Stallions honored in council resolution

By Roderick Osis
Monday, October 31, 2011

MONTHS after their victory in the first Asian 5-aside of the Special Olympics, the City Council finally took notice of their feat and has given them a commendation during last week’s council session.

The Baguio Stallions, who fought against all odds to reach Malaysia last September for the five nation tournament which serves as an Asian Qualifier, where the Philippines is set to represent the country anew in the tournament.

“The City Government of Baguio congratulates the team for their victory despite the adversaries,” reads a part of the resolution sponsored by Vice Mayor Daniel Fariñas.

It will be the second time that a team from Baguio has represented the country in the event after a disastrous 2010 where they failed to join the Asian qualifier due to financial constrain.

However, this year, the team has made extra effort to reach Kota Kinabalu in September for the tournament.

Playing as if it will be their last for the country, the Stallion FC blasted home team Malaysia B in their opening game, 3-0 then wrapped up their second victory with a 5-1 drubbing of Indonesia.

The squad then followed it up with another 3-2 win against Singapore in an exhibition match before closing the campaign with another 3-0 triumph with team captain and striker Rommel Bautista scoring seven in those four games.

Returning back to the country after their feat, the squad came home unnoticed when the Philippine Volcanoes, arriving the same day, hogged the limelight after winning the silver in the 2011 Asian Men’s Rugby 7s Championship.

“The agility, strength, endurance, and discipline these Baguio Stallions had displayed is remarkable, proving that Cordillerans are born to conquer every field of sports,” added the resolution.

By winning the gold medal, this will not stop the Stallions from playing in another Asian tournament hopefully to be hosted by the country later this year after their Malaysia win supported by FRB Foundation and Victory Liner.

This time, the Stallions, composed of Bautista, Mark Louie Moran, Raymund Galiste, Roy Abraham Atienza, Jerry Sanchez Jr., Rustom Mulle, Kirk Napeek, and Ted Joshua Sabino will be eyeing a spot in the six or seven aside of the tournament and adding other players in their roster.

Published in the Sun.Star Baguio newspaper on November 01, 2011.