Guess who's teaching me how to post up?

To play in the NBA is any baller's dream. And it starts out with watching games on the telly before those moves are practiced on that makeshift court in your room, in the backyard, the garage, or even in the park. When things get more serious then you go to basketball camps where the game's fundamentals are drummed into you.

What if that process is circumvented in a good way when you're brought to four different NBA hoops hotbeds to learn the game from five of the game's biggest stars?

Well, not only will you be "NBA Tested. Brotherhood Ready" but you'll receive a massive dose of confidence that should help raise your level of play.

Twelve, unknown ball players from the U.S. and China were brought to learn the game of basketball and brotherhood alongside NBA stars Kevin Garnett, Gilbert Arenas, Dwight Howard, Tracy McGrady and Tim Duncan in adidas’ 2008-2009 start of season basketball campaign.

Captured in a four-part “NBA Tested. Brotherhood Ready.” film series, the young athletes’ side-by-side experience with the NBA stars brings to life the two playing styles a Brotherhood comprises: Commanders and Creators.

Beginning in Washington DC, the young players learn the aggressively smooth and stealth-like approach to running the floor from the definitive Creator Gilbert Arenas. Next, they travel to Orlando to learn what it takes to have unwavering physical presence and dominating effect in the paint from Commander Dwight Howard. The athletes come together as a team of Commanders and Creators in Houston as they play with Commander Tim Duncan and Creator Tracy McGrady. Ultimately, the journey concludes as a Brotherhood in Boston with Kevin Garnett.

Sports Nation gets started

The first class of Sports Nation got off to a great start and its a cool class made of alums from Ateneo, UP, DLSU, and UST. I think, we might have a couple of late additions in time for the next class which is still a good jumping on point before things get into overdrive.

No one from the class knew each other personally but after the ice breaker got out of the way, there were so many converging lines on how our paths cross! From in-laws, to having former teammates or coaches as friends or co-workers, and to... well going to school after one another.

After the first session, half the group stayed behind for coffee til midnight! Hahahaha. Cool!

Thanks to Vitto of BTV for the assist here!

Casa is in the House

It was a playoff atmosphere in November. It's the Hawks versus the Celtics again and Boston needed a Jordan from Paul Pierce if they wanted to out that foot that was in the L column.

And the Truth hasn't lied yet. 103-102.

But my main man for the Bo-Celts ain't the Kid, Jesus, or the Captain.

Hola! Eddie esta en la casa!

Wearing bling!

Got this cool shirt for my birthday!

At the back are the results of the Redeem Team's games in the Beijing Olympics.

Write now or forever hold your piece

I am done with the manuscript of the 2008 championship book. It's 100 pages long and that's just the text. That sort of explains why it's been tough to post here at Brew.

The foreword is by Chris Tiu and a surprise guest! With the pictures, I'd say we'd go about 120-140. Thanks to my comrades at Fabilioh for this!

The book -- can't tell you the title yet -- takes you back to to the seasons past and how it built for the 2008 title run. It's got a lot of back stories that are real cool. We interviewed a lot of people for this. And I mean a lot! Whew!

And I am convinced that Rico Maierhofer did not give the finger! No freaking way. Having said that... they still wouldn't have beaten us.

I previously solicited anecdotes that will be included in the book. Thanks to the following:
Denise Matias, Ailee Lim, Vinchi Cuyegkeng, Johann Fojas, Adrienne Gopoco, Darn Kho, Brian Zialcita, Crystal Rebucas, Nikki Albert, Trasienne Estrada, Allan Sio, Mhel Garrido, Michael Yu, Pia Ojeda, Rachel & Mia Geronimo, Jover Chavez, Mary Dizon, Jason Eraña, Renee Zingalaoa, and Mai Ventura for contributing. Amazing amazing anecdotes!

If anyone wishes to send more, I need anecdotes not game recaps. Deadline is tomorrow (Wednesday).

What was I listening to when writing this:
'Til Tuesday, the Police, Trembling Blue Stars, Unrest, Versus, Plus Minus, Up Dharma Down, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, the Silversun Pickups, Sevendust, the Radioactive Sago Project, Prefab Sprout, Kula Shaker, Interpol, Death Cab for Cutie, Bloc Party, Explosions in the Sky, and Aimee Mann.

Team 3D got cheated

Beer and Money Inc. you're going to get yours... in tables soon.

TNA rules!

Missed Calls

The PBA turned down Air21's appeal for a replay of its match against San Miguel Beer last November 5.

The Beermen led 110-108 when Ranidel De Ocampo hit a trey with 9.8 seconds left but the referee counted it as a two-point basket. I think it was Paolo Trillo and Jason Webb calling the game and they showed several angles that were inconclusive save for the last that was clear it was hit from beyond the arc.

I don't recall seeing the coaching staff of Air21 challenge the call nor did the TV analysts mention that Bo Perasol and company were doing anything about it.

PBA Commissioner Sonny Barrios admitted the game officials committed a serious judgment error but surprisingly, he emphasized the blunder “did not decide the outcome of the game.” Huh? Of course it did.

But I'd throw it out simply because:
1) the technical committee cannot correct the call with two minutes to play unless it it challenged and I agree here because if every call is challenged then we're going to have slow ball instead.
2) and it was not challenged until later.

San Miguel won the game, 130-129, in double overtime, but Air21 team officials placed it under protest claiming the Express should have clinch the match in the first overtime.

With the Beermen up 110-108, Ranidel de Ocampo heaved from the three-point range and made the shot with 9.8 seconds remaining but referee Mario Montiel, the official nearest to the Air21 forward, counted it as a two-point basket.

In the last 17 years only matches were ordered to be replayed: the March 17, 1991, game between Shell and Purefoods and the March 21, 2003 tussle between Talk ’N Text and Barangay Ginebra.

Both games were decided by last second shots where there was no time to correct the error or missed call.

To the PBA's credit, they have said that they will revisit the rules of the game regarding such incidents.

That was one heck of a game, however, as Air21 came back from such a huge deficit when Gary David caught fire. If San Miguel lost that one -- well, I would have fired all of them for their terrible terrible play down the stretch. Hey, didn't UE experience the same against UST in the second round of the UAAP's second round?

Proof of collusion

Nike made Kobe Bryant's shoe in Barca and AC Milan colors. This might be a good addition to your posts about basketball players and football players admiring each other's work.

Plus theres a special Jordan 21 PE with Ronaldinho's logo.

Football and basketball go a long way indeed!!!

from Miggy Mendoza. Lest someone anonymous think I didn't credit where I got the news. Jeez!

Back in Black for the Boys in Blue

Does this mean anything?

It's still early but nevertheless it's tantalizing. Should the Knicks make the playoffs, they should rename a street in Little Italy after him.

2007-08 Phoenix Suns
First four games: 4-2
104 points per game
36.1% = 3pt FG %
23.8 assists per game
41 rebounds per game

2008-09 New York Knicks
First four games: 4-2
102.5 points per game
37.4% = 3pt FG%
23.5 assists per game
41 rebounds per game

Basketball in the Philippines -- a BBC report

Bleachers' Brew #132 Forty-Four

(This appears in my November 10 column in the sports section of Business Mirror.)

44

by rick olivares

As a youngster, I once went through the list of American Presidents and noted that many of them saw military service. In my own young mind I wondered if it was a pre-requisite when one ran for the seat of the world’s most powerful man.

Soldiers say that having seen war -- and war is hell -- they eventually become men of peace. So is it any wonder that George W. Bush and his faux service to the Texas National Guard didn’t give him the perspective of men who have seen combat hence his disastrous forays into Iraq and Afghanistan, modern-day quagmires for the weary.

But I too, remember pictures of Jack Kennedy sailing and flashing that sunshine smile of his in old Life magazines that my grandfather, who served with the US Army, bequeathed me with. Of course, the 35th President of the United States was a World War II vet and his exploits in Torpedo Boat PT-109 are well documented. I even saw a movie of it.

I was fascinated by all things military and even contemplated a career in the service. Having an uncle who went to West Point and served a distinguished career at home and Vietnam was an inspiration. I also had a few classmates who tried their hand at it – one at the Philippine Military Academy and another with the US Special Forces.

Still young and far from noticing the charms of the opposite sex, I eventually got into sports. There was football and the New York Cosmos, basketball and the Philadelphia 76ers, and baseball and the New York Yankees.

I too was a vociferous reader and my grandfather egged me on. One time he showed me pictures of Richard Nixon watching NFL football. And as I found out later, the 37th President of the USA lettered at Whittier.

As I grew older, I saw Bill Clinton playing golf and quip, “The economy has produced 6.1 million jobs since I became President, and if Michael Jordan comes back to the Bulls, it will be six million one hundred thousand and one jobs.”

After Clinton, there was Democratic Presidential candidate John Kerry windsurfing.

Not that it is odd for men like them to engage in sports. But I wonder now if a particular sport reveals something about a person’s character?

In these times when the world is sick of the morass of Bush’s military adventures maybe it’s time I changed from my stance to adding athletic ability (among many other criteria) to one’s White House aspirations.

And that brings #44 to the plate; he who wears a Chicago White Sox cap.

If Clinton evoked the Kennedys when he swept into office (coincidentally after another Bush was in office), Barack Obama, who will be the 44th President of the United States when he is sworn in on January 20, 2009, brings with him a perspective of a man who is a product of a multi-racial America and is in touch with modern times.

Whether he is the real deal or the prefab product of the fine craft of David Plouffe, Obama’s campaign manager, remains to be seen, and more so after the honeymoon period accorded to the new Chief Executive in his first 100 days on the world’s hot seat.

Polar bears for Obama? Not only is it hilarious but it speaks much about the environment whether this was really a component of one of the slickest and well-devised campaigns in modern history.

There’s an interesting analogy about Obama’s choice of the White Sox. Like the Illinois Senator’s performance in the recent elections, the White Sox swept the Astros 4-0 in the 2005 World Series as the teed off on Roger Clemens, Roy Oswalt, and Andy Pettitte.

So why not the long-suffering Cubs? Yeah… there you go: long-suffering.

For all the love of the grand old game by Obama, he has that new jack cool of being someone who can play the game of basketball, the world’s fastest growing sport.

In Dreams From My Father, the President-elect wrote that he found solace on the hardwood. “At least on the basketball court I could find a community of sorts,” he revealed.

Obama wore #23 at Punahou High School and was a member of the squad that won 1979 Hawaii State Championship.

On the eve of the US Elections, veteran sportscaster Chris Berman conducted an interesting interview with Obama (and McCain in a separate one) during the halftime of ESPN’s Monday Night Football match between the Washington Redskins versus the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Obama revealed that he was a rebellious player who constantly debated with his Punahou High School Coach Chris McLachlin about the playing time of not only himself but other members of the team. On a squad that included whites, blacks, and Asians, “Barry” as Obama was called by everyone, was set straight by McLachlin.

“The team came first,” recalled Obama of McLachlin’s message.

In an interview with the Honolulu Star, McLachlin noted that “His negotiating skills were very advanced.” While overlooking Obama’s leadership skills, the coach agreed that he had the skills and the talent despite his wiry frame.

Obama was a scrappy player and his teammates attest that his competitiveness forced them to raise their level of play at all times. And Barry, the lefty shooter with dreams of being like the Sixers’ gravity-defying Julius Erving, never hesitated to pull an opponent’s jersey, to stick an elbow, and when he found himself open, to take a jump shot.

There are massive problems that plague America and the world today and everyone is looking up to Obama for succor. In the lame ducks days of the Bush administration, every move by the President-elect will be scrutinized and dissected in so many ways. He might not fully have the benefit of that grace period, but like the athlete he is, maybe it’s time to hit the ground running.

But isn’t that what he wanted – more playing time and a chance to make the shot?



Here's the link to Business Mirror:
http://businessmirror.com.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1659:bleachers-brew-44&catid=31:sports

Back in first place

As Fernando Torres is once more trading time in sick bay, Robbie Keane has come alive with his third and fourth goals for Liverpool in his first year at Anfield.

And it's good enough for a 3-0 win (Alvaro Arbeola scored the other) over West Brom as Liverpool is once more atop the English Premier League. Moreover, it gives Reds boss Rafa Benitez his 150th win with the Merseyside club. Huzzah!

The other bit of good news is that Arsenal beat ManU 2-1.

I think I prefer KG in blue

When I first read of Hakeem Olajuwon -- he was Akeem then -- it was interesting to know that he played football as he was growing up in Nigeria. A couple of years ago, I tried to catch Steve Nash play a charity football game but I didn't get the chance.I thought it was fascinating that NBA players were fans too. And Kobe visiting Ronaldinho and a practice session by Barcelona was cool.

The other day, the Boston Globe reported that a part of Kevin Garnett's off-season conditioning was playing football at the backyard of his home in Wayzata an affluent suburb in Minnesota. Apparently, KG had a small field built with a goal where he could play pick-up games.

The Boston Celtics' Main Man was reported to primarily root for Chelsea FC and its forward Didier Drogba. "I don't have striker's skills," Garnett said. "I just want the liberty of not only passing the ball but also the liberty of shooting the ball, or at least trying to be a striker."

Garnett too is a fan of Ronaldinho.

In the off-season, a charity game was held in New York where Barca's Thierry Henry played with NBA stars like Nash, Raja Bell, Jaosn Kidd, Baron Davis, Joakim Noah, and Leandro Barbosa.

In search of the beautiful game

Read this too:
http://bleachersbrew.blogspot.com/2008/10/home-team.html

Two young men from Cameroon are wandering around Manila looking for work as footballers. Or even anything at this point.

They were playing semi-professionally in their native Cameroon and even traveled to Gabon, an adjacent nation in Africa. While there, they were approached by an agent representing a football league in Uzbekistan. This "agent" was very professional and he had professional documentation.

The agent took videos of the players and sent them out. Two months went by before they heard from him again.

"We believed him," said Alex ruefully. "He had everything in order." But now the agent is long gone and his cell phone off perhaps forever.

Paul Kiyek Ribouen and Alex Obiang are wonderful footballers. The beautiful game is theirs to share and that love led them to chase the dream of youth. But somewhere the dream turned into a nightmare.

Paul's mother borrowed the six thousand dollars the agent required of them for their papers. And now that they're not playing let alone making money, it has caused a very serious problem back home for the family.

If Paul returns and cannot pay back what was borrowed he could be imprisoned for as long as ten years. "I would rather die that go back without the money," he explains.

As long as Paul does not return both he and his family stay out of trouble. "

Both Paul and Alex lived in the province outside of Yaoundé, the capital of Cameroon. Paul was training to be an electrician but money was hard to come by and he had to stop his schooling. Leaving to play for football seemed like a bright opportunity.

Alex's father is recently retired and his pension was cashed in to raise the needed six thousand. Being the oldest of five boys, Alex bore the responsibility of helping out so his brothers could go to school. "I cannot return without the money," he admits. "There is too much pressure."

Life has been hard but Alex recites his goal like a mantra: "I want to play ball. I want to do my job." It keeps him focused and sane. And on good days, even hopeful.

When Paul and Alex left Cameroon with the agent they went to Dubai to catch their flight to Uzbekistan and the waiting professional club. At Dubai there was some issues with the visa and as Paul stated, "the machinery was broke."

Between the ticket agent and the football agent the decision was made to route the players through Manila. In Manila they told that they would be met by a contact who would facilitate their transfer to Uzbekistan.

There was no contact in Manila and Paul and Alex have been here for six months. They speak broken English and no Tagalog. And their tourist visas have long expired.

Paul and Alex lived in a Pension House in Malate for three weeks. They paid three hundred pesos a day until their savings ran out. They have been getting money wired from relatives, but it is very sporadic and they spent a number of weeks sleeping on the streets. Recently they have been renting a room, sleeping on a mat in Intramuros.

They agreed to pay 3500 pesos for the month, but the owner changed that saying it was only for the week, so they are confused again and are beginning to understand that some will cheat anyone for gain.

According to Paul their families are aware of the situation they are in. They communicate sporadically using cell phones, but there is no question of them coming home. For Paul it is prison, for Alex it is failure and a fathers lost livelihood, a livelihood he is responsible for.

Paul and Alex were running two months ago (training for that game they love) and met a Chinese man. When he heard they were footballers, he suggested they contact Don Bosco. Don Bosco referred them to Coach Marlon at St. Benilde, who invited them to participate in the Sunday practice of the Philippine Homeless World Cup team.

Only in a game, or perhaps if your Faith allows, in fellowship with your God, can you shed the heaviness of life and abandon your sorrows. When Paul and Alex come and play they dance on our pitch like the footballers they dream of being. They are a welcome addition to Team Philippines, but, and I have been accused of using that word too often, our welcome to them is only temporary. When the games end, they go off, into Manila and everyone shakes their head and wonders what will happen, what were they thinking.

As if to emphasize that last sentence I got a text from them.

"Hello bill how r u now? Pls help we 2 need to go somewhere we can play." And then just a bit later. "pls bill we need some help."

For me, I looked at my phone, shut it with a snap, because my phone does that, and wonder what is going on? Why are two young boys from Africa here in Manila and what do I do now?

So friends here is our solution. Paul and Alex are presently being fed and housed by two guys that can't afford it (Jeff Long and myself). They have expired visas that will cost 600 dollars to renew because of penalties. They have friends in Thailand. Tickets to Thailand are 200 dollars. All told we need about a thousand dollars to get these guys to Thailand. Can you help? Email me at bill@thejeepney.com.

Magkakaalaman na!

The line-ups of the Bantay Bata UAAP-NCAA All-Star Games are as follows:

UAAP:
Rabeh Al-Hussaini, Chris Tiu, Ryan Buenafe, Nonoy Baclao, Eric Salamat, Jayvee Casio, Rico Maierhofer, Elmer Espiritu, Marcy Arellano, Mac Baracael, Andy Barroca, Jervy Cruz, Dylan Ababou, Martin Reyes, Edwin Asoro, Michael Galinato
Coach: Norman Black

NCAA:
Sam Ekwe, Ogie Menor, Jake Pascual, JR Taganas, Borgie Hermida, James Sena, RJ Jazul, Dino Daa, Rey Guevarra, Neil Pacual, Allan Mangahas, Jason Ballesteros, Jim Viray, Jeff Morial, Lizstian Amparado, Ronald Reyes
Coach Frankie Lim

Schedule will be 2PM: Jrs. Allstar Game, 4PM side events (Fans 3pt shootout, 3pt shootout, Slamdunk contest), 430 PM will be the Srs allstar Game)
Tickets are sold at P200 and P100 available at all ticketnet outlets, all proceeds will go to help the children of BANTAY BATA.

The first Black President of the USA meets the modern day Filipino National Hero

So what did they really say?

ITEM #1

NEWS: As of daybreak, the US Elections were close... much like the one where Al Gore lost by a hair to Dubya. But Obama had a lead over McCain. (NOTE: OBAMA IS NOW THE PRESIDENT. UNFORTUNATELY, HE IS NOT THE FIRST BLACK PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. THAT DISTINCTION BELONGS TO GILBERT ARENAS.)

WHAT THEY REALLY MEANT: There is an air of optimism about Obama, but jaded folk, like my friend Richard Baluyut from NYC said, "We'll be wondering after an Obama victory that nothing has changed."

MY TAKE: Great. They feel the same way there as we do here with our crummy government. I hope that the Republicans don't stay in power or else...


ITEM #2
NEWS: Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni and team president Donnie Walsh said that they will not waive, buy out or trade Marbury. They also will not let him play in games, unless there is an injury to their top three guards, Chris Duhon, Jamal Crawford and Nate Robinson.

"It is a lot of money," D'Antoni said. "He has a contract, rightly so. If somebody gets hurt, we might need him. Why not? Steph has been great. He is part of the team. We are trying to do what is best for the Knicks."

WHAT THEY REALLY MEANT: We'll eat crow for now while he has the popcorn but now let's see him get a contract elsewhere. And what's best for the Knicks is keep this $21 million distraction away and punish him for all those years of being a punk. You know, like we did with Isiah by throwing him upstairs and waiting for him to overdose on sleeping pills.

Crap! He did? Oh...

MY TAKE: So he's got a great seat to all the Garden games and he can eat all the popcorn he wants. He can even leave early when the Knicks are blown off the court. Steph this is what you get for breaking up the great team you have in Minnesota, for not passing the ball to Keith Van Horn, and well, not feeding Amare Stoudemire those levitation dunks of his. If you did, you'd be hearing something like when Richard Jefferson, Kenyon Martin, or Mikki Moore saying that they owe their contracts to Jason Kidd. Awwww..... Look at this way, it's still a nice time of the year to go back and ball at Coney.

ITEM #3
NEWS: Over at the Bronx which is a 6 train away -- take it along 42nd Street -- the latest sports news off the streets, boppers, "The New York Yankees declined their 2009 options on first baseman Jason Giambi and pitcher Carl Pavano on Tuesday, making the pair eligible for free agency."

"The 2000 AL MVP with Oakland, Giambi hit 209 homers during his time with the Yankees. Slowed by injuries and in the center of controversy during baseball's performance-enhancing drug investigation, Giambi failed to win any World Series titles during his time in New York."

WHAT THEY REALLY MEANT: You are a part of an era we want to forget, Giambi. Along with the Rocket, Pavano, and well... "Mr. Spring Training-until September" Alex Rodriguez is still left behind. But we'll get to him eventually.

MY TAKE: I thought that Giambi was magnificent in New York. It's tough that they didn't win considering the Giambino did his darn best hobbled and all. But it's a business, you must understand. That is why James Posey left the Celtics for an opportunity with New Orleans which not only offered a max contract but also a chance to win another title. And Posey felt just as much.

So now the official deconstruction of the Yankees begins. It did, when Joe Torre was let go. I can understand Pavano being a huge bust but I don't think the Yankees can say the same about Giambi.

ITEM #4
NEWS: Coca Cola Team Manager JB Baylon: "We're still going with the flow. As long as the team's spirit is up, win or lose. We haven't thought about a buyout (on disgraced/shelved Coach Binky Favis' remaining two-year contract). He is on leave status."

"Maganda ang inilalaro ngayon kasi kailangan nilang ipakita na kaya nilang manalo," said interim coach Kenneth Duremdes. "Noon kasi, parang hindi sila inspired. Ngayon malaki na ang improve nila."

WHAT THEY REALLY MEANT: We don't want him. And he's really alienated the team for almost two years now. Besides si Kenneth... hindi mangba-bangko yan. Baka siya rin papalitan.

MY TAKE: End this charade. Do we honestly think that after all of this they will let Favis back? He'll be a lame duck coach. Fire the coach if you have to fire the coach. Pinagaganda niyo lang yung exit but everyone in the PBA, the media, and the fans know the real score.

And now Derek Pumaren is inquiring about the position? Do we need crank like him?

Be more than a witness

The 2008 Beijing games witnessed the rise of the USA Team in the name of basketball glory. To commemorate LeBron James’ and the team’s success, Nike is scheduled to release the limited edition Nike Zoom LeBron VI Witness Gold Pack on November 7, 2008 at the Nike Park, The Fort.

The limited edition Nike Zoom LeBron VI Witness Gold pack sports a patriotic red, white and blue color scheme with elaborate pattern detailing that symbolize American nationalism. The right shoe commemorates the fateful day, 8.24.08 when the US Team redeemed its world standing, the midfoot strap carries the phrase Witness Gold, and the tongue of the shoe bears the rallying cry, United we Rise. All elements honor the US Team’s hoop trail towards gold.


The limited edition Nike Zoom LeBron VI is also enclosed in a special United We Rise gold box. A commemorative LeBron James T-shirt and pin comes with the pack. Own one of the limited edition Nike Zoom LeBron VI Witness Gold Pack through a special raffle sale at the Nike Park, The Fort on November 7, 2008 from 5PM to 6PM. Each customer will be entitled to one raffle entry with his corresponding size. On the said date and at exactly 6:23PM, raffles will be drawn by sizes and winners of the draw can avail of the limited edition Nike Zoom LeBron VI Gold Medal Pack for Php 16,000. Owners of winning entries must be present at the draw and absence during the draw will forfeit the winning raffle. No reservations, no discounts can be applied and customers must bring valid identification.

Say goodbye to black?

Have we seen the last of the "black" on the Blue Eagle uniforms? Word is the school asked for it to be removed for next season's kit. So what do you think? Did it make the jerseys and trunks cooler? I thought that we had the best looking ones this year and the white ones with the black piping on the sides -- whoo yeah!