Online Space of Alvin Jimenez
The PBA is a San Miguel Corporation League
When former PBA commissioner Noli Eala was forced to resign because of extramarital affairs with a married woman in the early part of last year, he had these words to say.
“…I have always believed that the PBA is bigger than any one man, one team, one player or one team ownerâ€
He missed something in that statement – that there is one company that’s bigger than the PBA. One look at the current team lineup and you’ll notice that San Miguel owns more than enough teams to exact a significant influence.
Being a die-hard Ginebra fan, I’ve always ignored rumors that the PBA was fixing games so the league’s most popular team could consistently land in the top echelon of the team standings (hey, we spent our time at the bottom of the barrel for so many years too!). It gets depressing after a while, but I’ve learned to live with the bitter comments. My point is simply, I did not believe in that the PBA was an SMC league at all.
Not until today.
In a move that is obviously related to the recent suspension of Purefoods’ superstar James Yap, there are reports that San Miguel Corporation has pulled out all of its advertising from the PBA. If indeed true, the sudden move can only be interpreted as a direct effort to get rid of interim commissioner Sonny Barrios.
“But they can’t do that.”
Yes they can, because they have the money. Boo.
To those who are not familiar, this kind practice is prevalent in TV, radio, and print. The “You need me more than I need you mentality” is always used, to the point that a lot of principles are already compromised. After all, every business’ end goal is to make a profit.
Bottom line is, the PBA will not survive without San Miguel. What does this make the PBA? I don’t even have to repeat myself.
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| Print article | This entry was posted by Alvin Jimenez on February 27, 2008 at 10:42 pm, and is filed under Others, Sports. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. |
about 2 years ago
If San Miguel does pull out of the PBA, then it will be a sad development. But at least, the league will open its doors to new members like Harbour Centre and Hapee Toothpaste whose owners love basketball.
about 2 years ago
Kindly note that the efforts that San Miguel is trying to point out with the recent developments in the PBA do have merits even from a third persons point of view. You have to read Ronnie Nathanielzs’ article last Mar10 stating the erroneous conditions by which the suspension took place.
Do you know what really transpired during the luncheon meeting with Sonny Barrios with SLR executives. It is truly unethical that the meeting took place. In fact, you say it is neutral ground – being i n a public hotel and within public view, but in reality, it wasn’t a public place since it was SLR’s choice to meet there.
People have different perception of the PBA. It is definitely a pity that San Miguel takes all the brunt of the accusations stating that the PBA is an SMC league. It is a pity that some of the company’s owning PBA teams were recently bought by the conglomerate. Is it their fault that they own 3 of the top teams that draws the crowd. Why, don’t they have the right to complain about what has happened to their title bid. Would you not complain in the same way if you feel you were at the losing end. I know that Mr. Robles did (during the luncheon).
There are several instances by which you would have to gauge before you speak. There are legitimate sources that will tell you that there was indeed a magic hand that hovered over the recent conference. If the meeting and the suspension was indeed nothing but a profession conversation between the owner and the commissioner, then Mr. Barrios should have at least shook the hand of Gov. Pardo after the 2nd place trophy was given to Purefoods. You know what he did, he simply turned around and not looked the Gov Pardo’s face. I was there, during the final game. I saw it. Now tell me, was that professional or he felt ashamed of what has happened.
Another case for instance – the suspension could have been postponed to a later date after the finals. Undue advantage was given to SLR during Game 5 since James Yap was not around. You will now say that Yeo wasn’t there as well. How can you compare the two when Yeo (no offense to his capability) regularly comes of the bench and probably scores an average of about 15-17pts, versus James who averages at about 24-27pts per game. That is about a 10pt difference in point production output. Definitely incomparable.
Another inside track, James was here during the shouting match of Encarnado and Martinez. That shouting match happened since Perry did not want to suspend James during the finals as this would set precedence to an ruling that has already a guideline implemented in favor of the fans and the teams participating in the finals. What Barrios did was to site examples of ruling which were during the elimination rounds. In fact, even the Nowitzki FF2 call was cited as an example. Note, Dirk’s FF2 happened during the elimination round of the NBA and not during the finals. Still, there is no comparison on the decision.
You say it is a San Miguel league simply because of the number of teams that play in the league. Need I remind you that the company spends so much money also to provide you most of the conferences you have watched and cheered upon for the past 30years. Yes, the comapny has the money. It has several teams, but in a way, the PBA relies on it very much for sponsorships and prizes. You think TnT is capable of providing such sponsorships as well. I don’t think so. TnT cannot shoulder the entire cost that San Miguel is shouldering for the PBA.
The pullout of the sponsoship may have been ill timed as also with the meeting at the EDSA Shang. What the company is simply asking is to call it fair and square. Nothing more. It did not want it to call it in its favor. If so then all the San Miguel teams would have consistently won the trophy every conference that it sponsors.
Opening doors to the other teams, yes, the PBA has been open to other teams ever since. Teams who love basketball, I think no other company has shown its dedication and support to the basketball community than San Miguel.
about 2 years ago
Okay, let me answer your comment point by point
1. Where did I say anything about being on neutral ground? Or anything about some meeting?
2. I don’t care if Barrios shook Pardo’s hand or not. Only people close to the two teams would notice such a thing.
3. I also disagree with the suspension, let me be clear on that. The suspension should be served on the first game of the upcoming conference. However, is pulling out corporate sponsorships the best way to deal with the situation? If I’m not mistaken, power tripping na kasi yun. SMB knows that the PBA would never survive without them, and there lies the problem.
Now, I started this blog because I’d like to think 4 years in media is worth sharing. Though I used to deal with magazines, the battle for advertising spend is always neck and neck. Guess what, San Miguel always asks for the sky.
Example 1: Almost all the men’s titles have brand bibles. This includes specific rules which can’t be broken. Such are editorial pages that can’t have any sponsor’s logos on em’.
Example 2: Event sponsorships. Yet again, guess who always asks for the sky? I don’t even have to say who. I once sponsored an event, and SMB was one of the sponsors. I went to the pre prod meeting in Rockwell for all the sponsors. Guess what — even though they weren’t the sponsors, “I want our streamer to be in front, etc”
Look at the other titles out there you’ll see a San Miguel logo on the cover, on an editorial page, and many other places. You won’t see this in Summit titles buddy. If ever you do, then it was probably a paid advertorial that somehow tried to imitate the look of an editorial page. In the magazine industry, the reader should be the most important person of all.
You know the funny thing about all of this? If I worked for San Miguel, I would do the exact same thing. People will speculate all they want, but I would just say, sorry buds, am just doing my job. Para din pumogi ako sa mga bosing
If Purefoods had won, I’m sure we wouldn’t have heard some negative remarks from their camp. If they really were against the suspension, eh di sana hindi nalang sila sumipot the following game. Ang labas kasi nagbaka sakali muna eh.
Lastly, I’m sure there are a lot of things that go on behind the scenes. Stuff I won’t even notice unless I’m close to anyone on those teams. So if you know some things that I don’t then good for you. Just don’t pretend that it is by pure coincidence that Adducul ended up with Purefoods instead of any other team. Or the Enrico Villanueva and Larry Fonacier trades? Come on…
If SMB does a similar stunt like this again, I think they’re better off starting their own league. As much as I love the PBA, the truth really hurts sometimes.
about 2 years ago
Thank you for agreeing at some points of my comment. Just a few words though.
1. Being close to the people within the two teams would notice such an act…unfortunately I am not. I was simply there to watch the games at SRS. I bought tickets. However when the celebration started out, I noticed a couple of things from teh side line that were not normal in any championship games
a. Barrios and Encarnado hugging each other after winning. There has never been a conference I know of where the Company Governor would be hugging the Commissioner. Maybe we can cite pure joy and happiness in winning the crown for the first time…but hugging the Commissioner.
b. Like I mentioned, the handshake and the look away…as a Commissioner, he shouldn’t take things personally. Everyone was simply trying to protect their investments and they were simply doing their job. Why then he took things personally.
c. Knowing, I heard quite a lot already. Inside track on items, thank you. But yes, I have heard quite a few which have sound support and basis for any accusations that can be thrown.
2. Yes, you are correct that it is simply doing your JOB getting the best for the company you are working for. True enough, SMC tries to get the best deals ever. But you have to agree, it is still a marketing ploy and tactic to really get everything done for the company you work for. My apology if I sounded straight forward and strong. I am simply frustrated at people saying that the PBA is a SMC League. When in reality it is not.
3. Something that I want to share with you. If PF won the series, there will still be an uproar on the decision makings of the Commissioner. We do not see it upfront but I truely believe that the PBA Board of Governors are taking things up at their own time.
4. On the pullout of the Ads from the PBA, please note that the Marketing and the PBA teams are from different sections of the company. The decision of the marketing team is separate from the PBA Teams.
5. Comments on Trades:
a. From his agent, Adducul ended up with PF since the trade was initiated by the old team of Adducul – I think Ginebra. At that time – I believe that PF was scouting for a credible center to fill up the void they have. Kerby Raymundo cannot play the center since he is more of a 3 or 4. Centers are 5’s. Rommel is a legit 5 which would complement KR perfectly. Owning a team is like a business. Trading and payments happen inside.
b. Enrico and Larry trades were all initiated by Red Bull. SMC was simply the receiving end. Anybody would have been able to get them if the P—- was right. It just so happens that SMC was able to meet the expectation of RB.
Now, why blame SMC, simply because they have the financial capability….