2009 YEAR-ENDER: Again, Pacman is the man

CEBU, Philippines - From gracing the cover of the prestigious TIME Magazine up to making it to the list of Forbes magazine as one the world’s richest athletes - both monumental feats spotlighted by a historic seven world boxing titles in different weight divisions, there is no longer question as to why the sublime Manny Pacquiao is the toast of Philippine sports in 2009.

Despite RP’s sub-par showing in last December’s 25th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Laos - courtesy of the brewing rift between the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) - and the series of catastrophe that battered the archipelago, one person somehow sparked a ray of hope to millions of Filipinos who wallowed in despair.

Of course some quarters threw vicious jabs and flak at the country’s sports hero largely because of his unbending desire to join the dirty world of politics by running for the lone congressional seat in Sarangani province. There’s also that unfounded rumors too that he is romantically linked with sexy starlet Krista Ranillo, his co-star in his latest flick “Wapakman” that is now showing in theaters nationwide.

But these controversies cannot tarnish nor overshadow, even in the slightest manner, the global honor of superlative magnitude that Pacquiao has brought for his fellow countrymen. His stunning victories over ring superstars Ricky Hatton and Miguel Cotto has installed him as the greatest boxer of his era, if not of all time.

Overall though, it’s a bittersweet scene for boxing the past year. Donnie “Ahas” Nietes retained his WBO minimumweight title, while Rodel “Batang Mandaue” Mayol and Ormoc’s Johnriel Casimero became the latest addition to RP’s growing list of world champions.

Mayol snatched the WBC light flyweight belt with a smashing second round stoppage of Mexican Edgar Sosa, while Casimero won the interim WBO light flyweight crown with an 11th round TKO of Colombian Cesar Canchila.

But underneath those resounding stories is the sad tale of stricken Cebuano fighter Z “The Dream” Gorres, who underwent a brain surgery at a hospital in Las Vegas moments after he collapsed in a fight he won on the eve of the Pacquiao-Cotto duel last November 13.

Miraculously, Gorres survived the life-threatening ordeal and is now on the road to recovery. The family of Gorres is knocking on the hearts of benevolent individuals for financial assistance to help defray their medical bills as Z continues to deal with the biggest fight of his life.

On the other fronts, there are a lot of things to cheer for. The RP cagers had a decent eighth place finish in the FIBA-Asia Championships in Tianjin, China, while the Pinoy pugilists made an impression in the recent Laos SEAG by hauling five gold, one silver and three bronze medals.

And who could forget the ageless Efren “Bata” Reyes, who topped the 2009 World Cup of Pool with his brightest student, Francisco “Django” Bustamante, as partner. Reyes put icing on his victory cake by teamming up with Rubelyn Amit to rule the World Mixed Doubles Classic.

In the local sports backdrop, the M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Niños of team owner Michel J. Lhuillier and decorated coach Raul “Yayoy” D. Alcoseba galvanized their status at the best commercial team in the land.

In a magical run , the Niños etched their name in stone by completing a historic 21-game sweep to dominate the Liga Pilipinas Conference 3. Also, it marks for the first time in M. Lhuillier franchise that it bagged a championship title in a major tournament undefeated.

Like M. Lhuillier, the University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers cemented their status as the mightiest collegiate ballclub in the region. The wards of coach Elmer “Boy” Cabahug collared their ninth straight cage title in as many years in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI). Unfortunately, the Greg Slaughter-led UV Lancers were booted out by the Mapua Institute of Technology (MIT) Cardinals in the first round of the Philippine Collegiate Champions League (PCCL) Sweet 16.

Though its frequency has lowered down, amateur and pro boxing promotions in the Queen City of the South sustained its lifeline thanks to the support of the government and private sector with special mention to Summit Natural Drinking Water, ALA Promotions and international promoter Sammy “Don King” Gello-ani.

And if you don’t notice the running boom in Cebu, then you probably come from outer space. Levity aside, the rise of running popularity here had been meteoric. Running events are taking place elsewhere almost every week, at times two or three races a day. Not only that, some of Cebu’s prominent running buffs dared to join some of the world’s famed marathon races including of that in Boston, New York, Hong Kong, Singapore and United Kingdom among others.

That fact alone is indicative of a more lively episode in Cebu footrace this year. To kick off the new year with a big bang, some event organizers pooled their resources together to stage the Cebu City Marathon on January 10. The event is ballyhoed as the biggest and grandest long-distance race in southern Philippines in recent memory.

Aside from running, football, tennis and dancesport likewise flourish. Ditto with motocross and autocross, which has organized a regular series in 2009 especially the underbone racing circuit. The MS Motosuit-bankrolled series, on the other hand, completed 17 races, breaking the other year’s record of 15.

The Year of the Fox also saw the resurgence of triathlon. The credit goes to diehard fans of the sport who kept on holding the 3-15-3 competition that slowly but surely leads to the rebirth of the three-in-one race here.

The successful staging of the fifth edition of the Governor Gwen Garcia Unity Volleyball (GUV) Cup deserves a special mention. The inclusion of the men’s division only shows that the province-wide joust that has already produced a multitude of varsity players from various colleges and universities keeps on getting bigger and better each year.

Lest must not be forgotten is Cebu’s commendable hosting of the first ever Milo Little Olympics National Finals as well as its establishment of a Guinness Book of World Record for the largest dance class. From the wonderful, brilliant and awe-inspiring opening and closing ceremonies, Team Visayas composed mostly of Cebuano athletes truly made it an event to cherish for in a lifetime by winning the overall championship in grand fashion.

Among the outstanding Cebuano individual achievers who deserve a hearty pat on their backs include Paralympian swimmer Beariza Maria Josephine “Bea” Roble, Charlea Lagaras in dancersport, Daniel Noval in athletics, Mendel Lopez and Mary Grace de los Santos in long-distance running, Jomar Jumapao in bowling, Noy Jopson in triathlon, Tonyo Carcel in karting, Stephanie Agbay in wushu, Shaneen Ched Sia in taekwondo, Vicente Fernandez III in judo, the Siso siblings Sally Mae and Niño in lawn tennis, and the rest of the Cebu Blue Marlins Swim Club of coach Rolando Alvarez for nearly sweeping all events they participated in.

There are still other feats big and small by our compatriots that we may fail to mention due to space constraints, but rest assured we are all one in throwing you our warmest congratulations for a job well done.

In retrospect, we glanced at the grand old year that has just passed with deep sense of pride for what our dear athletes have accomplished in major competitions here and abroad.

Along with this, we hope and pray that our sports leaders will not be carried away by the blinding allure of power and that in every move they make should not be stenched with opportunism. Instead of figuring in non-sense squabble that is obviously tainted with politics and personal gains, they must look at the welfare and best of interest of our athletes and work with unbridled passion for the upliftment of the dwindling state of Philippine sports.

And as the new year unfolds, we look forward with positive outlook and wishful insight of brighter things ahead for Philippine sports. – THE FREEMAN