Talking About A Revolution

The Nakhon Ratchasima games are now over. The Philippines finished at a dismal sixth place and the customary finger-pointing is escalating. Truthfully, I don’t care anymore. It has been long since I cared. Even in the middle of the competition there have been whispers among the Southeast Asians that our medal harvest when we hosted the games two years ago could have been a result of the homecourt advantage or even cheating.

Of course we could say the same thing now versus the Thais. In fact, even before the games began, there were already reports of sudden changes of schedule, snafus in administration and others to unhinge the Philippines’ campaign.

Like England when it comes to Europe, we are outsiders to the Indo-china region. Most of our neighbors are side by side in geography aside from having similar religions, languages, and ethnic origins. They’d rather look out for each other than give us a fair shake.

We were a power in Asia even before they learned many of these games we play. But decades of erosion due to government corruption (including the sport associations), negligence, the lack of organization, and the emphasis on basketball has greatly set back Philippine sports. Some have called for the concentration on the sports where we are traditionally strong like basketball, billiards, and boxing. The “B-sports” as we call it. Even so, in the last Olympics, our boxers had to share trunks during competitions. So what kind of support is that? And for that matter should we stop sending teams from other sports? Oh, right. We didn’t have a men’s football team this time around. Well that’s nothing you don’t know already, right?

So here’s what maybe we can do.

1) Replace all our sports leaders from all agencies. Every last one of them. It’s time for a blood transfusion. The longer these people become entrenched in the sport, it becomes their personal fiefdom. Get younger people to run things with a mandate for real change in three or four years with the barometer being the immediate SEA Games and other competitions. Their tenure will be scrutinized by a review panel based on merit and output. Not the number of allies they have in the regional associations.

2)Get major corporations to sponsor certain teams or sports (with certain checks and balances). Give them tax cuts in return. After all, those taxes are not spent wisely anyway and end up in some jackass’ pockets. No politicos please. They use the sport for photo ops when they know nothing anyway. After all they should concentrate or implementing laws and effecting positive change, not going to Las Vegas when our boxers have a fight. Use Trillanes’ pork barrel to sponsor these teams. He doesn’t need it anyway.

3)Rather than send some of our athletes for training abroad for a few weeks (believe me it helps but when they get back here, our facilities are so bad, the routine light miles away that they lapse back into old habits), bring over foreign coaches/consultants say – a Brazilian for football, a Chinese national for gymnastics or swimming, and the Japanese for baseball. And get others who are true world champions of their sports. They will immediately be able to identify what’s wrong with our technique and what needs to be done. And their recommendations should be given immediate support (of course with proper review). Look our local coaches had their chances too right? If we can send our nurses, doctors, and engineers abroad to steal their jobs they can do the same too. Screw those rights about pure Filipinos in these professions. We ask for independence from the United States but everyone scampers to get a visa and a green card if possible.

4)Get that homegrown program in place (tap the schools as centers of excellence) and limit the inclusion of the Fil-foreigners in our competitions. If they show up only for the games then how do we know about their readiness and if they truly play for flag and country? If they are serious about that then they should stay here and train with everyone else.

5)If our best athletes do not compete in the games (I know our billiards players save themselves for the pro competitions where there is serious money to be made), do not invite them at all for national team duty. Not even a one-time experience.

6)The only professional league we have is basketball. Time to have one in football and volleyball folks. If it becomes a reality then you will see the young train hard to become the best they can be because they have something they can graduate to after their education.

7)Oh, yes. An education. We should look after them because once their past their prime, what’s next? Another poor and impoverished athlete living in squalor bitter against the world.

8)Get a national sports center somewheres. All the offices will be located there so any information can be accessed immediately. Time for those old arenas like the Rizal Memorial Coliseum to be demolished with new and modern structures put in place. It’s a landmark, you old timers say? Look if they can take away the Christmas palabas at the old COD in Cubao and do away with the Fiesta Carnival then anything is possible.

9)And lastly, get better television coverage for the international sports events. Enough of the crappy NBN-4. And no channel 2. The last thing we need is showbiz in sports with Dyan Castillejo telling us what this athlete had for breakfast. Please.

Guess what? I still do care.

Poll Results: The Ateneo Lady Spikers...

will contend for the championship 25 votes
have the prettiest girls in volleyball 19 votes
are not supported by the Ateneo community 9 votes
are unfamiliar to me 3 votes

Ateneo Women's Volleyball Match #2 A Set Back for Two Steps Forward

Ateneo vs. UST
26-24, 12-25, 21-25, 13-25
by rick olivares

Match #2
December 12, 2007
Blue Eagle Gym

Venus Bernal’s jaw dropped. Over at the western side of the Blue Eagle Gym, the Ateneo Lady Spikers rallied back to take an exciting and thrilling first set 26-24 from the defending UAAP women’s volleyball champion UST. Bernal’s frontline teammate Mary Jean Balse pulled her close along with the other Lady Tigresses on the court and hissed, “Bawi tayo.”

After the three-minute break between sets, Bernal and her teammates trooped back to the floor with their game faces on. Last season, these two teams played some pretty close games. In the recently concluded second conference of the V-League, Ateneo nearly upended the gold and white en route to the championship series. “Kahit wala yung Thai import ng Ateneo (Lithawat Kesinee),” said Balse, “Alam namin na malakas na team pa rin ang Ateneo. Nandyan pa yung tatlo nila (Charo Soriano, Patty Taganas, and Karla Bello) so kailangan talaga dalhin mo yung A-game mo.”

From there, UST went out and seized control with a dominating and almost clinical display of volleyball as they blitzed Ateneo with a 25-12, 25-21, and 25-13 four-setter.

“Kung makikipagsabayan kami sa frontline ng Ateneo,” explained UST coach Augusto Santamaria of his team’s strategy after the game, “eh, hindi smart volleyball yan. So pinapalo namin sa likod kung saan mahina yung depensa nila.”

Balse started the second set by sending her powerful serves to Ateneo’s backline. With Ateneo unable to properly receive the ball more so set it for an attack, they would send the freeball back to UST where their frosh setter Rhea Dimaculangan would set up Balse, Bernal, or Angeli Tabaquero in the middle for a powerful spike. Ateneo coach Ronald Dulay was conscious of UST’s checkouts that he sent Soriano to help out his beleaguered backline.

After UST leveled the match at a set apiece, Dulay stressed how important it was to come out strong in the pivotal third set. “Sinabi ko sa mga bata na masama yung second set,” explained the Ateneo coach. “Ipakita natin sa UST na hindi tayo intimidated. At importante na maganda yung depensa sa net.”

With Soriano somewhat checked by UST’s defense (she finished with 18 points), Ateneo found some precious points from Patty Taganas, Bea Pascual, Cara Acevedo, and Crystal Ballentyne. But UST rallied from an early 12-8 deficit to take the crucial third set.

The Ateneans tried to mount a rally in the fourth but found themselves in a deep hole early on. With the game seemingly out of reach, Dulay pulled out Soriano and put in Averil Paje and Asia Urquico who gave a good account of themselves.

Inside the Ateneo dugout, the team was at first quiet. Misha Quimpo was forlorn for her inability to help the team from the libero position. The coaching staff quickly pulled her close and encouraged her to keep on plugging in. Then Soriano spoke up for all to hear, “O bawi tayo sa Sunday (against La Salle). Bawi tayo.”

The team huddled for a quick prayer and a cheer.

One of My Favorite Michael Jordan Commercials

With the 2005 RP Women's Volleyball Team

Who Watches Solar Sports (Introducing BTV)?

Prior to the launch of Basketball TV in October 2006, we -- when I was still with Solar Sports -- prepared for a trade launch with advertisers, clients, athletes, government officials, and friends at the New World Renaissance (my fave hotel here in the country). At that time, I was passing on the NBA duties to my good friend Rely San Agustin who was taking over BTV while I was going to concentrate on Solar Sports.

I prepared this vid where I went to ADMU to interview some familiar faces -- Gino Tongson of the football team, Charlie of the volleyball team and that guy who co-hosts Pinoy Records on GMA 7. I also interviewed the Big Bossman (who is a great golfer and funny guy) of Jaguar Philippines, Mr. Willie Soong. I drove Mr. Soong's golf cart one time in Southwoods and we had a blast. I also went around interviewing and videotaping people's testimonies on why they watch Solar Sports. Nothing was scripted.

I thought I'd post it here so you can all enjoy it. It might be Ateneo-flavored, but Mr. Soong is from DLSU. Hahaha

More Shots With Some Sports Friends

One project I worked on was the Remember the Titans photo exhibit. It was a project by Fr. Tito Caluag's Lead Institute for Sport and I was project manager, copywriter, creative director, and sometimes photographer. San Miguel Corporation bankrolled the project and I had a blast with it. Some of the photo layouts have been copied by other photographers (hiss! boo!). I guess that they figured a newbie photographer couldn't conceptualize them. Well, those layouts aren't appearing here, but hopefully one day when I finally am able to sit down and compile everything for a book.

The photo exhibit featured some 40 different Philippine athletes from different eras. We even had a 1930's Olympian! I got to meet and become friends with an amazing number of them. Like Monsour Del Rosario, Stephen Fernandez, Christine Jacobs-Sandejas, and Toni Leviste to name a few. Here are some of the behind-the-scenes pix. The first shot is from the launch of the Lead Institute for Sport at the Tent in Bonifacio Global City. That's a shot with the staff like Eski Ripoll, Chris Quimpo, and Bajjie Del Rosario with the Triggerman! The Bogs Adornado shot is at the dugout of the Blue Eagle Gym. The shot with Christine Jacobs-Sandejas was at her Ayala Alabang residence (yes, I had to get into the pool to get some shots off too). The shot with Mikee Cojuango-Jaworski was at the Manila Polo Club. Toni Leviste was at her farm/ranch in Batangas. And Weena Lim at the Valle Verde Country Club badminton courts.

An Old V-League Commercial I Wrote, Directed & Shot

When I joined Solar Sports in 2005, one of the first projects I worked on was the Shakey's V-League Invitational -- a pre-2005 SEA Games tournament that featured the national teams of the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, and Myanmar.

It was here that I became really good friends with the late PBA Commissioner Jun Bernardino. I remember for my birthday before the tourney, the Commish gave me the PBA hardcover book 25th Anniversary book that he signed for me. I was living abroad at the time the book came out and I only saw it while having brunch at Coach Baby Dalupan's house in Loyola Grand Villas. Being a PBA fan, it was a terrific birthday gift. The tourney as is the V-League is run by Sports Vision which is in turn run by several Ateneans in Bernardino (who went on to UP for college), Ricky Palou, and former BAP official Moying Martelino.

Anyways, to promote the tournament, I shot this commercial with the RP Women's National Team at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum. Team Philippines featured the exciting Carolino sisters, Michelle and Marieta, Maureen Penetrante, a young Mary Jane Balse, and old reliables Cherry Macatangay and Roxanne Pimentel. The last time we won the SEA Games Gold was in Singapore in 1993. And in 2005, Team Philippines was expected to contend or better their bronze finishes in the last two SEA Games. The team was coached by Ramil De Jesus, head man of De La Salle University. Thailand won the tourney while the Philippines placed second.

The 30-seconder went this way:
"Sa panahon na ito, pakinggan natin ang pulso ng bayan.Panahon na para umangat. Angat, Pilipinas. Angat."

I dug it up along with all the PLDT, Equitable Bank, Anti-Piracy, DZRH, and other TV commercials I did back when I was in advertising. Thought you all might like it since it's the UAAP Volleyball season.

Poll Results

Should the Blue Eagles play in the PBL?

Yes. They need to play against the best competition? 29 votes.
No. Their current regimen is enough. 19 votes.
Not sure. I'm really an apathetic bastard. 2 votes.


Do you think Mixed Martial Arts will supplant boxing in popularity?
No. 22 votes.
Yes. 14 votes.
Not sure. 1 vote.

Ateneo Women's Volleyball Match 1 Sending A Statement

Ateneo vs National University
25-20, 24-26, 25-14, 25-13
by rick olivares

Match 1
December 10, 2007
Blue Eagle Gym

Scarcely had the game between Ateneo and National University ended – the television crews hadn’t even begun to dismantle their equipment when the Lady Spikers’ coach Ronald Dulay had his victorious team running drills and laps around the court.

There are high expectations for the Lady Spikers this Season 70. Notwithstanding their 2nd Runner-u finish in the Shakey’s V-League 2nd Conference (where Thai import Lithawat Kesinee played a huge role in the team’s finish), the team with three super seniors in its fold are expected to contend for the UAAP Women’s Volleyball title.

Up against NU, the team wasn’t expecting much opposition. Neither was anyone expecting the Lady Spikers to be lax and unfocused. More so since it was their first game of the tournament. And Dulay made sure to make his displeasure about their game known.

Surprisingly, there was a seeming lack of communication and defense from the starters. And Misha Quimpo, recently converted to libero (who understandably just got back from an injury) and Katrina Sison were having all sorts receiving and attacking problems. The problems in the backline continued well into the second set before Dulay placed Charo Soriano in the back to meet NU’s serves. Nevertheless, Ateneo had enough firepower to stave off the upset conscious Lady Bulldogs as they won an error-filled first set.

Perhaps thinking that their foes from Gastambide were going to roll over meekly and die, the Lady Spikers continued their lackluster play in the second set. Something NU capitalized on by leveling the match at a set apiece.

As smiles evaporated from the Ateneans’ faces, the coaches and players from FEU, UST, DLSU, and UE watched curiously from the stands. Whether they saw a chink in the armor of Ateneo is anyone’s guess, but one thing was for sure, NU had not faced the full measure of the girls in blue.

After Dulay sounded off the alarm bells, the Lady Spikers showed what they could be like when it was all business. The game plan was to attack NU’s weak middle and Soriano hammered away 24 attacking points (for a game high total of 28 points to NU’s Jennifer Cardoniga who finished with a far 14). Fellow senior Patty Taganas added 10 with two coming off service aces.

With the exception of another momentary lapse at the end, they made short work of NU with 25-14 and 25-13 to notch their first win.

Crsytal Ballentyne made a strong case for Ateneo’s first two-sport college star since Vince Santos in the 1990’s (with the Blue Eagles and the 1996 champion Blue Booters where he was named tournament MVP) with a sterling debut as she contributed points off spikes and blocks while playing major minutes. “She’ll get better once she’s in volleyball shape,” gushed the school’s volleyball program head Sherwin Malonzo, himself a very good volleyball player for Ateneo in high school.

“I heard good things about her,” explained University Athletics boss Ricky Palou about Ballentyne. “I had to put my foot down to make sure that she was included in the line-up. And it looks like she’ll be a major contributor. We have a good team. But the team has to be more focused. Hindi pwede yung bibigyan nila ng buhay yung kalaban. When they’re on, they’re hard to beat.”

And so Dulay put the team through their paces (as they huffed and puffed) with some drills and running laps around the court. “I hope everyone realizes that we’re not here for fun and games,” said Malonzo who stood at the sidelines discussing matters with other athletics officials. “I think that the reason why the others (Karla Bello, Soriano, and Taganas) came back was to compete for a championship. And they have to focus on that.”

And with a collision course this early (they play tomorrow, Wednesday at 2pm) with the newly crowned V-League champions UST, like the saying goes, this is where we see if they have what it takes.

Go Ateneo! Go Lady Spikers!

A Knockout to Move to the Knockouts

Liverpool completed their incredible UEFA Champions League comeback with a 4-0 victory at Olympique de Marseille, catapulting themselves into the knockout phase thanks to an explosive start at the Stade Vélodrome. They were the first English team to beat the French side on their home field. On the other hand, French teams continued to self-destruct in European play. The French people rallied around Erik Gerets team seeing that despite Liverpool's early set back to Reading this week the Reds are rounding out into solid form. The crowd was hostile from the get-go as they hissed and booed every time a Merseysider would touch the ball. When Steven Gerrard smashed in a rebound off a penalty in the 4th minute the entire stadmium was in shock. By the time Fernando Torres scored seven minutes later, they knew it was all over.

"I would say it was a perfect night ... almost perfect, you always have things to improve." Rafa Benitez after the huge win.



Real Madrid CF advanced as well to the knockout phase of the UEFA Champions League as Group C winners following a comfortable 3-1 victory against S.S. Lazio at the Santiago Bernabéu. The Rome side needed to win to have any chance of progressing and their coach Delio Rossi appeared to have instilled sufficient belief in his players who matched Madrid in terms of possession and confidence on the ball in the early stages. But Bernd Schuster's side is not the tentative and offensively-challenged team of recent years. Julio Baptista, Raul Gonzalez, and Robinho scored all in the first half to give the home crowd plenty of comfort and fend off any Italian attacks. With the loss, Lazio, which is at the bottom of their group standings, was sent packing.

With Some Friends

Three Minutes Outside the Octagon with Ken Shamrock

I caught up with Ken Shamrock at Red Ribbon at Robinson's Galleria after Team Shamrock's victory during the Manila Ring of Fire leg. It's a simple chat, but I survived to tell the tale.


Rick: Hi, Ken. Welcome to Manila.
Ken: Thanks. I’m loving every minute of it. That’s one of the benefits of being in this business, you get to see the world, fight, and meet the fans.

Rick: So how do you find Manila? Have you had a chance to go around?
Ken: Good. I didn’t think there’s be a lot of fight fans here. We got welcomed good and it’s been great. It’s nice to know that people here know mixed martial arts and the fighters. That’s respect. And you gotta give it back. Wish I had time to go around too.

Rick: Did you expect Team Shamrock to dominate in yesterday’s event (Ring of Fire)?
Ken: I always go into a fight thinking positive. I knew we’d win, but not sweep them the way we did. My team put up a helluva fight.

Rick: You’ve been a part of the WWF and TNA? You a wrestling fan?
Ken: I think every kid at one point in their lives was a wrestling fan and I’m no different. I got to fulfill a boyhood dream and that’s that. It was fun while it lasted.

Rick: Will we be seeing you inside the octagon any time soon?
Ken: That’s a positive. And I’ve been training hard. I’m in great shape. All I can say is… see ya soon. You'll know soon enough.

Rick: Thanks, Ken! Best of luck.
Ken: No prob. Thanks too!

Not Everyone Is On The Celtics' Bandwagon This Season. Try ESPN.

ESPN Page 2 has its moments. But most of the time, I find it too boorish, slanderous, and provocative with their supposedly tabloid humor. Hopefully this time, they'll think twice about what they put (what they put out about the wives of British football players sucks) about Kevin Garnett.

Yes, I'm not a fan of the Boston Red Sox and the New England Patriots, but I like the Celtics. Maybe not as much as the Bulls, but seeing KG there makes me root for them guys in green.

Page 2 ran a poll asking what the sports fan would want:
- the Pittsburgh Steelers beating the Patriots
- Johan Santana going to any team but the Red Sox
or
- KG blowing out his knee.

Garnett, his mouth ajar in disbelief upon hearing about the poll after last night’s game, recovered long enough to say, “Wow, that’s really distasteful, man. Man, I mean, that’s my life, my career. You don’t joke about something like that.”

Word quickly filtered out about KG and the Celtics' displeasure about the poll that ESPN quickly changed it. And no one voted for the KG entry.

So here's my battlecry, if the Chicago Bulls suck this year, I don't mind Boston or Phoenix winning. Anyone but the San Antonio Spurs.

Who's the Captain of the Ship? For England and the Adamson Falcons.

Jose Mourinho took himself out of the race for England manager after consultations with the Football Association. I guess this paves the way for him going to Manchester United after this season is over.

That leaves a pair of Italians, Marcello Lippi and Fabio Capello and Aston Villa's Irish coach Martin O'Niell. All three managers have had a lot of success -- Lippi and Capello with various Italians teams and O'Neill with Celtic in the Scottish Premier League.

Of the three, Lippi is the only one who has managed a national side, Italy from 2004-06 and the current World Cup champions. But Capello, despite not speaking English, has won with practically every club he's managed -- AC Milan, AS Roma, Juventus, and Real Madrid. The guy is a winner. He may not be the most people person, but he gets results. He may have made questionable moves in his last stint with Real Madrid but make no mistake, his shrewdness and willingness to gamble was what also helped Los Blancos win the La Liga. His putting in Jose Antonio Reyes in that final game against Mallorca was a stroke of genius.

O'Neill is an intriguing wild card choice. His being familiar with the British players might help, but one wonders if it's okay for many that an Irishman is leading the Three Lions?

I'd go for O'Niell, but methinks it's Capello.


On the homefront, Rico Maierhofer's brother will be reportedly suit up for a UAAP team. It's not just the DLSU Green Archers. It's that team from San Marcelino. Now if he's any good as his sibling then he'll be a big help for that team. So that's why they're trying to get either Boysie Zamar or Boy Ramos to coach. Money says it's the ex-Red Warrior.

Bleachers' Brew #85 The 2nd Annual Brewskies

(this appears in my column in Business Mirror today, December 10, 2007)

Welcome to the second ever Brewskies Awards (our year-end awards) where we hand out no-prizes to sportsmen and women as well as to events that made 2007 very memorable.


Music up and under: Bad Manners’ “Special Brew”

Best Welcome to the Big Leagues Greeting
Former Miami Heat forward James Posey – living up to his billing as Chicago Public Enemy #1, Posey breaks Bulls’ rookie Tyrus Thomas’s nose in the first game for both teams for the 2006-07 season.

Some People Never Learn Award
Brian Viloria. Given two chances to reclaim his world title belt, he comes out flat and loses twice.

Next HBO Fight Blockbuster
Joey Crawford vs. Tim Duncan

Freefall of the Year
After setting the tennis world on fire after winning everything in sight, Roger Federer lost to Guillermo Canas in the second round of the Pacific Life Open. The loss also ended his bid to break Guillermo Vilas’ record of 46 consecutive wins in a row and to tie eight-title wins in a row.

Federer would lose again to Canas in the next tournament the Sony Ericsson Open then back-to-back losses to Rafael Nadal in the Monte Carlo Masters and an exhibition match that was played on a half-clay and half-grass court. Then he lost to Filippo Volandri in the third round of the Rome Masters.

Honorable Mention: The UE Red Warriors for bombing out of the UAAP once more.

Disappearing Act of the Year
Chicago Bears Quarterback Rex Grossman during Super Bowl XLI.

Honorable Mention: Dirk Nowitski in First Round vs. Golden State Warriors

The Ron Artest Team Player of the Year Award
Jose Antonio Reyes of Arsenal/Real Madrid. Reyes was the player who Spanish National Coach Luis Aragones addressed his infamous racist remarks about Thierry Henry. Reyes and Henry were teammates at Arsenal at that time. Although he was indirectly involved in that incident, Reyes ironically has been one very controversial player. His first ever goal for the Gunners was an own goal. He was also caught on tape as saying that he didn’t like London and playing for Arsenal and that he longed to go back to his native Spain. He did get his wish as he was loaned to Real Madrid where he helped them win the La Liga. Unfortunately, he was shipped to Atletico Madrid in the off-season.

Zinedine Zidane Award for Headbutt of the Year
Jorge Solis on Manny Pacquiao. Solis’ cabezada in the sixth round whether intentional or not, woke up the Pacman from his listlessness and angered him. Knocking him down twice in the eighth round and winning the fight.

Mark Benitez Scholarship Award
PCU’s “Jaypee Importante” and whatever the hell his real name is.

The Scapegoat Award
The New York Yankees. After starting the season on a losing note, the Yankees fire rookie Conditioning Coach Marty Miller allegedly for the cause of the team’s many injuries. After another disappointing play-offs, the Yanks tell their players to take off-season conditioning seriously. Hmm.

The American Idle Award
Carl Pavano. In 2005, the New York Yankees signed pitcher Pavano to almost $40 million for four years. But in three years he’s only pitched 19 games with a record of 5-6. He has been on the disabled list for the better part of the three years he’s been with the Yankees.

The British Idle Award
Andriy Shevchenko, Chelsea FC. One of the blockbuster moves of football’s 2006-07 season was all but a dud. Hear that AC Milan is willing to take him back.

Best Doug Moe Impersonation
Golden State’s Don Nelson. His Warriors never met a shot they didn’t like.

Best Trash Talk of the Year
Tiger Woods vs. Michael Jordan at the Wachovia Pro-Am

Honorable Mention:
Ariel Vanguardia vs. Franz Pumaren in Fil Oil Pre-Season Tournament

Comeback of the Year
Real Madrid vs. Espanyol. Down 3-nil at the half, the Los Blancos score four goals afterwards.

Gag Me With A Spoon Award
Jason Giambi. Long suspected of using steroids, Giambi has been off the hook for a while what with all the attention given to Barry Bonds. Probably missing being in the news himself, he suddenly admits that “it was wrong to use that stuff” to a journalist prompting a reopening of the case against him. Said Yankees owner George Steinbrenner,himself ever so quotable, "Shut up, Jason."

Hotdog of the Year Award
Joey Chestnut current holder of the Mustard Yellow Belt for eating the most number of Nathan’s hotdogs in Coney Island. Chestnut beat Takeru Kobayashi, the six-time winner of the event by devouring 66 hotdogs in 12 minutes. That’s one hotdog for every 10.9 seconds. When Chestnut first dated his wife he took her to a hotdog stand foreshadowing his future gastronomic exploits.

Sour Grapes Award of the Year
FEU’s Anton Montinola and Mark Molina who like jilted lovers asked ex-Baby Tamaraws Mark Lopez and Socrates Rivera to pay back school dues they accrued during their years with FEU-FERN after they transferred to the University of the Philippines for college.

No Balls Award of the Year
The UAAP Board. Our two-time awardee for their failure to police their ranks and for passing midnight laws to suit the whims of member schools.

The Magic Johnson Award
LeBron James for passing up shots at the most crucial of situations.

Best Demonstration of Gratitude
Real Madrid for showing manager Fabio Capello the pink slip for the second time. In 1996, Capello’s first year with the club, he led them to the La Liga title and was given the boot after. In his second go-around with the Spanish giants in 2006-07, Madrid rallies in the season’s second half to win but Capello is still booted out. Much of it has to do with the internal strife he caused with his benching of players and his poor rapport with fans.

Honorable Mention:
San Beda College for sacking Koy Banal who led the Red Lions to their first NCAA crown after 28 years.

Tigas Award
UST for trying to field former ace gunner Jojo Duncil in spite of birth certificate irregularities.

Mr. Fix-it Award
Tom Donaghy. One man out. One league down.

He Ain’t Heavy He’s My Brother Award
Franz Pumaren. After younger brother, Dindo, coach of the UE Red Warriors, thrashed Franz’s Green Archers in the first round UAAP Men’s Basketball 96-76, the elder Pumaren walked past the victorious coach without even shaking his hand.

Front Row Tickets to Euro 2008 Finals
Team England. All they had to do was draw with Croatia. Instead, the team that they pooh-poohed as not being good enough to play in the English Premier League beat them 3-2 to send the Three Lions home with their tail between their legs.

The Ambassador of Kwan Award
Alex Rodriguez. Need we explain?

Ateneo Men's Volleyball Match #4 A Numbing Loss

Ateneo vs. UP
22-25, 25-18, 21-25, 24-26

Match 4
December 9, 2007
Blue Eagle Gym

Timmy Sto. Tomas sat quietly during the post-game huddle. He stared somewhat blankly ahead then looked at his coaches who were dissecting the four-set loss to UP. He stole another look at the court where the squads of National University and the University of the East were warming up. His teammate, freshman Julborg Africa angrily stomped his foot and it shook Sto. Tomas out of his state of shock.

Outside the gym, sweat dripped profusely down senior Mark Salvador’s face. He paced about not sure what to do. He gulped down some water then shook his head several times. “I thought we had that,” his dejected voice trailed off.

The Ateneo Men’s Volleyball team played their best game of the year yet lost their fourth straight match. Every set was hotly contested. Unfortunately, several missed or bad calls prevented them from taking the game to a fifth and deciding set and maybe even their first win. A win would have been nice and done wonders for the team’s confidence. The loss left quite a few questions like who will step up to be the team’s go-to player during crunchtime and if they can still dig deeper into any reservoirs of heart and determination. On the brighter side, you could say that the team is getting better with every game. But they are fast running out of matches and they have to pull down a few W’s if they want to go farther. Only that’s looking too far ahead. It’s the here and now that matters.

Morning games – those scheduled at the ungodly hour of 8am – are hard to play. You have to wake up early to get ready then you have to psyche yourself up. More so when you need a win.

The Blue Spikers were up against a favored UP squad that even if stocked with sophomores and juniors was solid in every way. “It’s not going to be an easy match,” said Ateneo coach Ronald Dulay. “Title favorites ‘tong UP. Magaling yung setter nila at mahusay yung mga blockers nila. Tignan natin kung paano mag-respond yung mga bata sa pressure.”

Save for the third set where Ateneo momentarily lost focus and quickly fell behind, the Blue Spikers oft led early and when they got into a hole, fought back and made a game of it. They lost a close first set that was marred by a couple of crucial calls by the net umpire including one where he incorrectly ruled out a Salvador spike that was clearly in. Instead of folding, Ateneo won back the second set on a more aggressive attacking game that surprised UP.

Mike de Joya pounded the Maroons’ defense all game long with his powerful strikes and superb blocks. Sto. Tomas was creative with his sneak attacks and kills while AJ Pareja who scored low on his attack percentage, helped shore up Ateneo’s roof. It was his block in the fourth set that put tied things up at 22-all. An error by UP’s backline gave the Blue Spikers an opportunity to square matters, but Martin Limgenco, who played well in their previous match against Adamson was a little quiet but managed to chip in some points and blocks.

In the fourth set that went down the wire, Ateneo forged ahead 26-25 on a receiving error by the Maroon spikers. After UP tied off a kill, the referee failed to call a palming violation on a Maroon player (his second such non-call of the match) that gave a 26-27 lead to the State U team. An Ateneo sideout on the ensuing play ended the match and a visibly dejected home team couldn’t contain its anger.

“Hindi ako mahilig maghanap ng excuses,” said Dulay who glowered at the officials over some calls that turned the tide of the match. “Pero sometimes a call can change the complexion of the game.”

“Konti na lang,” encouraged Ateneo Volleyball Program Head Sherwin Malonzo who did his best to cheer up the downcast team. “Pinakita niyo na kaya niyo makipagsabayan. Now its time to step up more and see if we can turn this around.”

The team then gathered around in prayer and broke for a muted “one big fight.”

The Bonus for your Wallpaper

UAAP News

Boysie Zamar and a Talk 'N Text assistant coach are the candidates for the Adamson Falcons head coaching position. Jing Ruiz is reported to remain assistant. Team management wants to bring in a seasoned coach since the Falcons are said to have a good team with a Fil-Am player also being elevated from their Team B.

Also reported but not yet confirmed that most of the UAAP basketball matches will be held in Blue Eagle Gym. The big matches like ADMU-DLSU will be held at the Big Dome as usual.

The Ateneo Blue Eaglets beat SSC in MMBL play.

Reclaiming A Forgotten Legacy

This appears in the December 9 issue of Business Mirror.









It is most strange that it took the President of Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) to inform the assembled group of local football cognoscenti and the media why the world’s game isn’t flourishing in the Philippines. Joseph S. Blatter might be the most powerful man in the planet’s greatest sport, yet for all the changes he has introduced into the game, for all the breaking down of borders of football, the man draws the line at being a prophet and a miracle worker.

FIFA’s president was in Manila to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) and the game’s roots in the country. “Build your national team, build your fields and your youth program, and have lots of faith. Only then can your country can reap the benefits of the beautiful game,” he replied succinctly when asked if guest appearances world famous clubs like Manchester United and Real Madrid would spur local interest. “Help yourselves first and Heaven will help you.”

December 7 may be a date of infamy in world history, but it is also a significant moment in the Philippines’ place in the footballing world. It was on that day in 1907 that the Philippine Football Federation was formed. The country in fact has the second oldest football governing body (the honor of organizing the first association belongs to Singapore) in Asia and is a founding member of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), the continental governing body that was established in 1954. “I don’t know whether Filipinos are aware of your history in the sport,” wondered Blatter who time and again stressed the Philippines’ contributions to football including FC Barcelona’s greatest goalscorer Paulino Alcantara, Filipino-Spanish mestizo who was born to a Spanish father and a Filipina in the province of Iloilo. “Your country has also made great strides by moving up in the world rankings.”

During the press conference held at the Negros function room of the Hotel Sofitel in Manila, Blatter was flanked by newly elected PFF President Jose Mari Martinez and AFC President Mohammed bin Hammam. All three pledged consultation and support for the growth of football in the country where basketball reigns supreme. Blatter explained that FIFA allocates $1 million every four years to every nation’s football association. The stipulation, noted Blatter was the 10% allocated to the development of women’s football would increase to 20%. “The women and the youth are the future growth of the game,” added the Swiss who is in his third term at the helm of FIFA.

“We will have an inventory of where we are now. Then we can set objectives in refereeing, administration, communication, marketing, and the health of players. We need clear and realistic objectives. If you say that the Philippines will qualify for the World Cup in 2010 then I would say that’s not realistic. Developing football is not enough. You have to bring back the good old days when the sport was big. And it can be big once more.”

Unknown to most Filipinos, there was a thriving football scene back in the post-World War II years until the 1970’s when the focus shifted solely to basketball. A former national player, Iñaki Alvarez works in the FIFA headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland. “It is a good sport,” smiled Blatter who was once Secretary General of the Nationalliga, the professional ice hockey league of his native Switzerland and is currently a member of the International Olympic Committee. “But football being the world’s most popular sport has a social responsibility. And we at FIFA we like to say are, “For the game and for the world.”

One of Blatter’s key projects has been Football for Hope that promotes and supports sustainable social and humanitarian development programs in the areas of peace-building, children’s rights and education, healthcare, anti-discrimination, social integration, and the environment. In his second and final day in Manila, Blatter and his FIFA and AFC contingent went to Don Bosco Alabang to visit a youth training center. “Who knows? The next Asian superstar could be among them,” he said referring to the children. “That would be good, yeah? That the next Asian star is a Filipino. After all, it’s your legacy.”

Some of Sepp Blatter’s innovations to the game:
He supplanted “the Golden Goal” (which dictates that a match ends immediately if one side score immediately in extra time) with “the Silver Goal” rule that states that if a match ends in a draw at the end of regulation time, a 15-minute extra period will be played. If one team moves ahead during that period that game will be over. Otherwise another 15-minute period is played. If the two teams are still level afterwards then a penalty shoot-out will be used to decide the outcome.

Prior to 2002, the winner of the previous World Cup was automatically seeded into the next finals. To ensure that there is no drop off in competition and no place for complacency, Blatter decreed that every team will once more have to fight for a place in the world’s biggest and most-watched sporting spectacle.