I’m sure a lot of Filipinos are still in victory mood this days. We should be, right? This weekend two sporting events, boxing and basketball, put the Philipppines into the international limelight once again.
PACQUIAO VS. SOLIS
First was the triumph of our very own pride Manny Pacquiao. As expected, last sunday’s bout, once again unites every Filipinos here and around the world.Manny was able to defend his World Boxing Council International Super Featherweight title against previously unbeaten Jorge Solis via 8th-round knock out.
Like all our kababayan’s who were glued to their TV sets last sunday, I myself spare that day from other activities to watch Pacquiao. Together with my brothers, we watched how Pacquaio tamed his punches during the early rounds.
He was like playing up or should i say warming up at first. But when he recieved an accidental head butt during the fifth round that bloodied his upper right eye, the fury from within spilled from Pacquiao and he went on to throw his power punches that eventually knocks-down the Mexican boxer for the the first time in his boxing career in 1 minute and 16 seconds to go in the 8th round.
At this point, the audience cheered and roared inside Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. A lot of Filipinos in the U.S seen during the fight shouted and waved the Philippine flag.
Just like the crowd in Alamodome, Texas, the crowd here as well went wild. Footage after the fight was shown on TV where every Pinoy boxing fans, in Metro Manila and other provinces, jumped and cheered to Pacman’s another victory. It was truly a day of celebration for us Filipinos. It was a double celebration for this writer at least, since last Sunday was also my birthday.
Though, I’m still yet to recieve a gift from Manny, hehe! With more than $4-million prize money from the fight, I hope Manny doesn’t mind giving me one. I only hope he gets to read this.
The public were all happy from the fight, but according to some sports analyst, it was a shallow fight from Pacman. I catched one sports analyst who said: ” Para kang kumain, pero di ka nabusog”. Most of them, also said that it was a far-cry from what Pacman showed in his fight with Erik Morales last November. This might be true, because Solis i think is not in the caliber of other Mexican boxing great like Morales or Marco Antonio Barrera. But anyway, the bottom line here is that Manny is still a champion and he brought another pride to our country.
A lot of people we’re asking now, will this victory of Manny translate to election victory come election day this May?
Pacman is running for Congressman in his native South Cotabato-General Santos district against incumbent Rep. Darlene Antonino-Custodio. Although a lot of Manny’s fans, including me, has already expressed their disapointment over his decision joining the political arena, Manny still believes in his mission to help his constituents in South Cotabato. Well, it’s still up to the voting public in South Cotabato. So, well, just have to wait if soon we’re going to call Manny, Congressman Manny Pacquiao or not.
HARBOUR CENTRE WINS SEABA CUP
The second victory that came out during the weekend was the triumph of RP-Harbour Centre in the recently concluded 2007 SEABA (Southeast Asian Basketball Association) Championship Cup in Jakarta, Indonesia last Saturday evening.
Team owner, Mikee Romero said, ” Nothing is sweeter than winning gold for the country. Sobrang proud kami sa ating mga players who played flawless basketball”.
The RP team, won against Satria Muda Britama-Indonesia in the finals via 85-67 score. This victory marked the return of the Philippines from international competition after being suspended by FIBA ( International Baketball Association). Nigerian import Julius Nwosu was named Most Valuable Player with 18 point total score in the game.
The team is set to represent the region in FIBA conference to be held in Iran next month.
Congratulations guys! Mabuhay ang mga atletang Pinoy! You make our country proud and unite Filipinos’s even for a day.
