We Filipinos—citizens of a basketball-crazy nation this side of the planet—have always shown a great inclination towards imitating the NBA and its players.
The Filipino basketball culture takes its cue from the NBA, and why not? The NBA is the gold standard when it comes to basketball. We emulate NBA players. We try to look like them and play like them.
We hope to mimic their physical appearance, so much so that when the NBA transitioned from the now-throwback slim fit jerseys and super short shorts to 90s baggy basketball outfit and back again, Filipino ballers dressed the same way. And we are not far behind when it comes to sporting the additional accouterment—at least those which are fashionable as of the moment. You name it, and if it is a prominent part of an NBA player’s ensemble, Filipino basketball players will wear it – headband, wristband, arm sleeve, compression pants, ankle support, knee pads, and the most important of all, basketball shoes. Nothing says imitating the NBA more than wearing basketball shoes endorsed by NBA players, especially since not everyone digs, can afford, and can get away with having cornrows.
Looking the part is easy. Imitating how NBA players play is difficult, but it does not deter Pinoy hoopsters from trying. The long-distance shooting of Steph Curry and Damian Lillard explains why Filipino basketball players are now practicing shooting a few feet away from the three-point arc, while how they dribble is influenced by the crafty, agile, and artistic styles of Kyrie Irving and Chris Paul and other NBA players renowned for their handles. When NBA big men started shooting threes, Filipino bigs followed suit and extended their range, with mixed reactions from their coaches.
Without question, it is safe to say we religiously follow every NBA trend. We imitate how they play and how they look because it is popular and the norm. Uso kasi, as we casually say in vernacular.
Recently, I find myself wondering if there is anything NBA that we won’t try to emulate, in light of what is happening in the league right now.
The NBA, which has long prided itself on fulfilling its duties as a responsible citizen through programs that help the community, has elevated itself to become a platform that plays an active role in addressing serious and pressing social issues. With the issues of racism, inequality, and police brutality (among others) front and center in the US today, the NBA has supported its players who are becoming more vocal about their sentiments regarding social justice and demanding change.
Will Philippine basketball—and more importantly, Philippine sports in general—follow the same path?
Unlike switching jersey sizes or learning the Euro step, imitating this particular facet of the NBA—fusing sports and social justice—is something different. This is not just merely following some current, hip trend. It is not something you do or get involved in because you want to look good or feel good or get fans. It is a mission grounded on civic and moral duty, and it is important to start with that mindset because this is a difficult and daunting task, and it will be divisive. Some NBA fans are demanding the separation of sports and social justice issues, and there will be Filipino basketball fans screaming this same sentiment, and they will seek to trivialize the efforts to duplicate here in the Philippines what the NBA is doing in the US.
“Gaya-gaya” lang naman kayo sa NBA.
Ang hilig niyo talagang makiuso!
People say these with derision because our tendency to imitate the NBA is oftentimes superficial: we just want to look current and not outdated.
It may be true. But I always believe that our being “gaya-gaya” also presents the opportunity to take something American/foreign and make it our own and use it to build our own identity.
We should remember that it is important that our relationship with the NBA does not start and end with imitation alone. It is important for imitation to evolve into inspiration, that we imitate knowing in imitation is where we find what can make us better human beings, and not just better basketball players.
If we are indeed that—mahilig makiuso—then let’s do it the right way. Let’s make it matter.