5 Things we learned from the UFL this weekend

Tats Mercado is the best goalkeeper in the league, but the worst diplomat

If there is a need for a Military attaché in a foreign diplomatic post, please remove Tats Mercado from the short-list. His statements about foreign-born players painted a little tarnish on his overall exemplary performance during the UFL Cup finals. Sad if you think about it. There is clearly some animosity from where those words were coming from. I will venture a guess and assume that it has something to do with National Team selection process.

His saves were nothing short of phenomenal. He was at the right place at the right time, which makes him seemingly the luckiest guy on that pitch – but it was more educated than anything else. He also was able to use his backline effectively. You have to admit that there was an element of the Loyola strike force having a bad day.. Yep! Every single member of said strike team chose last Saturday to have a bad day. But really, Mercado made sure that their bad day kept.

I agree that there is a bit of truth to the statement that Mercado made. However, there was a much better way to be more ‘diplomatic’ about delivering the same message, driving the point across minus the backlash.

If you think about it though, how many times has he been interviewed on live television, and statements quoted and published. It is probably something he can learn from the more exposed members of the team. With the stature of a professional athlete, every statement made will be read, mis-read, interpreted, mis-interpreted, mis-quoted, and scrutinized. It is the responsibility of the athlete to thread lightly in front of the mic.

Putting myself in Mercado’s shoes, I would have said something along the lines of “Our boys were not intimidated by the top quality Meralco players. We respected them but made sure that we did not give them too much respect. We played hard and it showed in the game. We proved to everyone that not having foreign bred and trained players is not a factor as long as we played as a team…” But that’s just me. I didn’t sign a piece of paper saying I’d offer my life in service of my country, so I might be coming from a different perspective.

The Meralco top players should become more adaptable in their style of play

The Younghusband and Hartmann brothers were clearly having a bad day. The Airforce style of play did not help them one bit. Foreign born/trained players are more accustomed to fluid attractive style of play. It’s great to watch, even impressive. There are times though when these players should learn to mix it up with rougher players. It seemed that they would lose the quality of their play when body checked, etc. This is probably the reason why it is important for these players to work on their upper body strength to ward of defenders or be able to take those shoulder checks.

Yanti Barsales can possibly be the Ryan Giggs of the UFL

I promise that this is one of the rare occasion that I will make a reference to a foreign league. The fact is the longevity and talismanic aura that Barsales shows all points to the legendary Ryan Giggs. The parallels are uncanny. This can only mean great things for our league. It is quite exciting how Barsales will contribute to the growth of local football and what role he will play.

A taken cared of pitch makes a world of difference on the quality of football played

Put in a different way, because Rizal was rested for a bit to prepare for the Galaxy game, the pitch quality was quite good. Organizers need to realize that as soon as we open more pitches, we should stop using Rizal for regular games and just reserve it for ‘big’ games. That will ensure that the pitch will be conducive to the exciting style of play that will naturally draw more fans to the games.

It was alarming to see how easily everyone were able to go to the pitch after the game. Kids kicking the ball around. Security should have been a bit tighter to make sure that the pitch is not subjected to this kind of ‘abuse’.

It is not impossible to fill a stadium for a UFL game

There is nothing better to do on a weekend than go to the stadium to watch a football match. Nothing. I believe strongly that every single person in Rizal last Saturday will not hesitate to watch a live match again. They’ll probably fancy a rematch between the two clubs too. Loyola fans for payback, Ariforce fans to prove a point. But the fact is, what a wonderful atmosphere Rizal had during the final game. There were probably 2,000 people in the grandstand, easily (I’m guessing). And that just made the game all the more exciting.

As an organizer, it would probably have been a good idea to charge a 20-30 peso gate fee. Just to recoup some of the costs of staging the game, and to maintain the pitch. I would have gladly paid (even more) to watch the game.

But here’s the bad news (it's more good news, really) UFL, my expectations are now sky-high. That is the kind of game that I will be expecting once the league starts in February 14.

5 Things we learned from the PFF-Smart Club National Championship Finals

1st Leg: Teknika FC 3 - 0 San Beda FC

1. The Teknika FC players looks a (hell) lot like the Global Smartmatic players

There can often be a problem when people follow the letter of the law (or agreement) and not the principle behind it. It actually becomes quite funny, in a farce sorta way. Sadly, farce is not my kind of comedy. In a backroom somewhere, a person thought up "I know! Let's change the name of the team, then we can play!" Take note, they did not even go to the extent of changing uniforms. REALLY?

2. Not having both YHusbands on the game had a direct diminishing impact on the quality of the football

I am not the biggest fans of both brothers, but I yield that they are quality footballers who inserts a certain upgrade to whatever match they play. Having them both on the stands today was a loss to the fans and the game who sorely missed that accurate through ball from James or that surprisingly quick first step from Phil.

3. The officiating remains wanting

I could not believe that red cards did not fly during a dying minute melee where one Smart players REPEATEDLY (yes, 3 times) shoved the referee. In what football universe that not an automatic red card.. I don't know. To my knowledge (but I am no expert), contact with the referees are strictly forbidden; a touch on the ref's shoulder is an automatic warning, and putting your hands across the ref to face you is a red. The shove would then have to be.. Terrible.. Terrible non-call.

4. Bringing foreign players into a league/game will not necessarily increase the local players' game level...

..it could also decrease the said foreign players game level. Life kinda works both ways like that. The foreign players on this game did not show the same dominance I have grown accustomed to seeing from them in the UFL.

5. Misagh was a shadow of his (Weis' perceived potential) self on this game

It almost felt like Misagh was expecting to be on the receiving side of a much higher level of football rather than freely imposing his will on a club level match. He just could not be in the right place at the right time for passes directed at him or for breaks through the San Beda back line. He is possibly playing too high as well, on what seemed to be a lone striker role (you would think that Izzo would be a more suitable player for this role). The problem with having a quality lone striker is, there is such an imperative to have a dominating midfield player who can deliver a cross or through ball consistently. Not once did he create for himself, and that is almost a requirement without the consistent midfield delivery. You have to trust me on this, I'm a Chelsea fan and we have a player named Torres.

Unique Twist of the Familiar: OneRepublic in Waking Up

I would have to say that I really enjoyed listening to this album. This for me would fall under the category of albums that I'd have to buy for myself.



Tracks you must listen to:
Secrets
Marching On
All the Right Moves

Alright, admittedly I don't think that this album will become a classic down the line. However, there is that comforting balance between string and pop. For me, this balance is definitely the reason why I enjoy listening to OneRepublic from the day I discovered Apologize's original version minus the Timbaland twist.

I also wouldn't recommend going to this album for musical inspiration. And my understanding is, that wasn't the band's intent in the first place. From what I can hear in their music, it sounds like they are more keen on creating music that folks like me can listen to while driving to work or on commute from the gym.

For the purist in you, here's an acoustic version of All the Right Moves.


The general theme of the music is quite relaxing - with a pleasant beat that will easily distract you as you go about your daily routine. Don't we all need a playlist that does just that in our iPod?

There are a few tracks in the album which does justice Ryan Tedder's (Lead Vocals) talent and singing prowess. Consistent with a their debut album, these songs are NOT easy to sing. Or atleast sing, and leave you with enough dignity to walk out of there. It does entail an ample level of talent to be able to pull of some of these notes. I'm just saying - if you ever get the urge to sing one of this album's track in public, well.. don't.

The other single off this album is a clever song in the beat of a march; oh! and the title is coincidentally Marching On;


Lyrically, the wordings were well crafted and has a relevant message that strikes you if you pay enough attention to it. Although I have to admit, it's way easy to just zone off to their song's tunes. Ryan Tedder seems to have something to say, and he does not come short of words to say them.

To synthesize, my opinion is that their latest album, Waking Up, is a clear testament to OneRepublic's tremendous talent. That much is very easy to figure while listening. However, much debate remain on their ability to choose the appropriate intent in their song writing.

Clearly their goal is to create radio friendly tunes. And they are successful - up to a certain extent. The question then is; How do they step on to the next level?

From what I have seen (and heard) off their 2 albums to date, there is great potential for them to be more adventurous in their song writing... dare I say, room to grow up and mature. (And I can't believe I just threw in the single most over-used line in any sophomore album review!!)

Buy the album off of iTunes. Enjoy the music. Don't over analyze it nor expect it to change your life. With that mind-set, this album is sure to please.

Now to wait for their third album!

Something to be proud of

A lot of people who are close to me know that I have a strong appreciation of Filipino Music (OPM). And this particular feat achieved by one of our own, I am particularly fond of.

Maybe it's because I already have a strong liking for the music of 6 Cycle Mind. Maybe it's because most of them, I consider, to be really good friends of mine. Maybe they are just really talented, lucky, gifted.. Seriously, this is one heck of an achievement.

I came across this video of renowned musician, Sunny Choi. She is classical pianist based in Toronto Canada who recently did a rendition of 6 Cycle Mind's single Kung Wala Na Nga . I must say that I will have to add this to my list of favorite "unlikely" renditions of pop music. Much like Jaime Cullum or Michael Buble (alright, maybe not quite that level.. yet).

Here's a video of Sunny Choi's version of this pretty cool song.



Being picked for something like this says a lot about the quality of the music that this band produces. I think that this is an honor brought to our music industry, and country as a whole.

I've also included a video of the original. You gota admit, it is quite catchy!



Enjoy the music! Until next time... -g

I think i've finally figured out what i'll write about...

MUSIC!

I can never find a site that recommend music that I really like. Especially because there is a particular brand of music that I like - and it's pretty difficult to describe.

I would say that enjoy listening to mainstream music, but particularly those who are just about to make it. Songs seem to lose it's appeal to me once they've "made it".

So that's what I'm doing! I'm writing about the music that I like to listen to. At last! A topic that I really enjoy and am excited about!

Of course.. I can't take away my daily rambling. That's a must have.

And this is the first on that I am looking forward to writing about...



Here's giving you a feel of what this album is about;

Now I know it works!!

Now to start wasting cyber space by uploading rhetoric which I probably shouldn't be wasting space in the cyber world with.

This is definitely the best picture I've taken. Well.. Atleast my favorite.

I still have not figured out what I want to write about. But I do know that I like and I want to write.

Makes me wonder, do you think poets decide on what they want to write before they start writing? Or do they just scribble away, and things sort of take form.

I should ask a poet. Maybe I'll tweet Paolo Coellho later - but I should check that I'm spelling his name right first!

Now.. Off to jump back into the fire.. Or back to the salt mine.. Or.. Well.. Work!

You should probably be doing the same thing. Stop reading my blog and get to it already!

Ciao!
-g
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless handheld

Why don't we try this...

It seems that I've been able to do pretty much everything on my blackberry. Now I figured, why don't we start blogging too?

After a dash of inspiration from my dear friend ToT (http://triportreats.blogspot.com) I figured I wanted to blog more. I've always enjoyed writing, and have always found this activity very relaxing.

But then, I always find myself with way too little time. Except when I'm mobile.

Voila! Mobile blogging. (Patay na!)

Also, let's try posting a picture and see how it comes out..

*fingers crossed*
-g
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless handheld

And..

I really wish i could blog about something people would actually want to read...

Thank you for not smoking

In 2 days I would have gone 7 months without lighting a cigarette.

This is absolutely the hardest thing I ever had to do in my whole life. But I did it. There was an overwhelming amount of support around me. It's amazing how people generally want what is best for others. Clever how that is.

I went by Bonnie's to grab something to eat on my way home from D's. I love barbecue. I bet I could keep on eating good barbecue for a very long time.

Before resting tonight, I figured I'd spend a couple of hours reading. This is a very important activity that everyone should do a whole lot more of. I just wish i could influence people to read a lot more.