The best among the rest

MANILA, Philippines — Is the Philippines on the threshold of a dazzling era that would make it into a major force in a clash for regional sporting excellence?

The Philippine Sportswriters Association, the oldest media group given the task to honor outstanding sporting feats the year just past, has found itself in a sort of a dilemma to pick the best between two amazing athletes from a field oozing with talent in a fortnight of interplay which gave the nation a breath of fresh air it badly needed.

The PSA Awards, tentatively slated Feb. 2 at the Diamond Hotel, is a toss-up between Paris Olympic hero Carlos Yulo, who had brought his brilliant floor routine to the world stage, and Alex Eala, she with the deadly double-fisted backhand and the first Filipina netter to have breached the Top 50 of the WTA ranking. She won the country’s first SEA Games gold in women tennis in 26 years.

Although it could only finish sixth behind Vietnam which has overcome the scourge of war and regional rivals, the Philippines has kept its role as a powerhouse in Olympic events like basketball where it won its 33rd gold.

The Filipinos also displayed guts and resilience in a number of fronts, and toward the end of the biennial meet, have made their mark as serious contender, leaving their imprints on their rivals’ traditional strongholds like football.

Sports officials were quick to stress that the campaign was a big success as Filipino fans savored the sweet taste of victory in events that they were expected to shine, blasting away their rivals with impunity.

But there’s more to these brave Nationals as they responded to the cheers of kababayans up the bleachers. Sensing a prey they would go for swift kill and thrash their opponents.

Did sports authorities miss this sign?

Truly, they expect the Filipino athletes to seize and vanquish their opponents, aware that they would soon be the best among the rest.