The sports equivalents of werewolves, vampires, zombies, kapre, mananggal, etc.
Halloween and sports are a weird combo but it won’t stop us from mixing them up. Who knows? The odd pairing might produce dynamite results, just like putting peanut butter on a hamburger or bagoong on siomai.
If you haven’t tried those before, well, you have to. We’re seriously not scaring you (or are we?).
Going through with the Halloween/scary theme, we picked five monster Filipino athletes and, a la Dr. Frankenstein, gave them additional physical attributes designed to terrify the living daylights even more out of their opponents.
June Mar Fajardo - Hyper speed
Going to a real-life MyCareer mode and adjusting The Kraken’s speed all the way past 90 makes him an entirely different beast. On offense, his newly acquired quick feet will allow him to attack in a variety of ways. Call him Pinoy Hakeem Olajuwon if that happens.
On defense, he’ll no longer be a liability guarding ultra-fast guards and quick wings on the switch. With no holes left in his game, the towering Cebuano will be a head-splitting problem in the PBA and beyond, the world stage included.
ALSO READ: 'Aray!': Kevin Alas shows how he got funnily 'bullied' by June Mar Fajardo
Sisi Rondina - Towering height
She’s already one of the country’s best spikers regardless of height. Now, add at least six more inches to her 5-foot-6 frame and the Choco Mucho Flying Titans star will be the closest thing you’ll see to an actual flying titan. Her nickname is Cherry Bomb but a taller Rondina is more like an atomic bomb.
Seeing a six-foot Sisi soaring way above the net, in a picturesque aerial pose with her right hand cocked back, about to unleash a missile is definitely a life-flashing-before-your-eyes moment for the floor defenders on the other side of the court.
Meggie Ochoa - World-class striking
This decorated jiu-jitsu artist is a menace on the ground. Just in case you don't know, Ochoa is a world champion as a white belter, a blue belter, and a black belter. In this year’s Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, Meggie won her first gold medal in the quadrennial meet—odds stacked against her and all.
Her pedigree is already intimidating by itself. But install Amanda Nunes-like striking to her arsenal and she’ll terrorize the MMA world. If ever she makes the transition, ONE and UFC crowns will likely be added to her trophy case.
ALSO READ: ‘Kahit 'di na ko makalakad': How superwoman Meggie Ochoa overcame adversities, injury to claim Asian Games gold
Manny Pacquiao - Extended youth
Pacman is officially retired but we never really know with boxers. He is set to have an exhibition bout against a Muay Thai fighter next year and recently, the 44-year-old ring legend expressed his desire to compete in the Olympics.
During his peak, Manny knocked people out of their boots. He could be surgical, he was durable, and his defense was underrated. He was terrifying. It was only Father Time that truly stripped him of his aura of invincibility. If the eight-division world champ could get a chance to return to his 28-year-old self, he’ll surely revitalize the current state of Philippine boxing, all while laying waste to today’s prizefighters.
ALSO READ: GUTS AND GLORY | Has Philippine boxing lost its luster in the post-Manny Pacquiao era?
Olivia McDaniel - Extra-long wingspan
The top goalkeeper of the Filipinas doesn’t really need any special enhancements to her game. St. Olivia has already proven that she is a five-star talent. Earlier this year, McDaniel showed out in the FIFA Women’s World Cup, tallying a total of 18 saves—good for third-best in the tournament. She will compete with the Filipinas in the second round of the Olympic qualifiers this week.
ALSO READ: Mark Torcaso points out 'good headache' with Filipinas lineup for Olympic qualifiers second round
But just to make it more fun, we’ll give her something that will surely petrify opposing strikers: Super long arms. McDaniel with a pterodactyl-like wingspan would be unfair. We’re not sure if the 26-year-old goalie would like it though. Having unusually elongated upper limbs might make it hard for Olivia to find long-sleeved clothing that'll fit.
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(PM)