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Winning has been the normal tradition among the military teams, much more for the Philippine Air Force FC, who has won 2 straight league crowns and a Cup triumph (missing the inaugural cup by just a margin) in over 2 years. Logic of coarse will dictate that running high on these results would mean a competitive league season for the reining League Champions going in the 2012 UFL league. However, things immediately got out of hand from the opening round and only by a strong performance in the 2nd half of the league did the Airmen came up with a respectable 5th finish out of the 10 teams.
The question remains, were does the Airmen go on from here?
Discussions and analysis has been made on how low the Airman has fallen, countless anecdotes about internal and external forces has already been contributed but how does a proud phoenix rise again?
Why has the team been so erratic during the entire 2012 UFL league? and why do they become a different team when they face Loyola in particular?
I believed that nothing is wanting from the team that won the league twice, but rather, the vast improvement of the competition and the money that now flows in the game in which the Airmen cannot compete with, is the main reason for this sudden change of scenery. I refuse to believed that old age or fitness has been the reason solely because the Airmen always outpace and outran their opponents. Tats Mercado has always been solid between the sticks, Chieffy always causes problems in the left wing, Ian possess a wonderfull deadshot kick second only to Hartman, and the ageless Yanti provides the heart and leadership for the team. The Airmen are consistent, contrary to popular belief, but always just finds a way to grab defeat early in the game and try for the next 70+mins to catch up. Though how they are always successful against Loyola is anyone's guess (will be taken up in next post)
Now with Yanti retiring after years of quality service, and rumors that Chieffy has gone to GAU and Ian to Loyola. PAF might follow the path illuminated by Navy which became the first team in the history of the UFL to be relegated.
If the Airmen do not have the financial capabilities to sign in new players. At least they can recruit players from the provinces who can play (they are already doing this i think). Military teams provide enlisted personnel, tenure and allowances. Also, after the player retires from active duty, he receives a lump sum plus benefits from the government for him and his family. This is why many players in military teams are on their mid-late 30's. Given their predicament, and absent of a white knight in the foreseeable future, this is the most optimal action the Airman can do.
The paradox, in retrospect, is that military teams, the PAF in particular, will always be respected but will be regarded as an easy W. As teams in the Division 1 continue to build up their squad and out-muscle the military teams financially. The military teams will have no choice but to always wear their hearts on their sleeves and grind their opponents down with sheer aggressiveness. To this, the Airmen will always be guilty of showing determination, of forever trying to revive to greatness. But sadly, without the upgrades, will always be found wanting.
The Airmen motto, 'Air Force til I die' will always be appropriate.
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