Fair Play: A great time to be a Philippine sports fan
I DON’T remember recalling a time like this—our country hosting two major events that it has more than an even chance of winning.
First, the Mongolia vs. Azkals AFC Challenge Cup match on Feb. 9 in Bacolod City, then next, the Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Group 1 playoff against Japan in Lapu-Lapu City on March 4 to 6.
Both events are “step-ladder” competitions and a win will see the country move on to a bigger stage against even bigger foes.
Don’t you just love it?
We’d get to be there for the team, to cheer them on.
And in both events, tickets, as expected, are selling faster than the latest pirated DVDs.
In football, joining the world’s best may be a shot in the dark, but it is not the case in tennis. Just three wins in 2011 and we’ll be there.
But first, we have to beat Japan, a country ranked 28 by the International Tennis Federation, seven rungs above us. If we beat Japan, we get to face the winner of the match between Uzbekistan and New Zealand.
So the March 4 to 6 game is a crucial event for Philippine sports (not just tennis) and the Philippine Tennis Association is asking for your help.
Book your tickets. Be there. Cheer for the team.
If you’re worried that you can’t tell the difference between love-40 and a 40-year-old lover, fret not.
You don’t have to be a tennis expert to appreciate Fire and Ice—that’s Cecil Mamiit and Treat Huey.
These two men single-handedly booked us this Group 1 match against Japan, when, in cold South Korea, they erased a 2-0 deficit to win the tie, 3-2.
And did you know where they got the courage to fight through?
Some 20 Pinoys who braved their way to the stadium.
“They were just supposed to stay for 30 minutes,” said Philta’s Randy Villanueva during a meeting last year. “But they ended up staying for six hours.”
It’s too bad that we didn’t get to witness those six hours in that historic Sunday—Mamiit won after Yong Kyu Lim retired while ahead, 3-6, 4-6, 6-4, 1-1, and Huey capped the comeback with a 7-5, 7-5, 6-3, win over Suk-Yeong Lim.
Though I rue not seeing those six hours, I want a relaxed March 6, with the alternates taking on Japan’s top bets. That will only happen if we dominate the first two days and that’s what I want.
So, what are you waiting for?
FAN CHALLENGE. The rabid reception of the ladies of Bacolod City has forced the Azkals to hold secret training sessions and has led some to question the “bandwagon fans” loyalty (are they for football or for footballers?)
I think that’s a wrong approach. Now is not the time to take an “us vs. them” approach. Whether they are cheering for the team or only want to take a good look at the team, it doesn’t matter. (Just as long as they don’t invade the pitch or disrupt practice.)
There are no bandwagon fans, just fans, period.
Besides, these shrieking girls will tell those who hold the purses for product placements, or sponsorship, that the market for football is not just the usual demographic.
FOUR VS. 200. When I covered the AFF Qualifiers in Bacolod City in 2006, there was a grand total of four reporters who covered the event—one each from Manila, Cebu and Bacolod and the guy who wrote for the AFF Website.
Now, I’ve been told by one of the four that for the Feb. 9 game, as many as 200 accredited media men and women will be there.
Wow!
First, the Mongolia vs. Azkals AFC Challenge Cup match on Feb. 9 in Bacolod City, then next, the Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Group 1 playoff against Japan in Lapu-Lapu City on March 4 to 6.
Both events are “step-ladder” competitions and a win will see the country move on to a bigger stage against even bigger foes.
Don’t you just love it?
We’d get to be there for the team, to cheer them on.
And in both events, tickets, as expected, are selling faster than the latest pirated DVDs.
In football, joining the world’s best may be a shot in the dark, but it is not the case in tennis. Just three wins in 2011 and we’ll be there.
But first, we have to beat Japan, a country ranked 28 by the International Tennis Federation, seven rungs above us. If we beat Japan, we get to face the winner of the match between Uzbekistan and New Zealand.
So the March 4 to 6 game is a crucial event for Philippine sports (not just tennis) and the Philippine Tennis Association is asking for your help.
Book your tickets. Be there. Cheer for the team.
If you’re worried that you can’t tell the difference between love-40 and a 40-year-old lover, fret not.
You don’t have to be a tennis expert to appreciate Fire and Ice—that’s Cecil Mamiit and Treat Huey.
These two men single-handedly booked us this Group 1 match against Japan, when, in cold South Korea, they erased a 2-0 deficit to win the tie, 3-2.
And did you know where they got the courage to fight through?
Some 20 Pinoys who braved their way to the stadium.
“They were just supposed to stay for 30 minutes,” said Philta’s Randy Villanueva during a meeting last year. “But they ended up staying for six hours.”
It’s too bad that we didn’t get to witness those six hours in that historic Sunday—Mamiit won after Yong Kyu Lim retired while ahead, 3-6, 4-6, 6-4, 1-1, and Huey capped the comeback with a 7-5, 7-5, 6-3, win over Suk-Yeong Lim.
Though I rue not seeing those six hours, I want a relaxed March 6, with the alternates taking on Japan’s top bets. That will only happen if we dominate the first two days and that’s what I want.
So, what are you waiting for?
FAN CHALLENGE. The rabid reception of the ladies of Bacolod City has forced the Azkals to hold secret training sessions and has led some to question the “bandwagon fans” loyalty (are they for football or for footballers?)
I think that’s a wrong approach. Now is not the time to take an “us vs. them” approach. Whether they are cheering for the team or only want to take a good look at the team, it doesn’t matter. (Just as long as they don’t invade the pitch or disrupt practice.)
There are no bandwagon fans, just fans, period.
Besides, these shrieking girls will tell those who hold the purses for product placements, or sponsorship, that the market for football is not just the usual demographic.
FOUR VS. 200. When I covered the AFF Qualifiers in Bacolod City in 2006, there was a grand total of four reporters who covered the event—one each from Manila, Cebu and Bacolod and the guy who wrote for the AFF Website.
Now, I’ve been told by one of the four that for the Feb. 9 game, as many as 200 accredited media men and women will be there.
Wow!
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