A blast from the past

Nike's "Diablo" TVC is one of my all-time favorite commercials. It also made me an even bigger fan. In case ya'll don't know who the dudes are:

There's Jorge Campos that great goal keeper from Mexico who was also a great goal scorer. During games when he wasn't the net minder, he'd play striker. Even as goalie, he'd take free kicks and penalties for his team Pumas and Atlante (his club at the time of this commercial) in the Mexican league and with the national team. He never wanted to play outside Mexico despite overtures from English and Italian clubs. This dude inspired Jose Luis Chilavert (voted World Keeper of the Year three times), that Paraguayan great who played in France with Strasbourg.

Also in the commercial was another early favorite, Patrick Kluivert who was then with Ajax Amsterdam, Arsenal's Ian Wright (the dude head butted in the commercial), Fiorentina's Portuguese midfielder Rui Costa, AC Milan's central defender Paolo Maldini (who says, "Maybe they're family") and his teammate Edgar Davids, Barcelona's Luis Figo (the guy who gets shoved onto the pitch), Ronaldo was with PSV Eindhoven, and Leeds United's Tomas Brolin. Wait, am forgetting someone... King Eric. Eric Cantona ("Au revoir") of Manchester United. The first real French superstar in the English Premier League.

Enjoy this as I did when I first saw it ages ago.

Campione d'Italia

Zlatan Ibrahimovic returns with a vengeance to score two goals and clinch Internazionale's 16th Scudetto. Listen to the commentary. The dude had an orgasm when the Swedish international drove in his second strike.

Now that knee injury may have sidelined Ibra some, but that leaves him somewhat fresh for Euro 2008. The Nerazzurri sure were lucky to have gotten him away from Juventus.

Rooftop conversations with Parkour Generations' Dan Edwardes

Parkour has always fascinated me. If it weren't for my bad knee I'd see if I could turn the city into my own playground. What follows is a short interview with one of the world's foremost practicioners and authorities on parkour. Thanks for the interview, Dan!

Rick: How difficult is parkour? Does one have to be fit and in superb shape to engage in this? It seems that it takes more than stretching muscles to get involved. Does one have to put on any braces, pads, or even wear specific types of footwear to get into parkour?
Dan: Parkour is very difficult to do well! One does not have to START fit and strong, but the training will result in one becoming extremely fit and functionally strong, as well as confident, spatially aware, and generally much healthier than normal. No protective gear is worn, and basic running shoes will do, which make it a very accessible discipline - hence us being able to reach a lot of inner city children who have limited resources but a great deal of energy.

Rick: Is part of the thrill of parkour not knowing what obstacles lie ahead?
Dan: We do not consider that we train only for the 'thrill', but rather for self-mastery and consistent improvement in all areas. Parkour training can be hours spent in one area, mastering one set of obstacles/terrain, or it can be free movement over a larger area, just moving, getting from one place to the next using only your body and the environment.

Rick: Is parkour technically a sport? I've heard from some who express dismay when it is lumped along with other extreme sports. In this world of trying to pigeonhole things, where does parkour fit in? How does parkour technically work -- is there a time limit to it? A route with observers? Is there a competition aspect to it?
Dan: Parkour is, as of a couple of months ago, officially a sport in the UK due to the work we have done with the government and with Sport England. The title is irrelevant though: some call it a discipline, some and art, others a sport or even a transformative practice. In truth it has elements of all of these, and serious practitioners do not much care what you call it..! For us it is just about movement and self-perfection. Names and labels are for those who spend all day worrying about definitions and arguing online rather than training! How does it work? Training. No audience is required! Parkour is not done for show or to impress others, but solely to find one's limits and push them back a little further each day, and to improve one's physical control and ability as much as possible. There is no competition aspect to it no, though in the future there may well be a competition established and hopefully for the betterment of the discipline. As of now there are no recognised competitions, and within the training itself there is no competition other than with oneself and the friendly rivalry training partners may indulge in to push themselves to go further every day.

Rick: Is parkour a full time undertaking for both of you? Is Parkour Generations akin to a football school? Dan: Yes, we are a professional group and between the teaching for schools, local authorities, parkour communities, corporate groups etc and the media performances and live shows, consulting, and our own training it pretty much takes up most of our time! Parkour Generations is the largest collective of experienced practitioners in the world, and includes the world's foremost parkour film-maker and photographer in Julie Angel and Andy Day (aka Kiell).

Rick: Are there any big competitions for parkour? If so, are they organized similar to triathlon competitions? The sheer difficulty of parkour makes for something equally as demanding as triathlon.
Dan: As I said earlier, there are no recognised competitions in parkour and will not be for some time. Some wayward groups have attempted to establish 'freerunning' tournaments, but they have been reviled by the community at large and fairly farcical in their approach. The 'winner' of one of these tournaments in Austria, for example, broke his leg and yet still was proclaimed the winner... For a traceur, to be injured in that way is to fail completely - parkour is about health, endurance, being whole and complete as an individual: NOT destroying one's body through reckless jumps and performances for cameras.

Rick: Is there a term for getting done with parkour? Like 'reaching a goal' or 'reaching the endzone?' Aside from the boost in confidence, personally, how do you feel when you're done? Is parkour an ultimate workout?

Dan: One is never done' with parkour. The training IS the means AND the end. It is the one goal. There is no end, nor conclusion or perfection - only daily improvement, hardship in training and the pleasure of pushing oneself further than one thought possible.

Traveling eastward

Could Carmelo Anthony be coming home? Well, it's New Jersey and the Izod Center is 40-minute drive from across the river. The Brooklyn-born Anthony is said to be heading to the Nets along with Marcus Camby and these two might very well complement Vince Carter and Devin Harris. Camby could back up Nenad Kristic or vice versa and the Nets will have a potent starting unit.

Melo will have to switch numbers though since Vinsanity wears #15 already. But consider this a real new era in Nets hoops.







Eastern Conference Finals
Boston vs Detroit May 21 830am live on BTV!

Another goodbye at center-court

Before Pete Sampras, I was a fan of McNasty. Yeah, him of the fire and brimstone. I remember that infamous "You are the pits of the world. Vultures! Trash!" or "You cannot be serious!" tirade at the umpires and linesmen.

People didn't like him because he was boorish and foul-mouthed even if he was a very good tennis player. I, on the other hand wanted him to beat Bjorn Borg, Jimmy Connors, Ivan Lendl, and Boris Becker every time.

Aside from Sampras and McNasty (who were on opposite sides of the spectrum in terms of character), I liked players like Goran Ivanisevic and Gustavo Kuerten who were colorful in their own way.

Now after this year, Guga will join McEnroe, Sampras, and Ivanisevic in retirement. Chronic injuries have robbed him of his speed as he struggled to find his form. The Brazilian who won three French Open titles will make his final appearance in Roland Garros when it gets going this Monday (Philippine time).

Guga enters the tournament as a wild card. Now if he can't repeat Ivanisevic's feat when he won Wimbledon in 2001 as a wild card entry beating Patrick Rafter that would be a cool way to go out. But current clay court king Rafael Nadal will obviously be the tournament fave. Still you'll never know.

But thanks, Guga! That was some game. Man, what I'd give to chant "Guga! Guga!" at Roland Garros.

Bleachers' Brew #108 The Perils of Home & Away

(This appears in my Monday, May 19 column in the sports section of the Business Mirror)

by rick olivares

When those 1970’s Boston Celtics ran onto the court of their opponent’s arena, Paul Silas would routinely ask the sports writers how many people they thought were in attendance.

When informed of the number of paying patrons, Silas would harrumph and exclaim loudly enough for all to hear, “Good. We’re going to shut everyone up.” And for the most part, Silas’ Celtics teams (Jojo White, Dave Cowens, John Havlicek, Charlie Scott, Glenn McDonald, and Don Nelson) resurrected the ghost of then then-retired Red Auerbach (who moved up to the team’s front office) into the league.

The Celtics, alongside the New York Yankees, were the first real professional sports team to actually affix their photo next to the word “dynasty” (11 titles in 13 years is an incredible feat) where the word was previously associated only with centuries-old Chinese empires. They carved out a mystique for themselves by winning plenty some at the old Boston Garden and in a number of Game 7’s. With their titles and Hall of Fame line-ups, there were no illusions of home court invincibility by their foes when the Celtics marched into town. They were in for a royal butt kicking.

It would be decades later when another team would display that kind of mentality or arrogance as some would have it. “Walking onto the court for warm-ups, you could already tell that they (the opponents) were already beaten,” succinctly pointed out the observant Steve Kerr, a mainstay on the Chicago Bulls’ second wave of trifecta champions. The Bulls would turn the game into a personal jam session, hush the crowd, and have the home team singing their praises.

When Chicago lost Game 5 of the 1998 NBA Finals at home thereby spoiling the planned parade and celebration that would close out the Last Dance, Michael Jordan conferred with Coach Phil Jackson. The two opined that the post-game hullabaloo distracted them from the task of sending the Utah Jazz home a loser for the second straight summer. “Maybe it’s better that way,” His Airness said of the daunting task of closing out a series in Salt Lake City. And the Bulls showed why they are one of the league’s all-time best heartbreakers and lifetakers as they won 12 games apiece at home and on the road in their six year reign at the top. In fact, they celebrated three of their six titles on the road (Los Angeles in ’91, Phoenix in ’93, and Utah in ’98).

People have criticized this year’s playoffs as predictable as the sun rising from the east. Thus far, the home team – heading into Saturday’s game – has won 43 out of 67 possible games. But isn’t that the whole point – to defend your turf? If a team is swept away can we postulate that they were definitely not worthy of playing in the league’s second season.

The original incarnation of Detroit’s Bad Boys used to enforce no-fly zones. Charles Barkley when he was with the Philadelphia 76ers, was so angry when Kevin Johnson would routinely drive to the rack at the Spectrum that he nearly took the head off the Suns’ point guard with a nasty clothesline. Message sent. No Suns player dared venture into the paint at that point and the Sixers won. As the Jazzman, the Energy Solutions Center (formerly the Delta Center) fixture, once vociferously proclaimed, “Not in our house.”

Conversely, the 1993 Finals between Chicago and Phoenix saw the Suns lose all three of their games at home – a first for a finals team. And to think they had home court advantage throughout the playoffs. But they nearly repaid the favor by handing the Bulls two losses at the United Center.

I honestly don’t see what the fuss is all about not being able to win on the road. Of course the defense is ratcheted up. It’s all about taking care of business at home. No one is giving anything away unless you’re talking about the spineless Dallas Mavericks.

However, inquiring minds are asking, “Where have players of Silas’ and Jordan’s stature gone with their veni, vidi, vici attitude?” Where have all the Reggie Millers gone – he who lived for slaying the New York Knicks in front of their home crowd?

Much is being said this year about NBA home teams taking their lumps on the road before heading back home for that good ole home cooking. There’s that distinct advantage of a rabid home crowd cheering the team aside from the familiarity of the court and all its nuances.

Some like to believe that the home team is the beneficiary of referees’ calls. To wit, Scottie Pippen’s phantom foul on Hubert Davis (as called by Hue Hollins who had the gall to say on television at the height of the Tim Donaghy scandal that the referees were underpaid) in Game 5 of the 1994 Eastern Semifinals between the Chicago Bulls and the New York Knicks that changed the outcome of that series. There’s Game 6 in the Western Conference Finals between the Sacramento Kings and the Los Angeles Lakers where Dick Bavetta, Ted Bernhardt, and Bob Delaney did a number on the Kings bigs (Vlade Divac, Scott Pollard, and Chris Webber) that forced a Game 7 at the Arco Arena. And let’s not even talk about last year’s Phoenix Suns-San Antonio Spurs series.

More games mean more money where an additional match easily fetches several cool millions. Yet as poorly officiated as those games were, the NBA dislikes conspiracy theories about playoff basketball such as the current dream match-up of a Boston-LA title series that has network executives salivating. There are already enough to go around and have made roundball lore.

When the Celtics played at the old Boston Garden, they parlayed that advantage into unlike anything seen in the game of basketball. There were stories of leprechauns, the lack of heating or air-conditioning in the opposing team’s locker room, dead spots on the fabled parquet, delayed timers, and Game 7 end-game magic to pull out another heart-stopping win. And there was Auerbach’s victory cigar. Many wanted to prevent Red from lighting it but that was easier said than done.

Unfortunately, the new TD Banknorth Garden holds no such reputation after years of mediocrity. This year’s Celtics will have to wring out a win against LeBron James and the James Gang (oh, they’re actually called the Cleveland Cavaliers) and beat battle-tested Detroit if they want that dream match up with the Lakers (who have to survive either the New Orleans or the Sterns who got another lift from an unsuspecting hit by Cheap Shot Rob on the Hornets’ David West).

Maybe then, the talk won’t be about winning games on the road but rather how this was a match made in 5^th Avenue.

(Incidentally, the author would love to see Boston play Los Angeles in the NBA Finals.)

Smoke signals of a raging bushfire.

It was a scene repeated in other poor suburbs around Johannesburg. Angry residents accused foreigners of taking scarce jobs and housing, many of them Zimbabweans who had fled their own country's economic collapse. Twelve foreigners were killed in last weekend’s violence with 200 arrested for rape, robbery, and violence. Three thousand people were left destitute.

The weekend attacks come as the government tries to change South Africa's violent image ahead of the 2010 World Cup. South Africa has one of the highest crime rates in the world, recording an average of 50 murders each day.

FIFA had better have a plan B to host the 2010 World Cup because as the days go by it looks even more untenable in South Africa.

Hey, Sepp Blatter! You've received two high profile reports saying that SA isn't ready. Pay attention.

http://bleachersbrew.blogspot.com/2008/03/world-cup-world-of-problems.html

Ateneo Team B

It's been awhile since I watched a Team B game. Even a practice one and yesterday, I got an invite from Jobe Nkemakolam to watch one at Moro Lorenzo where they faced the Ateneo De Naga Golden Knights.

I took some pictures of the bench of both teams and it would interesting to take a look at the backs of the jerseys our our brother school from the south.

The picture with Frank Golla shows him and his teammates discussing their play sets. I thought it was pretty interesting to see how the players were so int the game that they were discussing their roles, options, and opportunities available to them. When Ron Jacobs was coach of San Miguel, instead of running practice, he had his players study the rule book. Before they worked on their game, it was important for all of them to understand the rules of the game. He would even hold classroom sessions where he would ask his players to draw on a blackboard their set plays.

I've always been told by my teachers in school that it was a sign of intelligence to ask questions because there was a desire to know more if not challenge what was established.

I enjoyed watching Team B because they reminded me of the boys back in 2004-05 playing unselfish, high-octane, and angas basketball. The latter may be owing to the fact that these boys have a chip on their shoulder and something to prove.

Who's playing well? Eman Monfort, Paolo Dizon (this guy is amazing), Vince Fran, Jobe, Frank Golla, Gian Lucas... damn pretty much the whole team. If you're all looking for Clark Bautista, well, he's flown the coop.

Time for A Homecoming

Spurned by Mike D'Antoni, the Chicago Bulls are not only searching for a new coach but are in dire need of answers. The sour taste that last season left sure makes Bulls fans everywhere appreciate what they had in the 1990's. They didn't have that success before those teams and they've not had it since.

I still can't get that scene out of my mind as members of the team high-tailed it out of the United Center after their season was done. Ben Gordon sounded apologetic and a tad regretful as he said he wanted to stay a Bull. Andres Nocioni smiled and waved as he drove off. Talk about depressing.

As good as Avery Johnson, D'Antoni, and Rick Carlisle are, I think it's time to bring back someone with ties to the Bulls. Someone who knows what "blue-collar" is all about. Someone with proven coaching chops. Someone will take no guff from frakking players.

If you can't lure back PhilJax, it's time to bring back the Original Bull... Jerry Sloan. In his 11 years in the pros he played 10 years in Chicago where he averaged 14.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game. Along with Norm Van Lier and Bob Love, he led the Bulls to their only Division title outside the Michael Jordan era. Sloan coached the Bulls from 1979-82 where he compiled a 94-131 record. Now that sounds pedestrian but what he's amassed and done in Utah is Hall-of-Fame material. And to think he's never won coach of the year honors! Summabitch!

Bring back the pride, Jerry Reinsdorf. It's time.

Ou est David?

Where's David?

David as in David Trezeguet, striker for Juventus and occasionally a member of Les Bleus. Still not that familiar, he scored the second goal that allowed France to win Euro 2000 and was the one who missed the penalty that would have kept his country in the game during the 2006 World Cup Finals shootout with Italy. Had Zinedine Zidane not headbutted Marco Materazzi's into the headlines, Trezeguet could have been the goat.

His omission in France's 39-man national pool is glaring. Trezeguet in his seven years at Turin has averaged 15 goals in the Serie A with a 152 total to date making him the highest scoring foreigner in club history. He has been the top scorer for the Bianconeri along with Old Lady fixture Alessandro Del Pierro (who has also been out of the Azzuri). On the international stage, David is France's third-best goal scorer with 34 to his tally. So what gives?

Is it crowded up front with Thierry Henry and Frank Ribery? Has the return to form by Nicolas Anelka and the rise of Karim Benzema made it impossible for David's inclusion? Really? How so? Former Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse, now with Olympique Marseille, is way more inconsistent and he's in the line-up.

So Domenech, you've got some explaining to do.

Notes on the RP-Tajikistan draw

- It was better officiated game than the previous one against Brunei
- The Azkals played more aggressive even with a man down
- A few minutes into the second half, I thought the team was flat out tired and Tajikistan made better sorties. Should the coach have substituted? I think so. But there's that unspoken sensitivity to sitting down the Fil-foreigners.
- The rough play. I don't know why the Fil-Brits are complaining because the football they play in England is way rougher than that.
- Great play by Neil Etheridge. Excellent instincts and leadership.
- We've seen some excellent goaltending by the minders of the Philippines, Brunei, and Tajikistan. The games have been fun to watch.
- I think we've played outstanding defense as we've forced opponents out of their rhythm and game plan. They've largely depended on individual strikes with spotty play from their midfield.
- Our problem. Still a lack of chemistry. The ball doesn't move around as smoothly. Against the tougher teams, this will be exploited.

The Best Assist by the Black Hole of Boston

Boston's Danny Ainge was named the NBA Executive of the Year after engineering the biggest turnaround in NBA history. But really, Ainge should share the award if not surrender it to former teammate Kevin McHale who traded away Kevin Garnett from Minnesota to the Celtics.

To crib a line from Dire Straits' Mark Knopfler, "trade away for nothing, Celtics get KG."

And to the homefront... about rotting vegetables. http://philstar.com/index.php?Sports&p=49&type=2&sec=30&aid=2008051456

Was it Starbucks or Seattle's Best?

When Derby and Nottingham Forest clash on the pitch, the Rams (as Derby's team is known as) have chuckling rights over the "coffee cup goal."

We've heard of a team's crowd being called "the Sixth Man," well, in Pride Park Stadium in Derby, a coffee cup is now celebrated in team annals (as well as obscure football history) as it's "twelfth man."

The battle between the two teams -- Derby and Nottingham -- is known as the Mid-Eastlands Derby since both are separated by a few miles. And on this day, in March 2004, the Rams cored three scintillating goals in a 37-minute span that upended their rivals. The most curious goal -- the second -- happened when the ball was passed by by the Nottingham defense to then keeper Barry Roche (now with Chesterfield FC). The ball skipped over a coffee cup that was thrown onto the pitch a few minutes before and away from Roche. Derby's Paul Peschisolido raced towards the free ball and slotted in home while Roche stood in horror.

The coffee cup was retrieved and auctioned off later on to raise funds for a statue of Rams' star Steve Bloomer. With Derby's fortunes in the Premiership, fans have wondered if the team should have signed the coffee cup to a contract.

So was it Starbucks or Seattle's Best? It was generic stadium coffee. Sign the bugger!

Azkals versus Tajikistan

The Azkals will be going up against group defending champion Tajikistan today at 3:30pm with the game shown live on Solar Sports (hopefully with less Eat Bulaga commentary).

RP team coach Nonoy Fegidero will be playing a side that resembles them only faster and stronger. The Tajikistan team plays a 442 formation that occasionally flexes into a 352. The Azkals will play a more defensive-oriented game and hope that their defensive stand will lead to swift counters. Everyone's healthy for the game and it looks like James Younghusband will start today alongside his brother Phil.

Fegidero expressed confidence in the team and the locals who played well in their initial outing against Brunei. Jason Cordova's partnership with Ali Borromeo in the backline was vital to the defensive stand. The former who played a sterling campaign for FEU in the last UAAP football tournament is one of the new inclusions to the team because of his strength, range, and power. "Tinututukan ko talaga (Cordova) sa development kasi marami siya maitutulong sa team," said the coach.

Team Philippines had hoped to extend their 1-0 lead with numerous scoring chances that were denied by great goalkeeping, the crossbar, and the water puddles. Brunei's South Korean coach congratulated the Azkals and was only too glad to come away with a 1-nil loss.

"Sana tuloy tuloy lang yung magandang laro at yung suporta ng bayan," said the coach after yesterday's practice. "Hindi lagi meron homefield advantage."

In related news, the National Team jersey is available now in all Mizuno stores (while supplies last) and they fetch for Php 1,995. There are two colors the white and the red. The red version pictured here -- in my opinion -- looks better.

And word about the PFF now is... it's a bloody mess. So what else is new. Six months are over, Mari. So what have you done?

Game, set & match on a marvelous adventure

Justine Henin's sudden retirement from professional tennis at age 25 is shocking. Maybe several levels lower than Michael Jordan's first retirement but it is to my mind bewildering.

She may be having a sub par year but that happens to everyone. Last year was a terrible one for Maria Sharapova and people said that she was on her way out. Instead Masha returned more determined and fit. And it's not like she doesn't have issues. Sharapova has one now with the WTA and previously she had some with her teammates on the Russian Team to the Fed Cup (she may be competing under the Russian flag but she's as American as apple pie and that doesn't sit well with her teammates).

I guess what's surprising about Henin is her admission about her lack of fire which also betrays waning interest. Does that come with losing? Fair question. Maybe her personal problems have enroached upon her professional life making competing in the pro tennis circuit even more taxing mentally and physically.

"It's a page that's turning. I don't fell any sadness," she said at the news conference where she announced her immediate retirement. "I know it's a shock for many people but it's a decision I tought long and hard about. It's the end to a marvelous adventure of something that I've dreamed about since I was five years old."

More than any other sport, a player's time in the spotlight is only short. Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi are two exceptions to that but remember when Patrick Rafter had two good years then totally disappeared? Ditto with Marcelo Rios.

Henin picked up the baton from the Williams sisters and competed in one of the most exciting times for women's tennis. She held back the Russian and East bloc invasion and for a moment there seemed like a newer version of Steffi Graf.

We've seen Kim Clijsters and Martina Hingis left the game prematurely and Henin's retirement leaves tennis one bright star short.

Thanks for the great nine years in the tour, Justine! Best of luck to your future endeavors!

Deep Blue

Deep Blue: Thoughts Heading into the New Season
by rick olivares

It’s just a practice jersey, but Justin Chua felt immense pride when he put it on for his first official game as an Ateneo Blue Eagle. Never mind if it was the Filoil Pre-Season Tournament. “I was nervous,” he admits and still wide-eyed at his new home in Katipunan. “I wanted to do well and not embarrass myself.”

The former Chang Kai Shek slotman used to watch the UAAP games on TV and admits that it was a childhood dream to play for a team in the league. “I initially wanted to play for another school, but by my third year (in high school); I made up my mind to go to Ateneo.”

I ask if the team’s missed title opportunities in the last two seasons detracted in any way his opinion of the team. “Hindi,” he replies then pauses perhaps knowing of the enormity of his next statement. “Naisip ko nga na sana makatulong ako so we can win a championship. Malapit na yung (150^th) anniversary ng Ateneo. Magandang birthday gift yun, di ba? Pero meron nerbyos at kaba. Iba yung expectations kasi.”

Nico Salva can empathize. After all, their first game was against the two-time NCAA champion San Beda and their intimidating man in the middle Sam Ekwe. “Once I familiarize myself more with the college game, I know I will help the team,” he says shaking off those early jitters while showing a mental fortitude of a big time player. “Pero tama si Justin. Ayaw mo magisip si coach (Norman Black) na nagkamali siya sa pag-recruit sa amin. Time lang to adjust. “

Salva is a Kobe Bryant fan while Chua despite his “big man” status hopes to have Dirk Nowitski’s range on the court. “Yung outside shot – if you can make it – yan ang mag-open ng floor para sa akin at sa teammates ko. Pero ditto sa college, kailangan mag adjust kasi mas malaki, mas malakas, at mas mabilis yung mga players. Kailangan mag-adjust agad.”

Yuri Escueta who is this year’s co-captain along with Chris Tiu is always the jovial sort. He’s got a smile and a good word for everybody and every situation. Even the chemistry problems the Blue Eagles are experiencing. “We’re confident naman we can integrate the rookies into the system pag-start ng UAAP,” he says brimming with confidence. “Kaya importante yung pre-season to break-in the new players.”

This early, Escueta is learning to temper his emotions as the clock ticks on his final year of playing eligibility. After transferring back to Ateneo for college where he spent his elementary years, he says that he regrets nothing and is certainly glad to be back. “Sana makapanalo ng championship pero kung hindi, meron naman akong diploma. That’s why I went back.”

Also "back" is former teammate Ronnie Bughao who is joining his old teammates on Team B for a scrimmage (Team A has a photo shoot right before their 6pm practice). Bughao who is currently playing for Pharex in the PBL slaps palms and exchanges pleasantries with the assembled players.

Assistant coach Gabby Severino who is about to begin practice silently surveys the horsing around and postulates about Ateneo’s chances of winning had Bughao been able to suit up in the previous campaign. “Maybe. Maybe not.”

“I’m hungry,” declares Kirk Long. Long hasn’t had lunch and enters bringing in a box of pizza. He passes it around while trading jokes with former high school teammates Vince Burke.

I wonder aloud if Kirk had grown a few inches since his rookie year. “I sure hope so,” he answers. “That wouldn’t be bad at all. In fact, I do hope I grow some more. Then maybe I can take over Vince’s position.”

Burke gives him a friendly elbow as they take a seat at nearby bleachers pizza slice in hand.

Long looks to start at the point but what he’s more concerned about is his consistency, “Yeah, I know. I have to exert myself more especially on offense. Coach (Norman Black) keeps reminding me of that. Last year was a learning process. There were times when I got overwhelmed by how big a deal the UAAP and the Blue Eagles are. People tell you what to expect but you’ll never know how to react until you’re in the middle of it all. And there’s the rivalry with La Salle… I figure that you handle that well, you can handle any team in the league.”

Escueta thinks that the hype regarding the rookies will add to the pressure. “Kung tutuusin, maraming player ang magaling at hindi lang matunog sa mga fans. Every year grabe yung expectations. Hindi lang naman ang Ateneo ang nag-recruit – nag-reload. Yung ibang schools meron din mga bago na makakatulong din sa kanila. If the rookies can help us win a championship, then okay na graduation present yun. Pero basta team effort lang. One big fight. May laban din.”

Have a safe trip to the United States, team. OBF!

Clueless on the Road

Now you know why the regular season is important -- for that crucial homecourt advantage. And from the looks of things, the Boston Celtics can only look forward to that good ole homecooking.

In 1987, the late Celtics game color man Johnny Most went to see then team doctor Thomas Silva about deafness. Imagine Silva's surprise to find a TV ear plug that had been embedded for quite a while now in Most's ear for months! The raspy-voice commentator had no clue!

Twenty-one years later, the current edition of the Celtics wish for temporary deafness as they have to hear chants in opposing arenas that "Paul Pierce sucks" and "Boston sucks" while they struggle to win on the road. The questions and the doubts are beginning to pick up. If they play like this, how will they win even against road and playoff tested teams like Detroit and San Antonio?

"If I knew, we wouldn't have these conversations," mumbled a forlorn Kevin Garnett after the Game 4 tie of the Cavaliers.

The speculation is the Big Three have become afraid to step on one another's toes in the fourth quarter where many of their games have been lost. Maybe so, but that's not an excuse.

They played well in the regular season knowing full well what awaited them in the playoffs. Theoretically they can win their home games to snatch banner #17, but one meltdown then that's all she wrote folks.

But should that happen, then the sports scribes will be writing about Dallas East.

Catching up with the De La Salle Green Archers

Catching Up with the De La Salle Green Archers
by rick olivares

The De La Salle Green Archers are deep into preparations for the coming UAAP wars and they’re in the familiar position of opening the campaign as the defending champion. And in between games and practices, the players are modeling their new game jerseys courtesy of adidas in a photo shoot at the Sportskamp at Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.

Marko Batricevic is a bundle of energy not to mention some nerves. He arrived in the Philippines from his hometown of Vrbas in Serbia five years ago after an invitation to study and play basketball in the Philippines. He sat out a year for his residency and another to an unfortunate anterior cruciate ligament injury that saw him undergo two knee operations (the other was to clean the scar tissues). “I’m hoping that good things come to me as I wait,” he quips as he walks in and out of the gym. “Now I have to work hard to get that playing time.”

He remembers the day of the injury very well. It was in the last minute of the fourth quarter of the semi-finals game in the Nike Summer League last June 6, 2007. That day in history saw the Allies invade France to free Europe from German occupation some 64 years ago. The irony isn’t lost on Batricevic. “Yeah, but it’s my day of infamy. So I’ll feel good when the season opens in July and I get to play.”

For second year guard Simon Atkins, the coming UAAP wars will be his first season at the helm of the defending champions. “Winning the championship in my first real playing year in the league as a blessing. I’m lucky because I got to learn from TY (Tang who already graduated) and the suspension year allowed me to get used to college ball which is very different from high school competition.”

Basketball initially wasn’t a passion for Atkins. He played pick up ball, but was never seriously into the game until the program in Zobel began a massive turnaround under Coach Boris Aldeguer and he had a sudden growth spurt. Running the point for his strong Junior Archers team seemed like a breeze for him. “I’d drive to the basket and if my way was blocked, I’d pass it out to Migs (De Asis) and Martin (Reyes) who were positioned at the three-point arc,” he reminisces of their bread-and-butter play. “And I had David (Webb) underneath waiting for a drop pass.’

The grandson of the former Letran great and Senator Freddie Webb, David is one of five rookies who will trot onto the court on opening day. Webb, who led Zobel to its second title in three years over arch-rival Ateneo, saunters over to the bench after a long and hard practice and takes his place beside Atkins.

“It’s our first year together in college,” says the rookie. “Maybe it will be like old times… playing ball and having a good time. I'm just finding my place in the team's system and am looking forward to contribute. I'm glad Simon's at my side.”

PJ Walsham is resting on the floor with an icepack on his right arm. An ugly bruise has discolored his skin courtesy of the elbows and rough stuff of trying to defend the painted area against the University of the East in their last Filoil match. His game demeanor stored away for another day, he’s wisecracking and jawing with this year’s co-captain Rico Maierhofer who’s on the bench wiping the sweat off his face.

Walsham has a long mane of hair and is almost unrecognizable from his bald plate during last year’s campaign. He won’t be shaving his head just yet. “Only if we lose to Ateneo,” he jokes. Last year was like a dream for him. He got to play in every single game for the first time including those matches with their rivals from Katipunan. “Before I was on the bench during those games,” he recounts. “Then last year I got to help my team.” Good things come to those who wait and work hard.

Batricevic is now waiting his turn.

“If we had a surprise package last year, it was PJ,” glowed assistant coach Jack Santiago. “He helped out on the boards and played good defense. This year we’re hoping for more consistency.”

For Rico Maierhofer, consistency is the hallmark of a winner. He grew up in Puerto Galera, Mindoro with a passion for volleyball. Only later on did he pick up on hoops where he seemed to be even more of a natural.

“Nanalo na ako sa UAAP at sa PBL (with Harbour Centre),” he says softly as he’s finally relaxed after the day’s grind. “Sana tuloy tuloy na rin ‘to at makapag-pro. Malaking bagay na nakapunta ako sa La Salle at nabigyan ng opportunity na makasama sa ganito.”

As Maierhofer revels in his contributions to his teams’ success, PJ Barua is simply thankful to be a part of it. Not bad for a boy from Guimaras Island who told himself that if he got to Manila, he’d be happy if he played for Far Eastern University or UE. “Swerte ako kasi hindi lahat may chance makapunta sa La Salle.”

So does he look forward to coaching perhaps?

“Gusto ko maging PE teacher,” he reveals. He’d like to go to the pros – what player wouldn’t want. But coaching is not in his cards. “Iba yung oras na binibigay ni coach Franz (Pumaren) sa team. Parang hindi ko kaya yun. Happy na ako maging PE teacher kasi marami ako matutulungan at matuturuan na bata.”

Helping out. It’s as basic as help defense. “They may be from different schools and different provinces, but we mold them as a team to be a team,” quantifies Santiago.

In the recent game against UE, Maierhofer went to help out a teammate after the Warrior’s dunking forward Elmer Espiritu after he threw a punch at one of the Green Archers. “Sabi ko sa kanya na basketball lang tayo at kung ayaw niya, dun siya sa may kaya sa kanya.”

If head captain Jayvee Casio is the silent type, Maierhofer and his fellow Bruise Brother, Walsham are the vocal ones on and off the court. “That’s our way of showing brotherhood,” chimes in Walsham who’s prepping for the shoot. “We look after yung teammates namin.”

It all sounds like serious business when they talk about basketball, but once the final whistle has sounded, the Green Archers like their contemporaries from the other teams, revert back to being boys. “When Ateneo dealt them a loss in the first game of their Final Four series, a cloud of doubt hung over the team and the La Sallian community. “Oo, meron pressure sa amin at meron mga hindi maganda sinasabi,” recalled Walsham. “But we closed ranks and talked about things. Si Jayvee minsan lang magsalita pero when he does, tatamaan ka talaga.”

“I don’t have any brothers, only sisters,” adds Atkins. “These guys (pointing to his teammates as they mug for the cameras) are my brothers.” They are more than a basketball team. Maybe more accurately, they’re a bunch of brothers who are each other’s best friends. They play video games (Casio is the acknowledged champion when it comes to Counter Strike) or go to a videoke bar to pass time by.

As for Batricevic? “I like to go to parties,” he smiles. “I’ve been to Davao, Cebu, Bacolod, Boracay… I like it here. I do hope I’m given the chance to play also in the PBL and maybe even in the PBA. What basketball player does not dream of that? But if not, then maybe I can be an ambassador for my country. Maybe to the Philippines. I’ll be the first basketball player to be an ambassador.”

He heads towards the door as his teammates file out; the shoot done. “Ah, maybe the (New Orleans) Hornets will win in the NBA, yes,” he thunders in a booming voice loud enough for everyone to hear. “There’s Chris Paul and my countryman, Peja (Stojakovic). If they win, it’s a first, yes?”

(This will appear in the Thursday May 15 sports section of the Business Mirror.)

Road Kill or Street Pizza Part 1

ISTANBUL, Turkey -- Bruno Senna, nephew of the late three-time Formula One world champion Ayrton, hit a stray dog that ran onto the track during a GP2 support race at the Turkish Grand Prix on Sunday, ending the Brazilian's hopes of victory.

The safety car was deployed after two dogs appeared on the track during the race, about three hours before the grand prix was due to start.

Senna, 24 years old and co-championship leader coming into the weekend, hit one of the dogs. The impact broke his car's front right suspension.

The other dog escaped through an exit gate.

The Brazilian, who had worked his way up to sixth place from 15th on the starting grid before the impact, made his anger evident when he returned to the pits.

Bleachers' Brew #107 The Liberation of Free Expression

(This appears in my Bleachers' Brew column Monday, May 12, 2008)

Run don’t walk

There was this print ad done by Leagas Delaney London in 1996 for adidas that gave an accurate glimpse of what goes on in a runner’s mind when his feet are leaden and he’s moving on sheer will power:

“Just to the signpost. Just to the car. Just to the crossroads. Just to the curb. Just to the truck. Just to the signpost…”

The ad’s visual showed a street at dusk with the copy -- written by David Dye who also art directed it – vanishing down the road. Dye’s creative partner, copywriter Will Awdry penned a companion ad meant for outdoor running that read every bit similar: “I can’t stand straight lines.”

Both ads were an astute and powerful discernment of running and the triumph of the human spirit. And obviously, they’ve made a lasting impression on me for more than a decade later, they remain as fresh and vibrant a memory.

And that leads me to parkour where it isn’t simply “just to the car or the signpost.” To be more accurate, it’s about going above or through the car and around the signpost. For many people, their introduction to parkour was that fantastic chase scene in Casino Royale when the latest James Bond model, actor Daniel Craig tried to apprehend Mollaka, a small time terrorist played by Frenchman Sebastien Foucan, one of the founders of Parkour along with fellow countryman David Belle. The scene, filmed in the Bahamas, featured some snazzy yet dangerous free running through a high-rise construction site that included climbing up a crane and jumping onto another one several feet across then leaping down to a sandpit. I almost didn’t want 007 to catch Mollaka just to see how else he’d turn the place into his own playground.

There’s a preconceived notion that one has to get into sports to get fit. It’s actually the other way around – you’ve got to be fit to get into sports.

But technically, parkour isn’t a sport. It’s a form of free running that uses elements of acrobatics, martial arts, and jumping while traversing an urban landscape from one point to another. Parkour is one such discipline that requires more than knowing the basic running techniques. There’s no stopping or taking any detours for traceurs, as the practitioners of parkour are called. They go through fences, walls, stairs, buildings, and even cars that make parkour fun to watch. Stripped down, it was like in my grade school days when my classmates and I hopped around in the rock garden and used the monkey bars to swing across.

Foucan, who is a global ambassador for free running, stresses the importance of proper training for traceurs for there are a multitude of safety concerns and parkour’s fundamentals that should be grasped, learned, and understood. “It is important for to respect others and the environment. There’s no right or wrong way for free running. It’s all about expressing yourself in your environment with no limitations. It’s about moving like an animal or being fluid like water. Remember, the journey is more important than the goal that also helps in the social acceptance of parkour.”

Dan Edwardes, is one of the world’s foremost authorities on free running who co-runs Parkour Generations, an academy dedicated to the training and popularization of the discipline in England and the rest of the world. “One does not have to start fit and strong, but the training will result in one becoming extremely fit and functionally strong, as well as confident, spatially aware, and generally much healthier than normal,” says Edwardes who is also proficient in various fighting disciplines. “No protective gear is worn, and basic running shoes will do, which make it a very accessible discipline - hence us being able to reach a lot of inner city children who have limited resources but a great deal of energy.”

Parkour isn’t without danger hence the hours spent training and mastering one set of obstacles and terrain or free movement over a larger area. “It’s all about moving, getting from one place to the next using only your body and the environment,” adds Edwardes.

The beauty of parkour caught the eye and heart of independent filmmaker Julie Angel who made a name for herself doing observational documentaries and sub-culture sports films. “Parkour has so many elements to it that I feel as though I am just scratching the surface of what can be communicated about it through film and video,” says Angel who is currently undertaking a part-time Audio Visual PhD at Brunel University in England. As it is, several of her videos have been uploaded on youtube which has certainly increased the awareness, profile, and participation of people in parkour.

“Most of the documentaries that are online have really been observational pieces of work, so my aim is always to be as unobtrusive as possible and not interfere with what the traceurs are doing. This is most obvious in the 'Visions' film, but it was pretty much the same for most of the sections of 'Jump Westminster', 'Rendezvous', 'NYC' and many others (all which can be seen in youtube). If they are running a workshop or seminar, the last thing anybody wants is to have a filmmaker stop and direct people and ask people to repeat something so you can get another camera angle.”
“One is never done with parkour,” sums up Edwardes. “The training is the means and the end. It is the one goal. There is no end, nor conclusion or perfection - only daily improvement, hardship in training and the pleasure of pushing oneself farther than one thought possible.”

And like running, it’s pushing oneself -- “Just to the signpost. Just to the car. Just to the crossroads. Just to the curb. Just to the truck. Just to the signpost…”

Drive don’t shoot
There’s something about the spherical shape of a basketball that reminds National University coach Manny Dandan of a clock. “It’s my life – twenty-four hours a day,” he says with a sigh. A bottle of San Miguel Light and the company of friends and family lightens the burden. “We might not have a big program like Ateneo or La Salle, but basketball is a full time occupation in every sense of the word.”

Dandan jogs and plays recreational tennis “to beat the stress of it all,” as he describes it, but the one endeavor outside basketball that he’s most passionate about is driving. Car racing to be more specific.

He has that sheepish smile of someone about to divulge a deeply buried secret as a result of a game of Truth or Consequence. “I was into illegal racing before,” he whispers with a Cheshire cat grin. “You know, Ortigas, White Plains… I was there.”

This coming Sunday, May 18, Dandan will reclaim a portion of his youth on the race track near the High Street mall in Bonifacio Global City (The Fort) in Taguig. The coach will be making his racing debut in his souped-up Opel Manta (Aguilar will be driving his Mitsubishi Mirage) in Team Nitro Motorsports Bridgestone Super Autocross Series.

“There’ll be a collegiate category for the competition and Raymond and I will be representing NU,” he announces. “Raymond” is the NU Bulldogs’ second year forward-center Raymond Aguilar who will be driving his Mitsubishi Mirage.

Bobby Paguia, National’s Vice President for Administration, plunked down some of his personal money to co-sponsor Dandan’s vehicle. When Paguia asked his basketball coach’s chances of winning, Dandan, laughed somewhat excitedly, “We’ll see, sir! I’m the rookie here!”

“It’s all about the experience,” the coach admits of his modest goal for the competition. “I need to soak it in – the atmosphere, the tension. And from there aim higher or better my performance in succeeding races. And it’s my venue to vent my basketball frustrations.”

Somehow it seems just right. The spherical shape of the basketball now reminds him of a steering wheel.

At the Team Nitro Kick Off party last Thursday, May 8 at Guilly's in Tomas Morato. In the picture are some friends Ateneo Basketball School Director Ricky Dandan, good buddy and former Ateneo Lady Eagles coach John Flores (with hand raised), NU Bulldogs coach Manny Dandan, and NU Bulldog forward-center Raymond Aguilar who is the second from my right.

Thanks to Julie Angel and Dan Edwardes for the parkour interview. And to Sebastien Foucan for inspiration.

Hi Rick,
It all looks good to me, good luck with the parkour and thanks for the exposure.
cheers,
Julie

Thanks Rick, looks nice.
Let me know when the full interviews go up, that would be great.
Best
Dan