Magis Eagles and the Junior Azkals

If I could turn back the time, I would choose to be at the Cebu Coliseum last Thursday to watch game 3 of the secondary division finals of the CESAFI basketball tournament rather than stay at the office for the Philippines vs. Vietnam game in the SEA Games football tournament.

At the Cebu Coliseum, Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu beat the University of the Visayas to come within one win from claiming the title.

While I am a La Sallian, my kids go to SHS-AdC and I am an active member of the PTA, which gives me a lot of reason to root for the Magis Eagles in the tournament.

If SHS-AdC will win today’s game 4, then this will truly be a lot of reason to celebrate for the school.

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I decided to stay at the office for a few reasons Thursday including the fact that it was hard to get my vehicle out of our parking area without bothering many others, whose vehicles blocked mine.

The live telecast of the opening football match of the Southeast Asian Games made it even more enticing to just stay put.

From the start of the game, the Philippines was outplayed by Vietnam. First half statistics showed that Vietnam, winner of the silver medal in 2009, had possession of the ball 68 percent of the time.

Luckily for the Philippines or the Junior Azkals, they found the back of the net off a spectacular play that gave Manny Ott the opportunity.

Vietnam almost equalized minutes later but the ball luckily hit the cross bar and we had another chance that bounced off the far post.

The Junior Azkals maintained the 1-0 lead at the break, but the second half was an even bigger all-Vietnam show.

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Vietnam’s equalizer was courtesy of a Pinoy. Team captain Matthew Hartman failed to clear a shot with a header and instead found the Philippine goal and tied the count for the opponents.

The attack of the Vietnamese was relentless and the Philippine defense simply could not keep up.

There was one attack after another and Philippine goalkeeper Roland Muller was a very busy and harassed man. Vietnam scored two more goals before the final whistle.

Having played goalkeeper for some years, I personally know how it feels to have your defensive line fail and you are on your own.

When I was a goalkeeper of the Queen City United Football Club team B of the 38 and above category, at least I always knew I could count on one defensive player, Gregorio ‘Greg’ Balsicas III, who made sure he was there to provide the last line of defense before it was me against the opposing team.

I hope for better things to come this Monday when the Philippines face Timor Leste.  

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MILESTONES: Belated birthday greetings to my cousin Kirstin Hope Quiñones-Bocanegra and Mary Ann Segers, who turned a year older last Thursday. The same goes to our class math wizard at UP Cebu High School, Carl Bugarin and my former student and beauty pageant expert Ariel Allera, who turned a year older yesterday.

Today’s greetings go to my aunt Trixie Lebumfacil, SWU’s Ryan Aznar, Dr. Ronald Evardo, Mar-J Ramirez, and The Freeman’s Ehda M. Dago-oc.

Advance greetings for tomorrow to my mistah Lt. Col. Leo Peña, Solitaire Suico-Javier, and Armie Rosagaran.

More power to all of you!