TBThursday: Airmen Playing With Sparks

Throwback Thursdays always show us that we always have memories that we can go back to. And here at The Six-Yard Box, we'll be glad to walk with you along memory lane.

Our domestic league had always delivered great matches, especially when it comes with spectacular stories behind the teams. Here's one that will always be special for local football.

After the 'Miracle in Hanoi', Philippine Footballs profile was raised exponentially. And because of it, our domestic football scene into the spotlight. It was when an influx of foreign players, foreign-born Filipinos. and highly talented home grown players were seen.

But these changes also meant that the old guards, the mighty AFP teams reigning as the kings of Philippine Football, were under threat by the other teams that were beefing up their frontlines. This is where our story begins.

March 31, 2012. University Of Makati Football Field. I still remember this match vividly because I managed to convince my ex-girlfriend, now wife, and her cousin to join me in watching football.

The stands were full of supporters. To the left were the supporters of Loyola Meralco Sparks FC. To the right were the ever so loyal fans of Philippine Airforce FC. We had to sit somewhere in the middle so as to have the best seat in the house.

We all know the story. 2012 was a very different year for PAF. They just finished 2011 with a double, nabbing both league and cup. And they've started the season sub-par to what the crowds were used to.

Airforce was aging, getting injured frequently, and has had a lack of fresh faces owing it to the fact that the Airmen can only field real enlisted airmen. At this time, other clubs have opened the opportunity for players to play with top clubs and not have the need for military enlistment. And this was a main disadvantage for them.

To add to that, Airforce had the worst start to their campaign. And they still haven't found their form ever since.

On the other end, it was Loyola Meralco Sparks. The LMS were in the ascendency to deliver and was slated to be a contender. And as the season proressed, they did appear that they can take the fight to their opponents.

It's a David and Goliath match, but David was the defending champion and had very small odds against a nicely built Loyola team.

The match, so to say, was a bit of a derby match, too. The PAF fans shouting 'homegrown' banters against the opposition mostly composed of foreign players and overseas-raised Azkals. And to top that off, friction was certainly there whenever fans of the two sides meet.

But maybe it was just because of the excitement, the adrenaline, and the pure passion for football. Everyone will always be eager for the kick-off.

And kick-off it did. Sad to say, most of the match was forgetable. At least it was for me, it was going almost according to how the teams looked like on paper.

A struggling king was about to be dethroned by the very team that they beat the year before in the finals. That cup finals was thought to be a message to the rest of the UFL. A reminder of who the king was.

The king in front of us was but a shadow of his former self. Loyola had carried the game and took it to the Airmen, scoring 3 and only conceding one. The 3-1 scoreline was held until the closing minutes.

And just when we though it was all over, football just reminded us once again why this is such a beautiful game.

And it all started with a little disagreement. James Younghusband and Herbert Bayona had a little discussion, then it got physical. Then all hell broke loose, with the airmen showing their frustration on the pitch.

But cooler heads eventually prevailed, and order was restored. But not without consequence. Younghusband still lost his cool and laid his hand, or elbow in this instance, on the opposing player. This earned him a red card.

And this red card was crucial. The one-man deficiency proved to be the difference as Airforce mounted a renewed vigor following that little altercation.

With little time left, the Airmen found some space on the left to cross. And with poor marking, Joebel Bermejo took advantage of the loose ball scoring from point blank.

Sitting between the cheering squads has an advantage, I got to see first hand how Airforce fans started screaming so loud. It was as if they knew what was coming next.

What came after, you ask?

Just as things were winding down, Airforce took this second breath and, after countless back and forth, end-to-end, finally found an opening break where Ian Araneta took on his own the remaining Loyola defenders. The rest of them were too far up to catch him. And just like that, he finds the net and levels the game 3-3.

This sent the stadium in a frenzy. And Airforce fans came running towards the Loyola's end, taunting the fans, celebrating like mad. And this was one of the best games to bring my non-football fan of a future wife. This sent a chill down my spine. This sent me screaming with the Airmen as we know, and they know, that this might just be a sign that they're not finished with the season yet.

This is why I will forever love football. The drama, the action, the highs and the lows. This is the beautiful game.

This is OUR game.