A Culture Of Bashing

Have we become a tribe of bashers? This is a growing concern in the sports community, as casual fans become more and more result-oriented than grateful for the time, effort and dedication shown by athletes.

- By BILL VELASCO

How did this happen? Is this a reflection of today's society and its pressures? Or is this who we are now? It is a sentiment becoming more and more prevalent in sports, particularly basketball, where we are most spoiled.

Fans rained down criticism on Gilas Pilipinas after the unfavorable results of the last FIBA Asia Cup. The critics conveniently forgot that no other team has beaten Australia since they joined our region. The armchair experts questioned everything, from the selection of players to the triangle offense which Tim Cone has mastered for over three decades. Suddenly, the honeymoon was over. But this is not a new occurrence.

Remember the unbelievable bile thrown at past national team coaches like Chot Reyes?