Admittedly there seems to be more reason for celebration rather than grief for our performance in sports for the year just about to end.
The biggest cause celebre of course was the three magnificent Manny Pacquiao victories (Morales twice, Larios once) that had the populace enthralled and entranced for days on end before and after every fight. That the once dirt-poor boy who took on odd jobs to put some food on the family table now wallows in millions of not just pesos but dollars has triggered admiration and even cult-following among his fellow Filipinos.
We can only hope that this colorful Pacman saga ends the way most of us feel it should; with body, soul and family intact. Sure, there are many bumps along the way, the most current of which is the legal tussle between two of the most prominent boxing promoters who are fighting over the right to stage Pacquiao’s fights. It is fervently prayed that this may come to pass, and that Manny is allowed to do what he does best, and that is to mesmerize the world with his pugilistic talents. His trifling with music, pool, cockfighting and politics are tolerated only because he can not seem to do anything wrong while he continues to dispose of every big name fighter ranged against him. And the earlier Manny realizes this, the better his future looks.
But everyone acknowledges that the Pacquiao success story has rubbed off on countless other Filipino boxers. And it exists not only in their minds, but also in the sights of many boxing promoters, managers and fans abroad, notably in the United States. Pacquiao has given so many other boxers the recognition and opportunity to earn cracks at plum titles and consequently, greenbacks.
While no Filipino world champion has yet emerged from all this, we are confident that with all these doors being opened, we should have more of Pacquiao’s ilk in the days to come. As Joe Cantada would have said, “just keep punching, you hear?”
The picture in basketball is still bleak. The deadline set by the FIBA was fixed, extended several times and until now, has not been met. No matter what the BAP people say, the general impression is they have obstructed progress for only God knows what rhyme or reason. While the public outcry has been for unity and for basketball leaders to get their acts together, BAP leaders have appeared intractable and have foisted controversial demands upon the basketball landscape.
The latest is Sen. Jinggoy Estrada whose very name and appearance, even when armed with the best intentions, would cause polarity among the populace.
That he has dove into the waters creating quite a splash as he demands what BAP people have regarded as their birthright owing to recognition by the FIBA, has turned off many a jaded observer. The whimper of skepticism that met his recent announcement of an alleged agreement with Manny Pangilinan underscores the indifference that is starting to well among basketball fans.
That the PBA is somehow experiencing some resurgence is indeed good news. If it could only be translated into participation in international events as the public hankers for, our jubilation would be complete.
Our showing in the last Asian Games of course, was an improvement over the last few outings. But 4 gold medals is certainly nothing to crow about, although it is a start. Again the onus is on our leaders to come together rather than fight each other for the advancement of sports.
That said, we are still happy that everywhere we go, we see athletes hard at work, honing their craft and striving for excellence in their chosen field no matter what entanglements their leaders inevitably find themselves in. In the athlete we anchor our hopes for much-needed redemption in the international sporting scene.
May the Lord grant us that blessing in the year to come. Merry Christmas everyone!
