Friday, January 9, 2009

Marikina United Finishes First!


Fireworks over the hallowed Irineo Cruz Memorial Stadium marked the end of the last match of Trophy Manager Season 13. Dazzling colored lights in blazing patterns danced across the evening sky as the grounds crew rushed to transform the football pitch into a gigantic party venue. The Shoemakers had delivered, after all, and for the first time in Marikina history, they were champions.


Season long dominance, dotted by injuries and crossed by bans, rewarded with a heavy silver trophy. Mar Queno, enigmatic manager of the club, is content, for now. He meets the players on the sidelines and shakes each of their hands, a special ground and pound for team captain Mata as well as for veteran playmaker Galarza. Everyone's smiling, even Lopez, the young striker, with tears rolling of his cheeks. Fans surround them in seconds, while the Sublime Supremo is literally swept off his feet by the squad, thrown in the air thrice, and dunked into the Rhinorade cooler. No wonder he was wearing a Bumro track suit.

With the stage ready, KJWAN did soundchecks to kick off the festivities even as a MarketMan worthy buffet was laid out at different stations. To make a long story short (since I hardly remember much of it), it was food, drink, and rock and roll! Sex and drugs? I'm not sure if they were invited but they may have gate crashed at one point or another. ;)

When the sun rose, Karl Roy was still in the middle of his set, and Rico Blanco was passed out cold. I caught MQ on the tails of his buzz, sipping a bloody mary and munching on some deviled eggs. Breakfast of champions aside, the man was still unbelievably soaked! Apparently, the party had also continued in the pool. He knew I wouldn't let him get back to partying without at least a comment to print so he said 'Let's talk about tomorrow tomorrow. I'm proud of what we've accomplished this season and we'll do our best to excel after promotion. However, it would also be undoubtedly risky for the club to rush into 1.1 in our current state.'

With that, he lit his MonteCristo.

Gabriel Isagani, Philippine Daily Star

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