soccer games today

I’ve always believed that black and white photography has a unique power to strip away distractions and reveal the raw, emotional core of a subject. When it comes to soccer, that power is magnified. There’s something almost poetic about freezing the motion, the sweat, the tension—and the sheer human drama—into grayscale. It’s not just nostalgia; it’s a deliberate artistic choice that lets us see the game differently. I remember the first time I saw a series of black and white soccer stills from a classic match. Without the vivid green of the pitch or the flash of colorful jerseys, my attention went straight to the players’ expressions: the grit, the exhaustion, the fleeting joy. That’s timelessness. That’s allure.

Now, take a moment and think about the recent PBA semifinals. The Tropang Giga, missing their team leader due to injury, still clawed their way past the Elasto Painters. It wasn’t pretty—it was gritty, hard-fought, and emotionally charged. If you could capture that series in black and white, you’d see it for what it was: a story of resilience. The absence of color would force you to notice the small things—the determined set of a substitute’s jaw, the way players leaned on each other during timeouts, the almost palpable tension in key defensive stands. In my view, black and white imagery does more than document; it interprets. It finds the soul beneath the spectacle.

Looking ahead, the stakes are even higher in the finals against Barangay Ginebra. I can’t help but draw a parallel here. Just as removing color can reveal hidden layers in a photograph, removing a star player reveals the true character of a team. The Tropang Giga’s semifinal survival—winning by an average margin of just 4.5 points across two games—was a masterclass in collective effort. Statistics from the series show they had three players scoring in double digits, with one unexpected contributor putting up 18 points in the clincher. That’s the kind of detail that stands out in monochrome: the unsung hero, the unexpected step-up.

From an industry perspective, the appeal of black and white sports photography isn’t just artistic—it’s practical. Publications and brands often use it to convey legacy, struggle, or timelessness. I’ve advised several editorial teams to deploy black and white for feature stories on underdog narratives or historic comebacks. It works because it triggers a different emotional response. Color can sometimes feel immediate and transient, but black and white? It feels permanent, weighty. When I look at the Tropang Giga’s situation, I see a narrative ripe for this treatment. A team facing Ginebra, a powerhouse with a storied roster, without their primary leader—it’s a contrast as stark as light and shadow.

Let’s talk about Ginebra for a second. They’re explosive, charismatic, and they play with a kind of flair that’s made for highlight reels. But in black and white, even their brilliance takes on a different tone. The focus shifts from the spectacle to the substance: the strategic adjustments, the defensive discipline, the moments of individual brilliance under pressure. I suspect the finals will be decided in those subtle, grayscale-worthy moments—a crucial steal, a contested rebound, a single free throw under duress. The Tropang Giga’s ability to manufacture those moments without their leader will be the real test.

Personally, I’m drawn to underdog stories, and that’s why the Tropang Giga’s run resonates with me. It reminds me why I fell in love with soccer photography years ago—the way a single frame can tell a whole story of struggle and triumph. Black and white elevates that. It’s not about ignoring the color of the game; it’s about focusing on what remains when the color is gone: the emotion, the effort, the essence. If the Tropang Giga can channel that same collective spirit they showed in the semis, they have a real shot, even against a giant like Ginebra. It won’t be easy—I’d estimate Ginebra’s offensive rating is around 112 points per 100 possessions, compared to the Tropang Giga’s 105—but as any photographer will tell you, the most compelling images often come from the most challenging conditions.

In the end, whether on the court or through the lens, it’s the human elements that endure. The Tropang Giga’s journey—battling through adversity, leaning on each other, stepping into the spotlight without their main guy—it’s all there, waiting to be framed in stark, beautiful contrast. And if they can pull off another surprise, well, that’s a picture worth taking.