‘Sayang na sayang’

A letter from Antonio A. Mendoza of Tumana, Sta. Maria, Bulacan, reached the STAR offices the other day.

Mr. Mendoza introduced himself as an 80-year-old fan who said he still hopes to witness the Philippines regain its glory in basketball at the next Asian Games.

His letter carried the heading "observations." He said he decided to share his observations on the country’s recent showing in Busan "for your info and mental consumption." And of course, Mr. Mendoza said he sent it to the STAR because it is "the newspaper I read daily."

Listen to Mr. Mendoza:

"We can beat Korea as we almost did in that crucial, decisive game between Korea and the RP basketball team in the just concluded 14th Asian Games in Busan. That’s the conclusion I arrived at after watching that very crucial game on TV.

"Since nobody in the RP coaching team, headed by coach Jong Uichico, thought of calling a timeout, when Racela was fouled, so that Racela could have rested even for a short while, Racela missed those two most crucial, decisive foul shots, hence we lost the game. Sayang na sayang.

"Furthermore, the Filipino players could have been instructed to catch the ball upon Racela’s misses or even foul the Korean ball carrier and therefore, the game could have ended in a tie, granting that the penalty should have been just two foul shots. As you said on TV after the game, walang sisihan.

"Lessons to be learned from that crucial game against Korea:

"No. 1. Filipino basketball players should be trained and must be trained to shoot long distance shots, the three-point shots, so we could match the skill and decided advantage of rival teams in this area.

"No. 2. Filipino players must have a strong fighting spirit that don’t give up the fight even when they lose crucial games. Look at what happened in the game against Kazakhstan which the RP team lost, simply because they lost to Korea the previous day. Apparently, the RP team lost the will to fight, to win, so much so, even the bronze medal they could have won, went to the Kazakhstan team.

"No. 3. That all the errors we committed in that vital game against Korea and the lapses we had and experienced should be put to good use from now on in all basketball competitions the Philippines shall participate in with emphasis on the Asian Games.

"No. 4. We, Filipinos, love basketball so much yet it is a pity that since the Philippines lost basketball supremacy in Asia to countries like China and Korea, we have not regained the title. This is therefore the big challenge to us, Filipinos. When shall the Philippines regain that lost glory?"

Mr. Mendoza made a mistake when he noted that the next Asian Games will be held here in 2005. The next Asian Games, held every four years, will be in Doha, Qatar, in 2006. The Philippines will take its turn to host the Southeast Asian Games, held every two years, in 2005.

Another letter that came in was from Asian Games silver medallist Michelle Cojuangco Barrera’s father Mike. The letter was e-mailed from Australia where the Barrera family lives.

Listen to Mike:

"I have been following your articles on the equestriennes before and after the Busan Asian Games. Tina and I were there in Busan and indeed, it was a very exciting and nerve-wracking competition. I am writing to commend you on those articles, especially the latest one on the celebration where you made reference to success through hard work and placing your trust in God. These are what did it for all of them.

"Much as the competition was predominantly male (and seasoned competitors, at that), our young (they were the youngest team), all-female team surmounted the pressures and the challenging course put before them. In fact, when the silver medal was secured after the second round of the team competition, Michelle came up to us in the grandstand and in a sigh of relief, released and poured her tears of joy to Tina and myself and told us how happy she was because she had tried her very best for the team, how happy and proud she was to have been able to be part of such a great team, and how she somehow was able to deliver a medal back to God and her grandparent-sponsors which she had always wanted to do.

"A lot of prayers went into it, both from the side of the equestriennes and on the side of the families and friends who were there to cheer them on. It was a very touching moment for Tina and myself as her parents.

"Michelle is now back in Sydney with us and hasn’t stopped telling us about the celebrations, how she enjoyed her Lolo and Ta and how unity was achieved through the sport. As you mentioned in your article, personalities of different political persuasions joined them in celebrating not only the equestrian team’s victory but also the unity that has been brought about by this wonderful thing called sports.

"And as my father-in-law (San Miguel Corp. Eduardo Cojuangco) mentioned in the theme of his brief speech, that night showed that we as Filipinos can unite as one, for the country, irrespective of which side of the political spectrum we all are. Let us hope that, somehow, the example of these young equestriennes (Mikee, Michelle, Danielle, Toni and Paola) sends a clear message to all that we can overcome adversity through unity and trust in God. In as much as these girls are of the next generation, perhaps this could be a sign of things to come for our country."

It was a touching message from a proud and happy father.