OTT siblings’ bittersweet reunion

Mike Ott makes older brother Manny proud. Photo by Cedelf Tupas

It was a reunion many years in the making and it would have been perfect—save for the result.

With his parents, who flew all the way from Germany, watching from the stands, German second division veteran Mike Ott made his much anticipated debut for the Philippines in the 1-3 loss to Bahrain Friday, joining forces for the first time  with older brother Manny at Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Three years younger at 21, Mike, an attacking midfielder, scored just four minutes after coming in at halftime, but the Azkals couldn’t salvage a game that exposed their defensive frailties and sputtering attack ahead of the AFF Suzuki Cup.

“I’m proud and I’m sad at the same time,” said Manny. “I’m proud of my brother [for scoring], but really disappointed with the result.”

Manny struggled to remember the last time he and Mike played for the same team until Friday night. Their parents Jimmy and Dory, who hails from Boracay, were part of the sparse crowd, beaming with pride.

“Maybe when we were kids,”  said the Munich-raised midfielder.  “I just remember me and him playing in our backyard in Germany.”