Beer and Money Inc. you're going to get yours... in tables soon.
TNA rules!
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
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?
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!
Monday, November 10, 2008
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
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
Sunday, November 9, 2008
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.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
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.
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.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
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.
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?
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 #2NEWS: 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.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
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!
What a babe -- Nicole!
Why is this a damn good commercial?
For one, I think 'Bron is a damn good actor.Two, it's got the Pussycat Dolls' Nicole who is a real looker. And three, this says a lot that hoops is for women too. Ditto with basketball shoes.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Reflection and Wait with the FEU Tamaraws
Reflection and Wait with the FEU Tamaraws
by rick olivares
by rick olivares
Hopefully this will thaw the icy relations between the two teams. Several FEU Tamaraws -- Benedict Fernandez, Marnel Baracael, JR Cawaling, Mark Barroca, and Aldrech Ramos -- are on the Harbour Centre PBL team where there are several current and former DLSU Green Archers including Rico Maierhofer, Bader Malabes, and Jerwin Gaco among others. The Tams' Jens Knuttel is a practice player.
If there is one team that FEU would not like to lose in the UAAP, it is against La Salle.
Their team manager, their coach, and their players confirm it and they make no bones about it. They've faced each other several times in the league finals and have come away with controversial endings as well.
Tamaraws Head Coach Glenn Capacio is now an assistant to Harbour Centre's Jorge Gallent, himself a former FEU player. It's been 47 days since their season ended at the hands of La Salle. The loss which ended the college careers of Baracel, Fernandez, Ron Cabagnot, and Marlon Adolfo is now mostly forgotten. If there's anyone who thinks about it, it is Capacio. Coaches are paid to dwell on these stuff. And to plan for the future.
Fernandez walked over to say hi to his former coach. The streak shooting guard is excited that he's close to a PBA career. "Kung hindi naman mag-work out, I can always go to Canada kung saan yung family ko," he reasoned. He still kills himself for his blunder in their Final Four game where instead of taking it to the rack against the smaller Jayvee Casio, he chose to take an ill-advised fallaway. But that's all in the past. Now he will try and make good in the PBL so he could move up to the pros within a year. "Dream ko yun," he concluded before he ran to the court for warm-ups.
Capacio would have loved dearly to play Ateneo in the finals as he knows they would have matched up better than La Salle. "It's ironic when you think that we can beat Ateneo -- in last year's Uni-Games Finals and in the Fr. Martin Finals -- while they can beat La Salle and La Salle can beat us," wondered the coach as he overlooked a team workout in the sweltering hot Blue Eagle Gym. "Naglaro ako dito sa gym na to nung player ako. Marami akong good memories dito. Maybe because we won a lot."
Who knew he'd become a coach? But if you've watched the younger brother of Ely Capacio through the years, you would know that he had to reinvent himself into a defensive player if he wanted to continue his tenure with the National Team and in the pros. "We had a lot of scorers then -- nandun si Allan Caidic, Alvin Patrimonio, Nelson Asaytono, Jerry Codinera, Jojo Lastimosa, Ronnie Magsanoc, at iba pa. So how do you make the team with a line-up like that? You play defense."
Lounging nearby are three of his remaining players -- Paul Sanga, Jun Tanuan, and Knuttel. They all are practice players with the PBL's latest dynasty which has won five straight conferences; a record in the semi-pro league.
Capacio sometimes does a double take when he sees Tanuan, the son of his late former FEU and Purefoods teammate Jack Tanuan. "Sabagay, I have a son with the (Gwyne of the De La Salle Santiago) Zobel Junior Archers," he laughed. "Bilis ng panahon. Dati player pa lang tayo."
"FEU will be back," he promised as he referred to the players moving up from Team B. "And we'll be better."
Knuttel sidled over as the coach moved down to the lower level to chat with Gallent. Knuttel, the second year point guard had a big grin painted all over him. "I should be playing here," he said as he extended his hand in welcome like an almost gracious host. "Pero I do kasi I play sa Ateneo Basketball League (ABL)."
The Fil-German was playing for Ateneo De Zamboanga when a chance encounter brought him to Manila to play in a tournament. While in the nation's capital, he tried out for San Beda without telling his father who speaks only German. The elder Knuttel wanted him to finish his studies at Ateneo de Zamboanga and while he didn't think too highly of a basketball career for his son, he didn't frown upon it either.
But come enrollment, the father was astonished to find out that his son was still in Manila. Jens thought that the distance would make it easier to convince his father to give him an opportunity to play in Manila. "This is what I want, Papa," he pleaded to his father in German.
Only by the time he committed, it was too late to move to San Beda and the Red Cubs soon took in Luis Alfonso Revilla. Undaunted he found his way to the FEU campus which wasn't too far from Mendiola and there he tried out and was eventually accepted into the FERN campus beside the upscale Ferndale Villages near Fairview, Quezon City.
After high school, he practiced a few times with the Ateneo De Manila Blue Eagles and as much as he would have wanted to go there, he found himself a little more at home with the senior FEU team that had Barroca who was a southerner like him. "Si Mark made the transition easier in Manila," he said of his teammate.
The competition in Manila was not only more intense and fiercer but even at times mortifying. In their Final Four loss to La Salle in the recently-concluded Men's Basketball Tournament, Knuttel found himself on the receiving end of an alumnus from the opposing team who harangued him from the patron section in the match's final minutes. "He threatened me with harm."
"What did I do? I made the sign of the Cross. God bless him na lang for he doesn't know what he is doing."
And maybe the Harbour Centre experience will indeed thaw those ice floes between the two schools. Knuttel admitted to finding a kindred spirit in Rico Maierhofer who is the team's biggest jokester. "Kasama ko siya sa kakulitan," beamed the young player like he had a shiny new toy. "Okay naman siya as a teammate."
Sanga in the meantime heaved a sigh of relief as he plopped down into the nearby seat. He just got back from a visit at the clinic at the Moro Lorenzo Sports Center where he went for rehab after an ACL injury.
"Namasyal lang ako at dinalaw ko yung mga PT sa Moro," he said. "Masaya 'tong basketball. Marami ka nakikilala."
The reed-thin forward talked about his recent game in the UAAP and expressed disappointment about his performance. He promised to work on his shot and to bulk up. "Payat kasi," he laughed. "Siguro pagnagkalaman, papansinin na ako ng chicks."
There's a practice game going on against the San Mig Coffee Kings. Barroca mistakes a referee for a teammate as he passes the ball to his surprise running mate. Everyone inside the gym lets out a laugh.
"Sarap maglaro," announced Sanga to no one in particular. Tanuan, looking scholarly with prescription eyeglasses nodded his head in agreement.
"Hay, ang tagal pa ng UAAP."
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Bleachers' Brew #131 Falling Star
Falling Star
by rick olivares
Thirty National Basketball Association teams. Thirty stories.
Pardon my French, but whoever thought of tagline for the new season in the Association must not be from New York.
Oh, that’s right. Goodby, Silverstein & Partners, the NBA’s advertising agency for two years now is based in San Francisco.
So how about New York? You know – the Knicks?
They’ve got Mike D’Antoni who is a story unto himself. He was still in Marshall when the 1970 Thundering Herd football team was killed in one of the worst air disasters in sports and aviation history. After a short-lived NBA career, he found a home in Italy where he remains one of the Italian League’s greatest players. And most recently, he was the maestro of that thoroughly enjoyable blur of a basketball team that is the Phoenix Suns.
Then there’s Charles Dolan, the Cablevision magnate and team owner who is the Eastern Conference’s version of the Los Angeles Clippers’ Donald Sterling – forever mucking up the team works with questionable moves and decisions.
And there is that woeful Knicks team that went a collective 151-259 for a horrific 36% winning percentage under Isiah Thomas’ five year watch as General Manager and Head Coach. Since I already made a coast-to-coast comparison, I’m going two-for-two for trans-coast comparisons when I say that the team with all its on court and off court troubles opened up the East Coast Chapter of the Portland Jailblazers.
Nah, let’s not recount the rap sheet here, okay?
Speaking of Thomas, just when you thought that we have heard the last of the disgraced Hall-of-Famer, he was reported to recently have overdosed on sleeping pills. Sadly, the former Detroit Piston claimed that it was his daughter who was rushed to White Plains Hospital Center; a statement that responding paramedics steadfastly refuted.
Within days of that latest subplot in the never-ending soap opera that is the New York Knicks, there was a curious new entry.
Stephon Marbury was placed on the inactive list by D’Antoni.
That’s pretty much like saying, “We don’t want you anymore so we’re putting you in limbo where you cannot mess up our new-look Knicks team.”
Saddled with a huge contract that makes him virtually untradeable, the options aren’t many for Starbury. Either he takes a pay cut for a buyout or sits it out. Unfortunately, for the latter, he might not find any suitors.
Unfortunately, history has shown that each time a team unloaded Marbury, they made a dramatic turnaround in the standings.
Pardon my French, but whoever thought of tagline for the new season in the Association must not be from New York.
Oh, that’s right. Goodby, Silverstein & Partners, the NBA’s advertising agency for two years now is based in San Francisco.
So how about New York? You know – the Knicks?
They’ve got Mike D’Antoni who is a story unto himself. He was still in Marshall when the 1970 Thundering Herd football team was killed in one of the worst air disasters in sports and aviation history. After a short-lived NBA career, he found a home in Italy where he remains one of the Italian League’s greatest players. And most recently, he was the maestro of that thoroughly enjoyable blur of a basketball team that is the Phoenix Suns.
Then there’s Charles Dolan, the Cablevision magnate and team owner who is the Eastern Conference’s version of the Los Angeles Clippers’ Donald Sterling – forever mucking up the team works with questionable moves and decisions.
And there is that woeful Knicks team that went a collective 151-259 for a horrific 36% winning percentage under Isiah Thomas’ five year watch as General Manager and Head Coach. Since I already made a coast-to-coast comparison, I’m going two-for-two for trans-coast comparisons when I say that the team with all its on court and off court troubles opened up the East Coast Chapter of the Portland Jailblazers.
Nah, let’s not recount the rap sheet here, okay?
Speaking of Thomas, just when you thought that we have heard the last of the disgraced Hall-of-Famer, he was reported to recently have overdosed on sleeping pills. Sadly, the former Detroit Piston claimed that it was his daughter who was rushed to White Plains Hospital Center; a statement that responding paramedics steadfastly refuted.
Within days of that latest subplot in the never-ending soap opera that is the New York Knicks, there was a curious new entry.
Stephon Marbury was placed on the inactive list by D’Antoni.
That’s pretty much like saying, “We don’t want you anymore so we’re putting you in limbo where you cannot mess up our new-look Knicks team.”
Saddled with a huge contract that makes him virtually untradeable, the options aren’t many for Starbury. Either he takes a pay cut for a buyout or sits it out. Unfortunately, for the latter, he might not find any suitors.
Unfortunately, history has shown that each time a team unloaded Marbury, they made a dramatic turnaround in the standings.
So has New York finally learned the lessons of history? Will any other GM make the same mistake of signing an agent of chaos with a long history of fermenting dissent?I once thought that Starbury, as he was nicknamed for his skills and mad game, had a great partnership with Kevin Garnett in Minnesota as he helped a young and talented Timberwolves team to back-to-back playoff appearances in 1997 and 1998.
But when T-Wolves General Manager Kevin McHale signed Garnett to a record-breaking $126 million contract, the troubles began. Marbury wanted a Garnett-sized contract for himself.
The third star on that team, forward Tom Gugliotta, pronounced himself unhappy with Marbury’s penchant for looking for his own shot rather than passing the ball around and that he wanted out.
When Marbury couldn’t get the mother of all NBA contracts, he too asked to be traded. He found himself shipped to the New Jersey Nets where he formed a great unit with Kerry Kittles, Keith Van Horn, Jayson Williams, and Kendall Gill.
I thought being so close to his native New York, he’d play some of his best hoops but it was not meant to be. Within a couple of seasons he was traded once more, this time to Phoenix where he partnered with Shawn Marion and Amare Stoudemire that shifted an already running and gunning Suns team to overdrive.
That Marbury bounce pass to a cutting Stoudemire for a vicious dunk on Michael Olowokandi (then playing for the Clippers) is highly memorable not just for its nastiness but also for Stephon’s pained expression that seemed to say, “That was so sick it had the flu!”
Sadly, the self-proclaimed best point guard in the NBA was once more on the move after his Suns teammates jettisoned him. “I think Stephon Marbury is a shoot-first point guard," said Stoudemire who merely repeated what everyone already knew. "We could've easily kept him (in Phoenix), but with the team we have, we've got so many guys who can score. We pretty much needed a pass-first, shoot-second point guard, and that's what Steve (Nash) is.”
Ouch. Starbury might have better individual stats but Nash is way up on wins and… Most Valuable Player Awards. Once hailed as an exciting player who could be one of the all-time greats, Stephon has played for four teams in 12 years and at every stop, the parting was at best acrimonious.
A year before Marbury joined the league in 1996, Sports Illustrated came out with an issue with
former New Jersey Net forward Derrick Coleman on the cover with a corresponding feature article by respected NBA writer Jack McCallum that lambasted the petulant and crotch-grabbing stars of the NBA that came in the wake of the 1992 Dream Team. Now, that boy from Coney Island with dreams of greatness on the basketball court has joined that list of the whoop-de-damn-dos.And perhaps like another former disgraced New York Knicks star, Latrell Sprewell, he just might find himself an unwanted player in the NBA. Even in his own hometown that is seeking to unload itself of one nightmarish story.
Post Script: Marbury was active but didn't play last Wednesday in the season opener, with some fans chanting "We want Steph!" in the second half of a victory over Miami.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
It's time to witness...
After a Redeem Team summer, I believe that LeBron is ready to really conquer the NBA. Methinks he's going to be this year's MVP.
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