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By ADRIAN STEWART CO
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Who’s ‘fan-friendly’, who’s snobbish in the PBA?
WHILE I was covering the PBA at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum recently, I was able to eavesdrop on two PBA fans talking about their experiences in asking for their idols cager’s signatures or a selfie.
I was able to secretly note who among the PBA superstars are friendly and who are more snobbish and evasive when the fans are trying to approach them.
“Para sa akin, si (a good looking combo guard who is known for his outside shooting) ang pinaka iwas pusoy. Biruin mo naman, nagsho-shooting siya bago ‘yung game kuntodo sigaw sa name niya ng mga fans hindi man lang nililingon.”
“Nasubukan ko na ‘yan. Sinubukan ko siyang abangan dun paglabas ng dug out nila pero parang walang naririnig. Kaya kapag naki-selfie ‘yan sa fans, tyumamba lang ‘yun. Tyumamba,” said PBA fan 1.
“Oo, yung ugali niya halos katulad nung mga players dun sa (a many-time PBA champion team) kapag naglalabasan sila sa dug out, walang lingunan. Pati nga fans bina-box out eh.”
“Pero buti na lang hindi lahat ng players sa team na iyon ganun. ‘Yun iba, kung sino pa ‘yung medyo hindi kilala kasi mas lamang ang upo sa bench, sila pa ‘yung accommodating,” PBA fan 2 said.
“Si (veteran PBA center) naman, nung sa ibang team pa siya naglalaro, parang ganun din. Sinubukan ko magpapirma, nakailang kalabit na ako di man lang nalingon. Bato bato kasi ang braso kaya siguro di niya naramdaman na tinatawag ko siya.”
“Pero ngayon bagong buhay na siya. Kung may magpa-selfie sa kanya sige lang. Naging malapit na rin siya sa fans kaya ‘yung iba ina-accept na niya friend request sa FB. Lumambot ang bato,” said PBA fan 1.
“Si (veteran PBA center who is injury prone) naman, parang di bukal sa loob kung magpa-sign ka. Panu ba naman habang napirma si mama ngiyaw ngiyaw ng ngiyaw ngiyaw. Di ko maintindihan sinasabi english eh.”
“Nakiki away rin daw ‘yan sa fans minsan. May nakausap ako na parang binoo daw niya si mama at nilapitan daw siya sabay sabing ‘ako mayaman na, ikaw andyan ka lang’ ang rage nuh,” PBA fan 2 said.
“Si (an all-around guard) naman, mukhang mayabang lang pero napakabait pala sa fans. Yun nga minsan kahit talo team nila kapag nakita mo sa labas game pa rin makipagkodakan.”
“Akala ko talaga mayabang siya kasi kapag naglalaro ‘yan parang ang yabang. Hindi ko lang alam kung bumait ‘yan or sadya ganun lang. Sabagay clean living na siya kasi wala na ‘yung di niya kagandahang vice,” said PBA fan 1.
“Pero wala talaga sila kay (retired PBA players who works as one of the team’s coaching staff) mula noon hanggang ngayon, mabait pa rin sa fans. Napaka-down to earth.”
“At tsaka masarap magpapirma sa kanya kasi hindi lang siya basta pirma may dedication pa. Hindi na ako nagtataka kung bakit maraming may idol kay Kap,” the PBA fan 2 said. (To be continued…)
Meanwhile, this early, the AMA Online University Titans have already declared that they are set to pick Jeron Teng as the top-overall pick in the PBA D-League draft slated on Dec. 20.
Titans head coach Mark Herrera said they are hoping that the former De La Salle University Green Archers star will be answer to the team’s offensive woes during the 2016 Foundation and Aspirants Cup.
“No doubt he is the best player in this year’s draft class,” Herrera told the Buzzer Beater. “He will also be a morale boost for the team since he always gives his 101 percent every game.”
Teng was instrumental in the Green Archers’ title reign in the UAAP Season 79 men’s seniors’ basketball tournament as he was named the Finals MVP in their two-game sweep of the Ateneo Blue Eagles.
“I see him a role model in Philippine amateur basketball. A very humble player but very intense kapag maglaro siya,” Herrera said. “He is a leader and future PBA star and we hope na maging part kami ng basketball journey niya.”
Teng will be joining James Martinez, Ryan Arambulo, Jaycee Asuncion and center JR Taganas at the Titans’ camp. Fil-Am guard Rashawn McCarthy is already out after being signed by the San Miguel Beermen.
In a related development, Jeron’s older brother Jeric Teng has revived his PBA career after being signed to a one-conference deal by the Mahindra Floodbuster. He is set to make his debut with the Floodbuster tonight against the Beermen./PN
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