Win-Win
The Philippines, not being a
soccer-obsessed country, has been largely spared from the ongoing World
Cup mania. There are pockets of resistance though from sectors
fortunate enough to be exposed (and cabled) to the most fabulous,
heart-gripping sport ever, according to die-hard millions. On the day
England bowed to Portugal on penalty shoot-out and Brazil was eliminated
by the French team thus sending German fans to pre-mature euphoria,
another highlight was waiting to unfold before Filipino audience – the
much-awaited Pacquiao – Larios fight.
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Lo and behold, the roads of
Manila were empty and
quiet as most
country-loving Filipinos were holed up in their homes, glued to their TV
screens, cheering for their local hero. The most successful and
consistent they have; and no political color here which is a refreshing
change. We, of the usths80, are not exempt, and here is our tribute,
dahil kami ay proudly Pinoy.
Tale of the tapes tell Pacquiao
who at 5’6 is 2 inches shorter than Larios has same reach (67’) as his
taller opponent. We quipped, perhaps his finger have elongated from
playing too much billiard. Yes, our champ plays and wagers heavily on
the table sport. The Mexican foe and our hero both prepared hard for
this fight, both sporting impressive ring cards and both did not
disappoint.
Larios was the clear underdog but
slugged it out quite honorably till the 12th .
The
1st round was exploratory round for both pugilists; sizing up
each other and checking how they will dish out their game plans. There
was a flurry of punches in the 2nd with our bet getting the
better of Larios. In the 3rd, Larios’s right connected and
Manny reeled. On screen you see him dazed for few seconds; all he was
willing to give Larios to floor him but the Mexican failed to capitalize
on it and was not to have another chance like that. Immediately Manny
counterpunched aggressively, capturing all rounds except the third.
Through all this fantastic
display of pug action was the annoying and disappointing annotation of
Sev Sarmenta. The guy was babbling
adjectives when he should be giving us blow-by-blow account. And I was
relying on him to supply me with what kind of punch Manny dished out in
the 7th when he sent Larios to the canvass (my term would be
a 1-2-3 or left-right-left combination, but what do I know about
boxing?), or what do you call that amazing side step of Pacman, a
lateral movement so effective in landing a punch and avoiding a
counter. Pacquiao has vastly improved as a fighter, from a deadly
brawler, he has developed into a cunning boxer.
In the 2nd round Manny
gave Larios a left head cut, he opened a right one on the 6th,
sent him to the canvass on the 7th and 12th, but
his legs remained steady though his left arm was limply hanging by his
side as early as the 7th. He could even rope-a-dope up until
he was knocked down the second time in the last round. Bottom line, the
fight was a win-win for everyone. Larios was rescued from near
mediocrity, thrust back to the limelight, and earned $450,000 for his
effort. To top it, was warmly applauded by the fun-loving Filipinos.
Manny earned a cool million in dollars, burnished his ring image,
cemented his hold for the love and adoration of his fellow Filipinos,
and undoubtedly be ensconced as the favorite commercial endorser of suka,
sari-saring gamot, medyas, magic sing, etc, for the masa in the months
to come. The venue, the newly spruced up Araneta Coliseum, was packed
to the rafter (ringside tickets sold for P35,000 per head from scalpers)
and was looking so spiffy for the world to see. The Filipino audience
had been regaled once more with a world-class boxing match featuring
their very own hero and was able to collectively feel again how it is to
be a winner. That, is more than enough…for now.