February 2011 – Page 3 – Cebu Sports Blog by John Pages

Football and Football: These games are super

At the same Cowboys Stadium in Texas where Manny Pacquiao annihilated Antonio Margarito and Joshua Clottey, it was a national holiday yesterday.

The Super Bowl. For many of the 310 million Americans, no game or entertainment or party is bigger. That’s in America. Because here in Cebu, when I clicked open the TV set at 7:30 a.m. yesterday, nothing super was shown. A replay of the Australian Open mixed doubles final was broadcasted on Star Sports. It was the UEFA Champions League featuring Barcelona in the Balls Channel. Golf was presented in Solar Sports.

Nothing super. There was no American football. Too bad. The Super Bowl, for the past years and if my nearly 39-year-old brain still remembers correctly, has always been shown on cable TV. Not Super Bowl XLV. Not the Green Bay Packers versus the Pittsburgh Steelers.

It was one super ballgame, though. I followed it via the ESPN website and New York Times’ real-time blog. The GB Packers led by as much as 21-3. Surely, with that lopsided score, it’s a guaranteed win. But, no, the Steelers, led by Ben Roethlisberger–infamous for his sex-related charges–rallied in the second half to make the score, 21-17. Plus, sometime in the 4th quarter, they had ball possession. But a fumble by Rashard Mendenhall condemned their fate. In the end, with GB quarterback Aaron Rogers doing an Aa+ effort, it was the Packers who win the NFL crown, 31-25.

Of the multitude of sporting events I’ve watched live, American football remains one of the few I’d love to see with my bare eyes. NFL games are thrilling. You see passes, runs, tackles, interceptions, punts, blitzes. Plus there are a myriad of interesting terms like fumble, incomplete pass, kneel, red zone, safety, trick play. This sport presents so many scenarios. Would be a fascinating experience to watch it live.

Back to our no-show here in Cebu, sayang. I hope, the very least, replays are shown. Because, apart from the stirring finish, I’d like to watch the half-time show. The Black Eyed Peas performed with Usher. Same with Christina Aguilera, who sang the national anthem (and made a blunder–ala Christian Bautista—by singing the lyrics wrongly).

FOOTBALL. Speaking of another sport with a similar name, it was the Thirsty Football Cup last weekend at the Cebu City Sports Center. An estimated 2,500 players involving 243 teams participated.

This event started in 2004 when my younger brother Charlie teamed up with Neil Montesclaros, Chad Songalia and a few others from Don Bosco to introduce a quicker and more intense type of play: Festival Football.

Instead of the prolonged 90-minute games that involve only two teams and a giant-sized rectangle of a field, this idea was radical. Loud music blared. Five-year-olds kicked. And, if there’s a category for the young ones, there, too, was one for the once young: a 36-and-under division. After the whistle blew, only 15 minutes of play ensued. It was speedy and rapid-fire. And, since the field was tiny, players would propel their bodies faster, pass hurriedly, bolt and charge after opponents in a rush.

Last weekend was the same. Only bigger. (As Graeme Mackinnon, who arrived last Saturday from Australia, observed his former pupils from Springdale: “They’ve grown so tall after eight years I can hardly recognize them!”)

AZKALS. Inside the Abellana football grounds, all the talk, of course, was about this Thursday. Plenty are traveling to Bacolod. Mike Limpag and Noel Villaflor–our resident soccer experts on these back pages–are leaving this early morning. We also saw Dr. Joel Pascual. His son–Paolo Pascual (replace the “a” with an “i” and you get another superstar’s name)–is one of the goalies of Team Philippines. When we spoke last Saturday, Joel beamed with a full smile. He has reason to be proud of his son.

If not for a tight schedule here, it would be nice to sip batchoy at 21 Restaurant, gobble up the pitso and atay at Chicken House, and watch those “stray dogs” beat Mongolia.

DepEd’s Borgonia: Please explain the rules

My daughter Jana, who is 12 years old and in Grade 6, competed in the Cebu City Olympics last October. Her sport was tennis. Among the many who swung backhands and volleys, she finished second. She’d represent Cebu City in the Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association (Cviraa) meet. That came last November when, together with her grandparents Jack and Malu Mendez, we traveled to Dumaguete City for five days. Out of the dozens of elementary girls from Bohol, Tuburan, Dumaguete, Mandaue and more, Jana reached the finals. She lost to Zethley Mae Alferez of Naga. But, by claiming second place, she would represent Region VII. She qualified for the Palaro.

Or so we thought. Because, days after, an announcement was broadcasted: Palarong Pambansa selection was unfinished! What? We were confused.

Fast forward to today—Feb. 6—and still, no final list has been announced. I’m glad Cebu City Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young voiced out his sentiments. Last Thursday, in an article penned by ace writer Marian Baring, VM Young said: “I am very much disappointed. We had targeted to improve the region’s finish in the Palarong Pambansa but the DepEd has decided to choose another path and this is throwing the plan off… It defeats the purpose of holding the regional meet earlier. Mao ra gihapon mura ra ta nag Cviraa og February because until now, we do not have the final list of athletes and it’s already February.”

I have spoken to parents, coaches and even several DepEd officials about this and they, too, are confused. Ruel Dihiansan, my close buddy from the Rotary Club of Cebu West, called me to complain. His daughter, Janel, is one of the best badminton players in this island. Janel qualified for the Palaro. Unfortunately, she was asked to join another “elimination tournament.” But, as Ruel explained, that weekend coincided with Janel’s Juniors-Seniors Prom.

“What if Janel loses?” Ruel asked. Does this mean she’ll no longer go to the Palaro? What use was the Cvriaa? Is this small-time elimination event more important than the regional sports meet?

In another example, a champion gymnast who won in the Cviraa was stricken with fever during the day of the eliminations. He could not join. Does this mean he’s no longer part of the Team Region VII?

Three weeks ago, I sought clarification. Two times, I called the office of Dept. of Education Regional Director Recaredo “Ric” Borgonia. He was in Manila. I left my number and requested for a return call. I mentioned that I was a concerned Cebuano: a parent, a Sun.Star writer, a member of the sports community. We never spoke. (Well, if Vice Mayor Joy Young himself asked to speak to the regional director and got snubbed, I’m not surprised he didn’t entertain my calls.)

Dr. Borgonia, whom I have yet to meet, I am sure, is a fine man. His reputation–as reinforced by Godofredo Roperos’ column last Friday: “I know that Ric is a careful planner himself and is a career executive service officer”–is positive. That is irrefutable.

But, as head of our athletes, he has to be more forthright and clear. He must answer this query: What use was the Cviraa? This supposed “performance evaluation”–postponed twice already (it was originally set two weekends ago)–is a subjective way of choosing athletes.

Sports—anywhere around the world—is successful because of its objectivity. In running, whoever crosses that finish line first wins the gold. In the NBA or PBA or any “liga-liga,” whoever scores more points when the final whistle is blown, wins. In chess, whoever is “check-mated,” loses; in football, the team with more goals wins. Simple. Erasing this objectivity—and replace it with a subjective way of choosing—robs the sport. It’s unfair. It makes the Cviraa useless.

With only 93 days left before Dapitan City lights the torch opening the Palaro, I hope, on this matter, for one thing from the Department of Education: educate us.

Latest “love team”

(Rora, joke only!)

Jeff Galloway in Cebu

Jeff Galloway is a legend in the running world. He is a world-class athlete and a member of the 1972 US Olympic Team. He is the inventor of the Galloway Training Programs and has coached over 250,000 runners and walkers all over the world. Jeff has completed over 130 marathons and has written 18 books on running, walking and general fitness and speaks at over 200 events annually. He has been named one of 18 Runner’s World Experts in the magazine’s 40th anniversary edition.

Join Jeff on February 2 and 5 in Manila, and on February 3 in Cebu, as he discusses and demonstrates the tips and techniques that has helped thousands of runners run faster, longer and injury-free! Hear Jeff talk about the following:

•   Conquering “The Wall”: how you can break through your limits and eliminate fatigue
•   The “Magic Mile” formula: how to accurately predict your race performance
•   The Galloway Method: Why taking walk breaks can make you run faster
•   How to do speed work, hill training and long runs properly so you don’t waste your training
•   How you can train to run any distance and still enjoy family, friends and career
•   How to correct your running form and improve running efficiency
•   Staying motivated: Why losing motivation while training is normal and how you can keep your focus on your goal
•   Nutrition: What to eat before, during and after your race for optimal performance
•   Why monitoring and boosting your blood sugar level is critical to successful racing
•   How to deal with injuries and recover as fast as possible
•   Race-day strategies: Run your best race using the correct strategy
•   Over-training: How to avoid it so you run at your best during race day
•   Why proper cross-training and strength training will improve your running

An extensive Q&A follows where Jeff will answer all your questions based on data gathered from coaching over 250,000 runners and a running career that spans nearly 50 years!

Lecture fee: Php500

Sign-up for the Galloway Running School! Jeff will personally conduct two workshops in Manila and one workshop in Cebu! Class size is limited to 30 students and will run for 3 hours. During the workshops, Jeff will provide personalized instruction on the following:

•   How to improve time
•   Individualized format–ask any question in any area
•   Specific running drills for easier, more efficient, faster runs
•   How to improve endurance without pain and over-fatigue
•   How to avoid hitting the wall
•   Specific training programs for specific goals
•   Specific recommendations on water intake, eating and why it’s good to drink coffee
•   Dealing with heat
•   Absolving you of guilt for not stretching
•   Strength for running
•   Motivation techniques to get you out the door
•   Mental toughness techniques to keep going
•   “Dirty tricks” that will strengthen your mind on race day
•   When to replace shoes

* Note: Come in your running gear!
Workshop Fee: php4,000

(Thanks to Lit Onrubia for the details.)

Jeson Patrombon

I received this text message last Monday from Coach Manny Tecson from Manila: “The current ITF world junior ranking is out and Jeson Patrombon is ranked world No. 9 after his quarterfinal finish at the Australian Open.” This is positive news. If I recall correctly, Jeson, 17, is the highest ranking Pinoy since Felix Barrientos was rated in the top five in the 1980s.

Also, two days ago, I got to speak to Oscar Hilado, a Manila-based business mogul and tennis philanthropist. Like he does every January, Mr. Hilado was in Melbourne for the Oz Open’s final week. He saw the Novak-Andy final and witnessed Jeson’s third round victory. “Impressive” and “inspiring” were the words used by Hilado. Watch for Jeson, who hails from Iligan City, to join the Davis Cup team here–possibly as training partner–during the March 4 to 6 encounter against Japan.

CIS Reunion

Rannie, Serge, John, Jonel, Iker, Anton and Brian

Two nights ago, I had a high school get-together. From second to fourth year high school, I studied at the Cebu International School. Only 16 of us stepped on that stage to receive our diplomas. The school was small; we were that few.

Last Tuesday? It was a long, long time coming reunion. We were seven who met at the Maya Restaurant for dinner and drinks: Iker Aboitiz, Jonel Borromeo, Serge Cuasito, Brian LaRosa, Rannie Misa, Anton Perdices and myself. At CIS, we played basketball and–as was one of the highlights of our team–got to beat, once, the strong Sacred Heart squad of Michael Aldeguer, Grant Go, Chad Cañares…

I remember Iker Aboitiz “kicking” Christian Ventic, Jonel Borromeo rebounding at the center and, effortlessly nailing 15-footers, the sharpshooter who now resides in New York, Serge Cuasito.

You run? Sit and listen to Jeff Galloway

It’s like Fra Lippo Lippo and their Feb. 13 concert. It’s like Justin Bieber invading Cebu. It’s like Toto or Air Supply or Trini Lopez or Michael Buble landing in our city to do concerts.

For runners, this concert is tonight. No, this 1972 U.S. Olympiad does not sing—or maybe, he will—but what he does is sing praises to this sport that has got the Philippines sweating. The sport is Running and the artist is Jeff Galloway. Tonight—from 6 to 9 P.M.—he will be speaking at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

Who is Mr. Galloway? He is a world-class runner whose personal best includes a six-mile (10K) time of 27.21. Back in 1973, he broke the U.S. 10-mile record with a time of 47:49. These days, he coaches, having spoken to “over 200,000 runners and walkers.” A columnist for Runner’s World and a best-selling author, he is one of the world’s most famous gurus of running.

Tonight’s “concert” has an entrance fee of only P500. Considering the learnings you and I will absorb—including tips like “conquering the Wall,” “dealing with injuries,” “Cross-training,” “Nutrition: what to eat,” and his famous “Run-Walk-Run” strategy—this ticket price is a bargain. See you!