Ateneo Football League Week Two: Lessons to be learned after all these years

THE ATENEO FOOTBALL LEAGUE IS PLAYED ON WEEKENDS.

It was quite a lesson for Team Cojones against Juan Sanz. But Cojones gamely battled until fatigue set in.

Lessons to be learned after all these years

by rick olivares

The AFL returns for Day 2 & 3 and you can say that it’s like going back to school with lessons to be learned.

Lesson #1 There’s a reason why the game is seven-a-side.

Team Cojones arrived for their 2:15 game with only three players. By kick-off, there were only six of them while they played Juan Sanz with a complete line-up. Juan Sanz, named after a Spanish Jesuit priest of this pre-dominantly Ateneo de Naga team quickly pounced on Cojones with two textbook goals.

In only the third minute and off a counter, Juan Sanz’s Moses Imperial’s well-placed throughball found Dave Clavo splitting the two opposing central backs and going one-on-one with Cojones keeper Chito Ines. Goal Juan Sanz.

Three minutes later, Imperial doubled his team’s tally with a header off a free kick.

In spite of being in a 2-0 hole, Cojones exposed Juan Sanz’ vulnerability of the counter even with only six men. Rden Villasis constantly tested Juan Sanz’s keepers but his volleys were oft wide. But as soon as teammate Dan Geiger arrived, Cojones attacked better.

After Villasis’ close range volley was blocked the ball went out to the unmarked Ian Sermonia whose rocket from the outside pulled back one goal. Geiger equalized minutes later and both squads went to the half with the score at 2-2.

In the second half, Cojones essentially went back to playing only seven men when Mark Endaya went out with an injury (he would eventually return). In the afternoon heat, Juan Sanz made the most of having a full roster and the flying substitution, as Cojones quickly got tired. It was Ines who kept his squad in the game with some nifty goaltending. But with five minutes left in the game, Juan Sanz’ Niño Tuy’s throw in was perfect as playing-coach Juan Felipe Carpio headed the ball past Ines.

Less #2 Hydrate, baby. Hydrate. And practice some.

In the seniors division, opening day losers Team Freedom (the 1986 EDSA Revolution batch hence its name) and Blue Guards squared off. Blue Guards clearly learned Lesson #1 very well as they came in with some 15 players to rotate. It sure helped as they play regularly in Ateneo during weekends.

Raul Felix booted in a goal off a combination play then Omar Arabia pounced on a mistake by Freedom keeper JB Buenviaje for an early 2-0 lead.

During Freedom’s opening day match against Oscariz, last year’s jubilarian batch found themselves in a 4-1 hole but battled back to draw level just at full time. However, Freedom, despite the presence of Martin Lichauco, fell in a penalty shootout 5-4.

The problem for Freedom was they wilted in the afternoon heat. Before long, they were in a 5-0 hole as Felix added a second goal and Ricky Jacinto and Fr. Basil Onyejuwura each tallied one of their own to put their opponents in a 5-0 hole.

By the time Freedom got its regulars Mico Morelos and Glenn Reyes onto the pitch (they arrived late as well) along with Ebong Joson and Raffy Roa, their offense began to flow better. Aris Ladaw salvaged a measure of pride for Freedom when his volley off a quick turn beat Blue Guards keeper Ver Velasco.

Quipped Freedom’s Manny Concio, “Kaya tayo talo… walang Starbucks.”

Added Renzo Belardo, “Basta mas masaya kami kesyo sa kanila pag-inuman.”

Closed out Ebong Joson: “Tara, practice tayo this week!”

Blue Guards paid tribute to Freedom with a post-match cheer led by Dodie King.

The lessons here? Hydrate before the game. Not during the game. Bring plenty of water to the games. And do practice. Time is not kind to the human body.

Lesson #3 Good things come to those who wait.

During the maiden AFL season, Oscariz, now renamed OFC Thunders, finished fifth in their division and even had one match defaulted. This year, with AFL experience and the backing of telecoms giant Smart, they are now undefeated and are 2-0 in the seniors division after pulverizing the Puzakals 7-1.

Dochie Goropse scored four goals and had one assist while Raul Banzon scored on an incredible run where he caught their opponents flat-footed before booting one home for his side’s second goal.

Said Gorospe (although I am not sure if he was serious or joking), “Last year we came into the AFL with the wrong attitude (matatanda na mga to meron pa rin attitude problem – hahaha joke lang ha?). This year, we’re motivated."

Malaking pasasalamat kay James Bernas, I’d say.

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Other stuff: Caf Bench is for real. They are now 2-0. And I think that the goalkeeper for one of the Ana Com United team’s is damn good. When Loyola Agila's Red Avelino scores a hat trick they're going to win.

Here's the Week One highlights.

One with the 96 Run at UP Diliman

Today, Sunday is also the 22nd anniversary of the Hillsborough Disaster where 96 Liverpool fans were crushed to death during the FA Cup semifinals between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at Hillsborough Stadium in Sheffield, England. The disaster as per the Taylor Report cited the lack of police control of the standing terraces at the stadium. Families of the victims have been seeking justice ever since. We, some Liverpool fans based here in Manila, did a sympathy run for the Hillsborough-Anfield Run that was held on the same day in England. Ang daming hindi gumising! Hahaha. There was this cute girl in Liverpool gear also running but we didn't know who she was. And there was this guy in a Manchester United tee. I  thought about clubbing him. Hahaha

We did an 11K jog/walk/run at the University of the Philippines after which we all had (buffet) breakfast at Sweet Inspirations along Katipunan. 

Feliz aniversario, Santos FC!

On the occasion of the 100th Anniversary of Santos FC (April 14, 2012), I have to write this. When I was growing up, there were two football teams that I loved -- the New York Cosmos and Santos. Obviously, the common denominator was Pele. There was no cable television so I couldn't watch any games by Santos. But on the American Armed Forces channel, they would sometimes show the North American Soccer League and the marquee team the Cosmos. Well, there was Pele, Carlos Alberto, Giorgio Chinaglia, and Franz Beckenbauer. I was also a huge fan of the Der Kaiser. However, it was Pele who I along with every other kid of my generation who we wanted to be on the pitch. As for Santos, I thought that that the black and white pinstripes were the coolest. I love the color black and the logo that in some way, reminded me of the Oakland Raiders.

But as a kid then, the access to information especially about football was so few and far in between so I can't really say I was fanatical in my devotion. I guess, I was more fanatical in my devotion to the X-Men as I inherited my uncle collection of those early Stan Lee and Jack Kirby issues. What really made me even more interested in Pele, Santos, and football were two pop music icons of the time -- Bob Marley and Sergio Mendes. 

During this time, I was into KISS, Led Zeppelin, Queen, Aerosmith, and the heavy stuff of the time. This was my pre-punk and new wave phase. I had some friends like Dominic Gamboa (Papadom of Tropical Depression fame and who was a couple of batches ahead of me in Ateneo) who introduced me to Marley and reggae music. Back then, I bought and read as many Creem and Rolling Stone magazines as I could afford. There was the picture in Rolling Stone of Bob Marley playing football while wearing a Santos jersey. The connection intrigued me and I began a love affair with reggae music that lasts up to today. As for Sergio Mendes, it was my dad who greatly influenced my listening to other genres. He introduced me to The Sound of Philadelphia, soul music, and Sergio Mendes. My older cousin, Michael, was not a rocker like me. He preferred jazz, swing and European music. I did see this album (see below) at Michael place in Parañaque and during a family reunion, he showed me the album and played a track from the album -- I'll never forget it -- 'Love City'. That was the single from the album. Michael showed it to me because he also knew that I loved football. The cover grabbed me. And so did the back cover (see the pic below of Mendes and his crew wrapped in bandages). And who was the 'doctor'? None other than Pele. 

Not soon after the NASL folded up and Pele retired, Santos disappeared from my consciousness. The void was filled by Liverpool FC. It sure helped that my love for The Beatles introduced me to this club (although the Fab Four were not football fans). That and the stellar play in midfield by John Barnes and later Robbie Fowler turned me into a massive Liverpool fan. And to this day, I root for the Reds. 

Some thoughts on Game Two between BMeg and Ginebra

Some thoughts on Game Two between BMeg vs. Ginebra

by rick olivares pics by brosi g.

Watching Game Two between BMeg and Ginebra, I want to point out two plays that I feel are endemic of the way both squads played – BMeg very conscious of execution while Ginebra seemed to be out of synch.

The first is at the 3:32 mark of the first quarter. Ginebra import Jackson Vroman was slow in getting back on defense as he remained in the backcourt. The man he was guarding, Marc Pingris, slipped in the lane where BMeg point guard Josh Urbiztondo found him with a zip inside for a bucket, 19-14.

As excited as I was about Ginebra tabbing Vroman, who mightily impressed during various FIBA tournaments, I wondered how they would play him. Unfortunately, Ginebra has him playing center. Not his strength at all. He is at best a three where he can shoot and run. Instead, more often than not, he’s the last man out to the races. Hence, his erratic performances. And Ginebra is what – 5-4 with him in the lineup.

Furthermore, I think he gets bothered with all the physical guarding. How many times did he get hit? That coupled with his cramps (so I wonder about his conditioning) hurt Ginebra last night. I don’t think it helped that Siot Tanquincen’s substitution was haphazard as it seemed every other few minutes he was replacing people on the floor. The only constant was Mike Cortez who worked the two-man game well with Vroman and KG Canaleta. Interestingly, these three players were the only ones who finished in double figures.

The second is a turnover at the two-minute mark of the fourth period where Gin King Rudy Hatfield tried to set a pick for Cortez who was being shadowed by PJ Simon. The Ginebra teammates got entangled and Simon had the second easiest basket of the night as he scooted away for a layup that broke a 75-all deadlock.

Turnovers. Ginebra forced BMeg into 19 of them but got a measly nine points! Conversely, BMeg harassed the Kings to 16 TOs (three less than their own) but they managed four more points with 13.

Looking at the stats, the Llamados had 37 defensive boards to the Kings’ 27. They also had more steals and blocks 6-5 and 6-5 respectively. Pingris' block on Dylan Ababou in the endgame was huge! BMeg also had three less fouls with attempts to Ginebra 11-14.

There’s something I am working on and it entails gathering more data. Hopefully, soon I’ll get to put something to test. It’s hard trying to get a much data as I can during a game when I not only look at the play but also their strategies. Will see what I can do for the match on Sunday.

You never want to give opponents ammunition that they can use against you. Tim Cone has been around for quite some time. You know… 13 PBA titles as head coach and is one win away from his 24^th finals appearance. When asked if the semi-finals series with Barangay Ginebra is over, Cone, the Master of the triangle and modesty groped for the right words, “Me of all people to say that is over? Do I think it’s over? Uh, you know I told the players that it takes a special effort to get up 2-0. Normally it’s 1-1, 2-2 and there’s a reason for that because the team is adjusting to the team that won. If you’re reacting, you’re the aggressor that means you know what to do.”

Am working on some technical stuff here and hopefully in the next game I can finally put that theory to test. Here's me with Coach Tim discussing that.

Join the Facebook Chat with James & Phil Younghusband about their days in Chelsea and the Chelsea FC Soccer School in Manila

Chat with James and Phil Younghusband this coming Monday, April 16, 2012 from 1130am-12:10noon on Gatorade Philippines' Facebook Page.

Opening this summer is the Philippines’ premiere foreign football academy, The Chelsea Soccer School. There is no doubt that it will be the start of what will be a long and fruitful relationship between our country and the world famous English club. Join former Chelsea youth players Phil and James Younghusband, together with Gatorade, as they engage fans from all over the world on Facebook Chat. Get a chance to ask about their experiences with Chelsea and what it has in store for Philippine football.

The Yankee faithful get to honor Jorge Posada and it’s just so fitting

The Yankee faithful get to honor Jorge Posada and it’s just so fitting

by rick olivares pic by barton silverman/ny times

When the New York Yankees play their home opener at Yankee Stadium tomorrow, Hiroki Kuroda will be on the mound. The atmosphere at the Bronx will be electric after the Bronx Bombers arrested a three-game sweep by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays by sweeping the Baltimore Orioles to even their record to 3-3. And the Yankees are hoping that the homestand will boost their place in the standings.

Adding to the festivity of opening day at Yankee Stadium is the official send-off for longtime catcher Jorge Posada. After playing 17 seasons, practically his entire career, Posada hung up his spikes for good when it didn’t look like he would get more playing time. Incredibly despite playing backstop for the Yankees’ last World Series title team in 2009, Posada played less and less the last two seasons. Incredibly, it was skipper Joe Girardi who made the call to diminish Posada’s role.

I wrote back in 2010 that it was an interesting contrast considering it was Posada who rendered Girardi expendable in the late 1990s when New York was in the midst of an incredible string of four World Series title in five years. Of course, that could be mere coincidence.

But the emotional Posada never lived down the diminished role.  I watched the tearful press conference where he said goodbye to the team. On Friday (Saturday Philippine time), New York will have the opportunity to give Posada the send-off he richly deserves.

As I write this, I feel the hair on my skin stand as I recall the emotional send-off for Paul O’Niell by far my favorite New York Yankee during the team’s final home game of the 2001 season when fans began to chant Paulie’s name late in the game when the team was losing. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing as it happened as the old stadium rocked as one chanting O’Niell’s name. Even players on the Arizona Diamondbacks took note of the stirring tribute and were moved by the gesture.

There was another moment that evoked a similar response. I was a young buck when I saw the Yankees take the field on the day on August 6, 1979 (on television). They just flew back to New York hours after burying catcher and team captain Thurman Munson who died in a plane crash five days before. ABC, the network televising the match, showed images of the previous opening match of a five-game set with Baltimore where the Yankees honored their captain by standing in their defensive positions. The catcher’s box was empty. It was an incredible eight-minute ovation for Munson and I remember being in tears watching that. After the late Yankee announcer Bob Sheppard said that it was time to play ball, New York’s back-up catcher Jerry Narron entered the field. That August 6, then-Yankee manager, the late Billy Martin, asked if Bobby Murcer, one of Munson’s two best friends on the team (the other being Lou Piniella) if he wanted to sit the game out. Murcer, was one of my fave players on that team, and he had delivered the eulogy to Munson in the funeral and he wanted to play.

Murcer single-handedly brought the Yankees back from a 4-0 deficit. In the ninth inning, Murcer hit a two-run line drive to left field that sent home Bucky Dent and Willie Randolph for a wild 5-4 win (that was against the Orioles' great closer Tippy Martinez).  

Up to that point, I only knew of Howard Cosell from the fights of Muhammad Ali but he was anchor for that game between the Yankees and the Baltimore Orioles. And I’ll always remember what he was trying to say so coolly back then: “Line drive and it’s a fair play to the corner. Here comes the score and the Yankees win 5-4. On the day they buried their team captain and leader, the hero Bobby Murcer, one of the eulogists for the Yankees today.” I might have missed out some words there but that is what I remember Cosell saying.

For me as a lifelong Yankee fan, a tradition passed on to me by my beloved grandfather, more than any other sport, even more than football, baseball is my game. One of the biggest thrills in my life was going to Cooperstown and to Yankee Stadium. I got to watch in the Stadium, many of my latter day favorites from Bernie Williams, Roger Clemens, Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Mariano Rivera, Andy Pettitte, and of course, Jorge Posada.

It’s rare to find players who stick to one club. It still galls me that Michael Jordan played for Washington. It does. I am happy that Don Mattingly played his entire career in New York. I am happy that Paul O’Niell ended his career in pinstripes and I do hope to see his #21 in Monument Park one day. I am happy that Bernie Williams never played for anyone else. I am happy that Derek Jeter is another lifelong Yankee. But on Saturday, that day belongs to Jorge Posada.

Thanks, champ!

Ateneo Blue Eagles: The Drive for Five Pre-season Part 1 Decisions

This appears in ateneo.edu

Blue Eagles scrimmage! Gwynne Capacio attempts to block Ryan Buenafe's floater in the lane as Justin Chua and Nico Elorde look on.

The Drive for Five

Pre-season Part I Decisions

by rick olivares photos by aaron vicencio and me

Summer. 2012.

Moro Lorenzo Sports Center.

In three days’ time, the new college basketball season will officially open. It will be a time for testing and tinkering with lineups, refurbished and retooled ones. All dedicated to winning a coveted crown. And for many teams, it’s all about knocking out the champ.

The “champ” is Ateneo de Manila. Four-time UAAP champions and 10 other owners of hardware from an alphabet soup of basketball leagues.

There’s a sense of the old Chicago Bulls’ ‘Last Dance’ with this coming season -- a bunch of players graduating and the head coach moving on. While the championship run has been nothing short of incredible there's a sense of finality this upcoming season to go with all the drama, history, and unfinished business. The last time an Ateneo basketball team made the finals four straight years was when the Blue Eagles were plying their trade in the grand old NCAA back in the rip-roaring 50’s when they played San Beda for five straight and memorable years. The missed the bus to the big dance in 1956 before Ed Ocampo and company brought the good old blue and white back-to-back titles in ’57 and ’58.

No one is thinking just yet of a title game. After all, it’s a seven-month long sojourn to the Mount Olympus of college hoops. The Blue Eagles, although they wish this Saturday is the start of the UAAP instead of the FilOil, know that good things come to those who wait and to those willing to work the hardest.

Nico Elorde and Joma Adornado.

Nico Elorde is one of five Ateneo Blue Eagles listening to assistant coach Jamike Jarin tell some story. The group broke up to some loud guffaws. Elorde then proceeded to shoot baskets with Joma Adornado and Von Pessumal.

The grandson of boxing great Flash Elorde quickly eased into his new school and new team. He recounted that fateful decision to transfer schools. That was following La Salle’s loss to San Sebastian in last summer’s Fil-Oil tournament. Several players were asked to step out of the dugout to talk to the assistant coaches who broke the news that they would not be going with the rest of the squad for training in the United States. “That was the sign that I had prayed for if I should transfer to another school,” recalled Elorde.

Ateneo had left for its own training in Las Vegas and Elorde and his older brothers called their parents who were in the United States on vacation. Nico's parents understood and encouraged their youngest son to keep his spirits up. “We’ll find you the right school,” promised Elorde’s mother, Liza, who made the trip to Nevada to speak with Ateneo head coach Norman Black about the possibility of Nico turning a shade of blue. And just like that, Nico Elorde changed zip codes and jersey colors.

“It helped that Gwynne (Capacio) was already here,” Elorde told of his seamless transition. “But everyone made me feel welcome right away. I just want to play. I can’t wait to contribute to defending the championship.”

Ryan Buenafe walked in as Elorde, Adorando, and Pessumal were shooting baskets. Buenafe waved to his teammates. “Naka-balik na rin,” he sheepishly grinned. The one-year away from the team was a humbling experience. It wasn’t easy. “Milagro” is all how he can describe of his year in basketball purgatory. He had to battle some negative advice with regards to his studies and to make that decision to pick up his grades so he could play once more. Heck, he couldn’t even suit up for Team B basketball. So when the opportunity arose, he tore up opposing teams in college intramural basketball. Inside the Moro Lorenzo Sports center, Buenafe still doesn’t look comfortable when well wishers tell him to kick basketball butt. “Sana,” he offered with that trademark shy grin.

Norman Black then walked up the flight of steps leading to the basketball court. He shook the hand of pro ball player Jimmy Alapag who was seated on the bench. Talk ‘N Text’s practice wasn’t until 4:30pm, a good three hours from now but Alapag wanted to arrive early and watch the Blue Eagles practice.

Black quickly conferred with first assistant Sandy Arespacochaga on what needed to be done for the day’s practice and the days to come. The American head coach is entering his eighth season with Ateneo, the longest tenured coach of the Blue Eagles since Baby Dalupan’s five years in the 1970s and Al Dunbar’s run in the 1960s.

Black would be leaving the country the following day (Thursday) to attend a coaching seminar in the United States. Before the recent championship run of the Blue Eagles, Black was a habitual attendee of the Toronto Raptors training camp and other clinics. But after the Blue Eagles played deep into the college season and beyond, Black had been unable to attend. With his impending return to professional basketball, he arranged to go on leave in order to attend some seminars – this one under North Carolina’s Roy Williams and former Indiana head coach Bobby Knight to name a few – to learn how these great basketball minds prepare their teams. “As a coach (entering his 25^th year in the profession), you have to constantly try to improve,” said Black.

Three days before it was announced that Season 75 would be Black’s last as head coach (he will still be around for two more years as consultant), he informed the entire team and staff of his plans. “That is why when the news broke, we were not surprised,” related Arespacochaga.

Black is happy with what he alongside management, the school, and the coaching staff, have built in Ateneo. The tough times before the championships came certainly made the experience only sweeter. However, the dream of a return to the pros remained. Any consideration to return to the pros would have to be on his terms -- a team that he could join provided the timing was right and that squad could compete for a PBA title. With movement among Talk ‘N Text and Smart Gilas, there was suddenly an opening. Arriving at the decision to leave on the other hand wasn’t easy. Black thought long and hard about the matter. “I only hope that when my PBA stint is over, maybe I can come back to Ateneo… if they’ll have me," he said offering a window for a possible return.

But the announcement that Black would be leaving by season’s end had its ill effects. Several players who had committed to Ateneo had a change of heart and went elsewhere. It wasn’t the first time this happened and it will certainly not be the last. More than a decade ago, Ateneo Team Manager Paolo Trillo’s brother Luigi, was earmarked to go to Katipunan after a sterling career with the La Salle Zobel Bengals. But when then Blue Eagles head coach Chot Reyes moved to the pros, Trillo moved instead to Taft. “I though that whoever followed Chot (it was Baby Dalupan who was in his second go-around with the Blue Eagles) might not want me or even use me because I am not their recruit,” recounted Trillo.

“The system is there,” pointed out Black. “Whoever comes after me will have to do his share of recruiting.”

There are four open slots on the team. Emman Monfort, Raymond Austria, and Kirk Long have graduated. Third string center Jeric Estrada is out with academic problems. In their place are Elorde, Blue Eaglet center Kris Porter, and the returning Buenafe. The FilOil lineup allows 17 players and right now, it is undecided whether that last couple of slots go to Adornado, Isaac Lim, or Giboy Babilonia. “There’s still a lot of work to be done,” observed Black. “Chemistry’s not yet there and we haven’t decided on any rotation.”

Decisions have to be made to accommodate certain players who are expected to heavily contribute this season. Decisions have to be made on who starts and who comes off the bench.

“One of the biggest challenges in defending a championship is fixing the players’ mindset,” pointed out Arespacochaga. “That is why we have to constantly change our plays, add new ones or tweak them a bit.”

“Right now, we aren’t thinking na, ‘ah, this is Coach Norman’s last year’,” chipped in Tonino Gonzaga, one of the captains this year. “We will think about that when the time comes. Right now, we’re all trying to get in shape and win a championship. You think we’re not hungry for another title? We are.”

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Next: Letran! And the Search for the next Blue Eagles head coach. Plus, the Bleachers' Brew podcast where I talk about Blue Eagles basketball. It's all up next week.

A pair of Arsenal commercials including the new Citroen ad

Arsenal first team players Alex Song, Wojciech Szczesny, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Bacary Sagna learn ballet moves with dancers from the English National Ballet to promote New Citroën DS5.

Chelsea HK coach Dave Stewart to grace Chelsea Soccer School Philippines Opening

Chelsea HK coach Dave Stewart to grace Chelsea Soccer School Philippines Opening

by rick olivares

The anticipation of the opening of The Chelsea FC Soccer School in Philippines is reaching a fever pitch. The school will kick off with a special Summer Camp that will be operated under a special arrangement between Chelsea FC and The Younghusband Football Academy.

This is indeed a special and unique event with the Younghusband Football Academy as its directors and principal coaches, brothers James and Phil Younghusband were once Chelsea Youth Academy standouts.

Helping out in the first few sessions will be Dave Stewart, Football Program Development Manager of the Chelsea FC Soccer School in Hong Kong. Stewart has been teaching football from the grassroots to elite level for the past 10 years in 20 different countries. He holds an English FA Level 2 Coaching Certificate and a UEFA Level 3 Coaching Certificate.

Stewart will be joining the Younghusband Brothers when they kick off the Chelsea FC Soccer School with a press conference on Monday, April 16, 2012 at the GroupM offices at the 23^rd Floor, Picadilly Star building at the Fort.

“For me, teaching kids is a different satisfaction to playing football but it’s on the same level. Just a different satisfaction,” said Phil of the brothers’ foray into coaching.

“Seeing these kids with joy in their faces reminds us of ourselves when we were younger. For us to play a part in their development makes us happy. Because one thing we noticed at the young level -- maybe under the age of 12 -- kids are very similar in the abilities of those youngsters in England and Europe. The problem is when they move up to the high school and college level where the lack of opportunities and the lack of quality games hinders their development of players. For us to work with Chelsea in these kids’ development makes us excited.”

Added James, who is team captain for the Loyola Meralco Sparks, “During our younger years, Phil was playing as a defender and I was playing as a striker. That’s why it is important to help them develop and discover their talents.”

“Plans are being made for the official launch of the Chelsea FC Soccer School Philippines and we will be releasing more details very soon. Both Phil and I are excited about this project but first thing first, let’s enjoy this upcoming Summer Camp together!”

The Chelsea FC Soccer School summer camp powered by The Younghusband Football Academy and will have a limited number of slots for intermediate and advanced football training that will also be overseen by some of the club’s coaches. The age groups will be divided as follows Under-8, U-10, U-12, and U-16 for boys and girls.

The summer camp will be held at the Evia Football Field in Las Piñas on April 17, 19, 24, 26 as well as on May 3, 8, and10. The culminating activity and the Official Launch of the Chelsea Soccer School, will be held on May 15 at the SM Mall of Asia.

For more information about The Chelsea FC Soccer School, please visit www.theyounghusbandfootballacademy.com or contact 09478357519.

Is Real Madrid going the way of Man City?

Is Real Madrid going the way of Man City?

by rick olivares photo by getty images

Disappointing scoreless draw for Real Madrid against Valencia. They dominated possession and had more shots on goal. I am wondering though how they could finish so poorly against Los Che.

I’d credit Valencia for three things – one, answering a Madrid attack with one of their own; two, the compact defending in the middle the moment a Madrid player got within a few yards of the box. The few instances that Madrid got inside whether via one-two passing the volley lacked power or Ronaldo or Benzema clumsily fell. Whether they were trying to get a penalty called in their favor is disappointing. The third reason that allowed Valencia to escape being pulverized by Real Madrid is the fantastic goalkeeping of Vicente Guita Panadero. Even when he was beaten, he had his arms and legs flailing about that a follow up shot by Karim Benzema hit the Valencia keeper’s knee! Incredible.

When Valencia countered, Iker Casillas was also magnificent at goal for Real Madrid. When he was beaten, the cross bar was there for him and he was sure to make his appreciation known.

The ref missed a deliberate handball in the box that should have been called a penalty against Valencia though. That’s three draws in Madrid’s last four fixtures (including back-to-back 1-1 draws with Malaga and Villareal). All of a sudden, I am reminded of that horrible stretch (December 2008-January 2009) where Liverpool drew a bunch of games that allowed Manchester United to come close and overtake them in the standings. And you can actually say the same thing about Manchester City in the English Premier League this season. They were ahead and looked to win it (although it was kind of early to make such a pronouncement) but look at them now. Losing to Arsenal who did the Red Devils a massive favor.

As for Real Madrid, from a robust 10-point advantage over Barcelona following the Catalan club’s loss to Osasuna, Los Merengues are now a mere four points ahead of Lionel Messi and company who thrashed Zaragoza 4-1.

It will be a brutal stretch for Madrid. They played Valencia on Sunday then they will be playing cross-city rivals Atletico Madrid (11-9-11) on Wednesday and you know that that Los Rojiblancos will be up for the El Derbi Madrileño more so after losing to Levante, 2-0 at Cuitat de Valencia. And the derby will be at the Vicente Calderon Stadium where there is no love for Real Madrid. The head-to-head match up is 80-31-35 in favor of Los Blancos.

Then on Saturday, they go back to the Bernabeu to play Sporting Gijon (6-7-18). Then the week after they play Barcelona at Camp Nou. Real Madrid cannot afford to drop any points in these next two fixtures if they want to win the La Liga.

When clubs like Real Madrid and Barcelona play, I am reminded of what New York Post columnist Mike Vaccaro says about the New York Yankees, “In a 162-game regular season, the Yankees play 162 Game Sevens.” They are not only battling opponents on the field but also the specter of Barcelona's success and expectation in the Spanish capital. How's that for pressure. While the same can be said for top football sides, Barcelona has handled it well but for Madrid, this brutal stretch all the way to the El Classico will determine who wins La Liga.

One with the 96 Run

One with the 96 Run

On the morning of Saturday April 15^th 1989, thousands of Liverpool fans set off for an FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest at Hillsborough, the home of Sheffield Wednesday FC. Ninety-six Liverpool fans lost their lives that day and many hundreds of others were badly injured. For Liverpool fans, the number ‘96’ is etched in the collective memory alongside other numbers such as ‘5’ and ‘18’. The ‘96’ have become an intrinsic part of Liverpool Football Club.

From April 13 to 15, six Liverpool fans will run the 76 miles from Sheffield’s Leppings Lane to Anfield to raise funds for the 96 victims of the tragedy where accountability still has to be established to this day.

On the same day that the six LFC fans set out for the final leg to Anfield, Liverpool Football Club KOPinoys will walk/jog/run 15k (9+6=15 or 9.3 miles) to show support for their English brethren at the University of the Philippines. One lap around the Sunken Garden is 2.2K so a total of seven laps is just about right.

There will be no fees. Just wear your LFC colors and join the run. We will take pictures before, during, and after the run that we will send to the Hillsborough-Anfield Run and LFC Facebook sites not to mention our own.

Meeting time is at 6am outside the College of Business Administration. Kindly check out the link for those who are not familiar with the UP campus. You might have to park in the nearby streets as Osmeña and Roxas Avenues are closed on Sundays to vehicular traffic to give way to runners. Our run begins at 6:15. Bring some water bottles.

See you there!

Bleachers' Brew #306 The aria of Daniel Gonzales

This appears in the Monday, April 16, 2012 edition of the Business Mirror.

The aria of Daniel Gonzales

by rick olivares

There’s that moment that is to seize and shine. When all that waiting, that frustration, the doubts and hardships pay off. When one says, “I’m doing the right thing.”

It was a well placed cross off a free kick. The ball arced down towards a gaggle of Navy and Pasargad players. Daniel Anthony Gonzales had just entered the match as a substitute striker for a beleaguered Navy team that was attempting to steal a win with the match tied at one goal apiece and the game close to full time. And the ball seemed to drop in slow motion with Gonzales the target.

All those long years of practice were going to crystallize into one moment. Gonzales attempted to trap the ball but to his horror, the ball slipped past him. No!

But his teammate, Alfie Caminos, was right there. Caminos booted the ball past a stunned Pasargad keeper Abdollah Golkhah. And in the 86^th minute, just like that, it was 2-1, Navy. And the proud sailors whose team had been taking it on the chin, no, from bow to stern, with a barrage of cruise missiles, exploded in rapturous celebration for they were close to their crucial first win in nine matches.

In the aftermath of the goal and the win, Gonzales celebrated rather boisterously. And the game statisticians credited the goal to him.

Friends back in the United States and newly made ones here in the Philippines congratulated him on every social media there is. “I wish I could say that the goal is mine. But no!” he cried out. “It’s not.”

However, Gonzales is just grateful. Grateful that he got on the pitch before he called time on his Philippine adventure.

After all what’s an opera-trained engineering graduate from Virginia Tech playing football for free in the Philippines?

“I was in my cubicle back in Virginia when I went to Google ‘Philippine football,’” he recalled. “The first thing I saw was ‘Bleachers’ Brew’ and that was my introduction to the football revolution going on in the Philippines.”

It was wild. It was crazy. During the winter break of an internship, with a little money in his pocket, Gonzales went to the country of his grandfather’s birth, the Philippines, in search of a football dream.

“Up to that point, my life was class in the morning, music practice in the afternoon, sports or working out in the afternoon, then opening the apartment I shared with my girlfriend to whoever among our friends from the Wood family who wanted to hang out,” said Gonzales. “This was a chance to break out from that routine.”

This was around December of 2010 and the Philippines was in the midst of a historic run in the Suzuki Cup that forever changed the landscape for Philippine football. As Gonzales inquired about playing football in the Philippines, I discouraged him from doing so. The local football scene received a massive jolt of publicity but club football wasn’t something where one could make an honest living.

However, Gonzales remained steadfast in his dream. “I have to say that I tried,” he promised himself before finally making the plunge exactly one year later. His best friend, Jim Smith, was murdered during a burglary at his home and Virginia and the loss had a profound effect on Gonzales.

“Jim once said – in spite of being 19 years old – that he felt he had done what he wanted in his young life and if he were to die young he’d be all right with it,” recounted Gonzales of that moment that he thought was odd. “When Jim died, I thought of what he said and I told myself that life was too short and I have to make the most of it.”

He got in touch with another fellow Virginia native in Nate Burkey who invited him to try out for Kaya. But an out of shape Gonzales moved from one tryout to another. “That was my fault,” he said. “I guess I didn’t impress anyone.” While working himself back into game shape, he gave himself until March for one last chance to latch on to a club. If he was unable to do, he’d go back to the United States and resume his life. In the meantime, he did a few odd jobs to earn some extra money. On other days, he auditioned for some stage plays because of his classical music and opera background. “I know it sounds odd – opera and football don’t seem to go together but that’s me,” he sheepishly admitted.

With the March transfer window for the 2012 season of the United Football League rapidly closing, he sought out Navy coach Marlon Maro at La Salle Greenhills. Gonzales made his pitch. He was willing to play for free. All he asked was to be given a chance to join a club and play. Maro, who recently retired from the Philippine Navy and only returned in the last UFL Cup because his former club was floundering, quietly sized him up for a few minutes before he simply pronounced, “Okay.”

Gonzales showed up for Navy’s next practice and the assistant coaches merely asked for two-by-two identification pictures to process his paperwork with the UFL. “I was surprised but that was all? Hell, I didn’t care. I was just happy to be a part of a team,” exclaimed the overjoyed football aspirant. “I just want to play football.”

In the aftermath of the “near first goal,” Gonzales remains optimistic. “I think I am close – this close to making the most out of my dreams,” he said while using his pointer and thumb to illustrate his statement.

The finale has yet to be sung.