Sunset Riders

     The sporting world has always been a constantly changing one, with its athletes moving in and out.  Recently, though, three figures, often misunderstood, often maligned, in no means great,  but worthy of true respect in my eyes, have left.  It's time to say good bye.

Keith Jardine - Less than a week ago, the Ultimate FIghting Championship (UFC) decided to  terminate the contract of the Ultimate Fighter alum. Jardine's most recent loss to Matt Hamill was actually his fourth consecutive loss, which prompted the issuance of his pink slip.  Jardine has always been a favorite of mine, as he possesses one of the truly great monickers of all time (It actually was my pick for "Top Monicker").  More than that, though, "The Dean of Mean," got my respect because he was always ready to fight, evidenced by the fact that he often stepped up when the UFC needed a competent light heavyweight to fill a card.  Very few fighters are willing to fight on short notice as back ups or substitutes, but Jardine made no bones about it.  While his termination is not a permanent banishment from the UFC, fans will certainly miss the "Dean," and his unorthodox fighting style. 

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Missed Conceptions

     All so-called experts keep saying that money, or the lack of it, is the main reason for the Philippines' lack of sporting success.  Let me say this though.  Throw in more money, and we might still not be as successful as we want.  For the money (if it ever comes) to work, we, as a country, need to get rid of these long standing misconceptions.


Misconception # 1:  We are world class. All we need is the money.

     The truth is, save for pool (billiards), wushu and maybe dragon boat racing, we are not world class; we haven't been in a while.  For a country to be considered a world power in a sport, it can't just have a singular world champion who won once in say, 10 years.  One athlete winning a world championship doesn't mean the training program is a success.  A country can be considered world class if they win and almost win on a consistent basis.  The Philippines has to face reality.  There are no Olympic sports where it has been a world power for almost 2 decades.  Boxing?  Tae Kwon Do?  Basketball? Archery? We haven't been close enough to smell the world powers.  The sooner the sports powers realize this and create a comprehensive, "back-to-the-drawing-board-type" of training program, the better.   The sporting powers must eat humble pie now and accept that we have a long way to go, so that an honest effort can be made to develop talents.

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Fathers and Sons....Iiiiinteresting...

     Ask almost anyone and they'd remember when Mother's Day is.  Father's Day, though, is a whole different story.  In honor of the oft-forgotten special day to honor dads, here's my special post, featuring the most interesting father-son relationships in sports.










Bill and Luke Walton (NBA Basketball)












     NBA players with famous NBA fathers are growing in number nowadays, but few have the special relationship these two have.  Bill was the anchor of the 1976-77 Portland Trail BLazers team that won an NBA Championship.  Then, he went on to the Boston Celtics and also earned a championship there.  Although injuries would shorten his career, BIll would continue his affair with the NBA, by being a TV analyst.  Meanwhile, Luke was drafted into the NBA to, in the irony of ironies, hated Celtics rival LA Lakers.  As of this week, Luke has tied his dad, winning two championships with the Lakers.  As if a father and son playing for the Celtics and Lakers, respectively, isn't interesting enough, there were games about at least six times, where Bill did the coverage of the Luke's games.  BIll tried his hardest to sound objective, but his being silent during Luke's exploits is quite indicative that he had a difficult time analyzing his son's game to the public.

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Broadcast Comm 101: THE Interview (part 2)

Here's the conclusion of my two-part interview with broadcast great Sev Sarmenta.  Enjoy!

Fifty Peso Seats:  With Smart Gilas and the other national team programs, the Philippine Basketball League (PBL) seems to be struggling to find franchises and players.  What do you think of the PBL adopting the NBDL format, becoming the "farm" teams for the PBA players where raw but drafted players can hone their skills? (Question was asked before PBL-Liga Pilipinas merger)

Sev Sarmenta:  That will only work if the PBA teams still have money left to run farm teams.  The existence of the PBL helps the PBA because it prepares players for the pros, even if PBA teams don't necessarily have a PBL team.  A strong amateur league, or transition league between college and the PBA will still emerge given our passion for the game and the appeal of getting great exposure for middle sized companies.  Who would've known about Excel Roof, Harbor Center, Ascof-Lagundi and other names, if not for the PBL?

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Broadcast Comm 101: THE Interview (part 1)

When I started this blog, reaching 100 posts became quite a big deal for me.  (Thanks btw, Tibibord for your humbling post.  I'm posting the link because it might help publicity for both our blogs.) As I was finishing my last Top 10 "Top 10," however, the greater concern became how I could make my next 100 better.  I still am not sure I can, but I know I'm starting way better than my first post.

It was my complete honor to conduct this interview with one of my broadcast heroes, broadcaster extraordinaire Sev Sarmenta, who was also my college professor.  Sarmenta, who is actually celebrating his 25th anniversary as broadcaster this year, does commentary for various sports, which include boxing and basketball, and he has been around the world to cover the Olympics and the Asian Games as well. 

Fifty Peso Seats:  Among all the sports you have covered, which sport/event would you say is your favorite?

Sev Sarmenta: I can do basketball, volleyball, and tennis reasonably well because i've played these games. in fact, i still try to play at the college covered courts at the Ateneo at least twice a week with the staff.

Boxing is something i learned to do over the last decade.  It helped I was a fan and Manny Pacquiao made boxing come to life.  Golf, I wish I could do more often because it is also a complex sport disguised as simple.

Basketball will have to be the favorite simply because of its complexity.

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Top 10 "Top 10s": Greatest Filipino Athletes (1971-Present)

     This is officially my 100th post and before I begin, I would like to thank all of you have seen my blog.  Whether you follow my posts regularly, you glance at it from time to time, or you visit so you can post spam on my comment box, thank you.  Let's get it on then.


Parameters:  Once again, all athletes with Filipino blood qualify for this list, provided their claim to fame and greatness after 1971.


10.  Mansueto Velasco

     After Anthony Villanueva won a silver medal in the 1964 Olympics, the Philippines experienced a silver medal drought, always falling short of Villanueva's effort.  The drought would end only in 1996, when a tiny flyweight by the name of "Onyok" Velasco captured only the Philippines' second Olympic silver medal, along with the hearts of a proud nation.  Velasco used his skill and quickness to rise through the ranks, but then lost a controversial (yet again) decision to Bulgaria's Daniel Petrov.  Aside from causing commentator Ron de los Santos to completely lose his professionalism (he started shouting, "Dinadaya tayo!" repeatedly during the telecast), the loss would shatter the country's gold medal dream.  Despite that, though, Velasco has earned his spot on this list.  

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Top 10 "Top 10s": Greatest Filipino Athletes (1920-1970)

     With my last two top 10s, I decided to do a two-part special, featuring the greatest FIlipino athletes of all time.  I've always found it foolish to compare athletes from the present generation to the ones from previous generations, as time brings about tons of changes,  whether they be the level (and number) of competition to the technology behind the game and equipment.  That's why I've made two lists.


Parameters:  All athletes with Filipino blood, who performed their feats of sporting greatness between the years of 1920 to 1970 will be included.


10. Felicisimo Ampon

     Many people state that height is clearly an advantage in tennis, but no one told FIlipino tennis great Felicisimo Ampon.  Despite being just 5 feet tall, Ampon was so good, he was even considered the best tennis player in the world, "inch for inch."  In 1937, Ampon brought international recognition to the Philippines by taking Davis Cup Singles Title.  He continued to lead the Philippine charge in Davis cup, but his most significant achievement would be winning the Pan AMerican Championship in Mexico.  Ampon also won titles in the Far east Games and a doubles gold in the 1954 Asian Games.  His most impressive feat, however, would have to be his stints at Grand Slam tournaments.  He is the first and only FIlipino in history to reach the quarterfinals of both the French Open and Wimbeldon (he was also the shortest man to ever play in a Grand Slam), both times giving then World's number 1 player Frank Sedgman the scares of his life.  Ampon also won the WImbeldon Plate Championship in 1953, which is a oturnament for the players eliminated in the first and second round. Perhaps the best description of Ampon's contribution ot tennis was summed up by British Ambassador Peter Beckingham who said Ampon was, " a great internationalist who has imparted a new meaning to the delicate game and is a credit to the sport."

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