What's going on, San Antonio?

photo by Joe Murphy/Getty Images

Let's quote Marvin Gaye before we begin. "What's goin' on? What's goin on? I say what's goin' on?"

At the risk of prematurely burying the San Antonio Spurs, yes, what exactly is going on? 

I am not going with the argument that the team is aging. Overnight they didn’t just lose it. We heard that accusation levied against teams before. Even the championship Bulls team that was nearly extended to the full route by Utah were accused of such yet they still beat the odds.

Since their last championship season in 2006-07 where they swept Cleveland in the finals, the Spurs were dumped by the Los Angeles Lakers in the ’08 Western Finals, swept in the first round by Dallas in ’09, and ousted in the Western semis by Phoenix with a 4-0 dust-off.

After blitzing the league early in the season, the Spurs stumbled in the homestretch. It began with Manu Ginobili’s injury and even when he returned they didn’t seem that sharp anymore.

For the month of April (up to Game 4 with the Memphis Grizzlies), the Spurs are 5-6. In their last 10 matches of the regular season, they were 4-6. And there was that six match losing streak from March 23-April 1 where they allowed the Chicago Bulls to catch up and although tie them in the win-loss column grab the home court advantage throughout the playoffs by quotient points.

In the regular season, San Antonio went 61-21. They averaged 103.7 points and gave up 98.

In the playoffs, they are averaging 91.2 points while giving up 95.7. In the regular season, they beat the Memphis Grizzlies in their first two meetings at the AT&T Center, but Lionel Hollins’ boys picked up the next two at their homecourt of the FedEx Forum.

During those head-to-head matchups, Greg Popovich’s team won their home games by an average of 6.5 point versus Memphis while the Grizzlies defended their turf by winning by an average of 11.5 points.

During San Antonio’s first regular season victory over Memphis at the AT&T Center, their starting five scored 79 points and the bench added 33. Tim Duncan picked up 13 and 10, Tony Parker topscored with 37 while Manu Ginobili had 15 pts and 9 assists.

In contrast, Memphis’ starters scored an incredible 90 points and their bench added only 16.

In their second meeting, San Antonio’s starters scored 62 points while the bench tallied 33 markers. Manu led the way with 35 points, Tim added 12 and 8 while Tony finished with 2 after an injury.

Memphis’ starters one more outscored their counterparts by putting up 65 points. The bench had a slightly better showing by adding 23 points.

As the season got longer, Memphis (which would finish at 46-36 with a 30-11 home stand record), got stronger. They finished the month of February 8-4 and March 9-5. They sort of stumbled in April with a 4-3 slate losing their final two regular season matches.

But they greet spring with a win over San Antonio at home where their starters once more outscored the Spurs starting unit 69-40 (Parker was out). The Grizzlies’ bench matched SA’s starting production with 40 points of their own.

Zach Randolph picked up 21 and 10 while Marc Gasol had a poor game with 4 points and 3 boards. But Tony Allen (20) and Darrell Arthur (21) picked up the slack.

In their final regular season meeting, Memphis’ starters once more blew their foes apart by scoring 71 points to the 48 by San Antonio. The Grizzlies’ bench put up 42. Zebo and Tony 23 points each.

Without Duncan and a lame Manu Ginobili who only scored one bucket, Tony Parker tried to hold the fort by his lonesome (20 points). The Spurs reserves added 56 points.

The playoffs further clarified the picture. The Spurs simply couldn’t match up with Memphis’ starters. Popovich’s crack unit only outscored Hollins’ starting five once – Game 3 – and that was by a solitary point 64-63 and the Grizzlies still won.

San Antonio has been hobbled by injuries and Memphis found a reservoir of energy in the first round of the playoffs. The weak link of the Spurs has been the play of Richard Jefferson (who Pop worked with in the offseason the previous year) and at the center slot where Antonio McDyess, Dejuan Blair and Tiago Splitter have been the three-headed monster. McDyess since his days in New York to Detroit has reinvented his game from a high-flying aerial artist to a more grounded forward. No way can he guard Randolph or even Gasol on that end. Maybe more than a decade ago he could with his athleticism. Not now.

Take a look at the numbers of the starters and bench.

Zach Randolph, after great years in Portland, did not go the route of Steve Francis who after a trade never got his game going again after leaving Houston. Zebo has been a monster side by side with Marc Gasol. That's like Andrew Bynum and this dude name Pau. Only they are in the Southwest Division. That’s quite some team they’ve got and like their counterparts from Oklahoma, they are an exciting young team.

Who could have figured they’d be where they are at now? Although there’s still Game 5 to play, the window for another Larry O' Brien trophy for this Spurs team in the Tim Duncan era is rapidly closing.

Pre-season college hoops thoughts Part 1

Pre-season college hoops thoughts Part 1

by rick olivares

Watched the FilOil Pre-season games for the first time yesterday. Here are some thoughts.

Looks like FEU’s missing Reil Cervantes down the post. FEU’s experience obviously was a factor in turning back the hard fighting UP Maroons yesterday 80-76. Interesting that Tamaraws coach Bert Flores experimented with a three-guard line-up yesterday down the stretch. Worked wonders. But it’s the pre-season. Can’t take in too much as teams are just getting into shape and trying combinations. 

In the second game, putting a bad team on the same floor as a talented one has the makings of a disaster or a free-for-all.

The Lyceum Pirates were getting blown out of the water by a much more talented San Beda team in the first quarter and it didn’t look to get better for the Intramuros squad. The Pirates couldn’t buy a basket even if the ring were eight feet high. Their shooting was horrendous and their teamwork outright atrocious. As things got worse in the second quarter, the Pirates began to play a little rougher.

With San Beda up 59-29 with 8:30 to play in the second quarter, Allan Santos, who used to play for Adamson, nearly took off Ola Adeogun’s jaw when he swung an elbow towards the Red Lion. That right there, he should have been whistled but play went on. As Lyceum missed their shot, the Red Lions went on a fastbreak. Adeogun and Santos ran back down with the African a step faster. Santos threw another elbow at the neck and this time Adeogun retaliated. The stupid ref caught the second motion and whistled for a deliberate foul. Santos then shoved Adeogun who had his back turned. Kyle Pascual angrily went over to shove Santos who was daring everyone to fight him outside.

Incredibly, the ref sent Adeogun and Santos to the showers with a technical foul to Ola and ball possession to Lyceum! An irate Frankie Lim showered the refs with angry words (and why not since they were incompetent). For a while there, the Red Lions sat down and refused to return to the floor causing some anxious moments.

But San Beda continued and for a while there, the lull and commotion favored the Pirates as they began to make their shots. But the Red Lions regained their composure and continued to pour on the hurting as the romped away to a 99-57 win.

Of these Red Lions, I figure forward-center Dave Marcelo to have a good pro career. He can post and shoot medium range shots. He can rebound and definitely block some shots.

Then in what looked to be (early on) a carbon copy (a blow out not a fight) of the San Beda-Lyceum game, the match between Arellano University and De La Salle University turned out to be a much closer one. The Chiefs were without main man Isiah Ciriacruz but it seemed that having two Africans in tow might be an equalizer but it was obvious that Nett Charles Mammie of Sierra Leone was the weak link in the team. After the Green Archers spotted Arellano an early lead in the first quarter, Celada shot Mammie a look of disgust as he lost several balls while taking really bad shots. He could only turn to his left (not to his right) showing a limited game. But of course, he could get better. When I first saw Emmanuel Mbe train with National University, he could even dribble the ball without looking away. He could dunk but big deal – his hops and height afford him that. But looking at Mbe, he worked his ass off and you could see how much better he got.

But back to the Green Archers, they pulled off a gritty win thanks to backbreaking treys by Joseph Marata and Luigi dela Paz for a 71-64 win.

I’ve said this to a few people already and I will say this again -- I figure Ateneo and La Salle to meet in the finals of the UAAP Season 74 Men’s Basketball Tournament (barring major injuries). I think the Green Archers are ready to pick it up a notch or two as they finally have the players to compete. And they’ve got a deep bench as well. Now to see this all play out.

Ateneo Football League news: MOA signing with UAO's Ricky Palou

We signed a MOA that certifies that my bud Rels and I run the Ateneo Football League. A portion of the proceeds will go to a scholarship for the Ateneo High School. Week Three this weekend for the AFL. In the maiden cup of the AFL, we have 33 teams. Not a bad number. That's some 500 football players from the college to the alumni.

NCAA/UAAP players beef up NCR U-23 squad

This appears in the Monday April 25, 2011 edition of the Business Mirror.

NCAA/UAAP players beef up NCR U-23 squad

by rick olivares

With the quarterfinals stage of the PFF Suzuki U-23 National Cup a few weeks away, the National Capital Region Football Association (NCRFA) announced that the line-ups of the two squads they are fielding will be made known by the end of April 2011. But one thing is for sure – it will be made up of the best of players from the NCAA and UAAP.

Hans Peter Smit of De La Salle University, who was appointed by the NCRFA as head coach said that assisting him on the staff will be Rodolfo Alicante of Far Eastern University, Andres Gonzales of UAAP champion University of the Philippines, and Florante “Lolong” Valencia who will be goal keeper coach. “The coaching staff will handle both teams,” clarified Smit who also bared that the two squads’ composition will be balanced. “We are going with what we have even if we do not have the luxury of an 18-man roster.”

Although the rosters have yet to be finalized, Smit bared the names of a few who have already qualified for a spot on the NCR squads. “We have two members of the Philippine Men’s National Team joining the teams,” said Smit. “That’s Yannick Tuazon and David Basa.”

Other players named to the squads included La Salle’s Patrick Deyto and Nikko Villa; UP’s Stephen Permanes and Gerardo Valmayor; FEU’s Joaquin Melliza and Ronnie Aguisanda; Ateneo’s Anton Amistoso and Mikko Mabanag; the College of Saint Benilde’s Miko Manglapus; and UST’s Ojay Clarino. Permanes, a two-time UAAP champion was adjudged the MVP of the last football tournament while teammate Valmayor was Rookie of the Year on top of being the lead goal scorer of the season.

Of the aforementioned players, Valmayor, Melliza, and Aguisanda were born outside Metro Manila.

Tournament rules allow players to suit up for teams outside their province of birth provided that they play in that locale. In the recently concluded Visayan Regionals, Jake Morallo played for Bacolod in spite of being born in Dumaguete. Morris John Tulang was born in Dipolog but played for Dumaguete since he was going to school in Foundation University which is located in Negros Oriental.

Bleachers' Brew #257 Azkals dreaming

This appears in the Monday April 25, 2011 edition of the Business Mirror.

Azkals dreaming

by rick olivares

Morris Tulang, Dumaguete

“Go, Morris!”

The exhortations from the crowd increased in frequency and urgency. With the precious minutes slipping away, Morris John Tulang, picked off an errant short pass by Cebu’s Jephunneh Pelanio that immediately triggered a Dumaguete counter attack that was born of desperation.

With 75 minutes gone by, the score was notched at 2-2. But for the home team and crowd, a draw was every bit as bad as a loss. They needed to win to keep their dimming hopes alive of qualifying for the next stage of the PFF Suzuki U-23 National Cup. Only two of the five teams from the Visayas seeing action in the cluster competition would advance. Bacolod was in by virtue of their four-match sweep. Powerhouse Iloilo’s entry was stalled by their 1-nil loss to Bacolod earlier in the day. Dumaguete badly needed to win this game against Cebu for their match against Iloilo the following day to have any bearing.

The Dumagueteños went down early 2-0 and all seemed lost until they drew level with two last minute goals in the first half. Cebu had adjusted well entering the final 45 minutes of play and the home team was left to mostly fend off repeated attacks and shots on goal. Tulang, Dumaguete’s inspirational captain and playmaker had scored the equalizer at the end of the first half, but at the reset, he had been marked well and had been unable to receive the ball.

“Go, Morris!”

Tulang sent the ball to striker Remelito Tabuñag in the left wing while a teammate and he raced to the middle to wait for a cross. Tabuñag, whose goal got Dumaguete’s rally going in the first half, ditched one defender and bore towards the box. Once there, he was dispossessed of the ball. Scoring chance derailed.

A few minutes later, Cebu scored to make it 3-2. The dagger of a goal was swift and so unexpected that it seemed that the collective yells of encouragement had been slit from the throats of several hundred Dumagueteños. The only noise one could hear were the pedicabs plying their routes across the street and Tulang’s voice. “Let’s go!” he yelled as he gesticulated wildly with his arms. He pulled a teammate who slumped to the ground after the goal, but it was like a punch to the gut. The air, the fight, had gone out of his team.

Some fans stood up to leave. They had yet to get down from the stands when Cebu struck twice more in the dying minutes to bury the home side.

Once the referee’s final whistle blew, Dumaguete’s coach staff sat on the dirt in disbelief. A few players began to point fingers at one another. Tulang shook the hands of the victorious Cebuanos then walked painfully back to diffuse the situation.

The fourth of five children, Tulang was actually born in Dipolog but the family had made Dumaguete their home. An incoming third year student at Foundation University where he was taking up Accounting, the 18-year old Morris had chosen to stay close to home to study and play football even if he harbored dreams of playing for the national team. He was invited by College of Saint Benilde to play for their NCAA team but he decided against it. “We don’t have enough money to pay for the trip to Manila,” he recalled. “That money was something our family could really use and family comes first.”

When word of the Under-23 tournament reached Tulang, he became excited. “This was a chance to show the country what I can do,” enthused the five-foot-three youngster who cheers for Real Madrid and its former striker Raul. Morris scored five goals for the cluster competition that one less that Bacolod’s Joshua Beloya’s total.    

Cimfranca Field had emptied quickly. Most of Tulang’s teammates had left too. Morris dressed and neatly put his clothes and cleats into his small backpack and slowly made his way out.

“It hurts but this should make me strive harder,” he said of the lost opportunity to advance and maybe get invited to pay for the national squad. “To be able to represent the country in the Southeast Asian Games or any competition is a dream. Maybe one day.”

Angelo Marzon, Leyte

It seemed preposterous. The score was at 7-0 for Iloilo yet there was Angelo Marzon – all five-feet-three inches and 130 pounds of him – hurtling towards enemy territory on a never-say-die mission to score. Marzon was by his lonesome. No support. Nothing. Iloilo’s defenders descended upon the Waray striker and before he could get close to the box, the ball was taken away from him.

As the Ilonggos quickly raced forward for a quick counter attack (that would soon net them goal number eight), Marzon grimaced as he hobbled back on defense. He would get another chance minutes later. Before the defense collapsed on him, he was able to unleash a shot that unfortunately went high above the crossbar.

As Iloilo’s coaching staff reprimanded their defenders for allowing the shot, Marzon covered his face in anguish.

From the beginning of the Visayas Regionals, the simple objective of the team from Leyte was to soak in as much experience as they could in their maiden Under-23 national tournament. They knew they would be up against some tough teams but they never imagined they’d get shellacked this badly.

“Isang goal lang,” thought Marzon to himself. A goal would be a huge confidence booster for himself and his overmatched squad. But blowout or not, Marzon, like a madman on the loose, continued to attack whatever the score line. “He has guts,” described Team Consultant Onnie Patulin.

Marzon is a third year student at Eastern Visayas State University where he is taking up Environmental Science. He’s taking up the course to see how he can be of service to his country. As a footballer who roots for Arsenal and its brilliant midfielder Francesc Fabregas, he too dreams of football glory such as playing for the national team.

In the vernacular, he says that he wished he were bigger and taller to be able to better handle the ball and taller defenders. “But I’m not,” he said rather sheepishly. He also wishes his team had more experience. “Hirap ng puro talo.”

In spite of the glaring gap of talent and quality players between Leyte and the other squads, they have a simple mantra when it comes to the game – smile and play like a gentleman. Or in the game’s context – no trash talking, fighting, or rough stuff.

During the tournament, Match Commissioner Red Avelino remarked that with better teammates and more experience, Marzon, despite his smallish frame could actually perform better. “He’s industrious,” noted Avelino. “That’s something that cannot be taught.”

When informed later on about the Match Comm’s thoughts about him, the Tacloban native seems almost embarrassed.

“Laban lang,” said the youngest of four siblings. “Ganyan talaga ang buhay. At diyan din naman nagsimula yung Azkals – puro talo. Tapos nakaahon. Sana tayo rin. At may chance ulit.”

UP's Nathan Octavio is on Chalk magazine

I have a feature on UP football player (and team captain) Nathan Octavio in the latest issue of Chalk magazine (May 2011). I posted the cover above and page one (it's a two-page piece) below. Nathan was solid in the Fighting Maroons' midfield and scored one of the goals of the tournament against Ateneo. Thanks to Jinno Ruffino for this. Have another UAAP football story coming out as well in another magazine.

Pele on CNN's Talk Asia

An old favorite returns even if only for a few minutes. Football great Pele will be featured in this week’s CNN Talk Asia where CNN’s Anna Coren caught up with the legend in Hong Kong and discussed the revival of the New York Cosmos, his thoughts on the 2014 World Cup being held in his home country, and the state of the game today.

During the interview, Pele described how important the 2014 World Cup is to Brazil. “It is important to give back what they give to us, and give back well.” However he expressed concern about the pace of the country’s preparations for the tournament. “For example in San Paulo, the state of San Paulo is the best, strong tournament here, the league tournament. We haven’t started yet (to build) the stadium. This, I think, is a little bad for the reputation of Brazil and for the reputation of (those) who worked for Brazil, like I did. That’s my worry.”

FIFA recently awarded the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to Russia and Qatar - selections that have drawn criticism in some circles. Pele declined to comment on the decisions, because he didn’t participate in the voting process, but he hopes both countries will host successful tournaments. “Russia is traditional in soccer. Qatar is not traditional, but they have a lot of money. I don’t know if they could avoid doing the World Cup in June or July. It’s very hot there.”

Although the 70-year-old has long since hung up his goal-scoring boots, he's still a global ambassador for the game. He says that soccer is a game that can unite people. “It will always be the beautiful game, no doubt. The only sport, the only thing, that puts people together no matter if they’re black. No nation. No colour. No religion. No political decision.”

A true record-breaker, Pele is the only player with three World Cup titles to his name and scored 1,281 goals in his professional career. He recalls the moment in 1969 when he scored his 1000th goal. “Everybody thinks a penalty kick is easy to score, but it is not too easy. It is very difficult when you have a responsibility…The friend of mine is a comic guy in Brazil. He says God stops the game because everyone has to see your 1000th goal. That is the reason it was a penalty kick.”

He also shared his views on how million-dollar salaries and endorsements have changed the state of the game today and his thoughts on who he thinks is the best soccer player in the world today. So who do you think it is -- Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo? Figure it's the former. 

Sergio Ramos is in good company

Sergio Ramos is in good company (or trophies that are roadkill)

I guess they won’t let Sergio Ramos hold the next trophy they win at Real Madrid. You heard it – Los Blancos waited 18 years to win the Copa del Rey (King’s Cup) only to see it shattered in 10 pieces after it slipped from Ramos’ grasp underneath the team bus they were riding.

When I saw that on the news, I instantly recalled two instances that were similar or some such.

In 2010, the Russian duo of Ekaterina Gordeeva and Valeri Bure won an ice skating dance competition. When the crystal trophy was handed to Gordeeva, she dropped it and it shattered on the ice. Bure found humor in the situation when he quipped, “It’s a Russian tradition to break the trophy on the ice for luck.” Bwahaha

After last year’s NCAA Finals where San Beda College swept San Sebastian College-Recoletos for the league title, fans clamored for MVP Sudan Daniel to sign autographs and pose for pictures along the south basket of the Araneta Coliseum. The American complied and he put down his trophy beside him. As he was moving along merrily signing away, he accidentally kicked his trophy breaking it in three pieces. Daniel was momentarily taken aback by what happened but like the trooper that he is, he continued signing autographs. 

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photo by Kiko Huesca/European Press Agency

Numbers, parallelisms, and signs. Ah, what the heck... let's go, Bulls!

After the Chicago Bulls beat the Indiana Pacers at the Conseco Fieldhouse to go up 3-0 in the best-of-seven series, I began to think “sweep” and “how far can they go” even with a match at hand to secure. I’m excited. It’s been 13 long years (and #13 is Joakim Noah's jersey number) and my Ultimate Jordan and UnstoppaBulls DVDs have been well played.

It is said that every time the Bulls win at least 60 games in the regular season, they win the NBA title. That’s true but let’s take a look at how Chicago has fared traditionally in the first round.

When the Bulls sweep the first round, does that mean they go on to win the NBA title?

During the six-peat years, the answer is a resounding yes. But when MJ took a sabbatical, the Scottie Pippen-led Bulls swept Cleveland 3-0 in 1994 yet lost to New York in seven in the semifinals. In 2006-07, they swept the defending champion Miami Heat 4-0 but were ushered out of the door in the next round by Detroit.

So the answer is a NO.

Take note though that every time the Bulls win the first round albeit not via sweep they went on to lose in the next round. The exception to this is the 1974-75 squad that lost in the Western Conference Finals to Golden State 4-3. The Rick Barry-led Warriors went on to win the NBA title that year so no shame in losing to the champs.

1994-95 where they went 3-1 against Charlotte but they were promptly booted out by Orlando in second round 4-2.

It might be fun to look for parallelisms but the truth of the matter is, this is a different Bulls team than its predecessors. Furthermore, the first round has changed through the years from automatic semifinals, a best of three first round, a best-of-five first round, and now to its current best-of-seven format.

When was the last time that a team that did not appear on the radar in the pre-season won the NBA title?

The 2003-04 Detroit Pistons. There were five other teams with better records than theirs (although only one was in the East and that was the Indiana Pacers that had a 61-21 record).

Of course, it is a long ways to go before an NBA champion is crowned but at the start of the year, people tabbed either the Los Angeles Lakers or Miami Heat to win it all (with some quarters going for the Boston Celtics).

The 2010-11 Bulls have four players who averaged double figures during the regular season. That’s Derrick Rose (25.0), Carlos Boozer (17.5), Luol Deng (17.4)m and Joakim Noah (11.7).

When the Bulls have four players averaging in double digits, they win. The 1992-93 team had Michael Jordan (32.6), Scottie Pippen (18.6), Horace Grant (13.2), and BJ Armstrong (12.3). The 1997-98 roster also had four in MJ (28.7), Pippen (19.1), Toni Kukoc (13.3), and Luc Longley (11.4).

However, in 1993-94, Chicago, despite having Pippen, Grant, Armstrong, and Kukoc averaging in double figures, they were eliminated by the Knicks no thanks in large part to referee Hue Hollins who whistled Pippen for a foul on Hubert Davis who trooped to the free throw line.

There I go trying to make sense of that loss and to see if I can find signs that finally, the curse of Jerry Krause is over. You know what? They’re just numbers on paper. It doesn’t guarantee anything. The exercise was in the spirit of fun.

As for the Bulls and Derrick Rose? They have to still go out and win it.

Let’s go, Bulls!

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If you're concerned that the Bulls are struggling against Indiana, a team that had far fewer wins than Chicago during the regular season, I've got three words -- "It's the playoffs!" And historically, the Bulls have either beaten the crap out of foes in the first or struggled. As Chris Webber noted, in 1996-97, the series between Washington and Chicago was close. Although it ended up in a sweep, Game 3 was won on a last second dunk by Scottie Pippen. And remember the 1998 series against Indiana? The Game 3 loss at Conseco that was dubbed "a bump in the road"? As it turned out, "it was a mountain to climb," to quote NBC's Bob Costas. Indiana has somewhat been a tough foe for the Bulls for quite some time. Always have been. Besides when you play the top team in the league, you come to the NBA's second season to be foes and not mere foils.

---- photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images ---

Indi Cowie

Meet Indi Cowie, who will be playing for the University of North Carolina after watching Mia Hamm score for the Tar Heels in US NCAA football. Amazing, isn't she? Here's the article from the New York Times where I first read about her. Check it out.

Hillsborough Disaster -- YNWA!

I was supposed to post this last week but didn’t have the chance because the Visayas Regionals of the PFF Suzuki U23 National Cup preoccupied me. I wanted to do that in remembrance as well as to stand alongside my favorite football club. Liverpool FC.

Last April 15 was the 22^nd anniversary of the Hillsborough Disaster where 96 Liverpool supporters were crushed to death during the 1989 FA Cup semifinals match between LFC and Nottingham Forest at Hillsborough, the home field of Sheffield Wednesday FC.

I remember reading about it in the newspapers and was dumfounded about it. And I recalled a similar incident in 1979 at Riverfront Coliseum in Cincinnati where 11 fans were also crushed to death during a concert by The Who.

My father knew I loved going to concerts and after that tragedy in Cincinnati, he had me stop attending them. Later on, he did allow me but only with the sternest reminders for safety. I do remember a near riot at the Amoranto Stadium in Quezon City that I never told him about. Or another one in the Music Museum where fans broke down the front door and as a result cops had to be called in. Imagine that – the band was playing but there were all these cops on stage carrying automatic weapons. And they were shoving fans who went up on the stage who were trying to dive.

The resulting investigation of the Hillsborough Disaster cited the failure of police control as the reason for the tragedy. One of the few good things to come out of this was that it saw the conversion of many football stadia into all-seaters. 

In remembrance of those who died on that day and for those who lost family and friends. YNWA!

AC Green helps paint a dolphin

NBA Legend and Basketball Hall of Famer AC Green went on an NBA Cares Activity last April 11 after taking part in the 2011 Jr. NBA National Training Camp at SM Mall of Asia. Green teamed up with renowned mural artist and conservationist AG Sarno to paint a dolphin mural at the De La Salle campus to highlight the plight of dolphins and encourage their protection. Sarno, who has painted thousands of dolphin murals across the country and considers Green as one of his childhood heroes, invited the former Los Angeles Laker to paint the mural with him. The Philippines and the NBA partnered with the World Wildlife Fund-Philippines which implements conservation and development projects nationwide and spearheads practical solutions to help the country adapt to climate change, secure food sources to alleviate poverty, conserve local ecosystems to reap natural benefits, empower communities to live low-impact lives, help corporations develop equitable, low-impact supply chains and promote renewable sources of clean energy.

The 22nd FIBA Asia Challenge Cup is coming to Manila

From left: former ABC secretary-general Moying Martelino, SBP executive director Sonny Barrios, SBP president Manny V. Pangilinan, and FIBA Asia deputy secretary general Hagop Khajirian.

The 22nd FIBA Asia Champions Challenge Cup will be held in the Philippines from May 28-June 5.

Smart-Gilas Pilipinas will be bracketed in Group A along with Jordan, Malaysia, Japan and either Kazakhstan or Afghanistan.

Lebanon, Syria, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, and defending champion Iran comprise Group B. 

National head coach Rajko Toroman hopes to that come tournament time, a few more PBA players including Asi Taulava, Kelly Williams, Jimmy Alapag, and Dondon Hontoveros will bolster Smart Gilas.

My All-Visayas Starting XI of the Qualifiers of the PFF Suzuki U23 National Cup

After a great regional qualifiers, here’s my All-Visayas Starting XI:

Keeper: Wilson Muñoz (Iloilo)

Back Four: Neckson Leonora (Iloilo) Lemuel Unabia (Bacolod) Ronald Batisla-Ong (Iloilo) Carlito Abadia (Cebu)

Midfield: Joshua Beloya (Bacolod) Francis Gustilo (Iloilo) Morris John Tulang (Dumaguete) Jovin Bedic (Bacolod)

Forwards: Adrian Dolino (Bacolod) Jomar Lestingio (Iloilo)

Coach: Norman Fegidero Jr.

Some may wonder how Cebu’s Carlito Abadia got on the list. Putting his team's record aside, the dude is solid and fearless. And it will help that there is an enforcer too. He isn’t afraid to knock someone down. But it isn't only on D -- he can bring it upfield. Good range too with his set pieces.

As for Morris Tulang, I’d put him in attacking midfield and leave the playmaking to Ansing Gustilo and Jovin Bedic. Morris has quite a feel for the ball. You know the saying "maamo yung bola sa kanya"? That's the best way to describe Morris. And he's also good in setting up teammates. He scored one of the best goals of the tournament when he was drifting off to the left and he fired a shot that curved towards the goal and into the back of the net. Awesome! Wish there was a video for that.

Reserves: Others I like are Bacolod’s Carmelo Tacusalme and Leyte (yes, Leyte) defender Rodolfo Tumada. The latter can turn into a very good defender with more experience and better teammates. Throw in J Baguioro of Bacolod to the subs.

Bacolod tops Leyte 11-nil to finish atop Visayas Regionals

This appears in the Wednesday April 19, 2011 edition of the Business Mirror.

Bacolod tops Leyte 11-nil to finish atop Visayas Regionals

by rick olivares

With their arch rivals Iloilo watching from the sidelines, Bacolod rubbed their 1-nil triumph over their neighbors last Tuesday by lighting up hapless Leyte 11-nil to finish atop the Visayas Regional Qualifiers of the PFF Suzuki U-23 National Cup with an immaculate 4-0 record to receive the maximum 12 points. In those four victories, goalkeepers John Mendoza and Jurex Replentes kept clean sheets as Team Bacolod also scored 18 goals.

Up against tournament novice Leyte which was winless and goalless in three matches, Bacolod showed no mercy and flexed it muscles.

They also underscored their depth and talent. As it was in their match against Cebu, Bacolod coach Norman Fegidero Jr. started his bench. The reserves proved that they were more than just relievers as super sub Joshua Beloya sparked his side to a 4-0 lead after 45 minutes of play.

Beloya’s fellow reserve Ralph Layumas also scored alongside starter Jovin Bedic.

In the second half, it was a turkey shoot as Bacolod peppered Leyte goalkeeper Ferdinand Fortaliza with shots from everywhere. The smoke cleared after 45 minutes of continuous aerial bombardment and Bacolod stood triumphant 11-0. Beloya scored four goals to accomplish the same feat that Dumaguete’s Morris John Tulang against Leyte in their opening day encounter. Tulang added a fifth score when he put a penalty shot in the back of the net against Cebu yesterday to hike his total to five. But Beloya, the quiet midfielder with a sublime touch and powerful boot, four plus the one each he scored against Cebu and Dumaguete gave him a finally count of six goals.

Teammates Jovin Bedic and Adrian Dolino each contributed a brace while Carmelo Tacusalme, Jay Baguioro, and Layumas also added a successful strike each.

“Personally na achieve naming as a group in Bacolod what we set out to do,” said a happy Fegidero after the match. “And that was to top our regionals. Now that we will be hosting the next leg and with the home crowd on our side, we have a great opportunity to show what we can do and that some of my players can join the senior men’s national team to the Southeast Asian Games later this year.”

Bacolod is said to be the host for the next stage of the competition with the games reportedly to be held in Panaad

Fegidero also singled out Tacusalme and Dolino for their consistency throughout the campaign. “They are,” gushed the Bacolod coach, “our best players. It would be good for them to be noticed and that they may play for the national team.”

Leyte was winless in four matches. To make matters worse for themselves, they gave up a shocking 24 goals in four matches.