Wreckorder

CEBU, Philippines — What and who is great is a matter of context. After raising the bar and winning gold rain drenched in the regional games, EJ Obiena last week twice reasserted his world-class status in pole vault within four days of each other. He first won bronze in Poland. No big deal, he won same color in the worlds. But in Norway, the world number 3 finally cleared the 6-meter barrier en route to winning gold.

The height may be short and ordinary to Swedish Armand Duplantis who cleared 6 meters or higher at least 60 times in his career including the 6.22m world record, equivalent to at least 20 feet and 4 inches. He soars that high, aided only by a bendable stick and the right technique. But to the Filipino who went through hell and back, it is a breakthrough. He just became the first Asian and the 24th man in history to clear the 6-meter barrier.

Looks like the continental gold this year is a foregone conclusion, and an Olympic medal in Paris next year a realistic aspiration. Six meters may be a practice height for the world’s greatest pole vaulter, but it is career best for the greatest Asian jumper.

Elsewhere, Novak Djokovic now stands alone with 23 grand slams, sharing it with no other man except a woman named Serena Williams. He also became the only man to win each major at least thrice, to pull away from the retired Roger Federer and the tired Rafael Nadal.

Djokovic could win more and seal the debate on who is the greatest of them all. Looks like him. It will be him. Or it is already him. But he is not the most loved. Just like Pete Sampras who won more slams, Andre Agassi won more fans. When Pistol Pete retired undefeated, many thought his 14 grand slams was untouchable, until the big three came along. Federer collected 20, Nadal surpassed him but may be stuck at 22 and Djokovic now has 23 and still counting. Within the Sampras-Agassi rivalry, 14 was exponential. But with the trivalry, it is inconsequential.

Just as the recently concluded tennis tournament in Mandaue City may be nothing compared to professional tennis. But it is everything to the winners. Benjie Trinidad and Randel Macalolo-oy won the C+ category to become the fourth doubles team from Drop Shot Tennis Club to bring home the crown. Before them were Renato Macalolo-oy and his beginner partner, Jun-Jun Alqueza and his awkward partner, and Wolfran Branzuela and his baggage partner.

The club busier with drinking than playing could have won more had Andrew Cavada played the tournament. But the razor sharp lawyer refused, must be because he is averse to mediocrity. Dale Bate almost won a crown. Elmer Ferrolino never did, only because he never tried. Had he started playing two decades ago, he could have been a champ. But even if he did, could he have won as many as three? No one would ever know. But the three Dela Cruz brothers, Jogen, Jerome and Jason did not even win one. Simple math. — (FREEMAN)