Day 2:
Getting ready
by rick olivares pic by brosi gonzales
Back home, the Loyola Meralco Sparks
couldn’t wait to get away from all the rain. Here in Singapore, a little rain
wouldn’t hurt. It helps battle the humidity and the game conditions.
The turf at the Jalan Besar Stadium is
home to the Young Lions of the S.League. It isn’t like the turf at BGC that is
soft and easy on the knees and feet. It is quite the opposite. It’s hard and
unforgiving.
But during practice yesterday at
stadium, Loyola president Randy Roxas pronounced the weather conditions just
right (it rained in the morning and a light afternoon shower cooled off the
heat).
A trip like this helps bring the team
a little closer. Aside from playing some football, being away from familiar and
comfortable settings provides focus. The team pranksters like Ref Cuaresma and
Jayson Cutamora’s one-liners keep everyone loose. This being Singapore and
being like one huge island mall is enough to keep everyone excited. “There’s
some energy to Singapore,” quips Cuaresma. “Hopefully, we can match it.”
Back home, the team never travels
around together. Here, it’s a refreshing change. The Koreans themselves are fun
to be around with. Simon Greatwich’s presence is missed as he was a bridge to
all the groups. But the purpose is clear – to win a pair of football games.
Master Kim as always is an active sort
during practice. He believes that execution is key. As long as the team
perfects its game plan then no one can beat them.
With 15 minutes to go before the end
of practice, the Kanbawza team of PN Sivaji arrives. He is very much familiar
with the Philippine team having coached Singapore before. He oft goes to Manila
to conduct coaching seminars and he quickly makes a beeline for Loyola
assistant Gil Talavera who he knows well.
The KBZ team sits away from the
benches until Loyola finishes it post-practice stretching. A Singaporean and
English writer drop by for some quick interviews.
The ride back to the hotel still finds
the team in high spirits. The Koreans try in pidgin English to explain some
internal game that is being played amongst the team. Cuaresma asks if Cutamora
is an illegal back home in the Philippines. Anto Gonzales wishes he were taller
and that he had a billboard back home (hahaha internal joke).
By dinner’s end, the team will view
the KBZ game from the previous round on DVD. The next day’s itinerary is
briefly discussed. Everyone can’t wait to get it on.
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