A Case of History Repeating (with the music of the Propellerheads in the background)

Liverpool supporter. Win one for the Kop, gentlemen!










Here is an excerpt from Liverpool: A Season on the Brink Chapter 3 Before the Kick-off (Should I put in Baros or Cisse in the line-up?)


"In 1978, the year of Liverpool's second European Cup victory, just as in 2005, a Pope called John Paul died. Then as now, Wales had won a glorious rugby Grand Slam. In both years, the winner of the English League had beaten Liverpool in the final of the League Cup: Nottingham Forest and Chelsea this season.

In 1981, Prince Charles married Diana Spencer; in 2005 he got hitched to Camilla Parker Bowles.

In 1981 and 1985, Norwich City and Crystal Palace both were relegated.

Most amazingly, in 1981 and 1985, Liverpool only won 17 league games and ended up in fifth place.

Finally, they won all four of their European Cups wearing red while their opponents wore white."


There was one more mentioned but it's a British concern that none of us may know about. But isn't this kind of freaky? Was the title pre-ordained?


Several years ago, I compiled something very, very similar to the Chicago Bulls. One that also involved numerology. I'll try to dig that up wherever the heck that is. But that was pretty amazing too. I know that La Salle had theirs this year. Anyone else know other similar "coincidences?"

A great sports read...

I picked up this book at Kinokuniya at the Siam Paragon Mall in Bangkok. A great read that bridges Gerard Houllier's last year and Rafael Benitez' spectacular first season with the Reds. Expertly written and a must for all football fans. I just bought a few reading materials; this and two magazines. Spanish expat, Balague who lived in Liverpool for quite some time has the inside story of that most memorable campaign that culminated with a Champions League victory over AC Milan (of course, Milan returned the favor this year in Athens).

I am somewhere in the first 75 pages and will post an interesting excerpt on the "coincidences" and signs of a Liverpool victory tomorrow.

Football Fever in Thailand

It’s only in the Philippines where the global brands allow their focus to shift from football to basketball. There’s a fledging hoops scene in Thailand but the dominant sport here is football.

Along the BTS (sky train) that runs across the Sukhumvit Road (one of the longest in the entire world as it stretches from Bangkok all the way to the border of Cambodia), there are several billboards of the retired (for more than a year now) Zinedine Zidane promoting adidas. In the mall, there are billboards and posters of Liverpool, David Beckham, Barcelona, Ronaldinho, Wayne Rooney, and Francesco Totti among a few. There are a couple devoted to their national team currently ranked at #126 in the world.

In contrast, the only other athletes I’ve seen so far in Bangkok are Tiger Woods, Michelle Wie, Roger Federer, Maria Sharapova, and LeBron James. That’s two apiece for golf and tennis and one for basketball.

In the Tokyu Department Store right next to MBK (something very similar to Market Market only way better), they have a whole section solely devoted to Manchester United. Authentic football jerseys sell for around 2,200-500 baht. At Centre World, they have an Arsenal store (they still haven't gotten used to Thierry Henry not donning the Gunners' jersey anymore because a larger-than-life shot of him and Cesc Fabregas guard the outside of the store). The adidas stores are primarily described as “Liverpool” stores since they’re awash with posters, streamers, scarves, and jerseys of the football club.

There are few club favorites available but if you’re looking for knock-offs, you’ll find them and all the big names from Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Kaka, Shevchenko, Ballack, Robinho, Van Nistelrooy to even unlikely names such as Pipo Inzaghi, Torsten Frings, and Jerzy Dudek in MBK or Chatuchak, the weekend street market at the end of the Sukhumvit BTS line. They sell from anywhere from 200-650 baht but be ready to haggle not just for the jerseys but for anything you want to buy.

In Thailand, they’re also lucky to get some of the big club teams to visit during the pre-season. When their national team plays, they pack the national stadium. They have two football divisions to watch and support.

Cable channels? They have several devoted to sports with some football channels showing everything from the Serie A, Bundesliga, La Liga, Premiere League, and Asian football (don’t worry, they also get a lot of NBA games).

Said one friend who has to literally force himself to not watch to stop after awhile, “You can stay glued to the TV forever watching football and sports. It can really be habit forming and I’d never get anything done.”

The Amazing Sports Wonder That is Thailand

(this appears in my column in the sports section of today's Business Mirror)

The Amazing Sports Wonder That Is Thailand
by rick olivares

There’s an interesting bit of history here in Thailand. I just found out that it’s the only country in Southeast Asia never to have been colonized. Timor was under the Portuguese. The Dutch claimed Indonesia. Indochina and Burma were colonized by the French. Singapore, Hong Kong, and Malaysia by the British. And the Philippines was under the Spanish and later the Americans.

The movie the King and I may be only a musical to most of us. But the King of that movie, Mongkut, and his son and heir, Chulalongkorn were largely responsible for Siam, as Thailand was then known, coming out ahead and benefiting from Western civilization through innovative trade reforms much of which is still felt today.

King Mongkut, lived as a Buddhist monk for 27 years yet was also educated in the Western ways. By the time he ascended to the throne, his unique perspective gave him the wisdom and foresight to sign trade agreements with the European powers that greatly benefited his country. His charisma and willingness to adapt to industrialization and western ideas helped avoid outright colonization. The Thai educational system was inspired by a visit to Oxford. And the sports club next to the world-famous British university inspired Mongkut’s son, Chulalongkorn, to put up one as well and oversee its progress until his untimely death in 1910.

That club is known today as the Royal Bangkok Sports Club where horse racing, golf, cricket, rugby, football, and badminton are among the many sports one can enjoy in this exclusive enclave. And it's location is outstanding... right in the heart of downtown Bangkok giving Thais a slice of Central Park in Southeast Asia.

In the Southeast Asian region, Thailand is considered a power in many sports.

The national football team is an immense source of pride for the people. Their highest FIFA ranking ever was at #43 back in September 1998. Yet currently, they are pegged at #126, third among Southeast Asian countries behind Hong Kong (#111) and Singapore (#123). Their women’s team is ranked #42 in the world.

Last May, the Football Association of Thailand (FAT) celebrated its 90th anniversary (in contrast, the Philippines will be commemorating their 100th this December 2007). With the 2010 World Cup just a few years away, Thai football officials have begun to plan for a possible berth in football’s premier event. FAT is in discussions with the government for funding that will greatly help in making this dream a reality. It might sound far-fetched given that there are a number of powers in Asia including Iran, Australia, Japan, Korea, and quite a few others including Iraq, but nothing is impossible when you put your mind to it, right?

The Thai Premier League received a huge shot in the arm when the prize money was raised from 10 million to 25 million baht. This has made the games more competitive in the season that just got underway after it was delayed by the country’s recent hosting of the Asian Football Championships and the World University Games.

The country’s sporting scene is on the upsurge. They have a rugby union and tournament that is getting better and is in the process of expansion. Their national sport, Muay Thai or Thai boxing has been exported to the rest of the world with local practitioners Nai Khanom Tom and Tony Jaa, and Dutchman Ramon Dekkers becoming international stars.

And golf has become a huge sport in the country with some 250 courses all stretched across 514,000 kilometers (Thailand is the world’s 49th largest country). The par 74 St. Andrews course in Rayong features two overwhelming par six holes that course management says would prompt, “Old Tom Morris (the golf pioneer) would turn in his grave.”

Although the recent Thailand Open (held in the last week of September) was lacking in star power as none of the previous champions James Blake and Roger Federer as well as Nikolay Davydanko and Rafael Nadal weren’t able to make it because of injuries and other concerns, the appearance of rising star Sam Querrey, Carlos Moya, Tommy Haas, Vince Spadea, and Benjamin Becker helped spice up the competition that was eventually won by Russia’s Dmitry Tursunov.

The PTT Bangkok Open which ended yesterday, Sunday, featured some of the top women’s tennis players in Jelena Jankovic, Venus Williams, and Shahar Peer.

Aside from Asian heartthrob Paradorn Schrichapan, Thai women have their own idol in Tamarine Tanasugarn to cheer for. Although Tanasugarn fell to Williams in the second round of the competition, the American who bided for her second title in three years (she lost to Italian Flavia Pennetta in the semi-finals), had good words for the Thai lass’s competitiveness.

Thai tennis officials believe that the appearances by some of the world’s top tennis players in local events will greatly boost the profile of tennis in the country while adding to their booming tourist industry. One resident points to the recent surge and strength of the baht as a factor in the rise of local sports and their athletes.

When King Mongkut first adapted Western ideas and technology in Siam, he left his ministers with a bit of sound advice, “Whatever they (the foreigners) have invented or done which we do not know of and do, we can imitate and learn from them.”

And if Tom Morris will turn in his grave, maybe Mongkut (and Chulalongkorn) will be ecstatic to see where they are now.

Soundbytes from the Los Angeles Lakers' Season (that hasn't even started) On the Brink

Jerry Buss, Los Angeles Lakers owner on the possibility of trading Kobe Bryant:
"I would certainly listen. At any time, I think you have to do that with anybody. It's just part of the game, to listen to somebody who has a dissatisfied player that you think is going to fit. You can't keep too many loyalties. You've got to look at it as a business. He looks at it the same way I look at it."

Shaquille O'Neal upon learning of LA Lakers owner Jerry Buss' statement about trading Kobe Bryant
"I guess it's business before loyalty. But, wow. He said that?"

Kevin Garnett on comparing the Lakers' situation to that of his former team, the Minnesota Timberwolves, who weren't able to provide him with sufficient help.
"I knew I didn't want to deal with that. I didn't want to duplicate that. I didn't want to mimic that."

LA Lakers coach Phil Jackson on the whole mess:
"If we don't win and we don't play well, everything's not going to get better and it won't be if people can't get their hearts to what they have to do here."

Poll Results - Should the UAAP expand its membership?

No - 19
Yes - 28

Total 47 votes.

Now that the votes are in, my two cents' worth: maybe the new NSA should look into integrating all the nation's collegiate leagues into one giant competition where the UAAP, NCAA, NAASCU etc. are like the Big Ten, ACC, Ivy League with the top four teams of all circuits competing in an American NCAA-type league. There are the conference championships and the battle for the national championship.

Of course this call for a unified yet diversified format is nothing new. Many have proposed such through the years and through various fora. Maybe now the voices concerned will make it happen.

Bangkok PTT Open

She's a crowd fave here. Although Venus Williams was upset by Italian Flavia Pennetta 6-4, 7-6 (10) in the semis today, she was very gracious and the crowd really cheered her on. Williams was bidding for her second title here in Bangkok in the last three years after compatriot and defending champ Vania King was eliminated yesterday.

Yesterday was a great day for tennis, but today... man, it was raining the whole day. But up in the Impact Center where it's covered, it was raining winners for the Italian who is ranked 49th on the WTA.

Hopefully, the Bangkok PTT Open will draw even bigger names next year. This year it was Jelena Jankovic, Williams, King, and Pennetta.

NABRO on its way out of UAAP?

Word is that NABRO, the current officiating body for the UAAP basketball tournaments will not be asked back for next season.

Even during the competition, our sources (read: more than one) say that the UAAP Board was unhappy with NABRO for misrepresentation. Prior to the season, the group submitted 34 names to officiate the games. However, some time during the tournament, the Board was surprised that there were only 12 referees rotating for men's, women's, and juniors' brackets. When asked for an explanation, NABRO said that the others were meant for other competitions (whatever the hell that means).

Word to the new basketball body, it's time that all these refereeing groups were officially under the NSA with proper background checks and sanctions for all.

Golfer's Paradise

It's golfer's month here in Thailand this October!

I had dinner with some friends at the Royal Bangkok Sports Club that doubles as a golf course and a race track in downtown Bangkok.

Pretty flat golf course but the whole club/coarse adds a nice touch to the Thai capital with the greens and quiet scenery. Kinda like Central Park in a smaller capacity. The horse races I am told are every other week and I would imagine it must get pretty noisy for the golfers.

In the Siam Paragon mall, the third level has like five huge golf stores side by side. Inside the mall's department store there are huge billboards of Michelle Wie and Tiger Woods. And mall security patrols in golf carts!

Golf is booming in this country. They've got like 250 golf courses all over.

How cool is that!

The Deconstruction of Chelsea Has Begun

Can you believe this... the overhaul at Chelsea has begun...

Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba are on the selling block. It seems that new manager Avram Grant would love nothing than a fresh start without the loyalists of the just-sacked Jose Mourinho.

So far Juventus, AC Milan, and Real Madrid have signified their interests in the English captain. No word as of today on who would like to take on Drogba.

Speculation has it that Chelsea would like to trade Lampard for AC Milan's Kaka. That would reunite the Brazilian internationalist with Andriy Shevchenko who has been shelved under Mourinho.

Word is club owner Roman Abramovich would love to see a more attacking style of play by the Blues and he needed a "yes" man manager/coach.

Wow.

NBA Eastern Conference 2007-08 Preview

History Lesson
After the fabled Chicago Bulls dynasty of the 1990’s was scattered to the four corners of the NBA (Michael Jordan retired for the second time, Scottie Pippen went to Houston, Dennis Rodman to the Los Angeles Lakers, Steve Kerr to the San Antonio Spurs, Jud Buechler to the Detroit Pistons, and Luc Longley to the Phoenix Suns), it was obvious that from the get-go, that it was going to be a wide-open race.

The Spurs won in the strike-shortened season of ’99 while the Lakers took the next three. In the nine years since Michael Jordan prematurely abdicated his throne, the east has won only two NBA titles. And when the Pistons and the Miami Heat won them (in 2004 and 2006 respectively), they weren’t even considered to win as their protagonists in the Finals, the Lakers and the Dallas Mavericks were seeded to win it all.

So where did it all go wrong? How can such a proud and strong conference that has dominated All-Star competition, collectively won more NBA titles than the west, and produced such all-time great teams like Bill Russell’s Boston Celtics, Red Holzman’s team-oriented Knicks, Larry Bird’s Celtics, Dr. J’s Philadelphia 76ers, and Detroit’s Bad Boys of the late 80’s plummet so low to the point of being a joke? In case you still haven’t caught up, see the Cleveland Cavaliers that played in last year’s finals.

Surprisingly, the answer begins where it ended. With Michael Jordan.

While the Bulls were racking up titles (with a cameo appearance by the Houston Rockets, deserving stand-ins when His Airness was shagging fastballs), the real NBA finals were played when the eastern conference play-offs got underway. There were the Knicks, the Heat, the Indiana Pacers, the Pistons, the Orlando Magic, and the Cavaliers who were legitimate title contenders. While it would be too presumptuous to claim that the west was weak, it was clear – even in the immediate two years after the Bulls were disbanded after their Last Dance – that the east still had the better teams.

So where does MJ come in?

The Bulls ruled. And with Chicago a certain lock as eastern champs, the only way stars like Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, Chris Webber, Ray Allen, and Rasheed Wallace were going to get back to the Big Dance was by moving west. The exodus of stars continued with Pippen, Dennis Rodman, Penny Hardaway, Steve Smith, Glen Rice, and Ron Harper to name a few.

As the Spurs and the Lakers alternated between Larry O’Brien trophies in the new millennium, the exodus back to the east by prime time players itching for NBA Finals action has begun. And this year the gap looks to get closer.

A new power rising
Kevin Garnett’s move to the Boston Celtics was the biggest story of the summer. While they’ve formed their own version of the Big Three, Garnett in all likelihood is only a sure first-ballot Hall of Famer. His presence, talent, boundless energy, and perhaps desire immediately transform the sad sack Celtics into an eastern challenger. But since Danny Ainge mortgaged their future to Minnesota to win now, the Celts have a thin bench. Their starting unit alone doesn’t even begin to compare to Boston’s last title squad in 1986 so how more their bench.

On that alone, I’m going to go on record to say that it’s not going to be enough unless Ainge brings in more help this season. You think Latrell Sprewell might take the veteran’s minimum for a chance to win while being reunited with Garnett (they had a great run a couple of years ago with the Timberwolves).

Aside from Boston, New Jersey, New York, Toronto, Orlando, Milwaukee, and Charlotte received significant free agent help from Western refugees. Of the aforementioned, I figure the ever-improving Bobcats and Raptors to make bigger strides this season and maybe a play-off berth. The Bobcats have gotten better with every passing year and look for the addition of J-Rich to turn them into a play-off contender.

Everyone likes the Bulls to finally complete their ascension by taking the eastern crown, but for all their youthful talent, they still are one player short winning it all and completing an obsession of the club’s former General Manager Jerry Krause to win one without the sainted MJ. But they are very good and now a year wiser and older, they still feel that they lost it to Detroit by not showing up when it mattered. And if you’ve been an ardent student of history, you’ll know that those who get through the Pistons go to the Finals (read: Miami and Cleveland). So you can bet those Bulls, again taking a lesson from MJ who used perceived or real slights to elevate his game, will try their best to gore every one who gets in their way.

But should the Bulls stumble out of the gates, I’ve got a nagging feeling that current GM John Paxson will not wait for another year to try. I’m sure he remembers the Cleveland Cavaliers of his team that were perhaps deeper than the Bulls. The only difference was they had Jordan on their side. And that was more than enough. So if the Bulls struggle once more, look for him to revisit that trade for Pau Gasol, Kobe Bryant, or some disgruntled All-Star.

Also standing pat on their team were the Pistons, the Wizards, the Sixers, and the Cavaliers. Of the three, the Pistons seem best equipped to deal with their rivals’ reloading. GM Joe Dumars feels that their young guns are ready to contribute now so there was no need to break up a team that has easily been the class of the east. Yet the onus is on coach Flip Saunders to march back into the Finals. Anything less then he'll probably be out at the end of the season.

The Wizards and the Cavaliers on the other hand still hope to rely on their All-Stars to tow them to the top. But the question is, is that enough?

The Miami Heat on the other hand hoped to land Milwaukee’s Maurice Williams or Charlie Bell thinking they can supplant Jason Williams and move Dwyane Wade to the two-spot. Only they staed within Wisconsin's state limits and the Heat were only able to land Penny Hardaway who is a shadow of his former self. In a conference that is getting stronger and featuring a lot of young studs eager for the limelight, the Heat are old and too young. Unless Antoine Walker discovers the fountain of youth, Shaquille O’Neal is one more his spry and powerful self, and White Chocolate goes retro. As it is, the Flash might find himself playing at a different speed than his teammates.

Receiving a shot in the arm through the draft were the Milwaukee Bucks and the Atlanta Hawks. But of the two, Milwaukee seems to have the better upside.



That's me wearing my Andres Nocioni Bulls jersey.

Predicted order of finish:
Atlantic
1. Toronto Raptors
2. Boston Celtics
3. New Jersey Nets
4. Philadelphia 76ers
5. New York Knicks

Central
1. Chicago Bulls
2. Detroit Pistons
3. Milwaukee Bucks
4. Cleveland Cavaliers
5. Indiana Pacers

Southeast
1. Charlotte Bobcats
2. Washington Wizards
3. Miami Heat
4. Atlanta Hawks
5. Orlando Magic

Manny snubs Fred Lim

Back when Lito Atienza was City Mayor of Manila, Manny Pacquiao would always kick-off his return to the Philippines with a parade in the nation's capital (he would always skip Makati because of another of the former Manila Mayor's political foes). Instead this time, he'll pay Atienza a visit in his office in QC. Pacquiao's camp cited scheduling concerns for his unavailability for the traditional motorcade, but c'mon, some sportswriters maybe unwilling to write about it, but we all know the score. Payback's a bitch, ain't it.

More so, Pacman took it personally when Fred Lim had his Knockout Bar along Baywalk demolished reportedly due to back taxes. On the other hand, why couldn't Manny pay his back taxes of about Php 120,000? That's chump change for the amounts he doles out when he attends to his vices.

Anyways, kasi naman, Mayor, you're like that despotic BF of the MMDA, instant demolition. I've got no problem with your no-nonsense style which is cool, but a little patience and diplomacy will go a long long way. Al Capone said as much. Ooopss. Wrong guy to quote! Man, I've got a tirade against the MMDA just waiting to fire at will. Mmm. Have been wanting to put up a rant blog. Anyone down with that?

But anyways, it's also all over for the Pacman with ABS-CBN as he's signed up with GMA. Never liked how ABS does business even when I was with Solar. Masyadong garapal at bastos. If you ask me, the split between Sky Cable and Solar will have no effect on the Tieng group of channels. They've got some pretty good folks in that company who know what they're doing like me old boss, Jude. So best of luck to me old mates.

There's Crying in Baseball

As part of my lament, my sorrow because the Yankees lost once more...

It's okay Ms. Suzyn Waldman and Mr. Joe Torre that we shed tears once more. I know Mr. Jimmy Dugan would beg to differ, but it's allright. Cripes, that's twice in the space of like 10 days I've shed some tears.

Here's a short clip on one of the best sports movies ever with one of the most memorable lines ever. Tom Hanks is the best!

End of an era - A New York Lament

Showing off my colors at the Angels of the Waters

I was working in a marketing company in West 36 corner 8th Avenue in mid-town Manhattan. Penn Station and Madison Square Garden were around the corner. Times Square was just six streets away. Hell’s Kitchen was close by.

For lunch, sometimes I cooked and packed my own food and sometimes I ate out. There’s a Korean deli just across the street and I’d have lunch there with my boss Dmitri once in awhile. Or I’d go to Manhattan Mall and have some chicken teriyaki at Sakura. If all else fails then there’s Burger King & McDonald’s down the block.

I worked half-day approximately five times. One because I had to go to the Great Lawn in Central Park to find a spot for the Dave Matthews Band concert (that was eventually recorded on CD and DVD – hey, my yelling and clapping was heard on disc! Super babaw!). Two, coz I lined up on my birthday, November 11 (I share the same b-day with my buddy Jobe Nkemakolam), to meet painter extraordinaire Alex Ross (had my first ever comic book autographed) at Midtown Comics. Dudes, the line snaked all the way down to the adult shops next to the Port Authority. Yup, it was that long. Three, to catch the Misfits perform (the great Marky Ramone played drums – complete with the Ramones NYC logo on the bass drum’s skin -- for this seminal punk rock outfit). Numbers four and five were to catch early afternoon games by the New York Yankees versus the Boston Red Sox and the New York Mets.

You’re all probably wondering why my boss allowed me to go on leave. Well, the answer is simple… I did my job extremely well and put in extra time on weekends so he didn’t complain at all. In fact, one of my officemates would disappear every winter to play pro basketball in places like Turkey and South America. His name is Cliff Strong but everyone calls him “Dallas.” But this isn’t about my officemates or what I did. Forgive me. I'm rambling. This is about my beloved New York Yankees.



My cousin who works at Simon & Schuster once accompanied me to the Modell’s store in 42nd Street right beside Applebee’s and the AMC Theaters, I held a Derek Jeter pinstripes jersey in my hands and debated whether to buy it or not. “That’s $80 without tax,” my cousin said trying to dissuade me. My coz is a Yankee fan too, but he’d rather wear blue (yes, he went to Ateneo, too) and spend his dough on his girlfriend and shoot staged street fights then place them on the internet.




I didn’t listen and I bought the jersey.

My first time to the Stadium, I took the 4 train alone without my usual gaggle of multi-racial friends. We all loved sports but I was the only one with a deep passion for it. Funny coz Sam is from Egypt and he loves hockey. But we argued all the time because he rooted for the Rangers while I was an Islanders fan. The Isles weren’t that good in the early years of the new millennium so I heard it all the time from Sam.

I took the tour of the House That Ruth Built and was immediately transported to my younger years when I accompanied my grandfather to the Air Base PX store where he’d score tabacaleras while I’d pick out Fantastic Four and Spider-Man comic books. Right behind the counter, right behind the Lucky Strike sign, was a black and white poster of the legendary Mickey Mantle. Next to the Mick was another blown up photo of Ingrid Bergman from a movie still from Casablanca. There were times when I wasn’t sure whether to look at the Yankee great or the mesmerizing beauty of Bergman. I’d pause and go all quiet and the Air Force Staff Sergeant would gruffly say, “Move along, kid. Dis ain’t a museum. Now if yer done, then let’s bag them funnies of yours.” I asked my grandfather why he spoke funny and he said that was a Brooklyn accent. So I wondered if he was grouchy because he rooted for the Dodgers (who almost never beat the Yanks) back when they had Jackie Robinson. I never found out.

So there I was face to face with the monument to the Mick – the Yankee who perplexed me and turned me into a fan -- dedicated on August 25, 1996 with the inscription, “A magnificent Yankee who left a legacy of unequaled courage.”

And I was in baseball heaven.

I booed along with the crowd when some bum wore a Red Sox jersey in the Stadium. I yelled, “Charge,” when they’d play the bugle that called for a rally to get going. I joined the singing of “YMCA” to the dance number of the groundsweepers after the fifth and sang “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” during the seventh inning stretch. I bought hotdogs and cracker jacks. I joined the chorus line when Sinatra's "New York New York" was struck up after every win. And I cheered the Yankees on.

One chilly October night, I saw Aaron Boone forever etch himself into Yankee lore when he sent Tim Wakefield’s knuckleball into the Bronx night. We were drunk with joyous abandon and tossed popcorn in the air as we sent home the hated Sox in 2003. For a moment there, Sam, Jorge (who’s from Mexico), Cruiser (a fellow Filipino who works in a bank in Jersey), Andy (who works in a used CD shop in St. Mark’s), and I thought about walking all the way back to Manhattan, but abandoned the idea after we realized that we had a long way to go.

Little did I know that was the last hurrah of Joe Torre’s Yankees. They were beaten by the Florida Marlins in the World Series and I was crestfallen. I have every one of my tickets to the Stadium. Even the tickets to Fenway where I had to hide my cap lest I earn the ire of those drunken college kids masquerading as fans.

It was tough finding my way in New York in the post-9/11 years and no matter how tough it got, the Stadium (and Central Park where I’d go to the Angels of the Waters to write my short stories and lonely poetry) was my refuge.

In the Stadium I got to see Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, Bernie Williams, Mariano Rivera, Andy Pettitte, and Joe Torre as well as villains like Pedro Martinez, Mike Piazza, and Curt Schilling.

Even dynasties have to come to an end.

And they went down to their final three outs...

DJ vs. Joe Borowski who had 45 saves for the season.

Only Jeter popped up. His last at bat of a humiliating post-season slide.

Bobby Abreu homered and the score was 6-4.

I guess it’s fitting that the Yankees went down with the heart of their order at bat.



Is it Alex Rodriguez’ last season in pinstripes?

I led the chants of “Let’s go, Yankees!” during the summer of 2004 when a small group of Red Sox fans made the trip to New York where they were chanted and cheered “Let’s go, Boston” and “Let’s go, A-Rod” right in front of agent Scott Boras’ office in East 49th and 5th Avenue beside the American Girl Place and Saks. Of course, NY won the rights to sign Rodriguez and it was like a magical summer until they ran into the Anaheim Angels.

Alex Rodriguez’ 0-2 foul and a miss.

Borowski’s best pitches are a slider and a change-up, but a high fastball zipped over the plate. 1-2.

Harry Belafonte’s “Day-O” chant got the faithful up on their seats. If A-Rod gets a hit, then the improbable might happen – another comeback. Can you say, deja vu all over again -- a repeat of their 6-run deficit against the Tribe early in the year.

Instead A-Rod was done for the year on a flyout right field.

Down to final out and the end of an era in New York and perhaps Joe Torre’s stay in the Bronx. Only Joe McCarthy lasted longer in pinstripes.

And it was up to Jorge Posada to save the season. The Yankee catcher sent the second pitch he saw into the right field seats only it veered away inches from the foul pole.

But Borowski isn’t unnerved. He sent the heat right through Posada who struck out swinging. And Ole Blue Eyes, normally a victory song, nevertheless blared from the speakers.

Ten years ago, the Cleveland Indians stunned the defending champion Yankees. And this year they did it again. But this time it’s a win that will shake up the NY franchise forever. Joe's tenure in the Bronx ended by another journeyman named Joe who found his home at the Jake. The cosmic coincidence! Even in this stinging loss the Yankees still make for fascinating theater.

Although I’m not in the Bronx right now I'm still feeling somewhat bad. The magic of '96-'01 had run out.



Thanks for the memories, Joe. It has been a fantastic ride.

Now here's to next spring that will hopefully cure me of the cobwebs of seasons past.

Blue Eagles trivia

They might have been giants:
(players whose careers in blue and white didn't last)
1. Paquito Diaz
2. Benjie Chua
3. Francis Arnaiz
4. Len Mumar
5. Jojo Lastimosa
6. Vince Hizon
7. Ma Ming
8. Roy Literal

They would have looked good in blue and white:
1. Mark Caguioa
2. Mike Cortez
3. Allan Caidic
4. BJ Manalo
5. Peter Martin

Star-crossed in green and white:
(Ateneans who transferred to La Salle but didn't do so well)
1. Jose Laganzon
2. Arnel Mañosca
3. Jayvee Gayoso
4. BJ Manalo
5. Romulo Payawal

Sneaker Wars Poll

Adidas - 34 votes
Nike - 21 votes
Converse - 6 votes
New Balance - 3 votes
Puma & KSwiss - 2 votes
Reebok, Accel, Anta - 1 vote
Others - 4 votes

Total of 71 votes. Adidas looks like the choice so far.

Part 2 of the article will appear next week na lang. Sorry about that, folks.

Next Poll: Should the UAAP admit more schools into its fold?

Smokin' Joe - A Conversation with one of the Greatest Filipino Coaches of Our Time

(also out in today's issue -- October 9, 2007 -- of the Business Mirror)






The Golden Age
For a man who just endured another tumultuous season, Joe Lipa looks surprisingly dapper. “Hindi naman. Napasarap lang ang tulog,” he explained of his wardrobe – a light yellow golf shirt with khaki shorts that many decades ago when he donned the maroon and green for UP was inconceivable.

“Yes, my, how times have changed,” he laughed.

“Kung walang interview ngayon eh malamang, tulog pa ako. But that’s okay,” added the multi-titled coach who breaks into an easy smile. “I’ve reserved the whole morning for this.”

It’s 10:20 am at Red Ribbon restaurant along Katipunan. Right on the very thoroughfare that goes through the only two schools he’s ever coached.

But before he put the coach’s whistle around his neck, Lipa was an altogether different breed of player – he played both guard and center. “That was a time when not many people stood at six feet tall,” he said drawing from a memory not tapped for ages. “If you were then you automatically played center.”

He let out a smile, perhaps, the first real smile since the summer before Season 70 of the UAAP Season when he pulled off a coup without even trying. Three players from the juniors first runner-up FEU-FERN Socrates Rivera, Dexter Rosales, and Mark Lopez took the LRT Line 2 from Lerma to Katipunan then the Ikot jeep to a dingy old gym at the College of Human Kinetics in UP. Together with another blue, er, maroon chip rookie in former Blue Eaglet Mike Gamboa, the first Atenean since Alfie Manlulo in 1988 to start in UP’s backcourt, it seemed that Lipa’s team had the makings of a darkhorse team that could challenge for the title for years to come.

Lipa played for UP from 1963-66 -- “a lifetime ago” as he described. His teammates were the late Toyota Tamaraws coach Fort Acuna and Orly De Los Santos. “NU had Jun Papa, UST had Danny Florencio, and FEU the Aldanese twins. But UE was clear heads above everyone else because they had Robert Jaworski,” he once more said with a smile at the wave of nostalgia the interview has taken. “He was raw and gangly but he was a very very good player. Being centers, we were matched up against each other. That’s why in the PBA, Sonny could post up players even those who were taller than him. Marunong siya. We played them hard but they always seemed to win. As for UP, it was Fort who was the difference for us.”

So what was it like to guard and match wits with Jaworski?

“Oh, Sonny was really big and strong. I weighed 145 pounds while he was around maybe 165-170. Let’s just say, Sonny had his way, but I also scored on him,” he added with a wink.

The Accidental Coach
In 1980, UP coach Dave Perez suddenly left for Samoa leaving the Fighting Maroons without a coach. The university asked Lipa, but he politely told the chancellor that “I wasn’t his best shot.” Although he did recommend Acuna who said yes. Barely two months before the opening of the season, Acuna passed away leaving the school and the team dumbfounded. UP President Ed Angara told Lipa that they’ve “exhausted all options and maybe he should stay as an interim coach for only a season while they search for another.”

Lipa agreed, but there were moments when he wished he didn’t. The Maroons were battered as they finished at a 2-10 record. “I was embarrassed and asked the university if they were willing to give me another chance.”

UP agreed and Lipa repaid that trust by bringing the Maroons to the finals where they were mangled badly by the UE Red Warriors. The following year his team featuring Duane Salvaterra, Joey Mendoza, Eric Altamirano, Mon Celis, and Ricky Dandan made it back but lost to FEU which was bannered by Glenn Capacio, the late Jack Tanuan, and Harmon Codinera.

“San Beda’s basketball program wasn’t as organized then as it is now,” said Da Nose whose UP team always featured a lot of former Red Cubs in Salvaterra, Mendoza, Altamirano, Ronnie Magsanoc, Dondi Roque, and Mon Celis. “I remember a lot of them coming over and saying that they wanted a UP education.”

But it would take the addition of one final Red Cub for Lipa and UP to get over the hump and win one for the University.

“Benjie Paras was recruited by four schools – San Beda, Ateneo, UP, and La Salle,” recalled Lipa. “La Salle made the biggest pitch to him and everyone thought he’d be going there. I only said two things to Benjie – I promise you a very good and all-around education that will serve you well after your playing days are over and teach you to be a good person, and two, despite my limited capacity, I will turn you into the best center in the land.”

That was Lipa’s only sales pitch and he thought that he lost in the Paras sweepstakes for he never made contact with him for weeks after that initial encounter. But on the first day of training for the 1986 season, Paras walked into the gym and everyone clapped. “If you ask me, maybe Paras’ closeness to (Joey) Mendoza helped, but I wouldn’t know.”

Seven months later, Maroon Pride was at fever pitch and everyone was still clapping as UP ended their long title drought when they beat Jerry Codinera’s UE team for the 1986 championship.

Lipa walked off into the sunset a champion. Although the university asked him to stay, he knew he was ready to move on. “After those first few years, my deal – a handshake was all it took – was that I will step down after leading the school to a championship. And I am a man of my word.”

The fiery style of Lipa inevitably drew comparisons to Indiana University’s Bobby Knight, a force of nature if there was ever one. “I admired Knight for his intelligence and the discipline of his system. My fraternity brothers and the university sent me to Indiana for a week to learn and observe from Knight and I came away very impressed. But I can’t say that he wholly influenced me. What I learned then was an extension of my personal philosophies. Knight’s teachings strengthened them. You learn from everyone you come into contact with. Maybe it’s also because that most coaches at that time preferred to sit back and issue instructions during timeouts. Well… I was different,” he recounted with a laugh. “I am a very intense person and if that shows on the court -- it is to drive home a point.

If the UP men’s basketball team has been closely identified with Lipa’s fraternity, Sigma Rho, it is because they are the team’s biggest supporters. “They are basketball fans who know and understand the game,” explained Lipa of his brods’ support. “Some played also for the school like Sigfred Guerrero while others like Atty. Boy Reyno and Victorino Fernandez love to watch even when we aren’t winning. By the same token the supporters of Ateneo, as it is said, win or lose…”

Man of the World
After Ron Jacobs revitalized Philippine basketball on the international stage, he passed the baton to Lipa who had left UP. At the height of the 1986 People Power Revolution, Jacobs gave Lipa an endorsement, “you’re the best person to replace me.” The bulk of the powerful Northern Consolidated Cement team had turned pro so the national team was in dire need of fresh blood. With the Seoul, Korea Asian Games around the corner, some were saying that given the time left maybe it wasn’t in our best interests to send a team.

But Alvin Patrimonio, Jack Tanuan, Allan Caidic, Glenn Capacio, Dindo Pumaren, Samboy Lim, Jerry and Harmon Codinera, Jojo Lastimosa, Elmer Cabahug, and Ronnie Magsanoc were among those who answered the call. “For months, the team suffered,” said Lipa of those dark days when the hastily composed team suffered several losses in tune-up games. “But maybe someone up there loves us so we wound up with a bronze against all odds.”

The following year, in 1987, Lipa piloted another hastily-formed RP Youth Team – composed of Benjie Paras, Nelson Asaytono, Bong Alvarez, Zaldy Realubit, Eric Reyes, Joey Guanio, Jun Reyes, Mar Anthony Magada, Arnold Adlawan, Bobby Jose, Dick Bachmann, and Romulo Orillosa – to a second place finish to China in an exciting game at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

Lipa seemed to have that Midas touch as his teams won on the national level to club competition. Right before he made his much anticipated jump to the PBA, his Philips Sardines team in the Philippine Amateur Basketball League (the forerunner of today’s Philippine Basketball League) led by Paras and Jun Reyes defeated Magnolia Ice Cream that had Asaytono and Pumaren. “Benjie from the moment he stepped on the court was a special player,” said Lipa of the player who helped him and State U get over the hump. “I had the good fortune of seeing him grow from a boy into a man, and I wish I could take all the credit, but he was already very good. He is definitely one of our all-time greatest players.”

The Professional Conundrum
Many see the old mentor as stubborn, too old school and perhaps, unable to adapt to the modern game. From his years in UP to the national team and PABL teams, he enforced his brand of motion offense and man-to-man defense. While he found much success in the amateur level, the pro game was altogether another. “It was frustrating because I tried to insist on an amateur style. Even defense seemed to be unpalatable to lots of players,” said the coach. “It was hard too because many made more money than the coach so they didn’t listen.”

The highlight of Lipa’s first year was his longtime player, Benjie Paras, romped away as the first-ever player in the PBA to win the Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player plum in the same season. Arlene Rodriguez inherited Lipa’s talented crew that won a title the following year.

Even his last stint in the pros with Fed Ex following a successful tenure as coach of Ateneo De Manila was frustrating. Team management forbade the use of zone defense and mandated a running game while playing the entire roster for every time out. “There are times during a game when you simply cannot run or use any player. But of course you try to follow. It is very hard to focus on the game when in the back of my mind, I am thinking of when to field players and you’re trying to run when the circumstance dictates that you mustn’t. I am from a bastion of idealism,” he said of his old school ways. “I can’t compromise that idealism with basketball today wherein everything is a business proposition. It was very hard coaching there.”


The Other Side of Katipunan
Former Blue Eagle tapal king Ricky Palou of Ateneo’s 1969 NCAA champion team, has always been one of Lipa’s admirers. As far back as 1988, Palou had asked Lipa if he was willing to take over from Cris Calilan who joined the coaching staff of Purefoods in the PBA. But with his responsibilities to the national team and later with Shell, Lipa said that it wasn’t the time.

Ten years passed before Palou once more made the entreaty, “Ngayon hindi ka na makakatanggi.”

Lipa met with Ateneo’s then-VP for Planning Fr. Tito Caluag and he came away convinced of his sincerity and his plans. “In my heart of hearts I felt elated,” recalled Lipa. “If a visionary like Fr. Tito and a great basketball guy like Ricky feel that way about my coaching then there’s no way I can say no.”

There was some resentment in the State University that Lipa had left them, but it is something he refutes. “Of course you know that it’s not true,” said Lipa who remembered the betrayal that marked his second go-around with UP. “They know what they did which is much like what Judas did to Jesus. But my fraternity brothers understood that a coach’s services should be available to everyone.”

After more than a decade of mediocrity Ateneo decided that it had enough and went about restructuring and revitalizing its basketball program. “We identified three key areas that would bring Ateneo back to prominence, one, better recruitment; two, improving the attitude of the players, and three, developing the homegrown program. With regards to the seniors team, my mandate was that in year one, we’d have a winning record, by year two we’re in the final four, and year three, we will at least make it to the finals.

“By year one we had already surpassed expectations. But even then there were rumors that people were calling for my head.

Some said that they didn’t like the motion offense that I was running, then later they were upset that we couldn’t beat La Salle’s press, and then even when I raised my fist after the game to join the alma mater, may nagsasabi na ‘bakit nagtataas ng kamay ‘yan eh hindi naman siya Atenista.’ I asked Fr. Tito about this and he said that he was a part of the community and I had all the right. But I didn’t anymore after that – parang damned if you do, damned if you don’t.”

After the disappointing final four loss to FEU in 2000, the calls for Lipa’s head got louder, but Fr. Caluag and the players stood by their coach. “One time, Fr. Tito told me, ‘coach tingnan mo mga bata.’ And when I saw them wearing patches (that had I LOVE JOE written on them), it strengthened my belief that we were doing something right.”

“In my last year, we extended La Salle to a game three and everybody was saying that keep it close and we have a chance. We were up by double figures at one point and LA Tenorio was playing really well. Then we decided to give the ball to Rico (Villanueva) but it didn’t work the way we envisioned. And so we lost. And in that very last game, I raised my fist.”

Lipa thinks about the loss – one of his most painful – from time to time, but he uses it as motivation to continue to give back to the game that has been good to him. Although he feels a little proud that the team he had put together finally won the big one the following season under Joel Banal, he bears no ill will. If anything, one of his regrets is that two of his boys, point guard Paul Tanchi and shooting guard Rainier Sison weren’t a part of the 2002 championship squad. “Those two are very good boys and intelligent basketball players. You can’t ask enough of them because they played to the best of their abilities every time out. And Paul and Marco (Benitez the team’s reserve guard) also wrote me some very touching letters. I'm proud to have coached them. We didn’t win, but those years are a memorable experience.”

“UP taught me how to be a man, but Ateneo taught me how to be a better Christian.”

"Anak ng Pongalangala"
“Just as there are good players, there are bad players. And just as there are good referees, there are some really bad ones.” There is not one coach who doesn’t hesitate to give a referee a piece of his mind when faced with spotty officiating. The fiery Lipa has been known to get teed up by referees after a blistering tirade and his trademark pongalangala.

Ah, the P-word. It has become a by-word in basketball circles where Lipa’s influence extends. If you ask all his former players of any memories of their coach, the p-word will surely be mentioned.

Not many people know it but Lipa’s former college teammate Pong Castro has been immortalized for eternity. Castro was one of those players who was forever present in the coach Fely Fajardo’s litany of mistakes during timeouts and he would exclaim, “Pong, anak ka ng ngala-ngala.” Lipa refined it and from there it gained a life of its own.

His players used to snicker at it, but referees would tee him up.

When I was head of officiating in the UAAP, I would tell the referees that teams don’t like to lose to a whistle and that they should officiate the right way. The problem is they like to interpret FIBA rules their own way. After a first call that I would think wasn’t good, I’d call their attention. After a second, I would be more forceful. One time someone gave me the excuse that ‘we’re all human’ and I replied that ‘I wasn’t born yesterday.’”

“Game fixing and point shaving is something hard to prove,” Lipa said emphatically. “Maybe you see it happening but you can never prove it. You can smell it but you don’t see it.”

“Gambling per se is not bad – maybe in the spirit of fun. But when you try to influence the outcome of games then that’s something else.

Lipa also decried the rapid commercialization of the college game that has led to external forces trying to corrupt the game. “The National Sports Association (NSA) should have control over these referees as well. It’s very sad that the UAAP or NCAA or any other league for the matter – do not have control over them. One referee who was banned from one league can just go to another. Some have no qualms about their reputation. All their backgrounds must be thoroughly checked. Maybe it’s okay for a rookie referee to make a mistake but for veterans? ‘Yan ang kasabihan na “pinaglalaruan yung laro.”


Strike Three at the State University
A few years ago, the Dean of the Human Kinetics college was asked to prepare a program that would culminate with a basketball title in time for the school’s centennial in 2008. And the school’s powers-that-be decided that the best coach to lead them there was the last one who brought her a title. Lipa had initial misgivings, but the appeal of being a factor in the celebration was too huge to ignore.

Following the removal of Lito Vergara, the new coaching staff (which included former players and assistants Jojo Villa and Ramil Cruz) quickly set to work since there wasn’t much time. “I was surprised during that first day because Migs (De Asis), Martin (Reyes), and Woody (Co) were there,” recalled coach. “I told them the very same thing that I told Paras years ago and we talked of all our expectations. Any time you want to compete, funding will always be a problem. And at the university we don’t have much.”

Even before the start of the season, the coach felt that there were already forces at work trying to destabilize the team. Although the off-season went well when they acquired some players who would immediately help the team, but the glaring weakness was its hole in the middle. No one foresaw the incredible tailspin of a team that was at least thought to be a dark horse contender. With every loss and blowout loss, the rumors and whispers of Lipa being axed at the end of the season got louder. “Even within my own staff, one was spreading rumors outside,” said the coach of the collateral damage of a 0-14 season. “What happened was that there were some people who requested favors that I cannot give for the good of the team and had that happened some players who are with the team now will not be playing. I decided to go with what was right for the university. Unfortunately for us it didn’t turn out that way.”

A few days after the end of the season, Lipa met with the Dean of the College of Human Kinetics Hercules Callanta, his former team trainer from college to the pros who he now has an estranged relationship. The meeting approximately lasted three minutes at which the Dean was supposed to have said, “I will go straight to the point. Coach, I’ve considered all factors and decided to recommend to the chancellor that your services be terminated.”

The embattled coach somehow expected and simply said, “If you think that’s a fair decision then live with it for the rest of your life. And please give my thanks to the president and the chancellor for the opportunity to serve the university.” With a handshake he walked out, but not before he turned his back on the school’s sports director who he knew to be one of those behind his ouster.

“I wasn’t even shown a copy of the evaluation that they said the boys (his players) would like a change. The boys went up to me and said that they gave me a vote of confidence. They were positive they never said anything negative.”

Final Time Out
Today Lipa spends time with Ging, his wife of the last 25 years; “make up time for everything that was lost.” Despite his age, he still hopes to find some way to be involved in basketball, “the sport that has been good to him.”

If he has one more regret it is his insistence on a style and old school values that are lost in today’s high-tech world. “Back in the ‘80’s, players were more focused; there were lesser distractions. Now they have cellphones that they fiddle around with all the time. Their night life is a lot different and recruitment of players is a lot more competitive.”

“College players shouldn’t be influenced by anyone outside the team. Nor should they have a manager at this stage of their career. It should be just the coach since we spend more time with the individual than they do with their parents. But it’s hard when you’re also up against influential people who pamper their athletes. They should be managed like men. This is why I was on the same boat with Fr. Tito.”

“I am from a bastion of idealism; they taught me how to be a man and I will always be a good son of the university.”

We finished our long talk at 1:20 pm. After a slice of caramel cake for dessert, we walked out into a hot afternoon along Katipunan Avenue, the one thoroughfare that goes through the only two schools he’s ever coached.

Ana Begins! (with apologies to Counting Crows)

Another rejoinder to the 1984 NBA Draft & Sam Bowie

In the 1984 Pro Basketball Handbook edited by Zander Hollander, NBA analysts Steve Hershey and Fran Blinebury wrote of the 1983-84 season Portland Trailblazers:

"Their strength is still shooting from the outside. First-round draft choice Clyde Drexler is not going to shoot anybody’s lights out, but he’s effective enough with the jumper from 15 feet. Besides, Clyde the Glide’s specialty is the slam dunk and he shoots a high percentage on those.

What the Trailblazers still lack is that dominating guy to stand in the middle and take control."

Bleachers' Brew: Making mountains out of baseball caps

(from this Monday's issue of the Business Mirror)

Making mountains out of baseball caps
by rick olivares















So what’s the fuss over LeBron James’ wearing a New York Yankees cap?

People were insulted? C’mon. Get a life!

Even before James played an NBA minute as a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers he was already a New York Yankees fan. Just because he’s the face of the Cavs does that mean he should root for every hometown boy? It would be nice were it not for freedom of choice. So it’s also wrong for him to root for the Dallas Cowboys of which he’s also a professed fan? Tell that to Pretenders frontwoman Chrissie Hynde who left Akron to pursue her rock star dreams in London, England (where she found it and more).

Cleveland is also the home of the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame, should people be upset because James’ ipod has rap music on heavy rotation? Should James have been more circumspect of wearing a Yankees cap to the Indians-Yankees game? Maybe, but what’s wrong with showing whom you are rooting for? It’s not like it’s the first time he wore that cap with the interlocking “N” and “Y.”

Cross-border allegiances are nothing new. Towards the end of Michael Jordan’s run with the Chicago Bulls, a very conspicuous presence on the courtside seats of the United Center was one Jack Nicholson, he of the Boston Celtic-hating heart and defender of the Los Angeles Lakers’ purple and gold. Who wasn’t a Jordan fan during those days? Oh, right there was Isiah Thomas and Bill Laimbeer and the second edition Bad Boys in the New York Knicks.

In the final playing day of last season’s Spanish La Liga, among the fans at the Santiago De Bernabeu was tennis star Rafael Nadal. The clay court specialist is actually from the island of Mallorca whose team was playing Real Madrid that day. But Nadal was rooting for the Spanish giants who went on to claim the title that day by virtue of a 3-1 comeback win.

One of my favorite bookstores is the Strand in Union Square, New York. When I was living in the Big Apple, I would pass by the bookstore -- which would look right at home in Diagon Alley – at least once a week. In the basement where you’d find the hardcover and coffeetable books, there was this clerk who worked the information booth who always wore a Boston Red Sox cap. One time unable to contain my curiosity, I asked him why he did so. Surprised that I had the temerity to ask him such a question he cast me a stupefying glance (perhaps he’s been asked that once too often) and replied icily, “Because the Yankees suck!”

New York’s allegiances are divvied up between the Yankees and the Mets although there is a fraction of New Yorkers who root for the Red Sox. For the most part, everyone is left to their own devices until their teams face each other in fields of play. Heck, a couple of years ago, the world famous Rockettes from Radio City wore – gasp – the uniforms of the hated Red Sox! Was this because the Curse was finally lifted and that the Yankees have been in decline since Rudy Giuliani was Mayor?

Yesterday, Manny Pacquiao (congratulations on your win) was up against Marco Antonio Barrera, but do you think that every Filipino was in his corner? Nope. Many people are of mind that Manny has become swell-headed and that he needs humbling. Some are envious because they’re not a part of his posse while some are just anti-anything. Is rooting for the Mexican traitorous? Not at all. Whoever they’re rooting for is fine. It’s only people who look for angles that make issues about race, creed, and baseball caps.

O o O

Remember when Charles Barkley said that he shouldn’t be anyone’s role model just because he dunks a basketball? Well, he was both right and wrong. Right because not every athlete is of role model material. Wrong because of their standing in society, athletes have the opportunity to exert a positive influence not just on children, but also in their communities (e.g. Dikembe Mutombo who put up a modern hospital in his country of Zaire or Ren Ren Ritualo who opened a pre-school in Quezon City).

Stephen Jackson, long-perceived to be greedy (see his miscalculation of the free agent market when he left the San Antonio Spurs but initially found no takers) and a malcontent (see his tenure with the Indiana Pacers) seems to have found a home with the Golden State Warriors. He’s just been promoted to team captain now that Jason Richardson is with the Charlotte Bobcats. But of course, here’s where we find out if he’s in the mold of Jerry Stackhouse (who has come a long way from being a journeyman malcontent to become an upstanding citizen in Dallas) or the next Latrell Sprewell (who played with an overly misplaced attitude that eventually saw him out of the league).

And there’s Marion Jones -- the latest in a long line of fallen stars who have been caught or admitted to using performance-enhancing drugs to win. While it may be true that despite the drugs, one still has to go out and do the deed, it still gives an edge over the others. It’s sad because winning in the Olympics is seen as the pinnacle of sports achievement and Jones won five medals, a record for female athletes in the Summer Games.

In last week’s column Open Season, I forgot to add a line that UAAP Commissioner Ed Cordero said in relation to the post-game taunts and heckling that has sparked fights or other unsavory scenes. It’s a line borrowed from the movie Coach Carter (that also happens to be a true story), “When is winning not enough?”

In the case of Marion Jones and other athletes who cheat, “Is winning everything?”