SPORTS headlines reported the suspension of a school after one of its players was found to have used someone else’s identity.

Some two years ago, there was also this player who allegedly had someone take a high-school equivalency test for him to enter college and play for his school.

Without delving on the specifics of these two issues and perhaps, even others, which were simply swept under the carpet, let me say that this corner is against any form of cheating in basketball.

Sports in general and basketball specifically were built on the principles of fair play.

I am personally ashamed that some of my fellow coaches would allow themselves to be blinded by the promise of fame by using ineligible players as quick-fixes to achieve their goal of winning.

In addressing the issue, it’s important to understand the root cause of all these eligibility problems.

Of course, there is the competition among the schools to get the best talents available, by hook or by crook, from the countryside.

So what happens when several schools jockey for the services of one budding player?

One possible scenario is that a bidding game ensues, and usually the promises of material gain become a key factor in a player’s decision-making.

And as a bidding game ensues, a player’s value is often overstated. Having so many schools literally drool over one talented player would be enough for the latter to think that he befits the superlatives on his basketball abilities.

So you could imagine some poorly funded basketball programs losing time and again to rival school cage programs that pamper their players to the hilt.

So why is there a pressure for basketball programs to fatten themselves like holiday turkey? Winning does have its benefits. A school successful in sports could very well use all the free publicity in the newspapers and other media.

The more that team wins, the more the school can count on the support of the alumni, especially the moneyed ones who would not hesitate to plunk down millions to build the best teams possible.

And with all the resources in its command, there is no reason to lose. Long-term programs emphasizing on a wholistic approach eventually give way to quick-fixes.

This is how the dirty tricks start. The cardinal sins range from recruitment violations to giving players less schoolwork to focus on basketball alone, sacrificing these players right to an education.

On a general scale, quick-fixes occur when there is no basketball program to talk about. And pushing for a thorough basketball program takes time and patience, the latter a virtue the most of us don’t have.

A basketball program ensures the steady supply of players who are trained thoroughly in all aspects of the game, not only relying on the flashes of talent earlier seen.

A basketball program ensures that these budding players have access to proper nutrition, adequate facilities and venues where they could hone their skills by playing against the best.

A basketball program ensures that players do not sacrifice education by inculcating in these players the value of schoolwork and slapping penalties, even expulsion from the team if this condition is not met.

Perhaps, as the decades passed by, we have forgotten what school sports is all about. And these are inculcating physical fitness and adherence to time-tested values like discipline and hard work, not to mention fostering camaraderie and school pride, win or lose.

It’s not just about forming a competitive team that is guaranteed to win everytime it steps on the floor.

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Arnel S. of Quezon City submitted another interesting query.

Dear Coach E,

My son is a budding athlete. What should be his consideration in picking a school?

Arnel S.

Dear Arnel,

You haven’t mentioned if you can or can’t afford the high cost of education. In case you do have problems financially, then you should consider schools that value your son’s athletic talent by giving him the best of opportunities in getting an education for a lesser cost. Remember that your son won’t be an athlete forever so this is very important. If your son gets into a team, also make sure that the coach also values education by providing sufficient time for your son to study and do homework. On a daily basis, emphasize on the value of education to your son.

Coach E

(Original Article was published last April 25, 2007 at the Business Mirror Sports Section in the column Ask Coach E.)