Is SMCs Dominance Hurting the League?

(c) PBA Media Bureau

It seems like dominance may not be enough to describe what SMC is doing in the PBA. Their franchises basically held a lot of the important records in the history of the league.

The MVP group tried to challenge the grip of the San Miguel Corporation in the league. Unfortunately, SMC has better people at the top who are making better decisions.

And to call the PBA an SMC league may even hold waters.

When you look back from the grandslam season of San Mig Coffee, the three SMC teams won 11 of the 13 possible championships! The success rate is 84.6%! That is a huge mark that surpasses any acceptable definition of dominance in a professional league. 

Now, if we widen it more to the last 10 seasons, including this one, SMC won 16 of the possible 26 championships!

The success rate is again a jaw-dropping 61.5%! 

Can you guess the last season that an SMC team failed to win at least one championship? It happened in the 2003 seasons. Basically, 15 seasons ago.

Now, dynasties are not really bad in sports. The NBA is having record-breaking seasons in the last decade even though Lebron James-led squads owned the Eastern Conference and Golden State has managed to form the best line-up, ever.

So, does that mean the PBA has been benefiting from the SMC dynasty of, basically, the last two decades? 

I think the answer is no.

Don't ever think that SMC is doing it wrong. Every franchise should aim to dominate. It is not their responsibility to keep the competition level, balance.

With San Miguel's grip, the other franchises have been pushed as second-fiddles. How can their fans continue their strong support if they have been lacking championship moments?

Championships is the best way to keep fans loyal. The feeling of winning crowns is basically the thing that the fans are craving for.

When you do not get that. And a monstrous conglomerate is making you feel that you are only fighting for, not even a 2nd place but a 3rd place. How can you even continue believing? 

You will remain to be a supporter of your favorite team but what is the point of becoming an active fan? 

This is a sports league. This is a competition. All the fans should feel that their favorite teams are competing for something.