chief offered his opinion on the matter, there is also the side that the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas has a control of.
“This morning, we were discussing with SBP already on how to improve and move forward,” said Bachmann, who with his commissioners Olivia “Bong” Coo and Fritz Gaston, nevertheless, are satisfied of the Filipino athletes’ performance, while hoping that their early success is sustainable until the finish.
“So far, I’m very happy. It’s a good start, hopefully we can retain it,” said Bachmann in a brief huddle with Filipino sportswriters covering the games.
As of 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, Team Philippines is in the thick of the fight against the region’s powerhouses Thailand and Indonesia with 13 gold medals to show.
More golds are expected once the big guns, such as Olympians Ernest John Obiena of pole vault, Carlos Yulo of gymnastics and boxers Carlo Paalam and Nesthy Petecio begin contributing to the Philippine cause.
“I think Sir Bambol [Tolentino, Philippine OIympic Committee president] said top three or four (in the final medal standings), so it looks like we’re getting there. The (expected) golds from EJ [Obiena], [Caloy] Yulo are not yet there, so I’m just hoping that our gold and silver will continue,” said Bachmann, who with his commissioners and the POC chief, have become Team Philippines’ biggest cheerleaders here.
Of course, Bachmann and Gaston, who were former basketball pros, and Coo, a multi-titled bowling legend, know the feeling from the other side of the fence, having been former athletes themselves. Plus, this is the first time that they will have to deal with sports outside of their comfort zones.
“I’m now seeing a full round of all sports, so I’m very excited trying to go to our games,” said Bachmann. “Our athletes are all in high spirits and high energy, they are all willing to get those golds,” he said.
Coo, who handles Women Sports in the PSC, is particularly elated of the showing of the Filipina athletes, from the delegation’s first gold medalist Kaila Napolis of jiu-jitsu to its latest, triathlete Kim Mangrobang.
“I’m so happy because many woman athletes are winning medals. All of them are in high spirits, they are really fighting for the country. We will continue to support, I will continue to support,” Coo said.