Super Sports Sunday
Written by Major Tom
Filed under: Sports, News & Info
October 7, 2007
Today is October 7, 2007, a day with two sevens on it. While the number “7” is mostly associated with luck (as in Lucky 7), this date is not about luck or being fortunate, it is about being “super” as in “super sports Sunday” as Manny Pacquiao would once again battle Mexican living legend Marco Antonio Barrera in a grueling 12-round fight. Manny Pacquiao appears to be the strong favorite not only here in his own country but also even in Las Vegas and that’s understandable. The 5-year difference in their ages would for certain show and be telling in this fight. It had in fact showed when they first boxed in Texas and the older Barrera just couldn’t take the Pacquiao rock solid punches into the body and head. Maybe he was just unprepared at that time to face a virtually wet-in-the-ears young boxer that Manny was then. And maybe Barrera comes into the ring this time more prepared than before. And maybe, a miracle would happen in Las Vegas today.
But in general, this fight is over. Manny is just too strong a puncher for an old horse like Barrera.
Yet, if some rumors or street talk holds true—one that is circulating somehow in this city—Manny Pacquiao would opt to throw away this fight and lose it so that a more exciting rematch would ensue months from now, ala Pacquiao-Morales III. That way, more money would come in for both Pacquiao’s and Barrera’s already bulging pocket. And that means, professional boxing has just descended into the level of pro wrestling where everything is but a farce. I hope Manny Pacquiao would not stooped down to such level despite the fact that he had already made a fool of himself by running for a congressional seat some months ago.
On to the second spectacular sporting event that’ll make this day a Super Sports Sunday— At about 3:00 this afternoon, the UE Red Warriors would try to snatch the second game of the UAAP best-of-three championship and keep it’s hope alive for a first-ever championship since Allan Caidic and Jerry Codiñera led UE to it’s last UAAP crown in 1985.
La Salle is of course would not be taking matters lightly and would go for the title juggernaut this afternoon and make the warriors cry once more. Last year, UST had won a nail-biter of a game over the Red Warriors and had them eliminated from the title hunt.
A cousin of mine is playing for UE and although Fhadz Bandaying does not have much playing time for the Warriors, he still remains a very important member of this amazing UE team, which went on sweeping all its elimination games this year, as he gives quality time off the bench.
When I was able to talk to Fhadz last year, I kinda told him that the UST lost last year was a good learning experience for them and that this year would be a better year for them. And indeed, this year is not only better but also in fact very outstanding with that elimination sweep. Even if they lost to La Salle today, it would still be a far better year than last year for them. But I hope cousin Fhadz and his Red Warriors teammates would win this game today and win it all in Game 3. Nothing like a championship title.
Hmmm… that rumor of Manny intentionally loosing? I think it wouldn’t be good for his career… oh well… let’s see. I’m surfing while waiting for the fight to air
Comment by Ferdz — October 7, 2007 @ 11:18 am
Good afternoon Major Tom. I just heard the news that Manny Pacquiao won the fight.
Comment by Luchie — October 7, 2007 @ 2:40 pm
To Ferdz: He won but I thought for some moment, he wanted to lose the fight, not putting up the finishing punch as he normally does.
Comment by Major Tom — October 7, 2007 @ 6:03 pm
To Ms. Luchie: Yes. And the Filipino people is celebrating with a grand parade once again. At least, once in a while, we feel triumphant this way.
Comment by Major Tom — October 7, 2007 @ 6:05 pm
hi there!
nanalo ang la salle! yehey! animo!
nakita ko ung game ni pacman, maganda naman ngayon ang stance at katawan niya. im happy he won. well, delayed (super) ang gma at ang daming ads. amazing!
Comment by intsik — October 7, 2007 @ 10:08 pm
Well he won ! That is good.
But I quit looking at the match on TV because of the annoying long ads between the rounds. Then we got word of who won through the internet and it had no sense to spend all my time looking at the advertisement crap.
They found the perfect receipt to spoil a game!
I get increasingly annoyed by the advertisements on TV. Even on the evening news you got to see more advertisement than news. Too much is too much. They should better increase their rates and feed the viewer lesser advertisements.
Comment by Sidney — October 8, 2007 @ 6:52 am
For the first time, I did not watch the fight. I knew he would win and I hope he gets his feet back on the ground and his head on his shoulders. I opted to watch the Shanghai Grand Prix and the UAAP game. DLSU and UE gave us an exciting game and DLSU has redeemed itself after being suspended for a year.. And the F1 drivers championship will be decided in the last race of the year at the Inter Lagos in Brazil.
Comment by Schumey — October 8, 2007 @ 7:50 am
manny won and sent barrera to retirement.
I was hoping UE would win the UAAP. But la salle was just too good.
Comment by lazarus — October 8, 2007 @ 1:14 pm
I dunno. Maybe I am the only Filipino not rejoicing over his victory. I’m sick of Manny. But I saw the fight and at the end of it when he won, he knelt down and prayed and the Filipino commentator was like “look at Manny praying, thanking God for another victory…and look at Barrera. He didn’t even pray or thank the Lord…”
and I was like HUUWWAAATTTT?????? Why are you attacking Barerra because he did not kneel in the ring and prayed? I just can’t believe it. Surely Barrera has his own praying time and praying place. If praying inside the ring in front of everybody is not his thing, why criticize him? Gawd!
And I heard that when the national anthem of Barrera was sung…Pacquiao didn’t even stood up in respect to his opponent’s national anthem. Now who’s who?
Comment by verns — October 8, 2007 @ 2:47 pm
Agree fully with verns about the commentator mentioning Barrera “not praying”. Praying could either be verbalized, displayed or in privacy. And if a person does not believe in praying it is not for anyone to even comment on someone’s personal concience, especially in public…
BTW, Pacquiao was just too much for Barrera even during his prime. He is stronger and he got a very good trainer. And he deserved the win…
Comment by vic — October 8, 2007 @ 11:50 pm
well, congrats to him, I’m sure he’s basking in his glory once again!
Only thing I can say is when I called my Tatay who’s stuck in his wheelchair and who hardly says anything , he blurted out, panalo si Pakyaw… he sounded happy, and that made me happy
Comment by pining — October 9, 2007 @ 12:34 am
To Intsik: Talagang magaling pa rin ang La Salle. I’ll credit that to it’s excellent organization. Talagang magaling humatak ng mga bagong players.
Comment by Major Tom — October 9, 2007 @ 2:54 pm
To Sidney: I even fell asleep in the middle rounds of the fight because of the very lenghty advertisements. I -thught some law shold be ut in place against execessive ads placements. It is somehow affecting public’s mental health.
Comment by Major Tom — October 9, 2007 @ 2:55 pm
To schumey: I would have normally gone over to a friends house for Pacquiao fight since he got a very live subscription but since like you, knowing Barrera wouldn’t stand a chance due to his age, I almost didn’t watch it. Dapat si Juan Marquez talaga ang makakalaban niya kasi yun ang magaling a record ngayon sa weight division na ito.
Comment by Major Tom — October 9, 2007 @ 2:58 pm
To lazarus: It’s time the Mexican legend hang his gloves. Maybe this was his last chance at making good money on the ring.
Sayang nga ang faitytale season ng UE. Pero me next time pa naman.
Comment by Major Tom — October 9, 2007 @ 2:59 pm
To verns: Naku naman, pati ang prayers dun pinakialaman pa. Dapat lang siguro magpasalamat si Manny sa diyos at magsimba—that way, he keeps his foot on the ground and not to ever enter politics again. Sisirain lang niya ang magandang pangalan na hinimok niya over the years.
Comment by Major Tom — October 9, 2007 @ 3:01 pm
To vic: It shouldn’t have been such a big deal, every individual prays in his/her unique ways. There’s no dictating one about this.
Comment by Major Tom — October 9, 2007 @ 3:02 pm
To pining: One good thing about Manny Pacquiao’s international triumphs is that it makes so many Filipinos happy. Just like your tatay. In my mind, kahit sometimes I have already grwn tired of his fights, those that are so expensive in prize and so much hyped, still I recognize how it could inspire the Filipino to strive and be upbeat about the future. Despite of everything.
Comment by Major Tom — October 9, 2007 @ 3:05 pm