IBS Basketball

It has been a dream of the veteran IBMers here at IBS to join a third party league. We've been thinking about it since last year but no one felt the urgency to do something about it.

This time, the dream will finally become a reality.

A group of IBMers, representing IBM Business Services, joined the MPG Ateneo Alumni Invitational Tournament. It will run from July 14 until early September. Venues are at the following: Meralco Gym, Acropolis Gym, Reyes Gym, Club 650 and at The Zone.

Our first official game is this Sunday, July 15, at Club 650

Jordan XX2

Since recovering from my ACL injury, I've gone back to not only playing ball, but buying basketball sneaks as well. Had to stop buying during the time I was out.

I've copped three pairs so far since my return last May. None are better than Jordan XX2's I got last night though. Didn't like the black colorway but I had no choice since the white ones were not available. Was kinda forced into getting them because of my friend's 50% off anything more than 30 days old. I didn't want to leave the store empty handed.

I could've gotten the white ones at some other store at full retail (Php 9,195) but these black joints were too hard to resist at half-price.

I don't like the color, but I'll deal with it.

Advanced Excel Training

It was easily the best workshop I've attended to in my stay here in IBM. Props to all the facilitators for a vey informative and educational two days.

I'm coming out of the workshop with a boatload of usable knowledge.

Goggled

Got the goggles I ordered from the States yesterday. I had the prescription inserts made today. Can't wait to try these bad boys on the court. I'll have my chance tomorrow.

More than meets the eye

Watched Transformers last night. It's fun being able to finish a movie without dozing off as I've done with the last few films I've seen.

Good stuff, except for a few dragging parts. Brought me back some 80's memories. Now they have to do film adaptations to cartoon favorites Centurions, Sky Commanders, MASK, Visionaries.... and the list goes on...


Next target: Live Free or Die Hard (Die Hard 4.0 in the Philippines)

Recruitment gone bad

Many IBMers are dissatisfied with the recruitment team. I will not be surprised if heads roll. I don't think people will mind starting from the top too.

Two gamewinners. Two consecutive weeks.

Nearing full recovery.

Leap of faith

It's been one wild and puzzling week. I don't even know if it's a positive or negative one.

Happily shocked

I was pleasantly surprised by a colleague's comment. Never saw it coming at all. I must admit, it's best thing I've heard recently.

Thanks, Ate. Haha :)

Not so famous quote from His Airness

Michael Jordan was known for his uber-competitiveness. Some people think he went overboard in criticizing his teammates for their basketball skills and IQ (or lack thereof). Most famous among his tirades were to former Bulls Horace Grant, Will Purdue and Stacy King.

Michael had a knack for being selfish, believing that he can do it all.

When told that "there's no I in TEAM", do you know what MJ's response was?

"Yes, but there is one in WIN."

Awesome stuff.

Schadenfreude

Someone's in a shitload of trouble, and I don't know how he'll manage it. Hell, I doubt he can get out of it. Hate to say this, but you're on your own.

Beyond frustration

Now I understand how desperate some people can get. They stoop to levels I cannot even imagine.

A genuine Real Madrid fan

I grew up a Real Madrid fan, but not because of superstar names like Zidane, Figo and Beckham. There weren't any of these Galacticos back in the day.

It was because of my mom's older sister. Soon after graduating college in the late 60's, my aunt moved to Madrid. Apparently, it has been her dream to live and settle in Spain. She was your typical European football fanatic. She loved Real Madrid, and hated Barcelona. She'd show us photos of her in the famed Santiago de Bernabeu, Real's legendary homeground. She always made it a point to send us (well, me in particular cause I was the footballer in the family) Real Madrid kits - jerseys, shorts, socks, collectibles and memorabilia.

She loved Spain, she loved Real Madrid. She was your typical football fanatic, until the day she passed away, one morning in December of 1996.

With this latest Madrid triumph, their 30th Spanish league title, I'm sure she's delighted. With Barcelona finishing second, I'm certain it makes it all the more special.

Real Madrid, back on top of Spanish Football

Real Madrid completed an improbable season, by doing what it did best this year: coming from behind.

Falling behind 1-0 since 17th minute, the Galacticos intense offensive barrage led to three goals in the second half. Supersub Jose Antonio Reyes levelled for Madrid off some dazzling footwork by Robinho and a nifty assist from Higuain.

A Mahamadou Diarra header off a corner kick gave Madrid the lead after 79 minutes, though officially I believe they scored it as an own goal off a Mallorca defender.

A fantastic 25-yard strike from Reyes in the 83rd minute, his second of the game, iced the league championship for the 30th time in Real Madrid history. Seen celebrating with the team were Spanish tennis phenom Rafael Nadal and American celebrities Katie Holmes and husband Tom Cruise, accompanied by Victoria Beckham.

It was a splendid send-off for internationals David Beckham and Roberto Carlos, who both played their last game for the Galacticos.

There's going to be one helluva celebration in the Spanish capital.

Spurs, a dynasty?

No. Sorry. Despite winning three NBA titles in the past five years, and four of the last nine, the San Antonio Spurs shouldn't be mentioned in the same breath as the Bulls, Celtics and Lakers of decades past.

Try winning three consecutive championships and let's discuss again. The Houston Rockets won back-to-back in the middle of Jordan's two three-peats in the 90's yet they were never considered to be a dynasty. Rather, they were seen as a good team having a good run.

I say that the current Spurs are just having a good run too. And until they hit two, three consecutive chips, they shouldn't be on on anyone's dynasty lists.

The Spurs ain't no Bulls. Duncan ain't no MJ.

SWEEP!

Well, what do you know? The Spurs swept the Cavaliers in four games, just as most people predicted.

Right now, Dwyane Wade > Lebron James.

Enough said.

(Un)Fantastic

Saw the film, "Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer" last night. Not that nice in my opinion. The story was somewhat bland. It lacked the appeal of the previous one.

Nevertheless, seeing Jessica Alba and Vanessa Minnillo (despite the cameo role) were definitely eye candy. HOT HOT HOT! They more than made up for whatever was missing.

Rollin'

Let's keep this up.

Spurs 2, Cavs 0

As expected, the San Antonio Spurs romped to a quick two-games-to-none lead over the Cleveland Cavaliers in their best-of-seven NBA finals series. No one is giving Cleveland a chance. And I don't blame them.

The two games failed to draw a large television audience as people at home opted to watch other shows than boring finals matchup. Even the presence of phenom Lebron James wasn't enough to ignite fans across the world. Hell, I'd rather watch CSI than sleep through these games.

I'd say Spurs in four or five games, depending on how they feel.

Outrageous

Picked this up this morning at the Manila Standard Today.

-----------------

Greatest of all time?

By Anthony Suntay

NOBODY likes being wrong, but in this case, I was pleasantly surprised.

Before the National Basketball Association playoffs began, I predicted that the Detroit Pistons and the San Antonio Spurs would meet in the finals, with the Spurs bagging another title for their trophy chest.

The Spurs made it, though the Phoenix Suns sure made it an interesting series.

The Pistons, on the other hand, were defeated by the upstart Cleveland Cavaliers, who I believed were a few years away from being a legitimate title contender.

And why not? This Cavs team is a group in transition.

Two years ago, they changed their majority owner, who then brought in a new and dynamic coach in Mike Brown. They then built around budding superstar LeBron James.

They have a pretty good mix in Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Drew Gooden, Anderson Varejao, Larry Hughes, Donyell Marshall, Alexander Pavlovic and rookie Daniel Gibson.

But I honestly felt that they still needed a couple of quality players to make it to the next level of the playoffs.

But who needs better players when you have King James?

LeBron played like royalty and made a believer out of me in this series. I always knew he was a special player, but to be this good, this early is amazing.

Just look at what he did in Game 5 alone: he scored 48 points—the team’s last 25, and 29 out of the last 30. This against one of the best defensive teams in the league. And he didn’t do it all in the paint. He mixed it up with jumpers from all over the court, going up against double and triple-teams. His final line was 9 rebounds and 7 assists, hitting 18-of-33 shots from the field and 10-of-14 free throws in 50 minutes of play.

Still not convinced?

He became the first player to score 25 straight points in the post season, his 48 were the most scored against the Pistons in over 590 games, that was back in Nov. 23, 2001. It was also the highest scoring game in Detroit by a playoff opponent since Elgin Baylor in 1961 and the most points against the Pistons in the playoffs since 1986 when Dominique Wilkins shot 50.

I believe it now when people say that we are fortunate to be able to watch all-time greats playing their sports during “our time.”

We had Michael Jordan in basketball and Pete Sampras in tennis recently. Now, we have Tiger Woods in golf and Roger Federer in tennis.

Now comes LeBron.

People keep talking about the heir apparent to Jordan. Kobe Bryant comes really close. His unbelievable skills, desire to win and tremendous effort on both ends of the court bring him so close to “His Airness.”

James has most of that, too, he just needs to be a bigger force on the defensive end, but he has made his teammates better and he has already carried them to greater heights.

And he just might lead them to the Promised Land, though I feel the Spurs should still be the favored team for the championship.

But with James in tow, the Cavs feel they can achieve anything.

And why not? After it’s all been said and done, LeBron just could be the greatest basketball player of all time.

http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=sports7_june9_2007

-----------------

You've gotta be kidding me. That's some strong shit your smoking to say this early that LeBron could possibly be the GOAT.

He's got a long way to go. He ain't even near Jordan territory. And unless he surpasses MJ's unearthly achievements. He'll never be The Next One.

Now, quit that shit and go get your ass off to rehab.