Yeng Guiao's Call to Action: The Fans are Doing Their Part, But Will the PBA Listen?
As the PBA celebrates its 50th season, Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao, one of the league's most passionate and outspoken voices, has delivered a powerful message to Filipino basketball fans. Mixing gratitude with a challenging call to action, Guiao urged fans to continue their support while also remaining vigilant against "fake news" and holding on to the hope of a more competitive future.
"We all love the PBA," Guiao said, explaining that his criticisms come from a place of genuine care for the league. "I express my criticisms so we can improve the league. Let’s support it on its 50th year and not lose hope. Maybe the day will come when we will have a more competitive league."
While his message is a refreshing reminder of the passion that fuels the PBA, it also highlights a critical question: Will the league actually do something about the issues that fans have been "calling out"?
For years, PBA fans have been doing exactly what Coach Guiao is asking of them. They have been vocal with their criticisms, and their calls to action have been relentless. They have pointed out the issues with "farm teams" and "one-sided trades" and have consistently called for more transparency and fair play. Social media is a constant echo chamber of their frustrations, with memes and posts dissecting every questionable trade and every baffling decision. Fans have become a grassroots army of citizen journalists, fact-checking and calling out "fake news" and "rumors" that circulate online.
The reality is that fans are already doing their part. They are watching every game, buying merchandise, and filling the arenas, all while providing a constant stream of feedback that the league could use to improve. The question is no longer about what the fans should do; it's about what the PBA and its decision-makers will do.
The PBA's recent decision to implement a new rule that protects the number one pick from being traded for two years is a step in the right direction, but it's not a silver bullet. The league still has to deal with the perception that some teams are not playing to win and are instead serving as farm teams for their sister squads. Until the league addresses these fundamental issues, Coach Guiao's hope for a "more competitive league" will remain just that—a hope.
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