Most influential in RP sports

In the latest issue of the Philippine Sportswriters Association publication Sports Page, I was assigned to write a story on the most influential people in Philippine sports.

As I wrote in the article, it wasn’t difficult to single out the prime movers and shakers in local sports. They’re the individuals who make things happen–the ones credited for uplifting the spirit of athletes, buoying interest among fans and spreading the gospel of sportsmanship.

The honor roll listed, in alphabetical order, First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo, Philippine Sports Commission chairman Eric Buhain, San Miguel Corp. chairman Eduardo (Danding) Cojuangco, Jr., Philippine Olympic Committee president Celso Dayrit, Philippine Basketball Association commissioner Noli Eala, Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association president Go Teng Kok, International Bowling Federation president Steve Hontiveros and the brothers Puyat — Popit and Putch.

No debating the elite roster, which reads like a who’s who.

But on second thought, I came up with three more influential people who could also fit the bill. They are Sen. Robert Jaworski, boxing manager Rod Nazario and Rep. Monico Puentevella.

Jaworski, 57, continues to hold sway in Philippine sports as a spiritual leader, icon and model figure. When he speaks, everyone listens.

The Living Legend played 24 years in the PBA and was the MVP in 1978. He was on the national team that saw action at the 1968 Mexico Olympics. Formerly the chairman of the Senate Committee on Youth and Sports, the Big J is often invited to grace the opening of various sporting events. He is sought after because he inspires the masses. His charisma is undying.

Sitting on a gold mine that’s worth millions of pesos, Nazario calls the shots in consensus world featherweight boxing champion Manny Pacquiao’s fistic career. Nazario has been a boxing figure for over 40 years, mainly as a promoter. "Ang mentality ni ‘Dolfo is of a promoter," said friend and business partner Ramon (Moy) Lainez. "He doesn’t choose easy opponents for his fighters. He always looks to make a good fight–balikatan palagi–for the fans. That’s the way he is."

Nazario is registered as Pacquiao’s business manager. He also masterminds the careers of Philippine superfeatherweight champion Bobby Pacquiao–Manny’s younger brother–and newly-crowned Philippine bantamweight titleholder Joel Bauya.

Nazario’s deft management of Pacquiao’s career has reaped handsome dividends. He took a big risk in foisting Pacquiao to fight International Boxing Federation (IBF) superbantamweight titlist Lehlo Ledwaba on a few weeks notice in June 2001. But Pacquiao was up to the task, dethroning the South African favorite via a sixth round knockout in Las Vegas.

Nazario hooked up with US promoter Murad Muhammad to land Pacquiao a showcase bout in the Lennox Lewis-Mike Tyson undercard in Memphis in June 2002. But the big deal was Nazario clinching a Pacquiao duel with Marco Antonio Barrera in San Antonio last November. That meant a payday of at least P27.8 Million for Pacquiao.

Nazario is now pursuing a $1 Million paycheck for Pacquiao’s next bout, possibly against IBF and World Boxing Association featherweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez, on May 22. His dream is to arrange a Pacquiao-Barrera rematch before the yearends. Nazario said he’ll set Pacquiao up for life with a $2 Million purse and a share of the pay-per-view proceeds if the rematch materializes.

Nazario owns the L & M gym in Sampaloc with Lainez and Lito Mondejar. His new gym–the Wild Card on President’s Avenue in B. F. Homes, Parañaque–will be inaugurated on Feb. 15. Nazario’s partner in the venture is Pacquiao.

Puentevella’s in the record books as the longest-serving PSC commissioner ever, on the job for over six years under three different chairmen (Mel Lopez, Popoy Juico and Butch Tuason) and during two different administrations (Presidents Ramos and Estrada). But more than his reputation of durability, Puentevella is known for his love of sports.

A former La Salle varsity cager, Puentevella is a pure sports fan. He has traveled the world to watch tennis matches and football games. When his schedule allows, he’ll go to the stadium and sit through PBA contests.

In Congress, Puentevella is the House Committee chairman on Youth and Sports. He roasts sports officials if they’re not in line and challenges government sports leaders to shape up or else suffer cuts in their budgets. Puentevella lowers the boom on anyone–not even sparing his provincemate Eduardo Villanueva, the Games and Amusements Board chairman–if there is justification to strike.

Puentevella is the president of the Philippine Weightlifting Association, a national sports association (NSA), and the Asian Weightlifting Federation. He’s one of only two NSA presidents who are also presidents of Asian sports federations–the other is Salvador Andrada of tennis.