LOS ANGELES - In a perfect world, the planets always align and we all orbit in a place of joy and happiness.
Sadly, that is not the place we live in.
The universe upon which we exist is coated with heartbreak and pain. Author John Green refers to it in his classic novel as"The Fault In Our Stars."
READ: Kai Sotto finally cleared for full-contact basketball
And so was the relationship between the Samahang Basketbol Ng Pilipinas (SBP) and Kai Sotto's camp: Loving until betrayed, patient until tested, and fond until provoked.
"Kai was trapped between two boulders that wouldn't budge," SBP director of operations and team manager Butch Antonio described what once was an amusing and largely frustrating negotiations.
Here's a snap recap of what went down.
After the NBA Summer League ended on July 17, the Gilas coaching staff wanted Kai to fly to Manila ASAP and join the team. But the 7-foot-3 center had back spasms and asked for a 12-day rehab period following his July 19 arrival.
STANDOFF FINALLY ENDS
SBP agreed on the condition that a copy of the MRI taken on Sotto's back be presented to ascertain his health and to protect the federation from exposure to medical and legal liabilities in the event Kai suffers a catastrophic injury in the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
To this day, the original copy of that MRI was never produced.
But SBP president Al Panliio broke the impasse by agreeing on the next best option, which was to have SBP's doctors led by Randy Molo sit down with Kai. And that led to the clearance issued for the former NBL-er to join scrimmages without any restrictions.
"It wasn't an easy thing to navigate. But we found a way," a relieved Panlilio told me in a telephone interview shortly after the SBP-Kai deal was formally announced.
World order restored.
Thankfully, mercifully, Gilas, with all its parts intact, can now put this internal strife behind it and focus on the international mission of beating Angola, the Dominican Republic and powerhouse Italy.
As someone who saw the friction unfold first-hand and actually reporting it, the entire process was consuming, exhausting.
BUT JUST LIKE ANY OTHER LOVE SPAT AND DOMESTIC QUARRELS, THIS WAS A GOOD THING FOR BOTH PARTIES.
Though uncomfortable, positive conflict is the crucible where healthy, happy and long-lasting relationships are forged.
Hopefully, from the distrust that was sown, some lessons were learned. Mistakes never to be repeated again.
Bitter rivals have been known to morph into best friends forever.
Is that going to happen between SBP and Kai's handlers at EWP?
Only time will tell. And by time, I mean this late September until mid-October when the Asian Games are played.
By then, I pray that the basketball stars will align and tortured Gilas fans will be spared from any drama.
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