Bleachers' Brew #104 Liga Pilipinas: Pride and Passion

(This appears in my column in the Monday, April 21, 2008 edition of Business Mirror.)

The Flights of Infancy
As a young boy, Noli Eala was left to fend for himself. Many of his ideas are products of his childhood when he’d create his own games. A shopping bag was a makeshift hoop with a monopoly board as the backboard. Rulers and pencils served as ramps for motorcycles where his matchboxes were micro versions of Evel Knievel.

And when he wasn’t good enough to make the varsity basketball teams he made sure that he wasn’t on the outside looking in. He’d daydream sure; after all sports does give one visions of glory. He always wanted to be a part of the game yet he never let his frustrations get the better of him. So he always found a way to be a part of the game.

He looks better now. Aside from his sports promotions company, he’s found the time to work out. He talks about a newfound adherence to health and staying fit. His tenure as commissioner of the Philippine basketball Association didn’t end the way he wanted it to but he’s shrugged it off and is back on his feet.

Why not? He’s still in the game.

The Starbucks along Emerald Avenue in Ortigas Center is bustling with a late afternoon crowd seeking relief from the oppressive summer heat. And frappuccinos are the order of the day. We’re seated outside in the smoking area but incredibly no one is smoking. Some are wiping the beads of sweat trickling down their face and necks. It’s the heat, you know. Eala has some tea and is wearing a black golf shirt while exuding calmness that curbs his excitement about his baby.

But after a few minutes, he’s worked himself up talking about Liga Pilipinas – his baby – and it’s like the dam broke. “Passion and pride,” is his cheerful explanation and he takes a sip from his drink. Then he waxes long and eloquent about basketball and life. Yet his sunny disposition belies his concern for the once more chaotic national basketball leadership that never seemed to get a firm grip on the ball a the dispossessed constantly seek a return to power.

The Rebirth of Cool
Liga Pilipinas is a bold new-jack version of the defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association. In its brief heyday, the MBA gave the PBA a run for its money. It discovered many a player who eventually became stars in the country’s premier hoops league. And the people felt a part of the league as they had a team to call their own.

“From a basketball perspective, the MBA carried with it a localized style of basketball,” marvels Eala. “It wasn’t scientific. It wasn’t textbook. Maybe it wasn’t polished but the rawness of it was very Filipino. The alahoy shot and the pektus lived and breathed there.” Like the National Basketball Association, there was a feeling of community ownership to the region-based teams.

Liga Pilipinas is an improved version with a lot of modifications and innovations. Eala and Head of Business Development Joey Bautista feel that there is still room in an already crowded basketball republic. “There’s always room for growth,” says Bautista. “Liga Pilipinas is a community-based basketball league.”

Mother of Invention
To date there are 16 teams that will comprise the league – eight in the south and eight in the north with some of the teams already having been named. There are the Zamboanga Latinos (because it is said to be the only Asian Latin city), the Iloilo Warriors, the Cebu Ninos, the Baguio Centennials, and tentatively, the Negros Muscovados. The remaining teams are in the process of having their monikers approved in time for the May 2008 launch.

The tournament will tap into the existing officiating structure while at once develop its own stable of umpires. And once in awhile, there will be foreign officials working side-by-side with the local zebras who will be strictly following FIBA rules rather than hybrid ones. “The league is all about opportunities and inviting foreign referees will greatly help in the transfer of technology,” said the Commissioner who also divulged that the PBA’s former head of officiating, Perry Mariano, was now on board as well.

They’ll be playing in a home and away format that will be economical and incentive-based for all the teams. Teams will be accruing points similar to the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) that will greatly tell on the national championship picture as well as other incentives. “It has to be a win-win situation for the teams, the fans, the owners, and our partners – the sponsors,” says a pleased commissioner who admits that the idea for the league was something he was supposed to present to the PBA Board of Governors but never got to do. “It’s a fresh start for all and at once a vibrant opportunity.”

Even the way the league is managed is done in such a way to veer away from the bureaucracy that binds many organizations. There are two bodies that govern the league – one for policy making and one for operations that implements what the think-tank comes up with. “The game is traditional, but the thinking behind it is new for the times,” chimes in Bautista who likes the excitement and initial reception the league has been getting.

All the games will be shown over the internet on www.ligapilipinas.net as well as a television partner that the league is still working out.

Jump Ball
“The MBA, the National Basketball Conference, and the Mindanao-Visayas Basketball Association, and to a certain degree, the PBA, have proven that there is a market in the provinces. It is doable and financially and economically viable. Part of the task there is finding the right and skilled people to make it all happen,” added Eala.

It’s an ambitious undertaking where as many as four games will be played in one day in 350 different venues in 16 communities. Unlike the MBA which immediately pried away some of the PBA’s stars and emerging collegiate players, Liga Pilipinas hopes to tap into a rich hotbed of undiscovered talent. “It’s an alternative opportunity for players and localities – and there are so much more out there -- to shine,” emphasizes Rico Meneses, the league’s Head of Marketing. “I guess you’ve noticed that’s what we constantly talk about – opportunities.”

Noli Eala nods his head in agreement. He knows it’s a tough job in a market oversaturated with basketball. Yet it’s his unwavering belief that regional basketball is largely untapped that’s why he’s into this. “With a league as big as this, there will always be issues of control and security which we assure are top of the list for us. That will always be a primordial policy for us that our games are clean and fair. It’s important to keep the integrity of the game intact. But like all other leagues we will always be vulnerable to external forces. So what we can do is to be very vigilant. And we’re confident about the outcome because it’s all about playing for pride and passion."

Liga Pilipinas format

Liga Pilipinas in its efforts to bring a fresh and vibrant concept in regional basketball is continuing its refinement of the format. It is in the final stages of developing a format that will ensure both excitement in the games and efficiency in its operations. The format will be a first in basketball — anywhere in the world. It will be a hybrid format inspired by the successful aspects of the formats of such leagues as the Euroleague, UEFA, and the European and PGA Golf Tours.

Exciting and yet operationally efficient. Providing a platform that will push a team to perform at its best all the time since all games will have an impact on the team's chances to acheive further success in the tournament.

The format will feature a series of weekly concentrated tournament legs to be held in each of the homecourts of the participating teams at its onset. Each of the weekly legs will see a leg winner at the end of each week. The leg champion shall not only get the distinction of being declared leg
champion, the team shall also get points that will later account for positional advantage during the Liga Pilipinas National championship.

Leg winners will also get cash prizes as an additional reward.

The format will lessen the expenses incurred for travelling and accommodations since each home team will host one tournament leg rather then travel constantly during the initial stages of the tournament. A home and away format shall then be used during the National championship phase.

The format shall also provide a more concentrated platform for building community and fan affinity for the teams and league sponsors as a series of immersion activities are set to be done during the week-long tournament.

The format is conceptualized in line with Liga objectives of providing fresh, dynamic and efficient ideas.

Format itself is simple - easy for the public to understand --, economical -- cuts costs for the league, teams, sponsors and television partners -- and dynamic -- gives incentives and discourages mediocrity. It also satisfies the appetite of Pinoys for "championships" and quick winners thus, reducing no-bearing games.

Defensive Lapse Redux

This is why you never leave anyone outside the arc free when they're trailing by three come crunchtime. Let Manu Ginobili have the two off the glass if that's what he wants but not the three. The Ateneo Blue Eaglets would know.

NBA last second shots

Kobe Bryant for MVP… Tim Duncan’s open trey to send the game into overtime in Game One between the revenge series between the Phoenix Suns and the San Antonio Spurs is the latest in a long line of rotation blunders… Agent Zero, now’s the time to make your case as a big time player who likes to run his mouth unless you’re content being this generation’s Chuck Person… Donnie Walsh is a wus. Why keep Isiah around? What for? Is it the mental torture for him as he will see the turnaround for this woeful franchise… John Paxson, you blew your chance last season. Now’s the time to blow up the damn herd... Houston looks like they're off to another first round exit... Boston versus Los Angeles (there's only one team worth talking about in the City of Angels) in the NBA Finals? I like the sound of that!

I could listen to her talk all day

But what does Melissa Theuriau have to do with a sports blog when she's a news anchor? I'm imagining she's talking about Les Bleus that's what.

Born to Run: One minute with the new track queen Allyson Felix

Sometimes it all starts with a taunt. You know, the kind of teasing that motivates you. Allyson Felix heard it all. "Chicken legs," they laughed at her scrawny 5'6" frame.

But her lithe 125-pound body can dead-lift 360 pounds and power clean another 150. Tiny dynamite Allyson is because she has won four golds and a silver in track competition.

Why do you run?
Allyson: I run to challenge myself and to push my body to do things I didn't think I could do. I also run to stay active and be healthy.

How often do you run?
Alyson: I run for five days a week. I do sprints and long runs.

Where do you usually run or train?
Allyson: If I'm running for fun then I run along the beach in Santa Monica.

What do you usually have in mind when you go running?
Allyson: While training, I already set my goals including what I want to accomplish. I think about all the work I have to put in and how to go about them. It's all about focus. And when I get through all that hard work that once seemed impossible to accomplish it leaves me with such a great feeling.

More reasons to file for undertime or leaves -- the 2008 NBA Playoff Sked on BTV / C&S

Sunday April 20
Washington vs Cleveland Game 1 12:30am BTV
Phoenix vs San Antonio Game 1 3:00am BTV
Utah vs Houston 9:30am Game 1 Crime & Suspense

Monday April 21
Atlanta vs Boston Game 1 8:30am BTV
Denver vs Los Angeles Lakers Game 1 9:30am Crime & Suspense

Tuesday April 22
Utah vs Houston Game 2 9:30am BTV

Wednesday April 23
Dallas vs New Orleans game 2 7:00am BTV

Thursday April 24
Philadelphia vs Detroit Game 2 7:30am BTV
Denver vs Los Angeles Lakers Game 2 10:30am Crime & Suspense

Friday April 25
Orlando vs Toronto Game 3 7:30am BTV

Saturday April 26
Detroit vs Philadelphia Game 3 7:00am BTV
San Antonio vs Phoenix Game 3 10:30am Crime & Suspense

For complete skeds with replays, send me email.

Where's Rick?

I have every single issue of one of the world's most annually anticipated issues since Paulina Porizkova graced their covers. And this was before she met Ric Ocasek! Bwahahaha!

And this begs the same question when people are asked when they buy Playboy (the American edition not the local, dummy), do they read it all or do they just look at the pictures?

Sure I do. Every since about a decade ago when Sports Illustrated began to shoot in multiple locations, they have written travelogues that arguably are the granddaddy of today's travel magazines. For real.

But what changed for readers and pervs this year? No rick Reilly. Where's he at? Is he done sipping pinacolladas with super models?

The last page was by former ESPN Sportscenter Anchor Dan Patrick who moved to SI recently. And it was Dan Patrick on Danica Patrick who posed for this issue.

But what were the cool spreads? Heidi Klum with Will Ferrell for a special tie-in with Semi-Pro, Jessica Gomes, Jarah Mariano, Marisa Miller, and Irina Shayk. They featured some NFL Cheerleaders here but am not much of a fan since Aja left the Philadelphia Eagles after the 2004 season.

But where's Rick Reilly?

By June 1, 2008, he'll be in the pages of ESPN the Magazine (moving after 22 years with SI). That's where.

A Twin Killing

Twin brothers Bob and Mike Bryan, who will both turn 30 this month, made their debut for the U.S. Davis Cup team in late 2003 when captain Patrick McEnroe overcame his reluctance to select them and thereby leave himself without a true singles replacement.

They've more than vindicated his decision since then, giving the team its first solid pairing since John McEnroe and Peter Fleming's run in the late 1970s and early '80s, and have made the doubles point in the best-of-five competitions almost automatic.

They're currently 14-1 and figure they can keep it going. You gotta see these guys cause they're plenty fun to watch.

Fly Like An Eagle

Enjoying a Michael Jordan revival of sorts at home. Thought it would be cool to post these. I got my "Wings" poster for $1. Yup, a dollar. At a flea market in San Diego.

Able to leap capital T's in a single bound

Anyone remember Letterman from the Electric company? You know, faster than a rolling "O." Stronger than a silent "E." Able to leap capital "Ts" in a single bound.

Now what does that have to do with Kobe? Nothing. So maybe I should have talked about Sean Connery's James Bond who used to drive Aston Martins, eh? Whatever. Kobe does a cool stunt with a cool car.

Don't try this at home, kids.

Thanks to Ogilvy & Mather's Miles Montecillo for reminding me about this. This pretty girl once played for DLSU's Lady Archers basketball team in both high school and in college. She was a former teammate of Erika Dy while at Zobel.

Falling down

A man who attended a New York Mets game yesterday night lost his balance while on the escalator and fell to his death. This Brooklynite was the second fan to fall to his death.

I've only been to Shea Stadium like four times and that was when they were playing the New York Yankees. Those escalators always gave me the creeps more so since I have acrophobia.

Unlike in Yankee Stadium where you just walk up a winding ramp (there are escaltors I figure but does anyone take them) to go to the Upper Tier seats. But once I got to the high up sections I always made it a point that I had the right footing and went up slowly. It is pretty steep up there and I've always wondered if anyone had fallen off. One time though I did see someone lose his balance and fall a couple of rows down but not over the edge. Quite a few people got hurt cause he barreled into people who had their backs turned.

In the middle of a game in the Stadium, the walk way to the upper tier seats gets soaked with beer making it sticky. And I hate that feeling when my kicks become noisy and pick up all sorts of detritus on the streets because of it. But that is something I'd never do -- drink beer during a game. You lose control there's no telling what could happen up there. Especially when it gets windy or when the rain pours down.

But back to the Mets fan, I hope that ballparks look into better safety for the fans. When you see that escalator you'd know what I'd be talking about.

Closing Time

This morning (it's evening in Indianapolis) it ends where it all began for Isiah Thomas. The woebegone New York Knicks play their last regular season game at the Conseco Fieldhouse where Thomas began his coaching career.

Basketball has been extremely good to me. You can't be on top all the time, although I want to be. You've got to overcome the bad times and hold onto your dignity.

-- Isiah Thomas

I thought that Isiah did a good job early on with the Pacers but I'm amazed at how badly it spiraled out of control for him.

Find your peace, Isiah. We should have remembered you for your game.

Vindication

A preview of the UEFA Champions League semifinals

(This appears in the Wednesday April 16 and Thursday April 17 editions of Business Mirror.)

The UEFA Champions League is in its semi-final stage and the big clubs are still in the thick of things. At first glance, there are three English teams left and at least one will make it to the finals in Moscow this coming May.

Three of them are in the hunt for a domestic title. Three of them have seen their season’s marred by front office and player discontent. And three of them have been previously crowned as European champions.

And that’s not even the interesting part.

Chelsea vs. Liverpool
This will be the third meeting between the two teams in the last four years. And every one of them have been in the Champions League semis. Liverpool will be going for the hat trick while Chelsea for all their recent domestic success, will once more try their luck for European glory and salvage what has become a nightmarish season.

Chelsea won six pieces of silverware during Jose Mourinho’s three-year tenure as team gaffer. However, all that is a thing of the past when team owner Roman Abramovich fired the Portuguese coach early in the season following a heated row over a poor start and a lack of flair for the beautiful game at Stamford Bridge. Surely, current England boss Fabio Capello can sympathize with “the Special One.”

Avram Grant was appointed in his place and while the Blues stayed with striking distance of the FA Cup, English Premiere League, and Carling Cup at some point in time during the season, injuries and infighting have brought the team on the verge of anarchy. This Champions League semis with Liverpool win or lose could be the last time we’re seeing this side in its current incarnation as some key players have signified their intention of moving out of West London.

Mourinho’s sacking was said to be the unshackling of the miscast Andriy Shevchenko and Michael Ballack, prized acquisitions from last year who both saw more time on the bench than at any other time of their career. Ballack has been resuscitated but the same can’t be said of the Ukrainian Shevchenko who has chafed at a reserve role and has only scored eight goals since his arrival more than a year ago. In sharp contrast, Sheva scored a Serie A record by tallying 24 markers in his maiden season with the Rossoneri. But hope is on the horizon for this goal machine as Milan is once more in talks with Chelsea about reacquiring Sheva to form a frightening 1-2 punch with Ronaldinho (who they also snagged on principle) for next year.

Chelsea has not cornered the market share on boardroom turmoil. They’ll be up against Liverpool that has troubles of its own aside from the usual player disenchantment. Uncannily, the reds have played well as of late despite the distractions of the warring owners. But even with the wins, England striker Peter Crouch who has lost playing time to the acquisition of Dirk Kuyt has signified his intentions of leaving. Australian midfielder Harry Kewell has lost favor with Rafa Benitez and though he’d love to stay at Anfield, his days in the Carlsberg red kits are almost over.

For all their domestic failures since the inception of the English Premiere League, Liverpool seems to come alive during European competition. To say that they’re built for Euro competition is a blot on Rafael Benitez’ reputation as a tactical genius. Why can’t he get his side to play as consistently in the Premiership?

Last year the Reds beat the Blues 4-1 on penalty kicks after drawing 1-1 n aggregate. In 2005, Liverpool beat Chelsea 1-0 to make it back to the pinnacle of European club competition where they felled AC Milan in one of the most incredible sports comebacks of all time.

If the intense matches between the two in recent history are any indication, this year’s clashes on April 22 and 29 will be a call to arms. But squabbles aside, this will be a different Chelsea side that Liverpool will be facing. Thus far this year, they’ve faced off thrice for two draws in the Premiership and a 2-0 spanking by the Blues in the Carling Cup. The three-pronged attack of Avram Grant has created more scoring opportunities for the Blues when they’re on but with everyone off the scoring pace (particularly Drogba who has only scored eight goals this year as opposed to his 33 of last season) they’ll have their hands full against a Liverpool side that is armed to the teeth.

Liverpool, which has been playing well of late, is also healthy. The 3-1 win versus Blackburn solidified their fourth place position in the Premiership and in next year’s Champions League competition. Another European title will greatly salvage what has been a rollercoaster ride of a year. When they face Chelsea they’ll have their full complement of players including the recently suspended Javier Mescherano.

Prediction:
No penalty kicks here. Liverpool thanks to their corps of scorers in Fernando Torres, Kuyt, Andriy Voronin, Ryan Babel, and the inspired play of their captain Steven Gerrard will move on to their third finals in four years.

Manchester United vs. Barcelona
The Red Devils of Alex Ferguson are almost a cinch to win the Premiership and are one game away from a finals berth in Moscow that would give them a chance for a treble of sorts (they did win the Community Shield in a match versus Chelsea at the start of this campaign). Early this year, they faced some stiff competition from intra rivals Manchester City that greatly reloaded with the arrival of owner and former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and former England boss Sven Goran Eriksson. But the Citizens after pacing the league in its early stages, faltered and surrendered the lead to rivals Manchester United and Arsenal. And Arsenal beset by erratic play and injuries to key players soon found itself struggling to keep up with the Red Devils.

Dipping into the rich free agent transfer market, Fergie’s purchases of Nani, Carlos Tevez, and Anderson have given Man U more attacking flexibility. And Owen Hargreaves’ midfield savvy (he did score the winner that forced Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger to concede this year’s title to Man United) will make it easier for Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo to find the back of the net.

Manchester United’s strong defensive backline and their renewed attacking spirit make them a strong favorite to move past Barcelona which has been an implosion in the making for the last two years.

On the other hand, the Catalan club’s fortunes eerily mimic those of Chelsea’s. For two years they ruled the Spanish La Liga. Then last season, they surrendered the title in the final game of the season to age-old rivals Real Madrid. Had they won last year would this team be experiencing its current troubles now?

For the answer, one will have to rely on that sports truism where winning hides the bad but the losing brings to a head the warts and all. And at Barca, sometimes they’re off-field troubles are tabloid page fodder.

In his early years at the Catalan team, manager Frank Rijkaard took over a dysfunctional club and with a modest budget and turned them into winners in the domestic league and in Europe. He took a chance to on Ronaldinho who clashed once too often with Luis Fernandez, the manager of his previous club Paris Saint-Germain. Rijkaard’s victories gave him the clout and rein to build a galactico project that didn’t seem to work with their Madrid rivals. And in many ways, it’s not working for his side.

Over time, he brought in Lionel Messi, Sam Eto’o, and Juventus refugees Lillian Thuram and Gianluca Zambrotta, and Bojan Krkic. In fact, the squad played better without Ronaldinho as the Argentine Messi looked better to take over the scoring mantle from the disgraced Brazilian.

With Real Madrid looking good to defend their crown, Barcelona’s last hopes lie in a Champions League title they last won several years ago against Arsenal which then featured their current striker Thierry Henry.

Barcelona is coming in having drawn most of their last few matches in the La Liga. If they keep their head in the game and play with a renewed sense of purpose they just might possibly even turn the tables on Madrid in Spain and land a berth in the Champions League Finals.

Prediction:
Manchester United by a hairline where they’ll face the pre-Premiership face of English football, Liverpool.

The Campaign to Conquer

Throw in some Yankees season tickets and a skybox. And how about a one-day contract in a pre-season game? After all, they did allow Billy Crystal his moment of pinstripe glory.

This early, there are a pair of websites that have been put up to entice and influence LeBron James to move from Cleveland to New York when his contract with the Cavaliers expires in 2010.

Now that it's somewhat impossible for Kobe Bryant to move to Chicago, maybe the Bulls and John Paxson will pull some megatrade deal. Heck, I'm starting a Manu Ginobili to the Bulls campaign.

Superman is back in the (school) building

Corporate social responsibility or CSR seems to be the rage for companies nowadays as it helps both employees and the communities they live in. And for sports clubs, they were at the crest of the wave beginning with the tenure of its current chairman David Stern who did much to clean up the drug-addled image of the NBA in the 1970's and early 80's. The Orlando Magic since they joined the league in 1989 has been very active in its community. They give away some $2 million to the local community by way of grants, event sponsorship, donated tickets, autographed merchandise, scholarships, and grants.

The team's resident star, Dwight Howard visited the Orange Center Elementary the other day to distribute 398 pairs of shoes, provided by adidas, to every child in the school. The event was a reward for the students’ hard work towards improving their Florida Comprehensive Assessment Tests (FCAT). Howard spoke to the students about never giving up, setting goals and working hard.

Cool, ain't it?

NBA on BTV

Last few games before the playoffs, amigos! Watch out for the playoff sked here at the Bleachers.



April 15
Golden State @ Phoenix 10am

April 16
Orlando @ Atlanta 7am

April 17
Detroit @ Cleveland 7am

Bleachers' Brew #103 Breakfast, the Beijing Olympics, and Losing

(This appears in the Monday April 14, 2008 edition of the Business Mirror)

“Dad, is the Dalai Lama an animal?”

Thus asked my son over a late breakfast the other day that gave me pause from alternating reading the newspaper and watching the US NCAA Championship game. I have to chuckle at the innocence of a child who even in his young years decided to win it back for Arsenal in his video game not long after his cherished Gunners were knocked out of the UEFA Champions League by daddy’s favorite, Liverpool FC.

But how do you answer a question like that? Human rights activists might argue that China has treated Tibet’s spiritual leader as such and believe that Beijing has no qualms about reprising Tiananmen Square in Lhasa, but it isn’t as simple as black and white.

When you talk of “empires” or “dynasties”, it seems more appropriate to describe centuries-long Chinese empires rather than sports teams who will win two or three straight and land on the list of some critic’s all-time best. Chinese history has shown how every emperor has tried to expand the nation’s borders so recovering lost territories like Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, and even the Spratlys is a big thing. They need look no further than the break-up and dissolution of the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia to see what awaits them. You think that the United States will cede California and the other southwest states back to Mexico?

This year – 2008 – is a long-awaited year. It’s the formal coming out party of China. The success of twenty-ninth Olympiad means a lot to the world’s most populous country. Already in 2007, it has supplanted the US as the world’s largest consumer and contributed more to global growth for the first time. But there have been trade-offs for the quickest economic turn-around in human history, China too is the leader is greenhouse gas emissions.

“What are greenhouse gasses, daddy? Are they really green?”

Oy vey. I forget I am in the midst of explaining things to my son. It takes me a minute how to explain it. “These are the gasses that keep the Earth – the world we live in – warm enough for us to live in,” I declare in my best Einstein impression as I sip some hot java. “And no, they are colorless.”

“So the summer is hot because there are lots of greenhouse gasses?”

I smile a befuddled smile as I’m suddenly unsure of what to say. “Well the summer Olympics will be hot.”

Literally in more ways than one. With worldwide protests about the continuous and violent crackdown of demonstrators in Tibet, it puts a wrinkle on the face that China has put on. In a culture that values “face” – a sharp contrast from the society we live in when thieves, terrorists, and so-called nationalists refuse to step down despite being embroiled in scandal after scandal – there are more than gold medals at stake. Any boycott will tarnish the games.

International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge (who is a former Olympian with the Belgian yachting team in the 1968, 1972, and 1976 games) said that they would not press China to enter into talks or conferences regarding human rights violations or political issues. “This is a line we do not have to cross,” declared Rogge after a relatively quiet Olympic torch relay in Buenos Aires despite threats of mass protests. “This is a sovereign matter for China to decide. I have no crystal ball but I'm optimistic the games will be a great success.''

So much gray matter. You’d think the National Basketball Association would have learned from the flack that Nike got over its factories and workers’ conditions. Hey, they’ve got billions to protect. It’s not just about sport. It’s a business.

At that point, I couldn’t help let out an anguished cry over the Memphis Tigers loss in overtime to the Kansas Jayhawks in the US NCAA Finals.

Martina Navratilova pegged it right, “Whoever said, ‘It's not whether you win or lose that counts,’ probably lost.” Sports has a dichotomous nature that I both love and hate. It can be an uplifting experience that some say can be better than sex. Yet at times, it reminds me of a bad break up. You move on. You get over it or you think you do, but every now and then you stop and say, “Damn.” And your mind wanders through myriad roads of “what if?”

It even plays with your heart rate like it was a pinball game.

Not every one feels like Jo-Wilfreid Tsonga who made it to the Men’s Finals of the Australian Open where even in defeat he was glad to be there. Or even like Barnsley which eliminated Liverpool and Chelsea in succession the FA Cup Finals be damned. It was quite a ride, eh, lads?

The Beatles put it so well in Golden Slumbers, “Boy, you’re gonna carry that weight a long time (you know it's a Paul McCartney penned song when it starts out so peacefully then ends up in a deranged rocker)."

Ask Rudy Tomjanovich about 1977 when his Houston Rockets were one foul call away on sending their series with Julius Erving’s Philadelphia 76ers to a seventh and final game. With Philadelphia up by two 111-109, Rockets guard John Lucas drove inside the lane but was met by Sixers guard Doug Collins underneath the basket. Lucas made the shot but a charge was called on him by vet referee Jake O’Donnell. Collins made one more free throw to ice the game and send Philly to the Finals where the Portland Trailblazers and Bill Walton awaited them. Tomjanovich may have won as the Rockets coach later in 1994 and ‘95 but he can never exorcise 1977 (a few months later that year would become even more infamous, forgettable or unforgettable when Los Angeles Lakers forward Kermit Washington nearly killed him with what has since become known as “the Punch.”

I saw it up close in 2003 as my beloved New York Yankees took it on the chin from the Florida Marlins. I watched in silence as the Bronx Bombers watched the victorious National Leaguers whoop it up on that hallowed patch of earth that in many ways was the godfather of Boston Garden’s leprechauns. I felt that sickening knot in my stomach as I was the last one to leave Araneta Coliseum when the UST Tigers snatched what was a sure victory for the Ateneo Blue Eagles.

Someone asked the transplanted New Yorker in me if I root for the New York Knicks. I responded with, “Now why would I want to flagellate myself? No one can be such a masochist.” Then again I realize that Isiah Thomas is nothing more than a prophet of doom so woe to the Knicks faithful.

Times like this, I wish I wasn’t a sports writer. Everything remains in vivid high-def color in my mind and my keyboard. I reside in the church of the poisoned mind.

But life goes on and move on I, we, must.

Until I encountered the Memphis Tigers who went down in defeat to the Kansas Jayhawks in the ultimate game of US college basketball.

"Boy, you're gonna carry that weight a long time."

“Dad, if it’s the ultimate game, then why is it going to be played again next year?”

Kids. Now you know why hope spring eternal. I ruffled his hair and we finished off the last of our breakfast.

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Things I’d like to see happen in sports as soon as possible:

1. Scrap the offside rule in football. Not only does it not make sense, but it will open up the game completely.
2. Place some sensor along the goal line or a chip inside the football. That way we will know if it crosses the goal line and will eliminate controversial goals or non-goals.
3. The number one pick of the NBA Draft be awarded to any team at random. This way we avoid tanking by the bottom feeders. Why should the lousy teams be rewarded for their mediocrity?
4. The revival of the Northern Consolidated concept when it comes to the Philippine National Team. That way, they stop poaching the PBA and PBL for players and the unit is kept together for at the most four years before they’re allowed to move to the pros.

Concrete Evidence on the Attempt to Jinx the Yankees

(photos from the New York Post)

It was thought to be a hoax but sometimes, you just have to be sure.

After the New York Post broke the story about the hex placed by a Beantown fan living in the Bronx, some hardhats working on the new Yankee Stadium remembered the hired hand, one Gino Castignoli who worked near the third base area. They called the foreman and Yankee brass and after some jackhammering, they finally unearthed the #34 of David "Big Papi" Ortiz. Boston's slugger who seemed annoyed and unamused by the stunt growled, "Shit. I don't care about that business."

Yankee lawyers are exploring the possibility of filing charges against Gino Castignoli. In response to Hank Steinbrenner's remark about him getting the crap kicked out of him, Castignoli who was once busted by the cops for mob activity, dared the heir to the Boss to come on over and try it himself and to bring Jorge Posada along with him.

It's hilarious. But I hate the Red Sox.

First steps.

Game observations by Rick. Nico Salva photo by Miggy.

What can you say about Sam Ekwe? He's come a long way from that gangly center who reminded me of a young Akeem Olajuwon to a player who's almost a compleat one. His jump shot and hook shot from medium range is so much better now and that clearly begs the question... how much better can he get? Ekwe clearly is San Beda's x-factor.

The back-to-back NCAA champs got off to a rousing start as they dealt Ateneo a 70-61 loss. After an early deficit, the Red Lions took the lead and never looked back.

Someone asked me what this game says about Ateneo.

I said, "Not much. It's only the first game." However, it does expose some flaws early on.

1) The lack of a post-up player who can get the ball in deep and draw the double team. Basketball has changed where the back-to-the basket player has been replaced by those who face up and can stick the j. But conventional ball will never go away. Come crunchtime, that piece of real estate by the shaded lane will command top price -- the closer you are to the basket, the higher the percentage.

Losing Ford Arao and Jobe Nkemakolam -- two pound it inside operators -- took away the physical presence. And Zion Laterre's rebounding and shot blocking was sorely missed. After the early lead that was built by outside shooting, it evaporated when they weren't finding the bottom. The team was forced to scramble and improvise.

The team however is at its best when Eric Salamat, Jai Reyes, Chris Tiu, and Bacon Austria flash inside for a lay-up or a drop. With all the new faces on the team, it's obvious that there would be chemistry problems. There was none of the joy that was on display during the last UAAP season and the Champions League where their fluidity was a marvel to watch.

2) I thought that the coaching staff should have played the rookies longer. They should have come back sometime in the third but when it got more competitive it was too late to put them back in until Nico Salva returned to chip in the Blue Eagles' final four points. And when all else fails, why not play Chris Sumalinog? You'll need that extra man who can hit the outside shot.

3) Notice what the Red Lions were doing? Same thing UST does (didja notice that Ed Cordero is on the San Beda bench as an assistant). Bump our players on the dribble to subtlety to throw them off their pace and wait for the outlet for the pick-off.

It's the first game. It doesn't say much because this is definitely not a true barometer of the team. And there are five new guys so that creates an interesting situation. The coaching staff I figure was trying out some things. At the same time, it does say a few things about the team. It's good to take their lumps now because they'll get better in the UAAP.

But chin up, Ateneo! Bawi na lang.

Now to the assholes on the opposite side of the gallery who were rude during the singing of the alma mater... you'll get yours in time.