Fair Play: DBTC, Springdale rivalry makes Cebu football interesting
(This is my Fair Play column for Sun.Star Cebu's Nov. 19 edition)
IT'S always a pleasure watching a final between Paref Springdale and Don Bosco Technological Center, and last Saturday's clash for the Cebu City Olympics title was no exception.
If they didn't point it out, I wouldn't have known the curious background of the match. Prior that final, that DBTC squad hasn't beaten Paref-Springdale in major tournaments like the City Olympics (elementary level), the Aboitiz Cup and the Milo Little Olympics.
(Some kids who invaded the field console the distraught Springdale keeper)
Such was the sweetness of that victory as DBTC finally exorcised their demons and got one over their rival.
As heated as the finals match was, so was the action in the crowd.
I stood in the sidelines, next to a pair of friends whose sons were on opposing teams.
My famous friend Joey Herrera was also there—you'll see him every week on TV leading the anti-drug campaign—and he was teasing Mike and Betty Veloso, the parents of Sabin.
Every time Sabin went on his patented runs down the flanks or would get fouled, Joey would crack a joke to help ease (or add to) the tension.
During a lull, Joey and I marveled at the crowd and while I was taking a picture, he said, “You make sure to tell Dan (Palami) we got a bigger crowd than the Azkals-Cambodia match.”
(My friend Joey Herrera during one of his numerous TV appearances)
It was bigger, and it was louder, too.
And, they were screaming, jumping and banging their drums like crazy and some were heckling too. (Cue in PFF Code of Conduct)
My favorite fan moment in local football involves the DBTC drum and bugle corps.
In one final against rival SHS-Ateneo de Cebu, a player from the other side got injured and those blokes played taps! You know, that music a military band plays for a fallen comrade!
It was cheeky, crazy and yeah, I liked it. They got spunk these boys in the band.
Another favorite moment happened after the shootout—when the kids, who were shooed away during the penalty kicks—all ran to the field to celebrate Don Bosco's win. (Wink! wink! code of conduct)
The distraught Springdale keeper sat there, his head bowed after failing to make one save. Three or four kids who invaded the field, slowly approached him to give him a tap on the shoulder.
You can't teach things like that.
Later, as DBTC was celebrating the win with “Wala'y klase!” chants, I saw some Springdale students cheering their distraught team. Coach Mario Ceniza also extolled his team and cheered them up.
Losing a final in such a way is very hard to take, how you bounce back is what will define you.
That's why I'm excited for another Springdale vs. Don Bosco clash in a final. Who knows, what off-field actions will happen anew.
(Coach Mario Ceniza consoles his distraught players. It was the first time--since their elementary days--that the Springdale team lost a final to their Don Bosco rivals)
(The DBTC fans break into "wala'y klase" chant right in the middle of the pitch--Yep, the formerly green pitch is dead brown)
IT'S always a pleasure watching a final between Paref Springdale and Don Bosco Technological Center, and last Saturday's clash for the Cebu City Olympics title was no exception.
If they didn't point it out, I wouldn't have known the curious background of the match. Prior that final, that DBTC squad hasn't beaten Paref-Springdale in major tournaments like the City Olympics (elementary level), the Aboitiz Cup and the Milo Little Olympics.
(Some kids who invaded the field console the distraught Springdale keeper)
Such was the sweetness of that victory as DBTC finally exorcised their demons and got one over their rival.
As heated as the finals match was, so was the action in the crowd.
I stood in the sidelines, next to a pair of friends whose sons were on opposing teams.
My famous friend Joey Herrera was also there—you'll see him every week on TV leading the anti-drug campaign—and he was teasing Mike and Betty Veloso, the parents of Sabin.
Every time Sabin went on his patented runs down the flanks or would get fouled, Joey would crack a joke to help ease (or add to) the tension.
During a lull, Joey and I marveled at the crowd and while I was taking a picture, he said, “You make sure to tell Dan (Palami) we got a bigger crowd than the Azkals-Cambodia match.”
It was bigger, and it was louder, too.
And, they were screaming, jumping and banging their drums like crazy and some were heckling too. (Cue in PFF Code of Conduct)
My favorite fan moment in local football involves the DBTC drum and bugle corps.
In one final against rival SHS-Ateneo de Cebu, a player from the other side got injured and those blokes played taps! You know, that music a military band plays for a fallen comrade!
It was cheeky, crazy and yeah, I liked it. They got spunk these boys in the band.
Another favorite moment happened after the shootout—when the kids, who were shooed away during the penalty kicks—all ran to the field to celebrate Don Bosco's win. (Wink! wink! code of conduct)
The distraught Springdale keeper sat there, his head bowed after failing to make one save. Three or four kids who invaded the field, slowly approached him to give him a tap on the shoulder.
You can't teach things like that.
Later, as DBTC was celebrating the win with “Wala'y klase!” chants, I saw some Springdale students cheering their distraught team. Coach Mario Ceniza also extolled his team and cheered them up.
Losing a final in such a way is very hard to take, how you bounce back is what will define you.
That's why I'm excited for another Springdale vs. Don Bosco clash in a final. Who knows, what off-field actions will happen anew.
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