Squash is for Halloween

With Halloween just around the corner, squash is taking the limelight as the sport of the season.

And tomorrow, the Palms Country Club squash committee is staging a unique Halloween event called “Beat The Pros” where 14 players in costumes go up against two pros in a straight-to-15, double-knockout, handicap format that’s guaranteed to be as hair-raising as the sight of ghouls.

The idea is to encourage club players to join squash activities and deemphasize the notion of fierce competition. The objective is to give members the opportunity to enjoy squash as a fun sport without the fear of being embarrassed by losing badly. It goes without saying that club players have nothing to lose in facing the pros.

The handicap system is an attempt to level the playing field and give the members a chance to beat six-time Southeast Asian Games bronze medalist Edgar Balleber and rising star Rodan Banquilay who are both club pros.

In keeping with the Halloween theme, fashion icon Tweetie de Leon-Gonzalez of the squash committee suggested for players to show up in costumes and get an automatic 50 percent discount of the tournament fee. The word is some players are putting on scary outfits to intimidate the pros.

But it’s not likely the pros will be tricked into losing. They’re playing for pride. Balleber and Banquilay are determined to prove they’re unsquashable on the court.

The 14 players will be grouped into two batches of seven. One group will play Balleber and the other, Banquilay. The last player in each group to avoid elimination will be declared the winner. Both survivors will be awarded a cartload of prizes.

Among those suiting up are Manish Mahtani, Dondi Verano, Guilliano Franzot, Jun del Rosario, Red Roces, Margot Garcia, Sonnie Aguilar, Jovie Villar, J. C. Chavanon, Jan Dressel, Manuel Gamboa and Jun del Rosario.

While it’s a fun event, the competition won’t be a joyride. Every club player will be out to do a trick-or-treat on the pros with the gallery cheering. How Balleber and Banquilay are able to withstand the pressure of playing at least 14 matches one after the other is what’s making it an eagerly anticipated event.

The order of battle will be crucial with the last players in the queue gaining an advantage as the pros tire out in the succession of matches. The pros will both start with minus points and their opponents with plus points. Handicaps will be decided by the pros.

Squash players insist there’s no reason why the sport can’t be as popular as badminton. The major drawback is lack of public courts. But if you’re looking for a good and quick sweat, squash is the answer. It’s easy to play. The gear is relatively affordable. And the exercise is a total body workout.

Sponsoring the event are Speedo, Red Bull, Adidas, Nike Timing (Lucerne Jewelers), Artic Vodka of NMI Global, Asics footwear, Molten basketballs, San Miguel Corp., Purefoods, Coca-Cola, Nestle, Chris Sports, Toby’s, Emerald Headway, Accel, Manny Pacquiao Promotions, Krispy Kreme and The Philippine STAR.

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Newly designated national basketball team coach Yeng Guiao is expected to come up with his initial lineup at the end of the month but not before consulting Robert Jaworski, Norman Black, Tim Cone, Joseph Uichico and Chot Reyes. He plans to call his first practice on Nov. 17.

Guiao is tasked to call the shots for the squad playing in the FIBA-Asia Championships next year. The top three finishers in the tournament will represent Asia in the World Championships in Turkey in 2010.

It is still not certain which country will host the next FIBA-Asia Championships but the scuttlebutt is the preference is either China or Japan. Jordan has announced it will bid to host the event. The Philippines is bidding for the rights to the 2011 tournament, which is the qualifier for the London Olympics.

Last Monday, Guiao met Jaworski, Black, Uichico, Reyes, PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios, executive director Rickie Santos and media bureau chief Willie Marcial for dinner in a Japanese restaurant at the EDSA Shangri-La Hotel.

First to show up was Uichico, the earlybird at 6:30 p.m. Then came Reyes, Jaworski and Guiao in that order. Black arrived late, coming from Ateneo practice. Cone begged off because of a family commitment.

When Jaworski arrived, he was told Guiao would be a little late as he was tied up in traffic. “Okay lang, but if he doesn’t show up until Thursday, I’m leaving,” he joked.

The discussion was free-wheeling and all-encompassing. Black talked about logistics support, remembering that during the 1994 Asian Games in Hiroshima, a bus the team rode went around in circles for two hours and the delay visibly upset the players. Uichico spoke about the necessity of overseas exposure. Reyes said it was crucial to be familiar with international rules and nuances.

The Big J. who coached the national team to a silver medal at the 1990 Beijing Asian Games, pledged to support Guiao and the PBA in the quest for a ticket to the World Championships.