Bohol to renew Army-Navy dragonboat rivalry

In the United States, the academies of the various armed forces branches are known for their excellence in many sports. The Army-Navy game is one of the most celebrated and anticipated match-ups in college football. The intensity with which these iron warriors battle each other on the gridiron has created a legendary competition. After all, these are young men who are trained to endure more physical burdens than regular folk, and to see them on a playing field gives that kind of sacrifice a different dimension.

In the Philippines, the Army-Navy sports hostility has emerged in the water, in dragonboat racing, to be precise. In the first few years of the new millennium, their physical superiority has emerged, especially in the longer races, when your lungs start burning and your muscles scream for rest. Pain has been their constant companion, but it is their minds that have been trained to surpass ordinary physical limitations.

In this country, it is the enlisted men themselves and not just students who train and paddle it out on the seas. With the Air Force always a third contender and Camarines Sur providing some civilian challenge in 2008 and 2009, Army and Navy have managed to stay at the peak of this heroic sport.

With the order of the Philippine Olympic Committee for the Philippine Dragonboat Federation (PDBF) to join the Philippine Canoe Kayak Federation, this rivalry was watered down, as the national team became divided. The passionate, rugged contests between the two military wings were not seen since. But on April 28 and 29, the two giants of dragonboat find themselves on a collision course again, this time at the 2nd PDBF International Club Crew Challenge in Tagbilaran Strait from April 26 to 30. 

Organized by the Provincial Government of Bohol, the Department of Tourism, the Philippine Dragon Boat Federation, and Tapok Tapok Bol-anon; with Cobra, Philex, the Sandugo Foundation, and Smart, this will be the first international race in the province. Foreign teams have already confirmed participation.

Army has been training with extra incentive, as they suffered a shocking loss to a peak-form Lake Buhi in both the 200-meter open sprint and 400-meter open middle distance events in Candelaria, Zambales. Now Army will be looking over its shoulder at another challenger. Having tasted victory, Lake Buhi will also be in Bohol to try to reinforce their claim as the new power in dragonboating. 

Navy also has an axe to grind, and this time, they will be armed to the teeth with seven national players and a string of wins in the PCKF races the last couple of years, as well. A three-way fight in the men’s class looms in the highlight ‘Battle of Champions’ on April 28 and 29. It will be a great reason to brave the heat and head for the coast of Bohol.

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Was NBA All-Star Kobe Bryant scheduled to visit the Philippines again before he tore his Achilles tendon?

This question has been spurred since a billboard of the Los Angeles Lakers leader emerged on Metro Manila’s main thoroughfare Epifanio delos Santos Avenue or EDSA. Bryant is the new endorser for a popular brand of computers in Asia, and was supposedly scheduled to visit China and the Philippines after the current NBA season, that is, until he injured himself as the Lakers made a final push to get into the playoffs.

There have also been unconfirmed reports that LeBron James was also being targeted at endorsing the brand, until his management allegedly proved difficult to deal with. Bryant was supposedly easier to negotiate with, and was reported to have signed the contract within two days. Bryant is a very attractive commodity in Asia, his jersey even outselling Yao Ming’s in China when Yao was still active.

Bryant first visited the Philippines in 1998 as part of the adidas Streetball Challenge, and showed local basketball pros how he dunked up to his elbow in an exhibition at the SM Megamall. He returned to the Philippines nine years later, and made his most recent visit as part of a selection that played during the NBA lockout.

Now that he is recuperating from surgery, Bryant will most likely fulfill his promise to come back to the Philippines when his health permits, and thrill his legion of fans anew.