By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.

 

MORNING of August 14, I received a text message from my co-cyclist and ex-Philippine national team member Gerry Amar of Metro Manila informing me that the 1994 Teheran, Iran Asian Cycling Championship gold medalist and Marlboro Tour veteran Rodolfo “Totoy” Plaza had passed away because of cardiac arrest. This was a call echoed by another Manileño cycling friend, the former 1970 Asian Cycling Championship gold medal winner Rolando Guaves Sr., confirming that the 69-year-old Plaza died due to heart attack. We, three cycling veterans were saddened knowing that the international rider Plaza was still riding his bike conscientiously and regularly to counter the killer disease not only affecting common inhabitants but also some former athletes like three-time national Tour champion, the two legends Manuel Reynante of Muntinlupa City and back-to-back Tour of Luzon (1966-1967) champ Cornelio Padilla, Jr. of Concepcion, Tarlac and perennial top-tenner Lupo Alava of Solano, Nueva Vizcaya, to name some. Well, whether we like it or not, we will all vanish from this planet and so we have to prepare for any consequences that might happen to us, anytime. My heartfelt sympathy and deepest condolences to Plaza’s bereaved family. Rest in peace, Totoy.

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The 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup unreels on August 25 and ends on September 10 with 32 countries that passed the FIBA test, ready to participate. The main hub of the 16-day tourney will be hosted by three Asian nations spearheaded by our country, the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia. The 55,000-seater Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan opens the hoop world extravaganza and aims to shatter the attendance world record with at least 50,000 turnout to register a world basketball history. I believe, this basketball-crazy nation Philippines can do it because President Marcos suspended classes in Metro Manila and the province of Bulacan on the opening day obviously because of the country’s plan to set a world attendance record. Remember, Metro Manila and Bulacan are very close in distance.

The inaugural twin bill features world number 10 ranked Italy versus world number 41 ranked Angola in the opening rites at 4p.m. and world number 40 ranked Philippines against Latino country world number 23 ranked Dominican Republic in the main event of the day at 8p.m. Unknown to many especially the young ones, the best ever finish by our Philippine squad was in 1954 (I was just then a mere 8-year-old kid listening to the news over the radio) landing third after U.S. and Brazil that fought for the title.

Our Philippine squad was spearheaded by the late six-foot-two Spanish looking hombre Carlos Loyzaga and Tony Genato. Reports say Genato is still alive and now 94 years old. (I guess Genato already got a lot of bonus years from the Above. God bless him). Reports say the duo will be inducted in the FIBA Hall of Fame at the Harbor Garden Tent in Sofitel in Philippine Plaza on August 23 (Wednesday) or two days before the start of the skirmishes. Although being the underdog despite the presence of NBA Utah Jazz superstar cager Filipino-American Jordan Clarkson, the Philippines five known as Gilas Pilipinas under the helm of veteran head coach Chot Reyes and partner Tim Cone as assistant coach, they are confident to beat Dominican Republic and Angola squads to pass the first phase of the test for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Let’s just wait and see.

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QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death.” MATTHEW 10: 21.

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