Saturday, December 15, 2007 Quijano: Last Round gets shockwaved By Jingo Quijano Last Round
VENUE: New Cebu Coliseum
EVENT: Ground and Pound IV:
“Shockwave”- presented by YawYan Ardigma Martial Arts Federation Inc
THE FOLLOWING TAKES PLACE BETWEEN 8:30 PM AND 9PM
Dapper Cebu City Councilor Jack Jakosalem informs me through text message that he cannot make it to the event as has to attend to his lovely, but ailing wife Sharon. I can feel my liver jump for joy. You see, Jack likes to whack my liver with Scotch whisky every time he sees me and the beer drinker that I am, I always act like a wuss and make up some bloody excuse.
THE FOLLOWING TAKES PLACE BETWEEN 9PM and 10PM
I arrive at the venue accompanied by my buddy Eddy Basa of Nickelstick Balintawak and his son Francis. The crowd is sparse but fiercely receptive to the action. These rabid and participative fans are not exactly your regular Saturday night crowd, but they too know how to have a great time. Ice-cold beer is openly hawked and we waste no time downing two cold ones.
THE FOLLOWING TAKES PLACE BETWEEN 10PM and 10:30 PM
I join my media brethren covering the event. More rounds for me backstage, this time with a beer that advertises itself as extra strong. The action continues. Veteran sports writer Jun Migallen remarks that martial arts events are often more action packed than boxing. I agree but I think this is because they have lesser number of rounds and thus, are forced to engage more. Boxing should take its cue from mixed martial arts. No wonder, “The Contender” was such a hit. Five short rounds definitely mean more action than dull 10-rounders.
I also meet up with Cary Bullos, an undefeated rising superstar of Mixed Martial Arts. He is accompanied by his brother Lyndel who also doubles as his trainer and manager (check out my feature on Cary tomorrow).
Backstage, I share more rounds with former Sun.Star Cebu columnist Paul Taneo who used to cover the martial arts scene in Cebu. I am honored. I am also a bit woozy.
THE FOLLOWING TAKES PLACE BETWEEN 1030PM and 11PM
I am among those called backstage by the indefatigable Benigno “Master Ekin” Caniga Jr. and USF Gen. Manager Richard “The Lionheart” Tan, to act as witnesses and possibly shed some light on a scoring controversy that has erupted between Musang’s Leo Gaerlan and Leonard Nicanor of the Black Scorpion kickboxing club. Gaerlan was leading on points and winning the fight when he suffered an injury and is subsequently declared unfit to continue. The referee declares him the loser.
The ring physician confirms that upon his examination, Gearlan was unfit to continue. The highly animated referee huffs and puffs his way to an explanation. Richard asks for my opinion, and in order to defuse the tension, I painstakingly explain some rudimentary elements of due process.
Wrong or right, what is important is that the aggrieved party who feels he is on the wrong end of the decision should be given an opportunity to question the matter and file an appeal or protest. This way, he is given a remedy and doesn’t feel like he has been shanghaied.
Feeling particularly amused at my own lengthy discourse, I down more rounds to soothe my parched throat. I can’t feel my legs.
I COULD HAVE SWORN THAT THE FOLLOWING TOOK PLACE BETWEEN 11PM-12PM
In the main event, Alcer “Master of Disaster” Lozada pounds out Ryan “Maximizer” Solana in 1:44 of the very first round. The heavily built Lozada looks pretty scary to me but I think right now I am groggier than the “Maximizer”
THE FOLLOWING SHOULD NOT HAVE TAKEN PLACE BETWEEN 1AM-2AM
As I drop off Eddy at our old neighborhood, he invites me to have two more rounds. I oblige and drag my totally inebriated self to a wooden stool in front of a local sari-sari store. Of course, we proceed to consume more than anticipated.
THE FOLLOWING MUST HAVE TAKEN PLACE SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 2AM AND….NEVER MIND
…………………………………. (That’s not a typo. I don’t remember what happened next. All I know is that I got home safe. Hooray!)
LAST ROUND. It’s on fight guru Liman Borja who also knows how to have a great time. Cheers!
