John Pages – Cebu Sports Blog by John Pages

Tony Aldeguer and Monico Puentevella

Tony Aldeguer and Monico Puentevella have plenty in common. Both are from Bacolod. Both studied in La Salle. Both consider the word “sports” as their ultimate love and passion.

Last Wednesday, I had the privilege of meeting the two legends of Philippine sports. The former Bacolod mayor and congressman Monico and I have been seeing each other regularly (including at the Paris Olympics) and we longed to get together with the godfather of Cebu boxing.

After a few messages with Chris Aldeguer, the date and venue were set. We met at the sprawling home of Mr. Aldeguer in Maria Luisa, filled with plants and overlooking Cebu.

We all know Antonio Lopez Aldeguer as ALA (boxing) but did you know that Bidoy Aldeguer was the basketball varsity coach of Monico? While still in college (La Salle), Bidoy coached the high school team of Monico. They not only won the Bacolod trophy but, in the national finals against Mapua, they lost by a mere point to the nation’s strongest team.

“I have met many coaches in my life,” said Monico, “but no one can inspire and motivate better than Bidoy. He would pick me up at 7am and make me run five rounds before we’d start each practice. My love for basketball and sports started with him as my mentor.”

For over 90 minutes last Wednesday afternoon, partaking of palabok and fresh lumpia, our trio tackled a variety of topics ranging from politics (Cebu, Bacolod and national) to ALA Boxing (which spanned 35 years) to the Olympics. We talked about La Salle, Ateneo and UAAP basketball.

Bidoy called Monico by his nickname, “Nyoks.” The former POC Chairman and current Phil. weightlifting president, in turn, would often call him, “Coach.”

We talked about good health and how both are exercising regularly. The 83-year-old Aldeguer exercises daily in the swimming pool. Monico still plays “commercial” tennis at the age of 78. Though both had some issues with their heart, they are looking fit and good.

In our next meeting, Monico promised to bring his tennis racket so we can play in the private tennis court of the Aldeguers.

My Mom Allen

Sept. 23, 2024

I’M INSPIRED by the sharings of two of my favorite columnists.

Publio “Pubs” Briones wrote about reaching the golden age of 50 in his “On The Go” column last Saturday. He spoke of challenges with his eyesight and hairline in the funny piece, “What it’s like to be in my 50s.”

Melanie Lim, the day after, in her award-winning column, “Wide Awake,” and in a piece entitled, “Proof of Age,” spoke of a recent experience at a pharmacy when the guard wouldn’t believe that she’s a senior citizen. (Confession: Melanie was my UP Cebu College marketing professor, alongside my wife Jasmin.. and she’s the best. One more admission: I agree with the guard! I saw Melanie at the Press Freedom Week columnists’ night last week and she’s younger-looking than me and Pubs.)

Pubs and Melanie, aside from being SunStar writers, share one more passion. Both are runners. Pubs runs from Monday to Friday at the CCSC oval while Melanie has hurdled multiple half-marathons and will run the 25K in the 2025 Cebu Marathon.

So if Pubs turned 50 and Melanie is 60, I’m inspired to write about someone very, very, very close to me who’s more than a decade older.

She’s my mom Maria Elena “Allen” Castelo Zaldarriaga.. who, this May, will turn 75!

How young is she? Two days ago in Iloilo, she sent me a message with an all-smiling, all-sweating photo of her finishing a 7-km. run with the caption, “Bright 7K day!”

Yes, nearly three-quarters of a century old, my mom still has enough energy to outrun and outwork many 30-year-olds.

She founded our school, BRIGHT Academy / Play House Children’s Center, back in 1992. And though 32 years have passed, her love for her students is just as strong as it was when our family first converted a small garage into a classroom in Paradise Village.

My mom is often at the Bright Academy campus in Banilad as early as 7:15 a.m. and works tirelessly all day long. And what gives her extra power is her almost-daily exercise routine.

Walking/running is her favorite. On early (5:30 a.m.) Sunday mornings, she’d be at the Cebu Business Park to trek the winding roads for two hours. We’d message each other after and I’m often amazed that she’s outrun me with a farther distance.

Recently, she sent me this Viber message: “10 w/ 4… can you take a guess?”

I knew what it was: 10 kilometers including four bridges.

One of her goals is to run bridges around the world. And so in every city that my mom visits, she climbs the bridge. Golden Gate. Sydney Harbour. Brooklyn. London Bridge. She has also completed the half marathons in Singapore and Hong Kong. The three bridges (Cansaga-Marcelo Fernan-Mactan bridges) 25K event organized by Dr. Yong Larrazabal several years back? My mom has completed that.

Did I tell you she’ll be turning sweet 75 soon?

I think all of us can learn a couple of lessons from my mom.

First, enjoy what you do. “If you do what you love, you’ll never have to work a day in your life.” There is no more passionate person that I know of with children than my mom Allen.

Second.. “Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live.” That’s a mantra that my mom lives by. And it shows in her physique; still very slim and fit at her age. (Another confession: My only gripe with my mom, because of her healthy eating habits, is that she did not take after her mom, our Lola Ita. Our Lola loved Coca-Cola and imparted this “Coke addiction” to all of her apos. My mom never drinks Coke.)

“You don’t stop running because you get old; you get old because you stop running.”

To my running idol.. I love you, MOM!

Sometimes You Win, Sometimes You Learn

Aug 26, 2024

Last Saturday, I was asked by CCSC Commissioner and UC athletic director Jessica Jawad Honoridez to give a talk during the opening of the 32nd Erne Jawad Memorial Table Tennis Cup at the Cebu Coliseum. Here’s my message:

Maayong buntag! Comm. Jessica Honoridez, congratulations for organizing the country’s longest-running table tennis event and one of the biggest, with over 1,000 participants. Jessica and I were together at the Paris Olympics.

At the Olympics, I had tickets to watch the semifinals of Table Tennis. But I had to give them up because it was at the same time as the competition of Elreen Ando. At the weightlifting competition, Jessica and I both watched Elreen Ando place sixth and get a Philippine record.

At the Paris Olympics, one of the most popular athletes among the 10,000 Olympians was Lebrun. Now, when I say “LeBron,” I know everyone will think of the NBA superstar. But to you, table tennis fans, you know that I’m not talking about LeBron James but about Felix Lebrun. He ended up winning two bronze medals for France, one in individual and one with his brother Alexis in the team event. Felix is only 17 years old — one of the youngest medalists in the Paris Olympics. Felix was a hero in France.

Here among you, I see many young athletes. Our hope is that, one day, some of you will represent the Philippines in the Olympics. We have the LA Olympics in 2028 and Brisbane in 2032. You can be the Felix Lebrun of the Philippines.

Here’s my message to everyone this morning: Sometimes you Win, Sometimes you Learn.

This is a fundamental truth in sports: there will be very few winners and many, many losers. It doesn’t matter what event. Jawad Cup. Palaro. Batang Pinoy. Olympics.

This is a fact of life and of sports: there will be more losers than winners. In the Jawad Cup, you have 13 categories. This means that there will only be 13 champions. There will be hundreds who will not win and climb the podium.

Of course we want to win: Wins are exciting. We are happy. We pump our fist. Our friends and family congratulate us. They validate our dedication and hard work. They give us a sense of accomplishment. But let’s also remember, it’s not just about winning.

Losses can be tough to accept. They can shake our confidence. After a loss, we question our abilities. But, it’s in these moments that we have the greatest opportunity to learn and grow. Losses can teach us valuable lessons about perseverance and resilience.

The athlete’s journey is not a straight line. It’s a winding path filled with ups and downs. What’s important is to embrace both the wins and the losses as stepping stones on our journey. Every challenge and setback is an opportunity to grow and to become a better table tennis player. Because it’s not just about winning; it’s about the continuous cycle of learning and improving.

To all the participants of the 32nd Jawad Cup, congratulations. And never forget: Sometimes you win, sometimes you learn.

Sand and Steel: A Perfect Match

August 9, 2024

PARIS – The Eiffel Tower is the world’s most-visited paid monument. Here at the Olympics, it has transformed into a breathtaking backdrop for an unforgettable sight: Beach Volleyball. Seven million people visit the site each year, but last Monday, for 12,860 fans that included our JJJ family, it became the stage for an Olympic spectacle.

Nicknamed “La Dame de Fer” (French for “Iron Lady”), the Eiffel Tower was built for the 1889 World’s Fair. Three hundred million people have trekked to the landmark since it opened 135 years ago. But last week, it played host to a different kind of celebration — the 2024 Olympics.

Imagine the sight: the Boracay-like white sand court, the world’s top athletes soaring and spiking, and towering above it all, the 330-meter-tall golden iron frame shimmering in the sunset. It’s a postcard-perfect image come to life here in France’s capital.

Jasmin, Jana and I watched two games last Monday. The first, at 9 p.m., was the women’s Round of 16 contest between Brazil’s top-ranked pair, Ana Patricia Ramos and Duda Lisboa, and Japan’s Hasegawa Akiko and Miki Ishii. The Brazilians, living up to their world No. 1 ranking and 2022 world champion titles, dominated and won, 21-15, 21-16.

The energy then shifted to the men, where Qatar’s Ahmed Tijan and Cherif Younousse (the Tokyo Olympics bronze medalists), battled Esteban and Marco Grimalt, cousins from Chile. The Qatari duo proved too strong, 21-14 and 21-13.

It was a beauty to see the women and men showcase distinct differences in beach volleyball. The much-taller men rely on raw power for serves, spikes, and “monster-blocks;” the women, revealing a different playing style, employ more finesse, shot placement, precision and the occasional “pancake.”

INCREDIBLE SIGHT. The sun sets here around 9:30 p.m. and, as it descended, it glistened even more gorgeously, casting a warm glow over the stadium (temporarily built for the Olympics). The atmosphere rocked with excitement as the DJ host prompted the crowd to turn on their phone flashlights.

Imagine the spectacle — 12,000 spectators creating a sea of glimmering lights as the pulsating rhythm of electronic dance music fills the air. Everyone’s dancing as the stadium transforms into the hottest club in Paris.

By 10 p.m., the Eiffel Tower’s lights themselves flickered to life for five full minutes. It added another layer of grandeur to the already awe-inspiring scene. Every dig, block and spike resonated with the majesty of France’s iconic landmark.

Beach Volleyball isn’t just about volleyball on the beach; here in the Olympics, it was about creating a lasting legacy. The Eiffel Tower Stadium will now serve as a blueprint for hosting future sporting events in unique locations, breathing life into iconic landmarks.

I’ve had the privilege of attending numerous sporting events. But the sight of the tower bathed in the golden light of the setting sun, the roar of the crowd, and the world’s best volleyball pairings diving on the white sand — none will compare with the memory of La Tour Eiffel.

Bonjour! Notes from Paris

August 6, 2024

The weather here has been nearly perfect: 18C at night and 28C at its hottest (surprisingly, at 6 p.m.). The sun rises at 6:30 a.m. and doesn’t set until 9:22 p.m. Yes, that’s 15 hours of daylight. The only “anomaly” this summer season happened during the rainy Opening Ceremony last July 26. Two days prior (and two days after), it has been mostly sunny.

2. We experienced an attempted pickpocket. It happened inside the Metro when two ladies surrounded Jana just as we entered. One lady’s hand was hidden behind a big empty bag as she pressed against our daughter. A tall man stood behind them. The other lady asked Jana in English (very unusual) what station this was headed to. We noticed something was wrong, stayed put and guarded our belongings. As we reached the next stop, the four of them (their “team” included another lady) jumped out of our carriage — and hopped on to the same train just a few meters right behind!

3. The bars and coffee shops here are filled. Many have large TV sets showing (exclusively) French athletes. The sport that we’ve noticed Parisians love watching the most: judo and fencing. And, of course, they love Leon Marchand. When he won gold in the 200m IM, we saw them running around hoisting the flag. Many painted their cheeks with their flag’s red-white-and-blue colors.

4. Best spot: just as it gets dark at 10 p.m., standing at the Arc de Triomphe and watching the Eiffel Tower and the Olympic cauldron balloon.

5. Kindness: this is not our first trip here and we’ve all known about their occasional rudeness. But, so far, everyone has been courteous. In Metro stations, volunteers guide you. At the playing venues, they help you; in the souvenir stores, restaurants, Carrefour shops, they smile. The Olympics has brought out the best in the French. Merci!

6. Food: after a week of eating baguette, frites (obviously, it’s not called “French fries” here), croissants and (French) onion soup, we finally succumbed to my sister-in-law Mitzi’s tactic: eat Chinese food with plenty of rice.

7. Police and military officers are visible. The policemen are usually three officers in one group. The French military wear light-brown fatigues and carry high-powered firearms. They are 6 or 7 in a formation. They parade the streets as sirens are overheard. In major streets, it’s not surprising to see 10 police cars lined up.

8. Walk, walk, walk. We average 10K per day.

9. Water is potable. And they’ve installed drinking fountains in many public areas. The public “toilettes” (“sanisettes”) are innumerable and are scattered in the major thoroughfares — all for free.

10. The Paris Metro system is one of the world’s best. We even got to meet an Olympian from Mexico who, just hours earlier, competed in the 20km Race Walk. Exclusive during the Games, Paris has the Navigo pass for tourists: 10 Euro for unlimited rides all-day inside Zones 1 to 5, which includes the airport and Versailles.

11. Music is played everywhere, particularly inside the Olympic venues where a DJ invites the crowd to sing and dance along. Our favorite: serenaded by the Olympic volunteers on Paris’ beloved street, the song, “Les Champs-Elysees.”

Spanish King of France

July 30, 2024

PARIS — Wearing red in the land of blue, speaking Español instead of Le Francais, the matador strode into the bullring of France called the Court Philippe-Chatrier last Sunday.

RAFA! RAFA! RAFA! The City of Light has produced innumerable French sporting greats like Zinedine Zidane, Michel Platini, Yannick Noah and Tony Parker. But is there a non-French that’s more loved by the French?

We saw it last Friday during the spectacular Opening Ceremony. In a four-hour-long marathon that included Celine Dion and Lady Gaga, instead of Kylian Mbappe — the French football star — we saw Rafael Nadal lifting the torch on centerstage.

Two afternoons ago, we saw it again on the same venue where the French Open is being played. In the final Olympics of his career, the Mallorca native entered the stadium to a standing ovation.

RAFA! RAFA! RAFA! Earlier that morning, there was a threat that the two-time Olympic gold medalist wouldn’t play. Nadal suffered another injury a couple of days ago. And on Saturday night, he played a spirited doubles match with Carlos Alcaraz.

NADALCARAZ. This is the craze among tennis fanatics here. But playing singles and doubles on the same day is wearisome when you’re 38 years old. Nadal hinted of abandoning the singles match to focus on “NadAlcaraz.”

But, no, at 3 p.m. on a sunny Sunday (when it had been raining days before), the King of Clay played against Marton Fucsovics.

The first set was over in 30 minutes. The Spaniard uncorked his inside-out topspin forehand to dismantle the Hungarian. He sliced his first serve out wide. He rushed to the net to feather a soft volley. The score, 6-1, mirrored his increbible career: Rafa had triumphed in 112 of 116 matches in Roland Garros for a 96.5% winning rate.

Was there any doubt that he would lose this match?

VAMOS, RAFA! The 15,000-capacity went crazy after that vintage first set performance. Wearing a red Nike shirt with yellow trims and the Spanish flag on his chest, together with a white bandana and wristbands, his red attired mirrored his red-hot start. But then Fucsovics played with “nothing to lose.” He blasted winners as Nadal struggled. At the 1:32 hour mark, the crowd was stunned as Nadal lost the second set, 4-6. In the third set, Nadal had four chances to break serve but wasted them all. He faced a Love-40 deficit midway that would have cost him the match. He recovered and screamed with that trademark pump-fist. Nadal won, 6-1, 4-6, 6-4.

As my daughter Jana, wife Jasmin and I savored the triumph of our all-time favorite sportsman, I couldn’t help but stare at the words plastered at the center of the stadium: “Victory Belongs To The Most Tenacious – Roland Garros.”

Here in France, thanks to his 14 Roland Garros trophies, nobody is more tenacious — and loved — than Rafael Nadal.

(Photo with our good friends Malone and Marco Aradillos)

As the Olympics Opens, Paris is Closed

July 26, 2024

PARIS — Bonjour! July 27, 1924. This was the date (100 years ago tomorrow) when the Closing Ceremony of the last Paris Olympics was held. Today, July 26, 2024, it’s the Opening Ceremony. Befitting an event that’s a century in the making, it will be the first Olympics not to be held inside the stadium — but along the River Seine.

Imagine 300,000 spectators — including my fellow Cebuano tennis player, Malone Aradillos, who’ll be attending the Opening with his family — watching a never-before-seen spectacle.

My wife Jasmin, daughter Jana and I arrived in “The City of Light” last Wednesday. We were greeted by large billboards emblazoned with “Paris 2024” logos. The five Olympic rings hung atop the Terminal 1 building. At the Charles de Gaulle airport, we stood beside Olympians from Austria.

SECURITY. Because we could not secure Opening Ceremony tickets (or crazy enough to pay 1,000 Euro each), I did the next best thing: I planned to run along the Seine the day before the Opening.

Yesterday at 6 a.m., I did my early morning workout by strolling towards Notre Dame. I imagined the thousands of Olympians parading and riding their boats along the Seine.

But, no, security here is incredibly strict. Upon arrival at CDG airport, you’re met with dozens of armed security personnel. We saw many in military fatigues carrying high-powered firearms as we walked near Centre Pompidou and headed towards the Louvre (which we couldn’t get to). The security force here is staggering: 45,000 policemen, 20,000 private security guards and a 10,000-strong detachment of soldiers — reportedly the largest military gathering in Paris since World War II.

When I tried to go near the River Seine, I could not. There are barriers installed and a perimenter blockade restricting entry. Paris developed SILT (translated into Strengthening Internal Security and the Fight Against Terrorism) that divide areas into zones (red, gray, etc), restricting entry before the Opening Ceremony unless you have a Pass Jeux.

DANCESPORT. If Cebu City became the first Palaro city in 64 editions to host Dancesport, there is also one sport that Paris 2024 will unveil: Breakdancing. Yes, for those who grew up in the 1970s and 80s, this was our “sport.” Dancing to the tune of my favorite breakdance song, “Rockit” by Herbie Hancock, we would strut, drop to the ground, balance, swirl, kick or do a headstand. The “Breaking” Olympic competition will have two events, 16 “B-Boys” and 16 “B-Girls,” and will be one of 32 sports to be played in Paris with a total of 329 medal events. “Breakdance” will join the new sports introduced in Tokyo that include sport climbing, surfing and skateboarding, the sport of our own, Margielyn Didal.

GENDER EQUALITY. Another first in Olympic history: there will be the same number of women and men competing in Paris. There are 206 countries that will be represented and an estimated 10,500 athletes. This number will be equally divided: 5,250 women and 5,250 men. Talk about fair play. Bien joué, Paris!

My dad Bunny

June 17, 2024

The Lord has gifted our family immensely. And of all the blessings that my sister Cheryl and brothers Charlie, Randy, Michael and I have received, none are greater than the gift of our amazing parents. My mom, Maria Elena “Allen,” and my dad, Manuel “Bunny,” were always there for us.

My dad taught me about sports. He pedaled a “racer” (as the road-bike was called in the ’70s). He jogged. He walloped that pelota racket. He exchanged tennis volleys with Monico Puentevella at the Negros Occidental Tennis Association (NOTA) courts in Bacolod.

He showed me the importance of a daily sweat. He lived it. He practiced the age-old adage: “A healthy body equals a healthy mind.”

Bunny Pages played basketball. No, he wasn’t in the PBA. That was his younger brother Ray, who wore the Crispa Redmanizers jersey. My dad joined BAPRO (Bacolod Professionals), a gathering of executives united by the same love of sport as Moses Malone and Paul Westhphal. This was in the 1970s and ‘80s and, as the eldest child, I’d tag along.

Six-foot-tall, my dad played the forward position and scored 23+ points; his corner jump-shot was unstoppable, like George Gervin’s.

Because of my dad’s regular dribbling and shooting, my brother Charlie and I played basketball. We joined the elementary varsity team.

One of my life’s most unforgettable moments was in our Intramurals in La Salle Bacolod. We were the underdogs and faced a team in the Finals composed of the best in Grade 7. The game was close and it came down to the last few seconds. I was fouled. Make both free throws and we win the championship; miss both attempts and we lose. The La Salle Gym was loud and jam-packed with high school and college students — and we were only in elementary! I was 13 years old then but this memory is forever etched in my mind’s eye. It was unbearable pressure.

Swish. Swish. We won.

The reason for all this? My dad. He recognized our passion for sports and built, at our backyard in Mountain View Subd., a half-court so that all-afternoon-long, after school, we’d dribble and practice lay-ups.

Each night, after Charlie and I would rush to finish our homework, we’d turn on the spotlights and play until our elbows ached and our necks stiffened.

Thanks to the green-painted, La Salle-themed court, our skills improved. Our elementary team (coached by an amazing mentor, Bob Coscolluela) won Bacolod’s overall championship. I was the point guard and was adjudged the MVP.

I cite this example because it’s personal. And as a father to my (and Jasmin’s) daughter Jana, I look back at what my dad did and applied the many learnings I’ve accumulated. (Jana herself turned out to be quite an athlete: a former No.4 junior tennis champ and Ateneo de Manila Univ. team captain.)

My dad Bunny and mom Allen were always there. Always. Always. Always. Always. In basketball contests, tennis matches, declamation performances, PTA meetings—in everything that had to do with their most-loved possessions, their children… they were present.

Be present. Remember that presence is more important than gifts. Children spell love… T-I-M-E. Our life here on earth will be measured by how much time we spent with our children. I believe in this formula: the amount of time you spend with your children is commensurate to how good your children will become. Trust me on this. That’s what I’ve experienced with my own parents.

More time + attention = Better children.

Sports? Above all things, this is one activity where you and your children will bond best. Sport means playing. And don’t children love to play? Find the game that your child enjoys. Jog together. Swim. The more time you and your child spend playing, the healthier you become; the healthier your relationship.

To my dad Bunny… I love you! Thanks to your childhood present—that basketball court—and to your presence. Happy Father’s Day!

Cebu Sports Awards

May 26, 2024

If you’re a big sports fan, I request you make time for this afternoon’s grand event: Visit The Terraces of Ayala Center Cebu from 4 to 6 p.m. today. I guarantee that you will not be disappointed.

It’s the 38th edition of the SAC-SMB Cebu Sports Awards. It’s “The Oscars of Cebu Sports” when, for one afternoon only, the best of the best Cebuano athletes gather to be honored. It has been four long years since our last awarding. Much has happened since that event last Feb. 2020 — 51 months ago — including the dreadful Covid-19 pandemic and the postponed Tokyo Olympics in 2021.

As president of the Sportswriters Association of Cebu (SAC), here’s the message I want to impart to the 300+ awardees that will climb the stage this afternoon:

The world is filled with bad news. If you stare at the newspaper’s front page, the headline screams: EL NINO IN CV: 4K FARMERS SUFFER P120M IN DAMAGES. When you flip to the international news, the depressing words appear: MORE THAN 300 BURIED IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA LANDSLIDE. When you scan further to the news section, the title reads: LTO OFFICIAL KILLED IN GUN ATTACK. In local news, it’s TRICYCLE DRIVER DIES AFTER BEING HIT BY VAN.

It’s all bad news. In Facebook, on CNN, in the newspapers — everywhere you watch, read and listen — it’s mostly bad news. From the robbery suspects being nabbed in Talisay to Israel’s bombing Rafa in Gaza, it’s mostly dispiriting reports.

But amidst all this bad news, there’s one section that’s different. I call it the GOOD NEWS SECTION.

SPORTS. Why? Because sports promotes triumphs; sports talks of ordinary people accomplishing things that are extraordinary. Sports makes people smile and say, YES!

Sports brings good news. And who are the people behind the positive in this world full of negatives? It’s you, OUR DEAR ATHLETES. Because of your achievements, we are able to write stories that will enliven our readers.

You, dear athletes, provide the good news. Because of you, we’re able to read such happy headline stories like “CVRA ROUTS ZAMBOANGA” or “MADRIDEJOS KNIGHTS MAKE HISTORY” or “DR. DEJANO IS SAC’S SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR.”

Dear Athletes, you inspire all of us. Your positive impact is profound. Your struggles to overcome obstacles and your triumphs move us to clap and cheer and feel good.

Thank you and congratulations. You might be the only good news that people read about today.

Argentina or France?

Chad Songalia, Mike Limpag and Neil Montesclaros are three football fanatics (out of the 3.5 billion who follow the sport) whom I asked to comment on tonight’s World Cup final:

SONGALIA: What have stood out in the World Cup in Qatar? You don’t need big name players to be successful. Look at Morocco. Who would have thought they’d reach the semis? What has stood out also is the emergence of young players: Bellingham, Gavi, Pedri, Gakpo, Musiala and Tchouameni and the strong performances of the goalkeepers (Yassine Bounou and Dominik Livakovic).

LIMPAG: This year’s World Cup, at least for Asians, can be best remembered for the success of the continent: Japan, South Korea, Australia (in football, Australia is considered Asian). Saudi Arabia started it with that shock win against Argentina; Japan beat Germany and Spain to top their group.

MONTESCLAROS: Lower rank teams beating higher rank teams. Upsets. Last minute goals and drama that impact results. Penalty saves. Goal keeping: spectacular and critical saves. Messi’s brilliance and exceptional skills. Asian and African teams’ rising competitiveness. The game-changing VAR. Ronaldo’s fading popularity.

SONGALIA: Whoever can slow down Messi or Mbappe have a good chance of winning. Regardless if Argentina wins or not, Messi is “one of the greatest.” The argument of who is the GOAT is subjective. Let’s not forget Maradona, Beckenbauer, Zidane, Pele and Ronaldo.

LIMPAG: France vs. Argentina will boil down to one man for each: Lionel Messi for Argentina. He hasn’t scored in previous appearances in the knockout stages in four previous World Cup appearances but has already scored in each of the knockout games this year. He has four Man of the Match awards this year, 10th overall, but I think there’s only one title he’s after. Whether he wins it or not, will depend on how their defense will cover Mbappe, who has three Man of the Match awards this year, a testament to how important he is for France.

MONTESCLAROS: Both teams have equal chances to win. I don’t see one really dominant than the other. But Messi is the game changer. He can create something out of nothing. My pick is not a matter of an estimated superior strength. I just prefer Argentina to win as a crowning glory for Messi’s unparalleled impact to the sport.

SONGALIA: Argentina or France? Hmm. This is a tough one. Argentina, so Messi can cement his legacy but my grandson River Killian was named after Mbappe so whoever wins I’ll be happy.

LIMPAG: I don’t want to jinx my favorite team but I still remember the emotional and financial heartache of watching France beat Brazil in a girlie bar (the only place in town that showed the World Cup live) back in ‘98 so I hope Mbappe and company will have that medal they’d rather not display after Sunday’s final.

MONTESCLAROS: Even if Messi does not win the World Cup his football exploits are off the charts. Considering the great footballers as Messi’s contemporary and he out performs them, he is the greatest so far. The World Cup will just be a confirmation of what he already is.