Are you in the game?!

“Team Pilipinas” went home without the crown but with pride. They brought not the olympic dream but the respect of the Asian countries and the rest of the world.

This is how to look at it in a positive wy, but hey, I must say I am upset with the outcome of their quest for the Olympics. I do believe the team had what it takes to win in the FIBA-Asia. Yes, the team was in the “Group of Death,” but the way the team was beaten by Iran and Jordan, was unpleasant. I would prefer seeing them beaten, playing a good game than winning despite playing a bad game. I mean, National teams are supposed to be playing their A-game every outing, whether against a strong or weak team. The opposing doesn’t really matter at all. Team Pilipinas can very much beat any team in the Group of Death.

Team Pilipinas beat China twice but hey, China’s squad wasn’t the A-squad compared to the Philipines (Asi Taulava is not the best center, but the only center who can compete internationally). And yet, the games were close. The victories over China is the “conswelo de bobo” for team Philippines.

These are just my thoughts. Feel free to share yours.

How ironic that NBA teams today are looking at hiring retired NBA stars like Regie Miller, Anfernee Hardaway, and Allan Houston. It seems every team is really gunning for the title this season.

It started with the Boston Celtics courting Regie Miller. From what I have read, the team wanted to pump up their bench. With the exit of 5 players in exchange for Kevin Garnett, the teams bench became shallow. They wanted more leaders in the team and with Regie, you expect to get prolific leadership especially down the stretch (that is, if Miller still can go “Miller Time”). It think Miller is a very significant addition to Boston’s roster this season. He may not be as good as he was before but definitely he can do something for the time.

Then comes Anfernee Hardaway bound to the Miami Heat. Shax! “Penny” is my idol before! I had a collection of Penny’s expensive NBA cards. He was a superstar back then. What is interesting in having Penny in Miami is its reunion with Shaquille O’neal! wOw! I remember their days in Orlando Magic. According to the news, Hardaway worked hard this summer to get back in shape. Let’s hope he plays well with Wade and O’neal. This is very good for Miami. After their lousy exit last season, the changes in their line-up makes them a team to watch once again.

Lastly, Allan Houston, the hotshot from New York Knicks. The news says Cleveland Cavaliers is the team courting Houston. Thank GOD! at least finally the Cavs are busy with shaping their roster!

For me, it’s nice to see these guys back on the playing court especially Hardaway and Miller. Well, can’t wait for the start of the new NBA season!

Before the fight, it was all bright hopes and positive lines for the promising 21 year old Rey Boom Boom Bautista. Especially after having the scorecards at 5-0, it was a fight that the Filipinos had the highest expectations. Unfortunately, where lay the greatest hope came the biggest disappointment!

The pride of Bohol was only good for several seconds in the entire fight. After tasting smashing punches from defending champ Daniel Ponce de Leon, Bautista didn’t had the legs and the jaw to sustain the power of de Leon. He came twirling to the ground after two powerpacked-straight punches released by the champion. The poor kid tried to get up before the count. Sana hindi na lang siya tumayo.. he could have let go at that point. It was very obvious that the legs were no longer there. I knew it was the end of the fight. When he got up, the mexican fighter was clearly in a KO mode bringing Bautista to the ground once again and at that point the referee stopped the fight.

In my opinion, I think de Leon was too much for Bautista. It is unfair to question that, how come Jerry Penalosa lasted for 12 rounds with de Leon in the ring while Bautista only for few seconds considering Bautista is younger, fresher, perhaps, stronger, and to sum-up, a more promising contender than Penalosa. Every fighter is different at different times for that matter. That is true to both Penalosa and Bautista and even de Leon. Daniel was in a killer mode against Bautista. He looked very hungry, eager, excited and confident. I even doubted if Pacquiao will win against de Leon if Pacman was in the place of Bautista. Daniel de Leon definitely prepared for the fight. He knew what he will do from the opening bell.

On the other hand, I felt Bautista wasn’t as focused as he should be. Somehow, I saw the nervous, tense and pressure in his face right at the moment he entered the ring. He was very lousy at the start of the fight. His defense wasn’t set at all, to think that he knew de Leon had a KO punch. I think he was amazed with the stand of de Leon that he just watched the punches thrown be de Leon at him. He was really very very lousy defensively. It seemed like he wanted to taste the power of de Leon ang test if he can take it. These lapses brought the 21 yearold Filipino down to the canvass much to the dismay of the Filipino fans all over the world.

On the positive note, the fight was definitely a good learning experience for the kid. He should learn that boxing isn’t always power versus power. He must learn to adjust his tactics initiatively. I’m sure will become a better and more matured fighter the next time he steps into the ring!

What a day it was for the world of Philippine boxing! 5 proud Filipino boxers won against their Mexican oponents to bag the WORLD CUP title. The event was promoted and sponsored by Oscar dela Hoya’s, Golden Boy Promotions.

Diosdado Gabi, Michael Domingo, AJ Banal, Z Gorres, Jerry Penalosa, and Boom2x Bautista composed the team Philippines. Batawang’s fight didn’t pursue. It was a 5-1 victory. Only Boom2x Bautista gave different result. The 21 year old World title challenger was defeated via 1st round TKO by Mexican, Daniel Ponce de Leon.

The highlight in the victory of the Philippines was the 7th round KO punch released by 35-year old Jerry Penalosa which gave him the WBO bantamweight belt. The left hand punch drove Jhonny Gonzales backwards and eventually down to the ground. Before the knockdown, the fight was clearly in favor of the Mexican. I being a Filipino, could easily judge the fight in favor of Gonzales. He had solid landed punches. He was taller, faster, and seemed very in control. But the hardworking veteran fighter Penalosa was like a sniper waiting for the little opening to pull the trigger. The oppurtunity came and bang! The rest is history.

Congratulations to the Filipino boxers! MABUHAY ANG PILIPINAS! MABUHAY MGA PINOY!!!!! yeah! 

BOSTON CELTICS

Their off-season noise is definitely the loudest. After acquiring hotshot Ray Allen from the Seattle Supersonics, who would have thought it wasn’t the end yet. The Celtics finally got the services of monster forward Kevin Garnett from the Minnesota Timberwolves at the expense of Al Jefferson, Gerald Green, Ryan Gomes, guard Sebastian Telfair and center Theo Ratliff, along with two first-round draft picks and cash considerations.

Having Garnett, Pierce, and Allen provides the Celtics immeasurable offensive firepower, superb inside prescence, and most importantly dedicated veterans that can surely provide leadership for the team. Also, I think the Celtics is most hungriest now more than ever for a championship because the trio are established superstars but has never tasted a championship title.

The Celtics is definitely a team to look out for this season. I just hope their dynamic trio stay away from injuries and will quickly blend together.

PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS

With the privelege to select the overall first pick in the 2007 NBA draft, the Blazers are set to become an exciting team and even a title contender this coming NBA season. The Blazers selected a potential franchise player in Greg Oden. Oden definitely fits to the team because of its defficiency in terms of length and size.

The team added size and youth in the departure of inside dominator, Zach Randolph. With its youth, I don’t expect them to win the big games. I think they lack the prescence of a veteran leader in the team. However, the Blazers this season will surely be able to bring the crowd back in its arena.