Major boost for Philippine football

It was a historic moment last Friday, or so most of us members of the media thought, as the United Football League and AKTV formally sealed a five-year partnership, with the UFL granting the MVP-owned television network exclusive rights to telecast the league’s games.
Philippine Football Federation president Mariano “Nonong” Araneta called this development “a major breakthrough” for the sport which, until the coming of the Azkals, was hardly noticed much less appreciated by the Filipinos.
“This is the first time in the UFL that games will be covered live on television,” he said, his face beaming with pride and joy.
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Indeed, never has football, until now, enjoyed so much attention and popularity here in our part of the world.
The press launch at E’s Bar in Edsa Shangri-La Hotel alone is a testament to the newfound stature and image of the sport and the UFL.
All of a sudden, teams from all over the country are knocking at its doors. The players in the league are of various race and creed: British, Canadian, Portuguese, American, Japanese, Sudanese, Ghanaian, Indonesian, Malaysian, German, Dutch, etc.
Even my veteran colleague Ronwaldo, a big football fan, was amazed at the response triggered by the resurgence of the UFL. He said last Friday’s gathering looked like it was an important international event for movie stars.
“Almost all the football stars are good-looking, That will help the league,” he said.
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“Our partnership with the UFL signifies TV5’s strong commitment to the development and promotion of sports. Football is a great sport and one in which the Filipinos can excel, and become world class players,” said lawyer Ray Espinosa, TV5 president and CEO, who signed the contract on behalf of his network.
He explained that the partnership with the UFL is not only limited to the telecast of football games.
“For example, we are committed to join hands with the UFL in bringing football to the countryside. We are also committed to support a systematic grassroots development program which will become the breeding ground and source of football talents from all over the country.”
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Espinosa, Bobby Barreiro, TV5 EVP and COO, and TV5 sports manager Vitto Lazatin will have their hands full starting this season, what with the acquisition of numerous sporting telecast contracts in addition to the UFL like the PBA, international and local boxing and tennis events.
In case you don’t know, the Fiba-Asia men’s championbshia, which is entering the second round of qualifying, is being aired on AKTV Channel 13 from Wuhan, China. No matter the fate of Smart Gilas Pilipinas, the rest of the games will be shown on AKTV Channel 13.
Telecast schedules will be announced in the papers and on TV and radio according to Ms Peachy Guioguio, TV5 PR exec.
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HOOPVINE: According to Bobby B, it will be less talk for the play-by-play announcer in the PBA and more for the analyst, starting this season. “We will do away with describing what can be seen on television and concentrate instead, on analyzing the game,” Bobby said … TV5 will also take a closer and more comprehensive look at the personal lives of the PBA cagers, in an effort to bond them with the fans … I was a bit surprised to see National University cager Ray Parks at The Arena in San Juan watching the Ateneo-Army volleyball game at ringside by his lonesome. Naturally, I concluded that he must have his eye on one of the many lovely volleybelles of the Shakey’s V-League. “Maan Pangilinan, that’s the reason Ray is here,” said one of the boys covering the beat, when he noticed my questioning look. Maan, he said, is a member of the broadcasting panel … The Floyd Mayweather Jr.-Victor Ortiz fight will be aired 10 a.m. today over TV5 with replay at 7 p.m. over AKTV Channel 13.