Bodybuilding lauds Lanao's support

It has been confirmed that the Maskulino Pilipino national bodybuilding championships slated today at the Mindanao Civic Center in Tubod, Lanao del Norte will be a milestone event in more ways than one. Aside from bringing together the top Filipino bodybuilding champions from Europe and other parts of the world, it will also be an occasion for a prestigious international body to recognize the local government of Lanao del Norte for their efforts in supporting the sport.

The Asian Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Federation (ABBF) will present a citation to Gov. Khalid Dimaporo for hosting Maskulino Pilipino. It will most likely be ABBF secretary-general Paul Chua who will personally make the presentation at the competition tonight. This is a very rare occurrence in a sport that is striving for unity and mainstream attention in the Philippines.

“We were thrilled when we were informed that Gov. Dimaporo would be the recipient of this award,” revealed Maskulino Pilipino organizer Ringo Borlain of the Philippine Bodybuilding Sports Federation (PBBSF). “He has been a very gracious and generous host, and this event has helped bring the bodybuilding community together.”

This year alone, the ABBF has been very active in expanding its membership and strengthening its position throughout the Asian region. China has already pledged full support to increasing the exposure of bodybuilding throughout the continent. Chua was a special guest of the Chinese Bodybuilding Association at a convention in Liangyunkang in September. Mongolia has also registered a member federation. Singapore has made attempts to unify the sport in its country by recognizing only one member federation. All this developments bring the ABBF’s total membership up to 40 countries.

“All over the world, the direction is really to unify and streamline everything,” Borlain continues. “We are trying to follow their example, because it’s the best way to reward the athletes for all their hard work. It takes a lot of discipline and effort to become a world-class bodybuilders.”

Founded in 1959 with six members, the ABBF is a member of the Olympic Council of Asia and General Assembly of Asian Sports Federations. Bodybuilding was formally made a medal sport in the Asian Games only in 2002.

* * *

CEBU City – This writer was able to speak with University of Cebu head coach and former pro Rhoel Gomez after the Webmasters shellacked University of Iloilo in the final stages of the Philippine Collegiate Champions League here. UI, which swept the Iloilo School Sports Association (ISSA) to make its first PCCL appearance, led 17-1 early after making their first seven shots. The Wildcats then went cold, making only seven of their next 32 attempts. UC led by as much as 38, powered by 6’9” Junemar Fajardo, who had 15 points, 16 rebounds and 3 blocks.

“Here in the Visayas, we’re not really lacking in coaching,” says Gomez, who won a PBA Grand Slam with the Alaska Aces in 1996. “We have all the coaching techniques already, and all the information and contact are available easily.”

Gomez says that the main challenge is getting the players the same level of exposure that teams in Metro Manila receive.

“The only advantage Manila teams have is that they play really strong teams, even PBA teams sometimes,” adds Gomez, who unseated University of the Visayas as champion of CESAFI, the largest school-based league in Cebu. “So even if we beat iloilo, they made a breakthrough. They will get better.”

UV had reigned the CESAFI for nine straight years prior, but lost key players such as seven-foot center Greg Slaughter to Smart-Gilas and now Ateneo.

“Besides, the problems of coaching are the same everywhere,” Gomez continued. “If you allow your players to be spoiled and undisciplined, everything becomes harder for you as the coach. You have to teach them to accept their roles, and be patient. Everything will come at the right time.”

Last year, no Visayan team made the Sweet Sixteen of the PCCL. No team outside the UAAP has won the PCCL title. UE, FEU and Ateneo have each won it twice, while De La Salle has won it once. Gomez is hoping that a team from the south will eventually break this stranglehold. He believes it is only a matter of time.