The Azkals are here

Along with some of my buddies from the Cebu Amateur Football Club (CAFC), I had lunch with the Philippine Azkals yesterday at the Grand Convention Center.

All the talk about the Azkals being in town is true, but the reason why they have not really been very visible is that they are here for training and team building. There are, however, activities set that would allow the fans to be up close and personal with the Azkals.

I hope that the team’s fans would understand that while our national football team is public property, they have to make sure that they do what is tasked and that is to prepare for their World Cup qualifier against Sri Lanka.

Among the activities lined up are a visit to a mall, a courtesy call on the governor, and gracing the awards ceremony of the 11th National Interclub Football Cup at the University of San Carlos-Talamban Campus field this Sunday afternoon.

There were 15 members of the team yesterday aside from the members of the team and coaching staff.

From the CAFC there was Ricky Dakay, Glenn Quisido, Raffy Musni, and Stanley Villacin. Ormoc’s Joey Herrera was also on hand.

The national football team has never been this popular from as far as I can recall and I hope that this will continue with the support of the fans.

It probably helps a lot that many of the team members are also show business material as it adds more interest to Azkals and helps promote football in this basketball-crazy nation.

I am sure that this visit of the Azkals will encourage more to take up football or, maybe, to simply just appreciate the game and understand it.

If you want to know more about football, head to the USC-TC field, the San Roque Parish Field in Subangdaku, Mandaue City, and the Paref-Springdale field in Lahug to watch the action of the 11th National Interclub.

The tournament runs until Sunday. 

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The pairings for The View Invitational 2011 are now posted at the Alta Vista Golf and Country Club.

Those who have not yet decided to play might want to check if there are still some slots where you can be squeezed into.

The tournament committee held a final meeting yesterday and some of the prizes are already on display.

The tournament is set on June 2 to 5 and follows the member-guest format. Teams will have to play two rounds within that four-day period.

The Modified Stableford Scoring System will be used and players will only be allowed to use three-fourths of their lowest handicap for the past three months.

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MILESTONES: Tomorrow is a special day for a woman, who is chiefly responsible for making me what I am now, my mother, Erma Lebumfacil Quiñones. My mother is probably still my number one fan although my daughter seems to have claimed that title. 

I wish my mother a happy 61st birthday.

Today’s birthday greetings go to my mistah Edwin Batalla, Frederick Chua, and Venice Branzuela.

Advance greetings also go to others celebrating tomorrow along with my Mama. They are Adrienne Ong, Michael Limpag, Joel Baring, and Jasmin Ginete-Sumaoy.

More power to all of you! – THE FREEMAN