Expect the unexpected

No one is indispensable. Not even Luka Doncic who was traded to Los Angeles Lakers. The surprise exchange shocked the world unprepared for the sudden change, Doncic included, who thought he would play his entire career in Dallas. He even suspected it was a prank. When it sank in, he chose to be better than bitter. Not everyone gets to play in and with the greatest club in the world.

Although top players in their prime hardly get traded unless they request or at a team realignment behest, the rarity befell a rare asset. Even the greatest of players are merchandised if the price is right. The color of money. Sports is business, with human commodities.

Kai Sotto showed his human vulnerability when he suffered injury early this year. He went under the knife and is now on his way to an estimated nine-month recovery. The FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers couldn’t wait, but his career can. Recovery is to Kai, comeback is to EJ Obiena who sat out the rest of the season last year due to injury. The Filipino vaulter recently placed second in an international meet, clearing a respectable height.

Physical injury or bruised ego make athletes humans and mortals. Olympic bronze medalist Eumir Marcial showed the ugly side of human frailty, his wife accused him of abuse and infidelity. He maintains innocence, but no one believes him. If only the people are as judgmental when it comes to their money stolen in broad daylight.

Another champion showed human limitation. Former world number one Simona Halep called it a career. She lost three major finals before winning her first major in clay and won another one in grass at the expense of Serena Williams.

Then her career was interrupted by a four-year ban after she tested positive for a banned substance. Her battle shifted from the tennis court to the court of arbitration for sport. Although it was cut down to nine months, by then she already lost the momentum. At 33, she could never be anywhere near the level that brought her 24 titles with two majors.

While the Romanian ended her career, a lesser known Filipino track athlete ended his life. Not by suicide, regional gold medalist Mervin Guarte was stabbed to the chest in his sleep. Premeditated. Otherwise, the Air Force man would have ably defended himself. The country lost two lives in one death, an athlete and a defender.

Senseless killing, which presupposes there is killing with sense. Self-defense is one, provided all justifying elements concur. Oddly, the people have not found the will to defend themselves against hunger, even complicit to their own slow death.