The Big Difference

     One of the things coaches can recognize over the years is an athlete's potential for greatness.  The thing is, people point to many things, like talent, training or IQ, but the difference between greatness and anything else? The ability to rise to the occasion.  This week, the sporting world gave us a stark contrast in examples.


Flash Forward

     It's easy to overlook Nonito Donaire when your country's most well-known boxer is 8-division world champion Manny Pacquiao.  Donaire knew that and he sought out Fernando Montiel for a high profile fight to formally announce his greatness to the world.  Shoved into the spotlight this past Sunday with his nation hoping and the world watching, the "Filipino Flash," delivered, and he did it in spades.

     In the biggest fight of his career against the best opponent he's ever had, he was ready.  Donaire was fast, slick, smart and powerful. Carefully timing his punches after studying Montiel's movements, Donaire ate a right from Montiel and then cracked a perfectly placed powerful left hook.  Montiel was absolutely out of it after that, and Donaire became the Philippines' latest world champion.  When the pressure was firmly placed on his shoulders, Donaire did not disappoint his fans; he proudly raised the flag of a country desperate for inspiration.  In less than two rounds of boxing, Donaire displayed to everyone both his hard work and his God-given talent. 


Slammed


      Last Saturday,  Asean Basketball League (ABL) defending champions Philippine Patriots found their backs against the wall.  Having lost the first game of the ABL finals against the Chang Thailand Slammers,  the Patriots were in a must win situation.  In the biggest game of their franchise's short history, the Patriots completely folded, losing 68-75. 

      Even in times of the game where the Patriots led, it was evident.  The players were in a frenzy.  Botched plays, missed open shots, too much one on one plays and slow, non-reactive defense, the Patriots were completely lost on the court.  On offense, anointed shooters Egay Billones and Chito Jaime shot blanks and ill-advised outlet passes from both locals and imports alike, made for an ugly sight. Defensively, the Patriots did not fare any better.  The Patriots looked like they had cement boots on as they watched Slammers attack them.  Slammers' Pinoy ballers Froilan Baguion and Ardy Larong, whose best contributions to their PBA teams were warming seats, ran rings around the Patriots.  Despite the presence of PBA Best Import Gabe Freeman and former PBA import Steve Thomas,  the team drowned in the quicksand they themselves created and the unthinkable happened.  A Philippine basketball team lost in an Asean league or tournament.  When the chips were down and a sterling performance was called for, the Patriots shrunk, on their home court no less.


     The sporting world is a great provider of opportunities.  This is why sports can be regarded as the ultimate reality show.   In every game and in every day, sports provides the stage for greatness to emerge.  For the ultimate sports fan like us, we pray our bets are ones like Nonito Donaire, while the pathetic performance of this year's Philippine Patriots will be the last of its kind.