cheezepaper, fireline legends

Desk: Then and Now

2011-10-21T15:29:00.006+08:00

Time flies. Fast.

From holding beer bottles to... babies.

Finally, attending Traslacion after years...

2011-09-09T16:05:00.008+08:00

Dae sa plano ko pa (or dati), dae na talaga ko makak-buya sa pagkabuhay ko.

In short, hi-tech na talaga kita. 4-5 years from now, pwede na magbuya-- via clicking a button. Baka ngani may stats pa yan-- pira nagbubuya, pira burat.

Also, additional notes;

+ Nakaka-ogma man dangogon sarong "coverage" in pure Bikol. (Aram mong pure ta 30% kang mga tinataram dae ko maintindihan)

+ Father Bersabe daa saro commentator. Garo si pinsan ko pa ni. (+ Confirmed, ta next shot nahiling ko on-cam si hosts. Si Father Philip palan. Pinsan ko talaga.)

+ Mauli na ko. Fiesta weekend dawa harayo sa Naga. Makakan na lang grabe starting tomorrow 'til next week (end) para fiesta week man daa.

Notes to Self, Che

2011-09-07T10:20:00.002+08:00

The plan was to just write this down in a piece of paper (in other words, notes) but hey, it's even better that it can be a useless blog entry.

To download later this month:

+ The Big Bang Theory (Sept 22)

+ The Mentalist (Sept 22)

+ Fringe (Sept 23)

+ Gossip Girl** (Sept 26)

(**For the wife* only.)

Lumang Eskwela, Green Dazed, Etc

2011-09-01T10:21:00.006+08:00

10:37 AM: Bamboo screams, "... sa panaginip lang ako nakakatulog!" Inarguably, this is the best song (entitled "Hilo") written by Rico Blanco. In the days when rivermaya was still rivermaya, Rico wasn't a sellout (Imortal Ampotah.), Bamboo just sang and danced and sang (and not try to compose songs which sound alike other songs in the same album.) Nathan Azarcon was cool (and i think he's still cool) and Mark Escueta just played the drums (and not revive a hapless, tasteless new rivermaya, which basically destroyed the legacy of the old River Maya) Oh well and oh fuck. To the old times.

1:39 PM: Billie Joe at the background, "i saw my friend the other day, and i don't know exactly just what he became. It goes to show... It wasn't long ago, i was just like you. And now i think i'm sick and i wanna go home." Fiel at the back of my mind.

2:42 PM: By the way, the wife* ate lunch buffet-style at Shang as she had a meeting there. i had a rather bland boneless bangus from Reyes Barbecue right across our building. Not fair.

The Early Bird...

2011-08-31T10:28:00.004+08:00

10:25AM: ... Gets to open the air con at the office. Which pretty means i was really, really very early coming in to the office today (more/less at 7AM) and its paying off: the office is way too cold to everyone's liking. *hands up* yes it's my fault, and i like it the way it is (*puts on the thick sweater with the hoodie on*)

12:50PM: Beef steak for lunch. The wife* prepares the meals these days and thankful that she does (Else: i have to wake up at 5AM) The Little Prince says what is essential is invisible to the eye. Preparing beef steak is as invisible as it gets in this lifetime. (And don't quote me quoting Antoine de Saint-Exupery)

12:52PM: Wife* (yes with the asterisk should be a staple now) which should mean Che would be happy despite the asterisk. i think. (If she's not too happy, am willing to put add as many asterisks as needed)

Random Rants: Aray, aray

2011-08-25T09:14:00.003+08:00

9:12 AM: Arrived at the office at 7:23 AM. A "career-high" so to speak. Arthritic ankle and all, i am proud of the accomplishment. i might even celebrate this when i get home. Maybe throw a party for the friends.

10:53 AM: i never liked Guns N' Roses then. Though, i remember Bong Bio (r.i.p.) gave me The Spaghetti Incident album (cassette tape) as birthday gift in high school. Axl Rose is screaming Paradise City now and its giving me the chills.

12:37 PM: Pain on the throbbing ankle won't go away. Misplaced modifier, intentional.

End.

Random Rants: Green Day, WNBA on a Wednesday

2011-08-24T14:04:00.003+08:00

2:03 PM: Day started badly as i lose another 50 pesos to my (new) officemate over a WNBA game (Phoenix failed to cover and actually lost the game). Double bad news right there: actually betting on a WNBA game and being a bad influence to my officemate. Total down for this week: -150 pesos. i would like to believe it's beginner's luck for him. (well, i can't think of any other excuse really)

2:08 PM: Random winamp declares Green Day shall be the band of the day. So i unclick random and this means its all day Green day from now 'til 5PM or so.

2:56 PM: Billy Joe sings, "i was a young boy that had big plans, and now i am another shitty old man."

3:01 PM: Billy Joe sings, "i can not speak, i've lost my voice, i am speechless and redundant."

3:57 PM: Just learned that salary will be released on... the 31st! Ffffuck.

And that officially ends (and kills) the day.

Return of Random Rants

2011-08-22T12:53:00.005+08:00

It's tough when you can't write full paragraphs coherently. Meaning: i can't write like i used to write anymore. While i have been in a writing job (see last post) the last 6-8 months, i forgot how to write. Well, there are certain notes at facebook, at best i saw it as mediocre writing-- still honest, but i am simply not satisfied with my work there.

It's even tougher when you can't think coherently. Meaning: day-in day-out (and/or night-in and night-out) there are literally a million thoughts running inside your head. And i just want 0.01% of these thoughts to come out, maybe written into a blog entry, make sense out of it.

It's not happening though. So why try? Fuck coherence, i'll just have to write and write and write. Maybe they'll take form on their own.

1:22 PM: About an hour ago, i just texted Che that my shit smells like the shit of Qube. So it's either his shit really smells now; or we've been eating the same food. i am sure i DID NOT partake any of his Gerber (mixed veggies) the last three days; but i AM NOT sure if i shared during his breastfeeding sessions during the wee hours of the morning. So that could be the reason. (Note: i did not text Che that this will make the blog so...)

1:42 PM: Back to back songs from Soul Asylum and Blur from the winamp (randomized) playlist. And i think of the fucker named Ronald James Panis. Fuck fuck fuck. The guy had to die before he could meet Qube. The guy had to die before countless Marvel films too. And a Gaiman HBO series in 2014. Oh shit, i miss the guy badly.

2:59 PM: Not sure if the boss will like me posting in my blog during work hours. However, i doubt he reads the blog. And if he does, i just hope he understand that every 15 or 30 minutes my mind has to wander away from American Football-- else the work suffers. (Excuses actually but really i need to get away from it every once in a while.)

5:21 PM: Today is offset day. Went home early last Friday because of Qube's vaccination. So i have to grind two extra hours today to offset for that under time. Well it's a better option than salary deduction. So i stay... It's a ghost town already when the office is full. What more now?

5:42 PM: So yeah, the former boss name is Jeff and a new boss is named Jeff as well. Does this mean i shall last for ONLY 6 months only as well? i won't delve into specifics but this is United Kingdom vs. Canada right here.

New Gig: www.pokerportal.asia

2011-02-09T15:44:00.001+08:00

Like it on facebook or visit the site (www.pokerportal.asia). And save jobs :D

i shall be named James Quasar Qyle Quizon

2010-11-30T11:02:00.000+08:00

Like Ma's constant struggle with climbing the stairs of a 5-floor pseudo-condo (eff you non-existent elevator!), the search for the what-they-think-is-the-perfect name has ended. Like Pa's constant struggle with getting over bad beats and uncovered spreads, the endless discussions and tireless debates about what i shall be called will cease.

Finally, at the wee hours of the morning (surprise surprise) while kicking and punching Ma's tummy, ribs and intestines they've decided on my name.

James Quasar Qyle Quizon.

Pardon, Ma. Facebook wouldn't allow the extra S.-- Facebook has something against long names, i had to use the middle name slot for my third name. Come to think of it, you are to blame here since you agreed with Pa in adding a third one...

Now, a little bit of history on how they coined my name. And the stories, and reasons, why they chose it. And before i fail to mention it, my sister already has a name in place: Azira Maya James S. Quizon. It's funny that they easily decided on that one about 6 months ago. But that was before they knew i'd be a boy.

James is pretty much self-explanatory. (As obvious as Pa's vanity.)

Quasar (/kway-zar) Qyle is an offshoot of the idea that my nickname should be Qube (They've already decided too that i'd be using JQUBE as my moniker if and when i decided to register in internet forums.) i think it was Ma who suggested the word quasar and just like that it was an easy yes for Pa.

And who am i to complain? Defined "One of over a thousand known extragalactic objects, starlike in appearance and having spectra with characteristically large redshifts, that are thought to be the most distant and most luminous objects in the universe." it's the coolest thing i've ever heard since Mozart and Ben Folds Five put me to sleep a week ago.

Quentin, Quarantino, Quartz, Quark, Quads, Qing (James!), Quincy and Quotable Quote were all suggested but Qyle got the final nod. When Pa suggested, "How about Qyler as in Qyler Durden?!", Ma answered back, "Just Qyle." And there and then, they had the third Q.

And oh, for posterity's sake, here are the names which made the final ballot; Aziraphale James (Character in Gaiman's Good Omens); AziraJames; James William (So Pa can have a kid that he can call Jwill. Go figure.)

And some names which at some point were considered; Ronald James (Seriously, Pa/Ma were really thinking of "settling" for this because well, Tito Ronald is NOT dead.) James Jacob (Well, it's a different pronunciation Tito Jam, right?)' the unbeatable combination, Ronald "King" James Jacob (my IQ would have been 350 at the minimum, my height at least 6 foot 2!) And even more, suggested by friends: the classic Lebron James, King James, James Yap and even Baby James (obviously from Pa's basketball friends)

Silly them, am glad Ma and Pa settled for this one.

And silly Ma and Pa, here are the (other) reasons why they chose this name... In scrabble, my name would get the highest score and when girls in school play FLAMES with my name, they'd have a hard time crossing out those Qs!

In the Name of the Son

2010-09-24T10:35:00.006+08:00

i miss Writing for the sake of Writing. Every press release, news article or TV script i did the last 5 and a 1/2 years brings me to some sort of anti-orgasm--- it's just not fun anymore. Until you realize that this brings food to the table.

Provided, you still write about things that really interest you (in my case, sports and basketball; and now, poker.) Provided, it's not bad a job considering other people get stuck with work they really don't like. Provided, the juice is worth the squeeze any way you look at it. Provided, after all you still have a job to speak of.

Ah, Writing, i fucking miss you and miss fucking you. We should do this again soon and often. For now, i'd like to (re)introduce you to a person i should be writing about the next 30 to 40 years:

Own Goal

2010-07-12T06:26:00.004+08:00

As Pa watches Netherlands draw with Spain after 90 minutes (apparently that means a pair of extra time periods of 15 minutes each to decide this one) i realize that my father is a sucker for sports.

'cause you see i've heard that he doesn't like watching football that much. But this particular World Cup? He found the extra time to watch it--- games at 2:30AM to boot! i am pretty sure it's not the same pure passion for basketball in the past 10 years (games at 1AM to 5AM) partly because he bet on it. That said, 2:30AM is 2:30AM.

And that in mind i wonder if he will do the same for me. Will he wake up in the same wee hours of the morning to prepare for my milk?

Will my incessant crying be similar to the sound of a commentator's GOOOAAALL and Pa reacts with similar vigor running from the CR and deliver that milk? Or will it hurt like that Robert Horry's dagger three-pointer at the buzzer vs. the Sacramento Kings years ago?

Will he buy diapers at the same wee hours just like he buys Marlboro Gold when he feels like it--- damn the time and damn the timing of it all?

(Originally posted at Facebook notes. Ugh. Cheezepaperblogspot getting the backseat these days.)

From 3 Stripes to 2 Stripes

2010-06-15T09:50:00.002+08:00

The PT showed a couple of stripes. With my leans for everything three stripes life has re-set the priorities: Adidas basketball shoes have to wait. THAT, or just properly scheduling the office league right before the next ultrasound.

There are promises to be made. And well, compromises as well. You just have to clear that up with Che and the 9 week old James ______. (Pardon me, the actual baby name is being discussed ad infinitum, we will get to that. For the meantime that blank line will do.)

A Thousand Emotions, The Ambivalent List (2nd Update)
1. Happiness
2. Gratitude
3. Surprise (this is the pleasant one)
4. Shock (this is the part where tears involuntarily came out)
5. Bewilderment (this is the part where you stare at the blank white wall and all you see is black)
6. Realization (this is the part where Adidas takes a back seat with the mentioned compromise of course)
7. Acceptance (this part came earlier than expected, even by my standard)

Coming Soon: The Mini Me.

2010-06-13T01:45:00.005+08:00

The goal is not to live forever but to create something that will. Or at least another that will last a lifetime which isn't mine.

Yes people. i am going to be a father. S/he's 8 weeks old. There are a thousand different emotions swamping me right now. And i can not even write a full paragraph about it.

Let's start with: Inexplicable happiness which is self-explanatory.
And: Thank you, Che.

And so the journey begins. (i can safely assume that within nine months time i can write longer than this. After all, there's about 998 emotions still left to be tackled.)

A Thousand Emotions, The Ambivalent List:

1. Happiness
2. Gratitude

And So It Is: Renaming The Purple Team to Purple Chokers

2010-05-07T02:51:00.005+08:00

And i don't mean that as an insult to my teammates. Not at all. i felt. i thought. We did our best and i guess the best wasn't good enough. James Ingram cliche aside, it feels that way.

Kristian asked if we indeed choked. And no better answer than to say yes. What doesn't kill you makes you better, eh? And no better way to drown the depression-slash-depression (yeah, it's the freaking same word with the same freaking meaning, the slash is just for emphasis) with a quad of San Mig Light with Encarnacion-slash-choker with myself-slash-choker. With Cindy and Che and Rigor (very important persons in our respective lives.)

At the end of the day, we lost to a better team.

A promise: Yellow (Solar Entertainment Corporations TOC/Engineering Department basketball squad) deserves a headliner for the E.C.L.I.P.S.E. next release, which will happen on Monday.)

Purple sucks on this night (and a couple of nights ago) but hey, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, eh?

And oh:

Clima Madness record: 0-2. Bullshit. i don't believe the shoes matter. (However, i just found an excuse to procure a new pair of Adidas before the next conference/season starts. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger--- in this case, when Life gives you lemons, you make lemonades. That, or just buy tequila at your nearest 7-11.)

Fantasy Choke

2010-04-26T22:19:00.003+08:00

Fantasy year summary:
Money Leagues: 2nd (Head-to-head), 5th (Head-to-head), 9th (Roto), 2nd (Roto)
Fun Leagues: 1st (Head-to-head), 2nd (Head-to-head), 11th (Head-to-head)

It''s a mediocre finish by all means. What hurts is the fact that in three leagues where i ended up with a silver finish were the same leagues i was leading for much of the season.

That people is an example of choking in sports. It's equivalent to a missed (open) lay-up during a crucial moment in a basketball game. You are almost there. Operating word: almost. There are many reasons why such choking happened. Maybe you just did not have heart for it (folding under pressure) or simply just did not have enough skills to do so. In this case, it's a little bit of both.

It's a little bit of fate and stupidity as well. Some things you just can't control (injuries to key players, unforeseen incidents that caused you to missed add/dropping key players at key times, etc) and some things you controlled (add/dropped a few risky players which you THOUGHT will play/contribute that day, relaxed on days you shouldn't have relaxed i.e. getting Jason Williams 2-3 days during the finals of one head-to-head championship, missing games intentionally for certain playes, also called "faltering mathematics skills.)

Either fate or your own undoing it all resulted to mediocrity. And like after every choke job, all you wish for is another chance next time. That said, see you fuckers, i'll be back with a vengeance next year. i enjoyed every bit of adding and dropping and failed trade attempts, just like always. And knowing these guys i played with, they feel exactly the same.

And oh, that was the bad news. There is one good news i have to tell. The mediocre finish, the choke job still netted me this one cool item:

So yeah, until next year fuckers. Until next year. (And when i call you fuckers, that means you're one cool dude because you played with me in one of my fantasy leagues)

Pac's explanation on the Pompyang Punch

2010-03-16T07:52:00.002+08:00

(From FireQuinito, off the Sweet Science:)

He does it in a gym all the time,” said Roach. “I don’t think there’s been a guy he ever sparred with he didn’t try it on, and Steve Forbes, in this camp, was the first guy who’d even retaliated. When he talked about doing it in a fight I warned him ‘Manny, don’t even think about it, because they’ll take a point away if you do.’”

“No they won’t,” replied Pacquiao. “The first time I do it they’ll just warn me.”

That, people, is Pinoy logic.

SABL's 7th Conference Opens Shop

2010-03-03T17:25:00.007+08:00

... which only means an additional excuse for "early out" on Tuesdays and Thursdays and "late in" on Wednesdays and Fridays. The Solar Antipolo Basketball League is in its seventh season and i am still freaking ring-less in my long and colorful basketball career. And with games like last night's tough, tough loss? (i had 7 points, 3/4 FGs, 3 rebounds, 4 assists and about 8 turnovers i think.) i expect to wait another seven conference before i win a 'ship. Oh well and oh fuck, here we go again.Here's ECLIPSE's opening salvo this year and the same article (below) we print with the office printer; copied with the office's xerox; and released with the help of officemates and the office's bulletin boards. And oh for the uneducated: ECLIPSE is a randomly published one-page newsletter and stands for Engineers, Co-writers, Linear Editors, Ingestors and Producers of Solar Entertainment. But if you ask the editors of ECLIPSE, it's simply an escape from the day-to-day writing grind with BTV. Try writing nothing but plugs entire month long and you'll understand what we mean.

THRILLER TUESDAY

Swipe and Swish. In a span of fifteen seconds, the unassuming graphics guy stole the limelight from everyone else and at the same time stole the win for the powerhouse Black squad from a fighting Purple team last night at the Victoriaville covered court in the opening game of the 7th Solar-Anti Basketball League.

Jun Campos finished with eight points but none bigger than the mid-range tweener he took with 4.9 seconds left as Black edged Purple, 61-59 to notch the first victory for his team. Meanwhile, in the second game, White used a 15-5 blitz in the third quarter to pull away from the new-look Red squad before the latter made their own run to make it a close affair losing 51-to-53 to the defending champions.

Despite leading for 31 minutes and 27 seconds, Purple gave away the crucial possession with a listless turnover in the waning moments that set up Kuya Jun’s clutch hit. Purple had the chance to send the game into overtime or tie the ballgame but failed to set-up a final attempt at the basket as time expired.

Black’s big win also featured timely shots from Jun de Quiros (16 points), who made three consecutive three-pointers inside the last couple of minutes. Black’s attack saw the usual suspects do their damage; Nomar Santiago with points and 8 rebounds, Macy Bautista with 11 points and 3 assists, and the duo of Paul Navarro (2 points and 8 assists) and Jeff Monpanbanua (3 points and 3 assists) with a combined 10 wayward flying-elbows.

In the main game, White used a well-balanced offense to start their title defense off the right foot. Black’s effort was led by Ogie Belenzo’s 15 points on 3-of-6 shooting from beyond the arc, Pierre Salas’ 14 points and 9 rebounds and Ron del Mundo’s 10 points, 8 rebounds and 2 blocked shots highlighted by a baseline jumper which had a follow-through that lasted for roughly 10 seconds. James

Action in the 4th SABL Conference continues with another double-header on Thursday as three teams make their debut. Yellow faces Red will try to avoid back-to-back defeats when they face Yellow even as Gray meets Blue in the curtain-raiser.

(*All stats are fictitious but are nearer to the truth than expected)

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The Horrors of the Dislocated Pinky Finger

2010-02-25T23:51:00.002+08:00

The first reaction was almost priceless: It was so numb i almost tried to dribble the basketball again. Fortunately, i stared at it long enough and saw that it was pointing at the other way. Sticking like a sore pinky finger.

So there and then i had to leave the court with a finger joint turned wrongly. Ugh.

THE ‘NALD LIST--- 27 FACTS YOU NEED OR NEED NOT KNOW ABOUT RONALD JAMES PANIS

2010-01-19T23:10:00.004+08:00

Ronald James Panis loves lists. Primary example is this LINK. This was one of the last lists he made but, in fact, he’s been doing it for years now including listing the TOP 20 SONGS every Sunday (from 3PM to 5PM) off a local radio station (DWEB Countdown)in Naga City during our high school years. And might i add, he’s probably doing another list in heaven, right about now, and my theory is this is called Top 10 Angels or something.

That said, we continue with the rest of ‘nald facts--- trivial, personal and most likely, oh-so-difficult to reminisce because of obvious reasons. But fuck--- like every (well, most...) Ronald joke, it’s baduy and at times, hard-to-bear, but heck, it has to be delivered.

And oh, i struggle with the past and present tense because of inconsistency issues with my writing--- plus the more obvious fact that i find it unacceptable to use past tense for a presently good man now gone. Oh well and oh fuck.

1. The Fact That He Loved Lists.
2. The Fact That (Most of) His Jokes Were (Borderline) Baduy. This worked quite well for ‘Nald because in the rare times that he delivers a really, really good joke it felt like it’s the funniest one yet. Mind you, the fact that he was bad at jokes does not make him a less funny man. And to add, his latest joke (well, we are all hoping) is so bad, that we haven’t seen a punchline since Sunday.
3. The Mayon Boys on a Bike. During elementary and high school days, we’d explore Mayon and beyond with our bikes. Along with other friends and classmates namely King, Jam, BJ and some, we’d go to untraveled lands like Cararayan (which obviously we now realize is not really that far)
4. Nald’s Stolen Bike. i believe this happened when Nald was already in UP. Investigation is still on-going.
5. Nald and Iba Juice. After the said bike trips, we’d go to our old house in Mayon (Orchids Street then) and one time, we put in all the iba we got from our trips in the blender. There and then, we had known we had a future in the culinary arts. Alsom!!! (Come to think of it, what’s the english for iba?)
6. Nald Eats Handkerchiefs and One Whole Tablet Papers. Ugh. Only Nald does insanely, useless, stupid and very funny things and gets away with it. (i know, i know, this one is not enjoyable without video)
7. Nald Never Farted in Public. Somebody correct me if i am wrong, but he’s even (more) embarrassed when i did it. Imagine the horror if we did caught him releasing air.
8. Nald’s a Comic Book Buff. He’s not really fond of the DC releases (Superman, Batman and the rest of Justice League America) but is really addicted to the world of Marvel (X-Men particularly)
9. Nald Favorite X-Men is ... Cable. Now, i am not really sure because he had equal unconditional love for every X-Man and Marvel character (superheroes and supervillains alike)... i know i was Gambit then. King is probably Cyclops. Jamael should be Professor X. And Bonks is... Kitty Pride. (Nald would laugh at this, right, Bonks?)
10. Nald’s Call Sign is Anthrax. During high school, we did old school chatting and “eyeball” using the “rad-yo”... For YM and Facebook users, it’s a hand-held device where in you actually TALK to people and well, if lucky and at times, unlucky, you meet these people.
11. Nald’s First EB is with the Galangs--- Weng, Kaka and Gemma. He likes Weng and Kaka, but their mother, Gemma was the hottest of the bunch according to Nald. (Fast fact: we were in highschool, Weng and Kaka were in elementary...)
12. Nald’s favorite band is the Smashing Pumpkins. According to his list, the song Muzzle is his song. But i am pretty sure Disarm, Landslide, Gish and some would also get some love.
13. Nald also loves Radiohead. During his ABS-CBN stint, we talked about using the songs for scoring in our plugs. i hate the fact that he never used them but you can be goddamn sure he had pretty wild ideas if he had the chance to use them.
14. Simply, Nald Loves Music and Bands. From the playlist i made off my winamp here are the bands that I know he loved dearly: (along with Radiohead and Smashing Pumpkins): Ben Folds Five, Better Than Ezra, Blur, The Cardigans, The Wallflowers and in the local scene, the Eraserheads and Rivermaya (thank goodness he liked my favorite band)
15. Nald once applied for a job at Jack TV as a segment producer. i always told him this was the perfect job because he’d be actually doing scripts and editing plug for The Simpsons. Ronald Editing Homer and Bart! What happened? He was applying when our company was dealing with retrenchment issues. A month or two early or late, and he would have been my co-employee... 16. Being professional producers now (naks Nald, pro!) working for our respective companies, we dreamt of creating a channel to our liking. It’s called PORN TV. Working tagline included: “Porn, 24/7” among many others... Plus of course, the shows and programs we thought of during our beer sessions. Details cannot be divulged however as Nald would hate the fact that people might steal our idea. (Nald’s porn name would have been....) and the fact that both Becca and Lolet would immediately disown us.
17. Ronald James Panis plays bass for a band called CHEEZEPAPER. In our debut-and-farewell performance (one-night only!), we played Rivermaya’s Panahon Na Naman and Greenday’s Pulling Teeth. For one night, we felt like rockstars. For one night, Ronald was actually in a band! (It does NOT matter now how we fared. Let’s not talk of trivial matters.)
18. Also, he also had to “train” himself (for 3 months?) via the Orpheus School of Music for his bass-skills to play for cheezepaper. Then again, training or no training, we’d have cheezepaper anyway... Sure, it just won’t be a band.
19. The name cheezepaper was coined by the members of cheezepaper at the sala of Nald’s Mayon Avenue residence. As part of the process, we wrote (single) words in pieces of paper and randomly selected them off a bowl... Whatever sounded good to our ears would get the nod... among the nominees was Cheeze Paper Returns (which eventually became cheezepaper)... and some other names that escapes me...
20. Besides his addiction to XMEN, Marvel and his comic books he had equal fondness for TV series titled but not limited to: Fringe (Nald loves Olivia) Big Bang Theory (Nald IS Sheldon Cooper) Lost (I have yet to watch a single episode, but will now surely watch every single one of them), Pushing Daisies (Nald is Ned, well sort of) Flash Forward and V among others. Around half of these series were the “discoveries” of Nald and each and one of them were analyzed in our bi-monthly coffee-sometimes-beer sessions the past couple of years.
21. Nald and Movies. In high school, part of the barkada trip one Saturday was to watch Kahit Konting Pagtingin Part 2--- Nine of us stuck to the original plan and watched the flick starring Sharon Cuneta and FPJ. Nald couldn’t take it and chose to watch the First Knight featuring Richard Gere.
22. Nald and His Favorite Movies. It’s pretty much a long list so i will stick with what i remember during our Top Five All Time discussions. Among his tops were: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (and in my book, to be forever replaced as the Eternal Gardens of the Spotless Mind) Fight Club (and no, i won’t talk about Fight Club except with Nald) Mallrats (We both agreed that this is the number one useless, nonsense flick of all time)...
23. Nald owns a 30-gig hard disk named Lacie. A third of which is supposedly of the porn-kind. i only got to copy a third of that percentage. To add: he prefers Japanese and Korean over the Euro and Americans.
24. Nald is the only person i know who understood that it’s ok to have Coke (12 oz, preferably) for breakfast. i will have Coke for breakfast in the next two weeks to honor Ronald.
25. Nald and Weekend Coffee. If his schedule allows, we’d go to The Fort and treat ourselves to a cup of coffee or two. Little did he know that Che and myself only texted him because we needed somebody tall enough so we can charge our laptops. (The theory is that Coffee Bean purposely put the power outlet 8 feet high so that hobbits like us will be discouraged to use the place as tambayan. Little did they know we had a friend as tall as Ronald)
26. The Nald and Noi Rift. Sometime during the week of his 29th birthday i got so drunk that i supposedly had a “little fght” with him that he walked out of the inuman. My point was that he was not being assertive enough in this life--- and that he was too kind of a human being to ever get to places in this tough, tough world. i am so glad we had that rift. i am not too sure if the fight changed him at all but i am pretty sure that i sent the message across. i am not sure if the fight affected his decisions regarding his work and career. All i know is that he ended up with a job he clearly loved doing.
27. Nald is not dead. He just left (too) early, like he usually does. (May gimik pang iba) Oh well and oh fuck, see you, Nald.

R.I.P. R.J.P.

2010-01-10T14:12:00.004+08:00

Last three letters stand for Ronald James Panis. First three letters stand for something i can't really understand and can't (and won't ever) accept.

Pirmi na lang nang mamadali si 'nald ay. Tsk.

Duwa ang huri ta pinagulayan:

1) Bago ko magsakay tricycle driver sa Magsaysay Avenue: sabi mo i love you ta ngani magmukha ako bading sa tricycle driver. (Ma na ko pakiaram sa tricycle driver, may point ka and i love you, man.)

2) Text message last Thursday: The Good Life invite (and not the Weezer song.)

Bad trip padi pero kung saen man lakaw mo, pahalat na lang, masunod kami gabos eventually and matequilla kita na may lemonsito na.

Dakol pa gusto ako sabihon, text ka na lang malay mo a la Fringe, nasa alternate world ka lang and a la Olivia-Bell may way na magkaulay kita.

6TH SABL CONFERENCE : EVOLUTION

2009-12-15T13:54:00.006+08:00

6th SABL Conference: Evolution AVP
Script by: Ogie Belenzo/Pierre Salas/Xtian Encarnacion/Raul Maningat
VO by: Ogie Belenzo/Pierre Salas
GFX by: Ron del Mundo
Edited by: Richie D' Horsey

Evolution daw!

Yes. That's the theme of the sixth conference of the Solar-Antipolo Basketball League--- time goes by so fast i did not realize that i have already played for four "franchises" in this fledgling league (currently slightly better than the PBL since they have five teams and we have seven.) i have a collection of a Yellow, Black, White and Purple jerseys to show for it which means a couple of possibilities: a) Teams demand my services and they need me. or b) Teams trade my ass as soon as they realize me and my turnovers are detrimental to the team.

Either way, the fun in being a journeyman? Yes, i can collect those jerseys. And the shoes (when budget permits) adjust to the team motif.

The better part of it? i have had a couple of Finals appearances. That's 2-0 versus the TMacish-jinx named Kristian Encarnacion.

Anyway, today should be the last day of the sixth conference. As of this writing, White is battling Blue with the latter leading the best-of-three Finals, one-to-none. Don't tell Pierre and Ron that though; they might prove me wrong, and we'll hear the news when we meet later on.

Since it's the sixth conference of the SABL, here are SIX FAST FACTS about this conference:

1) FROM FRIENDS TO FOES:

This list is as big as Blue's point spread over their opponents this conference but i don't have insider info on other team's i'd stick with what i know and the rumors:

+ Paul Navarro versus former teammates Pierre Salas, Ron del Mundo and Kristian.
+ Donjie C/Toto versus former teammates Gelo Pazcoguin and Crosby Menodiado (after three championships in the first three conferences it's weird that you see them on opposite ends of the court.)
+ Ron versus Kristian.
+ Kristian versus Ogie. (i am not sure if they were friends before.)
+ Sir Binoy versus Ryan. Former franchise players for the one-time champion Green.
+ Clear Boys Ermil and Mac.

2) FROM ENEMIES TO COMRADES
+ Kristian versus myself, now with White team. i demanded a trade the moment i knew we'd reunite. (It's actually a friend-to-foe-then-comrade-to-enemy-cycle. i miss trash talking with him though.
+ Raul and Paolo versus Ryan A. and Ariel. i knew they had some pretty interesting battles during the Red versus White championship a conference ago. Now teammates with Blue.
+ Jojo and Toto and Binoy, now with Purple. Inarguably, franchise players for their respective teams in the previous conference.

3) MVP's and (MOST) IMPROVED PLAYERS and other NOTABLES.
+ Pierre versus everyone else. ('cause you see, this is the year Pierre used his "varsity" experience and bullied everyone smaller than him ... i have been saying it for so long, if Pierre plays to his potential his team should win the championship.
+ Kristian is actually the third leading scorer for the Purple team. Which is a good thing because that's his game, and not a point guard. And which is also a bad thing, because you'll hear from him all day long after a good game.
+ THE ENTIRE BLUE TEAM. All star squad. More on this later.

4) THE LUCK OF THE DRAW AND CONSPIRACIES.
+ i was with Clear during the drawing of players (draw lots for the draft) and when i've learned that the Blue team had picked players like it's for All Star Weekend. With Paolo Mariano among the tribunal of commissioners who handled the draft... You know where i am getting at. (And Paolo will deny this of course.) Then again, they just worked hard on their consistency and chemistry--- something you can't easily do. So i guess i'd have to congratulate Paolo tomorrow.
+ The second and last conspiracy is that they forced me to team up with Kristian.

5) THE COLORS HAVE CHANGED BUT THE PASSION (and personalities) REMAINED THE SAME.

This is oh-so-true:
+ Andrew's consistent and loud trash talk? Heck, he's more enjoyable to watch than the entire Coca Cola Tigers, Barako Bull and San Antonio Spurs combined. (And the opposite when you are one of his nemesis on the court.)
+ Paul Navarro's veteran moves. Heck, whoever said height is might have not met Mr. Navarro and his elbows.
+ Pierre Salas' crazy bulk and mad stares. Heck, good luck with running into him.
+ Ron del Mundo's pre-game huddle prayers.

And of course, the usual whines and realizations about...

6) REFS and THE BUDGET.

+ Referees for this conference took the traveling call to another level. Even the FIBA referees are not that strict. And everyone agrees that they disagree with the refs call regarding this one. The verdict? CHANGE THE REFS! (Again.)

+ That Paolo is still short with the budget. Meaning the cash prize is again in dire straits. The verdict? Enough with the moolah as antes, trophies-of-pride-and-bragging-rights will do!

---

To end, congratulations to everyone. We have a seventh conference by February and that means all of us will be winners once again. (Though that's what losers say all the time.)

B.S. is a Pacman Fan

2009-11-27T10:38:00.001+08:00

Yup. Bill Simmons is a Manny Pacquiao fan.

Q: If the boxing higher-ups had any sense whatsoever they would give us Pacman/Mayweather in six months. I would stop everything to have a fight night party for this event. I have not paid for a boxing event since Holyfield/Lewis in 1999 but I would spend at least $300-$500 to see this. What is the holdup?
-- Seth Johnson, Middletown, N.Y.
SG: It's going to be disappointing. Just warning you now. Floyd Mayweather Jr. could never in a million years trade punches with Manny Pacquiao. He will be on his bicycle for 12 rounds. There is no way that, at this point in his life, Mayweather wants any part of Pacquiao, a concrete-headed, indefatigable freak of nature who can finish with either hand from every angle. If Mayweather gets in the ring, he'll end up doing more laps than Steve Prefontaine did for the University of Oregon. Just keep your guard up when you're spending that $64.95.
(Important note: Will I be spending that money? Of course! Happily! I made the decision during Pacman's glorious evisceration of Miguel Cotto that he finally had reached the exalted "I Don't Care Who You Are Fighting, I Am Watching It Live & That's That" status, which puts him in the following company: Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard, Tyson. My own personal Mount Rushmore. Pacquiao hit Tiger/Federer status about a year ago, and nobody cared. That's why he needs the Mayweather fight so badly. We've seen dominant pound-for-pound guys these past two decades, but nobody with finishing power anything like what Pacman has. He's like a coked-up Aaron Pryor, only without the coke. Insane. If he's fighting, I am watching.)

The toughest part in losing in poker with friends is

2009-11-19T01:27:00.002+08:00

It's fucking fun. Especially when the River is extended to the Ocean.

Shit. i have to stop gambling, even for fun, it's becoming really addicting (half-warning and half-kidding to self.)

The toughest part in losing is...

2009-11-18T00:51:00.002+08:00

when you realize you've done everything you are supposed to do and you still come up short. Or did i indeed?

In Defense of...

2009-10-26T23:30:00.009+08:00

A friend accused me of involving too much money with my sports addiction. (In other words, i gamble too much) and that it (kind of) veers away from being a sports fan. Well, yes and no. Since i discovered fantasy basketball way back in 2001~2002 there were times when i forgot to remember the Final Score of the Game but memorized the Individual Statistics of the Players. Then, when the money got involved, there's a "business" side of it that you have to take it a little more seriously--- but fret not, the fun part is still there. Believe me.

It's fun when you can buy your next pair of Adidas or your own HP Mini off your fantasy winnings. Believe that.

So without further ado, here's my line-up this year. And to avoid the jinx, here's the reverse-jinx disclaimer: i don't think i'd be able to win it all this year; i hated (most of) my draft results and i need to step it up via the waiver wire and/or add-drops to be able to be among the contenders.

To note, i will defend three crowns this year; Solar Bragging Rights (14 teams Roto), Radyo PBA-NBA (9 Teams Roto) and the CSC Live 09 (Head to Head, 14 teams). The other league, Solar Antipolo was where i finished runner-up last year because of Lebron James deciding he won't play in the final game. So all in all, am not whining from last year's performance. But the pressure is that i doubt i can repeat the same success...

Talking about the draft here are my line-ups for the money leagues this year.

Radyo PBA-NBA - 9 teams Roto (500 pesos | Top 3 in the Money)
PG - Chris Paul/Derrick Rose/Mo Williams
SG - Vince Carter/Ramon Sessions/Wilson Chandler
SF - Josh Smith/Hedo Turkoglu/Shane Battier
PF - Tim Duncan/Andrea Bargnani
C - David Lee/Greg Oden

Draft Luck: Picking number three i was ecstatic to see that the first pick was D-Wade! Meaning i will get either James or Paul!
Draft Bust: i fear TD's injury (2nd round), and to an extent, VC's... Then Smart Bro autopicked Mr. Shane Battier for me in the 9th round. We will see if that's destiny but he's the first guy that i shall flip for somebody else in the fat free agency.
Wildcards: Getting Oden with the last pick, i thought was a steal.

Patterns* (i have one rule of thumb in fantasy: get starters (or players with starter minutes) as many as you can. After all, you can't produce if you don't have playing time.): All players are expected to start for their respective teams.
Prediction: 3rd place. Last year in this league, i had a good start and then had a convincing finish. i think i (will) lack the finishing touches this year so i don't think it will be enough.

Solar Bragging Rights - 14 teams head-to-head (1500 | Top 3 in the Money)
PG - Rajon Rondo/Mo Williams/Rodney Stuckey
SG - Brandon Roy/Peja Stojakovic/
SF - Shawn Marion/Trevor Ariza/Boris Diaw
PF - Kevin Love/Michael Beasley/Andrei Blatche*
C - Al Jefferson/Ronnie Turiaf

Draft Luck: Last year, i lucked out in the draft when i picked Chris Paul with the top pick. This year, it's time to prove that one can win in Roto even without the top three selection. And my first pick this year is Brandon Roy. i went to a small-big combination in the top two selecting Al Jefferson in the second round. A week later, reports say that Big Al is again, unhealthy and having Achilles problems. Tough luck.

Draft Bust: i may have put Rondo (3rd round) and Marion (4th) in my list, but the way the competitive draft selection was going i had to go for the risky picks. Rondo exploded in the Chicago Bulls series last time and i am hoping being in the contract year will push him further. Marion meanwhile is this year's enigma. i know, i know i know when Josh Howard comes back there are going to be issues with playing time and production but i trust Jason Kidd and Shawn Marion, i think we'd see a semblance of the Matrix old days with the run and gun Phoenix Suns.
Wildcards: Obviously, everyone is looking at Trevor Ariza these days. All i know is i need for him to be consistent. Peja was one of those picks; either i luck out or i flip him two weeks from now.
Patterns: Everyone is a starter except for Blatche (will see major minutes in the first month with Jamison out) Turiaf (i expect at least 15-20 minutes with 2 blocked shots!) and Stojakovic.
Prediction: 6th place. Tough one to swallow but i see it happening. The early injuries does not help. i think i need a real good pick-up in free agency to be able to compete.
CSC Live '09 - 14-team head-to-head (1000 | Winner Takes All)
PG - Dwyane Wade/Raymond Felton/Brandon Jennings
SG - Vince Carter
SF - Caron Butler/Tayshaun Prince/Boris Diaw
PF - Andrea Bargnani/Anderson Varejao/Matt Bonner
C - Al Horford/Shaq O'neal/Greg Oden/Ronnie Turiaf

Draft Luck: At number 5... Dwyane Wade fell into my lap. i understand other manager plan to choose Dwight Howard (4th pick) but it forced me to drop my big-big-big strategy and went the other way: wings-wings-wings. (Wade-Butler-Carter)

Draft Bust: Butler had good seasons the past couple of years. How will the return of Agent Zero affect his production? Will he again miss time in the last few weeks of the regular season? And on another SF, will Tayshaun Prince be ever comfortable again with the Pistons system?
Wildcards: The 1-2-3 picks set the tone; i needed a big in the mid-to-late rounds: acquiring BOTH giants Shaq and Oden WAS big. Or so i think. (Until one or both of them misses time) And how about the Italian shooter Marco Bellineli? i think i will drop him before i end this blog entry. And Andrea please rebound this year...
Patterns: Jennings, Bellineli are the non-starters. And yes i don't have a passing point guard at all. Fret not, that is part of the plan. Prediction: 4th place. Being the defending champion, my consistent add-drop strategy is now out in the open. i expect every manager to do the same this year. What helps my (our) cause though is the fact that from two years ago (we had roto in this league last year) we had 20 teams and that was trimmed down to 14 this year... i have to double my efforts this year to repeat as champ (man, that sounds gooooodd.)

Solar Antipolo - 14 team head-to-head (300 | Top Three in the Money)
PG - Raymond Felton/DJ Augustin/Louis WilliamsSG - Kevin Martin/Anthony Parker
SF - Danny Granger/Hedo Turkoglu/Lamar Odom
PF - David West/Andrea Bargnani/Micheal Beasley/Udonis Haslem
C - Emeka Okafor

Draft Luck: None. Autopick and this is what i get. People are right on the selection where i exepected them to be.
Draft Bust: Hedo Turkoglu. Ugh. i think he will disappoint this year.
Wildcards: None. Maybe Louis Williams.
Patterns: Haslem, Odom, i hate their minutes and eventual non-production.
Prediction: An 8th place finish. If i could net a multiple trade sometime i expect to challenge for the bronze.
Team Air Ball Fast Facts:
+ 3/4 leagues - Andrea Bargnani
+ 2/4 leagues - Vince Carter, Michael Beasley, Raymond Felton and Hedo Turkoglu plus Marco Bellineli (dropped a day before the NBA season opener!)

+ i *heart* Matt Bonner (1/4 leagues)--- or better yet i got a boner for Bonner! nd i expect to pick him up over ALL leagues at some point in the season. Eff you McDyess, die die die. Eff you DeJuan Blair, i hope you hit the rookie wall earlier than expected. (This message is brought to you by the Matt Bonner, the #1 Token White Guy Fan Club.)
+ Prediction summary: 0 first place, one money finish (3rd place) 3 inside 4th-8th.
+ Meaning: i really believe i will suck in fantasy this year. So much for the plan of "dominating" the local fantasy scene.

Tripping on Jack Trips

2009-10-14T16:26:00.006+08:00

Over the weekend, i received a text message from my former boss who is now a pro poker player--- i don't exactly know the definition of a "pro poker player" but he fits the bill in my eyes. This was the same guy who saved me from the hell hole called Naga City four~five years ago and willingly dragged me to the heaven called Solar Entertainment which practically changed everything in my life (For good and bad)

Farthest left is Ron/Red, he's the one with the cap who looks like Jesus Christ--- you should have seen him when he had longer hair. Myself, Jester and a couple other APA pros.

Anyway, the text was a vote of confidence that i could take on "big time" players--- i was to serve as a replacement for one of the members of Team Asian Poker Academy. Replacement or not, i was simply too honored to say NO to him so i decided to join--- being a sort of rookie in these poker team tournaments was not an excuse--- much the same way it wasn't an excuse for him to hire a noob in the production world hiring me four~five years ago. Fair deal. When life gives you lemons, you better make sure you order bottomless lemonade.

So on a Saturday afternoon with lack of sleep and lack of confidence, with cold sweat and even colder hands i was at the Big Ace Poker Club playing my first-ever poker team tournament.

From there, it all went downhill. Which was to say, i was on to a mediocre finish.

The problem with losing is that no matter what happened the previous days, you kind of get stuck in the moment. In this case, stuck with a mindset that mediocrity is all you are going to achieve. (i completely forgot the fact three days before the tournament i placed 3rd in one of Big Ace's tournament; i won 2,700 on that one but gave away 1,100 for the team event)

The problem with losing in front of your former boss-slash-savior? Your confidence is shaken to its roots. Then you get stuck again in a moment of realization that don't belong in this league.

Up until the next text message from Red that everything is cool and that he actually thinks i should start getting staked in online poker now.

Lemons and life.

And oh? My tourney story?

When life gives you a mid-pair called 7's. You don't try to bluff people. Especially (of course, after the fact) ones with a trio of Jacks.

Ugh. Sucked out big time.

But yeah. i won't deny it: am a gambler. And you can do nothing about it. See you at the tables.

* All images from www.pokermanila.com

They're Back!

2009-09-23T16:48:00.006+08:00

Roughly two weeks before everything is CLEARED out. Am not sure if that is necessarily a good thing as everything is supposed to return to normalcy--- at least, work-wise and the daily grind.

Oh well.

The good news is that it's September and it's that time of year again that the women below return to my life:

(In any order)

You will be missed, Bong.

2009-09-14T08:50:00.004+08:00

And more importantly, justice will be served. One way or the other.

Here's the sad, sad news (And as Marc Santos called it simply: badtrip.)
From this link:

Salon manager pinaliguan ng bala
(Pilipino Star Ngayon) Updated September 14, 2009 12:00 AM

MANILA, Philippines - Isang operation manager ng isang beauty salon na si Bong Felipe Bio V ang pinagbabaril at napatay sa loob ng kanyang bahay sa Barangay Rizal, Makati City kamakalawa.
Natagpuan ang bangkay ng biktima sa loob ng kanyang banyo. Nagtamo siya ng mga tama ng bala ng baril sa ulo at katawan.

Nakagapos pa ang mga kamay ng biktima at natatapalan ng packaging tape ang bibig.

Nabatid na nawawala naman ang pitaka ng biktima at cellphone habang wala namang iba pang ginalaw sa loob ng bahay.

Bagama’t hindi inaalis ng pulisya ang anggulong pagnanakaw, malaki naman ang kanilang hinala na may malaking galit ang salarin sa biktima dahil sa dami ng tama ng bala sa ulo at katawan. Posible rin umanong kilala ng biktima ang salarin dahil walang palatandaan na puwersahang pinasok ang bahay. (Danilo Garcia)

+++

Lost for words really. Death is already a difficult thing as it is; and now this...

+++

Felipe Bong Bio V was our high school guidance counselor. But for most in our batch he did more than guide and counsel; he was a true friend.

(Let it be known that i may never have survived high school without him. Sir Bong, you will be dearly missed.)

Officially a Magic (Transcription from the Jwill Presscon)

2009-08-21T14:41:00.006+08:00

Being a little bit of a fan, i've transcribed most from the nba.com first interview by Jwill as a Magic:

The workout went well. It was a little longer than what I anticipated, but it was good. The results were great.

Obviously I can stay in gameshape without playing games…. I am not one who like running on treadmills or anything like that…

Ready to go in 2-3 weeks… From Day One last year from the first game on TV i missed the game… Just love of the game..

I know they are a pretty good team… They went to the Finals, they came up a little up short but… I just want to come in and help anyway I can whether 20 minutes a night on game or 2 minutes tomorrow…

The team is first and foremost, a good team.. and I lived here for 9 years so… I won’t have to move my family… stay home and play ball is what you want to do…

I initiated this deal back in ’98… (laughter)… but like I said, I am just thankful they gave me a chance… The teams is different from last year but the core of the group is the same.. If you look at their careers, they’re hungry so… they want a taste of the championship…

We talked a little about that (championship experience) but those guys were just worried whether could still move… obviously, I would have been too.. I took a year off, I am 33.. I would want to see before something happened…

I think the championship experience will rub off… but I don’t want to be vocal… they don’t need my leadership.. they’ve already got it. I am just here to help…

This is nothing like Brett Favre if that’s you are getting to. (laughter)… I retired under personal situations… like I said from day one I miss the game… my wife was happy that I was home but I was in the backroom watching games all night..

The main thing I’ve learned is that 3 kids is difficult to manage than 2 (laughter)… but it’s fun, nothing on the basketball level that I’ve learned…

I’m not one to look at a team on paper, man… paper doesn’t mean anything.. you got to get out there and do it..

Are you scared… (big squint) Scared? No. I’ve listened to everything but what stays that’s a different story… like selective hearing…

But one thing that sticks out was Hubie Brown… which might get me in trouble at times, might not but he said: Never to keep anything inside.. you don’t want to alter yourself… I will always remember that…

reporter asking the same question) … If you weren’t late, you would have known the answer… just kidding just kidding (more laughter)

I hope I make to retirement again, how about that..(laughter) just take this course and not look too far ahead.. Championship.. I think if any player that is not their ultimate dream something’s wrong… why play?

I miss the camaraderie in the locker room… Joking with…Just teasing your teammates… you can only tease your wife so much before you get into trouble…

Magical Farewell Tour Begins

2009-08-21T12:45:00.008+08:00

Unlike the last time he joined the Clippers, this season and next FEELS LIKE Jason Williams' final FINAL tour of duty. It's meant to be the last. He's joining a team from his hometown and a real shot at the championship. Back-up or third-string, he doesn't care. And i don't care. Because finally he has a legit team to play for and me, a team to cheer for.

The man-who-shall-be-mentioned-in-this-blog-but-shall-never-be-named is going to cheer for the Boston Celtics. Christian for the Cleveland Cavaliers. (Enteng roots for Sammy Dalembert and the Philadelphia 76ers. Nyaknyak.) So this means this is going to be a very, very interesting year. Somebody's winning in June (If we our team manages to lose to the Lakers or Spurs is rather insignificant)...

Now, here's an article (and bolded are quotable quotes) from Jason's first interview as a member of the Orlando Magic from the Orlando Sentinel... and the video link to the presscon here:

Jason Williams: "I love to pass. Dwight Howard loves to score." posted by Tania Ganguli on Aug 20, 2009 4:55:19 PM We haven't heard much from Jason Williams since he returned from retirement this summer, and this morning he met with the media at RDV Sportsplex. You can read a little bit about his retirement and journey back in my story here. One thing we discussed with him was that flashy, hot-dog reputation he used to have. One of his assets now is that he's a veteran presence. And teams count on veteran guys for their experience and maturity.

Jason Williams mature? Could be.

"I don’t really pay attention to what you guys write in the papers, what people really think. You guys are going to write what you want and people are going to say what they want. I just want to go out and have fun and if throwing behind the back passes is what it takes to win that’s what I’m going to do it takes a regular bounce pass that’s what I’ll do too. I’m all about winning, now."

Williams was asked if he's matured. "I wouldn’t say matured because I’m still a kid at heart," Williams said. "I still do stupid things sometimes. When I’m out on the court I’m not worried about what people are thinking about my maturity level. I just want to win And as long as my teammates and coach knows that that's all that matters."

Williams was asked if the year off helped his body and if he'd be able to handle the load as a starter if Jameer Nelson got hurt again. "First of all, Jameer’s not going to get hurt," Williams said. "Secondly I signed a contract to do what they want me to do. If they want me to play 30 minutes I’ll do that. If they want me to play 10, I’ll do that. My body was feeling good before I took the year off. It just feels great now. Williams wasn't worried about having gotten a year older.

"I can be as good or better [than before retirement] because my teammates, look at those guys, how good they are. "I love to pass. Dwight Howard loves to score. He’s open he’s getting the ball and the rest will be easy. That’s kind of how it was when I went to Miami with Dwyane and Shaq. Those guys just make your job so much easier because there’s so much attention to them. You’re not going to worry about Jason Williams, you’re going to worry about Dwayne Wade. Cmon.

It's Magic!

2009-08-20T12:29:00.004+08:00

A pair of text messages from a pair of friends woke me up today. Still seething from poker badbeats and bad decisions last night (cost me a thousand) this news though is good as it gets... Finally, after a year or so of being a free agent-fan, i land with the Magic. Yes people, Jason Williams signed with the Orlando Magic.

Here's the text from Christian Castillo: Tinext ka man ni ***? Ayos man idol mo ay, nag unretire man daa! Arug-arog naman! (Translation: Jason Williams > Brett Favre in all this unretirement talks and news)

Here's the text from the man-who-shall-be-mentioned-in-this-blog-but-shall-never-be-named (patent pending, Enteng agrees in his blog): Starting today, I am no longer a fan of the Orlando Magic(s) because they signed Jason "SOPOT" Williams. Tsk tsk.

Why post that here? So that come June 2010 when the Magic earns their championship ring, or even before that--- Eastern Conference Finals probably when Williams and the Magic defeat Boston Celtics and the man-who-shall-be-mentioned-in-this-blog-but-shall-never-be-named... i get to gloat that he IS NOT a Magic fan.

FIBA Asia Quarters: RP vs. Jordan (Miracle or Massacre?)

2009-08-13T18:55:00.003+08:00

The Fatigue Factor:

Jordan + Wright has logged in a total of 180 minutes or an average of 30 minutes per game. Considering they have been blowing out teams left and right, this came as a surprise. + Four other players average 118+ minutes per game; i would like to believe this is their best five (Abaas, Daghlas, Idaais and Soobszokov) + Four other players at around 15 minutes per game

Philippines + Miller leads the team in total minutes (141) for an average of 23.5. We know why, Helterbrand is playing injured. + Not too far are Baguio (129), Thoss (131) and Dillinger (115) + After that we have a six players who are playing in the 90-100 minutes range (15-20 minutes per game)

What does this tell us? Jordan has an 8~9 man rotation and relies most of the time on Wright (as if we did not know that yet; Wright in action vs. China below, image courtesy of FIBA.COM) and the starters. Their relievers does not command big minutes normally and is not expected to produce.

The Philippines meanwhile likes to use most of its players: a 10 man rotation which scatters the minutes around. Even Japeth who has contributed in the past is the 11th man--- injury or not, Yeng is adamant that he scatter the minutes to all contributors to avoid burnout from anyone.
Ultimately, the numbers won't matter as the adrenaline rush tomorrow would be off the roof--- after all, this could be their team's final crucial game. BUT at the end of the day these well-conditioned athletes will feel the pressure and will feel a bit of fatigue as this is their 7th game in 9 days and the first game of the afternoon to boot. Fatigue factor, i think we can have the advantage if we can put the pressure on Jordan early--- and often--- on both ends. If they are going to score, make sure we make them work hard for it. A hard foul here and there is also an option, just to make them feel that we are there and we won't go away. On defense, you attack their offensive players. Wright and Abbaas they comprise about 1/3 of the production of the team (213 of 523 points) and their starters (or players with starter minutes) score 350+ of the 523 points, that's more than half the production.

Let them, force them to use their bench. Tire out the key players. Even as we do the opposite: scattered production majority of the game then, with an unknown player stepping up once again either in the 3rd or the 4th. They have quality players no doubt about that; even higher quality than us. But we have the quantity. Average probably in international ball but could very well get us over the top with excellent team play.

Let's see if i have time to analyze all other stats. But this just in: i want to believe in miracles. RP by 3 points.

Pinsan ko 'ni!

2009-08-08T04:29:00.003+08:00

Actually i am applying to be her agent in the Philippines. Unang gig, sa Mayon Avenue, Naga City! Remember the name: Mona Natalie Bersabe!

Please Stop

2009-08-04T05:32:00.003+08:00

Begged, stole and borrowed
Still it haunts
Forgive me please
For i can not forget

The Countdown to None

2009-07-28T00:09:00.005+08:00

Inanity before insanity
the calm before the storm
the last stand before the fall
to resurrection
to realizations

Crossing Fate

2009-07-27T17:17:00.010+08:00

Incinerated,

shocked
and burned out.
One option left
(No quitting yet)
Question everything!
Counter all!

[Insert Product Name Here] [Insert Product Tagline Here]

2009-07-24T11:50:00.001+08:00

Ah finally. Writing something not about work. Well, sort of.

Customers are always right. But in the business i am in, the client is god. We could leave it at that, or we could risk something like getting fired. But heck, writer's write. Damn the repercussions. One of the greatest fears of many in this craft is the so-called writer's block. Five cups of coffee and a pack of cigarettes won't solve it. A bottle or two of beer won't work either. When you can't write, you just can't. It's one of the (non)mysteries in writing. Forcing it would mean a half-half-half-hearted effort (That's 12.5/100 for those who hate math) on any subject--- which could only mean that you shouldn't have started on it in the first place (Unless of course you want to settle for mediocrity)

But i have come to realize that this is not the greatest fear. There's also the so-called client's block. Five cups of coffee, a pack of cigarettes and probably more won't be enough to appease the violation on artistry. And no, please don't think that this is about the selfish me-me-me or that i put myself in a high chair and won't listen to any suggestions at all. This is about protecting the integrity of the craft and avoiding/going against commercialization of it at all costs. But to the ineffable gods, "at all costs" means shutting up and writing what they want to write. Damn the repercussions to quality. Damn the protection of integrity.

i love my job. Sports. Writing. Sportswriting. But the client's block just happened (Writer's block happens every other day, the level of tolerance is at an all-time high.) and i am starting to hate it because it just became commercialized writing. Product placement here, there and everywhere. Actually, come to think of it, this happened two months ago but it's only now that i am starting to NOT tolerate it. Key word: starting to. And like "fighting for what i deem right at all costs" means it is an empty threat; a lame attempt of opinion which would fall on deaf ears.

What's next then? Would QBE9 happen? (QBE9 is a bullet entry in my Digital Post-It Notes on my desktop which means Quit By Episode 9) i don't know. Let's cross the bridge when we get there. Assuming the bridge hasn't been burned yet.

(This entry is brought to you by cheezepaper.blogspot.com--- we have no readers but who cares!)

Clear Men Future League Starts Tonight!

2009-07-12T15:05:00.002+08:00

Memphis: Where Incompetence Happens. Grizzlies Acquire Zach. Yes Zach FREAKING Randolph.

2009-07-02T16:59:00.008+08:00

Nyak nyak.

Zach with New York (Good luck Grizzlies):

And some more Where Amazing Happens parodies found on youtube:

Kwame Brown:

Jeff Foster:

Jigs' Free Haircut!

2009-06-26T03:42:00.012+08:00

Ogma pa ta dae pa aram na bubulugan siya? (Translation: The calm before the storm?)
Relax pa man giraray. Excited pa ngani. Hilinga ang bitis. (Ready to dance!)
Naglaog na ang kalaban (term ni Jigs), aaaargh, go go laban! (tono ni Jigs) (Trans: "Lookie here, i'll bust this Kuya's ass!)
Poon nang tungkaon? Dae pa ngani napoon! (Tik-tak tik-tak, the reverse alarm clock has taken effect.)
Buhay ulit! Nagigirokan o nagiinarte lang? (Real trick or real tickles?)
Heek-heeee-heeek (Rrrrrrrr. Hehe. Rrrrrrrrr.)
Tapos na ngisi. Tungka na? (Haaaayawn. Ceasefire, ceasefire!)
Ano na? Bawal magpahingalo! (Ceasefire, ceasefire -Kuya.)
Rrrrrr. Balik ang kalaban balik ang tungka (Back to work, bothways.)
Matumba na... (3.... 2...)
Tagag! (Down, down, down!)
Pikit sa tungka o takot sa puling?

HBO Crushes the Carneys

2009-06-24T00:30:00.004+08:00

Ah, maybe too late but a lot of other fans are (still) asking for the same thing:

Save Carnivale

AN OPEN LETTER TO THE PHILIPPINE BASKETBALL COMMUNITY

2009-06-23T01:41:00.001+08:00

Posting this one for the sake of Philippine basketball. Down with BAP!

AN OPEN LETTER TO THE PHILIPPINE BASKETBALL COMMUNITY

The Board of Trustees of Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, Inc. (SBP) wishes to express their gratitude to all of you who have given their support and contributed to the success of the numerous programs which the SBP has put in place to develop Philippine basketball. In the two (2) years since its inception, the SBP's influence, reach and leadership in Philippine basketball have been significant — particularly when viewed from the context of the four (4) decades of existence of its predecessor association, the Basketball Association of the Philippines (BAP).

Referees Programs
1. Implemented the comprehensive National Referees Development Program (NRDP) which has already benefited more than four hundred (400) arbiters in its first year.
2. Regularly sends Filipino referees to International Referees' Clinics so that there are now eleven (11) Filipino FIBA-licensed International Referees compared with only four (4) when the SBP took over from the BAP, one of whom will officiate in the forthcoming world championships Jr. Men's in New Zealand.
3. Organized and fully-subsidized the series of elite referees' clinics conducted by Mr. Alan Richardson, FIBA International Instructor and Euroleague Supervisor for Referees.
4. Created an Elite Referees Pool whose members are now being used by SBP member leagues.

Coaches Programs
The SBP has implemented the National Coaches Accreditation and Licensing Program (NCALP) which already completed its first task of gathering and identifying over eight hundred (800) coaches
nationwide. Numerous coaching clinics are now being held to standardize our coaching techniques in line with our National Team Program.

Youth and Grassroots Programs
1. Stages various National Championships for different age groups and gender categories including the Philippine Champion's League where over two hundred (200) universities and colleges participated and the forthcoming National Junior Championships for boys and girls.
2. Founded the National Basketball Training Center (NBTC), the elite basketball school for 18 and under boys and girls.
3. Created the SBP 33, inspired by FIBA's 3-on-3 basketball program, to form competitive teams for the Asian Indoor Games, Asian Beach Games, Asian Youth Games and the Youth Olympics.

National Teams
The SBP maintains a robust and aggressive national team program for all age and gender categories. All National Teams are well-funded through the support of SBP sponsors and donors.
1. The SBP has a long-term program for our young Men's National Team with the objective of qualifying for the London Olympics in 2012, and improving our currently low standing in the FIBA world rankings resulting from long years of neglect. To help realize these goals, a Serbian coach, Mr. Rajko Toroman, has been engaged and a comprehensive training program and calendar has been put together which includes so far, tournaments and training camps in Serbia, the United States, Indonesia and Japan.
2. The Philippine National Teams have achieved significant results in the last year by virtue of the SBP programs now in place:
a) 7th place, FIBA Asia Championships for Junior Men in 2008 d) Champion, 1 st China Asean-CBO International Tournament in 2008
b) 2nd place, 1 st Asian Beach Games in Bali 2008 e) 5th place, FIBA Asia Champion's Cup 2009
c) 2nd place, Division II, FIBA Asia Championships for Junior Women in 2008 f) Champion, SEABA 2009 - Qualifier for FIBA Asia Men's Championships in Tianjin, China
3. The SBP National Team Competition's calendar for 2009 has never been more vibrant with our teams qualifying for the FIBA Asia Championship for Women (16 and under), the FIBA Asia Championships for Junior Men and Women, the FIBA Asia Championships for Men, the Asian Youth Games and the Asian Indoor Games (Vietnam).

Membership Program
To date, five (5) new active members have been added to the roster of SBP membership bringing the total number to twenty four (24). Other applications are now being reviewed by the Nomination and Membership Committee for active status. In addition, ten (10) new associate members have been added with provision for future consideration as regular active members. Total membership (active and associate) now stands at forty (40).

WHY DO THE ATTACKS ON THE SBP CONTINUE?
Despite these achievements, it saddens us to note that there are still those who continue to question the legitimacy of the SBP and its current leadership. These individuals, who are still aligned with the BAP, have chosen to disregard the “Tokyo Communiqué” dated 28th August 2006, which led to the formation of the SBP as the country's sole and unified governing body for basketball. They also allege that the SBP has failed to comply with the subsequent “Bangkok Agreement” dated 4th February 2007, which elaborated further the terms of the Tokyo Communiqué. It is apparent that the BAP continues to raise issues and complaints against SBP and its present leadership to the detriment of achieving unity in Philippine Basketball. It is also clearer now that BAP's interpretation of unity means unity on its own terms.

Last May 28, 2009, the SBP received a letter from Mr. Patrick Baumann, FIBA Secretary General, advising the SBP of the creation of a “Special Commission for the Philippines”. The formation of this Special Commission was precipitated by “various correspondences and continuous complaints addressed to the FIBA Secretariat over the past months on the matter related to the institutional legitimacy of the Philippine Basketball Federation and its current leadership.”

WHAT IS THE SBP’S POSITION?
The SBP has decided that it will not submit to the jurisdiction of this Special Commission for the following reasons:
1. Mr. Baumann in his letter dated last year (May 13, 2008) and sent to the SBP clearly and categorically stated that:
(i) FIBA is fully supporting the SBP and its President Manuel V Pangilinan and its Board of Trustees;
(ii) FIBA will disregard any communication coming from the former BAP “as it has no rights with FIBA”; and
(iii) FIBA is dismissing Mr. Graham Lim with immediate effect from his membership in the FIBA Youth Commission, citing his “continuous actions to disrupt the proper functioning of the SBP as “unacceptable”.
2. The Philippine Court of Appeals has already affirmed SBP's compliance with the Bangkok Agreement and the Tokyo Communiqué. The Court's decision confirmed the membership validation process undertaken by the SBP and also sustained the validity of the June 12, 2008 SBP National Congress and the regular election of SBP's trustees and officers held at that meeting.
3. The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) have both recognized the SBP and have effectively and correctly accorded its leadership with full rights as the lawful governing body of basketball in the Philippines.
4. The basis on which the Special Commission was formed rests on complaints and allegations, as mentioned in the Baumann letter of May 28, 2009, made by the BAP that are unverified and biased. That is why the Baumann letter is simply incomprehensible - giving apparent credence to “various correspondences and continuous complaints” without verifying their veracity.

Instead of removing the squeaky and noisy wheels - as Baumann indicated he would in his letter last year to SBP - he has now lubricated them with oil.

WHAT’S NEXT?
We should emphasize that it was the BAP which initiated the judicial action challenging the legitimacy of the June 12, 2008 SBP National Congress and elections. We regard this legal step by the BAP to be significant because it clearly demonstrates its intention and preference to have the matter decided by our Philippine judicial system - and not by any other party, tribunal or commission — foreign or local. Having lost in a forum that they themselves chose, BAP is now shopping for another forum that may be sympathetic to it.

Accordingly, the SBP has to put on record and placed FIBA on notice that it shall not participate in any proceedings which this Special Commission may undertake, unless and until it has become unequivocally clear to SBP what its mandate, jurisdiction and scope of authority really are. More importantly, the BAP legal challenge, after having been rejected by our Court of Appeals, has been elevated by it to our Supreme Court, where it is now under consideration. In that light, the SBP has firmly taken the position that whilst this domestic issue is under judicial review, it should not submit itself to any other legal jurisdiction until the matter has been finally resolved by our legal system. Let Philippine law take its course; let us respect our Courts and not incur their contempt otherwise.

We the members of the SBP call upon all legitimate stakeholders of Philippine Basketball to raise their individual and collective voices and take a unified stand condemning the disruptive actions of the BAP, and protest FIBA's unwarranted intrusion into what must be a purely domestic matter requiring domestic resolution.

Make yourself be heard by sending your comments through sbp.com.ph.

Mabuhay ang Philippine Basketball!

Signed:

Gov. Oscar V. Moreno
Chairman of the Board

Manuel V. Pangilinan
President

Jose Emmanuel M. Eala
Executive Director

Joaquin Trillo
Philippine Basketball Association

Michael Romero
Philippine Basketball League

Anton Montinola
University Athletic Association of the Philippines

Fr. Mateo de Jesus OSB
National College Athletic Association

Reynaldo D. Gamboa
Philippine Collegiate Champions League

Jose Soberano
Pinoy Basketbol Inc.

Daniel Danilo V. Soria
Baguio Benguet Educational Athletic League

Fr. Paul M. De Vera
National College Athletic Association – South

Robert L. Uy
Iloilo Basketball League

Bernardo Gabriel I. Atienza
Cagayan de Oro Basketball Association

Pedro C. Alfaro
El Federacion Basketbolista de Zamboanga

Gerardo P. Sabal III
Cagayan de Oro School Athletic Association

Ernesto Jay G. Adalem
National Athletic Association of Schools, Colleges and University

Raul D. Alcoseba
Visayas Amateur Athletic Association

RP's Hope in the Group of Hope

2009-06-19T15:45:00.002+08:00

It's that time again when we leave our biases on the door and be united. The RP National Team for basketball will compete in the FIBA Asia Championships later this year. Thanks to (sir) Nardy from the interbasket forums for the pic below which features Rain or Shine star Gabe Norwood when he wore the RP colors during the SEABA championships earlier this year.

We belong to the Group of Hope (Korea, Japan and Sri Lanka)--- a good news compared to last time around when we were with the powerhosue squads in the Group of Death.

Go Philippines!

i miss the bastard.

2009-06-18T17:39:00.006+08:00

Come the 2009-10 NBA Season, Jason Williams is set to be reinstated in the NBA (after his "retirement")... i was trying out www.bing.com (MSN's new search engine) for a random search to see how that new site works. And found this:

He thinks he is alone. Alone until a reporter catches a glimpse of him. The media dash ensues. They want to ask him about his best game yet in a Heat uniform. Eight assists, four steals, seven rebounds - enough statistical fodder to spawn a cheery interview out of most players. And Miami even won.

Williams, his panther and dragon tattoos concealed by his shirt, hurries to his locker, his back turned to a pack of trailing reporters.

"I don't have any individual expectations," Williams says.

"We can be as good as we want to be."

"My job's real easy. Those guys rebound and give me the ball and then I just have to pick and choose who to go to."

After four questions, the entourage has run out of ammunition. Or are they icebreakers?

One reporter switches gears.

"Jason, what do you cherish about your days at Florida? Obviously it didn't go quite as you planned, but what did you enjoy about going to college there?"

"I cherished getting kicked out of school," Williams snaps after several seconds of silence. "It was a great thing. I became a millionaire."

And that is why i miss the bastard.

And oh, some youtube links by J-Dub:

Kamukha ko o dae?

2009-06-16T20:36:00.006+08:00

Sabi kang tugang ko, kamukha ko daa ang aki niya--- na sabi man kang dakol na tawo, although sa hiling ko maslamang ang kuya ning dikit (Kaidtong same age niya si Jigs.)
Pero kamo na maghusga. Kung sa hiling nindo totoo yan (na lamang si Kuya), dae na kaipuhan magpost sa COMMENTS (since ma man nagco-comment... dahil ma man reader ang blog, dakol ang agree.)

And kung may reklamo ka man, sige na post na. Protesta na. And explain yourself tano dae ka naga-agree sako.

More Clear Plugs!

2009-06-14T15:21:00.004+08:00

Chris Tiu as Clear Men Future League Host

2009-06-10T02:56:00.005+08:00

It was roughly a year ago when a friend (Enteng) posted this entry on his blog. Little did he (we) know that i will get to rub elbows with this certain famous celebrity because of work (Yeah, still, fuck work but these are the "little" [exaggerated] things that make you survive this stressed-induced workaday world that we live [work] in.)

Here are a few honest Tiu-related realizations:

1) At first, i was very hesitant of (well, adamantly disagreeing with) the management's (actually, client's) decision to hire Chris Tiu as the main host (think Sylvester Stallone in The Contender, or Ryan Seacrest in American Idol) of the Clear Men Future League because of his "rehistro" on tv (particularly, GMA shows)--- sim-ply because, in my opinion, he was "trying too hard" or maybe "just too robotic" to be the host of the rather challenging task of carrying a sports reality show.

i was wrong. i was dead wrong. You give the guy the leeway, the freedom (a little bit of it) of attacking the script his own way--- his own style--- and you'll get a host who's effective in connecting with the participants and the (TV) audience, one way and/or the other. And you get an honest host who just tries to do his thing. And it works.
2) Chris Tiu is thisclose to perfection. Successful basketball player (UAAP hero, National Team star leader), good looks, and intelligent/smart? Now, now, don't get me wrong... As Enteng wrote on his blog--- simply, if you are a Filipino that's practically what you want to be, what you want your sons to be and some... Basketball fanaddicts? He is the personification of what we all wantED to be when we were kids, when we were growing up watching the Samboy Lims or Allan Caidics.

(If you want more details you have to email me and ask me about the Production Manager's, Creative Director's and Make-up Artist's reaction when they first met Mr. Tiu.) ... Before i get burned being DTNL and some, please refer to the Enteng's Kidding Aside post because he pretty much has summarized what i am trying to say here.

3) And if you think the buck stops there... This person is actually very un-Atenista like... (i would know even if i am from de Naga, and they are from de Manila)... No Atenista-yabang air at all, which is weird because that is what i expected from the start. Down-to-earth and very, very humble. As the headwriter for the show, that was one less potential to worry about. So yeah, it was very, very easy working with Mr. Tiu.

4) And finally, thanks to a Smart Gilas jersey he gave me (i don't usually ask for freebies and all, but i mustered enough courage to ask for it!) plus this priceless picture below:

So there. As Chris said, hope that our show would rate well. i hope so too. Because honest, humble, good guys deserve nothing less. Karma, please take over now.

Sharon on the Clear Men Future League!

2009-06-07T20:30:00.002+08:00

100 Unclear Things

2009-06-01T07:51:00.003+08:00

But that would preempt everything, eh? So, there. We wait for things to settle down and wait for the clear picture in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 days...

CS Origins, BTV, Solar Sports, Sci-Fi Get Together (In other words, The Desk/Avid Reunion Ron/Pol Birthday Party)

2009-05-19T19:18:00.014+08:00

Dahil sobrang busy (MALINAW naman kung bakit), sobrang trabaho (MALINAW din kung ano 'to), sobrang revisions (As i've told a friend, i don't hate revisions but i justify first what i did, then revise), sobrang iniisip (Sa akin na lang 'to) at madami pa ibang sobra sa buhay kaya heto lang ang sasabihin ko:Pakyu ka Sadik, di ka pumunta! (At pakyu na din kay Gelo kasi di rin pumunta pero bawal murahin ang EP; pahabol pakyu kay Crosby, kaso mabait na yun these days kasi may asawa/anak na kaya bawal din murahin)

The images from the sort-of-kind-of-reunion get together of the Sports Desk/Avid team:

And finally:

SM NEgamall

2009-05-10T21:15:00.007+08:00

Yes. 'twas SM's big mistake--- not calling it as i suggest above. Heck, it's the hippest, coolest rip-off ever. At the same time, you'd have little effort selling the name and the product itself. The idea that it did not at all float escapes me really. For the probinsyano's they'd always ask themselves: "Why go to Megamall when you can go to Negamall." Unintentional slang and all, Naguenos and Bicolanos alike will enjoy the ripped-off name. And the pseudo-mega shopping experience, after all, they've got it all for you!
Speaking of ripped-off names, i've talked to an Ayala insider and they are considering of putting a mall right across SM City Naga. The name? Yes, they'd be more creative this time: Tri-Naga. It's located in Triangulo (barangay) via your usual tricyle. And no, you won't get the joke if you are not from Naga, so don't try.
As emphasized by Enteng's post, the saddest part is the fact that most stores/restos are the ones you find only in Naga City. We had a nuisican mayoral candidate years back, i think his name is Herbas and one his campaign promises was to put a roof over the entire "centro" of Naga. On May 2009, it just happened. Courtesy of your SM City Naga.

As dead as Naga centro will become among the early victims (according to stories) is the E-Mall, previously the first (Ok, second there's the LCC Mall) 'shopping' center in the area. Good riddance, there's a reason why it's called the E-Mall: After the E-ntrance you can already see the E-xit. There goes your record-breaking 2-minute malling experience.

(And errr, pardon the pics, they were rushed when i took them. Not that it changes my status of being an ama-teur photographer and all)

+++

Another sad fact is the traffic. No left or right turns? One way street? i can see it in the tricycle (trike) driver's faces: "fuck 'em all, they are soon going to replace us with taxi/cabs." Or maybe not. Because after all, everywhere in Naga is still five minutes away from point A to point B. Case in point: i walked home earlier tonight from SM. Arhtritic joints and all (after a KFC dinner with the family) i actually enjoyed it. Much like walking from school to our house 15 years back.

And finally... i went home because i really wanted to this "malling" experience. Nyaha. Like there's no mall in Metro Manila (And where can you get Star Trek @ 100 pesos in Metro Manila?). But hey, it's not the same when you are at home and with your pamangkin, who by the way scored another one of those Transformers autobots.

The wrath of work, and payday awaits.

Anti-Boni Makeover

2009-05-08T13:58:00.008+08:00

Sabi ni Ermana, i-post ko daa ni sa blog ko (kaya uyan na). Basically, the before and after kang sadit na harong ko sa Antipolo.

Medyo mahal man yan, worth 500 pesos and some! (Magulo na ulit these days, so i have to cough up another 500 bucks tapos pamasahe kung isay man ang mabisita sako para maglinig.) Iyo, tama, hamak na hugakon lang akong tawo kaipuhan ko pa ning ibang tao para maglinig ning sakong harong.

Before

AfterBeforeAfter
Before
AfterDagdag sa 500, ipopost ko pa ang picture ni ermana as part kang saiyang incentive para sa tultol na paglinig sa harong ko. (And dae ko yan kamukha, kung naging babae ako sigurado mas magayon ako diyan, ta hamak na mascute man ako saiya ever since aki pa kami)

Unholy Pac!

2009-05-06T13:41:00.001+08:00

Haha. This youtube video is too damn funny. i must say, conspiracy theorists are the most creative people in the planet. Heck, i am not even sure if Manny understands 90 per cent of his accusations. That, or the maker of the Nike emblem is the real devil worshipper. Either way, maybe we should all start worshipping the devil as well so we can all be rich?!

The video:

Holy Pac!

2009-05-03T15:24:00.002+08:00

Just too damn awed for Manny's victory over British boxer Ricky Hatton. Me and Ian (Clear SP) were doing chest bumps after we heard the news at the Saint Louis University Gym where we were shooting the Semifinals/Finals of the Baguio Leg of the Clear Men Future Leg.

i am not (yet) even whining about the fact that this is the first time since the first Barrera win that i have NOT watched the Pacman live on the tube.

Eight Minutes, 0 Points, 0 Assists and 1 Turnover (Arguable)

2009-04-29T12:29:00.002+08:00

And you are quite happy with that. Welcome to the land of point guards. So no, you won’t find your name screaming stats from the boxscore. Heck, it’s only inter-department office basketball after all, so all the recorded stats are the points scored and fouls (kaldagan, according to the Black Mamba team) made and you can’t expect they record the other numbers that really matter (field goals, percentage, rebounds, assists, etc etc)… I always imagine that we can play in a league where such (a la Yahoo/NBA.com) is updated play-by-play. You know, I am a real sucker for numbers.

And numbers I don’t have in our last game for the elimination round. Around 8 minutes (5 or so in the 2nd quarter, and 2+ in the final quarter), zero attempts meaning I scored zilch and no assists at all. There was one arguable turnover, a pass I made to Arnold, White’s rebounding demon, which he did not handle (or that my pass was too high)… That is not actually the bad news because we did win the game and clinched the number two spot and advanced to the semis (yey, pahinga. Assuming I can still play in the next round/s)… So, to sum it up, it was a goddamn good night for our team.

As I was saying earlier, welcome to the land of point guards--- hobbits of the hardwood and most of the time, damn underrated and overlooked (Am I saying, I am one?)… No, not the Chris Paul, Chauncey Billups, Jay Jay Helterbrand or Jimmy Alapag type of point guards, those kinds virtually dominate the stat categories because they are superstars. Think more like, Chris Quinn, Anthony Carter, Don Dulay or Froilan Baguion. Scrappy play, spotty minutes and simply effective at what they do. Normally, I post my actual (personal) numbers but earlier tonight’s game was different in a lot of ways: I thought I contributed things that more than met the eye (and the score sheet), I acted as pseudo-coach as always and I just do hope they respect me and some of the decisions I made during the course of the ball game.

Not much numbers here, but you can keep a tab on these stats…

1st quarter: Right off tip-off, I fire the first shot at trash talk telling the team to run, run and run because the Black team was a slow and plodding squad (Not sure though if anybody heard it.) We were off to a good start and led after the first canto.

2nd quarter: We were still leading, but Black was starting to come back. Paul Navarro, the other team’s point guard had 3 offensive rebounds and the same number of putbacks. I had the same number of Putang Ina’s as well, telling the team to watch out for the little guy because he was practically putting the Black team within striking distance. We led by 10 points at the turn. Not bad.

3rd quarter: Three straight baskets by Black to put them within four points to start the quarter. We called a timeout and I reminded them that we were not making an effort to stop their fastbreak attempts. We responded and put back some sort of order and pad the lead back up to 8 points. Somewhere here, I was clapping right in front of Ron del Mundo’s face as he passed by the bench (again, not sure if he did see me do that) Also of note, Kristian at the freethrow line and Paolo Mariano was distracting him with the timed “cough” as he shoots the free throw, Kristian misses the first. And Paolo does it again in the second, and Kristian again misses. However, the referee awarded Kristian a third free throw for the errr, distraction. (Efff you ref, that’s part of our defensive gameplan)

4th quarter: Paul was at it again, easily pushing people around like it he was editing in his Avid/Premiere machine. I reminded the referee that the same little guy was probably older than him! (He got the point, and called a foul on Paul on two consecutive plays now seeing the Mr. Navarro’s inadvertent elbows and subliminal shoves. That gave him his 4th personal foul, and clearly his aggression on both ends was a bit affected.) The Black team was making their famous run at end games and cut down the lead to 2 points… We held on, and that’s the most important stat of the evening. Ball game. We win.
So yeah, hobbits of the hardwood will be difficult to appreciate but you know in our own little ways, we’d be making a mark one way AND the other.

Thoughts From the Service Van

2009-04-27T19:34:00.003+08:00

Hello, work. How are you doin'? Sitting in this cramped up van of the production team along with the technical crew, i feel very, very tired. As the audioman and cameraman discuss the next shoot for the next few days, i think to myself: do i really fucking want all of these.

One cameraman observes... "kasi di sya masaya sa trabaho niya eh. Dapat nag-lawyer siya, kasi mahilig sya makipagdebate at di sya nageenjoy sa ginagawa niya." Referring to another cameraman. This made me laugh a little bit inside. And a little relaxed, because that's just might be the best take in fucking asking if i really want all these.

So, there. Tomorrow's pullout is around 6:30 a.m.

Wake-up. Work. Whine. Repeat.

RP Under-16 Down Under

2009-04-26T12:18:00.004+08:00

As i've said, be careful what you wish for because you just might get it. Working for BTV means an endless flow of basketball projects over the next couple of months. More often than not, you are asked to double up and you don't have time to whine. Yeah, yeah just like what James Posey should do if they want to beat the Denver Nuggets in the their first round match-up. Or asking Ime Udoka to forget that he doesn't have a playoff experience and lead the Spurs to an improbable comeback because they are already in a 1-3 hole against the surging Dallas Mavericks. Anyway, the pictures above are some images from the U16 training at the AIS camp in Australia (sent to me by RP Youth Team's PR Manager Val Victa, thank you sir!), the same pictures which i sent to my editor today to add to the already "latagged" segment 1 on BTV's feature on the RP Youth Team.

For Pride and Posterity's Sake Year II

2009-04-21T00:11:00.004+08:00

One of the problems of posting this here is the fact that a friend just won a (real) trophy as opposed to these (fantasy) trophies, which really means nothing. And the fact that he'd be showing (off) that new trophy anytime soon. Congratulations, 'teng! (See link on the rightside by now he should be posting the pictures of Jason Williams Kevin Garnett Hidalgo--- not the real name for the sake of two, plus your newborn son)

Before i write "may you have many more to come.", ini muna: Pramis. Mahabol kami. Bold and italicized.

Greatest (Fantasy) Season Ever!

2009-04-17T01:00:00.001+08:00

(If you have time please do read everything, this fantasy entry comes in 5 parts, bear with me.)

Sure. It could have been better. But at some point in your (fantasy) life you have to settle for less than perfect. And even then, it can give you enough satisfaction (and a few dough, in this case) to last until the next battles.

The stats and facts (and i promise, more to come in later entries):

All in all, i joined nine (9) leagues this year. Four of them money-leagues (of each below), 2 of them semi-serious leagues (Because of sentimental reasons and because i feel they are 2 of the most competitive ones i joined since time immemorial) and the other three, the funtasy leagues--- against friends/officemates/random people who are either fantasy virgins or managers who just don't have the guts yet to spend a little cash to spice things up.

While, it would be fun to analyze what happened in the funtasy leagues, it won't offer much insight to what really transpired because well, it was all for fun. (A note for Enteng and Jao, who placed 1st and 2nd respectively.)

The other semi-serious leagues? Let's just say i won't talk about those because i pretty much sucked again as in the past seasons in these leagues. That's a lot of mad props to the members of the Solar Forums as the managers in these leagues are from the community--- i can now say the basketball addicts in that forum are in a class of their own, fantasy-wise. Now, the question is would the results have been better if it involved money? Hmmmm. That's difficult to say, but i am pretty sure i would have worked doubly hard (And that's not to discredit them, because i know they'd be pushing the envelope as well)

And the money leagues? Let's just say i outdid myself this season. i joined four of them and finished in the money in three. Not bad, eh? If last year brought (bought) me this one:

This year brought (bought) something a LITTLE bit better:

Damn right. Fantasy basketball--- it's more than just a hobby now, it's business. (But heck, you won't win anything if you remove the "fun" part. Believe me.)

Airball Postmortem 2009: CSC LIVE

2009-04-17T00:50:00.001+08:00

CSC LIVE (Roto) - 17 Teams, Entry Fee: 1,000

And yes, let's start with the bad news. After winning last year's head-to-head format (see link: For Posterity and Pride's Sake) with virtually the same managers in this league i ended up 12th out of 17 teams this year! Ika-dose! Kakasupog! Then again, after winning last year it didn't hurt as much... And there's something to look forward to: Roto - Head-to-head alternates every other year, and as Sir Noel Z said during the start of this season i am NOT the defending champion this year but next. So there, i get a free pass for not really bringing my A-Game for this one? (or just plainly sucking in this league)... Which brings me to the first fantasy lesson of the entry...

1. INJURY BUG BITES--- HARD AND FAST.

During the first five rounds, NEVER draft players who were injured in the offseason.

Sure, you could risk it but maybe never this high because more oft than not he will slide anyway to the next few rounds. After being one of the sleeper stars last year, Mike Dunleavy missed the first three months of the season before returning in early January. Team Airball selected him in the fourth round over the likes of David Lee, Hedo Turkoglu, Stephen Jackson and Kevin Durant. Jackson and Durant became 2nd-round quality players while Turkoglu and Lee are 4th rounders.

Lesson learnt. Never again will i pick players who has the tiniest bit of an injury history. i don't/won't care if it's a hyperextended pinkie--- i am not going that way. i will pick the player who will give me full 82 games (Ok, 80) even if it means a projected -5 points, -3 rebounds, -3 assists for that season. (But of course the gambler in me says i have to errrr, gamble, but never again inside the first five rounds)

2. INJURY BUG BITES, ACCEPT IT

i've heard it all before. They lost because of injuries! Of course! That is part of the game. While it could be the reason, it does not mean you have to stop fighting! For the CSC League i already lost the aforementioned Dunleavy to injury early on. Adding insult was the fact that i was also missing Kevin Martin for the early part. Then Al Jefferson during mid-season and finally, Andres Biedrins in the latter part?

Did i stop adding and dropping people? No. Proud to say i was still competing during November to January. Although missing Jefferson was the turning point of the season (and Biedrins was the final nail in the coffin) i never lost sight of the fact that there were still worthy free agents out there. Now, the question is did it work in this particular league? Obviously not, but as you will see later when we analyze the leagues i have won (or almost won), it was this never-say-never mindset that brought me that gold trophy.

Airball Postmortem 2009: SOLAR ANTIPOLO

2009-04-17T00:45:00.000+08:00

SOLAR ANTIPOLO (Head to Head) - 18 Teams, Entry Fee: 500

This was one of the first funtasy leagues up until three years ago when we decided to shell out some money so that people will treat it seriously. And that they did. After winning last year, i was looking forward for my first back to back titles. But it wasn't meant to be. In the finals match-up against Cubao Barkers team, which upset #1 seed The Mouth, who choked in the semifinals, i lost 7-to-8 after leading him 9-to-6 in the penultimate day. As with life and fantasy, the people you rely on are the same people who will drag you down to the ditches. Lebron James decided to rest on the Cavaliers final game versus the Sixers and i lost by 8 freaking FIELD GOALS MADE! EIGHT! Lebron can double that if he played!

But of course, i am half joking. i can't fault The King for not playing, and a league manager should expect that because that is what stars do for non-bearing games. And league managers should find a way to soften the blow.

For the last day in this league, i did decide to bench him because of reports that James will not be suiting up. It was a good move but the remaining players i had were either cruising along (Culprits: Delonte West and DJ Augustin) or just saw limited minutes. So it was not enough which brings me to my third lesson:

3. ADDING AND DROPPING IS AN ART.

i will spill the beans right here, right now. Max out all your moves when you get the chance. Especially in the playoff round, or if you are chasing for a playoff spot. NEVER, EVER be afraid to cut quality players because you picked them early in the draft. Look at their schedule for the week and compare it to average players who might be playing more for that same week. Ask yourself: is the juice worth the squeeze? Should i risk getting 0 minutes from my star player or settle for the 10 minutes a game for a lower-rated player but will definitely play this week?

i can actually pinpoint how i lost the match-up against Cubao Barkers. i was waiting for Kevin Martin to comeback for the final week and decided to stick with him for the first day but the Kings star never showed up. If i had gotten say, a Lou Amundson for this week, could he have given me those extra 9 field goals?

There's science in the add/drop as well. Spilling the beans (and the pork too) again, release before the 3PM deadline to set your line-up for the next day. It's actually very easy, you can see their next schedule right across that certain free agent you are picking up. Now, there are leagues with max moves so make sure you use the add/drop strategy wisely. Timing is of essence, but it's not all. Make sure you pick players that can actually contribute (Meaning, no Adam Morrison) and will be playing for that day.

The Moves That Brought Me The Silver:

Apr 12 7:11pm James Jones (Mia - SF) Add Free Agents Air Ball JQU!Z
Apr 12 7:11pm Brandon Bass (Dal - SF,PF) Drop Air Ball Waivers JQU!Z
Apr 12 6:36pm Marvin Williams (Atl - SF,PF) Add Free Agents Air Ball JQU!Z
Apr 12 6:36pm Ime Udoka (SA - SF) Drop Air Ball Waivers JQU!Z
Apr 11 7:12pm Brandon Bass (Dal - SF,PF) Add Free Agents Air Ball JQU!Z
Apr 11 7:12pm Ryan Anderson (NJ - PF,C) Drop Air Ball Waivers JQU!Z
Apr 11 7:07pm Ime Udoka (SA - SF) Add Free Agents Air Ball JQU!Z
Apr 11 7:07pm Roy Hibbert (Ind - C) Drop Air Ball Waivers JQU!Z
Apr 9 11:32pm Louis Amundson (Pho - SF,PF) Add Free Agents Air Ball JQU!Z
Apr 9 11:32pm Anthony Carter (Den - PG) Drop Air Ball Waivers JQU!Z
Apr 9 11:25pm Roy Hibbert (Ind - C) Add Free Agents Air Ball JQU!Z
Apr 9 11:25pm Von Wafer (Hou - PG,SG) Drop Air Ball Waivers JQU!Z
Apr 9 11:20pm Ryan Anderson (NJ - PF,C) Add Free Agents Air Ball JQU!Z
Apr 9 11:20pm Carl Landry (Hou - SF,PF) Drop Air Ball Waivers JQU!Z
Apr 8 5:10pm Von Wafer (Hou - PG,SG) Add Free Agents Air Ball JQU!Z
Apr 8 5:10pm Matt Bonner (SA - PF,C) Drop Air Ball Waivers JQU!Z
Apr 8 4:33pm Carl Landry (Hou - SF,PF) Add Free Agents Air Ball JQU!Z
Apr 8 4:33pm Javaris Crittenton (Was - PG,SG) Drop Air Ball Waivers JQU!Z
Apr 7 7:08pm Javaris Crittenton (Was - PG,SG) Add Free Agents Air Ball JQU!Z
Apr 7 7:08pm Kevin MartinINJ (Sac - SG) Drop Air Ball Waivers JQU!Z
Apr 4 6:46pm Leandro Barbosa (Pho - PG,SG) Add Free Agents Air Ball JQU!Z
Apr 4 6:46pm Udonis HaslemINJ (Mia - PF,C) Drop Air Ball Waivers JQU!Z
Apr 2 5:45pm Samuel Dalembert (Phi - C) Add Free Agents Air Ball JQU!Z
Apr 2 5:45pm C.J. Miles (Uta - SG,SF) Drop Air Ball Waivers JQU!Z
Apr 1 10:18pm C.J. Miles (Uta - SG,SF) Add Free Agents Air Ball JQU!Z
Apr 1 10:18pm Rudy Fernandez (Por - PG,SG) Drop Air Ball Waivers JQU!Z
Apr 1 9:53pm Anthony Carter (Den - PG) Add Free Agents Air Ball JQU!Z
Apr 1 9:53pm Jared Dudley (Pho - SF,PF) Drop Air Ball Waivers JQU!Z
Mar 31 3:49pm Jared Dudley (Pho - SF,PF) Add Free Agents Air Ball JQU!Z
Mar 31 3:49pm Samuel Dalembert (Phi - C) Drop Air Ball Waivers JQU!Z
Feb 20 12:09pm Aaron Brooks (Hou - PG,SG) Add Free Agents Air Ball JQU!Z
Feb 20 12:09pm Anthony Johnson (Orl - PG) Drop Air Ball Waivers JQU!Z
Feb 11 5:42pm Delonte West (Cle - PG,SG) Add Free Agents Air Ball JQU!Z
Feb 11 5:42pm Trevor Ariza (LAL - SF) Drop Air Ball Waivers JQU!Z
Feb 5 2:51pm D.J. Augustin (Cha - PG,SG) Add Free Agents Air Ball JQU!Z
Feb 5 2:51pm Sergio Rodriguez (Por - PG,SG) Drop Air Ball Waivers JQU!Z
Feb 5 2:25am Anthony Johnson (Orl - PG) Add Free Agents Air Ball JQU!Z
Feb 5 2:25am Fred Jones (LAC - SG,SF) Drop Air Ball Waivers JQU!Z
Feb 1 2:42pm Trevor Ariza (LAL - SF) Add Free Agents Air Ball JQU!Z
Feb 1 2:42pm D.J. Augustin (Cha - PG,SG) Drop Air Ball Waivers JQU!Z
Jan 31 3:44am Fred Jones (LAC - SG,SF) Add Free Agents Air Ball JQU!Z
Jan 31 3:44am Chris Wilcox (NY - PF,C) Drop Air Ball Waivers JQU!Z
Jan 29 2:49pm D.J. Augustin (Cha - PG,SG) Add Free Agents Air Ball JQU!Z
Jan 29 2:49pm Steve Novak (LAC - SF,PF) Drop Air Ball Waivers JQU!Z
Jan 27 1:08pm Chris Wilcox (NY - PF,C) Add Free Agents Air Ball JQU!Z
Jan 27 1:08pm Ricky Davis (LAC - SG,SF) Drop Air Ball Waivers JQU!Z
Jan 26 12:01pm Ricky Davis (LAC - SG,SF) Add Free Agents Air Ball JQU!Z
Jan 26 12:01pm Delonte West (Cle - PG,SG) Drop Air Ball Waivers JQU!Z
Jan 26 10:27am Steve Novak (LAC - SF,PF) Add Free Agents Air Ball JQU!Z
Jan 26 10:27am Michael ReddINJ (Mil - SG,SF) Drop Air Ball Waivers JQU!Z
Jan 25 8:45pm Sergio Rodriguez (Por - PG,SG) Add Free Agents Air Ball JQU!Z
Jan 25 8:45pm D.J. Augustin (Cha - PG,SG) Drop Air Ball Waivers JQU!Z

Date Player Type From To By
Jan 25 8:45pm Sergio Rodriguez (Por - PG,SG) Add Free Agents Air Ball JQU!Z
Jan 25 8:45pm D.J. Augustin (Cha - PG,SG) Drop Air Ball Waivers JQU!Z
Jan 24 6:44pm D.J. Augustin (Cha - PG,SG) Add Free Agents Air Ball JQU!Z
Jan 24 6:44pm C.J. Miles (Uta - SG,SF) Drop Air Ball Waivers JQU!Z
Jan 20 7:49pm Delonte West (Cle - PG,SG) Add Waivers Air Ball JQU!Z
Jan 20 7:49pm Desmond MasonINJ (OKC - SG,SF) Drop Air Ball Waivers JQU!Z
Jan 20 1:20pm C.J. Miles (Uta - SG,SF) Add Free Agents Air Ball JQU!Z
Jan 20 1:20pm Will SolomonNA (Sac - PG) Drop Air Ball Waivers JQU!Z
Jan 17 4:17pm Desmond MasonINJ (OKC - SG,SF) Add Free Agents Air Ball JQU!Z
Jan 17 4:17pm Courtney Lee (Orl - SG,SF) Drop Air Ball Waivers JQU!Z
Jan 17 4:09pm Will SolomonNA (Sac - PG) Add Free Agents Air Ball JQU!Z
Jan 17 4:09pm Kosta Koufos (Uta - PF,C) Drop Air Ball Waivers JQU!Z
Jan 16 6:41pm Courtney Lee (Orl - SG,SF) Add Free Agents Air Ball JQU!Z
Jan 16 6:41pm Daniel Gibson (Cle - PG,SG) Drop Air Ball Waivers JQU!Z
Jan 16 5:21pm Daniel Gibson (Cle - PG,SG) Add Free Agents Air Ball JQU!Z
Jan 16 5:21pm Kyle Lowry (Hou - PG,SG) Drop Air Ball Waivers JQU!Z
Jan 15 6:33pm Kyle Lowry (Hou - PG,SG) Add Free Agents Air Ball JQU!Z
Jan 15 6:33pm Thabo Sefolosha (OKC - SG,SF) Drop Air Ball Waivers JQU!Z
Jan 10 2:33pm Kosta Koufos (Uta - PF,C) Add Free Agents Air Ball JQU!Z
Jan 10 2:33pm Kyle Lowry (Hou - PG,SG) Drop Air Ball Waivers JQU!Z
Jan 10 2:27pm Thabo Sefolosha (OKC - SG,SF) Add Free Agents Air Ball JQU!Z
Jan 10 2:27pm Jose Juan Barea (Dal - PG,SG) Drop Air Ball Waivers JQU!Z
Jan 7 5:39pm Jose Juan Barea (Dal - PG,SG) Add Free Agents Air Ball JQU!Z
Jan 7 5:39pm Joakim Noah (Chi - PF,C) Drop Air Ball Waivers JQU!Z
Jan 6 4:26pm Kyle Lowry (Hou - PG,SG) Add Waivers Air Ball JQU!Z
Jan 6 4:26pm Courtney Lee (Orl - SG,SF) Drop Air Ball Waivers JQU!Z
Jan 3 3:34pm Joakim Noah (Chi - PF,C) Add Free Agents Air Ball JQU!Z
Jan 3 3:34pm Rasual Butler (NO - SG,SF) Drop Air Ball Waivers JQU!Z
Jan 1 2:40pm Rasual Butler (NO - SG,SF) Add Free Agents Air Ball JQU!Z
Jan 1 2:40pm Shane Battier (Hou - SF) Drop Air Ball Waivers JQU!Z
Dec 31 5:33pm Courtney Lee (Orl - SG,SF) Add Free Agents Air Ball JQU!Z
Dec 31 5:33pm Jose Juan Barea (Dal - PG,SG) Drop Air Ball Waivers JQU!Z
Dec 27 4:46am Jose Juan Barea (Dal - PG,SG) Add Free Agents Air Ball JQU!Z
Dec 27 4:46am Tony Allen (Bos - PG,SG,SF) Drop Air Ball Waivers JQU!Z
Dec 23 6:28pm Tony Allen (Bos - PG,SG,SF) Add Free Agents Air Ball JQU!Z
Dec 23 6:28pm Joakim Noah (Chi - PF,C) Drop Air Ball Waivers JQU!Z
Dec 23 6:19pm Joakim Noah (Chi - PF,C) Add Free Agents Air Ball JQU!Z
Dec 23 6:19pm Drew Gooden (SA - PF,C) Drop Air Ball Waivers JQU!Z
Dec 8 4:23am Matt Bonner (SA - PF,C) Add Free Agents Air Ball JQU!Z
Dec 8 4:23am DeShawn StevensonINJ (Was - SG) Drop Air Ball Waivers JQU!Z
Dec 6 4:25pm Zach Randolph (LAC - PF,C)
Trade Air Ball Career Losers JQU!Z
Dec 6 4:25pm Michael ReddINJ (Mil - SG,SF)
Trade Career Losers Air Ball Enteng
Dec 3 11:06pm DeShawn StevensonINJ (Was - SG) Add Free Agents Air Ball JQU!Z
Dec 3 11:06pm Jamario MoonINJ (Mia - SF) Drop Air Ball Waivers JQU!Z
Nov 27 1:05pm Jamario MoonINJ (Mia - SF) Add Free Agents Air Ball JQU!Z
Nov 27 1:05pm Mike Conley (Mem - PG,SG) Drop Air Ball Waivers JQU!Z
Nov 14 4:26pm Drew Gooden (SA - PF,C) Add Waivers Air Ball JQU!Z
Nov 14 4:26pm Brandon Bass (Dal - SF,PF) Drop Air Ball Waivers JQU!Z
Oct 23 3:22pm Marvin Williams (Atl - SF,PF)
Hakim Warrick (Mem - SF,PF)
Trade Air Ball Bano JQU!Z
Oct 23 3:22pm Rafer Alston (Orl - PG)
Udonis HaslemINJ (Mia - PF,C)
Trade Bano Air Ball Bano
Oct 18 6:15pm Shane Battier (Hou - SF) Add Free Agents Air Ball JQU!Z
Oct 18 6:15pm Marco Belinelli (GS - PG,SG) Drop Air Ball Waivers JQU!Z

Airball Postmortem 2009: RADYO PBA-NBA

2009-04-17T00:40:00.000+08:00

RADYO PBA-NBA (Roto) - 12 Teams, Entry Fee: 500

Magoo Marjon invited me at the 11th hour and i almost begged off. Well, because of the fact that i already had three money leagues at that time, i was really considering of not joining. But because of the lure of Magoo (and the players/managers in it, the likes of Jason Webb, Mico Halili, Topex Robinson, Wesley Gonzales) i decided to give it a chance.

And trying to remember how it all began... The horrors of the autodraft! For the first round (9th) pick, Team Airball selected Shawn Marion! (How i rated him so high escapes me), i passed up the likes of Caron Butler, Al Jefferson and Deron Williams (who all missed ample time but might have been a better pick)... Anyway, i did quite well in the next 7 rounds getting Yao Ming, David West, Andres Biedrins, Kevin Durant and Troy Murphy among others.. However, i think the real reason i won this is with patience and just waiting out on somebody to make the wrong move (and being prepared with a high waiver) which leads me to my fourth advice...

4. WORRY BUT DON'T PANIC

On November 15 i traded James Posey for Mike Dunleavy hoping the Pacer will have an early return. However, on November 29 Lamar Odom was released to the waivers and i immediately grabbed him and dropped DunDun...

On December 6 i dropped Jamario Moon (Still a Raptor and still effective but with erratic minutes) and risked on Kellena Azubuike.

On January 4, i dropped Drew Gooden (the bug starting to errr bug him) and acquired Andrea Bargnani.

All of the mentioned players lasted 'til April 16, the last day of the regular season. The lesson? Be on the watch for managers who do press the panic button (Examples are the release of the likes of Odom and Bargnani, who had starter minutes all season long)

The Moves That Brought Me The Gold:

Date Player Type From To By
Mar 12 6:54pm Aaron Brooks (Hou - PG,SG) Add Waivers Air Ball JQU!Z
Mar 12 6:54pm Derek Fisher (LAL - PG) Drop Air Ball Waivers JQU!Z
Feb 9 5:01pm Derek Fisher (LAL - PG) Add Free Agents Air Ball JQU!Z
Feb 9 5:01pm Anthony Carter (Den - PG) Drop Air Ball Waivers JQU!Z
Feb 6 2:15pm Anthony Carter (Den - PG) Add Free Agents Air Ball JQU!Z
Feb 6 2:15pm Luke Ridnour (Mil - PG) Drop Air Ball Waivers JQU!Z
Jan 30 6:33pm Luke Ridnour (Mil - PG) Add Free Agents Air Ball JQU!Z
Jan 30 6:33pm Andrei Kirilenko (Uta - SF,PF) Drop Air Ball Waivers JQU!Z
Jan 4 5:37pm Andrea BargnaniINJ (Tor - SF,PF,C) Add Free Agents Air Ball JQU!Z
Jan 4 5:37pm Drew Gooden (SA - PF,C) Drop Air Ball Waivers JQU!Z
Dec 6 4:25pm Kelenna Azubuike (GS - SG,SF) Add Waivers Air Ball JQU!Z
Dec 6 4:25pm Jamario MoonINJ (Mia - SF) Drop Air Ball Waivers JQU!Z
Nov 29 4:25pm Lamar Odom (LAL - SF,PF) Add Waivers Air Ball JQU!Z
Nov 29 4:25pm Mike Dunleavy (Ind - SG,SF) Drop Air Ball Waivers JQU!Z
Nov 23 4:25pm James Posey (NO - SG,SF)
Trade Air Ball strontium90 JQU!Z
Nov 23 4:25pm Mike DunleavyINJ (Ind - SG,SF)
Trade strontium90 Air Ball winsworld
Nov 15 8:03pm James Posey (NO - SG,SF) Add Free Agents Air Ball JQU!Z
Nov 15 8:03pm Mike Conley (Mem - PG,SG) Drop Air Ball Waivers JQU!Z
Nov 9 10:53am Steve Blake (Por - PG) Add Free Agents Air Ball JQU!Z
Nov 9 10:53am Kirk Hinrich (Chi - PG,SG) Drop Air Ball Waivers JQU!Z

Airball Postmortem 2009: SOLAR BRAGGING RIGHTS (MAKATI)

2009-04-17T00:35:00.000+08:00

Solar Bragging Rights - Makati (Roto) - 13 Teams, Entry Fee: 1,500

Last season i was on the way to a third place finish in this league but faltered (CHOKED) in the final five days... How, why? i RELEASED my favorite, favorite player in Jason Williams because i thought he was going to be benched in his final game... Then horror of horrors, White Chocolate hit 5 three pointers in his last game as i lost a point and dropped to 4th place (no money).... The point coming from 3PT FieldGoalsMade.

Losing at that time felt so bad that i wanted to give up Roto the rest of my fantasy career (Remember i can't give it all up because i did win a big money head to head league)... However, there's no walking away from a loss. You just can't leave with a bad taste (whitechoco-flavored) in the mouth...

This year, i made it all the way and honestly, i don't know where to start on how i won this goddamn thing. The draft wasn't too shabby, after all i had the first pick (but this was a snake draft so i was picking 26th and 27th afterward) and used it for CP3, then picked David West and Kevin Martin for the next two. i had Chandler at fifth (ugh, the injuries) then had average picks for the next five (Wallace, Odom, Randolph, Haslem and Moon)... i lucked out for my 11th pick and got Nene.

While the draft did not look too good at first glance, i pretty much had a balanced team. Somewhere along the way i picked players who helped me in specific categories... Which brings me to my fifth point...

5. YOU WON'T WIN EVERY CATEGORY, GIVE UP A FEW AND DOMINATE THE OTHERS!

That's the biggest secret in fantasy leagues (and i do believe in any stats-inclined fantasy sports league) and i am letting it out because that should be a given. While we all want to win all the stats--- the points, 3 points made, assists, steals, blocks, rebound and turnovers. IT'S NOT JUST HAPPENING! The point is maximizing what you have and minimizing the loss of points on categories you are weak at.

On October 30, i dropped Darko Milicic for Shane Battier. While Milicic looked promising at that time, i had enough rebounds that i preferred Battier's across the board production. His three's were falling back then and an extra steal or two did not hurt.

On December 17, i got Roger Mason. He was the starter then because of injuries to Manu Ginobili. Mason provided me all-important points, which was hard to come by because i did not have a legit scorer (aside from David West, who wasn't exactly a sure-25 point scorer)

On March 09, i got Ronnie Turiaf because he blocked 5 shots in a game the day before. With Biedrins out, he was swatting shots like it's French toast.

Going into the final weeks of the season, i got Trevor Ariza, Kyle Lowry and Courtney Lee. Sure they can hit three's but i did not need that: all i wanted was their pick-pocket abilities.

So, why i am telling you all these?

Airball had 95 points for its final score. The second placer, Eee-Cee had 91.5; he was -5 on steals (889 to 884) Assuming he stole that steal-cat that makes it 94 for me and 92.5 for him. On blocked shots? The nearest competitor was at 529 and i was at 535. Assuming he did steal the block-cat, that is another -1 for me, meaning i end up at 93. Just 0.5 away from Eee-Cee--- going into the final week? Anything could happen.

Sure, sure. Maybe it's not as simple as that, maybe there are other factors. But most of the time, it's the small things that make you win big.

Thank you fantasy gods!

The Moves That Brought Me The Gold:

Date Player Type From To By
Apr 8 5:47pm Kyle Lowry (Hou - PG,SG) Add Free Agents Air Ball JQU!Z
Apr 8 5:47pm Kevin MartinINJ (Sac - SG) Drop Air Ball Waivers JQU!Z
Apr 6 6:35pm Courtney Lee (Orl - SG,SF) Add Free Agents Air Ball JQU!Z
Apr 6 6:35pm Udonis HaslemINJ (Mia - PF,C) Drop Air Ball Waivers JQU!Z
Mar 13 5:47pm Trevor Ariza (LAL - SF) Add Free Agents Air Ball JQU!Z
Mar 13 5:47pm Kelenna Azubuike (GS - SG,SF) Drop Air Ball Waivers JQU!Z
Mar 9 11:03am Ronny Turiaf (GS - PF,C) Add Free Agents Air Ball JQU!Z
Mar 9 11:03am Shane Battier (Hou - SF) Drop Air Ball Waivers JQU!Z
Feb 26 11:23am Shane Battier (Hou - SF) Add Free Agents Air Ball JQU!Z
Feb 26 11:23am Rudy Fernandez (Por - PG,SG) Drop Air Ball Waivers JQU!Z
Jan 29 5:32pm Kelenna Azubuike (GS - SG,SF) Add Waivers Air Ball JQU!Z
Jan 29 5:32pm Trevor Ariza (LAL - SF) Drop Air Ball Waivers JQU!Z
Jan 26 6:02pm Trevor Ariza (LAL - SF) Add Free Agents Air Ball JQU!Z
Jan 26 6:02pm Roger Mason (SA - PG,SG) Drop Air Ball Waivers JQU!Z
Jan 3 3:43pm Matt Bonner (SA - PF,C) Add Free Agents Air Ball JQU!Z
Jan 3 3:43pm Shane Battier (Hou - SF) Drop Air Ball Waivers JQU!Z
Dec 24 7:14pm Rudy Fernandez (Por - PG,SG) Add Free Agents Air Ball JQU!Z
Dec 24 7:14pm Travis Outlaw (Por - SF,PF) Drop Air Ball Waivers JQU!Z
Dec 18 2:00pm Travis Outlaw (Por - SF,PF) Add Free Agents Air Ball JQU!Z
Dec 18 2:00pm Daniel Gibson (Cle - PG,SG) Drop Air Ball Waivers JQU!Z
Dec 17 4:29pm Roger Mason (SA - PG,SG) Add Waivers Air Ball JQU!Z
Dec 17 4:29pm Carl Landry (Hou - SF,PF) Drop Air Ball Waivers JQU!Z
Dec 8 4:36am Daniel Gibson (Cle - PG,SG) Add Free Agents Air Ball JQU!Z
Dec 8 4:36am Nicolas Batum (Por - SG,SF) Drop Air Ball Waivers JQU!Z
Dec 5 1:19am Carl Landry (Hou - SF,PF) Add Free Agents Air Ball JQU!Z
Dec 5 1:19am Brandon Bass (Dal - SF,PF) Drop Air Ball Waivers JQU!Z
Dec 3 11:17pm Brandon Bass (Dal - SF,PF) Add Free Agents Air Ball JQU!Z
Dec 3 11:17pm Jamario MoonINJ (Mia - SF) Drop Air Ball Waivers JQU!Z
Nov 30 8:16pm Nicolas Batum (Por - SG,SF) Add Free Agents Air Ball JQU!Z
Nov 30 8:16pm Mickael Pietrus (Orl - SG,SF) Drop Air Ball Waivers JQU!Z
Oct 30 3:28pm Shane Battier (Hou - SF) Add Waivers Air Ball JQU!Z
Oct 30 3:28pm Darko Milicic (Mem - PF,C) Drop Air Ball Waivers JQU!Z

Llorens-Bersabe and other surnames summer reunion

2009-04-15T09:02:00.006+08:00

i apologize if i forgot the other "surnames" (Although you could look it up in one of those blue shirts that dominates the collection of pictures below), i shall be updating this thread for more of the pictures during Black Saturday's family outing/reunion. Come to think of it i have to email some of these pics to a certain uncle/cousin/relative who will complile all the images from the event.

i am never good with names. Imagine the horror during the reunion! 4th, 5th and 6th cousins? Looking forward to next year's edition since it is our side of the family who will be hosting the event (Sana ma ako shoot by that time, assuming nasa same trabaho pa ako.)

Damsel(s) in Davao

2009-04-05T23:21:00.012+08:00

And Cebu actually. Before the end of March, Ms. Sharon Yu, previously a courtside reporter for UAAP's De La Salle Green Archers, officially became one of the show's host and immediately upon learning was asked to fly to Cebu last week to join us in this leg for the usual interviews and spiels to be used in the show.

Anyway, it's very satisfying to see a host who works really hard and maybe to a fault, blue collar jobs that is not expected of her but is very appreciated by the team. She's not only a host but doubles up as one of the producers most times because of her knack of finding the stories and bringing out the best in her interviewees (either off or on cam). i guess her naturally bubbly and friendly ways are two of her rather interesting traits; strong suits that will fit well with the "reality" aspect of the Clear Men Future League show to air this July.

Here are a few pictures from the Cebu and Davao legs. Among them, Sharon, the damsel i am talking about plus some members of the team who are either damsels in their own special way(Myles, producer/writer), a semi-damsel (Rain, CD) or people on the lookout for damsels in town (Gelo, EP; Cameramen/Technical Team: Ruel, Jecky, Arnold, Rey and Efren) And of course, some images from the CFL event itself.

Sharon welcoming the Cebu participants.Fast fact: Sharon is actually a very, very good piano player. So much so that we can agree that indeed life is unfair (Brains, beauty and now this?)And some images from the BTV/CFL team:

After the experience in Cebu (see citation post) the first pic had to be taken. Next few images are posted at random, as you might notice there are very few shots that prove to be "scenic", after all, we (i) are here for business and not really for pleasure. Oh well.

Yeah, it's this fucking gig is (very) tiring, but heck sometimes you just find the motivation to do it. And it's not Sharon Yu's smile (although that is a factor), it's called doing a job that you really love (even if you despise people, or their attitude, that heads that job) and spending time with real honest people, new and old.

Demise in Davao

2009-04-03T15:18:00.003+08:00

Naka-type na ko saro paragraph in English. Inda ta dinelete ko. Pagal garo. Kaya nadesisyunan na Bikol na lang ang sakong isusurat. Tano pagal? Well, dahil sa Clear Men Future League (They could have done better with a commercialized name. Basta nababaduyan ako. After all may saying: "The customer is always right" pero the client "is god." and to a point, ineffable. So yan, bawal magreklamo sa mga bagay bagay na arog kayan. Case in point;

1) Namove ang actual airing kang show and thus ang days of shoot of the Manila Finals dahil kay Chris Tiu. The deal is gusto kang klaradong shampoo na panglalake na ang Atenista (de Manila, habo ko ma-associate sa mga tao na taga duman especially su mga hambogon arog kang saro sa mga semi-boss ko these days) ang maghost sa show, and kapag sinabi na kang cliente, you have to move heaven and earth and yan ang ginibo ninda including moving the tourney to later dates...

2) Kung isay ang gusto ninda iyo talaga dapat masunod. Thing is, nagdesisiyun sinda na si Sharon Yu (wll post pics soon, mapaaram muna ko saiya) ang babaeng hosts. Good thing ta iyo talaga yan ang boto ko kang poon pa lang. Over the likes of a Krissy Tiu and others na sa hiling ko masasakitan magadjust sa (relatively new) kind of sports reality show digdi sa 'pinas. So anyway, si Ms. Yu ngani ang nakua and ok man sya from most perspectives dahil a) very versatile sya, dikit na instruction kang producers/directors/CLIENTE eh natrtry na nya agad and in most cases naa-achieve man ata ang gusto kang gabos.

3) Actually, mga pagpili pa man lang kang hosts ang makokomentohan ko ta iyo pa man lang ang konkreto. While may mga ideas and suggestions hale sa taas eh dae pa man naeexecute (post prod) ang actual episodes kaya dangogon and balgahon na lang ang ideas and suggestions ninda na sa hiling mi (ko, sa writing kang script/spiels) harayo naman sa katotohanan (with slight patama sa "reality" aspect kang show)

Yan pa man lang ang dikit na obserbasyon sa klaradong project na ini.

Iba pang random rants:

1) PutanginangDavaonimaskisaenmayNOSMOKINGsign. Dikit lang masasabi ko digdi, kung sakali may budget na ko pang Philippine Tour saro ni sa siyudad na dae ko isasali sa itenerary. Lintek.

2) Ok man maski pagal basta nachachallenge ka sa ginigibo mo. Sure, nagiisip na ako mag-quit and stuff because not of the circumstances but with people who make those circumstances err very hard to tolerate. Pero at the same time may mga tao man na gusto mo makaiba sa circumstances na yan maski gano kasakit ta mararahay man sindang tao and gusto ko man talaga ini challenge na ini.

Pagal. Pagalon talaga. As usual, let's cross the bridge when we get there. Pag dae talaga suno eh di suloon.

Aga na naman. Alas dose singkwenta-y-sais. Salamat sa Diyos medyo amay yan sa standard ko pero at least.Maturog na ako sa laog kang 4-star room sa 4-star bed kang 4-star hotel digdi sa Davao. Luzon, Visayas o Mindanao. Tsk. Naiisip ko man giraray ang habo ko mga isipon. Tsk.

Ordinance #1361 (Cebu Citation)

2009-04-01T21:45:00.001+08:00

So much for Fight Club tendencies and breaking rules then not caring about the consequences. Cebu just owned me earlier today. You could say, it couldn't have started better than this.

Team BTV is currently in Cebu to shoot the first of the five regional finals for the Clear Future League. And if it's any indication, i believe this will be an interesting next seven days (other half will be spent in Davao.) because of what transpired near the Magellan's Cross this morning.

There i was, cool under the seething heat with a Marlboro Lights in hand when i threw the butt to the ground. Out of the blue, a manang in uniform appeared holding a pen and paper, which at that time felt like a double-barrelled shot gun pointed at my head. Fast forward (it was actually very slow) to five minutes later she was asking my name as she pointed to the paper with his pen and showed me a receipt of sorts that was screaming "citation" and whatnots.

Apparently i violated a city ordinance for littering and that i needed to pay 500 pesos at the treasurer's office a couple of blocks away from where the cigarette butt was found. In between sincere apologies and ardent sorries, i (proabably) convinced her that the first-time offender in me would not ever, ever do it again.

And really, i was.

First time in Cebu City and i was almost doomed (Hey, it's just 500 pesos but the embarassment was priceless).What awaits in Davao is really not something i am looking forward to right now. Give or take a few humor and ironies that come with it.

First Crack at a New Career!

2009-03-17T00:28:00.004+08:00

(No) thanks to the retrenchment rumors (although it's more than that but definitely not less) i found myself handling new duties for the rest of the year. Hmmm, let's make it simple: adjust to the times (and the job) or adjust to a jobless (and a lot of times, timeless) life. Let's just say most of us were willing to cooperate. After all, when the powers-that-be says "win-or-go-home", you give it your best shot.

And best shot is what i promise to dole out the rest of the days. You don't make the shots you don't make... That said, here's the first attempt (well, there were a few others which might be considered .gif avatar-quality or might pass as a nice video tag for that personal ringtone) at video editing stardom.

Ok maybe not yet and maybe not ever as people below will tell you. But anyway, here's the video (i actually made a youtube account to flaunt my new-found craft and so i could link it here) and below it are the people who made this new, tough venture as easy as possible (always a tough task for a-ma-teurs) and quite honestly, could be as fun as writing (Don't worry love, you are still my first and only true one.)

The video:

Real big thank you to the following who from hereon out will i be forever grateful to even if i don't ever/even improve on this (As i said, tough task but hey i am really trying here)

Ron del Mundo/Christopher Dineros - Editors of BTV/Solar Sports and previously with Sports Desk, House of Hoops, One U, Olympics and a lot of other "short" forms. Oo na, oo na madami "pitik" yang ginawa ko pero di nyo pa natuturo kung pano pagtrim at iba pang mga dapat matutunan sa basic editing. Sabi nga ni Ron, "we all have to start somewhere" (or something like that) so yun ala-una na ngayon matutulog kahit may laro bukas para i have "started somewhere" na. At sabi nga ni Pipoy, "magsulat ka na lang" (or something like that, most likely something really with that inference), i still will respect his suggestion but as mentioned, i have to learn this stuff so my writing will now have a new "kabit", so to speak. Ulit, maraming salamat at sana di kayo magsawa na turuan ang tangang tulad ko.

Che - For lending the laptop (a lot of times) and for helping me out in actually installing the Adobe Premiere program, among other things. And yes, lamang na ako sa surat and eventually sa editing. (Very arguable on one count or the other)

Enteng - For the goddamn criticism of my first ever editing attempt months back--- he sort of called it a glorified power point presentation. Heck, i thought it was too. But hey, someone has got to start somewhere. Sunod digdi, Chris Webber highlights na assuming makakua ka Chris Webber highlights.

Greenday - For the scoring i used on the video above from one of my own personal favorite group. This Espionage single kept bugging me really and how i wanted it to be used in any of the plugs in any of the sports channels. Now that i am a so-called writer-slash-producer maybe i can use that as a musical background somewhere...

Jason Williams - and his fans. The clips i used were actually "stolen" from some (free) downloaded videos over the past couple of years.

And finally, for this new job. i learned a few terms called episodics, generic, omni and many others (Believe me, i never knew such terms existed in our prod group's "longest" form days.

It's a long road ahead, but i have just to take it.

An Antsy Proposition

2009-03-05T02:06:00.004+08:00

Ants are the little unappreciated creatures which do their job no matter what. In short, they are the queen ant’s bitch and you can do nothing about it.

Some ants fast facts (thank you, Google) which may or may not contain subliminal messages with what we are trying to describe here:

There are more than 12,000 species of ants all over the world. One of which is called the IPOLO-ANT, found exclusively in a mountainous region somewhere in Rizal, Philippines.

Some queen ants can live for many years and have millions of babies. We are optimistic and hopeful about the “can live for many years” part but quite questions the queen ant’s decision to “have a million babies” It’s not yet a million but as of this time the baby ants have been named. Because ants are rather, errr, antsy I’d be posting only the initials of the babies’ names: S.S., B., S.A., C.O and half brother C.S., and the newborn, S.F.

An ant can lift 20 times its own body weight. Sometimes they carry loads of minidv’s and betacam tapes. Ants don’t have ears. Ants "hear" by feeling vibrations in the ground through their feet. But don’t let that tiny, tiny mouth fool you. When it bites, it’s sure to itch! Remember the fly against the carabao story? That’s a different one but you get the gist. They don’t have ears but they listen. Oh yes, they do.

When ants fight, it is usually to the death! Ha! Sometimes some of them just write blogs to fight to the death. Coward-ish, but it could save one ants life.

When the queen of the colony dies, the colony can only survive a few months. Queens are rarely replaced and the workers are not able to reproduce. They call it retrenchment in an ant colony lingo. So, yeah queen ant’s bitch all the way even if you disagree with ‘em.

And the point in all these? Study everything first before making THAT decision because really, it can bite you in the ass. And eventually, it’ll itch. And no i am not talking to the moon.

Poker (Stars) Realizations

2009-03-04T00:08:00.003+08:00

Addiction to poker is not the problem it is the solution. Somewhere along the way--- going all in or folding at the right (or wrong) time makes you realize a lot of things about the game and the people playing it. You could say the same thing about life. Heck, that life is a game cliche? That never grows old really. Just be willing to play it.

Put your chips all-in. Forget your stack, forget the pot odds and forget the tendecies of your opponents. Most of the time, letting go of everything could mean the biggest rake in your life.

+++

Bluffing. Pretension. You meet a lot of people who act this way in this lifetime. You really can't blame them. Several times, it's their natural action to impress. To impress to others the fact that they have something when in fact, they have none. What you don't know won't hurt you? That's a big bull shit. Big lie. Big bluff.

+++

Milking the cow. To be a successful poker player, you should have the skill to maximize any potential winning hand. That's a double-edged sword right there. Go for the kill when you have the chance because at any point during the turn or the river the other player might eventually get that killer hand. When you have the chance to one-up anyone in life? You do it right there in then. Underestimating anyone (or any situation) might have serious repercussions. Including being drowned by the river.

+++

Paranoia pays off. Eventually. Take this instance: You hit a trio on the flop but the turn and river showed a possible straight. Do you take a chance? Are you open to possibility that you will bet everything to gain nothing? Is the juice worth the squeeze? Is the juice worth the squeeze. . .

Random Rant: Denied and denial

2009-03-03T00:38:00.002+08:00

DENIED. Disconnected for 48 hours from the internet i joked with friends over the weekend that i am getting a fever out of it. Specifically being disconnected with my fantasy leagues. Lo and behold, i missed on a Jason Terry signing in one league--- which i am not whining much about because so far i am holding on to the number one spot (1200 entry fee, damn i can almost taste it but you never know what will happen). So yeah, i feel very uncomfortable being away from the internet.

+++

DENIAL. There's a Guava resto at Serendra where we went to last Saturday to celebrate Che's birthday. The food wasn't bad at all (Specifically their so-called Monggonissa, low uric acid as told by their menu) but the mosquitos did bother us a lot over the course of the dinner--- Ka Abogado, bente lang ang monggo sigurado iwas dengue pa. But i thought it was a nice "celebration" and all. Metrowalk's Menu saved the night a couple of hours later because of the price of their San Mig Light bucket--- almost half the price compared with Metrowalk's Aruba. So yeah, avoid places like Aruba and Guava, it's good to try them once in a while but still, it's not worth it if it's not worth it. (Unless of course, you're one of them Serendra people who pretty much don't care what in their wallet)

+++

DENIED. Jason Williams was not allowed to return to the NBA this season. Needing 30 unanimous votes from the NBA governors, JWill got 26 nods as 6 other teams denied his request. All good, all good. i just hope six NBA governors die tonight because of their decision. Sure, i can wait 'til next year but he could have had played this year! Die! Die! Die!

+++

DENIAL. i was finishing some work-related stuff earlier this evening and got me thinking that i am actually doing it for a new team now. Quick specifics: Local Production Sports got the boot and in the process our team, let's call it Sports Desk, got reshuffled to various channels and i was assigned to BTV). It's a blue, blue feeling. i can't really explain it. i am still motivated, i still want this job. But but... It's simply sad.

Random Rant #8094

2009-02-27T13:20:00.006+08:00

Always, always i am at awe at people who know how to play the piano. So much so, i'd trade both my hands just so i can learn how to play and master that craft. Sure, i know that Rivermaya's 20 Million (That's in the first album) starts with C-Em

+++

Been reading up on a lot of random things (Well, not random interests anyway) over the net including a poker forum (www.pokerforums.org) where i discovered i have still lots and lots of lessons to learn in this sport (Yes, it's a sport and you can't argue with me.)

Just the other weekend i lost 600. The total buy-in was P800, i did win P600 for placing 3rd in the first tournament then lost badly in the second set... Lesson learned: Stop playing if you can't stop drinking (tequila.)--- but heck, an all-in tastes much like the margarita, you don't really care what happens next.

+++

What's worse than bad news? Seven days of anticipation and seven days of waiting for that bad news.

+++

The (bad) news consequence is this: a 10-part 500 word post over the next couple of days or the silent bliss of not writing at all. Honestly, i am prepared for anything.

+++

The news is in. Changes are coming. As with changes... It stabs you in the back, though you expect the pain... And i am not even looking at this one negatively. It's the not good, not bad kind of things.

+++

So there, another waiting. Another level of paranoia waiting.

+++

A couple of hours later... and roughly half-a-pack of Marlboro Lights...

+++

The news is: nobody gets the boot but why do i get the feeling that every single one in this team was kicked in the nut? Sure, there's relief... But you can't deny the feeling of pseudo-melancholy. Sure, we all can breathe a little easier now. But... But, this is like blowing up the Phoenix Suns at their run and gun, seven seconds or less prime... (The analogy begins and ends with being a fun effective squad, don't go to winning all the way because that's just not fair...)

+++

Fast fact: Sports Desk team is officially dead. DEAD. DEAD. DEAD.

White Choco--- Coming (Back) Soon

2009-02-20T12:12:00.004+08:00

Just about the breaking news i need. Now Jason Williams needs unanimous votes from the NBA Teams for his reinstatement and return to the league. Here's hoping that indeed happens this year. Wooooot!

Today's top story:

Williams wants to return to NBA
By Adrian Wojnarowski, Yahoo! Sports 3 hours, 25 minutes ago

Jason Williams, the once-flashy veteran point guard, has filed a letter with the NBA to seek immediate reinstatement into the league, an internal NBA memo revealed on Thursday. If the NBA’s Board of Governors approves his petition, which was sent to the league’s 30 teams on Wednesday, Williams could become a productive free agent for contenders needing point guard depth. League executives immediately speculated that Williams could return to the Miami Heat, who he helped win the 2006 NBA championship, or the defending champion Boston Celtics.

Even so, the Los Angeles Clippers would have exclusive rights to Williams, but it’s doubtful in their losing and cost-cutting state they would want to do anything but negotiate a buyout with him. Williams signed with the Clippers last summer, but retired before the start of training camp.

After filing retirement papers in the preseason, he sent a letter to the league office on Feb. 6 and asked to be removed from the voluntary retirement list. Williams needs a unanimous vote of the Board of Governors to waive a one-year mandatory waiting period to return from the voluntary retired list. Teams have until Feb. 27 to cast a vote, the memo said. Williams played 10 years in the NBA, including stops in Sacramento, Memphis and Miami. He’s averaged 11. 4 points and 6.3 assists for his career.

Relax, it's just paranoia calling.

2009-02-04T03:07:00.004+08:00

Or maybe not? Maybe it's as real as the double-meaning dagger looks i get every single day. i admit, it couldn't be as piercing as paranoia perceives it to be since i may be getting those same looks from Day One, meaning it could be empty stares.

+ + +

Or maybe it's plain bullshit. Good old bluff from the hands-that-control-ye. Then again, just before the weekend, news intensified that there are indeed people who got the ax. Bye bye to you people (i'd assume i know one or two) and hello (welcome back) to paranoia.

+ + +

Or maybe it's really, really true. Because today feels like the calm before the storm. The real question really is, where you'd be when the shitstorm hit the fan.

+ + +

How do you prepare for the inevitable? You can't. But paranoia can save you. Not from the predicament itself but from false hope and expectations. Selling yourself short (to yourself) can sometimes save yourself. That won't make sense until there's an opportunity to stab yourself in the back. (Yes, that IS probable)--- Believe me, it could feel like Resurrection.

+ + +

So here we are. Curiously, it's roughly at the four-year mark since the start of the stint with Solar. This kind of timing sends shivers up your spine.

+ + +

And so, you wait. When paranoia calls, is it a bad thing?

NU-PBA Draft

2009-01-28T12:57:00.002+08:00

Breaking News! Discarding nepotism and politics, adjusting to the times, adapting a more aggressive innovative role, the PBA announced that they are expanding to a total of 12 teams next year! In light of this development, the commissioner-not-named-Sonny added that with the new era in Philippine basketball there should be necessary changes for the league. The commissioner-not-named-Sonny announced a free-for-all free agency and the richest draft in league history to follow. The order has been set (for lack of creativity, the commissioner-not-named-Sonny decide to do it alphabetically via team name) and the teams have retained (or hired) their coaches.

Additionally, the commissioner-not-named-Sonny also said that the tournament (quadruple-round robin) is a “one-time deal” only. Meaning that after the season, everything will go back to normal and players will go back to their original teams (Much to the chagrin of the crowd present in the proceedings) Finally, the commissioner-not-named-Sonny made a slight tweak regarding league rules: Article 4.8B Suspensions – Player/s can now be suspended and fined by the commissioner’s office if that player/s suffers an injury throughout the season. Meaning, either players play through pain or just stop the acting and pretending that they have injuries. Ergo, it’s now “win now, baby” (as heard from the commissioner himself) time for most of the ball clubs. With the first pick of the PBA Dream Draft…

ALASKA
PG – Dennis Miranda/ Cholo Villanueva
SG- James Yap/ Bon Bon Custodio/ Gherome Ejercito
SF – JC Intal/ Larry Rodriguez
PF - Ranidel de Ocampo/ Mike Hrabak
C – Mick Pennisi/ Rob Reyes

BURGER KING
PG – Jay Jay Helterbrand/ Marvin Cruz/ Egay Billones
SG – Junthy Valenzuela/Rodney Santos
SF – Tony de la Cruz/ Cesar Catli PF- Leo Najorda/ Allan Salangsang
C – Asi Taulava/Mark Isip/ Ervin Sotto

COCA COLA
PG - LA Tenorio/ Chris Pacana / Macky Escalona
SG - Don Don Hontiveros/ / Denver Lopez
SF – Kelly Williams/ Ronald Tubid/ Jason Misolas
PF – Jay-R Reyes/ Willy Wilson
C – Sonny Thoss / Yancy De Ocampo

HAPEE
PG -Olsen Racela/ Topex Robinson/ Ronjay Enrile
SG – Cyrus Baguio/ Jojo Duncil
SF – Gabe Norwood/ John Arigo/ Chito Jaime
PF – Arwind Santos/ John Ferriols
C – Dorian Pena/ Junjun Cabatu

HARBOUR
PG – Ryan Reyes/Jonas Villanueva/ Chico Lanete
SG– Mac Cardona/ Kelvin Dela Peña
SF – Gabby Espinas/ Sunday Salvacion
PF - Homer Se / Dennis Daa
C – Erik Menk / Adonis Sta Maria

PUREFOODS
PG – Alex Cabagnot/ Paolo Mendoza / Paolo Hubalde
SG – Willie Miller/ Jireh Ibañez/Magnum Membrere
SF – Nelbert Omolon/ Mark Macapagal
PF – Jay Washington/ Ricky Calimag
C– Carlos Sharma/ Rafi Reavis/ Mark Andaya

SAN MIGUEL
PG – PJ Simon/ Jeffrei Chan/ Celino Cruz
SG - Jeffrey Cariaso/ Chris Calaguio/ Jonathan Fernandez
SF – Jared Dillinger/ Larry Fonacier/ Melvin Mamaclay
PF - Mark Telan/ Norman Gonzales
C – Enrico Villanueva / Samigue Eman/ Lawrence Bonus

STA LUCIA
PG–Wynne Arboleda/ Roger Yap/ Christian Coronel
SG – Mark Caguioa/ Ronjay Buenafe
SF – Lordy Tugade/ Mark Borboran
PF – Harvey Carey/ Rich Alvarez C – Dennis Espino/ Kenneth Bono/ Paolo Bugia

TALK N TEXT
PG - Mike Cortez/ Ryan Araña/ Warren Ybañez
SG – Gary David/Ren Ren Ritualo/ RJ Rizada
SF – Danny Seigle/ Yousif Aljamal/ Richard Alonzo
PF – Nic Belasco/ Eddie Laure
C– Ali Peek/ Marlou Aquino/ Beau Belga

RAIN OR SHINE
PG – Jimmy Alapag/Paul Artadi/ Tyrone Tang
SG – Solomon Mercado/ Kelvin Gregorio/ Aaron Aban
SF – Mark Pingris/ Mike Holper
PF – Reynel Hugnatan/ Douglas Kramer
C – Kerby Raymundo/JR Quiñahan

RED BULL
PG –Jason Castro/ Donald Dulay/Froilan Baguion/Pong Escobal
SG – Joseph Yeo/ Rob Wainwright/ Aris Dimaunahan
SF - Niño Canaleta/ Wesley Gonzales
PF – Don Allado/ Jondan Salvador
C – Joe Devance/ Billy Mamaril / Alex Crisano

/Dream Rant

i am a sad story.

2009-01-28T03:46:00.003+08:00

"Leaf by leaf, page by page. Throw this book away."

- Ben Folds Five in Smoke.

There is no rest for the wicked. Not even a soul to keep, and no more heart.

SMB Postmortem

2009-01-28T01:32:00.004+08:00

After dissecting the guards play it’s now time to tackle San Miguel’s rotation on the wings and the paint.

Don Don Hontiveros – Just when we thought the loaded line-up of San Miguel has shattered much of Don Don’s swagger and confidence, the Cebuano guard made sure he finished the year with a bang--- that he did, first against Ginebra continued his mad streak against Talk N Text. Relatively inconsistent in the eliminations and sub-par (by Hontiveros standard) but quietly effective in that stretch, he stepped it up in the latter part of the season showing Siot and the rest of the Beermen fans why he is so oh-important to this team.

In game two versus the Kings, he scored 35 points then followed it up with 34 points in the clinching game. To rehash, in both these games the Beermen were trailing and none of these stats are the garbage-type of production. Then against TNT, he continued his scoring spree with a 39-point output in game three and being a constant number option all throughout the series not to mention defending the likes of Cardona, Alapag and Dillinger. Clearly, Don Don has become the most important and valuable player in the SMB camp right now. He is effective on both ends of the floor and a grizzled veteran that could replace Olsen as the on-court leader.

Lordy Tugade – Much has been said about “unfair” trades in the league where certain player X (serviceable) is shipped for player Y (a scrub)--- for economical reasons. With Tugade, not only they unloaded Tugade’s contract but they also traded a player who San Miguel thought could be a consistent contributor on both ends of the floor. Despite the numbers, Tugade has become sort of a black hole on offense and defense for the Beermen. Sure, the numbers are there (20 points or more thrice, double digit scoring 13 times in the eliminations) but he gets those numbers at such an ineffective rate. He attempted 139 three-pointers (44 made for 39 per cent) out of 272 total shots for the season meaning almost half of his shots are from beyond the arc despite the fact that he is a good penetrator (62 of 132 2FGM, or 47 per cent) and hits his freebies as well.

This lack of effort brings me to my point: why acquire a player that is redundant with one of your stars (Don Don)? Tugade can be effective in SMB’s system but he has to know his role on offense and should take more responsibility defensively. Provided that he had spotty minutes versus Talk N Text, but SMB was still competitive in those games despite his injury.

Danny Seigle – How things turn quickly. Three months ago this dynamite had zero capability to explode. Then the playoffs came, and boom! he’s was near to his old dominant self. After playing just 5 games (First three and last two) in the eliminations, Seigle reintroduced himself to the PBA fans with his knack for scoring the basketball. The much-maligned forward scored 16 points in 20 minutes in their first knockout game against Air 21 then followed it up nicely with over 10 markers and 4 caroms per outing in the best-of-three series against Ginebra. However, it was just the beginning of a nice ending to the conference for Danny S. He scored 29 points in game four and followed it up with 32 points in the overtime loss in the final game. He was even rebounding the ball grabbing 8 rebounds or more in half the games.

So the big question is… Is Danny Seigle really back? Maybe, maybe not. Such an unsure conclusion only mean that San Miguel SHOULD aggressively trade him now. Try to ship him (and his contract) when his value is at an all-time high (at least during the injury days) and the campaign for a Trade-DS idea should start now. Getting a young prospect is the ideal situation, but a couple of (high) picks will do as well. The real question remains, how loyal is SMB to a (once) franchise player like Seigle…

Marc Pingris – If not the injury to Dorian Peña, Pingris would never have gotten off the bench consistently in the playoff round specifically in the TNT series. As SMB went small (Pingris played the PF spot most of the time), he produced not surprisingly some eye-popping numbers. He scored in double digits four times (11,11 in the first two, and 28 16 in the last). However, it was in the rebounding end that he can be most appreciated. In the last 5 games he grabbed at least 7 boards including a 12-rebound effort for a double-double in Game Five.

Much has been said already of Siot’s benching of Pingris in the final minutes of the final game. All under the bridge now, but Siot should wake up and smell the coffee: Ping brings energy to the table. To do that, he has cut minutes with the other bigs (clue: DS) to give Pingris his rightful consistent time on the court.

Jay Washington – Similar to Pingris but much more addicted to the outside shot is J-Wash. The Fil-Am had solid minutes for the entire year (14.7 PPG, 9.4 RPG and 1.1 BPG) but it was against Talk N Text that he really played his best. Vengeance errr.. versus his former team he upped those averages to 19.6 PPG, 11.6 RPG and 1.4 BPG. Ok, there was that missed easy lay-up in game six that could have changed the complexion of the ending or the ill-advised threes here or there (just a 30 per cent shooter from beyond) or a needed improvement from the line (49/79 FT’s, or 62 per cent).. But clearly the package of a versatile forward is there for the run and gun system of Siot.

Dorian Peña – The monster rebounder was badly missed by the Beermen against the Texters. He did play two games in that series but was very ineffective in very limited minutes. While a very bad free throw shooter (Just above 56 per cent), his real value comes from eating the glass either offensive or defensive. He is also quite effective against smaller defenders as well (Please, don’t foul him) and is quite potent inside the paint. To a run and gun team, a rebound starts everything. To a run and gun team, wild misses are expected. Peña is quite effective in starting the break (defensive rebounds) and re-starting an offense (offensive rebounds).

Mick Pennisi – Another new acquisition this year is the Pennisi. The formerly very hated, now just a little hated center from Red Bull has been serviceable to say the least for SMB. Unlike Peña, he is more comfortable playing outside and is one of the few centers in the league that can hit the 3 point shot. But at what cost? This year, Mick took 144 three-pointers and made 44 of them--- respectable at a 33 per cent clip. On the rebounding end, he’s done as nicely as well at 7.2 per game. Again, the question at what cost? Height is might but he shouldn’t be taking too many three pointers. In a team that features already high-volume shooters from the perimeter, do you really need another player (who is supposedly a big man) to take those shots away? Does he fit the system? Probably, to an extent. But will a Dorian Peña type of player be a more fit and be more valuable to SMB? Probably so.

Other players in the team are Wesley Gonzales and Kenneth Bono who played sparingly in the playoff rounds and the eliminations. Both players showed they can be effective when given the minutes. Then, there are the likes of Chris Calaguio, Eman Samigue and even Danny Ildefonso waiting on the bench.

Conclusion: What’s the final deal, then? Who stays? Who goes? First, lest we forget Siot Tanguincen did a horrible job in the TNT series (and a number of games in the eliminations) but we should also remember that this is the same coach who stuck to his troops when the going got tough (Later part of the elims when SMB was struggling, then the pair of wild card games and the comeback victories against the Kings). The point here is, he is still a young coach who is just learning the ropes (albeit the hard and painful way)… Much like this SMB team. Give him another shot (another conference), after all, a third or fourth place finish is still respectable (albeit painful to accept)

For the Fiesta Cup an important-laden tournament here’s a proposal for Siot and how he should handle the rotation (For the management, omitted players should mean they should have been traded before the conference even begins)

PG – Villanueva/Custodio (Cortez/Baguion)
SG – Hontiveros (Calaguio)
SF – Pingris/Gonzales (Tugade/Seigle)
PF – Washington/Bono (Ildefonso)
C - Peña/Eman (Pennisi)

Whilst the PG lineups looks thin (Again, Baguion is replaceable but the team do need a respectable third string guard if anyone gets injured) and Custodio can be paired in the back court with Jonas, there might be a need to find a second (real) point guard. A deal for Seigle (or Tugade, only one should go if no quality players are taken in return) can net a good guard that can play the point. Handling the paint job are Washington and Pena (and when he slides to the four, Pingris) but there is now the need to develop the likes of Bono and Eman even further with the aging players in Pennisi, Ildefonso and Seigle. Even if no trades are made, it is vital for San Miguel to start inserting them in the rotation or the selection of Eman and trade for Bono will just look like wasted efforts. Ideally, this should what the team depth chart and rotation look like (*Again ideally, the import must be able to slide to the 2-spot, meaning he has to have ball handling skills; Another option is get a natural SF import but that can be redundant with the likes of Washington/Pingris already)

PG – Villanueva/P G*/ Custodio/3rd-string PG
SG – Hontiveros/Custodio/Calaguio/Gonzales/IMPORT
SF – IMPORT/Pingris/SF**/Gonzales/ Hontiveros
PF – Washington/ /Pingris/Bono/
C - Peña/Pennisi/Bono/Eman/
* netted from a Seigle/Tugade trade
** Who ever is not traded between Seigle/Tugade

And the system? More run and gun!

SMB Postmortem: POINT GUARDS

2009-01-26T16:54:00.009+08:00

After a wild and wooly, up and down year, the season has ended for the San Miguel Beermen in the PBA All-Filipino Conferece after losing to the loaded Talk N' Text Tropang Texters in six games. Who takes the blame and who should get the axe. Who impressed and who should stay. Who deserves to be in the team and be retained. Here's a quick look on how the key players performed this year and if they should stay or be cut, traded, or benched for the next conference:

Olsen Racela - Much has been said about Olsen's capability to lead and even be moved to a more prominent role in the coaching staff of the Beermen. That time is now and it's best for him and the team for Olsen to retire. However, there is too much of pride for players to do so and i don't think he can easily walk away from the game especially after a rather bad performance against TNT. If he decides to make another run at it, one conference should be enough and should be in limited minutes (around 10). Retiring (Or suggesting, forcing him to) will just mean that the management has gained enough confidence to fully trust the young guys.

Why retire now? While Olsen showed flashes of brilliance this year (Elims vs. AIR 21: 15 poiints, 9 assists in 34 minutes|Elims vs. GINS: 18 points, 6 assists in 24 minutes) there are a few signs that the point guard's play is now going down especially in the Talk N Text series. He failed to crack double digits scoring and shot 9 of 30 from the field. Moreover, he struggled mightily against Jimmy Alapag.

In the long run, offensively, he can still be effective. However, it is on defense that he will be a weakness. Pass the torch, it's time.

Bon Bon Custodio - There is no player in the SMB line-up that was both much-maligned and much-praised this conference. That is what you basically get with a rookie and a player like Bon Bon. In the eliminations, he scored 20 points on 8 of 12 shooting against Alaska; Then in a game vs Rain or Shine, he dished out 10 assists. He can hit the three albeit inconsistenlty (12 of 47 for the season, or just above 25 per cent); and gets in the passing lanes at times although he still needs to work harder defensively (6 steals once, and 4 takeways thrice for the season)

The surprise of the draft has lots of things left to be desired but the potential of being an above average contributor is there, and pushing it a bit, even to superstar level. With rookies, you take the good with the bad. With Bon Bon, you just hope he matures faster and improves the basics further so as to become an effective player in this league. With the way he was given minutes and responsibilities, that could come sooner than later. There could be deals available out there, but in the end, his rookie contract will be cheaper than most and

Jonas Villanueva - With all the changes in the line-up and all the marquee players arriving at the SMB camp, he was the odd man out in the rotation. But when the going gets tough (injuries) he had to be called upon and he, in some ways, delivered. Not bad for a third-string point guard (even fourth, if you are counting Bon Bon as a PG). His minutes during the eliminations had been sporadic; he scored in double digits four times, but scored 5 points or lower 11 times. As court general, he doled out 6 or more helpers five times and did not fail to register at least 1 assist but one time all throughout the season.

However, during the Talk N Text series (and last game vs. Ginebra) Jonas, in a sense, was a revelation when given consistent minutes (and responsibility). Against Ginebra, when Olsen was thrown out, he logged in just 14 minutes but scored 7 points on 3 of 4 shooting from the field. Against TNT in game one (still without Olsen), he scored 5 points but had 8 assists in 25 minutes. In game two and five, both wins, he averaged 9 points and 4.5 assists in 23.5 minutes. And even in the last three losses, he scored at least 7 points and at least 2 assists per outing.

Which leaves us to...

Mike Cortez - Up until this point i still can not understand the trade to Alaska (LA Tenorio mainly). While at first glance, Cortez could be the better defensive player (the idea was that LA was a lot smaller and Cortez bigger and bulkier) the latter is just not that efficient offensively. While it is difficult to evaluate an oft-injured player, his style of game does not fit SMB's run and gun attack at all. In four games before he got hurt, he never cracked double digit scoring (conference high is 8 points against his former team) and was scoreless in his last two outings (0/6 vs. ROS, 0/5 vs TNT). Again, there is not much use in analyzing small-sized samples especially because of injuries. But why risk with players that are often injured? And why risk waiting on them when at first they don't even fit the system? There will be no takes for Cortez in trades obviously, but the first step is not including him in the long term plan for the sake of the team and the development of other players in his position.

Froilan Baguion - No need for numbers here. But as a third-string point, he can be servicable on spotty minutes.

In an ideal world, Olsen retires and Cortez is traded which brings San Miguel's point depth down to 3 players. Is Villanueva ready to take over as a starting point guard? Is Custodio ready for heavy minutes at the point? i do like to believe so. SMB won't get a quality starting point guard via trade or free agency and the best way is to continue to develop this pair of point guards.

PBA Semis: SMB Folds in Six

2009-01-26T11:54:00.004+08:00

i failed to update the stats and some of this series. Mainly because of two reasons; a) after falling down 3-1, i felt SMB had zero chances at a comeback win after coming from behind since the wildcard phase and b)i am just biased, sort of a sore loser when i am down thus uninspired.

But heck, for pahabol effect and last night's frustrating and painful loss to TNT there's this poster at pinoyexchange.com who made a battle for third thread... which led me to this reply

Pepman, oh pepman. A battle for 3rd thread? Is this really necessary? Your "bright" idea has inspired me though;

Pepman, oh pepman
by DT

Let us lick the fresh wounds,
and sulk in a depressed corner
Let us forget the one point loss,
and that Cardona dagger

Leave us time to hate Bon Bon,
ill-advised fouls, ill-timed shots
Leave us time to analyse this one,
his basketball IQ that rots

Let us forget Don Don and Danny
their efforts gone to waste
Let us forget Peek and Carey
eating glass, in our mouths leaving a bad taste

Pepman, oh pepman
do you post threads at random
Pepmen oh pepman
how we wish you post seldom

(Ok, must be the boredom and losing. Imagine if we'd won the series.)

And oh, congrats to Talk N Text, they were the better team and deserves to be in the Finals against Alaska.

PBA Semis: TNT Breaks SMB's Back. Again.

2009-01-22T16:42:00.002+08:00

For while there, it looked like a replay of Game Three. There was the Mighty Mouse showing his, errr, might from the three land in crunchtime, again. (J. Alapag: 18 points and 10 assists. 16 markers were done in the fourth including a pair of three's from the parking lot. (M. Cardona: 18 points and shaking off the blues called the boos. Including his patented teardrop-hook from afar, near the three point area) There was the slew of Texters who made the right (clutch) plays to bring TNT closer to the All-Flip Finals. And oh, let's not forget the TNT rookie who was off to a hot start for the Texters. (J. Dillinger: 27 points, career-high, 4 of 7 from beyond. Including 16 or 18 in the first quarter)

Then there was Bon Bon Custodio for a boo boo or two that could have changed the complexion of the game for his team.

Oh fuck and oh well. San Miguel is just plain tired now (not an excuse but a fact) and credit the Texters for pushing the right buttons at the right time. i am not sure if they still have enough for more "comeback" victories--- lots of them in this series, and the quarterfinals against Ginebra. Down 1-to-3? Ugh. i am struggling to find the heart to bounce back on this one. i wonder how the SMB players feel.

PBA Semis: TNT Steals Game Three for 2-1 Edge

2009-01-19T12:53:00.004+08:00

Game 3: TNT 110, SMB 106

Be careful what you wish for, you might just get it. After a ho-hum opening games--- one was a blowout, the other a rather expected victory--- the TNT-SMB series upped the semifinals fever with a classic game three which might as well be the best game of the series.

The series was described as a match made in heaven and it showed in the third installment. Good games are dictated by good match-ups. And when you have endless supply of offensive players, surely you'll have nonstop, end-to-end action at some point... And that was exactly what happened at the Araneta Coliseum last night.

Don Don Hontiveros was especially hot, shooting 8 of 12 from the three-land which included some quick-trigger attempts which speak volumes of his range, and confidence. The Cebuano finished with a career-high 39 points in 39 minutes. To boot, he added 9 rebounds and a couple of blocked shots. Not a bad game until...

Jimmy Alapag showed up. The spitfire guard scattered 22 points but none bigger by a string of baskets at the end game. Clearly now, TNT has realized that he is their leader--- either by scoring or helping his teammates--- and that they should run the plays through him to win this series. Alapag though knows he can't do it alone...

Ranidel de Ocampo hit a big three to steal the lead some time in the last two minutes... Harvey Carey and Ali Peek crashed the glass all night long stealing offensive rebounds and willingly and ably converting them. Somewhere, Dorian Pena's foot is still hurting--- and hurting San Miguel inside.

Despite the heroics of the abovementioned players there were some who faltered--- either by pressure, lack of composure or simply, lack of experience... Experiencing some or all of that were...

Mac Mac Cardona. Booed and bothered in Game Two, then booed and bothered in the next as well was not his usual self. Give credit to San Miguel fans (around 9,000 of 'em) for this strategy. Clearly, Captain Hook was out of his zone because SMB fans decided out of the blue to hate him. Welcome to the pro league, Mac Mac. If you are not with us, you are against us--- that's the clear message from the fans. Sure, the La Sallite earned some hate during his UAAP wars--- but he was at a loss because at least in college they have their reasons to abhor him, but in the pros? Overnight, you become the enemy because that is what it is.

Then, there was the Bon Bon Custodio shot at the end game. Playing practically like an experienced veteran in previous games and series, the former UE stalwart found himself hitting the rookie wall (Also called Mountain Peek) with a rather questionable, rather ill-advised and rather bad shot that could have tied the ball game and sent it to overtime. Key word: could have.

What could have been the better decision was to find a way to find Don Don and ride his hot streak, after all the latter had 39 points at the point. i love Siot's confidence and trust with the rookie--- in the long run that pays dividends. But this was a situation when that decision haunted him. With rookies, you get some and you lose some. Too bad really that this one was a big loss. Key phrase: i'd take a Don Don missed three to end that game--- it's destiny. But no, Bon Bon decided to align his stars...

BY THE THE NUMBERS

EFFECTIVE SHOOTING/EATING GLASS

While San Miguel looked the hotter team for the evening, it was Talk N’ Text which shot the ball better at 48.8 per cent clip. Blame this one with the likes of Carey and Peek getting easy putbacks. San Miguel had a chance to up the lead multiple times in the last 5 minutes (and even the entire game) but the big men of TNT was just up to the task of abusing SMB downlow without Pena and Washington.

Both teams actually had trouble taking care of the ball as they turned the ball over 39 times. San Miguel being the more aggressive on the passing lanes with 9 steals compared to TNT’s 2 takeaways. Both teams took advantage of that as well with San Miguel converting 19 points off TO’s and TNT, 20.

Why did San Miguel lead for most part? Because they were more aggressive to the hoop earning 43 foul line shots and converting 86 per cent of those shots. Meanwhile, TNT just went to the line 24 times though they made good out of it converting 19 of those shots.

How did Talk N Text win the game? While San Miguel (particularly, especially maybe even exclusively Hontiveros) was shooting the lights out early on, they faltered in the last few minutes of the outing. On the other side of the coin, TNT was starting to hit (clutch) shots featuring Alapag and a little bit of Ranidel. Not to mention (and repeating for emphasis) that Carey and Peek were constantly inside the paint turning garbage into gold. Defensively, it showed that TNT can adjust when in dire straits. They forced Hontiveros into some forced shots in the latter part and sent the help necessary during post-up plays and penetrations--- the defense on Bon Bon in the last play was just the icing on the defensive cake.

(Series stats - Click image for larger version)

What to expect in Game Four? This is getting redundant now: more and more of the same. Both teams did not leave their three point shooting behind--- a primary weapon they believe. But at the same time, it’s the teams that does the little things called offensive rebounding and forced turnovers (steals) that will decide the outcome of the series eventually. Game One, TNT jumped on the Beermen. Game Two, SMB decided to match that energy. Game Three, TNT was more aggressive inside. Game Four… More and more of the same.

PBA SEMIS: Beermen Bounce Back

2009-01-17T15:45:00.006+08:00

Game Two: San Miguel 112, Talk N Text 103

After the TNT thrashing of SMB in Game One it was important for the latter to bounce back and avoid the 0-2 hole and that they did by dominating some of they key stats vital for this series. If you will notice the usual suspect stats standout namely free throw shooting, turnovers, points off turnovers and fastbreak points. All of which were won convincingly by the victorious team. Curiously, the three point shooting (made and percentage) and rebounding (with offensive) went to TNT but still they found themselves at the losing end.

GAME 2 GLARING STATS:

GOING TO THE LINE
San Miguel attacked the basket the entire evening earning 32 trips to the 4.5 meter line and converting 75 per cent of their shots. TNT, meanwhile just converted 13 shots in 19 attempts. To note, rookie Bon Bon Custodio went to the line 10 times while making 90 per cent of the freebies.

ADJUSTMENT NUMBER ONE: PROTECTING THE BALL
If there is any indication on how SMB made their adjustments from game it was how they valued the ball on this one. From a 23-turnover output in the first game they cut down their errors to 13 for this game. Moreover they showed more hustle on the defensive end by forcing 21 turnovers (Texters had only 12 in game one) and converting 29 points off those errors.

PLAYING THEIR GAME: RUN, GUN
Despite not winning on the boards, San Miguel was still able to run because of TNT’s turnovers. SMB had a +24 advantage on fastbreak points which speaks volumes on how to beat a good offensive team like TNT. Probably, the best defense against this squad is offense, putting them in the heels and running at them. SMB’s 28 FB points is an improvement over their 13-point output in game one while TNT’s 4 points on the break could not buy them the easy baskets.

WHAT TO EXPECT IN GAME THREE
More and more of the same. Meaning both teams will continue to run their offense at a fast pace. TNT, by virtue of their dominant game one performance now average 116 points per game in this series. San Miguel in the meantime isn’t far behind at 106 per game. Both teams are having a conscious effort to emphasize their offensive might with San Miguel attempting 85 shots per game and TNT at 75.5 per. Sure, who cares about the field goal percentage, eh? In the Philippines, there is the saying, the more shots you take, the more chances of winning…. Or something like that.

As both teams start to clamp down on the defensive end (Yes, despite the fact that they are offensive machines they still play respectable D) the pace will be relatively slower and games will be won whoever shows more effort on defense.

San Miguel made their adjustment in game two by stopping the perimeter and doubling on the penetration. TNT meanwhile has just realized that SMB is a capable defensive squad and they need to realize that ball movement is the key in upending that. With that in mind they also realize the need to attack SMB inside and on the break even more-- going to the free throw line and converting them and attempting more fastbreaks can get them easy baskets.

PBA Semis: TNT Explodes in Game One

2009-01-15T11:30:00.004+08:00

Game One: TNT 129, SMB 100

Andy Jao was on the dot all night long emphasizing the fact that SMB is trying to be the first wildcard team to go all the way to the Finals... That should take it's toll, he says. And immediately it showed in game one of this series.

More than anything it's not an excuse but just a plain fact. A fact that TNT took advantage of. Moreover, you have to credit Talk N Text for knowing what to do right off the bat and that is what practically what they did. Chot Reyes knew that they had to take advantage early and they did that by pressing the Beermen in the first quarter and never really letting up.

This is the price of having an inferior record--- you'd have to go through the wildcard phase then the quarters against tough teams (one was called Ginebra) and this is the prize of clinching an automatic semis slot--- you'd have all the rest in the world at the same time scouting the opposition in multiple games. Make that multiple do-or-die games, meaning that is practically the team's make-up and patterns, rotations and match-ups.

Again, credit Chot, his scouting staff and his players how they executed the plan to perfection. Run San Miguel down early and use their offensive might because San Miguel might fold due to lack of legs and that is exactly what happened. This is a game where most of the numbers will be deceiving because after all this is a blowout. Nonetheless here are a few key numbers from that game:

One of my key stats pre-series was both team's three point shooting. Obviously, the Texters did an excellent job in the very first quarter of the very first game of this series. At some point they were shooting at a 9-of-12 clip in the first half! The turnover story also favors Talk N Text, just another clear cut stat to show how Talk N Text dominated San Miguel in Game One.

ADJUSTMENTS

So what now? Is the series over and will Talk N Text continue their dominance? No and no. At some point Siot will make the adjustments on how to defend the perimeter and how to attack Talk N Text just to make their scorers defend. Here are a few of the adjustments i believe Siot should apply for San Miguel to get back in this series:

+ More Man-Zone. A 3-2 pressing zone would put pressure on the perimeter. The danger of course is when the likes of the Carey and Peek start finding the holes for the offensive rebounds and even easy penetrations. However, i don't think TNT big men can be effective entire game long (as opposed to the hot hands of their shooters) This type of defense will also discourage iso's from spitfire Jimmy Alapag who can break down any of the SMB guards.

+ Ride Washington, Seigle. There was just too much Harvey Carey all over the floor in game one especially defensively. Carey, in my opinion was the best player of game one. For San Miguel, they know that this is Carey's role now and that is to stop the SF/PF of the Beermen and at the same time helping out on defense when there's a penetration (Custodio particularly)... San Miguel should attack him and force him into foul trouble and fatigue (ok, this is Carey but he has to get tired as well), meaning they should just bring it to him.

+ Stop the turnovers, pleaze. If San Miguel thinks they can be careless with the ball and win (wildcard and vs. Ginebra), they better think again. Unlike Ginebra, TNT is a team that has multiple options on offense that more likely than not they'd take advantage at the other end.

2009-01-13T10:52:00.004+08:00

First up, numbers generally don’t lie but they don’t tell the entire story so take it for what it’s worth. The numbers above are the statistics for both squads when they met twice earlier this conference. San Miguel took game one, 84-77 and Talk N Text bounced back in the redo with an 85-80 win. Here are the three (and some) key categories which will define this best-of-seven series:

PROTECTING THE GLASS AND THE BALL (OFFENSIVE REBOUNDS AND TURNOVERS)

In their first meeting, San Miguel had the big edge in rebounding (83-53) and had a +10 advantage on the offensive glass as well converting 21 second chance points, eight more than the Texters. Despite have more than 10 turnovers, San Miguel was able to get extra points on the boards that help bring them the W. IN the return match at Singapore, it was the Texters who had the edge in the offensive rebounding department (21-16) converting 14 second chance points compared to San Miguel’s 6, a measly effort compared to their output in the first meeting. It did not help that San Miguel again had problem taking care of the ball (24 TO’s) even as TNT did their share in containing their errors (12)

THREE-BALL GALORE (3FGM/A AND 3FG%)

Curiously, despite shooting just 13.8 per cent from beyond the arc and generally having a bad shooting night San Miguel still won in the first game. Why? Because TNT shot even worst from three-land (Made just 10 in 48!) and the field as well (29.5%) But will they leave the three point land? I don’t think so. To an extent both teams live (and die) by the three-ball. Whoever shoots better and find their rhythm early will have the advantage.

ATTACKING THE LANE (FT)

The irony is this: for a couple of teams that falls in love with the outside shot they are actually more effective when they attack the basket and fish for fouls. In San Miguel’s victory they went to the line 18 times and succeeded in making 66.7 per cent of their foul shots. TNT did attack the hoop and finished with 22 FTA however they could not capitalize and just made half of those shots. Meanwhile, in the second game it was TNT’s turn to take advantage from the line. They shot just 63 per cent but went from the 4.5 meter line 30 times while San Miguel was better (73%) they could only muster 15 FTA. Clearly, whoever attacks the hoop and is the more aggressive team will get their time at the line--- and they should take advantage.

CONCLUSION: Both teams practically use the same fast-pace style but at the same time attacks the offensive glass--- meaning the easy fastbreak and 2nd chance points will be vital to this series. The hot (or cold) hand from beyond will likely define which team would have the advantage and the shooting from the free throw line will most likely provide the difference.

Just In: The PBA is Scripted

2009-01-12T16:17:00.004+08:00

(Brought about my a number of forum posters who just don't enjoy the game like they should)

To all the so-called "fans" of the PBA who thinks the game is rigged i pity all of you. The moro-moro Ginebra-San Miguel series did feature moro-moro incidents according to the plainly stupid posters. That said, here are your moro-moro interviews n my goddamn fictional mind because some of you think it's g0damnscripted:

+++

+ Moro Moro Superstar Hontiveros - From Don Don: "i had back to back career games to end this fictional series. Damn right, i played the (scripted) role to the hilt that i decided to bring his A+++ game and lead my squad to two improbable comebacks (i decided to lose the game on our first try but really dug deep for the second one just for show)

+ Jay Jay's Heart. Helterbrand thoughts during the series: "i will show everyone i can carry this team even without my partner-in-crime Mark and prove to everyone i can indeed carry a team on my own. F^ck the so-called injuries my team plays with heart and we know how to play defense and push this SMB team to the limit. But oh wait, i won't do much in the second half of game three because it's not according to the so-called script by the most knowledgable, respectable and righteous PBA fans because according to them, it's all in the family, right? So despite my best efforts i will will my team to lose sometime in the end inspite of the fact that i willed my team to win 80 per cent of the time in this series. All for the respect to my beloved knowledgable, respectable and righteous fans."

+ Rookie of the series, Bon Bon - "Hirap din talaga kami sa Ginebra. Pero nung game two panalo kami nun. Nagtimeout na lang para matechnical kami tapos may extra point sila at para mahirapan naman kami sa game-winning possession sana namin. Pero sabi ni Don Don sa game three na lang daw namin tapusin kasi papalamangin namin sila ulit nang malaking double digits tapos comeback na lang ulit kami. Nagpromise sya na makaka-three points sya ng anim (on above 50 per cent shooting daw) kaya ok lang na matalo sa game two. So yun.

+ Olsen Racela- leader - "i stuck my foot out on JJ's jumpshot just for fun. i was told by the commissioner that i'd be kicked out of the ball game 5 minutes before the game and thought why not try something i have never done before just so my fans will be surprised. i am the unquestioned leader of the squad so i'd like to see them react and see if they can step up without myself inside the court. And what do you know, they just did. i was laughing all along inside the locker room when Ginebra had the 21-point bubble because i knew we'd (without myself) make that improbable run in the fourth quarter. i am liking this image better so maybe i'd stick my foot out once again in the TNT series. Just for fun."

+ Siot Tanquincen: "i always knew i am lightyears behind Jong in coaching in the PBA. i field in weird and questionable rotations all throughout becuase i don't actually understand coaching. Moreover, i don't even understand the game. So what i did was field in random players from my bench. Whoever was smiling at me when i look at them during the games i put them inside because i really like nice and positive kind of players. Thank goodness Don Don was smiling all the time in that best of three. Danny Seigle and Bon Bon was really the pair that had the most perfect smile during that stretch. So much so that i decided to go with the despite the fact that one is an aging and hurting veteran and the other is just a greenie who has the reputation of selling some of his games. But so what, i liked their smile so i put them in. And regarding the comeback games? My favorite number is 21 so i said to the team to start playing their game only when Ginebra reach that 21 point bubble. This is God's plan."

+ Cabatu - "Medyo nahirapan din ako sa script mo. Imagine sabi ni coach tirahin at ipasok ko daw yung tres ko sa game two matapos ipasok ni Don Don ang isang three points na napakalayo. Pero dahil nga nasa script (at ayaw ko naman matanggalan ng trabaho sa pelikulang to) inayos ko na din yung stroke ko at yun pumasok nga."

+ Mamaril - "Pareho kay Jun Jun, mahirap din yung role ko. Pinapagacareer ba naman ako ni Coach Jong! Pero ok lang hamak naman na masmagaling ako kaya Papa sa basketball--- kasama nga pala yan sa script para lang may pagusapan ang tao tungkol sa father-son players sa PBA.

+++

SO THERE, hope everyone is happy now that i got these exclusive interviews from some of the key players in that series.

SMB: From the wildcard to the 'ship?

2009-01-12T04:13:00.004+08:00

Miracle of miracles. In the Philippine Basketball Association, the San Miguel Beermen erased a 21 point lead in the second half to steal game three and the quarterfinal series against rival Ginebra Kings. This was the second time in three days that SMB dug a double-digit hole and came back (They almost won in game two) Never say die? It's more like, never say never...

Next up, it's the automatic semis qualifiers Talk N Text Phone Pals. The Kings-Beermen match-up was a classic and yet i feel that this best-of-seven series will outdo the previous one...

That being said, here are a few unsolicited pointers for San Miguel if they want to play for the championship:

+ Know Your Identity. Stick with it, shove it to TNT's face and use it to the hilt. And that means running, running and more running. Obviously, both squads have high-powered offenses to brag about and their depth, something really to drool at. That said, it's about the Beermen sticking to their newfound glory in the oldschool fast pace offense. Like any plan it's always double-edged. Against the potential of the TNT squad, the plan to run could very well blow up on their own faces. But the real key here is sticking and believing with the system--- a system that obviously worked in the wildcard phase and just recently agains the Kings in the quarterfinal round.

+ Wing for the Win. Ride Hontiveros' hot streak... And to an extent trust Bon Bon even more. Moreover, Lordy Tugade has yet to see an above average game in the playoffs--- maybe it's his time to shine. Winning the shooting guard/small forward battle should be a priority. This is because of two points; a) TNT's wings are also very capable offensively, if you can't stop or contain them, at least make them work on the defensive end. The usual suspects will be there; Mac Cardona and maybe even the rookies (Dillinger, Castro) will step up. and b) TNT's depth across the 1-5 spots can neutralize San Miguel's own depth that it is vital for the Beermen to win in the said positions.

+ Heart, heart and heart. If there's one thing that San Miguel learned in the wildcard then in the quarters it's that it's not talent alone that will win you ballgames--- it's that innate and basic desire to wanting to win because it's all that matters. The test of the wild card was a surprise phase for the much-maligned "all star" line-up. And Ginebra became the tough customer that everyone expected. But... Siot's boys learned the lessons (the hard way) and the Beermen should simply remember those lessons.

False Teeth and the Not-so-false Alarm.

2008-12-30T11:29:00.005+08:00

A couple of sleep days before the new year and there's a couple of very important changes that will most likely affect more than a couple of things in two thousand and nine.

Good news-bad news time! Starting with the good news that i (finally) got myself a set of false teeth to cover up err... the missing parts. High time to flash that killer smile once again--- assuming it was ever there. On a more serious note, i was starting to get comfortable with missing a few of 'em and just flash that who-cares-how-i-look half-smile half-smirk... but it's simply better this way--- because after all, however fake it feels, it projects a better you. (They call it vanity, i call it necessity) However, still eff-you to those who think less of another because they miss a tooth or two--- we are not what we wear, including false teeth. (And i am still reeling from the fact that a percentage of the 13th month pay went to this necessity. Computations say that i could have had three Magic: The Gathering decks and around five Magic: The Gathering booster packs. The priorities were re-arranged this week, and i hate myself and my false teeth)

That was part of the bad news, the other bad news is that i can not pronounce the letter "s". i am making a shound that is not really the letter s. Shhhit. (Tangent to this one, i am going back to the dentisht later and raishe hell. That, or ashk nicely if we could adjust it a little bit... for a little more freedom for the tongue, becaushe it hurtsh a little bit ash well)... Tangent to that tangent, i am the kind of person who cuts his tongue whenever there's a public gathering of sorts (also called office meetings, random conversations with strangers and the general lack of social skills with associates and friends)... Imagine the horror: figuratively amputated tongue + literally impaired tongue = even more *crickets* :p

The other good news is that i finally got my lab test results (one month overdue) for the bum ankle--- xray showed that it wasn't fractured and the doctor's advice was for the Uric Acid examination... Blood levels showed that i have a +163.80 umol/L than normal. If that was a fantasy league figure i'd be celebrating by now. But no... According to recent research here's what that practically means (copy pasted resources below):

Excess serum accumulation of uric acid can lead to a type of arthritis known as gout. Elevated serum uric acid (hyperuricemia) can result from high intake of purine-rich foods, high fructose intake (regardless of fructose's low Glycemic Index (GI) value) and/or impaired excretion by the kidneys. Saturation levels of uric acid in blood may result in one form of kidney stones when the urate crystallizes in the kidney. These uric acid stones are radiolucent and so do not appear on an abdominal plain x-ray or CT scan. Their presence must be diagnosed by ultrasound for this reason. Very large stones may be detected on x-ray by their displacement of the surrounding kidney tissues. Some patients with gout eventually get uric kidney stones.

In short, the revenge of the Red Horse. Fret not, though that's according to Doctor Google there's hope after an appointment with a real doctor later today--- maybe, just maybe he allows a beer or two a week and that's not such a bad thing (and the real struggle indeed is eating your favorite food versus being able to play basketball... That issue deserves an entry of its own)

Enjoy the rest of 2008, because i am goddamn going to. Before 2009 strikes and i get real serious about this (uric acid) business.

i miss a lot of things.

2008-12-28T05:23:00.001+08:00

including what i wanted to write, right now.

Add/Drop on Noche Buena

2008-12-25T01:25:00.002+08:00

Ha! The Life!

PBA Perks...

2008-12-16T12:51:00.004+08:00

Some more pictures from the archives.
..

One U ends tomorrow (Dec 7)

2008-12-08T01:08:00.003+08:00

The first season that is... With the college season virtually over, the show will feature the past knockout week capping it off with the Philippine Collegiate Championship final to be held later today at the Araneta Coliseum, which will expect a good-sized crowd because it's the Blue Eagles and Green Archers which will vie for bragging rights of being called the national champion. (Add the fact that the winning team will be going to Serbia next year for the 2009 Universiade...)

According to reliable sources called channel managers and the likes the show did pretty well (or not bad) on the ratings (especially at that 6:30 timeslot on free tv..)... Who knows, maybe there's a second season for the show... Really enjoyed the fact that i've met some of the better college basketball minds in the country and saw Ms. Krissy Tiu's first hosting stint. Of course, Mico being the professional that he is, is something to learn from. Here are the pictures from the San Juan shoot a couple of episodes ago.

2008 PCC in Pictures

2008-12-08T00:36:00.006+08:00

Saved in the cam card but as i've mentioned not much time to post it on a per game basis. More for archiving than anything (but do click if you the pictures if you want the larger version):