The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
By Jesse C. Ong
In a bid to lure more basketball fans to the league, Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Chairman Michael “Mikee” Romero proposed recently that the games be brought to schools.
Speaking at the National Educators Summit on Addressing the Threats to Campus Security and Safety held at the Philippine Normal University (PNU) Auditorium in Manila, the representative of the 1-Pacman Party-list in Congress and the owner of the GlobalPort Batang Pier team in the PBA said that taking the league’s actions to colleges and universities would further boost its popularity.
“Marami tayong makukuhang fans sa mga kabataan,” he noted, citing the highly-successful staging of “Batang PBA” in schools that has given many young basketeers the opportunity to showcase their hoop skills in a competitive setting.
If the plan pushes through, the PBA will hold some of its games in various colleges and universities in the country in cooperation with the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, Inc. (SBP).
Meanwhile, Management Association of Security and School Officials (Masso) Philippines Chairman Dr. Bernard Ramirez and President Col. Samson Tocino expressed extreme gratitude to Romero for gracing the summit, which highlighted vital measures that should be adopted in ensuring the safety of teachers and students in schools.
“We’re really honored and thankful to be with Dr. Romero in this national summit, knowing how busy he is with his various endeavors both as a lawmaker and a sportsman,” Ramirez said.
Apart from pitching about the holding of PBA games in schools, Romero emphasized the role of sports in keeping the youths away from illegal drugs. He also called on schools officials to install Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras in strategic locations of their respective educational institutions to thwart untoward incidents.
During the event, Romero was conferred an award for his contribution in the promotion of sports in the country. He was honored together with Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, who received a “Trophy of Triumph Against Drug Menace”.