Sporting Chance - The Sydney blessing

Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Commissioner Monico Puentevella says just like everyone else, he felt bad that the country failed to bag a single medal at the recent Sydney Olympics. But he’s not totally distraught.

At least, the dismal performance has triggered renewed calls to strengthen the physical education curriculum, promote grassroots development, identify priority or niche sports, and formulate a long-term vision for Philippine sports. That, notes Puentevella, is the blessing of coming home empty-handed.

"It’s a consolation," says Puentevella, the longest-serving PSC Commissioner ever–he has worked under Chairmen Mel Lopez, Philip Juico, and Carlos Tuason since joining the government agency in 1994. "A medal would’ve probably set back our plans for instituting reforms. Now, we’re talking about the future."

Puentevella says although the competition was "overpowering" in Sydney, the Filipino fighters and taekwondo-jins had good chances to win medals, if not for bad breaks.

In lightflyweight boxer Danilo Lerio’s loss to Rafael Lozano, Puentevella says the Filipino got the wrong signals.

"Danilo was ahead by two points in the last few seconds but instead of dancing away, he chose to slug it out, kaya nasingitan tuloy ng suntok," relates Puentevella. "After the fight, I asked Danilo if he knew he was leading. He said no. I asked Boy Velasco, our Filipino coach, what happened and he pointed to Raul Liranza, our Cuban coach. Raul told me his instruction was for Danilo to defend and put up his gloves. Raul explained that in a defensive posture, Danilo could counter in case he got hit. The problem was Danilo didn’t hold up his gloves. I asked Raul why Danilo didn’t just stay away. He shrugged his shoulders. Of course, you know that Lozano won a silver. Remember that Onyok Velasco beat Lozano in Atlanta but unlike Danilo, he didn’t knock him down. So if Danilo had beaten Lozano, he would’ve probably gotten a medal – maybe, even a gold."

Puentevella says to avoid doubts, locals – not foreigners – should coach Filipino fighters. He remembers Liranza was castigated by the Cuban delegation after Onyok upset Cuban Yosvani Aguilera in Atlanta. Puentevella says Lerio’s loss was a result of "a fatal coaching mistake."

Regarding flyweight Arlan Lerio, Puentevella couldn’t understand how Andrzej Rzany won as the Pole backtracked in the last two rounds. While Rzany built an early lead, Lerio came on strong in the late going. Lerio lost on a countback after the fight ended in an 18-all tie. Puentevella says the outcome could’ve been influenced by the Olympic boxing "mafia" headed by Anwar Chowdhry of Pakistan.

"Our athletes in Sydney had different agendas," continues Puentevella. "The boxers and jins were out to win medals. The others wanted to outdo themselves. Carlo Piccio, for instance, broke his national records in two swimming events. Rower Benjie Tolentino finished among the top 20-that was his goal. We’re hoping we can build on their performance and improve in the future. At the moment, we’re looking at the Southeast Asian Games in Kuala Lumpur next year."

Puentevella says it’s understandable that the 20 Filipino athletes were in awe in Sydney. "Imagine the stars who were there-Ian Thorpe, Cathy Freeman, Monica Seles, the world’s best athletes," he adds. "Then there was the pressure. Donald Geisler, for instance, was our last hope for a medal and knew that millions were watching him compete. Unluckily, he lost because he wasn’t aggressive enough."

Puentevella says he’s sure Filipino jins and boxers will deliver medals at the 2004 Olympics in Athens. "The country’s taekwondo network is phenomenal–there are thousands in the sport today, including kids," he explains. "In boxing, we continue to train. Six fighters are competing at the coming World Junior Championships in Uzbekistan. We’ve got 40 in our national pool–maybe that will still increase."

Puentevella says the PSC spends about P80 Million a year to support 787 athletes and 163 coaches in 41 sports. He expects about 400 athletes to compete at the next Southeast Asian Games. Puentevella says perhaps, cutbacks are in order to focus on priority sports.

In tomorrow’s column, Puentevella will reveal how much the PSC spent for the Sydney Olympians’ training and discuss the importance of its P9 Million "Talent Identification Sports Project" which is being launched in Cebu today.