July 2009 – Page 2 – Cebu Sports Blog by John Pages

In golf, Montito Garcia has no par

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Montito (left) with Jovi Neri (Photo by Frederic Chiongbian)

Like Lance Armstrong, he’s a veteran, an old-timer, and one of the oldest—if not the oldest—of the field and so he’s not supposed to win. Or dominate. Yet, there he was, winning his eighth Cebu Country Club (CCC) championship—a feat unmatched since the 52-hectare golf course was established in 1928.

To those who follow the sport and who swing and putt at the 6,481-yard, par-71 CCC, this you know: This is old news. That’s right. In fact, nearly a month-and-a-half has passed since Montito Garcia won the CCC Men’s Club Championships on May 30, 2009. But, “better late than never,” the old saying goes and so, here goes my Q & A with the champ…

Amazing goal

I don’t follow soccer like Sun.Star Cebu sports editor Mike Limpag and Sun.Star columnist Noel Villaflor do, but when I saw this video in the blog of Manila-based writer Rick Olivares (Bleacher’s Brew), I couldn’t help but watch in amazement. If only Zidane did the same in the 2006 World Cup….

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaQhF-523As&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]

Will Armstrong win an 8th Tour de Lance?

Tracing back history, we will find that the oldest man to have won the most famous pedaling race on earth is Firmin Lambot. In 1922, the Belgian was 36 years old. Studying today’s 96th staging of “Le Tour,” we see 180 cyclists joining. The oldest competitor is a 40-year-old Spaniard named Inigo Cuesta. The second oldest?

Lance Armstrong, who turns 38 this September. In a sport where youthfulness and freshness of legs are necessary to climb the Pyrenees and brave Mt. Ventoux and sprint through Individual Time Trials, Mr. Armstrong is a grandfather. He’s an elderly, a senior, an age-old veteran.

Consider Alberto Contador, the man tipped by pollsters to win this season. Contador is only 26. That makes him 11 Julys younger—and fresher and, yes, possibly stronger and more vigorous—than the elderly. But Lance Armstrong is Mr. Strong Arm.

No doubt, the greatest ever in tennis

Roger Federer’s favorite color is gold. His large bag glitters that color. If you examine his tennis shoes, gold is laced all around them. Same with his T-shirt and its trimmings, including the Nike swoosh and the inscription, “RF.” More so with his pre-match jacket and long pants. All trimmed with gold.

Fittingly, when the Wimbledon finale that needed more games than any other Grand Slam final was over, he carried on his fingers the trophy that glimmered with one color: Gold.

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(AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

In the battle of No. 1s, does tennis beat golf?

Tonight at 9 p.m. (RP time), over the Star Sports network (SkyCable channel 22), when Andy Roddick and Roger Federer meet in the final of the world’s oldest tennis tournament, the winner will defeat…………. Tiger Woods.

What??? Let me explain. I’m proclaiming Sir Roger as the champion. Yes, the game is yet to be played. True, the yellow ball is round and it can twist and turn in varying directions and thus reward the underdog the trophy. Yes, Roddick owns the fastest ever recorded serve at 249.5 kph and will out-ace the Swiss Ace. And, true, 48 hours ago, Andy The American beat Andy The British in an upset. So, Andy can upset Rog—

I Love This Ad!

MJ and MJ

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Remember “Jam?” Check out this link.

For Randy, the dream is named Wimbledon

Twenty four months ago, I wrote this piece about Randy and Christine del Valle….

HIS FIRST forehand swing was in 3rd year high school. In college, he exchanged volleys with USC varsity star Jerome Uy. He recalls his dad, Ruel, tying his tennis shoelaces. During the 1990s, he idolized Andre Agassi. He sat fronting the TV mesmerized at his two-handed backhand.

Randy del Valle never pursued tennis as his own sport. Today, he plays badminton. But among all the activities that make people sweat—tennis is his favorite. Two months ago, Randy fulfilled a lifelong dream that millions of people can only think about, salivate at, and imagine.

EXCLUSIVE!!! Randy del Valle with Roger Federer

Can you imagine standing beside the greatest tennis player of all time?

Le Tour

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Of the tens of thousands of sporting events held worldwide each year, for me the most grueling and painful is the Tour de France. Having pedaled the heights of Busay on dozens of occasions, I can’t imagine how strenuous it is biking for 21 straight days (with only two days-off in between) the total mileage of 3,445 kms.

This Saturday, while the sporting eyes will focus on Wimbledon, the 96th staging of “Le Tour” starts. What’s most intriguing this season are two names who happen to be members of the same team: Alberto Contador and Lance Armstrong.