TOO BAD MIKE Pangilinan’s budding career as a self-styled seer and boxing analyst got busted. Correction: Delete the words “too bad,” since the entire Filipino nation is happy that his prediction didn’t come true. The prophet of doom had picked Hector Velasquez to win over our very own Manny Pacquiao last Sunday (Manila time).
But Mike really shouldn’t feel too despondent. Because even real experts commit mistakes. They also make wrong forecasts.
Take last Sunday for example. Without exception, everyone in our table at the newly opened Crowne Plaza Hotel where the Pacquiao-Velasquez fight was aired live from the Staples Center in Los Angeles, believed without a doubt that Erik Morales would handily win over Fahir Raheem.
Even when the fight reached the l0th round with Raheem obviously leading on points, the “boxing heavyweights” who were all gathered in our table, were certain Morales would be declared the winner.
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“Promoter Bob Arum will protect the Pacquiao-Morales rematch on Jan. 21. This fight will lose its luster if Morales gets beaten by Raheem,” said Philippine Star columnist Quinito Henson.
The Inquirer’s Recah Trinidad had the same thought. “Dodoktorin ‘yan (the result), kahit lamang si Raheem, dahil masisira yung rematch next year,” he said, noting that Morales was “not at home” in his new weight division.
“Kung hindi mapapatulog ni Raheem si Morales, Morales will win this,” another expert–I can’t remember who– remarked.
When the final bell rang, Bobong Velez asked Quinito, who was seated next to him: “Matatalo pa ba yan?” referring to Raheem. Quinito admitted Raheem had won the 12th round.
Much to everyone’s surprise, the rightful winner was declared the victor. We were even more surprised to learn that the Pacquiao-Morales rematch in January was still on, despite Morales’ loss.
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Television coveror Solar Sports set up two venues for the live viewing of last Sunday’s bouts in which the Filipinos dealt their opponents a triple whammy: the Crowne Plaza in Ortigas and the nearby SM Megamall.
The three Megamall cinemas used for the event reportedly overflowed with about 3,000 patrons who paid P200 each. At the Crowne Plaza, scores of tables with a dozen chairs each were set up–if Dave Dichuba’s count is accurate–but not all of them were filled. It was a good-sized turnout at the Crowne, nevertheless, where tickets sold at P1,000 apiece, brunch included.
In addition to Recah, Quinito, Bobong and Dave, completing the star-studded cast in our table were Ricky Palou of the UAAP and PAVA, former broadcaster Hermie Rivera, Mari Ojeda of the Air Transportation Office, movie actor Eddie Gutierrez and band singer Salvador Vaca.
We invited former PBA commissioner Jun Bernardino and son Nolan, who came in late, to join us at our table, but they opted for seats right behind me where they were joined much later by PBFI president Moying Martelino who practically missed the entire viewing.
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I couldn’t help but ask Moying, a dear old friend until he joined forces with the POC, why he had accepted the PBFI post when he had previously refused more attractive positions. At his age, he had said, he didn’t want any more headaches or controversies.
“Gusto ko pang mabuhay nang matagal,” he would tell me time and again.
I also asked Jun B to confirm reports that he was being endorsed by the PBFI–if the organization gets Fiba recognition–as a candidate for Fiba-Asia president, since election is due soon. I forgot to inquire about reports that he was being groomed as PBFI secretary general, though.
Like Moying, Jun said he wants peace and only the mildest of adrenalin stimulation. He said he is happy with his V-League. No Fiba aspirations for him.
Moying, on the other hand, couldn’t say no to the proposition that had been dangled before him.
