Of historic wins and sustained programs
Let me start by congratulating the PADS (Philippine Accessible Disability Services, Inc.) dragon boat team for topping their category in the 13th Club Crew World Championships at Sarasota, Florida. Manned mostly by PWDs, they are perfect examples of Stephen Hawking’s words “Disability need not be an obstacle to success.” Indeed, let’s recognize PADS for their abilities, not their disabilities.
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For many, many years, the women’s national football team had been floundering in obscurity. But because of a sustainable program that had been in place for a long time, with some players on the pool since they were 14-years old and a coaching staff which had been with the team since 2014, it paid huge dividends.
From the depths of insignificance, the Malditas rose to heights never before done by any other national football team, organically homegrown or hybrid. Their semi-final appearance at the 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup in India qualified them to the 2023 FIFA World Cup in Australia, a first in the country’s footballing history.
Before, these feisty ladies were routinely tormented by regional powerhouses Vietnam, Indonesia and Thailand. This time, the tide has changed and history was made. They blanked the Thais on their way to winning the 2022 AFF Women’s crown.
It’s about time to show more love (and sponsorships) to the Malditas by trooping to the stadiums when they play matches on home soil.
The same cannot be said of the Gilas. Soaring in unprecedented heights with their runner-up finish at the 2013 FIBA Asia Cup and that “puso” 2014 FIBA World Cup stint, it descended and ended with a huge thud, not even making it to the top 8 of this year’s FIBA Asia Cup.
Foreign coaches Rajko Toroman, Tab Baldwin and Nenad Vucinic came with systems more suited to our sizes. In between, the apple of SBP’s eyes Chot Reyes and his dribble-drive thing took over the team. As program director of the federation, he probably swallowed the idea that he’s better than the above named coaches and perhaps Yeng Guiao, Tim Cone and Norman Black who had stints calling the shots for the national team. The SBP said he’s the most “sensible choice” when Baldwin inexplicably stepped down earlier this year.
Their choice lost sensibility as every time the team loses, it’s always a learning process. With all the learning gathered, he now has a PhD in reasoning for the mishaps at the hands of Indonesia at the SEA Games and the mangling from Japan a few days ago.
Chot said, “We already had a plan in place for the next window. We’ve put the plan together already all the way until August next year. We just have to execute.” Yeah, right. With different players every tournament, that plan will still be part of the learning process.
Compare this statement from long-time Malditas coach Alen Stajcic, “We are going to the World Cup not just to be there but to compete. If we’re not aiming for the top, I don’t understand the point of actually preparing, trying your best, sacrificing, and all the things that you do to try and be at your peak.”
This is what coaches should be, not defiant and with a bloated ego. The Malditas have a sustained program, Gilas meanwhile have Chot-stained plans, emphasis on the stained. As what Cebuanos say, “Wa pa mo kasabot, SBP?”
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