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[Mapuan]

By Rey Bancod

DOHA, Qatar — Johnny Jose, the last Filipino to win a tennis gold medal in the Asian Games, said current players lack dedication and commitment to excel which explains the country’s 44-year gold medal drought in the quadrennial event.


Jose, who beat Japanese Atsushi Miyagi in the final in Jakarta in 1962, said the level of play has stagnated at home.

"Money is a huge problem, that I concede, but it is the utter lack of dedication and commitment that is hurting the local players," said Jose who is the head coach of the national team seeing action here.

During the time when sports science was non-existent, Jose said he would adhere to a strict daily regimen which he himself made.

"I would wake up early, do 100 push-ups. Go to the court after lunch, hit balls for three hours, jog for 30 minutes before attending classes at La Salle at 4 p.m. I get home around 8 p.m. and study my lessons until 2 a.m.," said Jose who battled the likes of legendary players Felicisimo Ampon and Raymundo Deyro.

Jose said local players would always find excuses to skip training.

"This kind of attitude reinforces my belief that Malays are naturally lazy. Look at the Chinese, Japanese and Koreans. They are well-disciplined," said the many-time Davis Cupper.

Jose defended the decision to tap Fil-American pros Cecil Mamiit and Eric Taino, saying their presence brings a lot of benefit to local players.

"Apart from boosting the country’s chances in international play, Mamiit and Taino help our players improve their technique. Our players also see and appreciate first hand the kind of dedication and commitment they show to stay on top," he said.

Jose said the substantial amount given to Mamiit and Taino every time they represent the country are all worth it.

"This may be construed as a quick-fix solution, but until we sort out our problems and come up with an enduring program, the help that Mamiit and Taino provides is always welcome," he said.

Jose cited Mamiit for bringing teammate PJ Tierro with him in the United States where he got his first taste of world-class tennis.

"Tierro came home a much better player," he noted.

Pushing for a junior training program, Jose said they are looking for corporate sponsors to fund the trip of promising young players.

"Hopefully, a respectable finish here will help us find funds that we need," he concluded.

[coco]

Johnny Jose must be really senile already. i can't believe he made this remark to a reporter. He didn't only put down Filipinos but the entire Malay race. After Pacquiao worked so hard and demolished Morales while his handlers said he had a fever, Johnny Jose says this. What's the guy thinking, he won't only have Filipinos going after him, he'll have the Thais, Indonesians and Malaysians going after him, too. I can see it now, Johnny Jose saying he was misquoted.
SLP, seems like this guy was not worth protecting after all.

[luxilionwave]

Jose must have shot his foot big time. He made a racist comment and cited Mamiit and Taino as excellent players not knowing that the two are also of Malay race. He has a good point about the present  persistent funding problems besetting Philta but he himself is part of the inept and corrupt establishment. It seems a perfect storm is brewing for Philta.

[SLP888]

He is not supposed to be the head coach of tennis rather stay in the Home for the aged dahil matanda na siya hindi na niya alam ang sinasabi niya. anon sa tingin mo, coco.

[Mapuan]

i personally think that what he said was partially true. filipinos are hardworking and law abiding citizens when in abroad but here lethargy is everywhere, literally. i think this is the basis of jose's opinion.

[SLP888]

There's a point where he is entitled to it but the problem is he generalized it that can cuase discauragement to our filipino athletes who are trying hard to perform their bests.

[coco]

He has no business saying that opinion as a Philta coach. If that is your opinion of the players you are handling, you should quit. It is an opinion and not a fact because there had been no studies nor are there any empirical data supporting his statement. What's  funny is he expects to get sponsors to fund the training of his naturally lazy players. I'm surprised he's not getting that much criticism for his statement except from Henson. Maybe its because of the recent typhoon or the chacha express in congress. In other countries, he'd be ostracized for saying something so indefensible.