Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Sayson: The Z Gorres debacle
By Homer Sayson
Second Overtime
CHICAGO - The date with the physician was routine, one that a world-class athlete like him was supposed to skate through with fabulous ease.
But for Z Gorres, last Thursday morning’s appointment became live wire, and it gave him the shock of his life.
“A slight tear was found in his retina,” abruptly putting on hold a career that was bursting with promise.
Z has had his share of frustrations since turning pro in March 31, 2001. Every time adversity came, he simply rose above it, oozing with a maturity beyond his 25 years.
But the latest setback was too hard, too much. Even for a kid with more toughness than a platoon of Marines.
With his future blurred, Z became a tempest of swirling emotions.
Dreadful shock came first. Sadness followed. Then there was semi-depression, and panic. But after all the facts became available, hope glowed.
Contrary to reports, though, Z has not yet been officially taken off the World Cup undercard, which is scheduled this Aug. 11 at the Arco Arena in Sacramento. He has another date with an eye specialist this Aug. 6 and the results of that exam will determine Z’s fate at the World Cup.
“There is an 80 to 90 percent chance that I will fight on Aug. 11,” Z merrily told me on the phone from LA yesterday.
But ALA stable owner Antonio L. Aldeguer, whom I called in Cebu, explained that Z’s appearance in the World Cup is far from a done deal. ALA cited three key factors:
1) Z’s focus, which has obviously been rocked by the tear in his retina. Team ALA wants to make sure that Z is mentally ready for the fight,
2) The opinion of the ALA training staff will have to be considered. They would know better if Z is physically and emotionally A-OK for Aug. 11.
3) Golden Boy Promotions: How long can they wait without holding up their promotion?
In the meantime, Z is training hard.
He rises up at 6 a.m. and jogs at Griffith Park on Tuesdays and Thursdays. On sparring days—Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays—he runs on flat surfaces, such as Wilshire Blvd. and Vermont St.
Breakfast of oatmeal, fruits and eggs is served at 8 a.m. Z then heads to the Wild Card gym at 11. Lunch is at 1:00 p.m., when fish, vegetable soup, and chicken are served. Dinner, consisting on only fruits, follows at 6:30 p.m.
Bedtime is at 9 p.m. In between, Z calls or text messages home, where wife Datches eagerly awaits.
Z and his young bride have three children—Shayla Dhey, Dheybert and Zhey. They all live in a newly-finished dream house in Mandaue City.
GOODBYE, TIYA BET-BET. It’s the round eyeglasses that I think about often. They were big as her resolve, clear as her soul.
But the bright eyes behind those eyeglasses closed last Wednesday, July 25, 2007. And sadly, they shall remain closed
forever.
My aunt, Beatriz Sayson Silva, had passed away. The eldest among my father’s siblings, she was 80.
I have no doubt that my aunt Betty will go to heaven, because even while she was still on this Earth, she already had angel wings, helping people, friends and strangers alike.
She now lies in wake at her modest home at M. Velez Street. She will be laid to rest tomorrow at the Cebu Memorial Park.
Tiya Bet-Bet is survived by her sister Inday, who is in California, and two brothers, Arturo and Josephus. Besides her four children—Maria Assumption, Edmundo, Dondi and John-John—Tiya Bet-Bet also left behind dozens of nieces and nephews and relatives.
My cousin Leo, or “Bensiang” as we fondly call him,” is especially devastated. He lost an aunt and a best friend.
My dad Tursay, a grizzled ex-cop, normally doesn’t show his emotions. But his words staggered when he talked to me about his sister yesterday. And from my father’s fading voice, I felt the enormity of our loss.
We love you, Tiya Bet-Bet. We will miss you.
(homsay@hotmail.com)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (July 31, 2007 issue)
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