Azkals forever!

From wearing baller bands they never take off, to inking the names of their crushes on their palms—what the Azkals’ fawning fans would do for love

RIGHT AFTER school, packs of young girls go straight to the stadium where the Azkals practice. They camp out and watch their favorite football player train until nightfall, just for a glimpse, a picture or two, and perhaps (if they’re lucky) a friendly conversation with their fave player.

These are certified Azkals fans, fearless and supportive. Some are administrators of the team's fan page, while some constantly post photos on Facebook. These young girls’ knowledge of each Azkal player is vast, and they’re sharp as detectives.

The number of fans grows every day. Azkal fever is on the rise and is here to stay, especially for girl fans.

Devotees

“Yes, I was never absent, ever since they started training here, since last Tuesday,” reveals Rogelyn Bacsan, 16, a student of Fort Bonifacio High School, who, together with her friends Karleen Franco, Elirica Martinez, Shira Eijansantos, and Cristina Villanueva, have been routinely watching the Azkals train.

According to these young girls, their infatuation with these athletes is not just because of the obvious good looks; they appreciate the skills of each player, as well as the inspiring underdog tale of the team's rise to fame.

“The Azkals weren't given much to start with, but they were able to make use of what they had,” explains 17-year-old Talie Nisce, who is part of the Under-19 category of the womens’ national football team, the Malditas.

“The Azkals were able to do well, despite the lack of facilities and support from the government,” she says.

“Pag tiningnan mo ang Azkals, para silang astig,” gushes Bacsan, who is inspired to play football someday. She believes the Azkals have a chance to win the next tournament, since they practice every day and are determined to win.

Among the players, the girls’ favorites are “small but terrible” Chippy Caligdong, Fil-Danish Jerry Lucena, Fil-Scottish Mark McMahon, Neil Etheridge, team captain Aly Borromeo, and of course, the Younghusband brothers James and Phil.

Memorable moments

Bacsan’s group of friends isn’t shy to talk to the players; “feeling close kami,” she says.

“Once I screamed at Aly and said, ‘Hey, bro!’ to which he replied, ‘Hindi ako marunong mag-English!’ Tawa kami nang tawa! Hindi ko alam team captain pala kausap ko,” she recalls, and asked for Borromeo to accept her friend request on Facebook.

For Gabrielle Cabuay, it is her first time to see the Azkals in action. “I’m so amazed! Everyone is saying how great they are, and I want to take pictures,” says this 16-year-old student of Mapua Institute of Technology, who went to the stadium with her friends.

“Right now, I’m trying to be conservative and trying not to scream my lungs out to show support,” Cabuay says.

She is content with just taking photos, but encourages other fans to show support because she believes the team has the chance to win in the AFC Challenge Cup 2012 Qualifiers. “I know they will be great!” she exclaims.

Stalkers?

Cristina Villanueva, 15, admits being “jealous” of girl fans flocking to McMahon. She will do anything just to have a decent conversation with her crush, she says, “kahit hirap ako mag-English, todo English ako! Kahit maraming tao, kahit pinagtatawanan ako, go talaga ako para kausapin lang si Mark!”

For Eijansantos, her unforgettable experience was when she was able to hug both Marks (McMahon and Drinkurth) in a photo op. Martinez, on the other hand, cherishes the moment Chippy gave her a baller band.

“Every moment, memorable sa akin!” shrieks 16-year-old Franco, who is also part of Bacsan’s group. All of them have baller bands as remembrances from the Azkals, which they never remove, even while taking a shower.

Handwritten in ballpen ink on the girls’ palms are the names of their Azkal crushes. “Hindi naman kami stalker,” says Bacsan. “Idol lang namin talaga sila,” the girls laugh in unison.

/via Inquirer.net (by Stef Cabal, Jan-29-2011)