By Edwin Rollon
Another first for Philippine Sports. Welcome to roll ball world.
A new sport called roll ball – a combination of skating and basketball – is now evolving in Asia and some parts of the world, and the Philippines, is the only nation in Southeast Asia to be recognized by the India-based International Roll Ball Federation (IBRF).
Philippine Roll Ball Association, Inc. (PRBA) president Tony Ortega said Roll Ball through the IBRF recognition and sanctioned is now establishing its legitimacy in the country and hopefully, in the soonest possible time will join the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) family.
“The International Roll Ball Federation grants us the recognition and authorization to propagate the sports in the Philippines and Southeast Asia. We submitted the game’s handbook and technical rules to the Office of Commissioner Wawit Torres. We also in partnership with the Local Government Unit (LGUs) para mas madali yung mga activities na ginagawa namin sa mga barangays and to the community of roller skaters,” said Ortega during the Tabloids Organization in Philippine Sports, Inc. (TOPS) ‘Usapang Sports’ sponsored by Behrouz Persian Cuisine, Pocari Sweat and the Philippine Sports Commission.
“Right now, there are more than a thousand skating clubs and communities nationwide. First, we need skaters to convince them to get into roll ball. Sa ngayon, may mga 500 na kaming players na regular nang naglalaro sa Amoranto stadium sa Quezon City,” added Ortega who was joined in the session with interim coach Jayson Seneres and PRBA Director Clyde Arcosa.
Ortega said his group has conducted clinics, seminars, and other campaign activities in Gen. Santos, Davao, Malabon, Cavite, and Batangas to introduce the game.
A maximum of 15 players for each opposing team are needed in Roll Ball with six players including the goalie playing on both sides. Using a junior-size basketball, players have three seconds when stopped dribbling to pass the ball to a teammate to avoid a violation.
“Parang football at basketball kailangan mong maka-goal para sa iskor. Bale 40 minutes and playtime, 20 minutes isang quarter,” said Ortega.
“Maganda ang reception sa mga activities namin. This is just the beginning and crucial steps para mapatatag namin ang PRBA at maisubmit namin sa POC for membership. Then, ayusin din namin na magkaroon ng asosasyon sa Southeast Asia. Right now, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore meron na ring community ng roll ball,” added Ortega.
Seneres, a resident skating coach at the Fishermall Malabon and Quezon City, said the love and passion for basketball combined with natural talent in skating give Filipino athletes a due advantage.
“Yung roll ball kasi kailangan strength and stamina, yung pagkamahilig natin sa basketball advantage yan,” said Seneres.
Arcosa said a mini-tryout for members of the Philippine Team is already done in several provinces and key cities followed by the National tryouts set on October 12, 19, and 26 in Fishermall Malabon and Quezon City.
