Good luck and best wishes to Ford Arao

In the last PBL conference, Ford Arao suffered another ACL injury in a game versus Harbour Centre when Beau Belga decked him. The ACL was on his left knee but has since been successfully operated on.

This is terrible blow because Ford was going to apply for the next PBA draft. As such, he'll have to go to therapy for his injured knee and find the confidence to get his game back.

The affable big man who was on hand to watch Ateneo win the 2008 Nike Summer League said, "Buti na lang nakapagtapos ako," Ford said as he waited for his former teammates to come out of the noisy dugout.

Summer Catch

Ateneo 65 vs. UE 64
Nike Summer League Seniors Championship
by rick olivares

June 15, 2008
Philsports Arena

Norman Black slumped on the wall outside the cramped Ateneo dugout. He took copious swigs from an energy drink bottle between answering post-game questions. His black golf shirt was drenched in sweat and if he was anywhere within the realm of exhaustion he did not show it for he flashed the smile that only a championship can bring.

When he entered the dugout, his jubilant and once more victorious players let out a collective whoop. The team came back from the brink of a near-disheartening loss to upend tournament favorite University of the East in the 2008 Nike Summer League. “Where are my coaches,” the fourth year mentor asked and one by one the team officials all filed in. He thanked them for a job well done then singled out his players.

“Happy birthday, Noy… and great game.” It was forward Nonoy Baclao’s birthday and the second-year forward, grinning from ear to ear was telling no one in particular that this made for a great present.

Some 20 minutes earlier it seemed that any post-game dinner would be somber and subdued. From the opening whistle where the Warriors’ James Martinez banged in a triple from the left quarter court, UE spotted Ateneo a lead that went as high as 12 points.

When the Blue Eagles would make a run, the lead would invariably go back up as the Ateneans would shoot themselves in the foot with a gagging cacophony of turnovers. Even worse, UE was hitting treys as if the basket was as wide as an ocean.

At they parlayed that terrific field goal percentage into a 37-30 halftime lead.

Leave it to Norman Black to be Ateneo’s fount of optimism. “Look here, fellas. UE’s shooting something like 65% yet we’re only down by seven. It’s important that we get those stops and we execute much better. Then you’ll have a chance to get back in the game.” He further instructed the team to challenge every shot and pass while playing a shifting man-zone.

The Blue Eagles took heed at the resumption of the game. Yet while they blanketed UE’s outside artillery and got their opponent’s starters in foul trouble, Ateneo was still getting clobbered off the boards.

Dindo Pumaren’s wards repulsed one rally after another but with under two minutes left in the match, the lead was down to five 64-59. A Rabeh Al-Husseini putback and a gutsy drive by rookie Ryan Buenafe into the heart of UE’s defense netted the fifth and last foul of the Warriors’ jumping jack center Elmer Espiritu. The former San Sebastian Staglet nailed both shots to shave the lead to a more manageable 65-63 deficit.

And that meant that it was time for another pulsating finish.

The core of the team has been through numerous for-the-win situations in the last three years and if anything, it has given the Ateneans a quiet confidence in their abilities. They’ve won some big games now all they needed to validate that belief was getting the job done en route to Season 72 of the UAAP which was a mere two weeks away.

The Blue Eagles were getting stops but not the ball. In one UE offensive, they hauled down two offensive rebounds and got a third crack at the basket in one possession when the ball was incorrectly ruled off Al-Husseini’s fingertips. “Pero hindi kami nag-panic,” admitted Baclao. “Sabi lang namin, kailangan ng isa pang stop.”

After sparkplug Paul Lee’s set up hastened UE’s possible doom when his kick out pass to James Martinez instead found teammate Toto Bandaying on the bench, it gave Ateneo one more chance at salvaging a win with 35 seconds left.

Black called time to map out their last offensive.

Nine times out of ten will get you a play for the last shot to be taken by Chris Tiu. The thing is, our opponent’s know that and as a result, he will in all likelihood be tightly guarded. After Al-Husseini set a back pick for the Blue Eagle captain, the defense collapsed on Tiu who had the option of dumping it to Nonoy Baclao for a roll towards the basket.

Unlike their first game back after a couple of weeks of training in the United States where La Salle forced the ball out of Tiu’s hand, this time the skipper saw daylight.

Bang. A fifteen footer that was all net. Rally complete. Ateneo had the lead for the first time in the game. 65-64. Now they could have the victory if they stopped UE’s last chance to win their second tournament championship in as many days.

With 8.7 seconds left, the Blue Eagles wisely used their fouls to shave as much set up time as they could for the Red Warriors to set up a decent shot. But with a hand in his face, Paul Lee, who torched San Beda the day before with an incandescent display of shooting to wrap up the FilOil Pre-Season Tournament, threw up an airball. And with the final buzzer a hail of confetti floated around the dejected and the victorious.

“Kaya mo pala tumalon ng ganoon,” ribbed second assistant Gene Afable to Buenafe referring to his big time drive on Espiritu and his ensuing two free throws.

“Hindi ko nga alam na kaya ko gawin yun,” joked the prized recruit out of San Sebastian. “Sana next time and-one siya.”

“San Miguel. San Miguel,” chorused Al-Husseini and Chris Sumalinog inside a raucous locker room.

I bade Norman Black with another handshake and congratulations and left him with another cheery thought. “Don’t get used to that,” I said referring to his second off-season title with the other being the Collegiate Champions League won almost immediately after the last UAAP season. “I wouldn’t mind becoming greedy about championships.”

“That’s what I’d like to do because I’d love to continue coaching this team,” said the American mentor as he opened the door to the dugout. “But say this, even when we were down with about four minutes left, we never stopped hustling. Never stopped competing. Now that’s heart. A fighting heart.”

Ateneo 65 – Al-Husseini 18, Tiu 11, Buenafe 9, Salamat 7, Escueta 7, Baldos 6, Baclao 5, Austria 2, Salva 0, Chua 0, Gonzaga 0

UE 64 – Martinez 11, Lee 9, Lingganay 8, Espiritu 7, Llagas 7, Bandaying 6, Thiele 6, Etrone 4, Zamar 4, Reyes 2, Tagarda 0, Alabanza 0, Arellano 0

Quarterscores: 13-25, 30-37, 47-53, 65-64

Tournament Mythical Selection (exclusive for players wearing the Swoosh; other brands do not qualify because it doesn't look good for them)
G- Eric Salamat (Ateneo)
G- Andy Barocca (Far Eastern University)
F- PJ Barua (De La Salle University)
F- Rico Maierhofer (De La Salle University)
C- Perry Llagas (University of the East)

MVP – Eric Salamat

Here are your Ateneo Blue Eagles 2008-09

Chris Tiu
Yuri Escueta
Rabeh Al-Husseini
Mike Baldos
Jai Reyes
Eric Salamat
Nonoy Baclao
Kirk Long
Bacon Austria
Chris Sumalinog
Ryan Buenafe
Nico Salva
Justin Chua
Vince Burke
Tonino Gonzaga
and
Jobe Nkemakolam

Puma is sending 2 folks to Beijing

WIN A TRIP FOR 2 TO BEIJING
AND BE PART OF THE 2008 OLYMPIC GAMES!!!
For a minimum purchase of P3,000 at the PUMA Brand Stores:

Bonifacio High Street / 2nd flrGlorietta 4/M2-Trinoma mall.

Promo runs from June 9 - July 20, 2008

Special Mamba

Nike honors 2008 NBA Most Valuable Player Kobe Bryant with the launch of the limited edition Zoom Kobe III MVP. This special Zoom Kobe III, first worn by Kobe in the first two games against the Utah Jazz, carries with it the signature Lakers colors of yellow and purple on a white base, with an MVP logo on the tongue.

This coming June 21, Kobe fans who want to own a pair are given the chance to do so as Nike offers the limited edition Zoom Kobe III MVP through an exclusive release at 6:30 pm at Nike Park, Fort Bonifacio, Highstreet. Only 48 pairs of the Zoom Kobe III MVP shoes will be sold in the Philippines.

Those who want to own a pair will be required to fill out entry forms and submit them between 5:30 and 6:15 pm on June 21 at the store. At 6:30 pm, a special draw will be done to determine the lucky customers who will get the chance to purchase the exclusive kicks for PHP 7,495 a pair.

Super Game Sunday

On June 15, 2008 (Sunday) the much awaited clash of the seniors will unfold with the Blue Eagles facing off with the Red Warriors for the Nike Summer League 2008 tourney. Could this be a preview of the upcoming UAAP championship? With both teams outplaying their respective rivals in the play-offs, the championship game will surely be a showdown of pure guts, passion and skills. The Loyola based squad as led by head coach Norman Black is looking at clinching the title from the top defensive Red Warriors team who they will be facing off for the first time this season.

Playing an impressive season with Dindo Pumaren at helm, the Red Warriors are set on adding another Nike Summer League championship in their accolade.

Brace yourself as the hoop trail is set ablaze at the senior’s championship game scheduled on June 15 at the Philsports Arena (ULTRA) at 3pm, admission is FREE and coverage will be broadcasted live on Studio 23!

Show me unity and I'll show you a congress

I attended the BAP-SBP 2008 National Congress at the Dusit Hotel in Makati City yesterday. Congratulations to MVP for winning a second term as president of the NSA. Ditto to Noli Eala for taking over the Executive Director position from outgoing Pato Gregorio.

My only gripe is, next time some officials invite basketball players to attend, make sure they know the issue or they're on your side because it sucks when they're asked to go and they don't know why. Smacks of the hakot crowd politicians like to throw on us.

Mediaman 1: Buti natuloy 'to... may TRO di ba?
Mediaman 2: Hindi mangyayari yan. Mas mabigat yung mga personalities nila dito.
Mediaman 3: Ewan ko sa inyo, basta balita 'to at libre lunch. Solb na ako.
Mediaman 2: Pero mas maganda naman ang programa ngayon kesyo dati.
Mediaman 3: Oo mas mapulitika naman.

Okay.

I should ask the SBP people why they are keeping the "BAP" in their name.

Here's a bonus, Scolari!

Not long after Portugal advanced to the quarterfinals stage of Euro 2008 after beating the Czech Republic 3-1, it was announced that Portugal's manager, Luis Felipe Scolari was Chelsea's new gaffer.

His presence will galvanize the Blues who have spiraled out of control after the sacking of Jose Mourinho early into last season.

Scolari's biggest achievement was leading Brazil to World Cup glory in 2002 and he famously turned down the chance to manage England following Sven-Goran Eriksson's departure in 2006. The 59-year-old has no experience of managing at club level in Europe.

As it is, the announcement has excited current and former Chelsea players. And with a cloud of doubt hanging over Cristiano Ronaldo's possible transfer to Real Madrid, it has also caught the attention of officials at Old Trafford.

Have a fix. Why doncha?

Have you ever watched a game where thousands of people see a foul and the refs who are even closer to the action totally miss it? How about them non-calls? Don't they drive you buggy too?

Have you even been to a game where you feel that there were outside forces influencing the game? To quote Da Nose, "You can't see it but you can smell it." And there's that cliche "when there's smoke there's a fire."

It's incredulous when you think that the San Antonio Spurs don't win when Joey Crawford is in the game. And when the Dallas Mavericks are likely to be on the selling block after Mark Cuban contemplates selling the franchise for the nth time after they believe that ref Danny Crawford stole it once more.

Nah it's not the Crawfords because before there was Hue Hollins who made two bad calls against the Chicago Bulls and he's now been supplanted by Tim Donaghy who took much of the zing out last season and this year's NBA Finals. His revelations about the Lakers-Kings Game 6 are damning. And if you watched that game, you'd wonder what the heck were the referees seeing on the court? Sacramento should have won that game and the series. That game was stolen. No other words about it and David Stern may stomp his foot and deny it all he wants, but that was one poorly officiated match.

And then there are these guys who do a number on my alma mater every time they step on the court.

There has been so much talk of game fixing over the years that it's a wonder why it has never been investigated properly. Take a look at the NFL's Roger Goodell. After taking an initial look at the tapes turned over by the New England Patriots over its alleged taping scam, the NFL Commish burned the evidence because he said that they were insubstantial and in the wrong hands, people might misconstrue it. What the hell? If there was really nothing then it would have exonerated the Patriots. Instead it has only made matters worse. Imagine, a comment is made that other NFL coach's also tape the opposing team's signals! WTF!

After years celebrating the home runs derbies by Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, and Barry Bonds, after years of making money off those summer feats, MLB wishes the steroid mess will go away. Steroids has been a problem for a long time and its only in the last few years that they act on it? Five letters, effendi... G R E E D!

And there's a lot more that you ask which is the entree.

So I wonder which is worse, pro wrestling or these so-called real sports? At least the other one make no bones about it being sports entertainment while the other will make you feel good then rip out your heart and empty your wallet.

Recommended Reading: Into Thin Air by John Krakaeur

A strangely affecting book that leave lessons for the soul like bodies on a high-altitude mountain trail. You don't have to be into mountaineering to devour John Krakauer's painful and terrifying narrative about a the 1996 Mount Everest disaster. It's going to be hard to put down once you start.

Why?

Because it's there.

Available in paperback at Fully Booked (Php 586) while it lasts.

Agent Zero cometh!

A different voice

When I was with Solar Sports, one of my first recommendations was to build a core of homegrown TV talent as opposed to using the more known ones. Why was I against their continued "usage?" Simple. You see these guys everywhere. You see them in NBN, Channel 7, ABC-5 etc. The funny thing is, you hear them doing commentary for several sports. I preached for exclusivity. The most hilarious (though some claim pathetic) thing about local sportscasters was seeing many of them wing it during the last Manila SEA Games especially with sports they have passing knowledge of. That clearly demonstrated the dearth of talent available because they choose to stick with a chosen few who demand plum assignments all the time.

My reasoning was -- was there anyone else and are they the only authorities? What happens when we lose one of them; how do you replace them? How do you discover new talent when it's always the old guard? Like politics, sportscasting is an old boys network. Sila-sila na lang.

Did they ever listen? My immediate boss agreed. But the ones in the broadcasting side didn't.
Thankfully, they gave Vitto Lazatin and Reema Chanco a push.

My personal reasoning is, if it's a foreign competition, I want to listen to the foreign commentary. If it's local, I want the Filipinos street-style and all. When I was working for the Elizalde's and they would do the radio broadcasts of the PBA, incredibly, a lot of people in the provinces would turn down the TV commentary in favor of the radio while watching the live feed. It was really connecting with the audience. Of course the Metro Manila folk preferred the TV analysts.

Some viewers simply cannot stand the locals because there's the "baduy" factor and that their knowledge about these sporting events comes from what they read in magazines and from the internet as opposed to establishing ties with the teams and individuals.

While I may not like listening to some local sportscasters, I appreciate their efforts to come up with good broadcasts. But I still I think it's time to bring in fresh blood.

The 30-Year Itch

Okay, let's see the raise of hands here. How many pegged the Netherlands get out of their Group of Death in Euro 2008? I only see one and no one is snickering anymore.

It's been 30 years -- 30 years and that was when Johan Neeskens, that New York Cosmos great was leading them -- since the Clockwork Oranje beat an Italian side 2-1 in the second round; a win that dates all the way back to the 1978 World Cup (the Dutch lost to eventual champion Argentina in extra time that year with Mari Kempes scoring twice in a 3-1 win).

On a totally unrelated note, that 1978 World Cup was the first one I became acutely aware of.

But for the Dutch, after only a European championship to show since, they're back in a grand way beating the current World Cup champs 3-0 thanks to goals by Ruud Van Nistelrooy (who was offside), Wesley Sneijder, and Giovanni Van Bronckhorst. Clearly, Van Bronckhorst, the Feyenoord midfielder was the Man of the Match as he cleared away a near own goal by a teammate and had a hand in the Dutch's two other goals.

Now seeing that the usual slow-starting French got a 0-0 draw with Romania, the Netherlands have an excellent chance to advance to the next round. Their three goals and three points a huge difference in the standings.

Yeah they had their moments during that 30-year gap, but this is sweet for them.

A great way to start the day

Check out this exclusive photo (thanks to our friends from adidas) of the newest women's Grand Slam champion.

Ana Ivanovic catches a cup of coffee at a Paris cafe the morning after her Roland Garros victory!

Allez!

Bleachers' Brew #111 New Religion

(This appears in my column in the sports section of the Business Mirror Monday June 9, 2008. Thanks to Chieffy Caligdong, Mr. Duffy Botavera, Jojo Rodriguez, Ian Araneta, and Mr. Pablito Araneta for their interviews).

by rick olivares

When you arrive in Iloilo via plane, right outside the airport is a queue of jeepneys and buses that ply routes of just about everywhere in this West Visayas port. If you ask any driver how to get to Barotac Nuevo, almost inevitably, he’ll ask if you’re here to watch football. He knows you’re a tourist since you don’t speak Illongo for if you did, you wouldn’t be asking.

Barotac Nuevo is one of the 44 cities and municipalities of Iloilo and in this town of over 46,000 people, for all intents and purposes, the patron saint arguably isn’t Augustine or Anthony. Revisionists have conferred sainthood to the Monfort family for having introduced football to Barotacnons way back during the colonial years. The game, introduced by the Spanish friars and Europeans who settled and did business in the area in the early 1900’s, has provided this town with a sense of identity and instilled a measure of pride.

Football is life here though many will digress and state that the sport is actually a religion.

When people talk about fiestas here it is meant in the traditional sense where there are parades, food fests, games, and the ubiquitous palabas. It’s the original street party and the football tournament is an integral part of the celebrations.

Outside the San Antonio de Padua church in Barotac Nuevo is a rather unusual sight --- a regulation length football field and one of two in this town. As a result of their commitment to the growth of the game, the municipality has been a beneficiary of the FIFA Goal Project that helps local programs get off the ground.

The main field in the plaza is filled with people on three different occasions: 1) during the Simbang Gabi in December, 2) during the summer games, and 3) when the finals of the FIFA World Cup Finals or Euro tournament are shown live.

A large outdoor viewing screen is placed in the field and people come out to watch never mind that the games are in the early hours of the morning. “Everyone is here,” glowed favorite son Emelio “Chieffy” Caligdong, the current bearer of the captain’s armband for the Men’s Football National Team. “Parang fiesta.”

Agriculture is the main industry here and if you’re thinking relocating and opening up a daycare center, then you might want to reconsider. Mothers here, if they need to go on errands or take some time off, leave their kids on the pitch. They’ll pick them up at dusk when the kids are bronzed and glistening with sweat. Kids play everywhere ever chance they get. “Before the rice planting season begins,” related Duffy Botavera, President of the Iloilo Football Association, the children – all of them --- play in rice fields, the small pitches in the schools, kahit the mga kalye. Ibang klase talaga tignan. The passion for the game is in everyone. And we ask, ‘Is this what it’s like in Europe?’”

Barotac Nuevo is the local version of Bahia Blanca, Argentina except that it’s in reverse. Bahia Blanca, home to the NBA’s San Antonio Spurs’ superstar Emanuel Ginobili, is the one place in the football-mad country where basketball is king. In Barotac, unless you want to be the backward walking member of the tribe, you play football. Basketball is for the weak and faint of heart. Everyone in this town is football literate and you can imagine barbershop talk about offsides and the pros and cons of running a 4-4-2 formation.

“Sampu kaming magkakapatid,” said Caligdong, the youngest of a brood. “Joke nga namin magkakapatid sa parents ko, isa na lang meron na kaming football team.”

The walls of the town’s adolescents are filled with pictures of Ronaldinho, Cristiano Ronaldo, Thierry Henry, David Beckham and other international stars. While the locals look up to the foreigners, it’s their brothers, fathers, and uncles who the kids admire and idolize. And unlike in other areas of the country where people wear football kits because its fashionable, here it’s because people play the sport.

At a young age, children engage in “sinike” which is seven-a-side football and where kids here play barefoot – no socks, spikes, or even shin guards. Sinike places a premium on skills and passing. “Dito mo makikita kung sino yung marunong dumiskarte,” added Ian Araneta, Caligdong’s national teammate who is also from Barotac.

Pablito Araneta, Secretary General of the Philippine Football Federation says that Barotac and nearby town Santa Barbara (both have enjoyed a healthy rivalry for local football supremacy of late) have provided the national team with plenty of players over the years and that the game is thriving in Cebu, Bacolod, Romblon, and Dumaguete.

“It’s not just football that thrives in the provinces,” chipped in PFF Deputy Secretary General Jojo Rodriguez. “There are a lot of other sports. In Manila there are more distractions whereas in the provinces there are fewer and people take to sports as a means to get a college scholarship and play for the national team.”

“Kasi sa probinsya pag pinag usapan yung football hindi involved yung pera. Gusto lang talaga ng mga tao maglaro. Tulad dito sa Barotac Nuevo yung commitment talaga ng tao ay nasa puso. Naglalaro kami dahil mahal namin yung football. Parte ‘to ng buhay namin,” summed up Caligdong.

With CK Chua and Jobe Nkemakolam during the ADMU-DLSU FilOil game

The First Skirmish (or the Hair Game)

Ateneo 72 vs. De La Salle 78
FilOil Pre-Season Tournament
words by rick olivares
team pix by rick and ryan b shot by miggy mendoza

The De La Salle Green Archers’ hair is safe. For now.

During a team practice several weeks ago, forward-center PJ Walsham reminisced about last season’s spectacular success. Yet he also admitted that they dodged one huge bullet against their arch-rivals who also prompted them to head for a barber’s razor earlier in the season. “We shaved our heads as a sign of unity,” he said with a laugh while he stretched on the floor after practice. “It’s hot now but we’d like to keep our hair.”

In the first match-up between the Ateneo Blue Eagles and the De La Salle Green Archers since the Final Four of last UAAP season, the kings of the college basketball scene survived another near-end game miracle and overtime to go home with a 78-72 victory.

It was the pre-season, sure. But any time the two teams meet expect no quarter to be given.

“It’s a good thing the game was on a weekend or else I would have canceled my company’s board meeting,” smiled businessman and Ateneo alum Joey Leviste who chafed at being unable to watch Blue Eagle basketball for some time now. “C’mon. Let’s get our priorities straight.”

Outside the team dugout, team captain Chris Tiu gathered his team. He talked to the team about the importance of being composed for a game like this yet playing with a lot of energy. It was about helping teammates and playing within the system. It wasn’t yet the UAAP because it would be infinitely crazier not to mention noisier as it was hard to speak up with the roar coming from the Arena.

Nearby, Norman Black leaned against the wall with his arms folded and said, “I am fortunate enough to have veterans who can help calm the new players. Everyone’s pumped up. A game like this will help prepare them for the ones that really matter. So it’s all part of the learning experience.”

Dressed in their new jerseys, the team broke with a “One Big Fight” and headed to their court entrance to watch the final moments as the Blue Eaglets steeled themselves for a scintillating win over the La Salle Greenhills Greenies. Ryan Buenafe, the most-ballyhooed recruit in recent years by any school looked composed as he watched the wind-up of the juniors match. “Sana makatulong ako,” he said.

And he did. With 18 huge points to back-up Chris Tiu in double digit scoring. And the rook did it by beating his man with a wicked crossover leaving James Mangahas in the dust and bowling over vets Rico Maierhofer and Walsham with their behinds on the court in a display of hangtime and upper body strength. Fr. Nemy Que S.J., the team chaplain and head of the Admissions Office would chuckle every time Buenafe pumped faked his guards for a deuce. “Gigil ako nung una,” remarked the frosh about his miserable first quarter as his shots couldn’t find the bottom of the net.

At one point in the third period, Norman Black left his three rookies – Buenafe, Nico Salva, and Justin Chua -- on the floor during a crucial stretch in the third as they kept the Archers at bay. It was highlighted by a crafty drop pass by Salva to Chua after Maierhofer and Ferdinand tried to impede the Ateneo frosh’s drive. The bucket made it 39-33 Ateneo.

But it wasn’t only the Blue Eagle rooks who showed plenty of promise. La Salle’s Hyram Bagatsing played the fireman’s role as Jayvee Casio was out with an injury and Bader Malabes a fever. Point guard LA Revilla conjured visions of former great Tony Boy Espinosa with his speed, derring-do, and flair. It won’t take long before we see some alley-oop slams between him and Maierhofer.

In truth, the game was Ateneo’s to lose. Despite leading practically all game long, the match seemed headed for another arresting finish. A six-point lead in a close match with La Salle is practically a luxury. While never safe, it serves as a cushion.

Ateneo’s defense kept them in the lead with Casio and Malabes out and unable to break the zone. But when Bagatsing found the range and PJ Barua nailing medium range jumpers, the floor opened up for Maierhofer to chip in five big points to help forge 65-all tie.

With 7.8 seconds left in the regulation, the ball was given to Buenafe to create his own shot. But the Archers were ready as they three defenders at him once he began his dribble as the last offensive fizzled out badly.

In overtime, the Eagles stayed close until the last two minutes when a series of misplays put the game beyond reach.

“Panalo na, natalo pa,” one Ateneo supporter muttered as a dejected blue gallery filed out.

“I’d rather lose now than later,” exclaimed Debbie Tan, the team’s liaison with corporate sponsor PLDT. “It’s tough but that’s the way it is. We’ll get better for this.”

“Na muntikan na naman kami,” said a happy PJ Walsham after the game as his victorious team headed for the dugout. “But good game by both teams. Alam namin na kahit lamang yung Ateneo bago mag-overtime kaya namin humabol.”

And rightly so for no lead is safe in any Ateneo-La Salle game until the final buzzer has sounded. But the Archers’ mop of hair is. For now.

Personal notes:

I thought that while it was good for the ball to go to Ryan Buenafe for a game winner, his set-up, where he tries to beat his man with a quick and deceptive first step wasn't ideal for the situation. He takes a few seconds and the Green Archers are a smart team. They sent three -- David Webb, Maierhofer, and Mangahas at Buenafe with their hands trying to distract him and to prevent an outlet. In the meantime, they covered Chris Tiu. Buenafe will learn from this experience.

The substitution of Rabeh Al-Husseini and Jai Reyes towards the end of the OT elicited quite a few raised eyebrows. Kirk Long, kept on the freezer for awhile was ice cold for a trey and not the best option to take one. Surprisingly, no one was close to the basket for an offensive rebound. Maybe Nonoy but not even close.

Nico Salva has a high-arcing free throw shot that should it miss will bounce high and a bit away from the pit. So expect a long rebound. If he feels that he doesn't have the shot then maybe he should go in for the offensive rebound.

All this time and opponents still get under Rabeh's skin with a little nudge or some trash talking. Just play the game. As Mai says, that's what made Ford Arao so valuable. He'd smile and walkaway. Pikon talo.

If Chris and Jai have their outside artillery jammed, we're in for a long game.

Watching the team playing in the Nike Summer League. The team while obviously finding its rotation and its bearings will really need Kirk Long to step up. Man, I'm not sure if Vince Burke is ready yet for action. I'd rather see Jobe or even Vince Fran in there.

The JFK Connection

Italy defender Marco Materazzi can do more than insult his opponents, he can even quote former U.S. President John F Kennedy.

The 34-year-old, best known for provoking France's Zinedine Zidane to head-butt him in the chest at the 2006 World Cup final, is fed up with his critics and wants to show his intelligent side at Euro 2008. 'I think it was Kennedy who said: 'Forgive what they have said but don't forget their names,' he told a news conference on Friday when asked about those who have derided his character or style of play. 'Since I was a child I have risen above preconceptions. Now I will try again to demonstrate my worth, if it is necessary another time.'

The Selling of the Green

Kevin Garnett, the Boston Celtics and adidas announced today the launch of a rare version of Garnett’s 2008-09 adidas Team Signature Commander shoe. This footwear release was designed to commemorate the Celtics’ historic run at an NBA Championship. adidas will produce only eight pairs per game of this exciting shoe to be sold at retail, starting at 10:00am on June 5, 2008 (as few as 32 pairs or as many as 56 pairs will be available depending on the number of games The Finals goes to). One special pair of shoes autographed by KG will be auctioned off on NBA.com after The Finals. All profits from the sale of these shoes will go to NBA Cares community partners in the Boston area.