Buzzer Beater

Iba Ang May Pinagsamahan

2011-04-13T17:53:00.004+08:00

Haven't been able to update this blog for some time now. Recently, however, I met up with some old friends, Niko and Mikkel Bolante, authors of the number-crunching basketball blog Patay ang Butiki, as well as Jaemark Tordecilla, who runs the most irreverent and hard-hitting sports blog in the country FireQuinito. Over a couple of drinks, the guys broached the idea of having a webcast which would discuss pressing sports issues of the day. They also revealed that the initial episode would tackle the current state of the San Miguel Beermen, the winningest franchise in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). Being a long-time fan of the SMB franchise, I found the offer to guest in the webcast too hard to resist.

Here is the result of our freewheeling, no-holds-barred discussion. Enjoy!

An audio-only version is also available here http://blip.tv/file/5014306
Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Manny the GOAT?

2010-11-14T21:37:00.015+08:00

It's been several hours since Manny Pacquiao methodically demolished Antonio Margarito in their clash for the WBC Super Welterweight championship and I am still in awe at how that fight was won.

I must admit that I generally subscribe to the boxing adage "a good big man beats a good small man". The fight between Tito Trinidad and Bernard Hopkins a decade ago immediately comes to mind whenever I feel the need to cite an example. That is why despite the overwhelming odds in favor of the PacMan I was a bit worried, particularly when both entered the ring with Margarito enjoying a 17 pound advantage in weight, and 5 inch advantage in height.

Over the course of 12 rounds, Pacquiao dispelled any doubts that I had in my mind. Pretty much the same way he did when I had reservations in his fight against Dela Hoya, against Hatton, against Cotto, and against Clottey. Manny proved once again that he is a phenom that defies traditional boxing conventions, by soundly beating naturally bigger fighters without losing a step.

The way Pacquiao dominated Margarito leads me to revisit a question that I had posed a year ago: "Is Manny Pacquiao the Greatest Boxer of All Time (GOAT)"?

To answer this question I will have to settle a few preliminaries first. Several years back, ESPN.com had come up with their list of the 50 greatest boxers in history. They explained that their list was not a mythical pound-for-pound or a "who would beat who" ranking. I agree with this distinction in the same way that it would be unfair to match up a great center and a great guard in basketball (say, Wilt Chamberlain versus Magic Johnson) and ask who would win in a one-on-one.

Furthermore, it is difficult to compare fighters from different eras side by side, in particular, when the rules aren't exactly the same. Remember that until a couple of decades ago, a boxing match lasted 15 rounds. This inevitably quickened the wear and tear that a boxer of that era acquired through the course of his career. Also, in the days before pay-per-view it was not uncommon to see a typical champion have more than 100 fights. To use the basketball analogy again, it would be like asking: a) who was the more dominant big man between George Mikan and Shaquille O'Neal, when the former played without a shotclock and expanded 3 second lane; or b) who was the better scorer between Jerry West and Michael Jordan, when the latter had the benefit of a 3 point line.

To get around the problem of different eras, I have decided to adopt a "tier-based" system. Thus, instead of naming just one boxer, there will be several who fall under the "Greatest" tier, to distinguish them from those who are simply "Great" boxing champions. ESPN also utilized a set of criteria in forming their list. I will adopt some of these, with slight modifications. Elements that will be used are:

a) Dominance- how dominating a fighter was in the ring
b) Achievements- the quality of fighters faced, and titles acquired
c) Transcendent Appeal- how a fighter was recognized not only within the boxing community, but also by the media and general public

To become part of the "Greatest" tier a fighter has to satisfy all three elements, and absent one, will just be considered an all-time Great. Thus, boxers like Sugar Ray Robinson, Joe Louis, and quite fittingly, Muhammad Ali, fall under my "Greatest" tier.

Now going back to the original question, has Manny Pacquiao done enough to become one of the Greatest of All Time?

In terms of dominance, Manny has shown his mastery over the best fighters in his weight class. In his career, Pacquiao has fought boxers of all shapes and sizes. From the Mexicans Oscar Larios, Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales, and now Margarito to naturally bigger opponents such as Oscar Dela Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Miguel Cotto, and Joshua Clottey, the PacMan has prevailed and prevailed over them in convincing fashion. The only blip on an otherwise impressive ring resume, has been the bouts with Juan Manuel Marquez, which could have gone either way. Nevertheless, the fights have been tallied as a PacMan win and a draw, for the record.

In terms of ring achievements, it bears noting that all the names mentioned in the previous paragraph were current or former champions when Pacquiao faced them. As a matter of fact, in his last 10 fights (dating back to 2006) the only time he faced a non-champion was when he knocked out Jorge Solis in 2007 for the WBC International Super Featherweight title.

Then there are the 8 world titles, in 8 different weight divisions. While there are those who will dispute that Pacquiao only has 5 or 6, when you consider that those weight divisions cover almost 50 pounds (from flyweight to super welterweight) the feat becomes really phenomenal, and renders the distinction irrelevant.

Finally, in terms of transcendent appeal Pacquiao has reached the status, not just of a boxing superstar, but has become the boxing superstar. In the past, such a status has been accorded, almost exclusively, to the champions of the heavyweight division. Boxers such as Rocky Marciano, Mike Tyson, and Evander Holyfield. But in recent years, the lack of quality fighters have caused the heavyweights to lose some of their luster. If you want to put this assertion to the test, here's a quick mental quiz: name at least one current heavyweight champion (there are three). No? Thought so.

In the absence of a dominant heavyweight champion, focus has now shifted to the so called "Pound-for-Pound Champion". And guess who has that title?

Some analysts have also opined that Manny Pacquiao can be considered as boxing's "savior" from it's declining popularity. I completely agree. Aside from the above-mentioned problem with the heavyweights, boxing has also faced stiff competition from the recent rise of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). Pacquiao, almost by his lonesome, has caused a renaissance in boxing. He attracts worldwide media publicity and has showed the general public that the lower weight classes can be as, if not more, exciting than the heavier divisions.

It seems clear to me that at this point in his career, Manny Pacquiao has done enough to be included among the Greatest Boxers of All Time. But there is just one more persistent question that needs to be answered: "How about Floyd Mayweather?"

Pacquiao has confidently declared that he doesn't need to fight Mayweather, and on the contrary, it's Mayweather who needs him. That may be true from a financial standpoint. It has been reported that his fight with Margarito could possibly earn Manny as much as 20 million dollars or about 1 billion pesos. To put this in proper perspective, that is more than what an average Filipino could earn in his lifetime.

Heck, that is more than what an average Filipino plus members of his immediate family could earn in several lifetimes.

The current pound-for-pound rankings have also given the PacMan the P4P crown previously held by Mayweather. So why still fight him? Because all the "Greatest" boxers on the list fought the best fighters of their time. Robinson did it, Louis did it, and Ali did it. Ergo Pacquiao needs to do it, not to be on the list, but to remove the asterisk, the nagging "what if".

That said, Manny Pacquiao is clearly the best boxer in the world at the moment. Years from now I will proudly tell my children and grandchildren that I saw Pacquiao fight. I will regale them with stories about an age where an unassuming kid from General Santos City gradually developed into a legendary fighter. An age where a small man slew the giants of the boxing world. The Age of the PacMan.

2010 NBA Finals (Lakers vs Celtics)

2010-05-30T18:08:00.007+08:00

It's all set. Two of the most storied franchises in basketball will renew their rivalry for the Larry O'Brien Trophy. And for the most hardened of hoop fans, it doesn't get any better than the Los Angeles Lakers going up against the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals.

Over the next couple of days you can expect picks and predictions, especially in a series of this magnitude, from practically every basketball-loving soul on the planet. So let's get the ball rolling, shall we?

Let me state at the outset, in the interest of full disclosure, that I am a Lakers fan, though not of Kobe Bryant. I root exclusively for the team, and not for any particular player. Heck, I'd support them even if they were led by a Mini-Me lookalike of Charles Barkley named Nick Van Exel. Wait...I think I already did.

That being said, and without any hint of bias, I predict a Los Angeles victory in this series. And if you don't want to take my word for it, maybe you should listen to this guy:

The NBA Finals marks another 2 weeks of a ritual that has, for me, spanned 2 decades. I had written about this previously (as matter of fact, it's the first entry on this blog). But a LA-Boston series always has special significance as it takes me back to the days when I was first learning the game. The time of Magic Johnson vs. Larry Bird, Red Auerbach vs. Jerry West, Showtime vs. Beantown.

That generation of Lakers introduced me to Kareem's skyhook, Worthy's fastbreak finish, Green's hustle, Scott's 3 pointers, and Magic's wizardry. It was an awesome sight to behold, and I have been a Lakers fan ever since (which answers the question, how I can root for the Lakers without being a Kobe fan).

A lot of history has already been written about the Lakers-Celtics rivalry but this 2010 version of the LA-Boston showdown has a storyline of its own. Kobe Bryant will try to redeem himself from the humiliating defeat he suffered at the hands of Paul Pierce's Celtics two years ago. The Los Angeles frontline is also raring to prove that they will be no pushovers this time, after Kevin Garnett virtually turned Pau Gasol into a Spanish senorita in 2008.

On the other side, Boston coach Doc Rivers will want to show that his victory over legendary Lakers coach Phil Jackson was no fluke. Also, Rajon Rondo would like to showcase his emergence as the new leader of the Celtics, one who is capable of taking them all the way to the championship.

As stated earlier, I'm predicting a Lakers victory. This is based largely on the addition of two key pieces to their puzzle. Ron Artest and Andrew Bynum will be the x-factors for Los Angeles in this series. Sure, Artest's unpredictability will make or break them at times, but against Boston his style of play and rugged defense will be key in wearing down scorers like Pierce and Ray Allen. This was something the 2008 Lakers lacked, as Pierce and Allen weren't physically challenged on the offensive end, leaving them with enough energy to play defense against Bryant. With Artest covering his back and disrupting the Celtics backcourt, Kobe should be free to become a scoring machine in this series.

Bynum might be playing injured, but I will take a 50% Bynum over a 100% DJ Mbenga any day. Again, this is another thing the Lakers missed in 2008, a wide body capable of physically challenging the bigs of Boston. Even at 15-20 minutes a game Bynum's presence will already be a big lift when faced with the likes of Garnett, Kendrick Perkins, Rasheed Wallace, and Glen Davis (it also gives Gasol enough time to find his mojo).

Of course, there is always the hunger factor. Kobe, Gasol, and Co. would want nothing less than a convincing victory to purge the ghosts of 2 years past. There is also a different aura surrounding this Laker team, evident during post-game interviews. Gone are the jovial, free-wheeling Lakers who seemed happy just to make it to the Finals. This 2010 squad has a very business-like demeanor, seemingly focused on winning the championship first, before getting into any sort of celebration.

For Boston, it appears that they just don't have the same "ubuntu" this year. Consider that the 2008 Celtics core of Garnett-Allen-Pierce was assembled and motivated in pursuit of the single award that had eluded their illustrious careers. And since they had won a championship against the Lakers, it's hard to erase the perception that it's already Mission Accomplished for them. Even new recruit Rasheed Wallace won a championship, while with Pistons in 2004, against this very same LA franchise.

Also, it is usually forgotten that the Celtics lost 2 key components of their 2008 championship run: PJ Brown- to retirement, and James Posey- to the New Orleans Hornets. Brown provided veteran hustle and timely baskets, while Posey played hard-nosed defense against Bryant and hit dagger threes. While it can be argued that Wallace is more than a capable replacement for Brown, Boston just doesn't have a substitute for Posey. Kobe's longing for some payback, and the lack of a dedicated defender on him presents a very dangerous proposition for the Celtics.

Finally, the wear and tear of many NBA wars is already catching up with the Celtics core. As tough as they are, Garnett, Allen and Pierce cannot deny that their 2008 versions would trump their 2010 selves any day. The rise of Rondo as the new leader of the Celtics should not be solely attributed to his improved skills, but should also be seen as an acknowledgement of the decline of the Big Three.

Given all of these factors combined, I still see a long series, possibly 6-7 games, as Celtic Pride will not allow itself to be steamrolled by the Laker Express. It will also be a physical series. Though probably not as physical as Kevin McHale clotheslining a Kurt Rambis.

Of course there's still a chance that Rondo will explode and average a triple double, Garnett could re-live his MVP days at Minnesota, while Pierce and Allen might score 30 points each every game.

But I doubt it...

Hey, I'm a Lakers fan.

Long Live Da King!

2010-03-14T22:18:00.018+08:00

For all intents and purposes, the "Event" between Manny Pacquiao and Joshua Clottey ended at the 1:37 mark of the fourth round.

It was at this point that Pacquiao unleashed a two-fisted punch, reminiscent of the legendary Filipino action star Fernando Poe Jr. (video from Fire Quinito's vast FPJ collection, hehe)

Never mind that the fight actually lasted 12 rounds. Years from now, after the PacMan has been enshrined in the Boxing Hall of Fame, and Clottey largely forgotten, people will remember this bout solely because of that punch. It might even evolve into boxing's version of a "finishing move", something that when you see, you can say: " It's over!". In basketball, this would have been the equivalent of leaping over your defender for a dunk, or grabbing the ball midway through the shot for a block.

As for the fight itself, it became more of a glorified sparring session, with Pacquiao continuously peppering Clottey with punches left and right. It was unexciting for most part, as the latter rounds seemed to turn into replays of previous ones... Pacquiao chasing Clottey, who then covered up with his "turtle defense".

Clearly, Clottey's best moves of the night were the ones he made as he entered the ring for the fight introductions.

But make no mistake about it, Clottey was in the fight to win. I would disagree with those who say that Clottey choked, or was simply happy to make it through 12 rounds with the PacMan. After all, this is a guy who's nicknamed the "Grandmaster". What I saw out there was a thinking boxer, who, realizing his physical limitations, attempted to engage in a war of attrition. It was the type of strategy that would have been universally acclaimed had it succeeded, but largely criticized as a dud if it failed.

Pacquiao himself recognized that Clottey was just looking for the opportune time to land that big punch, and given the Ghanian's KO record, it was not far-fetched. Come to think of it, maybe Clottey drew some inspiration from FPJ movies as well.

You know, the part where the hero gets pummeled the entire time, but wins in end..

Well, unfortunately for Clottey, it didn't work out that way. The opportune time never came, and the PacMan never gave him a chance. He must have realized too late that in this parallel universe, he was Max Alvarado, and Manny Pacquiao was Da King.

The "Grandmaster" should now be asking himself: did he commit a serious blunder that ultimately cost him the crown?

In the words of Manny himself: Yaaah!

Nothing's Gonna Change...

2010-03-08T22:48:00.023+08:00

The Filipino love affair with karaoke/videoke is widely acknowledged in this country. As a matter of fact, one website ranked it as number one on its list of "Top 10 Ways to Know You're Filipino". One of the so-called "anthem" songs, is this hit originally done by George Benson entitled "Nothing's Gonna Change My Love For You". It is played so frequently on the rotation of karaoke/videoke bars (especially those of the drunken variety) that it's a minor miracle it hasn't been used as the title for one of those cheesy local movies that features the latest showbiz love-teams.

In college, I was in this Spanish class where our professor introduced us to, yup you guessed it, this song in Spanish. Now the mere idea of having a Chinese-looking guy teaching the class a Spanish version of an English song was a surefire way for it to be remembered. And I was pretty sure this would be the oddest encounter I'd ever have with this song.

Until a couple of days ago.. when I saw this: Manny Pacquiao doing his best Magic Sing rendition on US national television.

Apparently, the world's best pound-for-pound boxer enjoyed guesting so much the last time that he had to return for a second run. Of course, being the pure-blooded Pinoy that he is, I have no doubt that this was one way for Pacquiao to release his tension as the March 14 championship fight between him and Joshua Clottey gets closer. (never mind that it was done in front of a live studio audience and the American viewing public) And let's not get into a discussion about the quality of his rendition, as he was guesting on Jimmy Kimmel, not American Idol. What worries me, though, is how his nonchalant singing and guesting might be reflective of how he and the rest of Team Pacquiao view the upcoming fight.

Oddsmakers have placed the PacMan as the overwhelming favorite to beat the challenger Clottey. Most fight fans share the same sentiment, with most of the predictions centering, not on who will win, but on which round Clottey will fall. Pacquiao's trainer, Freddie Roach, has himself predicted an early stoppage for his prized fighter. Somehow, I cannot bring myself to share their optimism. Let me rundown the reasons why.

First, the fight for the welterweight crown will be done at its natural weight limit of 147 pounds. Clottey, a former champion in this division, seemed pleasantly surprised that Team Pacquiao did not demand for a catchweight as it did for the fight with Miguel Cotto. Why will a few extra pounds matter? It matters because the weigh-ins are done a day before the fight. This gives bigger fighters like Clottey, who is a natural welterweight, the chance the bulk up 10-15 pounds more, and have a marked size advantage come fight night.

Next, Clottey has never been stopped in his entire career. His three losses came via a disqualification, and 2 decisions. This only shows that this guy is one tough fighter. And at the age of 32 he can still be considered at top physical form. It doesn't help either that 20 out of his 35 victories have come via KO. This makes him a double-barreled threat.

For the arguments above, one can counter that Pacquiao has fought at the 147 pound limit before, and has beaten natural welterweights in the past. However, Clottey does not appear to have the negatives that the PacMan's previous opponents had: a) he's not over the hill, and can still pull the trigger; b) he isn't traumatized over a previous loss; and c) he's not a habitual drunkard.

Lastly, I'm worried for Pacquiao because he might not be as focused for this fight. As we all know, he is running for congressman in Sarangani Province this May. There have been pronouncements coming from his camp that this might be his last fight, at least in the foreseeable future, already taking into account a probable victory at the polls. From a boxing standpoint, it is also possible that Team Pacquiao considers this as a tune-up fight, while talks with Floyd Mayweather are stalled, in preparation for that dream megabuck matchup. Could this be a case of counting the chickens before they are hatched?

Of course, an unexpected loss will change everything, and send all these plans down the drain. That is why Team Pacquiao should be extra careful in this fight. A fighter like Clottey, who has nothing to lose, is a very dangerous opponent. This brings to mind what I consider, at least in recent memory, the greatest upset in boxing, which celebrated its 20th anniversary a month ago.

The PacMan should learn from the lessons of history: that sometimes, even the seemingly invincible can fall, if they let their guard down.

Oddly enough, while Clottey is not as big a name as previous Pacquiao opponents, this is one fight that Manny must win. More than anything, it's his legacy as one of the greatest boxers of all time that's on the line.

If Pacquiao is able to keep his focus, then I see him winning against Clottey via a 12 round decision. It is now a matter of motivating him properly, showing him that the fight won't be a walk in the park. And just as an extra incentive, someone should tell him that he'll probably be invited to sing on Jimmy Kimmel again, as long as he keeps on winning.

2009

2009-12-31T02:56:00.009+08:00

It's at times like these, a couple of hours before ushering in the New Year, that we get to pause and reflect on the past one. It also gives us the chance to thank those who helped make it memorable. 2009 was certainly an eventful year for me. In many ways I consider it as an "anchor" year, where I got to lay the foundations for what I will be doing in the next 5-10 years, or so.

Getting my Juris Doctor degree certainly stands out as one of the memorable moments of the year. 5 years of toil and hard labor in the halls of Malcolm, which left memories both good and bad, finally paid off. UP Law Batch 2009 will now be attached to me in the same way as my surname. (well.. not really, but this will definitely be the point of reference during the alumni homecomings, hehe) Of course, the law degree also serves as the opening act to the main event known as the Bar Exams, which will surely be one of the highlights of my 2010.

Speaking of highlights, 2009 also marked my return to TV, although this time in a totally different field: commentating for NCAA Basketball. My friends noted that I was living out my (and probably their) dream job; doing play-by-play commentary while having the best seat in the house at courtside. The high point of the season for me was definitely the Juniors Finals, where I was able to do a game in the Araneta Coliseum, which I think is the dream venue in this country for any sportscaster.

Many thanks to the guys I got to work with; to our "senior" panelists Bill and Boyet for sharing tips and "war stories", Sir Marco for giving me the break, our game producer Diana for patiently pointing out the things to improve on, our directors Direk Abet and Direk Al, and the rest of the hardworking men and women of ABS-CBN Sports. (now why did that just sound like an extro. =p )

And lastly, 2009 was the year that I decided to resurrect this blog. Credit goes to the multitude of sports bloggers and online writers I've met and talked to, whose interesting, and at times, divergent views on sports issues inspired me to give it a shot. At the top of my list are 2009 best sports blog awardee Jaemark of Firequinito, brothers Niko and Mikkel of Patayangbutiki, Trix and the guys over at Driball, Gary of Basketballexchange, Rick of Bleachersbrew, and the writers of Inboundpass led by my panel "batchmates" Mike and Chris.

So there it is.. the year that was. If the Chinese horoscope is any indication, then 2010- the year of the Tiger- should be a pretty exciting one. Let's get it on!

(oh, and before you get any ideas.. I was not referring to this guy =p)

Happy New Year!

Who's Got Game

2009-12-03T11:32:00.017+08:00

Saw some of the 2010 presidential hopefuls for the first time, since they filed their candidacy, at the ANC debate last night. While television can be used as a powerful tool for image projection, it can also be a cruel medium as it accentuates each flaw and magnifies every mistake. Richard Nixon learned this the hard way in the first ever televised presidential debate against John F. Kennedy in 1960. (which analysts say contributed to his narrow defeat)

Noynoy Aquino, Dick Gordon, and Gibo Teodoro were obviously well-prepared, and it showed in their performance, and in the audience poll conducted after. Noynoy has made tremendous improvements, both in appearance and in the delivery of his speeches. I'm still waiting, though, for a clear picture of what he can do, without any reference to his parents. Gordon, while impressive, is the best example of why politics is also a matter of timing. I think his candidacy is a decade too late, as his references to the US Bases, Subic, and Mt. Pinatubo often drew blank stares from the young audience. Gibo was the surprise package of the night. While there is no questioning his academic credentials, it was the methodical way he answered that reveals potential under his leadership, dismal survey results notwithstanding.

Erap, as usual, was the life of the party. Too bad we might have to cut the act short should someone file a disqualification case against him. Brother Eddie made me feel like it was 2004 all over again, except now we know that he does not have a base of 5 million voters. Nick Perlas seemed uncomfortable speaking to a large audience and in front of the camera. JC delos Reyes was obviously out of his league, although as a consolation I was able to take a bathroom break during his airtime.

Clearly, it's too early in the day for an undecided voter, such as myself, to make a definitive choice. But while I'm sifting through the pros and cons of each candidate there is an interesting criterion that I am curious to measure them against: Which candidate can play, or at least have some connection to playing basketball?

Why is this important, you ask? Well, it just so happens that a growing number of world leaders have taken to the sport, led by US President Barack Obama. The significance of politicians being able to play basketball, or at least be familiar with it, has grown by leaps and bounds since the inauguration of the "Baller-In-Chief".

Some believe that this is a pre-requisite to get on the good side of the so-called Leader of the Free World. Go ask the Washington powerbrokers. Or the Italians. Or even the Chinese.

It also appears that a good working relationship or even having a mere audience, something that the present administration has so desperately craved for, with the US President may hinge on this criterion. (although in hindsight, it does seem pretty obvious why this can't happen to GMA)

Given such circumstances, it definitely wouldn't hurt if the next president had this on their resume. Among all the presidential candidates I found 4 who could possibly meet this standard. They are:

Noynoy Aquino- While I have no idea whether he can play, he does have some tangential connection to the sport, being the brother in law of PBA superstar James Yap. Let's not forget that he is also the nephew of Danding Cojuangco, the man behind the fabled Northern Consolidated basketball program in the 80's.

Erap Estrada- I remember seeing a video of him shooting hoops while he was still president, and he does have the range. Also, his family is supportive of the sport, being the bankroller of the San Juan Knights in the now defunct MBA. They were also instrumental in the construction of the Arena.

Dick Gordon- An avid basketball supporter of the Ateneo Blue Eagles. He can be seen during Ateneo-La Salle games watching with such a passion that would put someone half his age to shame. Ask Rabeh Al-Hussaini.

Gibo Teodoro- Another nephew of Danding Cojuangco. He might have the best tandem in terms of basketball sense as he has Edu Manzano, who used to play for La Salle, running as his vice president.

So, who's got game?

The Greatest?

2009-11-24T00:11:00.007+08:00

Caught an episode of Hardball on ANC last week, and they had a segment which discussed whether Manny Pacquiao can now be considered as one of the greatest boxers of all time. This was, of course, in the context of Manny's recent 12th round demolition of Miguel Cotto, and the acquisition of his 7th world title in 7 different weight divisions.

That had me thinking: "Where is Manny Pacquiao in the list of all-time Filipino and World boxing greats?" While sorting out my hogdepodge of ideas I found it easier to answer this question by breaking down Manny's career and identifying certain milestones:

a) KO victory over WBC flyweight champion Chatchai Sasakul in 1998

This was his first world title and it placed him on the level of champions who were one hit wonders such as Morris East and Rolando Pascua.

b) Victories over the legendary Mexican triad of Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales and Juan Manuel Marquez, the last of which was in 2008

These wins earned him the monicker "Mexecutioner", and got him to the level of multiple division champions like Luisito Espinosa and Gerry Penalosa.

c) TKO victory over boxing superstar Oscar Dela Hoya

This placed him on the map as the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world, and installed him, together with Hall of Fame legends Pancho Villa and Flash Elorde, as among the best Filipino fighters of all time.

d) TKO victory over WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto

By solidifying his hold on the pound-for-pound title and getting a record-breaking 7th crown, he makes a case as one of the best boxers of all time, competing with the likes of Sugar Ray Robinson and Muhammad Ali.

A more detailed analysis of where he stands among the all-time boxing greats to follow.

Rumble in the Jungle (NCAA Finals)

2009-10-21T23:09:00.005+08:00

The NCAA Basketball Finals will finally commence at the Araneta Coliseum tomorrow, in what has been a historic and looong 85th Season. This matchup, which could also be dubbed as the "Battle of the Saints", will feature the top seeded and 3-time defending champions, San Beda Red Lions versus the upstart and second seeded San Sebastian Golden Stags. On the sidelines, Red Lion coach Frankie Lim is seeking to stretch his championship run to 3; while rookie coach Ato Agustin is seeking to translate his success on the basketball court through his mentorship of the Stags. Interestingly, this is also a grudge match of the pre-season Nike Summer League Finals, which the Red Lions handily won.

This early I will go out on a limb and predict that, despite so many other possible factors, the result of this series will depend on the gimpy knees of Red Lion Borgie Hermida. Let me explain.

The San Sebastian Stags have been through a historic run in Season 85, with their 15 game winning streak spanning a stretch of almost 3 months. That streak was finally snapped by the Letran Knights of Louie Alas during their second round meeting, and things have been in free fall for the Stags, managing just a 2-3 win loss record, since then.

Much of the credit had been given to the physical play employed by the Knights, as the key to solving the San Sebastian puzzle. However, it is no coincidence that the Knights also utilize what may be the meanest full-court press in the league. I believe the press, more than the physicality, exposed the chink in the Stags' armor: the point guard position.

Don't get me wrong, I think Pamboy Raymundo is an OK pointguard. But that's just it, when compared to teammates like Jimbo Aquino, Calvin Abueva and Ian Sangalang, he's just an ordinary guy. While the above-mentioned names can produce almost superhuman numbers (at least by NCAA standards) from their respective positions, Raymundo and his backups (Maconocido, Del Rio, and Gatchalian) become the Stags equivalent of an Achilles heel. And this is something which the guards of Letran (Kevin Alas, Kirk Del Rosario and Reymar Gutilban) took advantage of to the hilt, enroute to getting that victory.

By stalling the Stags offensive through their PG's, it gives less time for Aquino et, al. to operate with the ball and initiate their lethal offensive attack. This is also when the physicality of the opposing team can have maximum effect. I think that it is no coincidence either that the 2 victories of San Beda over San Sebastian featured the resurgence of their point guard Hermida. Which leads me to the Red Lions.

The San Beda Red Lions are like the NCAA equivalent of the New York Yankees in baseball, or Real Madrid in football (or San Miguel in the PBA, hehe). They are just loaded at every position, that some of their third stringers could start for some of the lower-tier teams. But just like any superstar-laden team, they need a glue-guy to make things work. Ogie Menor ably manned this spot the past couple of years, but with his departure to the pro ranks, the mantle of responsibility fell on Hermida. Unfortunately, as a result of the ACL injury he suffered several months back, the 85th Season has been an uphill climb for the Red Lion playmaker. In fact, during their first round meeting with the Stags, Hermida played limited minutes. Guess who won that one?

So it boils down to this: if Hermida comes into the series playing like how he did during their last two meetings, then you can chalk championship number 4 for San Beda. However, if Hermida plays below par and fails to check his counterparts from San Sebastian, then we may be treated to the first Stag Party of Ato Agustin.

Crime and Punishment

2009-10-18T18:38:00.020+08:00

No, this has nothing to do with the robbery/shooting that occurred earlier today at Greenbelt 5. (or the Dostoyevsky novel, for that matter)

Was going to write about the ongoing NCAA Final 4, as I was in the Arena last Friday watching the matchup between San Beda and Letran. The game turned out to be better than I expected with the Red Lions, 3 time defending champions, barely pulling off a win against the Rey Guevarra-less Knights, and advancing to the NCAA Finals in the process. Little did I know that while this was ongoing, action of a different kind was taking place over at the Araneta Coliseum.

Of course by now we've all heard the story. During the PBA game between Smart Gilas and Burger King a fan by the name of Alain Katigbak was assaulted by Burger King player Wynne Arboleda. According to reports from the people who were there, Katigbak had been hurling invectives directed at Burger King players all game long. Apparently, Katigbak's choice words were too much for Arboleda (who obviously does not subscribe to this idiom), and that pushed him over the edge.

This incident has elicited responses from various people, with equally varying positions on the matter. These range from: banning Arboleda from the PBA outright, to taking it easy on him since the fan deserved what he got anyway. There is a general consensus though that regardless of the reasons, assaulting a fan is wrong, and should be penalized. The question now is: how severe should the penalty be?

The problem here is that the PBA does not have a standard penalty for these type of infractions. Thus, I will focus on the possible sanctions that the PBA could/should impose on Arboleda, using by analogy, how penalties are imposed in our legal system.

The Facts:

A fan (Katigbak) was assaulted, through means of a kick and several punches, by a PBA player (Arboleda). Based on what I saw from the pictures, and the injuries that Katigbak sustained, that would have been classified as a violation of Article 266 (Slight physical injuries) under the Revised Penal Code (which is an option that Katigbak can actually pursue, should he choose to). That crime carries a penalty of arresto menor, which has a prison term of 1 day to ten days as minimum, and up to 21 days to 30 days in the maximum.

However, as the PBA is not a court of law, the penalties that it can levy would be limited insofar as Arboleda is concerned. Applying the analogy, if we convert the prison term to playing dates, the PBA can actually suspend Arboleda anywhere from one game up to thirty games (which in PBA-time could mean the rest of the conference up to the next).

Precedent cases:

a)Danny Ildefonso/Marc Pingris-charged at a heckling fan, but were not able to hit him. Penalty: 1 game suspension, P30,000 fine for Ildefonso and P10,000 for Pingris.

b)Marlou Aquino- "allegedly" attacked fan who got into an argument with his daughter. Penalty: P20,000 fine.

c)Ron Artest- rushed to the midlevel seats to punch several fans who were heckling and throwing cups of ice filled beverage at him. Penalty: Suspension for 73 games.

Clearly, as seen from the previous penalties, there is a distinction between a mere attempt to attack, and a successful hit. Based on the Danny I/Pingris case it seems obvious that a few games suspension would be too light a penalty. In Arboleda's case, he was able to swing at his heckler 4/5 times, hitting on a couple of attempts. But should the PBA go the Artest route and suspend him the same amount of games?

The Verdict:

As in legal cases, American jurisprudence is not conclusive on us, but it does have persuasive effect. By hitting a fan Arboleda crossed the line and, in the process, endangered the image and possibly the lifeblood of the league itself. Because of this, the PBA has to make it clear that it will not tolerate such actions. However, he has shown remorse and has issued a public letter of apology to Katigbak. PBA Commissioner Sonny Barrios has set a meeting with Arboleda tomorrow, and might issue his ruling anytime after that.

Following the legal analogy, it might be fair to suspend him from anywhere between 11-20 games (or until the end of the current conference), plus a hefty fine. In legal parlance, this is like giving him the penalty in its medium term. This takes into consideration the mitigating circumstance of him admitting to his guilt, and issuing an apology.

***************************************************

On the other hand, I think Arboleda's apology letter does raise a good point. Besides sanctioning erring players, it is also important that the PBA and the coliseum security do a better job in preventing fans from becoming too unruly. Anybody who has watched a live basketball game, particularly those games featuring popular teams, would note certain individuals who seem to be taking their constitutionally protected right to free speech a bit too far.

Of course, this is easier said than done. It will always be tough to determine, except in extreme instances, when a fan is going too far. The end result would probably follow the principle of legal realism (and would depend more on what the judge ate for breakfast). Like refereeing, it could be too strict or lax, depending on who's calling it. Which will likely cause more confusion, and just might drive the fans (who are, as the PBA has stressed on many occasions, its lifeblood) away. Not good.

An alternative solution, was actually proposed by Andy Jao while he was covering the Smart Gilas-Burger King game. Dr. J suggested that the courtside seats be removed, as these make the fans easily accessible to the players on court and vice versa. However, I don't think this is feasible for the following reasons: a) seats at courtside are the most expensive ones, thus removing a big revenue generator from the league ticket sales; b) as Ron Artest showed us: if there's a will, there's a way.

So now the dilemma.

If there are no better solutions put forward in the near future, then I suggest a modification to Dr. J's idea. Instead of removing the courtside seats, why not put some separation between the fans and the players through a steel cage (similar to what they do in MMA). And this isn't even a new idea, as it has been done in the distant past. Consider it as a return to the basics.

After all, this is where the term "cager" finds its roots.

Manic Monday

2009-10-12T22:47:00.003+08:00

A lot of new developments have occurred since my previous post last week. Among these are:

The Ateneo de Manila Blue Eagles getting back-to-back UAAP basketball championships. Congratulations are in order for Norman Black and the rest of the Blue Eagles for asserting their might throughout Season 72, and for pulling through in the Finals against the gritty UE Red Warriors. With his "Back-to-Black" win, Coach Norman also improves his coaching record in the Finals against rookie coaches. As a sidenote, all my predictions starting with the Final 4 were on the money. Let's see if it holds up as the NCAA is set to start its own Final 4 matchups in the coming days.

Also, as an aftermath of the Ateneo win, online sports columnist Tony Atayde of InboundPass.com launches a sarcastic tribute to the Blue Eagles and a tirade against Hardball host Bill Velasco. Consequently, his post gets edited and Atayde goes ballistic, this time against fellow InboundPass columnists Chris Soler and Mike Abasolo. Last I heard, he "retired" his column but not before giving a parting shot to those who he had differences with. (interestingly, all the guys he hit in his column are my fellow NCAA panelists over at ABS-CBN Sports)

Congratulations are also in order for my good friend FireQuinito who won as best sports blog in the Philippine Blog Awards. Good job, Jae! I think this calls for a celebration over a few rounds of beer. Hehe.

And.. just in a couple of hours ago, news confirming what people have openly speculated about since last week: Burger King trades Japeth Aguilar to Talk and Text, which in turn, releases him to Smart Gilas. With this new development I guess all parties are happy now: Japeth, Smart Gilas, SBP, PBA, Burger King and Barako Bull (which got a piece of the action acting as a conduit team). With that we can probably write finis to the Japeth Aguilar saga... for now.

Any Given Thursday

2009-10-07T21:08:00.011+08:00

The title for this piece would have been straight to the point had the Ateneo Blue Eagles won Game 2 of the UAAP Finals last Sunday. It would have also been easier to make allusions to that movie starring Al Pacino and Jamie Foxx. Instead, the Blue Eagles snatched defeat from the jaws of victory and gave the UE Red Warriors a shot at the winner-take-all rubbermatch tomorrow.

I can imagine both Norman Black and Lawrence Chongson trying to do their best Tony D'Amato impersonation before the game, in an effort to squeeze every last ounce of motivation from their players for one last time this season. Then again, so as not to confuse anyone, Coach Norman might be better off doing a Herman Boone, while Coach Lawrence can take a page from... Alfrancis Chua?=p

So this is what it all boils down to: 1 game between 2 outstanding teams for the 3rd time this series to determine, once and for all, the Champions of UAAP Season 72 Basketball.

It is these type of games that are built for the underdogs (UE), precisely because the pressure is all on the favored team (Ateneo). I had warned about the possibility of this turning into a dogfight if the Blue Eagles weren't careful, and that's exactly how this series has turned out. In these type of games you throw out all the statistics. It is where every player has a shot at glory, and a chance of being immortalized in their school lore.

Picking the winner in tomorrow's battle is an agonizing one. It's the classic mind versus heart (or more appropriately, gut) debate. I had expounded on that a bit during my previous post, and the very same factors i had pointed out there have played such a big part in this series. Al Hussaini's domination over UE's frontline brought about that Game 1 win, while the determination of UE's veterans spelled the difference in Game 2.

After much deliberation, I'll stick with my earlier prediction and pick Ateneo to win tomorrow, though now with much less certainty than when i first made it. I still believe that the depth of the Blue Eagle bench will be the key to victory. Also, as seen in Game 2, UE needs to play their "A" game and hope Ateneo has an off night to have a chance at winning. The chances of that happening in back-to-back games are very slim.

Though in the end, Coach D'Amato's revered speech still rings true:

I'll tell you this
in any fight
it is the guy who is willing to die
who is going to win that inch.
And I know
if I am going to have any life anymore
it is because, I am still willing to fight, and die for that inch
because that is what LIVING is.
The six inches in front of your face.

Now I can't make you do it.
You gotta look at the guy next to you.
Look into his eyes.
Now I think you are going to see a guy who will go that inch with you.
You are going to see a guy
who will sacrifice himself for this team
because he knows when it comes down to it,
you are gonna do the same thing for him.

And if either team follows that to the letter, I'm betting they'll be the ones who will pull off that Championship win.

Thoughts on Ondoy and a suggestion for UAAP fans

2009-09-30T21:34:00.005+08:00

It's funny what a difference a few days can make in changing one's perspective. Just less than a week ago, a lot of focus was being given (this blog included) to the upcoming UAAP Finals match between the Ateneo Blue Eagles and the UE Red Warriors.

Then along came typhoon Ondoy, and with that, some lives were forever changed. I was fortunate enough to be living in an area that was not affected by flooding. The worst inconvenience I got was being incommunicado for 2 days (no internet connection/landline, plus a spotty cellphone signal). As i started to get these back, i was surprised shocked to see the devastation the rains had caused in Metro Manila.

In particular, a lot of friends and people i know had their homes and possessions submerged under water. Just yesterday, I was in the Pasig/Cainta area together with a few law classmates to help out a couple of people from our block who were victimized by the tragedy. Going around these areas gave me a sense of the extent of damage and the loss that the residents here suffered. I've reported on things like these before when i was still newscasting, but being there and having people you actually know as among those affected gave a totally different color to these events.

It's things like these that make you realize what really matters. How things like a basketball game, while still followed with a passion, is just that. A game.

Tomorrow, college basketball action will resume, as Game 1 between Ateneo and UE will take place at the Araneta Colisuem. In light of these recent events I would like to offer a suggestion for those who are watching the UAAP Finals.

My suggestion is: for those who are planning to get tickets to Game 1, watch the tv coverage on Studio 23 instead. The money that was to be spent for the ticket, around 200 pesos on the average, could then be donated to help the victims of the tragedy.

Think about it.... Ordinarily, the UAAP Finals nets about 15,000 paying patrons per game. Let's give both Ateneo and UE around 5,000 fans each, composed mostly of family members of the players and close friends/supporters (who probably have tickets already). It's the remaining 5,000, who are either just interested spectators or UAAP basketball fans in general, who can make the difference. If these 5,000 fans donate the 200 pesos they would have spent on the ticket that's an instant 1 million peso UAAP relief fund. (and that already matches the amount donated by Manny Pacquiao)

Even better, they can pool their money with the friends they were going to watch with, and buy mineral water and basic foodstuff. They can give this directly to people they know who have been affected by the floods. This may be a small contribution, and will not be enough to replace the possessions they lost. But I'm sure it will go a long way in lifting their spirits, and in strengthening their resolve to move forward after this tragedy.

Final Countdown (UAAP Finals)

2009-09-24T22:45:00.020+08:00

So far, so good. Both my predictions for the UAAP Final 4 were on the money. It will be interesting to see if this holds up for the Finals series. So without further ado, here is my analysis for the upcoming Finals matchup between Ateneo and UE.

Most UAAP fans have installed Ateneo as the prohibitive favorite to defend the title they won last year. This belief is mostly based on the two wins that the Blue Eagles had over the Red Warriors this season. In both games, Ateneo's Rabeh Al-Hussaini imposed his will over the frontline of UE, averaging 28.5 points, and almost single-handedly gave his team the win. This exposed UE's lack of a true center, and Ateneo's superiority in that department. And while the rest of the starters for both teams might cancel each other out, it goes without saying that the boys from Loyola have the deeper bench. In addition, they also have more "name" players that are familiar even to the casual basketball fan. Indeed, a team that has a five of AlHussaini-Baclao-Buenafe-Salamat-Reyes has more ring to it than one which has Llagas-Espiritu-Acuna-Lee-Lingganay.

Looking at the numbers, I am almost tempted to join the bandwagon, and declare the Blue Eagles as champions even before the first shots have been fired. But something in my gut makes me feel that the Red Warriors have a decent shot at dethroning the Season 71 title-holders.

Let's not forget that, for most part, UE is still the team that Dindo built. Yes, the same team that went undefeated two years ago, until Dindo Pumaren was upstaged by his Kuya Franz in the Season 70 finals. The same team that was a victory or two away from winning it all. Practically half of the current line-up, or almost anyone who matters in the rotation of Lawrence Chongson was part of that team. Needless to say, these Red Warriors are veterans who are just dying for some payback.

Plus, there's this little known fact: that Norman Black has a losing Finals record against rookie coaches, whether it be in the PBA (losing to Rino Salazar in 1992, and Chot Reyes in 1993) or the UAAP (losing to Pido Jarencio in 2006).

So how will I call the Finals? I think I'll follow my head on this one and give Season 72 to Ateneo. The Blue Eagles just have too many weapons, and that will clinch them the series, aside from improving Coach Norman's record against rookie coaches. But it's going to be closer than what a lot of people think. UE may even sneak in a win and bring the series to a deciding 3rd game if Ateneo's not careful.

Prediction: Ateneo

UAAP Final Four

2009-09-18T23:28:00.002+08:00

Since everyone's been posting their detailed analysis on the upcoming UAAP Final Four matchups, i'll just keep mine simple, and stick with the predictions.

Matchup #1

The UAAP kicks off its Final Four tomorrow with the second seed, FEU Tamaraws going up against the third ranked UE Red Warriors.

With the latest twist in the Andy Barroca controversy pointing in this direction I would have to give the series to UE. Prior to this I would've favored FEU, but as it is, they are now a house divided.

Prediction: UE

Matchup # 2

On Sunday the top seeded ADMU Blue Eagles tangle with the fourth seeded UST Growling Tigers.

For the Growling Tigers to beat Ateneo, their trio composed of league MVP Dylan Ababou, Khasim Mirza and rookie Jeric Teng have to score 60+ pts, limit the entire Blue Eagle Squad to less than that, and do it for 2 consecutive games.

Not going to happen.

Prediction: ADMU

Up next: UAAP Finals and NCAA Final Four predictions (as soon as the pairings become clear)

For Love of... the Game?

2009-09-04T02:14:00.034+08:00

As mentioned in my previous post, the motivation to restart this blog was brought about by a desire to give my 2 cents on this entire mess involving the top pick in the 2009 PBA draft, Japeth Aguilar.

For those who haven't followed the particulars of this case, it basically revolves around the question of whether Japeth should sign the contract being offered by the PBA team that drafted him (Burger King), or follow his declared preference and play for the Smart Gilas developmental team under Rajko Toroman. Of course, this comes on the heels of a sudden turnaround from his earlier commitment to turn pro and sign the 3 year, 8.5 million peso contract.

This issue has been complicated further after a report filed by Rey Joble of Manila Standard Today alleged that Japeth was offered by Smart Gilas a contract more than double the amount being offered by Burger King. Some have even suggested that such a report might be libelous as it tends to malign the reputation of the young cager.

My take on the issue is this: in an ideal world, Japeth should be free to play where he wants to. Regardless of whether his motivation is the love of flag or money, that shouldn't be put into question. After all, it's his basketball career.

However, as all hardened Filipino basketball fans know, in this country nothing is as simple that. There are just too many personalities involved, or as Bill Velasco put it in his Philippine Star column, a case of them wearing many hats. Now, the leadership of the PBA led by Burger King's Lito Alvarez has threatened to ban Japeth permanently. Also being threatened is the long-term program of Smart Gilas aimed at making the 2012 London Olympics, as the PBA in what seems to be a knee-jerk reaction, has suddenly expressed interest in continuing to represent the country in elite international tournaments.

This is where the article of Joble comes into play. If one reads the article on its face it seems devoid of any imputation of wrongdoing or malice. My personal take on it is that the article alone would not suffice to make a case for libel. He simply stated that:

A highly-placed source told Standard Today that the 6’9” former Western Kentucky University player was offered the whopping three-year contract by the team backed by Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas and bankrolled by Smart Communications.

The same source said Aguilar is set to get P350,000 in his first year, P500,000 in his second year and P700,000 in his final year with Smart-Gilas, more than double the P8.7 million Burger King, the PBA team which drafted the 22-year-old cager, offered him.

The Whopper’s offer, which was the maximum salary allowed for a rookie, was rejected by Aguilar’s camp.

To put it simply, if an ordinary person were to read this, would it be sufficient to put Japeth in a bad light? It seems clear to me that it would not. At most, one could say that he was just after more money. But then again, show me a basketball player who isn't on the lookout for a better deal. Particularly in Japeth's case, where he is the primary family breadwinner, wouldn't taking more money be the smart thing to do? (pun not intended)

But even assuming for the sake of argument that the Joble article is indeed libelous, I don't think that Japeth is the aggrieved party here. If one reads carefully it can be seen that it was Smart Gilas which allegedly offered the enormous amount. Given the context of this tug-of-war, as stated above, it would seem that Smart Gilas is being made to appear as the kontrabida.

In local parlance, sinulot nila si Japeth. As such, Smart Gilas, through Noli Eala or MVP can allege that the article puts them in a bad light and threatens to sow the seeds of discord, which may weaken an already shaky SBP leadership.

It's Alive!

2009-09-03T21:41:00.005+08:00

After 3 long years this blog is back online again. =)

Why the long hiatus? Well, I got caught up doing a lot of other things (law school, newscasting, etc.) and over time just forgot that I had a blog.

That was, of course, until my friend and favorite online sports blogger firequinito posted this on his blog. Given my legal education and recent involvement with sportscasting, this issue was just right up my alley, and I felt the need to respond to it in greater detail.

As such, I'll resurrect this blog to post my thoughts on the most pressing basketball issue of the day: the Japeth Aguilar tug-of-war.

If time permits, I'll probably write about the current developments in the collegiate basketball leagues (NCAA and UAAP) plus other stuff that might pique my interest.

(Oh, and as I backread the old post it's funny how things actually turned out 3 years after. Hehehe.)

It's that time of the year

2006-06-10T19:55:00.013+08:00

Summer has come to a close. Early morning traffic jams are back. School registration and classes are just around the corner. All these can only mean one thing...

It's the NBA FINALS baby!!!

June has always been that unusual time of the year when I get up early in the morning and spend a good part of 2 hours watching the best NBA teams from the East and West play in a best of 7 series to determine who gets the Larry O'Brien trophy, and the right to be called World Champions.
(a title that has become debatable given the recent debacles of Team USA)

For some reason, I've always associated the NBA Finals with the occurrences mentioned above. While the connections are coincidental, it does manage to bring back a lot of old memories.

It was the 1991 Finals. The LA Lakers led by Magic Johnson (on his last full season before being diagnosed with AIDS) were going up against the upstart Chicago Bulls led by scoring phenom Michael Jordan. As a Lakers fan then (as I still am now), I was disappointed with the Bulls victory. In hindsight, however, I am glad to have been able to watch this series as it marked the beginning of the Jordan era and the first of 6 trophies for the 90's Chicago Dynasty.

This was also the first NBA Finals series I got to see "live" on tv. One has to understand that in those days (pre-cable), NBA games in the Philippines were featured on this show hosted by Quinito Henson. The catch though was that these games were already several weeks/months old by the time they were shown. It was only in the early 90's that local stations began beaming the games live. Previous to this, my connection to the world of basketball was limited to local leagues and the PBA. By the time the series was over the NBA had itself a new ten year old fan.

In high school I took advantage of living in a dorm inside the PSHS campus. This allowed me to rush back every class break or during lunch, usually in time to catch the closing minutes of the fourth quarter. It was here in 1998 that I got to see Jordan's "last shot", the one that enabled the Bulls to win over the Utah Jazz and clinch championship #6, the last of that era.

(of course Jordan "unretired" again a few years later, but that's another story)

The flexibility of college schedules made watching the Finals series a bit easier. Aside from the fact that I seldom scheduled my classes in the morning, priorities dictated that those which did coincide with the coverage just had to take a back seat for next 2-3 weeks. Fortunately, in UP, the first few weeks of class are spent making introductions, distributing classcards, and discussing the course syllabus. This is assuming that the professor comes to class at all. Needless to say, I never really missed much. And oh, the new-look Lakers led by Shaq and Kobe did win a Grand Slam along the way.

Even law school, where the skeds are fixed and the load is definitely tougher, has not been spared from my skewed priorities. I was pleasantly surprised to find out, though, that I was not alone. I remember last year's series when almost every guy in the block missed the morning class. As we started trickling back past lunch those who were present during the morning began to question our mass absence. Our initial attempts to feign some sort of illness proved to be unconvincing. The real reason for the absences was eventually revealed when we began our individual post-game analysis of the Spurs-Pistons series.

This year, watching the series has been made possible by my sked which conveniently places all my classes in the afternoon. Finals newcomers Miami and Dallas will be playing to win the first championship for their respective franchises. Already, Dallas has drawn first blood by winning Game 1. I predict a long series ending in 6 or 7 games. For sentimental reasons I favor the Heat to win.
(it's the first time I've sided with a East team in quite a while)

They just have more of that Laker connection, with Pat Riley (coach of the Showtime Lakers), Shaq, and Payton. Besides, I feel that it's time for Alonzo Mourning to win a ring. It would be a brilliant end to a great career and an inspiring comeback story. It is also fitting that he should win it with the team that made him its franchise player for almost a decade.

In the future I plan to watch the NBA Finals in the flesh. It's actually on my Before-I-Die-To-Do list. =)

Of course, it would be great if I could also do it as a commentator/sportscaster. (another thing on my to-do list) Now if only someone from the NBA or Solar Sports comes across my blog... =)