The UFL Experience | Clare Henney

Last December 10th I had the opportunity to go and watch the UFL finals, otherwise known as the United Football League of the Philippines. To be honest, I was there to watch the battle for third between Kaya and Global FC but I also got to watch the first half of the exciting final between Meralco and Philippine Air Force. I loved the atmosphere/the buzz I felt in the stadium.  There were not that much people at the beginning but slowly it filled with people who were excited to watch the games for the day.  You could tell people were there for the sport, the teams and the athletes — it felt good to be part of that crowd and feel the energy coming from them.

The fact that you can watch it for free I think was a big factor in drawing in crowds for the UFL games but now that there is already a following and a fan base for each team I heard that entrance will not be free anymore.  I’m not complaining, I think that having designated seats for people watching are important because at one point I couldn’t even walk out of the stadium because even the steps and the aisles were filled with people.  That might not be advisable or safe once the crowds get bigger.

Sadly, the team I was rooting for, Kaya FC, did not win their match for the day and ended up placing fourth.  Still not bad considering how many teams there were in the beginning if you ask me.  Besides, they still played hard and I think for a fan like me, that’s all that mattered.  It was great to see them play up close instead watching the semi-scrambled video our cable service gives of AKTV 13.  If only it didn’t take me three hours just to get to the venue I would watch UFL games more often.

I loved watching Kaya vs Global and I was in awe of Meralco when I saw them warming up (they looked like a well-oiled machine with their synchronized movements while jogging).  It was also amazing to experience the crowd showing respect to the Philippine Air Force athletes as they walked into the stadium.  They were not the champions yet when they entered, but people sure treated them that way as people stopped watching the match on the field to clap their hands as they walked by.

At the end of the first match, I got to meet fellow blogger and footballer Lexton Moy, who happens to play for Kaya FC.  It was great to finally meet him!  Such a nice and genuinely pleasant person to talk to.  So sweet that he even gave me a hug!

I hope that it won’t be the first and last time for me to see the guy. I’ve been a fan since I heard that this Azkal is a blogger like me and that the Korean film My Sassy Girl is one of his favorites — any guy who’d admit to that is a winner is my book!  I actually wish I got his jersey when Kaya FC gave away some of them after their game.  I got Eric Dagroh’s jersey (which is also not bad) but it would have been nice if I got his — would’ve been nice considering I got to meet him that day. I wanted to try and meet Armand Del Rosario too because he promised me a baller bracelet (is that what it’s called exactly) for being his 667th Twitter follower but I was too shy to approach him because I think he was about to leave with his family when I was talking to Lexton.

Of course, this experience would not have been complete if I didn’t get to meet my future sing-off rival (?) Nate Burkey, who I previously blogged about to dare him and to update you all on what he said about my dare.

This guy is obviously one of the more popular ones on their team — it was so hard to get close to him with all the people crowding near him to get an autograph, a photo or just to speak to him.  I literally had to weave my arm in between several people just to reach and tap his shoulder (which I managed to reach even if he is so tall) to say hi. I introduced myself and we talked a bit about the sing-off.  He said he was going home to the US but that we could talk about when it would be when he’s back.  I’m still hopeful we can make it happen, I just think it would be fun (for me, I don’t know for him, hahaha).  He’d better rest up because I will be reminding him of my dare when he’s back in the country! To sum it up, I think my 6-hour trip (twice as long as the two matches, take note) to watch the UFL was worth it.  I had fun watching, got to meet my favorite footballers and even had jerseys to take home.  I’m not able to watch as often as I’d like, so I’m grateful that it was a good experience when I did.  Hope I get to do that again next year!

* Thanks Ryan Gillego for the photos with Lex and Nate!*