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

(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:

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+ 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.

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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?

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.

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.

including what i wanted to write, right now.

Add/Drop on Noche Buena

Ha! The Life!

PBA Perks...

Some more pictures from the archives.
..

One U ends tomorrow (Dec 7)

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

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):

RP National Team Practice

The perks of this job. Not only you enjoy the work that you do but there's always some extra things that you get which you don't expect. In one of the PCC coverages the past couple of weeks, the team (luckily) came across the Philippines Men's Basketball National Team coached by Yeng Guiao as they practiced after the PCC double-header at the San Juan Arena while One U was shooting one of its episodes. So, anyway, this is long overdue (as other pictures in next posts) but only had the time (and the net speed) to post it now: