The bandwagon effect

Regardless of the result of the AFF Suzuki Cup match between the Philippine Azkals’ and Indonesia (still playing as of presstime), it has been a major breakthrough for Philippine football. Suddenly, soccer is the big ticket it last was decades ago. Sponsors have started to come to the aid of the orphaned footballers, with sports patron Manny Pangilinan pledging support and Nike weighing in with supplies to even things up.

It’s still a curious occurrence, though, that the team has galvanized the nation. Soccer has, after all, been low man on the totem pole for a country that thrives on American-style instant gratification and high scores: basketball, boxing and billiards. This writer has ever seen audiences this size cheering near-misses and screaming bloody murder at rough play. Yes, there is an audience for the gentleman’s sport.

But why the sudden leap in interest, or has there been an undercurrent of love for soccer in the first place?

First of all, having been conquered so much in our history, Filipinos are very sensitive to being the underdog. That explains our fascination with long-standing suffering in our television and radio dramas, our music and our ability to overcome long odds. Nothing has ever come easy for the Filipinos, and we thrive in it. A moment’s release from suffering is worth the pain.

Secondly, since 1986, Filipinos have become more expressive of their indignation against corruption and ineptitude. And no matter what you say, the Philippine Football Federation, which has been generously supported by its own international federation FIFA, has not come up to the standards we expect of our national sports associations and athletes. Even with the influx of Fil-foreign players who have sacrificed much for the national cause, progress has been glacial.

Compare the game’s improvements to its cousin rugby, which has vaulted from the lowest rungs of Asia to its top level in five years, and the disparity becomes glaring.

Third, the television coverage has brought to light the sheer talent of our players, and given us a rallying point. Why was there little furor over the problems of the Asian Games? Because our people never got to watch them. With the boards of all government networks in political limbo with no replacements yet, no move could be made to bid for and market the television coverage of the quadrennial event. Our loss, incompetence’s camouflage. And we can’t blame the new leadership of the PSC. They had to hit the ground running to begin with. They can’t take the blame for their predecessors’ stubborn disregard for the athletes’ welfare.

Fourth, Filipinos are still starving for heroes. Aside from Manny Pacquiao’s landmark achievements which only come twice a year, what sporting events really unite us and take our minds off a listing economy, fuel costs, bickering in government, and crime? The appropriately named Azkals are a unifying symbol. Perhaps the Filipino is starting to become less American and more patient in appreciating sports, after all. As a former keeper, I’ve been looking forward to the day when ordinary people would appreciate the intricacies of strategy, and the superhuman fortitude and drive it takes to play football.

Just one point for thought, though. Is the economy and size of the market reason enough for advertisers to wait for a big break-out performance before stepping in? There are several sports that have reaped gold at the Asian level or higher, and some of them still don’t get support at all. Pacquiao himself was a two-time world champion before his astronomical rise in the last five years. Now, he is avalanched with endorsements. In other countries like the US, the grassroots support is much more pervasive.

Perhaps now, the success of the Azkals can start a new snowball, a fresh look at underappreciated sports. Lord knows our athletes have been dying for it.

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World record-breaking fisherman Noel Flores has vowed to tear down two more standards within the next few weeks. Flores, a printer who has broken two world records in fishing this year alone, was turned down when he applied for financial support with the Philippine Sports Commission. According to Flores, PSC commissioner Chito Loyzaga expressed desire to help, but said that the agency cannot fund him because fishing is not an Olympic sport. Nevertheless, he remains undaunted.

“We will break two more world records currently being held by the Japanese. Their records have stood for 10 and 15 years in the 8- and 12-lb lines respectively,” a determined Flores says. “We just have to save a little more, and we will have enough to make our first attempt.”

But unlike in his previous attempts, this time, the target fish feed at night, making it even more challenging. On top of the dozen or so reels and lines he has already ordered from the US, crew fees, bait and boat rental that must be set aside, Flores is also saving the balance of his meager funds for a generator to light the boat for his attempts. This will be another drain on his resources. Flores has been personally financing his record-breaking attempts out of sheer love for his sport.

On Nov. 22, Flores set a second world record off the coast of Calatagan, Batangas. He has been concentrating on setting new marks for fish caught with the smallest lines, which are very difficult. It took no less than four attempts to get his first world record earlier this year. Each attempt is like an expedition. He has to load his fish with food for him and his crew for how many days, since there’s no telling when he will land the record fish. He must bring bait to distract local barracudas that feed on his catch while he’s reeling it in, as well as several changes of clothes, since the combination of exposure to the sun and salt water can cause severe skin damage. The rest is all a matter of patience and endurance.

“Whatever happens, we will head out to sea. And we will break the Japanese records,” Flores promises.