Hoop diplomacy in Mindanao

SPORTING CHANCE By Joaquin M. Henson
Friday, September 14, 2007

A group of seven basketball-playing patriots recently ventured deep into Mindanao to introduce a different kind of diplomacy to the war-torn sector. Air21 sales and marketing manager Allan Gregorio led the team that conducted a cage clinic for kids then played an exhibition game at the jampacked Isulan Gym in Sultan Kudarat last Saturday.

“We were invited by Mayor Dong Pallasigue who believes that sports can play a big role in bringing peace to Mindanao,” said Gregorio.

Mayor Pallasigue is married to Marites Kapunan who happens to be the first cousin of Gregorio’s mother Lucille. It was Mayor Pallasigue who suggested a visit by Manila basketball players to spread goodwill.

At first, Gregorio, his brother Ryan and Alvin Patrimonio were to head the visiting group. But on the weekend of the trip, Purefoods was scheduled to play a pre-season game against Barangay Ginebra so Ryan and Patrimonio had to beg off.

In the end, Gregorio brought along Air21 assistant coach and PBA legend Jerry Codiñera, Mike Bravo, San Sebastian College stars Jim Viray and Jason Ballesteros, Fil-Am guard Josh Urbiztondo and an officemate Ronald Cabansay.

“After we formed our team, we practiced about a week,” said Gregorio. “We were going to play a game in Sultan Kudarat and we didn’t want to be embarrassed. Luckily, Jerry’s in great shape. He’s lost weight and he’s playing like he used to. We wanted to put on a good show for the people.”

The group flew out of Manila on an early morning Philippine Airlines flight to Davao City last Saturday then took a 3 1/2-hour drive to Sultan Kudarat. Gregorio and company arrived in Isulan at about 11:30 a.m. with hundreds of townfolk lining the streets to welcome the visitors.

“It was an unbelievable reception,” said Gregorio. “We never expected it. It was proof that sports is a unifying force in society. Sports brings people together, regardless of social class, religion or ethnic origin.”

At 3 p.m., the group started a basketball clinic for 50 kids whose ages ranged from 8 to 12. Over 3,000 people jammed the gym and 3,000 more were glued to a giant TV monitor outside the venue.

“The weather was good so although the gym wasn’t air-conditioned, it wasn’t that hot,” said Gregorio. “The court had a rubberized coating which made it easier to play on. The people were almost spilling onto the floor. We had difficulty inbounding from the sidelines but the referees weren’t too strict in calling the stepping violations.”

Gregorio said the visitors played against a local team led by former Purefoods guard Ulysses (Buboy) Tanigue who starred with Romel Adducul during the San Sebastian NCAA championship dynasty era.

“We were seven against their 14 but Jerry and Jason, who’s 6-8, dominated the inside so we controlled the game,” said Gregorio. “We won by 17 points.”

The next day, Codiñera met up with wife Jean Du’s relatives and Gregorio got together with his relatives, too. The visitors drove to Davao City in the afternoon and caught the evening flight back to Manila.

“It was the first time any PBA or PBL player ever went to Isulan,” said Gregorio. “The people were so excited. We signed autographs and gave away our uniforms. It was like a mob scene. It was so gratifying that somehow, we touched the people’s lives, especially the kids who were with us in the clinic.”

Gregorio said Mindanao is just waiting to embrace basketball.

“We’re definitely going back to Mindanao next year, maybe in Basilan,” said Gregorio. “Let’s all give our share in promoting sports development for peace in Mindanao.”

Gregorio’s pioneering effort is an inspiration to all of us who pray for peace and unity in every corner of the world. If there was ping-pong diplomacy in China, there is basketball diplomacy in Mindanao.