Football idol-fever hits Iloilo
The game was slated at 3:30 p.m. yet teenage girls braved the rains and settled in a dry-spot of the Iloilo Sports Complex. For 17 year-old Cindy and five other giggly-pals, it was worth the wait.
Their 'mission'? To have the first-look on members of the Philippine Team and while at it, the young men of the Brunei Team.
And Cindy's group was not the only ones most eager from among the early spectators of yesterday's game, preparations of which were hampered by heavy rains during the day.
Relatives of Ilonggo players were likewise the earliest to converge in the 15,000 capacity Iloilo City Sports Complex.
There are three Ilonggo players in the Philippine Team, namely, Ian Araneta, Jason Cordova, and Glester Sobremesana.
One player's grandfather came as early as 12 noon and proudly told police officers present, "ang apo ko player man (my grandson is also a player)," he said.
Another small crowd of not-so-teen age bracket also positioned themselves in the front row of the grandstand saying "the coaches are so impressive-looking."
Such as uniformed police officers of the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) manned the complex premises with Senior Superintendent Wesley Barayuga overseeing security operations.
K-9 dogs also provided back-up with the area thoroughly checked hours before the game.
Press coverage was provided by both local and national media with a team from Solar Sports in town for the live coverage.
By 2:30 p.m., it was an all-systems go for the coverage team.
Microsal Enterprises, an all-Ilonggo team headed by Marc Rosal worked alongside Solar Sports team in providing the latest in video equipment needed for the live coverage.
"It was a lot of work but my team was happy to help…," said Rosal.
Noy Z Creatives Multimedia Enterprises, another all-Ilonggo team headed by media personality Jigo Mambo likewise was also 'all over the place' in a tie-up with Microsal and Solar Sports.
Former Fourth District Board Member Pablito Araneta, Secretary-General of the Philippine Football Federation (PFF), was also in town for the three-day event.