Among the PBA figures who flew in on their own to watch the games and cheer on the squad are Sta. Lucia Realty owner Exequiel Robles, team manager Buddy Encarnado and coaches Norman Black and Alfrancis Chua, and Red Bull owner George Chua, team manager Tony Chua, consultant Andy Jao and coach Yeng Guiao.
"I’m just tired working in Manila so we came here to relax, and of course, cheer for our team," said George Chua.
Also in town is Bong Alvarez, no longer a PBA player but lending his support to the RP cause just the same. The cager known as "Mr. Excitement" is here as a businessman, too, checking on his Forex-Korea door-to-door delivery service business he put up just recently in Seoul.
Former PBA player Allan delos Reyes, who once worked for a delivery service provider in the US, mans the store while Alvarez is in the Philippines.
JUST MAKING SURE: The Philippine wushu team arrived in this South Korean maritime capital Thursday night and, even before they could get out of the airport, had a couple of its members doing their routine exercises in the arrival area.
South Korean immigration officials got a little bit suspicious with some members of the team, especially some of the women who, in their chinky eyes, looked so young, so small to compete in the 14th Asian Games.
So, a couple of team members had to strut their wares, doing some synchronized martial arts moves that finally convinced the airport officials that they’re for real.
"Okay, okay. Good," an immigration official, now smiling and looking amused, was quoted by a Filipino scribe who flew in the same night.
"Akala siguro may plano mag TNT ang mga bata. Pero okay lang, it was a light and funny moment," he said.
The members of the team tipped to vie for the gold here are Mark Rosales, Arvin Teng, Bobby Co, Lily So, May Lim, Janice Hung, Marvin Sicomen, Rexel Nganhayna, Joseph Pasiwat and Eduard Folayang.
PNNED ALL THE WAY: One of the most sought-after characters in the 14th Asian Games here is Dan Presburger – and he’s no athlete.
In fact, he doesn’t even look like one. He’s quite old, balding and yes, a little heavy around the middle. But what easily makes him a crowd-drawer are the colorful pins, perhaps hundreds, attached to his beige fishing vest.
The collection comes from past Olympic Games (including one from the 1936 LA Olympics), Asian Games, World Championships and other special events. And he’s ready to trade some or give away some.
"I’ve found that for every pin I give away, someone gives me one back," said the 38-year-old American, a schoolteacher who has avidly pursued this hobby since the 1984 LA Olympics.
"It’s mostly for fun. I get to meet a lot of people from different places," he said. "And it’s a great way of getting women grab onto you, too."