From Wanbol Uni

If you log on to philstar.com, you’ll notice several bloggers identified with a group called “Wanbol Uni” dishing out comments on the stories and columns published in your favorite section of your favorite newspaper.

“Wanbol Uni” has evolved into a sort of “conscience bloc.” Members aren’t afraid to voice out their opinions on the hottest sports issues of the day. They’re knowledgeable, articulate and tell it like it is, straight from the heart.

Today, we pay tribute to “Wanbol Uni” by introducing you to those who make it a vibrant and outspoken “school.” We’ve asked the “wanbollers” to share with us their specific wishes for sports in the new year.

The “Wanbol Uni” founder is Ferdie Alayon (blogger name VicOngasis, formerly ParesHilton), 40, an accountant from Sacramento, California. He started “Wanbol Uni” in The STAR’s online comments section and it’s grown to be a significant voice in the website.

In an e-mail, Ferdie said philstar.com’s new format has brought “wanbollers” even closer together. “Kudos to the webmaster for the new version,” he wrote. “The old online version didn’t save comments and I couldn’t keep track of the ‘wanbollers’ due to the large volume of respondents.”

Ferdie’s wishes:

“On top of my list is for our basketball-crazy nation to see the final nail on the coffin of the stubborn BAP. The other top wish is for more success for our Pambansang Kamao. Lastly, more success on other fields (such as soccer, tennis, and badminton). In all these, I’d like ‘A Sporting Chance’ to be our source for 2009’s success stories.”

Another “wanboller” is Edwin Cano (blogger name Pinoykano), 37, a power systems consultant from Albany, New York.

Edwin’s wishes:

“In the coming year, I hope Manny Pacquiao continues to be a beacon of light for Filipinos worldwide by beating possible opponents like Ricky Hatton and Floyd Mayweather Jr. in a convincing manner. That Manny Pacquaio may stay as a sportsman and not venture into politics and that politics may not find its place in Philippine sports.”

Then, there’s “wanboller” Harry Asuncion Balais (blogger name Skyflakes25), 33, a webmaster, writer, blogger, graphic designer, multimedia artist of San Juan City, Metro Manila.

Harry’s wishes:

“1. For Manny Pacquiao to win his blockbuster fight versus Ricky Hatton in a very convincing fashion and to cap his very illustrious career via a resounding win over Mayweather in late 2009. And as millions of fans rejoice over a hard-earned yet methodical victory over the former P4P king, Pac-Man announces that he is going to leave the boxing arena for good. I’d want him to enjoy the fruits of his labor.

“2. Respectable campaigns by the PBA-backed and SBP-organized national teams. As much as I respect Yeng Guiao, clearly, we need to upgrade our coaching skills. Let us look at the South American and European countries which can give a stiff opposition to Team USA. It is not all about talent and skills; a savvy and scientific coaching is also needed.

“I hope the developmental teams formed by SBP will continue and not get distracted by the lure of money. That those players will put premium on the national team over their mother schools and PBL squads.

“That SBP will scour for more legit Fil-foreigners around the world. Somebody out there may have the second coming of Gabe Norwood, Eric Menk, Asi Taulava, Danny Seigle, JJ Helterbrand, among others.

“3. With Dodie Boy Peñalosa Jr. holding back his desire to turn pro in favor of a possible stint in the 2012 London Olympics, I hope this good start will be sustained by the Ricky Vargas-led ABAP. That more amateur boxers will get inspired and challenged by it. And with the imminent retirement of Harry Tañamor, we are in a long-drawn battle. The boxing program should be fast-tracked. Our boys should be ready by the time the Laos SEAG unfolds. I hope they can put up a decent fight against, if not overthrow, the defending champs from Thailand. Then in the 2010 Guangzhou Games, our boys will even get better results against the best in the continent.

“4. Purefoods TJ Giants, my team since 1988. For them to have better coaching, a system that maximizes the talents, skills, and potentials of the players on both ends of the court which I believe have not been harnessed all these years, a system that disciplines their erratic plays, a coach to bring back their winning ways and instill a killer’s instinct among the players. Purefoods is packed with so much talent but wins are hard to come by and they really need to make some lucky and tough shots to win. They need to regain their true identity, something that they lost in last season’s Fiesta Conference.

“5. A coach for the UE Red Warriors who will finally give my Alma Mater its 19th UAAP men’s basketball crown. It has been a long and arduous wait for us.

“6. A gold or two improvement in all sports included in the Laos SEAG next year.

“7. WPBL to be sustained so that our female basketeers will have an avenue to improve their skills.

“8. For more regular and nationwide sports tournaments that need it. The likes of Shakey’s V-League for volleyball and Nestea for beach volleyball have to be replicated in other sports.

 “9. A better sports development program, something like Gintong Alay.

 “10. For the Miami Heat to make a super second-half surge to supplant the Orlando Magic as tops in the NBA Southeast Division. If that happens, for our kababayan Eric Spoelstra to win the Coach of the Year award. For Dwyane Wade to overtake LBJ in the MVP race with another worldly performance and also to lead the Heat in winning their division. For Wade to win the All-Star Game MVP in Phoenix.

For Wade to win the Defensive Player of the Year in which he is now ranked fourth.”

More comments from “wanbollers” tomorrow.