Fans had been the lifeblood of the Philippine Basketball Association and it was a proven fact through the years.
The mob, which has been a familiar sight during the glory days of Asia’s pioneering professional basketball, is hardly being seen today and Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao believes the fans will be the biggest factor in reviving the success of the PBA and regaining its status as the nation’s favorite past time.
A former commissioner of the Philippine Basketball League, Guiao knows the value of the fans to the success of the league, especially that he experienced it first hand while running the now defunct amateur hoop league that became the breeding ground of future PBA stars.
“We were ambitious then, and daming nanonood sa amin and ang gagaling ng mga team owners and board governors na kasama ko, sina Boss Raymond Yu (Welcoat) yun, sina Boss Dioceldo (Sy of Blu Detergent), sina Robert Kuan (ng Chowking), in fact siya pa yung chairman noon when I was commissioner and of course, andun rin si Cecilio Pedro (Hapee Toothpaste),” said Guiao.
“It made my job as commissioner easier because very dynamic ang mga team owners na kasama ko representing the board. Aside from our regular league, we also have our Jr PBL, ang mga produkto namin dito sina James Yap, sina Paul Artadi, then we have our women’s basketball league kasi yung mga after collegiate careers nila, wala silang ibang mapuntahan at malaruan. Then, we have our wheelchair basketball league and we were also the first league to come up with the VisMin Cup. So two or three weeks, we would stay there in the province and one of those discovered there was Asi Taulava.”
Bringing the games closer to the hearts of the fans is the key in making the league successful, knowing that the games are the by-product.
Known for being outspoken and never shying away to give his opinions, Guiao believes the PBA should give more bearing to what the fans are asking for.
“Commissioner Willier Marcial and his group are doing their best,” said Guiao. “Of course, tayo, may masasabi tayo na baka dito kulang pa, baka mayroon pang puwedeng i-improve, wala namang katigilan yung desire nating mapabuti at mapaganda pa yung liga.”
“But we have our own ideas, ako naman I was vocal, sinasabi ko my ideas in the PBA. Pero ang tingin ko kasi, it’s not for the commissioner alone to solve those problems.”
The seven-time champion coach thinks Commissioner Marcial needs the backing of the team owners, the board of governors, and most especially, the PBA fans.
“Masyadong limited ang powers ng commissioner, para sabihin natin na ‘problema mo yan, ikaw ang mag-solve niyan’.” Guiao added.
“Sa palagay ko, kailangan siyang tulungan ng team owners. Kailangan siyang tulungan ng board of governors. At lalung-lalo na, kailangan siyang tulungan ng PBA fans. Ang tingin ko, the fans need to be more vocal. They need to be more opinionated on what they see. Kasi doon lang sa feedback na yun, doon mo makikita kung ano gusto ng fans mo. We always say, ‘wala kami dito kung wala yung fans.’ Eh kung ganun, pakinggan mo yung fans.
Social media has become a powerful tool and fans were able to utilize it to their advantage in making their voices heard and their thoughts seen by posting their comments, suggestions and even to the point of bashing the league each time they see something wrong.
Guiao believes the league should listen and take into consideration whatever they say or write.
“You put value on what they say and into their opinion,” added Guiao. “So, I’m sure, kapag ganun, susuportahan siya (Commissioner Marcial) ng team owners, susuportahan siya ng board of governors. Pero hindi kayang mag-isa. Hindi kaya ng commissioner lang na i-solve yung ibang problema sa PBA.”
