8/26/2005
Only in New York
8/23/2005
Now I know why Card0na ended up in TNT
"Given the opportunity to select where he wants to play in the pro league, the 6-foot-1 Cardona prefers to play for Alaska or Talk 'N Text. He prefers Alaska because his former backcourt buddy, Mike Cortez, is playing under Tim Cone. But his chances of playing with the Aces has dimmed a bit following the team's acquisition of Rich Alvarez and Tony dela Cruz from Shell. The Turbo Chargers have filed a leave of absence."
Taken from here.
But for the life of me, I still couldn't see myself cheering for a Manny Pangilinan-funded basketball team.
Taken from here.
But for the life of me, I still couldn't see myself cheering for a Manny Pangilinan-funded basketball team.
While she's celebrating her birthday...
8/22/2005
The Unofficial one-day HF basketball tournament hilights
I just couldn't resist doing this. The sportswriter in me took over.
-----
HF defeats Patriots
The Heraldo Filipino All Stars wrote off the DLSU-D Patriots, 198-190, in the Unofficial HF Basketball Tournament held in Palaruang La Salle in the DLSU-D campus on August 18.
Man-mountain Jonas Terrado was unstoppable as he powered his way inside the paint with 85 points and 58 rebounds, 20 of them coming from the offensive glass. Meanwhile, JE Ramos found his shooting touch late in the game, making 15 three-pointers.
On the other hand, Alquin Bolivar of the Patriots waxed hot from beyond the arc, finishing with 49 markers. Lutrell Bugna found solace in fastbreak points, chalking 31 for the game.
Action was fast-paced as the Patriots scored the first two baskets. In the next moment, Terrado showed his muscle by making a short stab from inside.
Although the Patriots were starting to break away courtesy of Bolivar, Bugna, and Jovic Giray, former Bloomfield Academy Eskumor Terrado kept the student journalists in the game.
With the HF five of Terrado, Ramos, Rae Timogan, Travis Chiong, and Kenneth Marimon in the game, they recovered and caught up as the DLSU-D athletes start to lose wind.
In the end, with the out of shape HF staff collapsing one by one due to exhaustion, the Patriots were looking for worthy challengers even if they were behind in the current game. Furthermore, the HF second team, composed of Jherick "Naruto" del Mundo, Rei Victor, Vicbert Maceda, and Maynard Solinap, were intimidated from the opposition to send themselves into the ballgame.
HF Basketball Tournament commissioner JP Abcede had 0 points in 0/3 shooting, approximately three rebounds, about two assists, and a guesstimate of two steals and three turnovers.
PS
No one was keeping score so no one actually knew the real outcome of the game. But I hand it to the HF staff for giving the more mobile and agile DLSU-D athletics and volleyball players a fight.
-----
HF1 wins over HF2; HF overwhelmed by Dormers
Heraldo Filipino Team One, composed of Jonas Terrado, Rae Timogan, Kenneth Marimon, Travis Chiong, and Rei Victor, upended Heraldo Filipino Team Two, comprised of JP Abcede, JE Ramos, Jherick del Mundo, Maynard Solinap, and Vicbert Maceda, 9-3, in the second game of the one-day Unofficial HF Basketball Tournament, held in PLS on August 18.
The combination of Timogan and Marimon did most of the damage for HF1. Meanwhile, Abcede and Ramos found it hard to organize their team, as they couldn’t even decide on who would play point guard.
Butter-fingered Abcede lost the ball three times due to the pesky defense done to him by Chiong. The commissioner of the one-day HF Tournament scored his two points of the game on a breakaway power hop layup, and on an outlet pass delivered to him. He forgot who gave the assist pass.
Terrado, collaring most of the rebounds, found it hard to score with all five HF2 staff ganging up on him every time he has the ball. This gave Marimon the opportunity to shine with his Allen Iverson-like moves, while Timogan captained the ship with his wily point guard skills.
Chiong, wearing shorts that were already threatening to fall off, scored some from midrange while doing the "amoeba" defense on whoever was bringing down the ball for the opposition.
On the other hand, Ramos, being the de facto point guard of HF2, had his shooting compromised because he had to bring down the leather in several occasions.
Maceda committed one traveling infraction after another to the amusement of everyone.
Naruto del Mundo did the Kage Bunshin no Jutsu technique, scratching skin cells off Marimon’s arm.
Solinap, coming from a PE class earlier the day, seemed lost and didn’t know what to do. Victor, seeing all roles taken care of, happily jogged like a bear up and down the court.
The reason I wrote it this way is because no one was keeping friggin’ score! This is not how a sports coverage article should be written.
The game abruptly ended when Marimon suffered from cramps as the DLSU-D Dormers one by one usurped the tired HF staff out of the court.
-----
HF defeats Patriots
The Heraldo Filipino All Stars wrote off the DLSU-D Patriots, 198-190, in the Unofficial HF Basketball Tournament held in Palaruang La Salle in the DLSU-D campus on August 18.
Man-mountain Jonas Terrado was unstoppable as he powered his way inside the paint with 85 points and 58 rebounds, 20 of them coming from the offensive glass. Meanwhile, JE Ramos found his shooting touch late in the game, making 15 three-pointers.
On the other hand, Alquin Bolivar of the Patriots waxed hot from beyond the arc, finishing with 49 markers. Lutrell Bugna found solace in fastbreak points, chalking 31 for the game.
Action was fast-paced as the Patriots scored the first two baskets. In the next moment, Terrado showed his muscle by making a short stab from inside.
Although the Patriots were starting to break away courtesy of Bolivar, Bugna, and Jovic Giray, former Bloomfield Academy Eskumor Terrado kept the student journalists in the game.
With the HF five of Terrado, Ramos, Rae Timogan, Travis Chiong, and Kenneth Marimon in the game, they recovered and caught up as the DLSU-D athletes start to lose wind.
In the end, with the out of shape HF staff collapsing one by one due to exhaustion, the Patriots were looking for worthy challengers even if they were behind in the current game. Furthermore, the HF second team, composed of Jherick "Naruto" del Mundo, Rei Victor, Vicbert Maceda, and Maynard Solinap, were intimidated from the opposition to send themselves into the ballgame.
HF Basketball Tournament commissioner JP Abcede had 0 points in 0/3 shooting, approximately three rebounds, about two assists, and a guesstimate of two steals and three turnovers.
PS
No one was keeping score so no one actually knew the real outcome of the game. But I hand it to the HF staff for giving the more mobile and agile DLSU-D athletics and volleyball players a fight.
-----
HF1 wins over HF2; HF overwhelmed by Dormers
Heraldo Filipino Team One, composed of Jonas Terrado, Rae Timogan, Kenneth Marimon, Travis Chiong, and Rei Victor, upended Heraldo Filipino Team Two, comprised of JP Abcede, JE Ramos, Jherick del Mundo, Maynard Solinap, and Vicbert Maceda, 9-3, in the second game of the one-day Unofficial HF Basketball Tournament, held in PLS on August 18.
The combination of Timogan and Marimon did most of the damage for HF1. Meanwhile, Abcede and Ramos found it hard to organize their team, as they couldn’t even decide on who would play point guard.
Butter-fingered Abcede lost the ball three times due to the pesky defense done to him by Chiong. The commissioner of the one-day HF Tournament scored his two points of the game on a breakaway power hop layup, and on an outlet pass delivered to him. He forgot who gave the assist pass.
Terrado, collaring most of the rebounds, found it hard to score with all five HF2 staff ganging up on him every time he has the ball. This gave Marimon the opportunity to shine with his Allen Iverson-like moves, while Timogan captained the ship with his wily point guard skills.
Chiong, wearing shorts that were already threatening to fall off, scored some from midrange while doing the "amoeba" defense on whoever was bringing down the ball for the opposition.
On the other hand, Ramos, being the de facto point guard of HF2, had his shooting compromised because he had to bring down the leather in several occasions.
Maceda committed one traveling infraction after another to the amusement of everyone.
Naruto del Mundo did the Kage Bunshin no Jutsu technique, scratching skin cells off Marimon’s arm.
Solinap, coming from a PE class earlier the day, seemed lost and didn’t know what to do. Victor, seeing all roles taken care of, happily jogged like a bear up and down the court.
The reason I wrote it this way is because no one was keeping friggin’ score! This is not how a sports coverage article should be written.
The game abruptly ended when Marimon suffered from cramps as the DLSU-D Dormers one by one usurped the tired HF staff out of the court.
56th in the world
Look at this.
We are a basketball-obsessed country, you sure? It doesn't reflect in the world rankings, though.
We are a basketball-obsessed country, you sure? It doesn't reflect in the world rankings, though.
one point...
Are you sure FEU is the most dominant team in UAAP men's basketball right now? Their victory, at the most, was a fluke.
Sure, UE won over the Tamaraws last week, but at the end of the day, UE is still -10 against FEU while the Archers are a mere -8. Seven-point loss, one-point defeat.
Montinola, watch out for the Archers in the finals. Make sure your conspiracy theory clout works else you'll face a toughened bunch of Archers in the postseason.
Sure, UE won over the Tamaraws last week, but at the end of the day, UE is still -10 against FEU while the Archers are a mere -8. Seven-point loss, one-point defeat.
Montinola, watch out for the Archers in the finals. Make sure your conspiracy theory clout works else you'll face a toughened bunch of Archers in the postseason.
8/16/2005
Sporting times
Newly relegated Wigan held off an expensive Chelsea squad for 92 and a half minutes before Hernan Crespo scored off a chip from nowhere. Definitely, this team deserves its place in the big league.
-----
The FEU Tamaraws are going down. Didn’t I tell you that before? I could just feel it. It all started when the Green Archers broke the 10-point barrier like the Berlin Wall.
A trend that went for the Red Warriors: they won the opening tip. However, they committed a 24-second shot clock violation in their very first possession.
One trend that went the Tams’ favour: Arwind Santos scored the first two points of the game from an offensive glass. And it’s a dunk at that.
Then it was followed by a fastbreak basket. 4-0. I thought the game was already over. How little faith I had. And how wrong was I proven by Dindo. A Pumaren at that.
By the end of the first quarter, it was 19-18, Warriors. Halftime, it was 39-32, still Warriors. Going into the final quarter, 53-46, East. I could already smell a monumental upset.
Alas, Far Eastern caught up. 67-all going into the final minute. Then Bon Custodio made a three-pointer that rolled around the rim and through the net over the outstretched arms of Jonas Villanueva. Two Custodio freethrows later, the game was over.
Again, history was made. Shades of Arnold Booker’s buzzer beater that stopped UST’s winning run during the 1999 men’s basketball season came into memory. Last year, the Recto-based squad broke Ateneo’s immaculate record. Then, Custodio’s not-last-stand.
What’s common with the previous two is that both UST and ADMU didn’t win the championship despite dominating at least half of the eliminations. Will it happen again? I feel it would.
And who was the beneficiary in both cases? The Green Archers. Thank your lucky stars for UE.
I could already taste the decline of FEU right in my lips. And the downfall continues this Sunday. Mark my wind.
-----
Was UP’s 2-0 start a fluke or are they in a midseason funk?
-----
The FEU Tamaraws are going down. Didn’t I tell you that before? I could just feel it. It all started when the Green Archers broke the 10-point barrier like the Berlin Wall.
A trend that went for the Red Warriors: they won the opening tip. However, they committed a 24-second shot clock violation in their very first possession.
One trend that went the Tams’ favour: Arwind Santos scored the first two points of the game from an offensive glass. And it’s a dunk at that.
Then it was followed by a fastbreak basket. 4-0. I thought the game was already over. How little faith I had. And how wrong was I proven by Dindo. A Pumaren at that.
By the end of the first quarter, it was 19-18, Warriors. Halftime, it was 39-32, still Warriors. Going into the final quarter, 53-46, East. I could already smell a monumental upset.
Alas, Far Eastern caught up. 67-all going into the final minute. Then Bon Custodio made a three-pointer that rolled around the rim and through the net over the outstretched arms of Jonas Villanueva. Two Custodio freethrows later, the game was over.
Again, history was made. Shades of Arnold Booker’s buzzer beater that stopped UST’s winning run during the 1999 men’s basketball season came into memory. Last year, the Recto-based squad broke Ateneo’s immaculate record. Then, Custodio’s not-last-stand.
What’s common with the previous two is that both UST and ADMU didn’t win the championship despite dominating at least half of the eliminations. Will it happen again? I feel it would.
And who was the beneficiary in both cases? The Green Archers. Thank your lucky stars for UE.
I could already taste the decline of FEU right in my lips. And the downfall continues this Sunday. Mark my wind.
-----
Was UP’s 2-0 start a fluke or are they in a midseason funk?
8/15/2005
I should have posted this the first time I read this a long time ago
Ngayong araw na ito, sa ating pagtatapos, mayroon akong dalang Transcript of Record. Ang estudyanteng may-ari ng transcript na ito ay nag-aral sa De La Salle University. Sa unibersidad na ito, kapag ikaw ay isang undergraduate, may ID number na nagsisimula sa 94 at pataas, kung lumipas ang isang buong schoolyear at umabot ka sa 15 units na bagsak, masisipa ka sa paaralan.
Ang transcript na hawak ko ay mayroong 27 units ng bagsak. 12 sa mga ito ay tinamo ng estudyante sa iisang schoolyear lang. Ang isang subject ay kadalasang may bigat na 3 units. Kung iisiping mabuti, isang subject na bagsak na lang ay pwede na masipa ang estudyanteng may-ari ng transcript na ito.
Ang speech na ito ay hindi ko ginawa para i-acknowledge ang paghihirap ng ating magulang sa pagpapaaral natin. Hindi ko din ito ginawa para maghayag ng political statement, o kumbinsihin kayo na huwag umalis sa bansa at tulungan itong maka-ahon. Ang speech na ito ay para sa mga normal na estudyante na kagaya ng may may-ari ng transcript na hawak ko, dahil madalas, wala talagang paki-alam ang unibersidad sa mga achievements nila. May mga awards na gaya ng Summa Cum Laude, Best Thesis Award at Leadership Award. Pero ni minsan,hindi pa ako nakakakita ng unibersidad na nagbigay ng "Hung-on-and-managed-to-graduate-despite-nearly-getting-kicked-out-during-his-academic-stay" award.
Maaaring isang malaking kagaguhan ang konseptong ito para sa karamihan. Bakit mo pararangalan ang isang estudyanteng bulakbol, bobo, tamad o iresponsable? Hindi ba dapat isuka ito ng unibersidad? Ito yung mga tipo ng estudyanteng walang ia-asenso sa buhay, hindi ba?
Ayun. Natumbok niyo. Iyun na nga ang dahilan.
Madalas, pag ang isang estudyante ay may pangit na marka sa paaralan, lalong-lalo na sa kolehiyo, nakakapanghina ito ng loob. Nandiyan yung tatamarin ka mag-aral, nandyan yung iisipin mo, "Ano pa kayang trabaho ang makukuha ko? Call center na naman o clerical? Ba't kasi ang bobo ko. Kung matalino lang ako, sana, sa Proctor and Gamble ako, o kung saang sikat na kumpanya."
Mas mahirap ang dinadaanan ng mga estudyanteng bumabagsak. Kahit na sabihin mong kasalanan nilang bumabagsak sila, hindi ninyo alam kung ano ang pakiramdam ng ganun. Madaling sabihin na, "Kaya mo yan, mag-aral ka lang." Pero alam ba natin talaga ang sinasabi natin?
Kapag ang isang estudyante ay bumabagsak sa unibersidad, nandiyan yung tatawanan niya lang yan. O di kaya naman, ipagmamalaki niya pang, "TAKE 5 NA KO!!!" o "Pare, magpi-PhD na ako sa Anmath3/Calculus/etc." Pero hindi alam ng mga isang Summa Cum Laude kung ano ang nasa isip ng isang normal na estudyante sa tuwing matutulog ito at alam niyang pag-gising niya, kailangan niya na naming ulitin ang isang subject na nakuha niya na sa susunod na term.
Kahit kalian, hindi naging problema sa Star Student na sabihing, "Nay, bagsak ako," at hindi kailanman sumagi sa isip nila na, "Paano kaya kung sa walang-pangalang kumpanya lang ako makapagtrabaho?"
Dahil sigurado sila sa kinabukasan nila.
Huwag na tayong maglokohan. Grades are everything. Kahit bali-baligtarin mo iyan, hindi magiging patas ang mga kumpanyang kumukuha ng fresh graduates para magtrabaho sa kanila. Minsan din naman, nadadaan sa palakasan, pero ganun pa din. Kung hindi ka academically good, wala kang patutunguhan. Kung hindi man yun, mas mahirap yung dadaanan mo para lang makaa-abot sa prestihiyosong posisyon.
Kaya ngayong graduation, ang speech na ito ay inaaalay ko para sa mga estudyanteng lumpagpak, muntik-muntikanan nang masipa o yung lahat ng paraang pwede, ginawa na para lang makatapos. Gagawin kong patas ang mundo para sa inyo kahit isang araw lang. Kahit ano pa ang sabihin ng ibang tao, kesyo kasalanan mo man na pangit ang marka mo o muntik ka nang makick-out, saludo ako sa hindi mo pagtigil sa pag-aaral. Saludo ako na may lakas ka ng loob na harapin pa rin ang mundo kahit alam mong hindi ito magiging patas sa iyo. Saludo ako na kahit pangit ang transcript mo, taas-noo ka pa rin ngayong graduation at proud na proud sa sarili mo.
Ano ngayon ang mangyayari sa mga graduates pagkatapos nitong graduation? Ayoko nang puntahan yung pwedeng mangyayari sa mga Cum Laude. Baduy. Alam mo naming me patutunguhan ang buhay nila e. Pero dun sa mga lumagpak, ano ang meron?
Maaring makakuha kayo ng mediocre na trabaho lang. Pwede ka rin swertehin, baka makapagtrabaho ka sa magandang kumpanya. Madami pang pwedeng mangyari. Huwag kayong mawalan ng pag-asa. Kung nung college, nagtiyaga kayo e ba t titigilan niyo yung pagti-tiyaga ngayon?
Pwede ring ganito: Mag-aral ka ulit. Ipakita mo sa kanila na kung sipagin ka lang, malayo ang mararating mo. Subukan mong patunayan sa kanila na kapag pinilit mo, kaya mo ring abutin yung naabot nila. Na hindi ka bobo, kundi tinamad ka lang.
Baka sabihin ninyo, drowing lang ako.
I've been on both sides. Naranasan ko na ring lumagpak, at muntikan na din akong masipa. Naranasan ko na na umulit ng 4 na beses sa iisang subject. Naranasan ko na na masumbatan ng magulang, kapatid at kung sino-sino pang propesor na walang pakialam sa pakiramdam ng estuyante. Naranasan ko nang hindi makatulog ng maraming gabi sa pagiisip kung paano ko na naman sasabihin sa magulang ko na may bagsak na naman ako. Kaya alam ko ang pakiramdam ninyo. Akin ang transcript na ito.
Pagkagraduate ko ng college, ano ang ginawa ko? Eto. Nagtrabaho muna ng konti, tapos aral ulit. Kuha ng Masteral sa kurso ko. Hindi para sa trabaho o kung ano man. Kundi para patunayan sa sarili ko na noong mga panahong bumabagsak ako, tinatamad lang ako.
This is a rebellion. I raise my middle finger to every professor, over-achiever, naysayer and detractor that told me that I can t make it. I raise my middle finger to every valedictory or graduation speech that only gratifies the university, those who were achievers in school or those who gratify the country when it s supposed to be the graduate s moment of glory. You are supposed to acknowledge EVERYONE. Even those who failed many times.
Kaya sa inyong mga graduates na medyo hindi maganda ang marka, para sa inyo ito. Kung kinaya ko ito, kaya niyo rin to. Imposibleng hindi.
Ang transcript na hawak ko ay mayroong 27 units ng bagsak. 12 sa mga ito ay tinamo ng estudyante sa iisang schoolyear lang. Ang isang subject ay kadalasang may bigat na 3 units. Kung iisiping mabuti, isang subject na bagsak na lang ay pwede na masipa ang estudyanteng may-ari ng transcript na ito.
Ang speech na ito ay hindi ko ginawa para i-acknowledge ang paghihirap ng ating magulang sa pagpapaaral natin. Hindi ko din ito ginawa para maghayag ng political statement, o kumbinsihin kayo na huwag umalis sa bansa at tulungan itong maka-ahon. Ang speech na ito ay para sa mga normal na estudyante na kagaya ng may may-ari ng transcript na hawak ko, dahil madalas, wala talagang paki-alam ang unibersidad sa mga achievements nila. May mga awards na gaya ng Summa Cum Laude, Best Thesis Award at Leadership Award. Pero ni minsan,hindi pa ako nakakakita ng unibersidad na nagbigay ng "Hung-on-and-managed-to-graduate-despite-nearly-getting-kicked-out-during-his-academic-stay" award.
Maaaring isang malaking kagaguhan ang konseptong ito para sa karamihan. Bakit mo pararangalan ang isang estudyanteng bulakbol, bobo, tamad o iresponsable? Hindi ba dapat isuka ito ng unibersidad? Ito yung mga tipo ng estudyanteng walang ia-asenso sa buhay, hindi ba?
Ayun. Natumbok niyo. Iyun na nga ang dahilan.
Madalas, pag ang isang estudyante ay may pangit na marka sa paaralan, lalong-lalo na sa kolehiyo, nakakapanghina ito ng loob. Nandiyan yung tatamarin ka mag-aral, nandyan yung iisipin mo, "Ano pa kayang trabaho ang makukuha ko? Call center na naman o clerical? Ba't kasi ang bobo ko. Kung matalino lang ako, sana, sa Proctor and Gamble ako, o kung saang sikat na kumpanya."
Mas mahirap ang dinadaanan ng mga estudyanteng bumabagsak. Kahit na sabihin mong kasalanan nilang bumabagsak sila, hindi ninyo alam kung ano ang pakiramdam ng ganun. Madaling sabihin na, "Kaya mo yan, mag-aral ka lang." Pero alam ba natin talaga ang sinasabi natin?
Kapag ang isang estudyante ay bumabagsak sa unibersidad, nandiyan yung tatawanan niya lang yan. O di kaya naman, ipagmamalaki niya pang, "TAKE 5 NA KO!!!" o "Pare, magpi-PhD na ako sa Anmath3/Calculus/etc." Pero hindi alam ng mga isang Summa Cum Laude kung ano ang nasa isip ng isang normal na estudyante sa tuwing matutulog ito at alam niyang pag-gising niya, kailangan niya na naming ulitin ang isang subject na nakuha niya na sa susunod na term.
Kahit kalian, hindi naging problema sa Star Student na sabihing, "Nay, bagsak ako," at hindi kailanman sumagi sa isip nila na, "Paano kaya kung sa walang-pangalang kumpanya lang ako makapagtrabaho?"
Dahil sigurado sila sa kinabukasan nila.
Huwag na tayong maglokohan. Grades are everything. Kahit bali-baligtarin mo iyan, hindi magiging patas ang mga kumpanyang kumukuha ng fresh graduates para magtrabaho sa kanila. Minsan din naman, nadadaan sa palakasan, pero ganun pa din. Kung hindi ka academically good, wala kang patutunguhan. Kung hindi man yun, mas mahirap yung dadaanan mo para lang makaa-abot sa prestihiyosong posisyon.
Kaya ngayong graduation, ang speech na ito ay inaaalay ko para sa mga estudyanteng lumpagpak, muntik-muntikanan nang masipa o yung lahat ng paraang pwede, ginawa na para lang makatapos. Gagawin kong patas ang mundo para sa inyo kahit isang araw lang. Kahit ano pa ang sabihin ng ibang tao, kesyo kasalanan mo man na pangit ang marka mo o muntik ka nang makick-out, saludo ako sa hindi mo pagtigil sa pag-aaral. Saludo ako na may lakas ka ng loob na harapin pa rin ang mundo kahit alam mong hindi ito magiging patas sa iyo. Saludo ako na kahit pangit ang transcript mo, taas-noo ka pa rin ngayong graduation at proud na proud sa sarili mo.
Ano ngayon ang mangyayari sa mga graduates pagkatapos nitong graduation? Ayoko nang puntahan yung pwedeng mangyayari sa mga Cum Laude. Baduy. Alam mo naming me patutunguhan ang buhay nila e. Pero dun sa mga lumagpak, ano ang meron?
Maaring makakuha kayo ng mediocre na trabaho lang. Pwede ka rin swertehin, baka makapagtrabaho ka sa magandang kumpanya. Madami pang pwedeng mangyari. Huwag kayong mawalan ng pag-asa. Kung nung college, nagtiyaga kayo e ba t titigilan niyo yung pagti-tiyaga ngayon?
Pwede ring ganito: Mag-aral ka ulit. Ipakita mo sa kanila na kung sipagin ka lang, malayo ang mararating mo. Subukan mong patunayan sa kanila na kapag pinilit mo, kaya mo ring abutin yung naabot nila. Na hindi ka bobo, kundi tinamad ka lang.
Baka sabihin ninyo, drowing lang ako.
I've been on both sides. Naranasan ko na ring lumagpak, at muntikan na din akong masipa. Naranasan ko na na umulit ng 4 na beses sa iisang subject. Naranasan ko na na masumbatan ng magulang, kapatid at kung sino-sino pang propesor na walang pakialam sa pakiramdam ng estuyante. Naranasan ko nang hindi makatulog ng maraming gabi sa pagiisip kung paano ko na naman sasabihin sa magulang ko na may bagsak na naman ako. Kaya alam ko ang pakiramdam ninyo. Akin ang transcript na ito.
Pagkagraduate ko ng college, ano ang ginawa ko? Eto. Nagtrabaho muna ng konti, tapos aral ulit. Kuha ng Masteral sa kurso ko. Hindi para sa trabaho o kung ano man. Kundi para patunayan sa sarili ko na noong mga panahong bumabagsak ako, tinatamad lang ako.
This is a rebellion. I raise my middle finger to every professor, over-achiever, naysayer and detractor that told me that I can t make it. I raise my middle finger to every valedictory or graduation speech that only gratifies the university, those who were achievers in school or those who gratify the country when it s supposed to be the graduate s moment of glory. You are supposed to acknowledge EVERYONE. Even those who failed many times.
Kaya sa inyong mga graduates na medyo hindi maganda ang marka, para sa inyo ito. Kung kinaya ko ito, kaya niyo rin to. Imposibleng hindi.
8/13/2005
What is irony?
Lemme explain.
When Kitchie Nadal, a Lasallian, was barred from performing within the premises of DLSU-D, and Parokya ni Edgar, a band composed of Ateneans that dissed the Eraserheads in one of their songs, gets to have a concert with the campus.
When Kitchie Nadal, a Lasallian, was barred from performing within the premises of DLSU-D, and Parokya ni Edgar, a band composed of Ateneans that dissed the Eraserheads in one of their songs, gets to have a concert with the campus.
8/12/2005
Doing the email rounds...
Some things to ponder while I do some pondering myself...
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Man dies after 50 hours of computer games.
That's nothing. I've done worse.
I once played Civilization 3 for three days straight. My only break was to have nibbles on whatever's edible nearby and watch live/delayed broadcasts of the NBA playoffs (still considered as eyestrain).
On the third night, I was so hungry and so sleepy that I fell asleep while eating dinner. That surely was a sign for me to stop.
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From Mickey to Superman, world champions are a marvel.
Two things. First, when did Batman and Superman became Marvel comic characters? Secondly, DC Comics did have a special release of Superman vs Batman.
My point being, the writer didn't do his research. Doubly disappointing because it was an AFP article.
Lesson to everyone: If you are going to make references to pop culture for an article, make sure you do it right.
Note to self: I need to edit my 'emo' article, lest I incur Viva's wrath.
-----
12 Little Things Every Filipino can do to Help our Country
There's a booklet making the rounds in Metro Manila that every Filipino who loves his country should get hold of and read, and hopefully put the points it raises into practice, in order to help our nation...
"Twelve (12) Little Things Every Filipino Can Do To Help Our Country," by Alexander Ledesma Lacson, may be a "voice in the wilderness"; but as Fr. Ruben Tanseco, S.J. puts it, what Alex proposes are "very concrete, practical and doable" actions for us ordinary Filipinos.
A simple enumeration of these "twelve little things" will not do justice to the work of Alex. You've got to read the whole text, but I shall try to compress a few lines for some of the items mentioned.
1. Follow traffic rules - Why is that the most important? The answer is simple. Traffic rules are the simplest of our laws. If we learn to follow them, it will be the lowest form of national discipline that we can develop. Since it is totally without monetary cost, it should be easy for us to comply with, and therefore should provide a good start.
2. Whenever you buy or pay for anything, always ask for an official receipt - If a seller does not issue an official receipt when you
buy a product, the seller may or may not remit the tax to the government. Without an OR, there is no record of the sale transaction, and the tax that you paid may not be remitted to the Bureau of Internal Revenue.
3. Do not buy smuggled goods. Buy local, buy Filipino - It may not be good economics to buy 100 percent local products. What I suggest is for us to take a "50-50" buying attitude. This means that we must develop the attitude of using 50 percent of our budget for local products and the other 50 percent for imported choices.
4. When you talk to others, especially foreigners, speak positively of our race and our country - This is best addressed to the rich and the middle class in our country, who have contact with the outside world. It is they who talk to, dine or deal with foreigners either here or abroad. It is what they say and do which creates impressions about us among foreigners.
5. Respect your traffic officer, policeman, soldier, and other public servants - There is nothing like the power of respect. It makes a
person proud. It makes one feel honorable. At the same time, courtesy to others is good manners. It is class and elegance and kindness. It is seeing the value and dignity in the other man. It is, in fact, a mark of a most profound education.
6. Do not litter. Dispose your garbage properly. Segregate. Recycle. Conserve. - As Louis Armstrong says in his song: "I see trees of green, red roses, too, I see them bloom for me and you and I think to myself, what a wonderful world."
7. Support your church (or charitable/civic organizations) - :-)
8. During elections, do your solemn duty - Honesty, more than a masteral or doctorate degree, is what gives credibility. And credibility is essential because it is a leader's link to the people. It is what makes the people look to one direction, follow a common vision, and perform a uniform act. In short, credibility is what makes people follow the leader.
9. Pay your employees well - No exercise is better for the human heart than to reach down and lift someone else up. This truly defines a successful life. For success is the sum, not of our earthly possessions, but of how many times we have shown love and kindness to others.
10. Pay your taxes - In 2003, P83 billion was collected from individual income taxes. But 91 percent of this amount came from salaried workers from the government and private sector, people who had no choice since their income taxes were withheld mandatorily. Only P7 billion of the P83 billion came from businessmen and professionals like doctors, lawyers, accountants, and architects, among others.
11. Adopt a scholar or adopt a poor child - You can make a difference in the future of our country by making a difference in the world of children.
12. Be a good parent. Teach your kids to follow the law and to love our country - Today's children will someday rule and lead this world. But whether they will be bad rulers or good leaders will depend largely on how we raise them today. Our future is in the hearts and minds of our children.
In hindsight, the items I can do right now are: 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, and 8. Something noble I plan to do someday is 11.
-----
Man dies after 50 hours of computer games.
That's nothing. I've done worse.
I once played Civilization 3 for three days straight. My only break was to have nibbles on whatever's edible nearby and watch live/delayed broadcasts of the NBA playoffs (still considered as eyestrain).
On the third night, I was so hungry and so sleepy that I fell asleep while eating dinner. That surely was a sign for me to stop.
-----
From Mickey to Superman, world champions are a marvel.
Two things. First, when did Batman and Superman became Marvel comic characters? Secondly, DC Comics did have a special release of Superman vs Batman.
My point being, the writer didn't do his research. Doubly disappointing because it was an AFP article.
Lesson to everyone: If you are going to make references to pop culture for an article, make sure you do it right.
Note to self: I need to edit my 'emo' article, lest I incur Viva's wrath.
-----
12 Little Things Every Filipino can do to Help our Country
There's a booklet making the rounds in Metro Manila that every Filipino who loves his country should get hold of and read, and hopefully put the points it raises into practice, in order to help our nation...
"Twelve (12) Little Things Every Filipino Can Do To Help Our Country," by Alexander Ledesma Lacson, may be a "voice in the wilderness"; but as Fr. Ruben Tanseco, S.J. puts it, what Alex proposes are "very concrete, practical and doable" actions for us ordinary Filipinos.
A simple enumeration of these "twelve little things" will not do justice to the work of Alex. You've got to read the whole text, but I shall try to compress a few lines for some of the items mentioned.
1. Follow traffic rules - Why is that the most important? The answer is simple. Traffic rules are the simplest of our laws. If we learn to follow them, it will be the lowest form of national discipline that we can develop. Since it is totally without monetary cost, it should be easy for us to comply with, and therefore should provide a good start.
2. Whenever you buy or pay for anything, always ask for an official receipt - If a seller does not issue an official receipt when you
buy a product, the seller may or may not remit the tax to the government. Without an OR, there is no record of the sale transaction, and the tax that you paid may not be remitted to the Bureau of Internal Revenue.
3. Do not buy smuggled goods. Buy local, buy Filipino - It may not be good economics to buy 100 percent local products. What I suggest is for us to take a "50-50" buying attitude. This means that we must develop the attitude of using 50 percent of our budget for local products and the other 50 percent for imported choices.
4. When you talk to others, especially foreigners, speak positively of our race and our country - This is best addressed to the rich and the middle class in our country, who have contact with the outside world. It is they who talk to, dine or deal with foreigners either here or abroad. It is what they say and do which creates impressions about us among foreigners.
5. Respect your traffic officer, policeman, soldier, and other public servants - There is nothing like the power of respect. It makes a
person proud. It makes one feel honorable. At the same time, courtesy to others is good manners. It is class and elegance and kindness. It is seeing the value and dignity in the other man. It is, in fact, a mark of a most profound education.
6. Do not litter. Dispose your garbage properly. Segregate. Recycle. Conserve. - As Louis Armstrong says in his song: "I see trees of green, red roses, too, I see them bloom for me and you and I think to myself, what a wonderful world."
7. Support your church (or charitable/civic organizations) - :-)
8. During elections, do your solemn duty - Honesty, more than a masteral or doctorate degree, is what gives credibility. And credibility is essential because it is a leader's link to the people. It is what makes the people look to one direction, follow a common vision, and perform a uniform act. In short, credibility is what makes people follow the leader.
9. Pay your employees well - No exercise is better for the human heart than to reach down and lift someone else up. This truly defines a successful life. For success is the sum, not of our earthly possessions, but of how many times we have shown love and kindness to others.
10. Pay your taxes - In 2003, P83 billion was collected from individual income taxes. But 91 percent of this amount came from salaried workers from the government and private sector, people who had no choice since their income taxes were withheld mandatorily. Only P7 billion of the P83 billion came from businessmen and professionals like doctors, lawyers, accountants, and architects, among others.
11. Adopt a scholar or adopt a poor child - You can make a difference in the future of our country by making a difference in the world of children.
12. Be a good parent. Teach your kids to follow the law and to love our country - Today's children will someday rule and lead this world. But whether they will be bad rulers or good leaders will depend largely on how we raise them today. Our future is in the hearts and minds of our children.
In hindsight, the items I can do right now are: 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, and 8. Something noble I plan to do someday is 11.
8/09/2005
The ‘National Anthem’ bastardized
Sing along with me…
To be
Ako ay tutu-bee
Is a bee a tutu-bee
She’s already tekken
She’s already tekken-mi
Lomi, bulalo, mami
I just love messing up with Hale.
Hale is hate and hell contracted.
To be
Ako ay tutu-bee
Is a bee a tutu-bee
She’s already tekken
She’s already tekken-mi
Lomi, bulalo, mami
I just love messing up with Hale.
Hale is hate and hell contracted.
The Murphy's Law with mp3 downloading/ripping
When copying a mass of mp3s from a source, it is usually the good songs which have static or scratches, end abruptly in the middle, the intro is cut, or is ripped improperly, while the unnoticed and bad songs are the ones playing properly, which basically leaves you a database of ugly, but complete, songs.
Sucks to be an OC like me. I don’t know what Kelly Clarkson is doing in my playlist when I have to delete Coldplay, Eraserheads, and Green Day tracks because of the abovementioned reasons.
Darn Eric Nicole’s mp3 collection. It’s as pop as bubblegum. I just had to remove the Atomic Kitten files before they totally corrupt my hard disk.
Sucks to be an OC like me. I don’t know what Kelly Clarkson is doing in my playlist when I have to delete Coldplay, Eraserheads, and Green Day tracks because of the abovementioned reasons.
Darn Eric Nicole’s mp3 collection. It’s as pop as bubblegum. I just had to remove the Atomic Kitten files before they totally corrupt my hard disk.
Perspectives
Let me get this. The current batch of froshies were just five years old when Kurt Cobain took his own life more than a decade ago. It shouldn’t have been a surprise they don’t know who the Smashing Pumpkins are.
This occurred to me when fellow ‘ancient’ Spider played the Pumpkins’ Today in the HF PC CD (I’m on acronym streak, yay!) player, and we were greeted by a blank gaze courtesy of Krizzia, one of the froshie HF apprentice staff.
In short, stop messing with the kids. They are already jail bait if I hook up with any one of them.
But then, there’s something unique with this new generation (if I may call them as such) of HF staff, especially the female of the species. They are uhm... more liberated and more outspoken?
They already know how to play the flirting game. When I was 16, I was still oblivious to the so-called opposite sex, the fact that I spent my formative years in an exclusive Catholic boys (currently it’s gay) school.
Whatever happened to the demure Maria Claras of the past? My contemporaries are most likely hooked up, engaged, or happily living the single road while working in some obscure call center somewhere. The luckier ones are either abroad or have already taken over the family business. Or like me, they are bums.
I need to graduate... and fast! What’s the connection, you say?
Nothing, really. Just a sign for me to move on.
This occurred to me when fellow ‘ancient’ Spider played the Pumpkins’ Today in the HF PC CD (I’m on acronym streak, yay!) player, and we were greeted by a blank gaze courtesy of Krizzia, one of the froshie HF apprentice staff.
In short, stop messing with the kids. They are already jail bait if I hook up with any one of them.
But then, there’s something unique with this new generation (if I may call them as such) of HF staff, especially the female of the species. They are uhm... more liberated and more outspoken?
They already know how to play the flirting game. When I was 16, I was still oblivious to the so-called opposite sex, the fact that I spent my formative years in an exclusive Catholic boys (currently it’s gay) school.
Whatever happened to the demure Maria Claras of the past? My contemporaries are most likely hooked up, engaged, or happily living the single road while working in some obscure call center somewhere. The luckier ones are either abroad or have already taken over the family business. Or like me, they are bums.
I need to graduate... and fast! What’s the connection, you say?
Nothing, really. Just a sign for me to move on.
8/05/2005
Mga tao nga naman...
Here's the beef. Someone encountered this. And started sending me this:
grrr: ang baduy ni nito magsulat: King Tamaraw Arwind Santos-the La Sallian fan crasher-was back in business.
Now, I could finally say I have fans. But I'm not happy with the development.
Listen carefully and listen well. I haven't been writing for uaapgames.com since last year's basketball season. Check out the archives in the writers' pool link, will you.
Besides, read the friggin' byline. Did you check my identity and the identity of the writer before you accuse me of such? Magpasalamat ka nasa internet ka, kundi, pagna-track kita, lawsuit makukuha mo sa akin.
Here's a tip, pare. Kilalanin mo muna kung sino binabangga mo. Baka sa huli, ikaw ang magmukhang tanga. OK? Ayos?
Google is not meant to be used by dumb people. Pati akong nanahimik, nadadamay. Sheesh!
grrr: ang baduy ni nito magsulat: King Tamaraw Arwind Santos-the La Sallian fan crasher-was back in business.
Now, I could finally say I have fans. But I'm not happy with the development.
Listen carefully and listen well. I haven't been writing for uaapgames.com since last year's basketball season. Check out the archives in the writers' pool link, will you.
Besides, read the friggin' byline. Did you check my identity and the identity of the writer before you accuse me of such? Magpasalamat ka nasa internet ka, kundi, pagna-track kita, lawsuit makukuha mo sa akin.
Here's a tip, pare. Kilalanin mo muna kung sino binabangga mo. Baka sa huli, ikaw ang magmukhang tanga. OK? Ayos?
Google is not meant to be used by dumb people. Pati akong nanahimik, nadadamay. Sheesh!
A loss worth applauding
You know that the game is vital when people find ways to contact you even if you don’t have a mobile phone with you just to ask if you’re going to watch the game. In this case, the Mom Phone was the culprit.
You have an idea on how important it is when SRO tickets sell out and it’s not even an Ateneo-De La Salle game and neither is it the finals.
So far, the Archer loses I have witnessed were disappointing. But something was different with how they lost against still undefeated FEU Tamaraws that Sunday afternoon.
In their previous defeats, it was a bunch of disorganized kids out there. They were so disoriented that OJ Cua even wore last year’s jersey in the DLSU-UP match.
The ‘trend’ to watch in DLSU-FEU matchups so far, is whoever gets the opening or scores the first basket usually wins. And this where FEU’s advantage lies. You could see the difference when the five Tams huddle in the middle of the court. They are almost of the same height! All of them! From Jonas Villanueva to Mark Isip.
Going back, FEU won the tip. No surprise there. They missed their first attempt. Three guesses who got the rebound. Next moment, Arwind Santos scored from fadeaway jumper near the freethrow line. Ouch.
But then, TY Tang answered with a booming three-pointer. However, Santos (or was it Villanueva) replied with another three. The Archers would never taste a significant lead from thereon.
The Green Archers may be behind most of the game, but the thing is, they kept on digging, clawing, and fighting. The Tamaraws never broke the game wide open, something no other team in the current UAAP men’s basketball season has done so far.
Tang is a sight to behold. "Tang ina niya," is all I could say. This is not the TO Tang we are used to watching. This guy’s game has upped by two notches.
Are you sure that the person wearing jersey number 11 was not Mike Cortez? He played like one with the proverbial eye at the back of his head. Did anyone see that no-look behind the back pass to Joseph Yeo while Tang was running towards the opposite direction?
Where was his passes coming from? And when did he develop his perimeter shooting? How about that running off-the-backboard coming from a give and go?
As for contemporary Yeo, there is a lot left to be desired in him. He is the one who is supposed to be carrying the team on his shoulders. But JV Casio plays better than him. Yeo was surpassed by Mark Cardona, is being overtaken by Tang, and would soon be overwhelmed by Casio, development wise, if he doesn’t step up.
One thing going for the Archers is that since Cardona left, everybody is forced to step up and deliver. Thus, the balanced scoring. Anybody may score because there is no first option. Either that or the first option, Yeo, is conking his shots right now. Take note, he made his first three point basket of the season against UST.
The Ninja’s freethrow shooting is still questionable while the rest of the Archers have been pretty lucky with ‘the finger’, a habit the Gang Green started last year which they are trying to promulgate to the rest of the Lasallian community.
Nevertheless, this shouldn’t be a Yeo-bashing piece. This is should be about the Archers’ resilience.
Do you know what the current lineup remind me of? The 2000 Archers. Sure, back then they were a powerhouse. They had Renren Ritualo, Macmac Cuan, Mike Cortez, and what have you.
The similarity, though, lies on how they execute the Pumaren magic. Both squads never back down from a challenge. Franz just turns on this switch and every body plays a level higher, even if they were losing.
The Green Archers were down by a considerable margin against the Eagles in their second round toss up, the same Eagles they defeated by 25 on opening day, and the same Eagles they decimated in the finals. For a brief moment in the second half, the Archers played their A-game and trimmed the down gap significantly, then they relaxed.
A statement that boldly says, "We could beat you any time we like." Arrogant, yes. Confident, definitely.
This I witnessed again during the final minutes of the DLSU-UST game.
With the Archers relaxing and UST gaining ground, ‘El Bigote’ called out his shock troopers, and in a span of two minutes, transformed the 13-point to a 20-point bubble by the sound of the buzzer.
Same thing against the Tams, and for 38 minutes at that. The Archers were only down by three going into the three minute mark. Then, Isip made a three-point play to make it 63-57, Tams. The only time they relaxed was after Arwind Santos made that tsamba of a pa-banda basket off the top of the key with the matching takbong mayaman.
And even if the final two minutes was already garbage time (a lead of nine was already a breakout. That was how close the game was.), the Tams weren’t even able to breakaway.
July and I were eagerly looking at the scoreboard even if the outcome was already settled. The Tams made it ten. Then, as a statement, Tang made a three point shot for the final score, 62-69.
A loss, yes, but it was also a victory. The Archers didn’t lose to a better team, July said. What gave FEU the victory was their splendid shooting from outside and the breaks of the game.
The odd thing is, for a tall team like FEU, why would they rely on their outside shooting when they could just dump it inside and wreak havoc in the paint? That just means the smaller Archers wouldn’t even let them in. It’s a given that De La Salle would lose in the rebounding department, which is where Far Eastern got their inside points, from the offensive glass.
In short, FEU didn’t win by domination.
The Archers lost. I would want to cry, not because of the defeat, but because of the heart exhibited by the Archers. We lost, but I left Araneta Coliseum that night with a smile, knowing that every bump the young Archers encounter is an experience learned and would eventually toughen them up in the battles ahead.See you in the second round. And for FEU, see you in the finals. This I assure you.
You have an idea on how important it is when SRO tickets sell out and it’s not even an Ateneo-De La Salle game and neither is it the finals.
So far, the Archer loses I have witnessed were disappointing. But something was different with how they lost against still undefeated FEU Tamaraws that Sunday afternoon.
In their previous defeats, it was a bunch of disorganized kids out there. They were so disoriented that OJ Cua even wore last year’s jersey in the DLSU-UP match.
The ‘trend’ to watch in DLSU-FEU matchups so far, is whoever gets the opening or scores the first basket usually wins. And this where FEU’s advantage lies. You could see the difference when the five Tams huddle in the middle of the court. They are almost of the same height! All of them! From Jonas Villanueva to Mark Isip.
Going back, FEU won the tip. No surprise there. They missed their first attempt. Three guesses who got the rebound. Next moment, Arwind Santos scored from fadeaway jumper near the freethrow line. Ouch.
But then, TY Tang answered with a booming three-pointer. However, Santos (or was it Villanueva) replied with another three. The Archers would never taste a significant lead from thereon.
The Green Archers may be behind most of the game, but the thing is, they kept on digging, clawing, and fighting. The Tamaraws never broke the game wide open, something no other team in the current UAAP men’s basketball season has done so far.
Tang is a sight to behold. "Tang ina niya," is all I could say. This is not the TO Tang we are used to watching. This guy’s game has upped by two notches.
Are you sure that the person wearing jersey number 11 was not Mike Cortez? He played like one with the proverbial eye at the back of his head. Did anyone see that no-look behind the back pass to Joseph Yeo while Tang was running towards the opposite direction?
Where was his passes coming from? And when did he develop his perimeter shooting? How about that running off-the-backboard coming from a give and go?
As for contemporary Yeo, there is a lot left to be desired in him. He is the one who is supposed to be carrying the team on his shoulders. But JV Casio plays better than him. Yeo was surpassed by Mark Cardona, is being overtaken by Tang, and would soon be overwhelmed by Casio, development wise, if he doesn’t step up.
One thing going for the Archers is that since Cardona left, everybody is forced to step up and deliver. Thus, the balanced scoring. Anybody may score because there is no first option. Either that or the first option, Yeo, is conking his shots right now. Take note, he made his first three point basket of the season against UST.
The Ninja’s freethrow shooting is still questionable while the rest of the Archers have been pretty lucky with ‘the finger’, a habit the Gang Green started last year which they are trying to promulgate to the rest of the Lasallian community.
Nevertheless, this shouldn’t be a Yeo-bashing piece. This is should be about the Archers’ resilience.
Do you know what the current lineup remind me of? The 2000 Archers. Sure, back then they were a powerhouse. They had Renren Ritualo, Macmac Cuan, Mike Cortez, and what have you.
The similarity, though, lies on how they execute the Pumaren magic. Both squads never back down from a challenge. Franz just turns on this switch and every body plays a level higher, even if they were losing.
The Green Archers were down by a considerable margin against the Eagles in their second round toss up, the same Eagles they defeated by 25 on opening day, and the same Eagles they decimated in the finals. For a brief moment in the second half, the Archers played their A-game and trimmed the down gap significantly, then they relaxed.
A statement that boldly says, "We could beat you any time we like." Arrogant, yes. Confident, definitely.
This I witnessed again during the final minutes of the DLSU-UST game.
With the Archers relaxing and UST gaining ground, ‘El Bigote’ called out his shock troopers, and in a span of two minutes, transformed the 13-point to a 20-point bubble by the sound of the buzzer.
Same thing against the Tams, and for 38 minutes at that. The Archers were only down by three going into the three minute mark. Then, Isip made a three-point play to make it 63-57, Tams. The only time they relaxed was after Arwind Santos made that tsamba of a pa-banda basket off the top of the key with the matching takbong mayaman.
And even if the final two minutes was already garbage time (a lead of nine was already a breakout. That was how close the game was.), the Tams weren’t even able to breakaway.
July and I were eagerly looking at the scoreboard even if the outcome was already settled. The Tams made it ten. Then, as a statement, Tang made a three point shot for the final score, 62-69.
A loss, yes, but it was also a victory. The Archers didn’t lose to a better team, July said. What gave FEU the victory was their splendid shooting from outside and the breaks of the game.
The odd thing is, for a tall team like FEU, why would they rely on their outside shooting when they could just dump it inside and wreak havoc in the paint? That just means the smaller Archers wouldn’t even let them in. It’s a given that De La Salle would lose in the rebounding department, which is where Far Eastern got their inside points, from the offensive glass.
In short, FEU didn’t win by domination.
The Archers lost. I would want to cry, not because of the defeat, but because of the heart exhibited by the Archers. We lost, but I left Araneta Coliseum that night with a smile, knowing that every bump the young Archers encounter is an experience learned and would eventually toughen them up in the battles ahead.See you in the second round. And for FEU, see you in the finals. This I assure you.
8/03/2005
Here’s how Murphy’s works...
...and screws the duration of your day.
I woke up quite early not really hurrying since my ‘prelim exam’ is still in the afternoon. Besides, I have to finish ‘agonizing’ with Pump, Eric Ramos’ renegade men’s magazine.
For a maiden issue, it packed a punch, but like all first time escapades, it still has lot of ground to cover. There were parts of the magazine where the layout was shaky. A section of Chynna’s interview was barely readable. I think I didn’t get to read what it says. Picture this: black text on black background.
After straining my eyes for about two hours (welcome back, El Gimikero), I went down to do my usual stuff. It was around 11-ish at that time. The tv was on, but no one was watching, so I switched to Solar Sports, and timed a WNBA game. New York Liberty against the Phoenix Mercury. Taurasi rocks!
Unfortunately, once I went into the bathroom, the helpers quickly reverted it back to Rubi. My luck.
Left at about 12 noon. No way in hell could I catch my exam. But I went as well. An excuse for me to blog hop and marvel at the wonder called Bloglines.
I was running short with money and I did my best to stretch 15 bucks from Imus to Dasma. I forgot how I did it, but I’m sure I got screwed somewhere along the way. Thanks for temporary amnesia. This should have been the case with the rest of my baaad memories. Just like sheep. Baaa! Unfortunately though, the rest of the day is now part of the cache of my virtual memory. Argh!
I couldn’t get much momentum using the HF PCs since I don’t have the usual clout I had. Then, it’s also a perfect excuse to stretch my bones once in a while. Now that I mentioned it, it’s all coming back now.
Since it was a Friday and I didn’t have anything particular to do the following day since I don’t have a class because it was exam week, I was looking for a way, as I said, to stretch my limited budget, and at the same find an excuse not to stay in Imus for the night. I was thinking of crashing Rei’s dorm again.
I brought all of my stuff, lugged it all to HF, asked Rei if I could stay for the night in his place, and got denied. Familial issues. Self-explanatory.
Since I was already late for my 12nn exam, I engaged myself with Bloglines. Since I was using the editorial PC, I had to stand up once in a while to accommodate the staff which has more pertinent matters to do.
The day passed without much of a hitch except that I burned DLSU-D’s bandwidth. And there was a time, if I remember it right, the internet crashed for a few minutes.
It was 8:30pm and I had nowhere to go. Since my I had no choice and my dilemma of looking for a place to watch WWE Vengeance was solved, I hurried back to Imus to catch the start of the PPV.
Mathematically, it is possible to travel from Dasma to Imus via Aguinaldo Highway in 30 minutes or less at that time of the night since traffic is usually relatively lighter. However, upon arriving at Robinson’s Imus, the buhos traffic is at its tailend and it took me 20 minutes to arrive at Equitable-PCI.
I reached the jeepney terminal and all the drivers were huddled in front of the tv. Guess what they are watching. Shelton Benjamin gaining momentum from Carlito Carribean Cool in their WWE Intercontinental match. Now I had to hurry double time.
I reached Imus in time to catch the third match. The second was so short I missed it. Victoria-Christy Hemme. Nothing much there except to settle a feud and to say that the divas have a storyline working since Lita has an ongoing angle with Edge and Women’s Champion Trish Stratus is out with an injury. How lame is that. Your champion is injured.
To end the day, I fell asleep while watching the main event, the Hell in a Cell world heavyweight championship match between Batista and Triple H, the last one Batista would have before transferring to SmackDown!
Oh well, it’s Triple H, it has become a stimulus-response to me. H enters the ring for the final bout for the night, I fall asleep. Also happens to JBL sometimes.
Anyway, that was my day. Save for the Braves loss against the D-backs, Saturday went ok. The Archers won their first game I didn’t get to see live in the venue, and thank goodness I didn’t go. If ever, I would end up at the wrong venue and screw things some more.
I woke up quite early not really hurrying since my ‘prelim exam’ is still in the afternoon. Besides, I have to finish ‘agonizing’ with Pump, Eric Ramos’ renegade men’s magazine.
For a maiden issue, it packed a punch, but like all first time escapades, it still has lot of ground to cover. There were parts of the magazine where the layout was shaky. A section of Chynna’s interview was barely readable. I think I didn’t get to read what it says. Picture this: black text on black background.
After straining my eyes for about two hours (welcome back, El Gimikero), I went down to do my usual stuff. It was around 11-ish at that time. The tv was on, but no one was watching, so I switched to Solar Sports, and timed a WNBA game. New York Liberty against the Phoenix Mercury. Taurasi rocks!
Unfortunately, once I went into the bathroom, the helpers quickly reverted it back to Rubi. My luck.
Left at about 12 noon. No way in hell could I catch my exam. But I went as well. An excuse for me to blog hop and marvel at the wonder called Bloglines.
I was running short with money and I did my best to stretch 15 bucks from Imus to Dasma. I forgot how I did it, but I’m sure I got screwed somewhere along the way. Thanks for temporary amnesia. This should have been the case with the rest of my baaad memories. Just like sheep. Baaa! Unfortunately though, the rest of the day is now part of the cache of my virtual memory. Argh!
I couldn’t get much momentum using the HF PCs since I don’t have the usual clout I had. Then, it’s also a perfect excuse to stretch my bones once in a while. Now that I mentioned it, it’s all coming back now.
Since it was a Friday and I didn’t have anything particular to do the following day since I don’t have a class because it was exam week, I was looking for a way, as I said, to stretch my limited budget, and at the same find an excuse not to stay in Imus for the night. I was thinking of crashing Rei’s dorm again.
I brought all of my stuff, lugged it all to HF, asked Rei if I could stay for the night in his place, and got denied. Familial issues. Self-explanatory.
Since I was already late for my 12nn exam, I engaged myself with Bloglines. Since I was using the editorial PC, I had to stand up once in a while to accommodate the staff which has more pertinent matters to do.
The day passed without much of a hitch except that I burned DLSU-D’s bandwidth. And there was a time, if I remember it right, the internet crashed for a few minutes.
It was 8:30pm and I had nowhere to go. Since my I had no choice and my dilemma of looking for a place to watch WWE Vengeance was solved, I hurried back to Imus to catch the start of the PPV.
Mathematically, it is possible to travel from Dasma to Imus via Aguinaldo Highway in 30 minutes or less at that time of the night since traffic is usually relatively lighter. However, upon arriving at Robinson’s Imus, the buhos traffic is at its tailend and it took me 20 minutes to arrive at Equitable-PCI.
I reached the jeepney terminal and all the drivers were huddled in front of the tv. Guess what they are watching. Shelton Benjamin gaining momentum from Carlito Carribean Cool in their WWE Intercontinental match. Now I had to hurry double time.
I reached Imus in time to catch the third match. The second was so short I missed it. Victoria-Christy Hemme. Nothing much there except to settle a feud and to say that the divas have a storyline working since Lita has an ongoing angle with Edge and Women’s Champion Trish Stratus is out with an injury. How lame is that. Your champion is injured.
To end the day, I fell asleep while watching the main event, the Hell in a Cell world heavyweight championship match between Batista and Triple H, the last one Batista would have before transferring to SmackDown!
Oh well, it’s Triple H, it has become a stimulus-response to me. H enters the ring for the final bout for the night, I fall asleep. Also happens to JBL sometimes.
Anyway, that was my day. Save for the Braves loss against the D-backs, Saturday went ok. The Archers won their first game I didn’t get to see live in the venue, and thank goodness I didn’t go. If ever, I would end up at the wrong venue and screw things some more.
8/01/2005
What's up with tag-board lately?
Or is it just me? Could somebody explain to me what's happening? I greatly appreciate it.
The all-UAAP entry
UAAP men's basketball appreciation list
DLSU (appreciation rating: +24) – this shouldn’t be explained anymore.
UP (appreciation rating: +21) – two things. One, it is composed of former Archers, and you know that used-to-be Archers rank high in my list in any league. Two, my cousin is in the training team, I think, and a teammate of his back in UPIS, who is a cousin of my brother’s friend almost made the cut.
UE (appreciation rating: +13) – one word: Pumaren. Nuff said.
AdU (appreciation rating: +16) – it’s a surprise they are still this high after Luigi Trillo was unceremoniously evicted from the men’s basketball team as its head coach. May be because Xyldrae is hanging out with the ahem… boys.
FEU (appreciation rating: +10) – it’s all about Koy Banal. After he left, I couldn’t find any reason to cheer for the Tams this season. Plus the fact that they still have Anton Minola, este Montinola, as UAAP board member. Then, there’s the animosity from last year. Makes for an interesting rivalry.
NU (appreciation rating: +5) – out of respect, I put the Bulldogs higher than UST because of Manny Dandan. Their team still sucks, though.
UST (appreciation rating: +10) – our ‘relationship’ has deteriorated through the years. Gone is Aric del Rosario and the only reason I’ve been banking on the Tigers after Aric’s departure, Christian Luanzon.
ADMU (Appreciation rating: -10) – this shouldn’t be explained anymore.
-----
Two losses worth forgetting
7/14/05
It was one Thursday that would forever be relegated to the ‘bad memories’ part of my mind. See, it was so horrible I couldn’t even recall how it started. Oh, now I remember.
I was woken up when my mother said there was a brownout and I noticed that the fan was off. Thinking it was still early in the morning, I didn’t mind the perspiration settling in as long I could get more zzz’s along the way.
I finally got out the bed when my mom was tinkering with the computer while the fan was still turned off. I was grumbily thinking while half awake, "Who ever turned off the friggin’ fan?"
I asked what time Meralco decided to cut the electricity, my mom replied at about 11am. I looked at the clock and it read 11:30am. That sure felt like eternity.
Then I went down for lunch and a serving of Eat Bulaga. Bulagaan is my dessert, yes. Turns my brain to mush. Just like yogurt. Healthy.
For some strange reason, I had the tummy willies. Went two trips to the bathroom just to dump. One was before lunch, one while taking a bath.
The reason why I was going out, I told my mom, was to buy some school stuff since I feel so disorganized writing notes on a rain-soaked pad of yellow paper. Plus the fact I was running out of yellow paper. Then I mentioned I would be proceeding to the Blue Eagle Gym afterwards to watch some UAAP basketball.
But before handing me my ‘bookstore’ money, she sermoned me on this and that. Murphy 3, JP 0.
Dumb moment before I continue. Exiting the Katipunan station of LRT 2, I turned left instead of right. Because of that, I had to cross Aurora Boulevard to reach Ateneo. Murphy 4, JP 0.
As I entered the gates of Ateneo with the school buses and some Ateneo kiddies blocking the entrance, I could hear the drumbeats from afar. Somehow, this elicited some nostalgia from me. It’s what Sid Venutra described as that retro feeling in his column in ubelt.com
Aaah... memories. A time when basketball was pure. And I was referring to the late 80s-mid 90s when Silverstar was covering the UAAP games and Joaqui Trillo and Jude Turcuato were the only commentators. This was after the short shorts era and during the Archers’ bridesmaid finishes.
Arrived just in time to watch the second half of the UE-NU men’s basketball game. Couldn’t concentrate on the game because the drums were echoing in the hollow gym. Or maybe I’m just relishing 'classic' basketball.
Nothing to talk about in the NU-UE game. Nothing unusual there. But the drums do sound louder this time. Or is it because I’m sitting in the section just in front of the screen where they drums?
Anyway, as the first game ended, my stomach started acting up again. I really had to go. As I was dumping my souvenir in the archetypical of a rest room, I had a good and bad feeling at the same time.
I hate it when I catch myself shitting in a public place. All I have is tissue paper, and when bad luck really kicks in, there’s no soap on the sink and water coming out of the faucet. At the same time though, it feel good dropping my version of the H-bomb in Ateneo. Let’s just call this a tie. So far, the score stands Murphy 5, JP 1.
Saw Sid Ventura on my way back. Talked a little about the Maroon Archers.
By now, you already knew what happened. Vainio and company got their redemption while the Archers suffered their first loss of the season. And the refs stank like shit somewhat. Murphy 6, JP 1.
Since the Gang Green were not really in the mood to party, although they were planning where to dine, I was out of their way since they would be heading south while I’m going to Cubao. At least I had fun with them.
Then, Gateway. Yes, I had to give this mall one run through. Unfortunately, after endlessly going up and down the entirety of the mall for about an hour, the only bookstore there is Fully Booked and they don’t sell school supplies. The only other bookstore, the one located at the ground floor near the Aurora exit, doesn’t sell anything, although I found several interesting titles.
However, no one beats the selection Fully Booked has. They have everything. Fiction, sports, comics and graphic novels, self help, and these shwanky humongous greeting cards. Remind me to purchase one for an August 23 occasion.
It’s not a delight to walk around a mall for an hour and not find what you are looking for. I had to push myself to SM Centerpoint to proceed to the usual National Bookstore. Murphy 7, JP 1.
Good thing though is that I caught them open still, but I was already starting to become short on funds. Just enough for me to go home and pay my stash. I satisfied myself with this one set of itsy-bitsy filler-type notebooks, which turned out to be one of those types that wasn’t stapled or stitched in the middle. Murphy 8, JP 1.
I lost by a blowout. Not good.
7/17/05
When you feel you were asleep for eight hours but when you look up at the clock and you were in slumber for just five hours or so, something odd is bound to happen.
That trip to Tagaytay after the untimely "HF reunion" proved to be eventful, especially when I expected myself to be home by Sunday early morning, but ended up sleeping in Joyce’s house instead. I arrived at 7-ish, was greeted by my mom with a stern look and lots of harsh words. Went straight to bed, expecting myself to wake up at about 2pm.
Seems that my body clock has adjusted to school mode already. I woke up less than five hours later and I couldn’t return to sleep.
Ate lunch, watched the last six rounds of the Bernard Hopkins-Jermaine Taylor championship bout, dressed up, and went to Gateway Mall to meet up with companions to the DLSU-UE men’s basketball game (events not in order).
Had an agreed grace period of one hour, so I was in no hurry to proceed to Cubao, although I arrived there a quarter to three. Caught them just as the buzzer sounded, so to speak.
These companions of mine are obvious first-timers. They took every hand-me-out given to them at the entrance.
Seems that these two have a hidden agenda. For five minutes, I was already seated in the Gang Green gallery. The next moment, I find myself on the floor of the Blue Eagle Gym. Saved my throat for another day. Sucks.
They brought their camera with them and took pictures of every hunk they see. That includes Mika Vainio of UP, Elmer Espiritu of UE, TY Tang and Macmac Cardona of DLSU-M.
Groupie alert. Now you know why I am on the floor five feet away from the sidelines instead of being with the Gang Green at the Upper Box section.
Then July arrived. Hooray. More courtside companions. At least, I have someone to talk ‘real’ basketball with, if you know what I mean.
The Maroons handily won against the lowly NU Bulldogs. The Gang Green were applauding at every mistake Vainio did. And there’s something in Vainio’s eyes I didn’t see before. Imagine a bull seeing red. In this case, imagine Vainio seeing green before him. Same thing.
After the game, I went looking for the press room since the statistician didn’t want to provide me a hot-from-the-printer statsheet. I didn’t get the first game’s stats, but I did get to see coach Maynard Ballecer and he introduced me to The Coach Joe Lipa. His nose isn’t that as big when you see him in personal.
Gave him the sheepiest grin. I couldn’t even mutter words. Seems I still respect the guy. It’s just that his stint in Ateneo ‘tarnished’ his reputation. You know Ateneo, they are like Midas. Anything they touch, becomes sucky afterwards. Look at Banal, Arespacochaga, and soon to be, Black.
I invited coach Maynard to watch the second game. He declined, reasoning out conflict of interest. I just had a gut feel something was about to happen.
The UE-DLSU started out as exciting. Neither team giving the other an inch of advantage. What do you expect when you have two brothers, believing in the same philosophy, coaching the opposing teams?
It was 10-all midway the first quarter. Five minutes later, it was 17-10 in favour of the Red Warriors. End of first quarter.
Ryan Araña scored a basket to make it 12-17. Then it was 14-17. The Archers were already ahead by three when East scored their first point of the quarter, some three minutes remaining. The Recto-based squad made their first and only field goal with just ten seconds left before the halftime buzzer sounded. Halftime, 24-20, De La Salle ahead.
After the usual halftime show, the Red Warriors tied the game, and then went ahead, 27-24. After that, the Archers retaliated. It would go on and then came that blatant goal tending non-call which infuriated the DLSU-M crowd.
The Gang Green and the alumni surely let the referees have it by jeering at them in between quarters. Expletives they were throwing.
Calls like these, or the lack of it, can make or break a team both literally and figuratively. Moments later, University of the East was already ahead and the green and white squad was playing catch up.
Minutes winding down, UE on top, 57-53, OJ Cua scored a three to cut down the deficit. UE ball. 24 game seconds passed by. No successful attempt coming from the Warriors, the buzzer was barely audible, the red light behind the backboard lit up to signify that the shot clock has run out.
Since the speakers were directly behind, I could hear the court barker turn on his mic to announce the violation. He stopped in mid-sentence. Still no whistle from the refs. At least four seconds passed by before some semblance of order was restored.
Finally, Green Archer ball. Duty foul by Robert Labagala. Earn Saguindel was sent in and so was Joseph Yeo. Ten seconds to win. Yeo drove at the right but was met by Mark Borboran near the paint. Getting pinned at the sideline, he spotted Jun-jun Cabatu behind the three-point line at quarter court.
After receiving the pass from Yeo, Cabatu faked a three, drove him, and encountered resistance. He then kicked it back to Yeo at the same area where he was and with the clock nearing zero, "The Ninja" hoisted a desperation three. In then out. Scramble for the ball. Game over. UE gallery was whooping it up.
Coach Dindo was already congratulating the Archers while his team was celebrating at the other side of the court. Alma mater hymns. Waited for stats. Met a furious Gang Green. It was so ‘hot’ in Ateneo, had to look for cooler atmospheres. Ice cream sounded nice.
Had to choose between accompanying Jade and Aubrey to their ride home or coming along with July to ‘celebrate’ in Shakey’s. The stomach prevailed over chivalry.
The Ice Cream Bar. A missed opportunity the last time me and the family went to that same branch. Now’s the chance.
It indeed looks romantic sharing ice cream, but as July said, "There’s a big difference between romance and hunger." Amen.
At least I now know where to bring a date whenever I feel like a cheapskate and romantic at the same time.
The chocolate and sugar high sure made us feel better. Made us not feel bad about the loss. Chocolate releases endorphins, remember.
Was quite amazed that almost every store there accepts credit cards. I remarked, if you have a ‘manukan’ in front, expect to be paid using credit cards. Unlike Lasallians, LRTs don’t accept credit cards, neither do public utility jeeps nor buses.
Going back to the UAAP, it’s better that the Archers lose early rather than ran out of luck at the latter part of the basketball season. Besides, games like these, whether under review (read: under protest) or not, are character-builders for Joseph Yeo and the rest of the Archers. It is games like these that turn boys into men. Conscripts to warriors. Archers to snipers.
Since losses also make a team’s weaknesses more glaring, here are some observations on the Archers:
- Rico Maierhofer develop the confidence to finish strong when being heavily guarded. He should also improve his mid-range jumper. More upper body beef can also help in his inside game.
- With the departure of Cardona, Ryan Araña is obviously given the green light to shoot. This is evident since he is attempting more shots this season. Now is not the time to miss those gimme-back cut-reverse layups.
- Props to JR Aquino and TY Tang for having the most defined biceps in the team.
- Freethrow shooting has improved, making most of what the picky refs give us.
- Mark Benitez, where were you during the offseason? You haven’t improved an inch. Even Maierhofer has surpassed you in terms of development.
- OJ Cua is slowly getting his old confidence back. So is Cholo “the Michael Jordan of San Agustin” Villanueva.
- Props to Jun-jun Cabatu. He is the Archers’ only “big man”. And he could play the point position also. Magic Johnson and Scottie Pippen rolled into one.
- Props to JVee Casio for keeping his relationship with his girlfriend going strong still.
- What’s up with Yeo? “The Ninja” could not be found the first three games. His draft stock wouldn’t improve if he continues playing apprehensive.
- Lionel Rivera looks like Patrick Cabahug. They also have the same body type.
- Kish Co and Peejay Barua would eventually get their minutes. Just continue on working and it would eventually pay off. Look at Eric Arejola.
- Did I miss anyone? I hope not.
-----
DLSUAAP
If only things didn’t change that much and Luigi Trillo is still head coach of the Adamson men’s basketball team, think of this possibility. The Pumarens coach two of the UAAP men’s basketball teams. Then, you have the UP Fighting Maroons souped up by former La Salle Greenhills players, plus the fact that Lito Vergara was the former basketball coach of the Bengals... or is it Greenies?
Finally, you have Trillo. Think of the possibility of having four teams in the Final Four and the common thing among them is that either they are coached by a Lasallian or have former Green Archers playing for them. How cool is that?
Welcome to the De La Salle University Athletic Association of the Philippines or DLSUAAP.
How strong is the De La Salle-Manila men’s basketball program? It seems that they are not just feeding players into the PBA, they are also filling up lineups of other collegiate teams. Let me count the ways.
You have Mike Gavino, Mica Vainio, and Mike Padolina in the UP lineup. Then you have Chris Cabatu and Martin Urra currently playing for the CSB Blazers.
Other than that, PJ Walsham returned from Australia and is now training with the Archers once again. Tim Gatchalian is just waiting for his time to shine and we still have that Betrovic guy redshirting. Oh yeah, ever heard of that Indonesian guy named Ferdinand which San Beda threw into the trash bin because the arrogant Tiger Cubs were bullying him?
Guess what, after Betrovic, LSGH has another project playing for them. Three guesses where he would end suiting up for in college.
DLSU (appreciation rating: +24) – this shouldn’t be explained anymore.
UP (appreciation rating: +21) – two things. One, it is composed of former Archers, and you know that used-to-be Archers rank high in my list in any league. Two, my cousin is in the training team, I think, and a teammate of his back in UPIS, who is a cousin of my brother’s friend almost made the cut.
UE (appreciation rating: +13) – one word: Pumaren. Nuff said.
AdU (appreciation rating: +16) – it’s a surprise they are still this high after Luigi Trillo was unceremoniously evicted from the men’s basketball team as its head coach. May be because Xyldrae is hanging out with the ahem… boys.
FEU (appreciation rating: +10) – it’s all about Koy Banal. After he left, I couldn’t find any reason to cheer for the Tams this season. Plus the fact that they still have Anton Minola, este Montinola, as UAAP board member. Then, there’s the animosity from last year. Makes for an interesting rivalry.
NU (appreciation rating: +5) – out of respect, I put the Bulldogs higher than UST because of Manny Dandan. Their team still sucks, though.
UST (appreciation rating: +10) – our ‘relationship’ has deteriorated through the years. Gone is Aric del Rosario and the only reason I’ve been banking on the Tigers after Aric’s departure, Christian Luanzon.
ADMU (Appreciation rating: -10) – this shouldn’t be explained anymore.
-----
Two losses worth forgetting
7/14/05
It was one Thursday that would forever be relegated to the ‘bad memories’ part of my mind. See, it was so horrible I couldn’t even recall how it started. Oh, now I remember.
I was woken up when my mother said there was a brownout and I noticed that the fan was off. Thinking it was still early in the morning, I didn’t mind the perspiration settling in as long I could get more zzz’s along the way.
I finally got out the bed when my mom was tinkering with the computer while the fan was still turned off. I was grumbily thinking while half awake, "Who ever turned off the friggin’ fan?"
I asked what time Meralco decided to cut the electricity, my mom replied at about 11am. I looked at the clock and it read 11:30am. That sure felt like eternity.
Then I went down for lunch and a serving of Eat Bulaga. Bulagaan is my dessert, yes. Turns my brain to mush. Just like yogurt. Healthy.
For some strange reason, I had the tummy willies. Went two trips to the bathroom just to dump. One was before lunch, one while taking a bath.
The reason why I was going out, I told my mom, was to buy some school stuff since I feel so disorganized writing notes on a rain-soaked pad of yellow paper. Plus the fact I was running out of yellow paper. Then I mentioned I would be proceeding to the Blue Eagle Gym afterwards to watch some UAAP basketball.
But before handing me my ‘bookstore’ money, she sermoned me on this and that. Murphy 3, JP 0.
Dumb moment before I continue. Exiting the Katipunan station of LRT 2, I turned left instead of right. Because of that, I had to cross Aurora Boulevard to reach Ateneo. Murphy 4, JP 0.
As I entered the gates of Ateneo with the school buses and some Ateneo kiddies blocking the entrance, I could hear the drumbeats from afar. Somehow, this elicited some nostalgia from me. It’s what Sid Venutra described as that retro feeling in his column in ubelt.com
Aaah... memories. A time when basketball was pure. And I was referring to the late 80s-mid 90s when Silverstar was covering the UAAP games and Joaqui Trillo and Jude Turcuato were the only commentators. This was after the short shorts era and during the Archers’ bridesmaid finishes.
Arrived just in time to watch the second half of the UE-NU men’s basketball game. Couldn’t concentrate on the game because the drums were echoing in the hollow gym. Or maybe I’m just relishing 'classic' basketball.
Nothing to talk about in the NU-UE game. Nothing unusual there. But the drums do sound louder this time. Or is it because I’m sitting in the section just in front of the screen where they drums?
Anyway, as the first game ended, my stomach started acting up again. I really had to go. As I was dumping my souvenir in the archetypical of a rest room, I had a good and bad feeling at the same time.
I hate it when I catch myself shitting in a public place. All I have is tissue paper, and when bad luck really kicks in, there’s no soap on the sink and water coming out of the faucet. At the same time though, it feel good dropping my version of the H-bomb in Ateneo. Let’s just call this a tie. So far, the score stands Murphy 5, JP 1.
Saw Sid Ventura on my way back. Talked a little about the Maroon Archers.
By now, you already knew what happened. Vainio and company got their redemption while the Archers suffered their first loss of the season. And the refs stank like shit somewhat. Murphy 6, JP 1.
Since the Gang Green were not really in the mood to party, although they were planning where to dine, I was out of their way since they would be heading south while I’m going to Cubao. At least I had fun with them.
Then, Gateway. Yes, I had to give this mall one run through. Unfortunately, after endlessly going up and down the entirety of the mall for about an hour, the only bookstore there is Fully Booked and they don’t sell school supplies. The only other bookstore, the one located at the ground floor near the Aurora exit, doesn’t sell anything, although I found several interesting titles.
However, no one beats the selection Fully Booked has. They have everything. Fiction, sports, comics and graphic novels, self help, and these shwanky humongous greeting cards. Remind me to purchase one for an August 23 occasion.
It’s not a delight to walk around a mall for an hour and not find what you are looking for. I had to push myself to SM Centerpoint to proceed to the usual National Bookstore. Murphy 7, JP 1.
Good thing though is that I caught them open still, but I was already starting to become short on funds. Just enough for me to go home and pay my stash. I satisfied myself with this one set of itsy-bitsy filler-type notebooks, which turned out to be one of those types that wasn’t stapled or stitched in the middle. Murphy 8, JP 1.
I lost by a blowout. Not good.
7/17/05
When you feel you were asleep for eight hours but when you look up at the clock and you were in slumber for just five hours or so, something odd is bound to happen.
That trip to Tagaytay after the untimely "HF reunion" proved to be eventful, especially when I expected myself to be home by Sunday early morning, but ended up sleeping in Joyce’s house instead. I arrived at 7-ish, was greeted by my mom with a stern look and lots of harsh words. Went straight to bed, expecting myself to wake up at about 2pm.
Seems that my body clock has adjusted to school mode already. I woke up less than five hours later and I couldn’t return to sleep.
Ate lunch, watched the last six rounds of the Bernard Hopkins-Jermaine Taylor championship bout, dressed up, and went to Gateway Mall to meet up with companions to the DLSU-UE men’s basketball game (events not in order).
Had an agreed grace period of one hour, so I was in no hurry to proceed to Cubao, although I arrived there a quarter to three. Caught them just as the buzzer sounded, so to speak.
These companions of mine are obvious first-timers. They took every hand-me-out given to them at the entrance.
Seems that these two have a hidden agenda. For five minutes, I was already seated in the Gang Green gallery. The next moment, I find myself on the floor of the Blue Eagle Gym. Saved my throat for another day. Sucks.
They brought their camera with them and took pictures of every hunk they see. That includes Mika Vainio of UP, Elmer Espiritu of UE, TY Tang and Macmac Cardona of DLSU-M.
Groupie alert. Now you know why I am on the floor five feet away from the sidelines instead of being with the Gang Green at the Upper Box section.
Then July arrived. Hooray. More courtside companions. At least, I have someone to talk ‘real’ basketball with, if you know what I mean.
The Maroons handily won against the lowly NU Bulldogs. The Gang Green were applauding at every mistake Vainio did. And there’s something in Vainio’s eyes I didn’t see before. Imagine a bull seeing red. In this case, imagine Vainio seeing green before him. Same thing.
After the game, I went looking for the press room since the statistician didn’t want to provide me a hot-from-the-printer statsheet. I didn’t get the first game’s stats, but I did get to see coach Maynard Ballecer and he introduced me to The Coach Joe Lipa. His nose isn’t that as big when you see him in personal.
Gave him the sheepiest grin. I couldn’t even mutter words. Seems I still respect the guy. It’s just that his stint in Ateneo ‘tarnished’ his reputation. You know Ateneo, they are like Midas. Anything they touch, becomes sucky afterwards. Look at Banal, Arespacochaga, and soon to be, Black.
I invited coach Maynard to watch the second game. He declined, reasoning out conflict of interest. I just had a gut feel something was about to happen.
The UE-DLSU started out as exciting. Neither team giving the other an inch of advantage. What do you expect when you have two brothers, believing in the same philosophy, coaching the opposing teams?
It was 10-all midway the first quarter. Five minutes later, it was 17-10 in favour of the Red Warriors. End of first quarter.
Ryan Araña scored a basket to make it 12-17. Then it was 14-17. The Archers were already ahead by three when East scored their first point of the quarter, some three minutes remaining. The Recto-based squad made their first and only field goal with just ten seconds left before the halftime buzzer sounded. Halftime, 24-20, De La Salle ahead.
After the usual halftime show, the Red Warriors tied the game, and then went ahead, 27-24. After that, the Archers retaliated. It would go on and then came that blatant goal tending non-call which infuriated the DLSU-M crowd.
The Gang Green and the alumni surely let the referees have it by jeering at them in between quarters. Expletives they were throwing.
Calls like these, or the lack of it, can make or break a team both literally and figuratively. Moments later, University of the East was already ahead and the green and white squad was playing catch up.
Minutes winding down, UE on top, 57-53, OJ Cua scored a three to cut down the deficit. UE ball. 24 game seconds passed by. No successful attempt coming from the Warriors, the buzzer was barely audible, the red light behind the backboard lit up to signify that the shot clock has run out.
Since the speakers were directly behind, I could hear the court barker turn on his mic to announce the violation. He stopped in mid-sentence. Still no whistle from the refs. At least four seconds passed by before some semblance of order was restored.
Finally, Green Archer ball. Duty foul by Robert Labagala. Earn Saguindel was sent in and so was Joseph Yeo. Ten seconds to win. Yeo drove at the right but was met by Mark Borboran near the paint. Getting pinned at the sideline, he spotted Jun-jun Cabatu behind the three-point line at quarter court.
After receiving the pass from Yeo, Cabatu faked a three, drove him, and encountered resistance. He then kicked it back to Yeo at the same area where he was and with the clock nearing zero, "The Ninja" hoisted a desperation three. In then out. Scramble for the ball. Game over. UE gallery was whooping it up.
Coach Dindo was already congratulating the Archers while his team was celebrating at the other side of the court. Alma mater hymns. Waited for stats. Met a furious Gang Green. It was so ‘hot’ in Ateneo, had to look for cooler atmospheres. Ice cream sounded nice.
Had to choose between accompanying Jade and Aubrey to their ride home or coming along with July to ‘celebrate’ in Shakey’s. The stomach prevailed over chivalry.
The Ice Cream Bar. A missed opportunity the last time me and the family went to that same branch. Now’s the chance.
It indeed looks romantic sharing ice cream, but as July said, "There’s a big difference between romance and hunger." Amen.
At least I now know where to bring a date whenever I feel like a cheapskate and romantic at the same time.
The chocolate and sugar high sure made us feel better. Made us not feel bad about the loss. Chocolate releases endorphins, remember.
Was quite amazed that almost every store there accepts credit cards. I remarked, if you have a ‘manukan’ in front, expect to be paid using credit cards. Unlike Lasallians, LRTs don’t accept credit cards, neither do public utility jeeps nor buses.
Going back to the UAAP, it’s better that the Archers lose early rather than ran out of luck at the latter part of the basketball season. Besides, games like these, whether under review (read: under protest) or not, are character-builders for Joseph Yeo and the rest of the Archers. It is games like these that turn boys into men. Conscripts to warriors. Archers to snipers.
Since losses also make a team’s weaknesses more glaring, here are some observations on the Archers:
- Rico Maierhofer develop the confidence to finish strong when being heavily guarded. He should also improve his mid-range jumper. More upper body beef can also help in his inside game.
- With the departure of Cardona, Ryan Araña is obviously given the green light to shoot. This is evident since he is attempting more shots this season. Now is not the time to miss those gimme-back cut-reverse layups.
- Props to JR Aquino and TY Tang for having the most defined biceps in the team.
- Freethrow shooting has improved, making most of what the picky refs give us.
- Mark Benitez, where were you during the offseason? You haven’t improved an inch. Even Maierhofer has surpassed you in terms of development.
- OJ Cua is slowly getting his old confidence back. So is Cholo “the Michael Jordan of San Agustin” Villanueva.
- Props to Jun-jun Cabatu. He is the Archers’ only “big man”. And he could play the point position also. Magic Johnson and Scottie Pippen rolled into one.
- Props to JVee Casio for keeping his relationship with his girlfriend going strong still.
- What’s up with Yeo? “The Ninja” could not be found the first three games. His draft stock wouldn’t improve if he continues playing apprehensive.
- Lionel Rivera looks like Patrick Cabahug. They also have the same body type.
- Kish Co and Peejay Barua would eventually get their minutes. Just continue on working and it would eventually pay off. Look at Eric Arejola.
- Did I miss anyone? I hope not.
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DLSUAAP
If only things didn’t change that much and Luigi Trillo is still head coach of the Adamson men’s basketball team, think of this possibility. The Pumarens coach two of the UAAP men’s basketball teams. Then, you have the UP Fighting Maroons souped up by former La Salle Greenhills players, plus the fact that Lito Vergara was the former basketball coach of the Bengals... or is it Greenies?
Finally, you have Trillo. Think of the possibility of having four teams in the Final Four and the common thing among them is that either they are coached by a Lasallian or have former Green Archers playing for them. How cool is that?
Welcome to the De La Salle University Athletic Association of the Philippines or DLSUAAP.
How strong is the De La Salle-Manila men’s basketball program? It seems that they are not just feeding players into the PBA, they are also filling up lineups of other collegiate teams. Let me count the ways.
You have Mike Gavino, Mica Vainio, and Mike Padolina in the UP lineup. Then you have Chris Cabatu and Martin Urra currently playing for the CSB Blazers.
Other than that, PJ Walsham returned from Australia and is now training with the Archers once again. Tim Gatchalian is just waiting for his time to shine and we still have that Betrovic guy redshirting. Oh yeah, ever heard of that Indonesian guy named Ferdinand which San Beda threw into the trash bin because the arrogant Tiger Cubs were bullying him?
Guess what, after Betrovic, LSGH has another project playing for them. Three guesses where he would end suiting up for in college.
