The Loyola
Meralco Sparks in Singapore
Part 2: Adjustments
by rick olivares pics by brosi gonzales
March 17, 2012
The match against Geylang United can’t
come at a more opportune time. For the Loyola Meralco Sparks, their miraculous
comeback against Kaya would be their last bit of football play until their next
one. Except there was about a two to three week break because the Philippine
Men’s Football National Team was going to be playing so participation in the
2012 Singapore Cup was sure to keep the team’s competitive edge honed to razor
sharp keenness.
But as the Sparks began their second
day in Singapore, the coaching staff was concerned about their players’ not
being fully rested. There was the problem of room availability and not al the
players arrived at the same time. It was decided that following the player
inspection at 1130am, the team would head out for lunch at Orchard Road to be
tendered by club president Randy Roxas then do some walking around that world
famous stretch of shopping. After that, the team would be in lockdown mode.
Game focus was going to be the order of the day.
With injuries and the unavailability
of several players, a few of the Sparks will have to play in different
positions. This was all discussed on the first training day when the coaches
discussed the movement with the players. “The important thing is we get to
practice that on the field,” underscored assistant coach Vince Santos who
arrived Wednesday just in time for practice.
Santos himself had to make personal
adjustments when his decided to hang up his spikes due to an injury and other
interests. A feared striker during his schooling days, Santos decided to go
into coaching in high school when he realized that it was important to correct
flaws in a player’s fundamentals and mechanics at an age when they were still
malleable. As a member of the Sparks’ coaching staff, it’s a dream come true
for the former Ateneo Blue Booter to be able to coach both in school (FEU) and
with a club (UFL).
Like any other footballer, there are
days when he wishes he could lace his boots on. However, the moment he made the
decision to commit himself to coaching and building a grassroots program, he
was fine with not playing.
“We don’t really know much about
Geylang so we could play cautious at the start before we can decide how to play
them. But of course, we will not just sit back and relax. It is important that
we establish ourselves early in the match,” said Santos.
One player who might not be able to
suit up is Italian midfielder Davide Cortina. During the player registration,
he showed his International Transfer Certificate from his previous club in
Dusseldorf and the card is printed in German. The Football Association of
Singapore needs to verify the ITC before Cortina is allowed to play.
The news somewhat dampens the mood.
But not entirely. Words quickly
spreads that their match against Geylang United will be shown live on AKTV back
home. That means the people back home will get a chance to see the match.
There’s also a podcast recording of
the Back Four Bums and several players guest on the show. Santos brings down a
box of specially colored Ray Ban glasses that fit the Loyola colors. The
players don them and take a bunch of photos. Ref Cuaresma leads some players in
an impromptu pose like the boy bands of yesteryear.
And there’s more tonic for the concern
about Cortina’s status for the match. The team leaves for Orchard Road and
excitement fills the air. Some players have been here before although not
necessarily to shop or see the sights. Anto Gonzales was here before as a
player. That was in 2007 during the Asean Football championships.
Unfortunately, the team was on the receiving end of a pair of 4-0 butt kickings
from Malaysia and Indonesia. The coup de grace was a scoreless draw with
Myanmar. The team wasn’t complete then and minus Phil Younghusband who was not
released by Chelsea. The Azkals adjusted by playing Chris Greatwich up front
with Aly Go. “Hopefully, this time, we’ll get a different result,” wished
Gonzales who is thrilled to be called up to the national team training camp in
Cebu. “Again, we are missing players so we don’t know how things will work
out.”
Jake Morallo like many of his
teammates are excited to see Orchard Road. The sheer number of people walking
about, the massive billboards and LCDs, the malls, it’s a welcome and inviting
change from the drab surroundings of the Santa Grand East Coast Hotel that is
close to Changi Airport. The shuttle bus drops the team off just behind the
elegant Ngee An City. The team walks around the world famous thoroughfare and
Morallo is like a kid in a toy store.
People stare at the team that is
dressed in red tennis shirts and shorts. Some Filipinos recognize the players
and ask for pictures. The players gladly oblige.
The team is undecided on where to eat.
After all, it isn’t easy to find a place during the noontime crush that can
seat a party of over 20 people. Chinese food. Italian. Chicken wings. There are
suggestions. When someone suggests Friday’s at the Hereen (just across the
Mandarin Orchard Hotel), Randy Roxas wonders, “You mean we’re in Singapore and
we’re going to eat at Friday’s? We have that back home.”
But the restaurant has enough space
for the team so Friday’s it is. The team is split into two areas with tables
bunched together. By lunch’s end, Phil asks those seated in our area to guess
how much we’ve been billed. Every one quickly makes a guess. Master Kim tops
the bets with a Singapore $450 tab. Vince Santos wins it (he guessed $250 and
the bill is at $253 but the overall cost is close to a $1000). The players
chorus “Thanks, Randy.”
The team walks about. There will be
time for sightseeing and some shopping after the game. But for now, it’s a
return to the hotel to get some rest and prep for the business of football. Practice
is at 5pm once more at the Jalan Besar Stadium.
Game day is close.
 |
| Practice on Thursday at the Jalan Basar Stadium. |
See you tonight guys!....make us proud mga pinoy dito sa SG..go for a WIN!...Cheers, James Escanuela (ex-footballer 1982-84...elementary days to early high school...Cebu...haha)
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