Recruitment Game

Recruiting college players are more imminent than the pro ranks today. Current college transferees and recruits are over shadowing even the current movements in the PBA. Why? Because the recruitment game in the local college today is much more intriguing  than the professional ranks. It's not all about the money but the drama and broadway-like scene in every recruitment.

College recruitment today involves money, investment, and others. Sad to say, studies and academics are down in the priority barrel. Does anyone saw if Calvin Abueva had ever wore a graduation toga? Nope. Because he hasn't put a single foot in a classroom. Unfotunately for the kids today, academics seems a blur in all of the factors in recruiting.

Recruiters from schools are promising all perks and material-things, mention to none. But have they have ever mentioned about the quality of the education they have? All they promise is a Team A slot, all the freebies and sports aparrels from sponsors and alumni; none of them about the education being mentioned.

What's even more sad is that, when the schools already got the nod of the player they desire, they will just bench them and won't allow to play. Look at Ponso Gotladera, Mark Tallo, Roldan Sara, Papot Paredes, Nico Elorde, Sam Marata, all from La Salle. Once upon a time, they were the highly recruited high school players in the country. Ponso Gotladera is once a most recruited center coming out of San Beda High School, the most decorated high school team in the country, bar none. Mark Tallo is a taunted recruit from Cebu. He first landed in Ateneo where he didn't like his playing time; rumored transfered to UST and then landed to La Salle, where he is also benched and found his way back to Cebu. Roldan Sara is another example that being kick-outed of the program because of too much recruits. Good thing is he was welcomed back by the San Beda community. Then, there was Papot Paredes, who was once a member of the Philippine Under - 18 team which includes RR Garcia, Jaypee Mendoza, Joseph Terso, and others. Nico Elorde coming out of De La Salle - Zobel. He joined the senior team of La Salle, only finding himself at the end of the Archers' rotation. Last but not the leat is Sam Marata, who was once a UAAP Finals MVP for the UPIS Junior Maroons. He was convinced by La Salle to join their squad, only to found that he is only a third stringer for the Green Archers. Fortunately for him, he was able to find his way home at Diliman.

With all this mentioned, my only point is that why college recruiters 'lie' to them? Don't they know that in a litte way, they are ruining these boys' dreams and aspirations in life? Why do they need to tell them that they will have this, they will have that, if in reality, it will just be in a matter of second? Now, I can't help but think - Goodluck, Kib Montalbo. After seeing you benched in your first UAAP game, I can't help but wonder, will you end up in aother school like these folks? And also, Danding Cojuangco's order to "get at all cost" Arvin Tolentino, will he really be a Green Archer next year?  JMP