Epoch Audio-Dunlop vs. AAA-Northtech

We played our second game of the season against a veteran AAA-Northtech squad earlier this afternoon. These guys have been battle-tested as this is not their first time joining the Metro Ball Invitational Cup.

We started out flat. Our offense couldn't get going while our opponents went on a fastbreak blitz. We fell behind early as they quickly erected a double-digit lead throughout the first half.

We inched our way closer in the third quarter from stellar plays from our main man, ex-pro standout John Cardel. He was able to drill several jumpers in succession. The third period ended with Northtech holding a very slim lead.

The fourth quarter ended pretty much the way the last one started as we were able to dominate on defense while making plays on the other end. Due to several good offensive sets, we were able to grab the lead and maintain it for most of the period. The last minute was exciting as we had a three point cushion and the ball in their possession. Northtech had good looks from beyond the arc but their shots weren't falling anymore. We were able to grab key defensive rebounds in the closing moments as we pulled away with an 8 point victory.

Eye Wide Shut

I got myself another major injury the other night. I was playing basketball with a couple of officemates at nearby Club 650. Anyhow, my left eye got poked real bad during one rebound play. It had me screaming, "Fuck, not again!"

I had a corneal abrasion already before, also from basketball. It was the most excruiciating injury I've ever had. The pain was just so unbearable. So I said to myself, "Please let this be just a regular eye-poke." I didn't want to go through the anguish and hassle again.

I managed to finish the game with one eye literally shut. Afterwards, I already had a bad feeling about my eye. I was thinking whether I should go to the hospital or not. Since I had experienced this before and I still have the medicines from the last abrasion, I decided to stay home.

I woke up the following day feeling worse. I couldn't open my eye and there was no way I would be able to go to work. I sent text messages to my officemates informing them of my absence. Good thing my boss was with me during the accident so he knew what I was going through. I didn't need to explain anymore.

As the day progressed, I felt it was best that I go to the hospital and have it checked. I went to the ER at Medical City to have them take a look at my injury. True enough, it was another corneal abrasion. They prescribed the same medication and gave me pretty much the same instructions as my previous doctors did before.

It usually takes about 3 days til the pain totally wears out. Eye injuries heal very quick, but they're also the most painful as well. That's the trade-off. No other organ heals faster than the eye. So that basically means that in a few days time, I should've fully recovered and can get back to playing full contact basketball.

I've a game this weekend that I don't want to miss.

Closing Job Orders

I had a pretty good yesterday in terms of work. I was able to close down another job order, while having a few more for job offers. Chances are, three more people will be joining IBS and more of my pending orders will be closed soon.

I have to admit, it wasn't easy starting our here at IBS recruitment. Transition was difficult and I had to learn a totally different recruitment system. It took me about a month to grasp the whole process but things have turned for the better now. I have already adjusted to the whole environment and things are falling into place now. I am absolutely enjoying anything and everything about work.

This is what I signed up for.

Epoch Audio-Dunlop vs. P&G

We had our first game earlier tonight against Procter and Gamble. It was the first time I was going to play with my teammates. I'm fairly the new guy in the team so it was kind of hard visualizing how I will be able to jell with their style of play. It was also awkward as my first taste of scrimmage with them is already the season opener as well.

We breezed through P&G without much resistance. We were able to dictate the tempo of the game, and our big men were able to dominate the boards. I had a bad game by my standards as I made only 2 of 5 freethrows as well as a couple of easy shots. I tried to get fancy on a wide-open breakaway layup as I decided to tap-board. I didn't get much lift from my legs so I embarassingly missed. Had a good laugh about it though. I finished with 8 points. Anyway, at the final buzzer we were able to get a 27-point blowout victory.

We're off to a pretty good start. I hope we can continue the run next weekend.

Metro Ball

I received a call from a friend of mine early today. He was asking if I wanted to join a team he was putting up for a summer league. This was for a tournament sponsored by Sunbolt Energy Drink to be played at the Metro Gym in Mandaluyong. It's actually a popular league as they're also being sponsored by Solar Sports. If I'm not mistaken highlights of the tourney will be broadcasted across the network's shows.

I normally wouldn't think twice about accepting such an offer, however, I was a tad bit wary because I hardly knew the rest of other players. I mean, it's hard to play with people you barely even know. I eventually agreed considering I just have to pay my share in the tournament fee, and we receive two sets of unis which are provided for by the team sponsor. That's pretty much a good deal in my book.

Our team is called Team Epoch Audio as that's our official team sponsor. They provided the funds for most of the expenses. Dunlop is also a minor team sponsor.

I'm delighted as I have another basketball season to look forward to.

Placement update

I finally made my first placement as the first of the five job offers at hand for my bundle was officially accepted. It was a good sign of things to come as three of the next four were accepted as well. It would have been great if no one declined. But 80% is not bad at all.

Hopefully I get to maintain that percentage. I'm actually confident that I will be able to do even better than 80% as my next offers come trickling in soon.

Another gamewinner; yet another injury

I hit another pretty gamewinning shot last night. I decided to take over in the waning moments of the game because my teammates flubbed our last two possessions. So I called for an isolation play from the top of the key. After a couple of dribbles and a crossover, I veered towards the right side. I stopped near the elbow, and quickly pulled up for a jumper. Bank shot from eighteen feet.

The night didn't end as well as it started though. Towards the middle of the next game, I got jacked up pretty bad. I jammed my right thumb as an opponent tried to swipe the ball and got my hand at full force. In a matter of minutes, my thumb was swollen and discolored like hell.

It's been quite a while since I last had an injury, whether major or not. I don't miss the feeling at all. I just hope I don't get hurt as much as I've been sinking gamewinners as of late.

Holy Week

I just had probably the most uneventful week in recent memory. Stayed home practically throughout the holidays. Maundy Thursday and Good Friday were absolutely boring. Most establishments were closed and the only stores open were your friendly neighborhood fastfood joints. Wow. How exciting.

It's a good thing though that I was able to get a couple of days off from work. Since there was hardly anything to do and nowhere to go, I wound up sleeping for the most part. Still, nothing beats the feeling that you don't have to wake up by a certain time to go get ready for work.

If having that feeling means I have to get bored the rest of the day, I'd take it with open arms.

Job Placement

I prepared 5 contracts today. These contracts are to be offered next week. Granting at least 1 job offer will be accepted, this will mark the first time I'll make a successful placement thus closing the job order.

I have a very good feeling all five will be accepted. I don't want to jinx it, but something tells me I'll go 100% at least on my first five job offers.

I can hardly wait.

Townhall Meeting

For whatever reason, some of my officemates volunteered me to do the hosting chores for our company's second townhall meeting for 2006. It's a quarterly event that the company uses to update all employees about the happenings during the past quarter and inform everyone about the plans for the next quarter as well.

I was hesistant at first, primarily because I've only been in IBS for about a month. I barely knew my colleagues and the big bosses as well. Since I'm not familiar with them, I was afraid to make any mistakes especially mix-ups on identities. That'll be so embarassing. I couldn't say no to the organizers though. Since HR was in charge of the whole production, I just couldn't decline the offer especially since it was my HR manager along with one of the more senior HR officers who asked me. Nakakahiya naman to turn it down.

I hosted the townhall meeting today. In fact I had to do it twice. We had the main one this afternoon, together with 90% of the population, while we did the second a few hours ago for th ebenefit of the 50 or so night shift people. It was a good experience. I haven't done such a thing before, I mean not in front of 500-plus people so the whole gig was a new experience for me. I got to know more people from the company so that was an added bonus. They're asking me if I want to do the next one come July, and I just basically smiled.

Yeah, I'm open to doing it again. I mean, I don't stand to lose anything anyway. The benefits far outweigh the risks.

Besides at least for a couple of hours, I'm in control. Haha.

Hectic Week

The past week at work was too hectic for me as the earliest time I was able to leave the office was past 7 pm. I normally don't stay past 6:30 or so. Anyhow, a lot of things needed to be finished to I had to stay and have dinner at Eastwood instead of eating at home. Hassle cause it's another unforeseen cost implication.

I was looking forward to resting over the weekend as I feel I've lost a lot of sleep recently. I wasn't able to capitalize though, as I still have erratic sleeping habits. Weekend was good as I was able to get back to my usual fitness routine, playing basketball both Saturday and Sunday. Had pretty good games too, hitting gamewinners here and there. Moreover, I was able to finish shopping for additional work clothes which I started late Friday. I don't plan on ditching my normal barong routine but I plan on investing on other stuff as well. Long-sleeves are my thing right now and I can't seem to stop getting more.

At any rate, it was a pretty good weekend minus the rest part. I still need to catch up on some shut-eye, otherwise I feel I'm going to break down soon.

I hope not. I'm a pretty big link in the office chain so I can't bog down otherwise everyone will fall apart too.

I can't afford that. Not yet at least. Haha.

an Ateneo Education

I chanced upon a very enticing column on yesterday's (March 31) The Philippine Star. I normally don't read the Opinions section but Boo Chanco's commentary had a title too interesting to pass up.

It read, "Is an expensive Ateneo education worth it?"

Being an Atenean, I was curious to find out how he would answer. Moreover, I was looking forward on reading how he would justify whatever answer he comes up with. I went on and finished the entire selection.

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

I am an Atenean. I belong to High School batch 1999 and College batch 2003. Not many people may know though that I went to Colegio San Agustin for my elementary years. When people ask me what school (or schools) I went to, I would always say Ateneo. I don't mention CSA unless they ask me about grade school. Not to say I dissociate myself totally from the Augustinians, rather I feel that I was never educated by CSA. I may have finished elementary there, yet I never learned anything subtantial. My formative years were spent under the tutelage of the Jesuits, where I was able to develop the skills I need in life. My eight years at the Ateneo prepared me to face reality undaunted and confident about the uncertainty that will confront me.

This is why I believe that my Ateneo education is the finest investment I have.

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

Boo Chanco concluded his essay saying that the expensive cost of an Ateneo education is well worth it, but only if the graduate recognizes its intrinsic value and does something about it in his life.

One will never realize its value if it is taken for granted. The value of an Ateneo education will never be quantifiable. It will not be about how much money one makes, or how much power and wealth one amasses. Rather, it is how one uses it to be a 'man for others', the mission being instilled upon Ateneans since day one.