In Defense of...

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

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!

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.

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)

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

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!

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?)

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!

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

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

The Countdown to None

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

Crossing Fate

Incinerated,

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

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

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!)