Escalating violence

There is a growing, disturbing trend on social media now, particularly on Facebook, wherein “basketball players” go to community (barangay) courts and try to beat the stuffing out of each other. Even before the start of any of these “exhibition games,” one of the participants will body-bump, yell at or even curse his opponent, who is usually a more popular social media influencer. These videos are constantly being uploaded and shared online, and the masses seem to be eating them up.

In three on three games, it has become the norm to throw elbows, yank on jerseys, or even trip up opponents. On top of that, they purposely hit each other on the head with basketballs, or toss it into a defender’s face. One of the more popular basketball oddities now plays barefoot, doesn’t even know how to dribble, and strikes his opponent when he gets frustrated, which is most of the time. Moreover, crowds egging them on are dangerously close to the participants, within arm’s reach of someone who could hurt them. Showing one another up is more than goal than actually scoring baskets. It would be so easy for some idiot in the mob to injure or mortally hurt one of the players.

“I feel sad,” admits Pierre Angelo Moratillo, also known as “Loudmouth,” one of he pioneers of streetball and freestyle for close to 30 years. “Basketball is already entertaining, whether it be one on one or three versus three. There is no need to add violence.”

Moratillo has helped the street basketball scene in the Philippines transition from being a subculture to becoming one. From selling mix tapes and CDs of his group’s highlights, he has been a spokesman for the Filipino style of basketball away from big arenas and air-conditioned comfort.

Meanwhile, Ericcson Gabay, aka “The Reaper,” despite his small stature, is probably the most-recognized streetballer in the country. An unrepentant traveler, Reaper admits that he has more than had his share of opponents who would rather bash him physically than online.

“Of course, showing off is part of the game. But I choose to show off with my skill,” Gabay says. “Yes, there are people out there who try to hurt me, especially if I’m outplaying them. I keep telling them that this is just a game, and afterwards, we’re going to shake hands just the same.”

Though this hurting game seems to be peaking, both street basketball trail-blazers hope it doesn’t last.

“I would never want to encourage this kind of behavior,” Moratillo adds. “This is not the Filipino style of streetball. And I wouldn’t want my son to ever hear me encouraging this. Never.”

Because of their steadfastness and consistent popularity, both The Reaper and Loudmouth are representing the country in an international freestyle tournament in Hainan, China. They’re hoping to continue the sport as a gentleman’s game, before it gets taken over by barbarians.