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Tuesday, March 15, 2005
Sayson: When The Dean speaks, overtime is over
By Homer Sayson
Second Overtime
CHICAGO – When we last met at the Palace of Auburn Hills in Michigan in June 2004, the Philippines’ No.1 sports columnist gave me a firm handshake and said “keep in touch.”
Getting in touch with him was the easy part, the hard part was talking with him for about 30 minutes without sounding silly. After all, he is acknowledged as “The Dean of Philippine sportswriters,” a boxing scholar, and a TV broadcaster par excellence.
But I tried, anyway.
So there I was a few weeks ago, traveling by phone to a busy office in Intramuros, Manila, where Quinito Henson holds court. He personally took my call, and before I could even introduce myself, he beat me to the draw with a genuinely effusive greeting: “Oh Homer, it’s so nice to hear from you. What’s up?”
Obviously, Quinito knocked me out silly right there. He disarmed me with his ability to recognize my voice, even though we talk as often as Noli de Castro and Loren Legarda have tea together.
But that wasn’t completely surprising. It was vintage Quinito, he and his impeccable social skills. If he had so desired, the man would have already been a senator many terms over.
Quinito is all work, he is like your Veco electric meter. He just keeps on running. Realizing that, I went right to business and asked The Dean his opinion on the Pacquiao-Morales fight.
“I think Manny will win,” Quinito said confidently. “But it won’t be a walk in the park,” he cautioned.
“Morales is a very technical fighter and his defense is very good. He parries blows well and has a sense of staying away from situations where he could get in trouble. To beat Erik, Pacquiao has to bring more than his usual two-fisted attack,” Quinito explained.
I mentioned the fact that Manny will be fighting at 130 pounds for the first time, and that he may not be able to bring his power in that higher weight limit.
Quinito shares my concerns, pointing out the fact that Morales is tougher than a bulletproof vest. “Hindi bagsakin si Morales, and also, he is more of a natural junior lightweight now after having fought in that division for about five or six times.”
In the end, however, Quinito still envisions Pacquiao raising his arms in triumph. “Manny’s power is a great equalizer. The fury of his fists will eventually wear down Morales in the later rounds.”
So there you go, The Dean in his own words.
Naturally, Quinito and I also talked about the NBA. But that’s another story. This week is PacMan fight week, and so we’ll load this column with more boxing stuff.
LAST WORDS. From Zeddrick Carbilledo (carbilledo@yahoo.com): “I really like the way you fearlessly forecast NBA games, the way you talk and write about players such as your Lakers before, and now the Heat with Shaq.
“Thank you very much for the info, sir. My students read your column since they are also addicted to basketball, while my roommates join me in listening to your NBA segment at dyAB with Leo Lastiosa.”
Now that you have influenced your students to read Second Overtime, I think it’s time you brainwash your fellow faculty members to do the same. Thanks in advance, Zedd.
From Hendrill Saliz (hendrellsaliz@ yahoo.com): “Thomas Edison failed so many bulbs before he finally lit one. That reminds me of you, who spend precious time to perfect, if not bring out the best, in your articles.
“Yes, indeed, Second Overtime is simply so pleasing to read, pang All-Star MVP gyud!!!”
I devote at least three hours per column, or an hour each for research, for making the draft and for ironing out the final copy. That explains why my columns are always rich in facts and details, fastidious in its choice of words, and eloquent in its presentation.
I don’t know if those qualities meet the standards of an A-1 sports column, but if readers such as Hendrell think I’m very enough, then I must be doing something right.
(homsay@hotmail.com)
(March 15, 2005 issue)
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