CASE CLOSED : U23 AZKALS AND THE 2013 SEA GAMES

POC-PSC Task Force SEA Games has officially removed U23 Azkals from the Philippine delegation to the 2013 SEA Games to be held in Myanmar.

 The decision of the task force is highly commendable. It shows that performance truly trumps influence. Despite the numerous appeals of PFF and the write-ups of Azkals-friendly sports writers, the dismal performance of the squad in recent years created the greatest impact among the members of the task force. Thus, the decision not to include the squad in the regional tournament.

What PFF and some fans refuse to see and acknowledge is the shame that the U23 Azkals brought to the country in the last SEA Games. Aside from finishing dead-last, the U23 Azkals gave considerable shame to the country with their off-the-pitch behavior. For the first time in Philippine sports history, a team captain of a national squad abandoned his team in the middle of an international tournament. Several members of the team too engaged in behavior so unbecoming of national athletes. Hotel personnel, POC and PSC officials only know too well what some of the players did during the last SEA Games.

While I am for the development of football in the country, I too am particular with the leaders and players behind the sport. It is probably time to determine whether these leaders or players truly deserve the country's support.

WANTED : UAAP WHISTLEBLOWER

What do these UAAP athletes have in common ?

Badminton - UST
1. Karen Mae Jarrel Montilla

Chess - DLSU-Taft
1. Jan Jodilyn P. Fronda

Fencing - Adamson
1. Michael Nicanor
2. Elaine Kea Gonzales
3. Wilfredo Vizcayno JR. (coach)

Judo - DLSU-Taft
1. Mikhail Joshua G. Regala
2. Colin Nathan Leonard D. Buckly
3. Butch Garreta Albarracin
4. Kyle Ma. Linus Kapunan
5. Joshua Theodor Ebrada
6. Ramon Jose Delfin Santiago
7. Angelo Gabriel Gumila
8. Matthew Sim Jao
9. Gerard Raymund Reyes Teruel
10. Samson Bernales

Tennis - NU
1. Leandro P[aez Lazaro

Swimming - UP
1. Claire Adorna
2. Michael Garchitorena

Will future UAAP athletes experience what the above-mentioned athletes experienced ? As long as people remain silent, the cycle will continue.

THOUGHTS ON POWER PINAYS, ALYSSA VALDEZ AND SANTIAGO SISTERS

The Philippine women's volleyball team, known as Power Pinays, finished 12th in the recently-concluded Asian Senior Women's Championship. Ranked 16th in the tournament, the Power Pinays exceeded expectations in the tough tournament.

A lot of people think that the Philippines could have placed higher had Alyssa Valdez and the Santiago sisters played for the team. The height and skills of the three players could have been what the team needed to win more games. The three could have spelled the big difference during those games that could have gone either way.

But I dare say that Valdez and the Santiago sisters could not provide something very important. The three could not provide the heart to serve the country. The three players, in fact, chose not to answer the call to serve the country when they turned down the invitation to be a part of the national team. They simply do not have the best interest of the country at heart.

The Power Pinays, despite lacking in so many things, had the all-important heart. And it is truly the heart that served the team well. So kudos to Angeli Tabaquero, Aiza Maizo-Pontillas, Chie Saet, Mitch Datuin, Pau Soriano, Jheck Dionela, Lizlee Gata-Pantone, Honey Rose Tubino, Joy Benito, Wenneth Eulalio, Danika Gendrauli and May Macatuofor for being selfless and showing what true Filipinos are made of. I hope to see the team exhibit greater skill, teamwork and heart in future tournaments.

THE POWER PINAYS ACCORDING TO PVF PRESIDENT KARL CHAN AND SEC-GEN OTIE CAMANGIAN

After losing their first three games in the 17th Asian Senior Women's Championship, the Power Pinays bounced back with a strong wins against Sri Lanka and Myanmar. With the victories, Power Pinays hope to salvage 9th place in the tournament. After an 8 year absence from international competition, Power Pinays are showing glimpses of what the team can achieve in the next few years. In a text interview, PVF president Karl Chan and sec-gen Otie Camangian answer questions regarding the Power Pinays.


1. Are you satisfied with the performance of Power Pinays in the Asian Championship ?

Chan : So far, I am happy with what they have accomplished for a start. We lack height and cohesion. We had many unforced errors in our games. But this is the first exposure of the team. We lost to Iran and India but we gave a good account of ourselves. We were neck to neck with them in the first two sets. But I think conditioning had something to do with the low output in the next two sets. But we also have to remember that those teams have been together for a long time now. Ours has been together barely a month.

Camangian : Satisfied. The mere fact that the Philippines is in the international volleyball scene is already a positive statement. It is sowing time now. Reaping comes later. 

2. What will happen to the team after the tournament ?

Chan : The program will continue, SEAG or not.

Camangian : The national team program continues even after the Asian Championship.

3. Does the team have a permanent sponsor now ?

Camangian : No permanent sponsor yet but we are trying to get one. Hopefully, PLDT can support the team on a long-term basis. Maybe a four-year program until SEAG.

4. Will the team be kept intact ?

Camangian : It is for the PVF board to decide. You may ask Doc Ian Laurel as he is the board member in charge.

Chan : We hope that the team will be kept intact. Depende na yun sa new set of PVF officers. As long as during my term naayos ko ang lahat, nasa new PVF officers na to continue what we have started.

SAN MIG COFFEE OR GINEBRA SAN MIGUEL : WHICH TEAM IS MORE POPULAR NOW ?

San Mig Coffee won against Ginebra San Miguel last night, 89-86. Despite missing Marc Pingris and Devance, San Mig Coffee managed to pull a win against a complete Ginebra line-up.The biggest surprise of the night was that Mark Caguioa was being booed during the game. Is this a sign that the popular cager and his team are losing their tag of being most popular ? Has San Mig Coffee now become the darling of the crowd ? What do you think ?

MY FIVE BEST INTERVIEWS FOR BANDERA

Bandera will be celebrating its anniversary this coming Tuesday. In my years with Bandera, I have come to interview a lot of sports personalities. Here are the five interviews that I find truly memorable.

1. Paul Weiler interview on the alleged rape incident involving four Azkals and a model - The former consultant of the Azkals was brave enough to divulge what he knew about the extremely controversial incident. Weiler was the only one among several sources who came out in public with what he knew about the incident. The interview led to extensive media coverage of the incident.

2. Cristy Ramos - I was the first sports writer who Cristy Ramos contacted to tell what happened to her in the Azkals dugout. Like Weiler, Ramos exhibited great courage and principle to reveal what really happened. Despite knowing that she will get the ire of Azkals fans, the former POC president took a stand against sexual harassment. The series of interviews led to massive discussion of the incident and issue of sexual harassment in sports.

3. PDBF Dragon Boat Team - The interview involved several members of the team and was a real emotional one. It all boiled down to the hopes and dreams of world-class athletes being extinguished by certain individuals. The interview led to a senate and congressional inquiry.

4. Doug Kramer - One of the most articulate PBA players, Kramer was able to incorporate and validate his Christian faith with what was going on with his basketball career at that time. The interview was conducted at a time when his career was going nowhere. Kramer became a candidate for PBA's Most Improved Player a year after the interview.

5. Boyet Fernandez _ From Sta. Lucia to NLEX to San Beda, Coach Boyet has always been generous to grant interviews. He is very accommodating and funny which the public seldom sees.

I hope that there will be more memorable interviews to come. Happy anniversary Bandera !