Mudville Part 2 (or Les Goners)

As a youngster, I rooted for that team of one-name wonders -- Brazil. That is until the mid-90's when I shifted allegiances to France that had players like Youri Djorkaeff, Didier Deschamps, Laurent Blanc and the young turks of Lilian Thuram, Patrick Vieira, and Zinedine Zidane.

If the Spaniards are lauded for their sterling and amazing midfield of Andres Iniesta, Francesc Fabregas, Xavi Hernandez, Xabi Alonso, and Sergio Busquets then the French had the same with Djorkaeff, Vieira, and Zidane. What magic was conjured from their play! It was a great time to be a fan. Because of Zizou, I rooted for Real Madrid too (now isn't that confusing since I like Barcelona). I purchased his Real Madrid #5 for almost $100 and that too remains a prized possession.

There aren't too many national sides of which I can tell you the entire roster with their football clubs and field positions and France is certainly one of them (the others are the US, England, Brazil, and Spain). During the singing of La Marseillaise, I can match all the names with the faces. I am a fan of French football and it is a goal of mine to have all the jerseys of every single French Ligue 1 club (I have a long ways to go). Is there a Frenchman inside of me struggling to get out? Hahaha. Not at all. But I loved Anatole as a kid and enjoy Ratatouille.

Good friend Chris Soler says I like players more than teams. In a way I do. Zizou and Djorkaeff had a lot to do with that. During Germany 2006, I finally snagged for myself jersey number 10. It was one of things I stuffed inside my backpack as the floodwaters of Ondoy engulfed my home. One of our househelpers damaged it while ironing it (yes, I know it should be) and I have been beside myself looking for a replacement. I see knockoffs and damned if I am going to wear one. So help!

But back to the football team. I recall coach Aime Jacquet also being pilloried in the French media as being clueless and not too bright (much the way Raymond Domenech is now being skewered). Les Bleus went on the win the World Cup in 1998 and Jacquet stepped down amid cries from the hypocritical media who now urged him to stay. The team was on a roll as they went on to win Euro 2000 with that was won when David Trezeguet scored the golden goal in extra time. A year later, still under a different coach, they also won the Confederations Cup 1-0 as they beat Japan. They would also win the tournament three years later.

Am not sure if any other country has done that -- win all three major football competitions in succession.

As the managerial position fell to Domenech, who saw his best years as a player with Lyon where he played in the back four. Sure there were protests again about his style of play that was cautious and slow. The return to active duty by France's "Golden Generation" for one last foray in 2006 in Germany was instrumental in getting them to the Finals. But the French were hardly world-beaters until Zizou discovered the fountain of youth as he inspired Les Bleus to that now infamous match against Italy.

It seems since that moment where Zizou knocked down Marco Materazzi with a headbutt, the French has always been on the wrong side of the news.

One can say that it's karma considering Thierry Henry's disgusting handball that allowed them to beat Ireland. That was certainly tough for me as Henry is one of several French footballers I admire. I have a few Les Bleus jerseys -- Zidane's 06 of course, Govou, and Henry. It has been hard rooting for the team. As I wrote earlier and prior to the tournament, the French are always a slow starting team. And as it was in '02, they were bounced from South Africa in the most embarrassing fashion with the team squabbling and rife with insubordination.

As I watched South Africa's Bongani Khumalo's goal beat Hugo Lloris and see Oscar Ruiz harshly send off Youann Gourcuff with a red card, I felt so sad. If I felt bad over Spain's loss to Switzerland or the US getting jobbed by a dumbass referee, this was worse. Earlier before the match, television cameras caught the embattled Domenech walking forlornly on the pitch by himself. I have never been a fan of his as coach but these are the things one doesn't wish on anyone.

Then they went down 2-0 and it could have been 3-0 but an offside was correctly called on Bafana Bafana. Florent Malouda pulled one back but it was all over for France.

Then there was that final misunderstanding with Carlos Parreira at the very end. I shook my head and went home. Except that I found a bench (in Eastwood) and sat down for a few minutes feeling bad for my fave football team. There was a light drizzle. Not that it bothers me.

Now that I think about it, it sort of reminded of Domenech alone on the pitch of Free State Stadium.

NCAA Season 86 Preview Part 1

This appears in the Tuesday June 23, 2010 edition of the Business Mirror.

NCAA Season 86 Preview Part 1

By Rick Olivares

After a one-year sabbatical, the San Beda Red Lions look to be back with a vengeance. And how.

With size (the most noticeable), quickness, depth, talent, and a tantalizing mix of veterans and rookies. The better to battle the San Sebastian Golden Stags waylaid them on their way towards an unprecedented fourth NCAA Men’s Basketball crown.

Now the Red Lions are back. They are hungry and focused on carting back the title across Recto Avenue in Manila to Mendiola. And it all starts out with their defense. And they’ve got a huge frontline of stoppers beginning with the imposing Sudan Daniel (4.1 blocks last year), Dave Marcelo, Jake Pascual, Kyle Pascual who played with the RP Youth squad, and Anthony Semerad. They aren’t exactly one-dimensional players because they can certainly put that ball in the hoop. Save for Daniel who has suspect outside shooting, the others have medium to long-range jumpshots, can post up and either spin for a lay-in at close range or hit that turn-around jumper. These guys can put the hurt on opponents in so many ways.

And we even haven’t begun to talk about their guards and forwards.

Borgie Hermida returns for his final year as playmaker. Backing him up are Mar Villahermosa and Anjo Caram. Then there is Garvo Lanete who could very well be the team’s go to player. And lastly there’s Rome de la Rosa who is a tough match-up at the small forward position.

The team is loaded in almost every position and are ready to take it to the Stags.

And those San Sebastian Golden Stags are back but minus one vital cog who played a massive role in their title run – swingman Jimbo Aquino who provided much needed outside artillery and clutch shooting.

No one has filled his shoes as their go-to player although the ball will certainly be given to second-year player Calvin Abueva who can has no problem creating for himself or initiating plays.

Last year, Abueva thrived on scavenging for offensive boards to putback as he made his name as a gritty and tough player. This year, he’s added a lot of offense to his game including a better outside shot making him a legitimate MVP candidate. Incredibly he played center while filling out for Ian Sangalang who was briefly sidelined during the Fil Oil Invitationals. 


The Stags didn’t skip a beat as they got out on the break a whole lot faster with Abueva in the middle. And even more frightening, he averaged a double-double during the tournament; a feat that saw him rewarded with the MVP Award.

The Stags won not solely because of Aquino but because they played as a team. Remember, more than half the squad last year were first-time players. The veterans blended well with the newbies for an uptempo game. And what a way to earn valuable experience for their title defense. This year they open the season as defending champs.

They have size up front as well with Sangalang in the middle and Ronald Pascual at small forward. Off the bench, there’s Gilbert Bulawan, Dexter Maiquez, Dave Najorda, and Rey Gorospe a refugee from Adamson. On defense, they don’t play like stags but like a pack of wolves as they hound opponents until they turnover the ball. The boys from Baste feed off on Abueva’s frenetic pace. The love to gang rebound and pound foes quickly before any defense is set up.

Anthony del Rio slides into Aquino’s position alongside starting point guard Pamboy Raymundo. It’s a slick no-nonsense backcourt but for their frontline to thrive, they will need to open it up for their forwards and center. Jonathan Semira and Ray Maconocido will plug the holes by the starters. And Eric Gatchalian is an underrated point guard who can keep this team going.

Look for Abueva to continue to wreak havoc on opposing teams and lead his team to the finals for the second straight year.

The old order changeth. No team has been harder hit in terms of manpower than the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers. They lost last year’s MVP JM Wilson who was disgruntled over the removal of former coach Ariel Vanguardia following their meltdown in the Final Four. Heady and tough quarterback Mark Cagoco is done as is James Sena, whose underperformance all season long perhaps was the reason why the Heavy Bombers did not win it at all.

New coach and former Heavy Bomber great and all-pro Vergel Meneses takes over from Vanguardia with his mentor Derek Pumaren behind the bench as consultant.

And that isn’t the only thing that is new. Raycon Kabigting and Nate Matute will start in the backcourt with John Njei at the small forward position. Jeckster Apinan and John Lopez play the center and power forward position respectively.

Matute has speed and can hit those treys. If he has trouble nailing those shots, Alex Almario will slide to the point while Kabigting will swing over to shooting guard. It’s a combo that worked well for them because the two of them along with Njei can really push the ball for a quick bucket. Look to Lopez to also put points on the board for the starters. Although the problem with this starting unit is that they are wanting in defense.

If that’s the rub then wait 'til the second unit comes in. There’s Joe Etame who will be the Best Import for the NCAA this season unless Sudan Daniel decides to do something about it. What Etame has going for him are slick moves inside the paint where he can spin for a bank off the window or hit a mid-range shot. And we haven’t even mentioned that he can block shots. Marvin Hayes, in his final year, will come off the bench as will Jay-R Bulangis. Almario, former UST guard Hector Badua, and forward-center Allen Montemayor will spell the 11-man rotation.

The problem with the Heavy Bombers is there is no one to strap this team on his back and carry them. Lopez most certainly can but he needs to stay away from foul trouble. Almario is fearless but come crunch time, I’d say the ball should go to Etame who is a tough match up down low because of his length and feathery touch. That they beat San Beda in the pre-season will do wonders for their confidence.

UAAP Season 73 teaser

Retro Blue Eagles

RP Youth Team days: Olsen Racela (left) while Danny Francisco posts up this Chinese dude. Also on the team were Vergel Meneses and John Edel Cardel (Jun Limpot was also on that team). Man, I was totally whooping it up for that squad. Danny was the lone Pinoy in double figures against China in the gold medal match. We lost that game. Can't remember -- by 12 or 16 points? It was at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium (thanks to John Flores for correcting me here).

Ateneo Blue Eagles during my frosh year. From the left Llen Mumar and Ricky Fariñas, my classmates Alex Araneta, Robbie Tanjuatco, and Sep Canlas right there in the middle and Nonoy Chuatico on the extreme right. On the exteme left with his back turned is former Blue Eagle great and then head coach Chito Afable. Obviously we won in this game. I think against UST if I remember correctly. And short shorts rule, baby! Fab five freshmen that year in Jun Reyes, Jet Nieto, Llen Mumar, Alex Araneta, and Robbie Tanjuatco. Oh wait, we also had Randy Sevilla too! Manok!

Practice at the Loyola Center (Blue Eagle Gym for Gen Zers). Alex Araneta on the jump with Sep Canlas. Robbie Tanjuatco, Jun Reyes (shirtless) and Mel Basa look on. This takes me back a long time. Enjoy it as I put up more retro Blue Eagles stuff.

Tuesday This Week

Another year. Another parade down Figueroa to USC. Can they do it all again next season? Yes and when the Lakers will try and get into the LeBron James sweepstakes.

The Landon Donovan strike at Slovenian keeper Samir Handanovic was vicious. He obviously didn't want to kiss the ball so it went it and gave the US confidence to come back and tie the match until some guy named Koman Coulibaly played party pooper.

New Orleans Saints QB Drew Brees in Yankee Stadium yesterday prior to the ceremonial first pitch. Bees is a Yankee fan! Woooooo.

With Jose Rizal University's Joe Etame. Am doing a story on these guys (along with John Njei). He felt bad that Cameroon was eliminated from advancing in the World Cup but can't dwell on that now because the NCAA men's basketball season is up.

Isn't this a cool pic? Know where you came from, dudes!

NCAA Season 86 kicks off with a double-header of title favorites

NCAA Coaches (L-R): SSCR's Ato Agustin, CSB's Richard del Rosario, JRU's Vergel Meneses, MIT's Chito Victolero, EAC's Nomar Isla, SBC's Frankie Lim, CSLJ's Tino Pinat (standing in for an absent Louie Alas), AU's Leo Isaac, and UPHSD's Boris Aldeguer. This report appears in the Tuesday June 22, 2010 edition of the Business Mirror.

NCAA Season 86 kicks off with a double-header of title favorites

by rick olivares

The press conference for Season 86 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) held yesterday June 21, 2010 at the ELJ Center of television carrier ABS CBN served up a preview of the tournament to come. All nine teams – Arellano University, Colegio de San Juan de Letran, College of Saint Benilde, Emilio Aguinaldo College, Jose Rizal University, Mapua Institute of Technology, San Beda College, San Sebastian College-Recoletos, and University of Perpetual Help System Dalta – were present and when asked about their thoughts on the basketball season to come, they were guarded with their statements so as not to give another school ammunition and motivation when the season opens on Saturday June 26 at the Araneta Coliseum.

But clearly, San Sebastian and San Beda are heavy favorites as evidenced by their pre-season showing and by the queries asked by members of the media. Said the Stags’ Ato Agustin, “Lahat naman ng ibang teams paghahandaan. Lahat yan nag-build up. Kung last year na-surpresa natin sila this year tiyak na paghahandaan kami.”

Added CSB’s Richard del Rosario, “With the build-up of all the teams, we (the Blazers) hope to finish in the middle of the pack by the end of the first round. That will give us a chance to fight it out for a Final Four slot.”

The Golden Stags, who stopped cold the Red Lions’ bid for an epic four-peat last season, are also this year’s host. Reverend Fr. Anthony Murillo, OAR, President of San Sebastian unveiled the theme for the season which is “Youth Speaks at 86: Empowerment, Leadership, and Nationalism.”

“Hopefully, our athletes can provide a forum for heroes and role models for out students and the youth of our country.”

The traditional palabas on Opening Day is set at 1pm with pop entertainers Billy Crawford, Kyla, and Jay-R in attendance. Music veejays Iya Villana and KC Montero are set to host the opening. After the two hour program, the 86^th season will kick off with a double header pitting last year’s final four protagonists.

The Stags face the Letran Knights at 2pm while the JRU, now coached by former Heavy Bomber great Vergel Meneses, collides with San Beda, with their five new faces in Mar Villahermosa, Kyle Pascual, Anthony and David Semerad, and Jaypee Mendoza, in the main game at 4pm.

This is respect

Days after their UFC #115 match, Chuck Liddell who was knocked out by Rich Franklin, signed the latter's cast in a gesture of respect. Liddell broke Franklin's arm during the match but the latter held on to win. This is sooo cool.

I know I haven't reviewed and recapped many UFC fights in a while but I still watch the events every time out. The next one with Brock Lesnar I will though.

If the above pic of the two MMA stars is about respect then the pic below is about an MMA beauty -- Arianny Celeste. Whew.

Another shameful performance by the French -- on and off the pitch

Nicolas Anelka at the airport leaving South Africa.

I had this fear that the French national football team would not play well in the 2010 World Cup. So much for optimism, eh? Not really. My fears are more grounded in reality. For one, they are a slow starting team, and two, they had not played well in their qualifying matches for South Africa. If ever, I thought that they were lucky. There is the weight of expectation for Les Bleus since they are practically loaded with world-class players. Perhaps that begs the question, "Can all-star lineups work well together?"

Of course they can. Practically every squad in the South Africa is made up of a nation's best give or take a few who were excluded in the lineup.

It didn't bode well for this team even before they set foot in Africa. As much as I applaud the French Football Federation's announcement that Laurent Blanc will take over from Raymond Domenech after the World Cup, it would have served everyone better to wait. The embattled Domenech was practically a lame duck coach and in sports, it is oft the coach who is axed.

The row with Nicolas Anelka during France's loss to Mexico the other day was shameful. On the sidelines (although the bulk of it was inside the locker room), in front of television cameras, in front of dozens of photographers with cameras, and in front of thousands of people no less. Then in the wake of Anelka's removal from the team, the rest of the players refuse to train. Another wrong does not make a right in this case. It is disrespectful of the nation they represent.

Team captain Patrice Evra who plays for Manchester United said that there was a traitor within the team; one who leaked the dugout row. And some suspect that it is team official Jean-Louis Valentin who quit as soon as the team refused to practice. The players said that the person who leaked the news practically blew the row into something bigger.

But here is the statement released by the players as read by Domenech to the media at France's base in Knysna, SA:

"All the players in the French squad without exception wish to affirm their opposition to the decision taken by the French Football Federation (FFF) to exclude Nicolas Anelka. We regret the incident at half-time of the France vs Mexico match, but we regret even more the divulging of an event which was only the squad's business and was part and parcel of the life of a top-level team. At the squad's request, the player tried to engage in a dialogue. We regret that his move was willfully ignored. The FFF did not at any point try to protect the squad. It took a decision based solely on facts reported by the press, without consulting the players. As a consequence, and to signal their opposition to the attitude adopted by the most senior officials, all of the players decided not to participate in the training session scheduled for today."

It is disappointing for both sides and for the people who support the squad. The team has made more news for what it has done off the pitch as opposed to on the field.

And Anelka isn't on his way home to France but to London where he lives since he plays. To escape the peoples' wrath?

As a fan, I am disappointed over what has happened. I think after this episode, not one player on this squad should be included in future lineups for Les Bleus. Including them will send the wrong signals to officials and coaches. Better to start again with a practically new squad with new coaches.

Watching the World Cup at Gweilos/Club Dredd @ Eastwood

It's more fun to watch the games in a bar or some such as opposed to home. You get to chat with other patrons, sip a little beer, and yell your lungs out at dumbass refs and those goooooooaaaalllss! Upstairs at Dredd, the tables are reserved only for those watching the World Cup so all those posers git the blue hell outta there!

On the fourth issue of Rebound

This afternoon, I got my advance copy of our fourth issue of Rebound (thanks, Ken). And it's just a thrill to be a part of this. As a kid, I was weaned on Sports Illustrated (I have almost every issue that I bought in my lifetime save for what I lost during Ondoy and left in my apartment in New York. And later still, I bought every single local sports mag I could get my hands on from Sports Flash, Atlas Sports Weekly, Champ, and Sport and read as many columnists as possible. In the pre-IT days, it was one way of keeping informed. I had them until a few years ago when I was in the US when my mom sold them. I should sue her I know. Hahaha. Now here's a chance for myself to be able to contribute to a very lively local sports scene via Business Mirror, bleachersbrew.blogspot.com, and Rebound (hey, I am also doing exclusive stuff for Yahoo real soon).

I've always said that I'm proud to be a part of Rebound for what the mag stands for and for the people involved. Sid Ventura was the first online writer out there that I respected and read. Friends would forward what he wrote and meeting him later, it was sure nice to know we followed and watched the same things. Then there the other inboundpass guys Chris Soler and Mike Abasolo are just so in tune with the local college sports scene that they are literal walking encyclopedias. Of course, there are mine chums Kenneth Ti, Mike Yu, Raddy Mabasa, and Bob Guerrero (who thinks I'm joking when I say he's an advertising genius) who help put the publication together.

Rebound is a labor of love. We obviously spend a lot of time putting an issue together. It's not perfect but we love it nonetheless. It's something we'll all get better at since we've put out only four issues. Hope you like the product. And we're still looking for contributors (we're kinda picky because there's a certain style that we're advocating).

I wish I had more time to devote to certain topics but there's only so much time in the day. Time was I had someone looking at my work for feedback. Not having that anymore and a heavier workload makes it difficult. Take for example my piece on Joshua Webb in Rebound #4. Re-reading it again, I wish I added a little more to it but well, it's done. Next time though. I'm doing something on Cheerdancing. Yes, I am. And Joe Etame and John Njei. That's a riot, I promise.

Anyways, my NCAA preview will be posted on Tuesday!

Bleachers' Brew #214 Ruminations from Mudville

This appears in my Monday June 21, 2010 column in Business Mirror's sports section.

Ruminations from Mudville

by rick olivares

I am from Mudville, which is nowhere, and everywhere at the same time. Confusing? Bear with me because losing does strange things to one’s mind.

My name isn’t mud but it could very well be at this point in time. Who says that Ernest Thayer’s city from “Casey at the Bat” doesn’t exist? It’s like Chinatown; every city has one.

Cleveland can make a le case for that (LeBron and the Cavaliers). The same for New Jersey. Ditto for Liverpool that has seen Manchester United overtake them as England’s premier football club in the last two decades.

I am sore. Not from back pains or aches that come with age. Thank God, I have none of that yet but I dread that day. But for now I feel sore sore sore.

I am sore because the Boston Celtics lost. Sore that Spain was upset by Switzerland. Sore that Germany conceded a goal to the Serbs not soon after the referee sent off striker Miroslav Klose. Am sore that Lukas Podolski, one of my favorite footballers, missed all seven of his shots on goal including a penalty that would have given Germany a draw and that valuable one point that comes as a consolation. I am sore that the New York Yankees lost three straight at home to the Philadelphia Phillies and the New York Mets and because the Boston Red Sox are gaining on them at the top of the American League East.

It is preposterous of course to think that one can win all the time. Everyone has their turn in the dumps. There are always lessons to take away or loses making one stronger and better character building. And yes, the tomorrow is another day. If my shrink looked anyone bit like Tony Soprano’s then I’d feel better.

I have to deal with kids who are growing up and officemates who aren’t team players but I pop antacids only for sports.

I thought that I took losing well then I spent a sleepless night where I tossed and turned in sweat-drenched sheets after La Furia Roja lost what was their game to win against the cowbell totting Swiss.

And the other night, I felt like I just had my laptop stolen after Koman Coubily robbed the USA of a third goal that would have given them victory against Slovenia that would certainly be one of the best comebacks ever (if not the best) in World Cup play. Because of the world-class heist, the Americans have to beat Algeria if they want to advance and that is no mean feat.

As a youngster, I remember coming out of a theater and hearing news that Toyota lost to U-Tex in the title game. My parents who were fans of Crispa rejoiced while I took a punch to the gut. I remember lying down in bed that night wide awake and contemplating the unpleasant feeling of a loss. Years later I would recall that night when I was wondering about that strange sensation I felt when I no longer categorized the opposite sex as an alien race bent on my destruction. Sure that’s a comparison between an apple and an orange but the feeling is close like Roger Clemens inside pitch brushing back a batter.

I wasn’t the type of student who could juggle academics and athletics at the same time so something had to give. My parents thought nothing good could come out of my playing football and washing my gear wasn’t important to them even if my team was competing for a championship. I didn’t suit up on game day and well, my team lost and I was blamed for all sorts of things – a lack of heart, being a prima donna, being someone you couldn’t count on. Heck, I probably shot JFK too. These are more things a young kid could ever hope to deal with. No one wanted to talk to me. Even my teacher was upset at me. But my reason was flimsy and though it was the truth, I couldn’t do anything about it. Save for a few classmates who had no care in the world for sports, I was ostracized. I wanted to disappear. That feeling stayed with me for a year until the following season when I could redeem myself.

I made a conscious decision to not tell my parents that I was playing. But again, it left me too tired to study at night and eventually I was found out and was petitioned to be taken off the team by not just my parents but by my math teacher.

Unable to play, I turned to just watching. Even as a spectator or as a fan, I couldn’t take the losing. To be a fan of Ginebra San Miguel during the late 1980’s to mid-1990’s is to attend a reunion of old friends named “Pain” and “Agony.” They were no longer my friends when Ginebra finally beat Alaska and I ran through the neighborhood streets hollering my head off.

A long time ago, after the Ateneo Blue Eagles were eliminated from contention in one season, some supporters of the winning team went a little overboard with their heckling. My best friend and I took matters into our own hands and today… I can’t say I am proud of what we did to those guys and I certainly regret it.

During another occasion, my team was losing and unmindful of even the children around me, I cussed an opposing player in some of the most colorful language. That same evening, the son of a friend used the very same words at the dinner table much to the shock of his parents. I was ashamed and vowed never to do such again.

Older and supposedly wiser, I take loses better. I just don’t sleep well and I make for better conversation the following day. At least I think so. Loses are like emotions – they rise and fall and can be fickle.

For once let me rationalize. Thank God for the Internet and more distractions. Who needs to flagellate themselves over loses?

I open Facebook and I see friends celebrating the Los Angeles Lakers’ victory and posting distraught pictures of the vanquished Celtics and their Big Four that could be scattered to the four winds in a few months’ time.

But today, the Yankees took a game from the Mets and remain tied for first in the AL East. Tiger Woods has shown signs of life at Pebble Beach. Coubily has been pilloried worldwide for his poor officiating (at least the world recognizes that Team USA was robbed of the win). And the Raymond Domenech era of French football is almost over.

There is at least some joy in Mudville.

Deja vu for Les Bleus and a cry for the use of instant replay in football

Once more the French face the prospect of being booted out of the World Cup without having advanced beyond the group stage and worse... not scoring a goal. The last time that happened was in 2002 when they were the defending World Cup and European champs. Deja vu at the worst possible time. How they allowed this team to go astray is all the fault of the French Football Federation. What was galling about their 0-2 loss to Mexico was seeing Nicolas Anelka exchange heated words with Raymond Domenech on the sidelines. And how in the blue hell can you be walking all over the pitch? That fight on the sidelines was coming. Am I surprised? Nope. Hasn't every French striker not gotten along with Domenech? Surely you must remember David Trezeguet.

I've always said that the best way to beat the French was in the group stages. They are a slow starting team something that suggests a lack of chemistry and poor leadership. They only made the Finals in 2006 because of the will of Zizou. And now, can you say this is poetic justice considering the way they made the finals?

I'd hate to think that but it seems more likely as a tipping of the cosmic scales. And after South Africa, we have certainly seen the last of players like Thierry Henry, Anelka, the underwhelming Sidney Govou (I am so disappointed), William Gallas and others who've been around for a while.

When the United States was down 0-2 to Slovenia, I sat in the back and sipped my beer and thought... "Well, they have 45 minutes to make things happen. After all it happened to Liverpool twice." Of course, Team USA isn't LFC but the point is it can be done.

The pace quickened and that played into the hands of the Americans upon the resumption of the second half. When Landon Donovan blasted that ball right at the Slovenian goalkeeper who avoided the shot hitting him in the face, I knew they could come back. And they did except that the Mali referee Koman Coulibaly mysteriously disallowed Mo Edu's strike that would have made this match one of the greatest in World Cup history given the circumstances and what was at stake. Now the US has to beat Algeria; no mean feta after they held underperforming England to a scoreless draw. No sport has seen more controversial endings or calls than football and I continue to wonder why FIFA has refused to allow the use of instant replay especially for goals. You have an entire team busting their ass for a win only for the ref to become the damned show. It is an honor for someone from Mali to officiate a World Cup match but in this case, mali talaga yung decision coz he botched not just that but a whole lot more.

No banner

That Man. That Bryant.

Up to several years ago, people would always ask me why. Why I was a Kobe Bryant fan when the Lakers suck (that is debatable). How I could be a Michael Jordan fan and Kobe Bryant fan at the same time (yes, the latter certainly isn't the former). And how that could happen when I never root for Western Conference teams (when I'm an avowed Eastern hoops guy).

The simple answers are one -- I think he is one helluva ballplayer. The domain of my criteria centers around his game. Pure and simple. It has nothing to do with his private life, his being Most Wanted in Colorado, his former petulant self or whatnot. It's his game. Two -- it helped that the Lakers became a refugee from those fleeing Chicago -- Phil Jackson, Tex Winter, Frank Hamblem, Jim Cleamons (though he played with the Lakers along with some dude named Pat Riley), John Salley, Dennis Rodman, and Ron Harper. They almost got Scottie Pippen too! Plus, they ran the triangle offense. The midwest team went west!

Michael Jordan, like Tiger Woods, had a Madison Avenue-created personality for the blind consumption of the masses. Sam Smith and Michael Leahy pretty much gave an accurate portrayal of the man who was changed by his fame and fortune but that doesn't stop me from being a fan. I buy sports mags that still use him as a cover subject (SLAM being the latest). And if I still played hoops regularly I'd still be buying Air Jordans. I used to have a massive collection you know (I only have the III, VII, and XI left).

I've watch Kobe ball in Staples, the Garden, the Garden State, and the Wachovia. It's only in New Jersey where I got to sit anywhere down close since no one watched the Nets when they were dreadful -- oh yeah, they still are. The rest of the time I was up in the nosebleed section.

But the buzz. I will always remember the buzz every time he got the ball. Sort of like MJ did. There's a sense of anticipation as to what he will do when he gets the rock. Will he embarrass anyone with an in your face slam? Will he stick a j on his man? Or dish some pass that's so dope you'd think Magic was back.

I have a shirt that says, "Beat LA." And I root for the Boston Celtics to beat the Lakers (though it's difficult since I'm a fan of Kobe). It's a misnomer that LA fans are not knowledgeable or even fanatic. That's an accusation that is borne out of the team playing in Tinseltown with its denizens who mug for cameras and pine for attention. If that is so, they aren't alone. I live in New York and that is no different from these guys who drops their pants and waddle around Times Square in their boxers while sucking their thumbs. They were seeking attention like that Naked Cowboy and the tourists oblige while the natives really don't give a crap. That's New York.

Except this isn't. It's about Kobe. Him with the assassin's creed and ruthlessness not seen since MJ was killing off every comer in town (Magic, Clyde, Barkley, the Glove, and that trucking service out of Utah known as Stockton and Malone). He did the same in the international stage against Spain and Croatia. And now Mamba, has five NBA titles and one Olympic Gold.

The comparisons with MJ ended in 2008 but the incredible thing is Kobe keeps on trucking. Incredibly, he is a 14-year NBA vet. Those legs have seen a lot of mileage but as LA management sees it this crew has another two years left in them.

Outside his Bulls teammates, there was only one other NBA player whose picture appeared in MJ's book For the Love of the Game. You guessed it -- it was Bryant.

He stuck a dagger in my heart too when the Lakers beat Boston in Game 7 of this year's Finals. Never mind if he struggled but he got the two points from the free throw line that mattered. That was the heartbreaker.

And now he has another parade. Another banner. Another ring. And the legends continues.

This man. This Bryant.

You think this will happen during an Ateneo-La Salle game?

Fan pushing another fan over the railing for blocking his view during a World Cup match. In other violent World Cup news, a man was beaten to death by his wife and two children when he tried to switch channels to a football match as the latter three were watching a religious show. I've heard of fanaticism and football being a religion but this is extreme.

La Albiceleste supreme

That's not Gonzalo Higuain playing patty cake with Diego Maradona. That's them celebrating their 4-1 thrashing of Korea. So leave it to the Argentines to send the 2010 World Cup on a roll. Well, actually you can credit that to the Swiss who beat Spain the night before. Jeez. "Credit" and "Swiss" in one sentence.

Diego Maradona's boys certainly made a case for themselves as favorites to win their third World Cup. And think about this -- Argentina finished fourth in South America as they struggled to find form and purpose. Maradona used 84 different players to get where they are.

What a 4-1 win to get six points clear in Group B!

For a while there I thought they'd replicate their performance in the 2006 World Cup when they thrashed Serbia & Montenegro 6-0. Who can forget that superb 24-touch offensive (that the Serbs were unable to steal) that led to a goal by Esteban Cambiasso. Anyone remember that back heel pass to set up that goal? Ay... that was something else. Exquisite is the world

Well, it's a new look Argentine team. Sebastian Veron at 34 is injury prone. Cambiasso, Hernan Crespo, and Diego Simeone are gone as is Juan Roman Riquelme who I miss in the midfield. I've been a fan of Riquelme for some time and I have two Argentina jerseys with names on the back and Riquelme is one (the other being former striker Gabrielle Batistuta). Riquelme quit the team after feuding with Maradona. Now they've got youngsters like upcoming wunderkind Sergio Aguero (who was their U-20 star, Angel Di Maria, and Mario Bolatti.

And luck is certainly on the side of Maradona who is clearly not making the same mistakes as Jose Pekerman (who kept Lio Messi on the freezer in '06). Messi has played well but still has not scored a goal. I suspect that it's just a matter of time. But after the group stages, they are going to see quality opponents. They will hardly be tested in Group B with only Nigeria left to play

While chatting with an officemate this morning (about the disheartening loss by Spain to Switzerland), I remarked that the last World Cup match that left me feeling empty was (aside from the Finals loss by France to Italy) was Germany's losing also to Italy as the Azzurri struck twice in extra time to stun the host team. That goal by Fabio Grosso and Alessandro del Piero (my Juve fave player) killed the Germans with those strikes. That if I recall correctly was Jens Lehmann's final match for Die Mannschaft as Oliver Kahn played their final game. Kahn of course also hung up his spikes after the World Cup.

Showdown in Chinatown

Watched one of the first stagings of this. I miss watching this. Hey, Miggy. Snap pictures again. And if you want to read more on the Showdown, click on this link.

Soy deprimido! España perdio el juego.

Watched the Spain-Switzerland match in Eastwood. Good crowd tonight unlike the posers in the previous evening. What were the chances of the Swiss pulling off an upset? Not very good I imagine. And right off the starting whistle, the Spaniards took charge. As the analyst noted, La Furia Roja dominated possession 77% of the time (seems like more to me). As the first half progressed, I told myself that Spain better score now because the Swiss will certainly tighten their defense in the second half. Of course the idea is to win but if they can get a point from a draw then why not? As the second half began, I began to feel uneasy. What if by some terrible mistake and a quick counter, Switzerland scored? In five minutes they did much to most of the bar crowd's patrons. If the microphone of the analyst could pick up the ambient sound I'd say the air was sucked out of Durban Stadium (unless you were rooting for the Swiss). Their next attacks were born out of desperation and as I feared, the Swiss held on. Diego Benaglio was superb at goal for Switzerland (six saves). But I wasn't surprised at how well he played. After all, this dude was the keeper for Bundesliga champs Wolfsburg. But now let me mope after this stinging stinging damned loss. In case you don't know, for all of Spain's galaxy of stars, they haven't really done well in World Cup play. And that along with their Confederations Cup loss to the US (2-0 and Gelson Fernandes' goal reminded me of the American goals from last year). At the very least, now the World Cup has some buzz.

Money for nothing. Chicks for free.

Kobe Bryant has sounded the warning. "Man up" is what the Mamba said as he couldn't hide his frustration. But unfortunately for the Los Angeles Lakers in this NBA Finals, the terminology for Lamar Odom is "man down."

If you look at the screen shot taken from nba.com, they show the Lakers' sixth man's numbers for these NBA playoffs. They were great in the Western Conference playoffs but those numbers have have been dragged down during the Finals because of Odom's poor performance.

Thus far in five games, this is what Odom has done in 26.4 minutes per game:

7.6 points

5.8 rebounds

1.2 assists

3.4 fouls

1.6 turnovers

0.8 steals

0.2 blocks

Sure the Lakers' bench has been underwhelming. Jordan Farmar has regressed. Sasha Vucecic has become the second coming of Vladimir Radmanovic. And Luke Walton has been like his dad when he was with the Los Angeles Clippers. Their starting unit has been carrying them (but then again, didn't the same fate befall PhilJax's Chicago team in 1998). Because of the obligatory Chicago reference, there ain't no MJ-Scottie guard-forward duo here. The Lakers don't have a Big Four of their own because Odom's Invisible Man act has made the Lake Show a three-trick pony with Derek Fisher being a superb (yet at times overmatched) role player to help Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol.

So two things for Lamar Odom if the Lakers want to send this to a Game 7: "what's up?" and "man up."

Don't tell me he's bothered by the masks of Khloe Kardashian.

Game 6 update!!! Lamar Odom's stat line: