Since 1975, the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) has been entertaining Filipino basketball fans. In almost five decades, we’ve seen numerous talents whom some turned into Hall-of-Famers. However, after the 2010s, people seem to be getting tired of the league even though it still produces the best players in Asia. Now, things aren’t still going well in the once-prominent league. PBA is slowly dying, and there are only 4 reasons why this is happening to the association everyone once loved.
Talented players choosing to play overseas
From Kai Sotto to Rhenz Abando, it’s as if every rising Filipino basketball star is being poached by leagues abroad. Well, it’s not one bit surprising given how much money and opportunity these guys can get by just playing a single season overseas. Since 2020, this scenario has plagued the PBA, and seems like it’s going to be a problem moving forward. With generational talents choosing to play in countries like Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and Australia, there’s going to be a shortage of basketball stars being drafted into the Filipino league. Truly, it’s not going to be pretty for PBA and its fans in the future.
Just recently, former Letran Knights’ forward Andy Gemao has made his way to the United States to train. Gemao left Letran High School and will head to the U.S. Despite signing a two-year contract in Letran, the 17-year-old prodigy was allowed to leave the roster and continue his training on American soil. This already supports our first statement. In addition, with every ounce of opportunity being handed to talented and skilled ballers, who’s to say that the likes of reigning NCAA Finals MVP, Kevin Quimbao, will not follow the footsteps of Dwight Ramos, Bobby Ray Parks, Carl Tamayo, RJ Abarrientos, and many more?
MPBL slowly emerging as a better league than PBA
The Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League or MPBL, was founded by Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao in 2017. But, in just about five years, it’s as if MPBL has taken over PBA as the better league, at least in terms of viewership.
Not only that, but some aspiring hoopers are also eyeing this league instead of getting drafted into a PBA team. While that’s not always the case, Maharlika looks like they are ahead when it comes to getting the better true-blooded Pinoy basketball player. Yes, we’re talking about Justin Baltazar and Mac Tallo.
San Miguel Corp and MVP group’s alleged “farming scheme”
Truth be told, SMC teams like the San Miguel Beermen, Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings, and Magnolia Hotshots have been farming from smaller teams such as Terrafirma, NorthPort, and Black Water. Even way back in the 2000s, this has been the scenario as revealed by Roger Yap. Back then, San Miguel would take top draft picks from Barako Bull who would later on become stars.
Unknowing to the fans, this became detrimental to the league as a whole. Aside from SMC, MVP (Manny Villar Pangilinan) teams like TNT Tropang Giga, Meralco Bolts, and NLEX Road Warriors sometimes do the same. In the last ten years, only Rain or Shine Elasto Painters is the sole team not from the SMC or MVP group to ever win a championship. All other winners were from either management, which just goes to show how dominant they’ve been in the PBA. That being said, it’s no wonder why the Alaska Aces chose to leave the league in 2022.
Becoming outdated and obsolete in terms of playing style
Aside from talented players, Pinoys have also seen their fair share of amazing coaches and organizations. However, it seems the PBA is being left behind on the international scene. The Philippines was previously the best country in South East Asia and even does a better job against bigger Asian nations like China, Japan, and Korea, even without the help of naturalized NBA players (i.e. Jordan Clarkson).
But, in the latest international tournaments, the Gilas Pilipinas have been terrible (except for the 2023 Asian Games). Some would say the level and style of play that PBA players bring are outdated while coaches still use their obsolete playbook. As a result, they’re not that competitive anymore. For context, they got beaten by Indonesia in the 2021 Asia Cup qualifiers.
In conclusion
Nobody remembers who the last champions were or who the reigning MVP is because, frankly speaking, almost nobody watches PBA games anymore. Although Willie Marcial still denies it, it’s already evident. It’s not the ’90s anymore when people took the time to watch Robert Jaworski, Alvin Patrimonio, or Allan Caidic perform on the court. Moreover, the common Filipino neighborhood may not even know who the starting five of the Terrafirma Dyip or the Black Water Elite. It may sound like an overstatement, but that’s the truth.
The PBA is getting less viewership and fewer arena attendance each year, and that’s disturbing. In return, this tough break may force the league into desolate. It’s literally dying, the PBA is slowly dying, right before everyone’s eyes. If there’s no change in the system, there probably won’t be a PBA for the next generation of Pinoy hoopers.