MCBL: Another bridesmaid finish for IBM

This is long overdue. The championship game was played last December 6 at the Northeast Greenhills gym.

I don't feel like making my own article so I'm just posting the championship recap from Gameface, MCBL's official website.

--------------
DIVISION B: Chevron- 87, IBM Business Services I- 74

Prior to the finals, both Chevron and IBM Business Services 1 shared similar MCBL histories.

Both made it to the finals in their first MCBL tournament. Both teams lost to their opponents in those finals. Both were now playing in their 2nd MCBL tournament. Both had won one game against each other this season. Obviously, their histories were going to be different after this match.

In the end, the favorable path went to Chevron primarily on the strength of the single most dominant performance in a MCBL final.

Division MVP Rain Sison tallied 44 points, 11 rebounds, and 7 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block as he almost singlehandedly kept IBM at bay. While Chevron led most of the way, IBM would rally behind the outside sniping of Paul Ansay who nailed 7 three pointers including a 30 footer heading into the fourth and the inside games of Albert Sanchez and Herbert Vergara.

However, each time they would come close, Chevron had an answer. Most of the times it would be Rain, but Chevron also drew strong games from Joel Ilao, Mark Bersales, and Don Pangcog who tallied 11, 10, and 9 points respectively.
--------------

This marks the second straight runner-up finish for the team this year as we lost out to Cebuana Lhuillier in the First Conference.

Despite coming up short both times, it's been a pretty good year for IBM Basketball. No one can take away what we've accomplished especially since we never needed any ex-PBA or college player to be successful.

This also marks the last time I'm suiting up for IBM. I hope they continue to join the MPG leagues even when I'm gone. Who knows though, I just might be back when the 2009 season opens in May. Hmmm.

Random nightout

I haven't been out for the longest time so I decided to check out the scene last night. Heck, I don't even remember the last time I was out. Anyway, all I know is that Taguig didn't have a curfew and there were no cops roving around the Fort Strip back then.

Can't say I missed it.

White flag

I'm relieved. Time to let nature take its course and allow the universe to make it happen.

Fiat Voluntas Dei

Half-pound patties

McDonald's launched the Double Quarter Pounder locally recently and I've always wanted to try it out. I was fairly certain it was OD but I had to check it out for myself.

I finally got one a few days ago and it was way too heavy for me. My large fries went untouched. Word to virgin. It was good but I doubt I'll do it again.

Next up is the ultra-secret, mythical McGangbang. It'd be interesting to see how I'll be able to pull that off of a local McD's.

Equilibrium

The universe has its own way of balancing things out eventually. Sometimes it tips and tilts to one end before leaning on to the other. But after all's been said and done, it never fails to go back to its center.

Count on it.

Yankees go on a shopping frenzy

You know the New York Yankees got it good when they spent USD 423.5M on three free agent signings. (CC Sabathia 161M/7 years; AJ Burnett 82.5M/5 years; Mark Teixeira 180/8 years). That's almost half a billion dollars invested on three top-tier players over and above the mammoth 275M contract ARod signed last year.

Who said America is under recession?

Dirty laundry

Another scary questions get scary answers moment. I just have this innate talent to dig up dirt. Word to dumpster diving.

Cleaning out

I started cleaning out my desk last night in hopes of getting everything out by tomorrow. Ugh. Good luck cause it ain't happening. I just have too much junk at work. Seems like I need to come in at least one more time during the holidays to get this over and done with.

Botched birthday

One totally messed up birthday. Not even close to what I had in mind. Fuck it. Word to Eamon.

Pre-birthday blow

I was wishing for a happy birthday. It's a shame I'm off to a shockingly dreadful start.

Lotto hits

The office cats were making fun of how some broads at work had LGs as SOs. It made for some hilarious ribbing. Impossible is nothing. Word to Adidas.

UNC still #1

For the fifth straight week (sixth including the preseason), North Carolina remains unanimously on top of both AP and ESPN US College Basketball rankings. The way the Tar Heels (9-0) are blowing out all their opponents, they deserve all the hype they've been getting.

So far, it's really been Carolina and then everyone else.

Preppy fantasy

I badly want my tipsy Catholic schoolgirl. Word to Cruel Intention's Manchester Prep.

Sunday night buzz

It's been a while since I got buzzed. I actually missed the floating feeling.

A little bit unsettled

What's in your head? In your head?
Zombie, zombie, zombie

Can't get some shit out of my head. Word to The Cranberries.

Scary questions get scary answers

Don't bother if you've got a faint heart. It just might rip you into pieces.

Never-Never-Land

I swear I have the most childish and immature former(s). Someone needs to grow up. Word to Peter Pan.

Total recall

I just had some lessons in history recently. I think it's one of those deja vu things. Word to PM Dawn.

Early December downer

Save for a few good things, my weekend was a major letdown. I'm wishing for a pleasant turnaround.

Pac-Man gave the Golden Boy a brutal beatdown

Couldn't find words to describe Manny Pacquiao's total domination of Oscar De La Hoya. I'll just let some photos do the talking.

Next in line? Bring on either The Hitman or Money next.

Myth-bustin'

Debunk the myth. That's what's up. Word to Sports Science.

MCBL: One is greater than Two

I don't think anybody else gave us the chance. Being the 4th seed with a less-than-mediocre 3-4 record, I don't blame them.

One thing I know about this team is that we don't quit. There's just no surrender in us.

In what was arguably the best game an IBM team has ever played in the history of the MCBL, we pulled off a massive surprise attack against top-seeded Accenture that surely left them wondering what hit them. It was shock-and-awe at its finest. Word to the US Military.

It was a superbly played game from start to finish. We bombarded them on offense, shooting 52% overall (31-60) and 50% from beyond-the-arc (12-24), while playing impeccable team defense. We never let up, leading the whole way, en route to a masterful 96-81 destruction of the highly-favored Accenture Knights.

This is the same Accenture team that blew us out us in two previous meetings: one by 11, the other by 20. This made the victory all the more special. Borrowing a widely used sports quote, "We win when it matters." Fuck math but this time one is greater than two. Third time's a charm.

Paul led the charge with 33 points, 18 coming from downtown. Herbert had 29 points anchored on 5 treys while Alfie had a solid outing with 15 points, 9 rebounds and 5 blocked shots.

We'll meet Chevron in the Finals this weekend, while Accenture (6-2) takes 3rd place. Metrobank is 4th.

We split two games with Chevron during the eliminations. We won the first game, 85-78, while dropping the second, 48-51.

Overall record: 4-4
Next game: Finals, vs. Chevron - December 6, Saturday, at the Northeast Greenhills gym

In before the end

Nothing satisfies my eBay addiction more than a last second win. Word to buzzer-beaters.

I had to get up and go online about an hour ago to keep tabs on this item I was bidding on. It turned chaotic in the final moments with about 10 bids in the last 10 seconds. Fight to the finish indeed.

Clandestine recon

I'm so good at this I make CSI's look like interns. Word to 007.

(1)UNC off to a blazing start

Three weeks into the season, number one ranked North Carolina is on a tear. They've racked up six straight blowout victories, the last three in the Maui Invitational to bring home the trophy. With their unmatched depth, the Tar Heels (6-0) are enjoying an excellent start to the season despite missing key players due to injuries.

All-American and reigning National Player of the Year Tyler Hansbrough has been limited to three games but scored 34 points during the today's Maui championship duel against eighth-ranked Notre Dame. Senior starter Marcus Ginyard is out until December due to a fractured foot. Freshman Center Tyler Zeller broke his wrist trying to break a fall last week versus Kentucky. He is expected to miss the entire season.

The inquisition

I'm still annoyed at my CIA-cum-FBI self. I know curiosity killed the pussycat, but I doubt the kitty willed itself to die.

Unwanted ordeal

I had one of them irritating CIA moments earlier. Talk about excruciating mental agony, with torture-like effects. Word to The Rack.

Fit and fun

Save for some cramps at the most inopportune time, my weekend workout was more than satisfying.

My body is aching, my abs are hurting and my legs are flatout fatigued.

I ain't complaining though. It's all G-OO-D good.

MCBL: Getting ready for the playoffs

On paper, it was a sure W. There's just no way we're losing this game. We were all licking our chops waiting for this fixture cause we know the best way to end the elimination round is with an easy blowout victory.

And we did just that. We got a much needed adrenalin shot before the playoffs start next weekend.

The winless Logica team decided to run with us and off to the races we went. We controlled the game from beginning to end, finishing with a comfortable 88-68 win, yesterday at the Reyes Gym.

It was an uptempo game highlighted by a lot of quick transition plays leading to easy scores. We were able to stamp our dominance from the get-go and it was pretty much over by halftime. We also had the luxury of resting key players in the fourth period while giving the others opportunity to enjoy the lopsided win.

Daryl wound up with a career game notching 27 points on a variety of moves, highlighted by several and-one's. Paul buried five three-pointers en route to 25 points. He also had 13 rebounds and 6 steals. Alf contributed 19 points, 13 rebounds and 4 blocked shots.

The semifinal round starts next week and we're facing Accenture. We met them twice in the elims and lost both games. I swear we could've stolen at least one but we were missing several players. I hope to have a complete cast by Sunday because I know we'll give them more than what they bargained for.

Final elimination round record: 3-4 (4th seed)
Next game: vs Accenture - November 30, Sunday, at the Reyes Gym

Bush-shockers

These have been making the internet rounds for quite some time now. Still, it's an unusual sight seeing US President George W. Bush and First Daughter Jenna flash the shocker (on separate occasions, of course).

It's all in the fam, baby.

PP on FB

You have got to love it. Only in Facebook.

Not only am I a fan, I'm a booster as well.

PekPek Shorts FTMFW!

Being LuLi and MIA

Lulubog, lilitaw
Ang buwan at araw
Patuloy pang lalakad ang panahon

Word to Ka Freddie.

The Rihanna and Chris Brown aftermath

- I've never seen such a horrible traffic mess on a fuckin' Sunday. It was hell going to and from the Fort area last night.

- If you didn't know that there was an event going on, you'd be stuck wondering what the fuss is about seeing 70,000 people from all corners of the Fort converging into the open field area.

- I think that the people enjoyed the Chris Brown part more primarily because he performed all his popular hits. Rihanna, on the other hand, sang some relatively unknown cuts drawing a bit of silence and lull from the crowd.

- It was wicked seeing them do "Cinderella" for their encore.

- I would've enjoyed the show more save for a nasty migraine and some annoying, chinky teenage fag encroaching our personal space. He was jumping like crazy as if he was in a mosh pit. I swear I was gonna clock him hard if he bumped me again.

A satiated Sunday slate

It'll be a packed Sunday for me tomorrow. I've a big corporate league game to play after lunch and the Rihanna and Chris Brown show to attend to at night.

It should be fun.

Top-ranked UNC reloads for 2009

The North Carolina Tar Heels enter the 2008-09 basketball season as the unanimous preseason number one team. They will enter the 2009-10 season with the consensus top-ranked recruiting class with all future rooks belonging to the top 70 high school seniors in America.

Five recruits will don the Carolina Blue colors next season led by five-star power forward John Henson from Florida. He will be joined by a pair of talented backcourt players in New Jersey five-star shooting guard Dexter Strickland and Tennessee four-star wing Leslie McDonald. California twins, four-star power forwards Travis and David Wear round up the class.

UNC is preseason #1 again

Last year, North Carolina started the season as the top-ranked team in college basketball. They're at it again for 2008-09 but this time it's unanimous.

Both the ESPN/Coaches and Associated Press polls have UNC atop their rankings gathering all possible number one votes.

With the Heels returning all five starters of their 2008 Final Four team plus three McDonald's All-American freshmen additions, it's dumb not to pick them as the preseason favorites. They will, however, be in for a bumpy start as they will be missing senior starters Marcus Ginyard and All-American Tyler Hansbrough, who by the way, is the reigning national player of the year.

North Carolina opens its season at home against Pennsylvania this weekend.

Elmew the IBMew

I've an officemate who, simply put, strikingly resembles this Looney Tunes character.

Seen him at wowk wecently?

Fancy puck-handling skills

It's all too common seeing between-the-legs moves in hoops. But in hockey? You have got to be kidding.

Or so I thought.

Check out Dallas Stars winger Mike Ribeiro unleash some trickery in a penalty shootout.



Wow.

America's post-election arms race

Picked this up from the CNN website. The Americans know what's up. There's a reason why firearms are flying of the shelves like never before.

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

Gun sales surge after Obama election
From Kevin Bohn
CNN Senior Producer

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Bernie Conatser has never seen business this good.

Bernie Conatser, owner of Virginia Arms Company, displays one of his rifles.

The owner of a gun shop in the Washington suburb of Manassas, Virginia, Conatser said sales have doubled or tripled since this time last year.

On Saturday, he said, he did as much business as he would normally do in a week.

"I have been in business for 12 years, and I was here for Y2K, September 11, Katrina," Conatser said, as a steady stream of customers browsed what remained of his stock. "And all of those were big events, and we did notice a spike in business, but nothing on the order of what we are seeing right now."

Weapons dealers in much of the United States are reporting sharply higher sales since Barack Obama won the presidency a week ago.

Buyers and sellers attribute the surge to worries that Obama and a Democratic-controlled Congress will move to restrict firearm ownership, despite the insistence of campaign aides that the president-elect supports gun rights and considers the issue a low priority.

According to FBI figures for the week of November 3 to 9, the bureau received more than 374,000 requests for background checks on gun purchasers -- a nearly 49 percent increase over the same period in 2007. Conatser said his store, Virginia Arms Company, has run out of some models -- such as the AR-15 rifle, the civilian version of the military's M-16 -- and is running low on others.

Such assault weapons are among the firearms that gun dealers and customers say they fear Obama will hit with new restrictions, or even take off the market.

Virginia gun owner Kyle Lewandowski said he was buying a .45-caliber pistol to "hedge my bets."

"Every election year, you have to worry about your rights being eroded a little bit at a time," he said. "I also knew, because of the Democrat majority and because of the election, everybody would have the same reaction I did," he added.

But Peter Hamm, a spokesman for the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, called the buying spree "goofy." He said widespread talk of banning guns is a "sales pitch."

"With the glacial speed that we make progress on sensible gun laws, savvy gun consumers should know better than to think they have to rush out and buy guns," Hamm said. Similar surges accompanied the election of Bill Clinton, the last Democratic president, he added.

Dealers in Colorado, Ohio, Connecticut and New Hampshire also reported seeing major increases.

"It's a fact that the liberal Democrats that now control all three branches of our government do not like guns. They want us out of business," Connecticut resident Scott Hoffman said. "They don't want the average American to have a right to defend themselves."

And New Hampshire gun owner Lloyd Clement said, "I think there's going to be an attack to some degree on the gun owners."

The Clinton administration imposed a ban on several types of military-style semi-automatic rifles and high-capacity magazines in 1994, but that ban was allowed to lapse in 2004. Obama has proposed restoring the ban, requiring background checks for buyers at gun shows, and other "common-sense measures."

He has said he supports the rights of local governments to set their own gun laws, but believes the Second Amendment to the Constitution protects individual gun rights.

"I believe the Second Amendment means something. I do think it speaks to an individual right," Obama said in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in February.

With the U.S. economy in a tailspin, however, the president-elect's advisers say gun legislation is not a high priority.

"What people do is their own business, and if they decide to go out and buy guns they'll go out and buy guns, assuming that they are eligible to buy guns," John Podesta, the co-chairman of Obama's transition team, told reporters Sunday. "But I think that President-elect Obama has been clear in his campaign that what he wants to focus on is the economy, trying to get jobs growing again, dealing with the health care crisis, and dealing with our dependence on foreign oil."

Some customers are stocking up specifically on ammunition and point to concerns raised by the National Rifle Association, which ran anti-Obama ads during the campaign.

The NRA said Obama would support a "huge new tax on my guns and ammo," referencing a 1999 article in a Chicago newspaper saying the then-Illinois state senator promoted a plan to increase federal taxes by 500 percent on the sales of firearms and ammunition.

But as a state legislator, Obama would not have had any control over federal taxes. And as a U.S. senator and presidential candidate, he has not introduced or promoted such a proposal.

"I don't really believe it is fear. It is more there is just uncertainty," said Virginia customer David Reynolds, who was buying ammunition in the store as well as ordering more online.

"You know, we don't really know what is going on," he said. "There really hasn't been a lot of clear direction on where he supports it, although he says he supports the Second Amendment. But it just remains to be seen. I think some people are just uncomfortable with what his policy may be."

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

Invigorated

Recharged.
Refreshed.
Rejuvenated.
Revitalized.

I feel so much better.

MCBL: Must win situation

Prior to this conference, we've never experienced losing consecutive games. Finally, after three straight L's, we're back to our winning ways.

We routed Thomson Reuters, 61-38, on a rainy Sunday afternoon at the Northeast Greenhills gym. The game was neck-and-neck during the first quarter but we picked up the pace by the second period and it was pretty much over by halftime. Thomson tried to employ the running game against us bit it quickly backfired and we were able to trample them on the transition and secondary breaks.

Paul led the charge with 21 points and 10 rebounds while Alfie added 15 points and 3 blocks.

Record: 2-3
Next game: vs. Metrobank - November 16, Sunday, at the Northeast Greenhills gym

Staying connected

I've never fully appreciated YM, MMS, Gmail and global roaming until this past week.

Technology FTMFW!

This week's FAQ

"Naka-mohawk ka ba?"

"Oo. Hindi ba halata?"

"Medyo."

Blindsided

I'm all weirded out and I just have a blank expression on my face. I totally did not see this coming.

Hancock'd at Halloween

Another one of them awesome costume ideas for Halloween.

That's R&B singer Usher as Will Smith's Hancock.

Wild N' Out

I just felt like being hit with a defibrillator. Talk about shock therapy. Under other circumstances, it would've been sexy can I. But this one got me rather speechless.

I ain't conservative but a little part of me remains old school.

Minority report

I despise how Illinois Senator Barack Obama is leveraging on his race and skin color to get himself elected to the White House.

Behind the elaborate social, economic and political campaign, it's really just a "Let's make history, please vote for me because I'm black" strategy.

Sympathy propaganda at its finest.

Glock guns down F1-FIA-Ferrari triad

Panasonic Toyota's F1 driver Timo Glock has never been involved in this much fanfare. Thanks to his assist (intentional or otherwise) to McLaren driver Lewis Hamilton in the Brazilian Grand Prix, his popularity has risen to exponential proportions. His Facebook page more than doubled its fan base within hours after the race. Talk about instant global appeal and recognition.

Again, Timo Glock is that dude. I hope McLaren Mercedes sends something his way. Dude saved their asses big time while punking the pro-Ferrari duo of FIA President Max Mosley and Formula One chief Bernie Ecclestone.

Lewis Hamilton is the King of F1

With the F1 and FIA organizations trying to cheat and rig their way into giving Ferrari (and Felipe Massa) the World Drivers' Championship, they got a taste of their own medicine at the season-ending Brazilian Grand Prix.

If you remember, not too long ago, the FIA ruled in favor of Ferrari's Felipe Massa twice. First at the Belgian Grand Prix, where race officials handed Lewis Hamilton a post-race, drive-through penalty which dropped him from 1st to 3rd. Felipe Massa was promoted to 1st from 2nd. This whole fracas negated 6 points off Lewis Hamilton's championship points lead. Then at the Japanese Grand Prix, where race stewards handed another post-race, drive-through penalty to Torro Rosso's Sebastien Bouedais stemming from a pitlane incident with Massa that was clearly the Ferrari driver's fault. This moved him up one spot, from 8th to 7th, gaining an extra championship point in the process.

Coming into this race, Hamilton had to finish at least 5th to capture the drivers' championship. Meantime, Massa had to win the race while praying Hamilton finishes at most 6th.

Felipe Massa did win the race but Toyota's Timo Glock, whose car had slick tires on despite the rain on the last few laps, had slowed down just in time to hand Hamilton 5th place and more importantly, the World Championship.

Payback's truly a bitch. Ferrari, Massa and the FIA just got fucked up and I'm loving it.

Timo Glock is that dude. McLaren Mercedes ought to tip him with at least an SL65 for the assist.

McLaren's Lewis Hamilton celebrates with girlfriend, Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger

Photo via Gettyimages.

Major letdown

After all the waiting, it turned out to be a dud. Word to bomb threats.

Cobra does Halloween

With Halloween just about wrapped up, this is arguably the best costume I've seen online.

Cobra Commander FTW!

Photo via NT.

America decides

With the US Presidential Elections just a few days away, let me share my thoughts.

Some Americans will vote for Obama because he is black.
Some Americans will not vote for Obama because he is black.
Some Americans say they will vote for Obama but in reality they will not, because he is black.

If you think these elections are not racially-charged, you have no idea. Don't let the surveys fool you. Americans are old school.

Mutombo'd

I feel like I got shafted big time. Well, not really. But still disappointing nonetheless.

Athletes turned rockstars

It's rare that you see superstars from four different sports share the same stage in a TV spot. And if you do, I'm betting it's either a Nike or Gatorade campaign.



NBA Champion and Olympic Gold medalist Kobe Bryant on vocals. World's Best Olympian Michael Phelps and three-time Major League Baseball MVP Alex Rodriguez on guitars. Skateboarding legend Tony Hawk on drums.

Leak in the club

For all the controversies the Embassy Club has been involved in, this one tops them all for now. And for once, it ain't their fault though.

The next time you see or step on liquid on the club floor, beware. You now know what's up. Give the lady credit though. It must've been awfully hard to squat with killer heels on.

Disclaimer: Not sure who owns the pic cause I just took it off the net.

My big ticket

What is probably my biggest, most important appointment is coming real soon. 72 hours to be exact.

DF!

Crack, I'm back

It's a crack, I'm back
Yeah, I'm standing on the rooftop shouting out
Baby I'm ready to go
I'm back and ready to go

Word to Republica's "Ready to Go."

Reality check

Speaking of small talk, I had a nice chat with a couple of operations folks last week. Beyond probing for the exact reasons why, they were busy conjuring up ways to make me stay. They had some pretty interesting suggestions that actually got me thinking. In fact, one was so appealing, I know I'd accept if offered. But I know how it works and the bureaucracy will never allow it.

Real talk

Ever since word got around that I was leaving, more people have been engaging me in small talk. I've been having a lot of these random conversations recently and they turn out to be more meaningful than any other discussions I've had at work.

It's another one of them things I'll be leaving behind with much sadness.

Epic blunder

I caught the movie, "Tropic Thunder" recently. It's exactly what you expect of a typical Ben Stiller film. Dumb script. Zero story. A ton of laughs.

If it weren't for the free MTRCB marshall pass, I wouldn't have wasted my time watching it.

Nike Football: Fate

If you don't watch NFL, there's no way in hell you'd appreciate this.



Again, no one does TV spots better than Nike.

Give it up at gunpoint

Some coed Atenean alum was shot in the head during a robbery incident that happened inside a passenger jeepney a couple of months ago. Reports say she refused to give up her bag while at gunpoint. She remains to be in hospital to this day.

I hate to say it but she had it coming. That bag, or whatever was inside it, sure ain't worth giving up her life for. Regardless of how you wanna look at it, that just wasn't the smart thing to do.

There are times when you just have to give it up. Having a gun pointed at your head is one of them. It should be a no-brainer.

MDC Sportsfest: F&A Matadors are hoop kings

The 2008 IBM MDC Sportsfest officially ended this afternoon with the basketball championship game between Center Support HR and the F&A Matadors at the Xavier School Gym. I had seven MCBL teammates playing (5 for CS and 2 for F&A) in this game so I had to come out and show some support.

It was a close game up until the fourth quarter when the Matadors pulled away with a series of fastbreak plays anchored on strong defense. That, coupled with CS-HR's inability to create and make plays, enabled the Matadors to erect a huge 15-point lead midway through the final canto. They held on for a 75-66 win to claim the championship.

My MCBL teammate Alfie Sanchez had a stellar performance leading the Matadors with 26 points, 12 rebounds and 6 blocked shots. I hope he continues to flash this superb form for the rest of the MCBL season. Another fellow MCBL teammate, Herbert Vergara, had 36 points and 16 rebounds for CS-HR.

Pre-freedom reflection

I had a quick chat with an OG IBMer recently. Nothing serious, everything was light and casual. If anything, it was a subtle reminder of the people I'll be missing when I leave.

The kind words were definitely appreciated. Thank you.

Being handicapped never looked so fly

Time to start cutting off your legs now.



Seriously, these prosthetic limbs look so much better than most people's real legs. I wonder if they make for the whole body.

Disclaimer: Before you start calling orthopedic centers to lock down your order, let me just tell you that these are photoshopped images. I'm sure you hoped they were real though.

Disposal tool

You gotta love eBay. Turns litter into gold. Word to Midas.

MCBL: Upset loss

We lost a nailbiter last Saturday night against Chevron. Their star player, former Blue Eagle and ex-pro Rain Sison, waxed hot from the field as he carried them to a 51-48 win. We had several good chances to come on top but we missed our shots down the stretch. We set up Paul for the last play with four seconds left but his three-point attempt to tie the game rimmed out.

Despite the loss, we hold the tiebreaker against them in case we both end the eliminations with similar records. We carry a superior quotient (+4) due to our 7-point win last week. We would've wanted a season sweep but we'll take the split and the tiebreaker.

Record: 1-1
Next game: vs. Accenture Knights - October 18, Saturday, at the Northeast Greenhills gym

First love never dies

We always remember our first. First impression. First date. First love. First kiss. First time.

This one started it all for me way back in 4th Grade (1990-91). This was my first ever pair of Nike Air sneaks. I even had to buy them pre-owned from a friend.

Air Max 90 Laser Blue (original colorway)

Once Nike re-released them recently, albeit some minor changes, I just knew I had to give back some retro love.

Air Max 90 Vivid Blue (Retro colorway)

Indeed, first love never dies.

Sneaker surprise

Got into so much trouble (and hassle) getting these babies over the weekend. You have no idea.

Air Jordan XX3 Motorsport

twins

with the rest of the fam

In the end, it was all worth it.

Bonfire bonanza

The La Salle side has been fuming mad over a series of photos taken during the Ateneo's Championship Bonfire a couple of days ago.

Apparently, the firewood used to light the big ass bonfire had the names of the DLSU basketball team members written all over it.

So what? No biggie.

Overboard? Not even.

Distasteful? Maybe.

But hey, what do you expect from such a fierce and heated rivalry. Drop me a line if it ever becomes like Israel and Palestine. Now, that's what I call a war.

Quit whining. Get over it.

Lol @ the three blind mice

RP Basketball is going down

Philippine basketball is about to fall off big time. Not that we're anywhere near the upper echelon of world basketball but you get the drift.

The reason?

Look no further than the National team's newly-appointed coach: Red Bull mentor Yeng Guiao.

Expect the national players to punch and clothesline their way out of international competitions. That's what you get when you have a hoodlum for a coach.

On Philippine holidays

With the Philippines' penchant for moving national and special holidays to Mondays or Fridays, I've always looked forward to longer weekends. It's always the best time to rest and recharge.

However, I can't say the same about long weekends anymore. Because of yesterday being a national holiday in commemoration of the Feast of Ramadhan, I think I've become a fan of following holidays as they are rightfully scheduled.

I don't know how else to describe it but yesterday's mid-week break was very much appreciated.

Diesel XXX

Stumbled upon this online from my favorite jeans manufacturer.


http://view.break.com/577249 - Watch more free videos

Cool stuff.

2008 MCBL 2nd Conference Season Opener

The MPG Corporate Basketball League (MCBL) formally started its Second Conference last Saturday with a bunch of games on the schedule. IBM is fielding two teams this time, one each in Divisions A and B. My team plays in Division B.

We opened the season with a relatively easy 85-78 win over Chevron at the Reyes Gym. We led all throughout the game except for about a few seconds into the first quarter. Since then, it was pretty much all IBM. We managed to maintain our lead between 10-15 points until a late 8-0 Chevron run in the final minute pegged the winning margin at 7 points.

If the game was a sign of things to come, then hopefully we're off to a fantastic season. We shot 49% from the field, going 13 of 26 (50%) from three-point land. We've never had this much firepower.

Herbert displayed his dominance on the scoring end, leading four IBMers in double digits with 31 points. New additions Paul Ansay and Alfie Sanchez had 20 and 15 respectively while Daryl contributed 11 points.

Record: 1-0
Next game: vs Chevron (again) - October 4, Saturday, at the Acropolis Gym

Overtime and overnight

I spent almost 24 hours in Eastwood. I came in around 10am yesterday and left at 9am this morning. I'm totally exhausted and to think I have a corporate game to play tonight.

Anyway, it's also been a while since I stayed overnight in Eastwood but it was fun so it's all good. I can get used to it again.

Ateneo: 2008 UAAP Men's Basketball Champions

13-1 regular season record
3-0 postseason record

Rabeh Al-Hussaini - Most Valuable Player, All-UAAP First Team, Most Improved Player
Chris Tiu - All-UAAP First Team
Nonoy Baclao - Defensive Player of the Year
Ryan Buenafe - Rookie of the Year, All-Rookie First Team

C'mon now. With the strength of this year's team, was it ever in doubt?

Ateneo sweeps DLSU for the UAAP title

After six long years, Ateneo is on top of the local college basketball world again. To do it at their archrival's expense makes it even sweeter.

Ateneo forced La Salle into submission last night via a masterful 62-51 win, to capture the 2008 UAAP Men's Basketball Championship. This is Ateneo's fourth straight victory over DLSU this season, all of which were won in convincing fashion.

The clear and overwhelming favorites this year, Ateneo utilized their vaunted halfcourt defense to perfection, holding La Salle to a measly four points in the fourth quarter.

As expected, the Blue Eagles swept all the official individual awards, including the corporate-sponsored ones (Jollibee, PSBank, KFC).

Rabeh Al-Hussaini - MVP, Most Improved Player, Jollibee Scoring Champ
Ryan Buenafe - Rookie of the Year
Nonoy Baclao - Best Defensive Player
Chris Tiu - PSBank Maaasahan Player of the Season
Eric Salamat - KFC Court Colonel

Pass your permit

I just received my pass last Friday. Now, I only need a permit.

Ateneo wins Game 1

This is becoming to be habit-forming.

Ateneo beats La Salle for the third straight time this year, winning 69-61 to take Game 1 of their best-of-three championship series.

The Blue Eagles had superb games from Rabeh Al-Hussaini, Ryan Buenafe and Nonoy Baclao. Not surprisingly, the three are favored to win individual awards this season - Rabeh for MVP, Ryan for Rookie of the Year and Nonoy for Defensive Player of the Year.

Game 2 is on Thursday, September 25. The awarding ceremonies will precede the game. Up for grabs are the various individual honors. Aside from the three frontrunners mentioned earlier, Chris Tiu is a virtual lock for a Mythical 5 spot.

In heat and on fire!

It's been a while since I played great at the weekly Saturday basketball gig at Moro. I wasn't expecting to do well since I was trying to break-in a deadstock pair of Jordan XX3's in time for the MCBL 2nd Conference opening next weekend.

I waxed hot during the last game, scoring at will and hitting from just about anywhere. I ended up dropping around 20 of our 37 points. We lost the race-to-40 game though and I took home a nasty, busted lip off of an elbow as a souvenir too.

Circus act

I was chatting with another soon-to-be-exiting colleague the other day and we agreed that this is becoming one big circus, transforming right before our eyes. Word to Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey.

Oh, that wasn't meant as a compliment. How dare do I compare this against the greatest show on Earth. My bad.

Massive choke job

I don't know how else to explain except I definitely blew it. I can't believe I choked big time.

With 45 days to go...

...things are just about to heat up. This is gonna be exciting.

Another Ateneo-DLSU championship series

A highly-anticipated game turned into a boring blowout as Ateneo demolished UE for a convincing 70-50 win in their Final Four matchup today. The Blue Eagles blew the game wide open with a big run in the third quarter while doubling up UE in the fourth, 56-28, for its biggest lead.

La Salle squeaked past FEU in the other semifinal game to forge another dream finals series with archrival Ateneo.

Game 1 of the Finals is scheduled for next Sunday, September 21, at the Araneta Coliseum.

Sell out story

After holding out for such a long time, I finally succumbed to the pressure (and perhaps temptation). I still can't believe I just sold out.

My friends will have a grand time rubbing this in.

MDC Sportsfest: CS-COM signs off

We bowed out of basketball contention with a 54-71 loss to the TR Toreros last night. We were basically outran for most of the game. A spirited comeback was thwarted by the fuckin' zebras. They nullified my clear-and-undeniably-counted buzzer-beating layup at the end of the third quarter which would've trimmed their lead down to six points. Instead, we lost out on not just the two points but the decisive momentum as well.

Record: 4-2 (5th overall)

Remembering 9/11/2001

I was with a couple of friends holding court at the Super Six table at the Casino Filipino Airport when we found out about 9/11.

My mom was on a CX flight on her way back home from New York (JFK-YVR-HKG-MNL) when the towers were struck. They were ordered to land at the nearest US airport which happened to be in Anchorage. They were stranded in Alaska for several days as the entire American airspace was declared a no-fly zone.

My brother was sleeping in his Manhattan flat just a few blocks away from ground zero.

Where were you?

Ateneo tops UAAP elims with a 13-1 record

Ateneo ended the regular season the same way it started it - ripping archrival La Salle. The Blue Eagles swept both elimination games against the Green Archers with a 65-57 win yesterday at the Araneta Coliseum.

Though it was a no-bearing game for Ateneo, they came out strong and never looked back. They led from start to finish and never gave La Salle the opportunity to tie the game or take the lead.

Ateneo finishes the the elimination round as the top seed, sporting an almost immaculate 13-1 record. If it weren't for a fourth quarter breakdown against FEU in the first round, the Blue Eagles would be looking at a 14-0 sweep and an automatic Finals birth. They will face UE next week in the Final Four holding a twice-to-beat advantage.

Playing it smart

For once I had the patience to back down. I think everyone was surprised and perhaps shocked. I know I was too. As rare an occurrence as it was, I was clearly the better man. There's just no doubting that.

MDC Sportsfest: CS-COM edges O'Keeffe

In what turned out to be such an exciting and eventful game, a five-man CS-COM team used a late fourth quarter rally to score a come-from-behind win over O'Keeffe, 49-46, last night at Club 650.

CS-COM had only seven players available, with three starters out due to work engagements. Two fouled out in the second half leaving us stranded with only five. Still, the undermanned squad proved they had enough end-game composure to close out the victory.

CS-COM ends regular season play tied with Emerson atop the Division A. Both sport identical 4-1 records. However, by virtue of Emerson's win over CS-COM last week, they get the top seed along with the automatic semifinals berth. CS-COM will play against Division B's TR Toreros in the quarterfinals.

Record: 4-1 (2nd seed, Division A)
Next game: vs TR Toreros - September 12, Friday, at Club 650

Step one is done

I got my work pass approved today. I should be receiving the documents soon. With 57 days to go, I'm in no rush to finalize anything yet. Matagal-tagal pa 'to.

Loyola Schools stopover

I passed by Ateneo this morning to get a couple of documents from the registrar's office. I haven't been to this side of the campus in God-knows-how-long. I'm usually either at Moro, Blue Eagle Gym or at the college courts.

Can't believe Ateneo has changed a lot since I left school over five years ago. There are new buildings and structures everywhere. For a while, I felt like studying again. But then that bubble burst soon after. I doubt I can mix work and academics together. That'll be like UNC and Duke, the Yankees and the Red Sox - no such thing as peaceful co-existence.

A different set of balls

I spent the past two days playing unconventional sports for the Center Support team - table tennis and bowling. Too bad we failed to advance in both. Ben and I dropped out in straight sets against a more consistent duo from EDM, while our bowling team, the CS Bowl Jobs, lost to the group from Learning with a 2-game aggregate score of -7 pinfalls.

Can't believe ping-pong can be so tiring. I was freaking exhausted after Monday night's game. My right forearm's pretty banged up from hurling bowling balls too.

Anyway, I think I'll just stick to basketball.

11/1

The countdown has begun. Freedom is on the horizon.

MDC Sportsfest: CS-COM drops one

In the battle of the only remaining unbeaten teams in the sportsfest, CS-COM bowed to the Emerson EDM-Payroll team last night, 42-34.

Tanginang score yan. Pang-halftime.

Undoubtedly the worst game I've played in since joining IBM. It was so freaking ugly, it ain't even worth free internet space.

Record: 3-1
Next game: vs O'keeffe - September 5, Friday, at Club 650

Redeemed Team: United They Rose

USA Basketball is back where they belong - on top of the basketball universe.

Team USA held off a spirited Spanish comeback as they beat Spain, 118-107, in the basketball finals to capture the Gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Photo from Getty Images.

Olympic Love-fest

Found this online and it's a very long read. Another one of them reasons Olympians got it good.

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

August 22, 2008
Sex and the Olympic city
by Matthew Syed

Tomorrow night thousands of young men and women with the most fit, toned bodies in the world will mingle for the last time before they fly home. What might they get up to?

I am often asked if the Olympic village - the vast restaurant and housing conglomeration that hosts the world's top athletes for the duration of the Games - is the sex-fest it is cracked up to be. My answer is always the same: too right it is. I played my first Games in Barcelona in 1992 and got laid more often in those two and a half weeks than in the rest of my life up to that point. That is to say twice, which may not sound a lot, but for a 21-year-old undergraduate with crooked teeth, it was a minor miracle.

Barcelona was, for many of us Olympic virgins, as much about sex as it was about sport. There were the gorgeous hostesses - there to assist the athletes - in their bright yellow shirts and black skirts; there were the indigenous lovelies who came to watch the competitions. And then there were the female athletes - literally thousands of them - strutting, shimmying, sashaying and jogging around the village, clad in Lycra and exposing yard upon yard of shiny, toned, rippling and unimaginably exotic flesh. Women from all the countries of the world: muscular, virile, athletic and oozing oestrogen. I spent so much time in a state of lust that I could have passed out. Indeed, for all I knew I did pass out - in a place like that how was one to tell the difference between dreamland and reality?

It was not just the guys. The women, too, seemed in thrall to their hormones, throwing around daring glances and dynamite smiles like confetti. No meal or coffee break was complete without a breathless conversation with a lithe long jumper from Cuba or an Amazonian badminton player from Sweden, the mutual longing so evident it was almost comical. It was an effort of will to keep everything in check until competition had finished. But, once we were eliminated from our respective competitions, we lunged at each other like suicidal fencers. There may have been a fair amount of gay sex going on, too - but given the notorious homophobia in sport it was rather more covert.

This sex fest was not limited to Barcelona: the same thing happened in Sydney in 2000, my second Olympics as an athlete, and is happening right here in Beijing, where this time I'm a commentator. I spoke to an Aussie table tennis player this week to check out the village vibe and he launched into the breathless patter common to any Olympic debutant: “It is unbelievable in there; everyone is totally crazy once they are out of their competitions. God knows what it is going to be like this weekend. It is like a world within a world.” A British runner (anonymous again: athletes are not supposed to talk to journalists unaccompanied by a PR type, least of all about sex) said: “The swimmers finished earlier in the week and it was like there was an eruption.”

Ah yes, the swimmers. For some reason the International Olympic Committee insists on bunching the swimming events towards the beginning of the Games with the inevitable consequence that the aquatics folk get going earlier - sexually I mean - than everyone else. So much so that, at the outset of the Sydney Olympics, Jonathan Edwards, a Christian and triple jumper extraordinaire, caused a ripple by telling them publicly to keep a lid on it. Edwards was simply concerned about getting woken up by creaking floorboards, but given his biblical credentials, it became a story about morality. Not that his intervention made a blind bit of difference. There is a famous story from Seoul in 1988 that there were so many used condoms on the roof terrace of the British team's residential block the night after the swimming concluded that the British Olympic Association sent out an edict banning outdoor sex. Here in Beijing, organisers have realised that such prohibitions are about as useful as banning breathing and have, instead, handed out thousands of free condoms to the athletes. If you can't stop 'em, at least make it safe.

Which all begs a question, or possibly many questions. First, and most importantly, how can one get access to the village? The bad news is that you can't, unless, of course, you happen to be an athlete with the relevant accreditation. But secondly, where does this furnace of sexual energy come from? Or, to put it another way, why do sportsmen and women have such explosive libidos? I am not implying, for one moment, that every athlete in Beijing is at it. Just that 99 per cent of them are.

Before we get to that, however, it is worth noting an intriguing dichotomy between the sexes in respect of all this coupling. The chaps who win gold medals - even those as geeky as Michael Phelps - are the principal objects of desire for many female athletes. There is something about sporting success that makes a certain type of woman go crazy - smiling, flirting and sometimes even grabbing at the chaps who have done the business in the pool or on the track. An Olympic gold medal is not merely a route to fame and fortune; it is also a surefire ticket to writhe.

But - and this is the thing - success does not work both ways. Gold-medal winning female athletes are not looked upon by male athletes with any more desire than those who flunked out in the first round. It is sometimes even considered a defect, as if there is something downright unfeminine about all that striving, fist pumping and incontinent sweating. Sport, in this respect, is a reflection of wider society, where male success is a universal desirable whereas female success is sexually ambiguous. I do not condone this phenomenon, merely note it. Not all athletes are finely tuned specimens of perfect physical health, of course. A fair number are smokers, not prepared to give up despite the nagging of coaches and physiologists. At Barcelona, there was an area where the puffers would congregate near the transport mall. At the table tennis events in Beijing, a male player from Serbia and another from Greece have often been out catching a drag during breaks in play.

But let us get back to all the sex going down in the village. One possible explanation centres on the fact that Olympic athletes have to display an unnatural (and, it has to be said, wholly unhealthy) level of self-discipline in the build-up to big competitions. How else is this going to manifest itself than with a volcanic release of pent-up hedonism? It is a common sight to see recently knocked-out athletes gorging on Magnums and McDonald's, swilling alcohol and, of course, shagging like crazy. Sometimes all three at the same time. Yet this can be only a part of the explanation because most of the athletes I know are as up for it before and during competition as they are in the immediate aftermath. It is as if sportsmen and women have a higher base level of sexual energy. But why? Can it be that one of the underlying drivers of sporting greatness is also the very thing that produces an overactive sex drive?

If so, you can bet your Olympic accreditation that testosterone is implicated. Testosterone is the hormone responsible for many of the differences between the sexes and is also a key physiological driver of aggression, competitiveness and virility. This is particularly so with regard to women. The dual effect of testosterone on female sporting performance and sexuality was demonstrated - somewhat sinisterly - during the state-sponsored doping programme in East Germany. An average teenage girl produces around half a milligram of testosterone per day. In the mid-1980s German female athletes were doped with around 30 milligrams of androgenic steroids per day. The effect on sporting performance was breathtaking - East German women dominated the world in swimming and athletics - but it also produced libidos (according to the testimony of the athletes themselves) that spiraled out of control.

This is not to say that the athletes in the village are all on steroids, or that elevated levels of testosterone inevitably lead to lots of sex. It is merely to say that, at a population level, higher naturally occurring levels of testosterone in both genders would provide a powerful explanation for the combination of sporting prowess and sexual potency.

I also think it is significant that, for most athletes, the village is thousands of miles from home. The old “what goes on tour stays on tour” mantra is still alive and kicking, not just in sport but beyond. There is something deepseated in humanity that leads us to play by different rules whenever we leave town, a phenomenon that has caused instances of terrible inhumanity. When it comes to sex, it simply means that those in relationships no longer recognise, or at least ignore, the boundaries of fidelity and honesty that underpin human monogamy. Philosophers call it moral relativism; the rest of us call it hypocrisy.

There is also a Darwinian component to this. Scientists have measured, for example, how male fertility varies with distance from one's habitual partner. And guess what? According to a report in the journal Personality and Individual Differences, a man's sperm count doubles when he spends a lot of time on the road - up from 389 million sperm per ejaculate to 712 million. Which, I am sure you will agree, is a lot of extra sperm.

I suggest that it is the coming together (if you will forgive the expression) of these factors that creates such an explosive sexual cocktail within the security-controlled perimeter of the Olympic village. Not that this is a bad thing. I have always regarded sexual promiscuity - for a single person at least - as a basic human right, even if it is no panacea for happiness or, indeed, anything else. Of course, many athletes will abstain, others may even disapprove. Only one thing is certain: they will never again enter a place quite like the Olympic village. Not, at least, until London 2012.

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

MDC Sportsfest: CS-COM gulps Red Horse EDM

Shrugging off an awful start, CS-COM got its groove back in time to sink Red Horse EDM, 54-40, for our third straight win. We improve our record to 3-0 while they drop to 2-2. This win guarantees us a ticket to the quarterfinal round.

Ward got best player honors with 16 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and a blocked shot. Despite being swarmed for much of the game, I still managed to fill the box score with 7 points, 10 rebounds, 9 assists and 4 steals. Dave was the surprise contributor, drilling in 11 points on 4-for-5 shooting.

We're having a 1--day break heading into our next game against the other EDM-Payroll team.

Record: 3-0
Next game: vs Emerson GMDC - August 29, Friday, at Club 650

MDC Sportsfest: Team CS-COM United

With the entire Center Support group having three basketball teams in this year's sportsfest, some people are wondering who comprises the CS-COM team. For their benefit (and maybe everyone else's), here's the entire roster:

Center Support-Client Operations Managers United (CS-COM United)

Albert Velasco (CET-Transition)
Ben Bautista (COM)
Crispin Cajuguiran (COM)
Dave Torcuator (CET-Transition)
Doods Mendioro (CET-Transition)
Edward Reyes (CET-Transition)
Geoff Manalili (PMO)
Jeff Lim (COM)
John Vingno (CET-RESO)
Jun Cruz (COM)
Mike Ramirez (CET-Recruitment)
Paolo Gonzalez (HR-OCD)
Paul Geronimo (CET-Transition)
Rey Bien Cruz (HR-L&D)
Vince Borromeo (BOM)

Blue meets Big Blue

The Ateneo de Manila University hosted the first-ever IBM-Ateneo fellowship night last Friday night at the Leong Hall roofdeck. It was a gathering of Ateneo alumni from various batches currently working in any of the IBM subsidiaries in the Philippines. It became a mini-reunion for the 70 or so of us Atenean IBMers who attended.

A short program ensued with Ateneo President Fr. Ben Nebres, SJ, and Alumni Director Jun Dalandan as special guests. Fr. Dacanay, SJ, presided over the invocation while IBMP's Aileen Rodriguez delivered the welcome remarks. An Ateneo trivia contest followed and gift certificates and UAAP tickets were given away as prizes.

Despite the uncooperative weather, the event was an overwhelming success. We all look forward to seeing this become a regular annual affair.

Weekend wonderland

I'm definitely looking forward to the extra long weekend coming up. I don't remember the last time we had a four-day weekend.

Anyhow, it should provide the perfect setting to do some soul-searching. Early returns are pointing to a gigantic leap of faith.

MDC Sportsfest: CS-COM shuts down Center IT

Center IT encountered system failure earlier tonight as they were left completely disconnected by CS-COM's fast-paced running game. Even a bevy of system analysts and engineers couldn't prevent the CS-COM players from launching their virus-like onslaught, on the way to a 69-32 blowout win.

CS-COM Improves to 2-0, while Center IT drops to 0-2. I guess this means IT needs a major upgrade.

Ward played a superb all-around game finishing with 21 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 steals. Despite missing the whole first quarter, I managed to contribute 19 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. For the second straight game, Albert dominated the glass with 13 boards.

Record: 2-0
Next game: vs Red Horse EDM - August 19, Tuesday, at the Sta. Lucia gym

Going for Gold

In the Philippines' quest for its first ever Olympic Gold Medal, a lot of local companies and certain individuals (and politicians) have bought into the hype. They are offering staggering amounts for the first Filipino athlete to bring home the gold.

Quite patriotic, eh? Not so. It's a brilliant marketing strategy though. These companies and individuals will benefit from the free publicity gained by riding on the Philippine team's seemingly insurmountable task of winning a medal in Beijing.

Simply put, it's a win-win situation for them. We all know it's near impossible for the Philippines to win a medal, let alone gold. That said, no need for these people to cough out their promised incentives. Now, if and when a miracle happens and we do win a medal, imagine the additional publicity they will be getting while leeching themselves to the medal winners. I'm sure they'll be milking everything for more than what its worth.

That's marketing and advertising at its selfish, capitalistic best.

MDC Sportsfest: CS-COM wins opener

We opened the 2008 MDC Sportsfest season with a 55-42 win over the CompBen Archers at the Sta. Lucia gym a few nights ago. We relied on our playmaking guards and our massive frontline, who were no match to the smaller Archers. We took control of the game by cornering the boards, having collected 70 rebounds, 36 from the offensive end.

I barely missed on a triple-double with a steady all-around game contributing a game-high 17 points along with 10 rebounds and 8 assists. Ward added 16 points.

Our bigs were beasting off the glass. Albert had a game-high 18 rebounds while Rey Bien brought down 13.

Record: 1-0
Next game: vs Center IT - August 12, Tuesday, at the Sta. Lucia gym

Nike: The Star-Spangled Banner

I ain't American but this got me pumped up and ready for some USA Basketball dominance in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Check out Nike's latest video featuring Marvin Gaye's soulful rendition of the American National Anthem from the 1983 NBA All-Star Game, mixed with clips of Team USA.



"And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there."

Consider it done

Deal successfully completed. Transfer's been arranged and confirmed. I won't be needing a Cayman Islands account for this one.

Random thoughts on my HK-Macau trip

Summed up my thoughts and integrated them into a Q&A-type format. I'll just add more as I remember them.

Highlight?
- Baccarat and basketball. I can survive with this combo.

Better highlight?
- Sharing a blackjack table with a couple of Americans. The game of 21's has never been this interesting. Word to commando and the Brazilians.

Best highlight?
- Courtside tickets baby. 1oth row. FTMFW!

Big disappointment?
- Finding out my cam was on ISO 1600 the whole time.

Bigger disappointment?
- No long lenses allowed during the USA-Turkey game.

Biggest disappointment?
- 36 hours ain't enough.

Thing I wish we had in Manila?
- The revolving door at Lisboa. My boys would know what's up.

Laughtrip moment?
- We were running late and we almost boarded the TurboJet to Shenzhen.

Most used words/phrases?
- 'How much' or in the local vernacular 'hawmats.' We were literally throwing it around.

Funniest word heard?
- 'Ses.'

Wishful thinking?
- More English-speaking Chinese in Hongkong and Macau please.

Cheap thrill?
- Fast-riding at HKIA (aka Chek Lap Kok). FTW!

The Macau aftermath

The HK-Macau hit took a nasty toll on me. I've been out of commission nursing fever since Saturday. I blame it on exhaustion and the weather too. It's been consistently uncooperative both here and in Macau.

Also, it's not as if we didn't want to rest during the trip. We just didn't have enough time. With a loaded itinerary, something's got to give. Too bad we had to sacrifice the sleeping part.

Was it worth it? Hell yeah.

Macao Kings

If there's one thing to describe our 36-hour Hongkong/Macau swing, it was simply mindblowing. We got everything we hoped for... and so much more.

A couple of shoutouts to those who made our stay undeniably unforgettable:

To the Pagcor folks - A million thanks for upgrading our seats to ringside. It was heaps better than our original seats. Thanks for adopting us for the rest of the night as well.

To Shong - Appreciate your kind gesture to offer your Venetian room if we don't have any place to crash. At least, we had our worst-case scenario covered.

To Erwin - Tangina, pare. I'll make this simple. You rock. Please pass the word to Boyet as well. Can't wait til our next Asian rendezvous.

The road to a high stakes adventure

The tandem is out. The party is in.

In true photo-finish fashion, another padron decided to grab his backpack and hit Hongkong and Macau with us.

We also hope to be joined by one of the most recognizable names in the local gaming and amusement scene. With him on board, we'll be in for an out-of-this-world experience in the world's gambling capital.

I kissed a girl and I liked it...

Mmmmmmmmm.....

Coffee craving

I've never been an avid coffee drinker until I tried out Coffee Bean's Ice-Blended Mocha early last year. Since then, a day at the office will not be complete without a dose of my ultrablended Mocha. I remember telling the CBTL folks a couple of times that my monthly Coffee Bean upkeep is more expensive than having a girlfriend. For real.

Anyway, after much playful lobbying, they named me customer of the month for July. FTW!

MCBL 1st Conference Recap

It's been over a week already since we lost in the division finals. With the annual MDC sportsfest ushering in, the disappointment has faded and we're all feeling much better now.

Though we'd love to have won the championship, the First Conference will not be remembered as a failure. Here is a brief recap of IBM achievements and highlights, both team and individual, during the recently concluded season:

• We topped the division in the following team categories: Scoring (83.1 ppg), Rebounds (43.3 rpg), Assists (14.8 apg), Total FG made (290) and attempted (652), 3FG made (52).
• Herbert led the division in total points scored with 211 while averaging 23.4 per game.
• Jon led the division in total rebounds with 82, while averaging 9.1 per game. Herbert was second in total rebounds with 80.
• I led the league in total assists with 64, while averaging another league-best 7.1 per game.
• Herbert led the division in total FG made (82) and 3FG made (21). He shot a collective 53% from the field while hitting 38% from rainbow country.
• Herbert, Jon and I were named to the All-Division First Team (aka Mythical 5). JP was named to the Second Team.
• Herbert, Jon and I were also part of the All-Defensive Team.
• Jon took the Best Defensive Player award.
• Herbert took overall MVP honors.

Outstanding season for IBMers both collectively as a team and individually as well. We're all looking forward to the Second Conference this September.

Making it rain

I'm not a business major and I laid off of any business-related subjects back in college. But one thing I know about business is that you have to spend money in order to make money. You invest a boatload of money to make a boatload of money. Word to Warren Buffet.

Makes a whole lot of sense to me.

Nike: Courage

Peep Nike's new television spot for the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing.



"I got soul but I'm not a soldier."

Music from The Killers song, "All These Things That I've Done."

Worthwhile experiment

It's been one hectic week for me lately. I can't remember the last time I was this busy. Despite the cramped schedule and lack of sleep, I am not complaining. The returns have been very rewarding.

Looking forward to finally complete this gig soon.

The sneaker game

I've always been fascinated with sneakers. I remember back in fourth grade I got my first ever pair of Nike Airs. They were the Air Max 90 in the white/blue colorway. My first Jordans were white/maroon VI's in fifth grade. I had Charles Barkley's Air Force Max and Air Max CB94 during sixth and seventh grades respectively. My mom got me one pair a year and that was it.

Just very recently, I've become what I never intended to be, albeit temporarily. Sneakerheads out there will probably know what I mean. But for the rest of you, your guess is just as good as anyone else's.

"You can't knock the hustle." Word to Jay-Z.

Crazy post-game happenings

After our championship game at Xavier, JC invited the team and everyone else who watched for dinner at Pier One Ortigas last night. It was gonna be a doubleheader of a celebration - for the team's outstanding tournament run and his despedida. We would've wanted to send him off with a corporate championship. Too bad we fell a bit short.

A big shoutout of thanks to JC for the free-flowing food and drinks. People were buzzed when we adjourned around 4am. Daryl and I even had to do an emergency rescue operation because a colleague was too wasted to drive. I'm sure you all know how drunk people act. It was quite an adventure bringing this person home to Antipolo.

Speaking of adventure, JR and I had to rush to Cardinal Santos before proceeding to Ortigas for the dinner. He busted his chin open during the game so we had to get him stitched up. Dude got a deep, nasty cut that required six stitches. I've seen (and experienced) a lot of gruesome injuries and this one ranks right up there.

MCBL: IBS finishes 2nd

Our season ended last night with a disappointing 85-75 loss to a bigger-but-not-better Cebuana Lhuillier team. Their height and heft proved to be too much to handle as we were badly beaten off the glass. Don't let the final score deceive you though. The game was much closer than the final score suggests. We had their balls up their necks and asses for most of the game.

Looking back though, I'm proud of what the team has accomplished this season. Who would've thought that a bunch of IBM weekend warriors, true employees at that, will reach the finals with a sensational 7-1 record. We cruised through most games and we were tested in a couple. But more importantly, the team (especially the rookies) gained more exposure and experience. We'll be a whole lot tougher to handle next time around.

The MCBL 2nd Conference starts in late September or early October. Meantime, the team will part ways and play for their respective domains/accounts for the annual MDC sportsfest which formally opened yesterday and will run until September.

Minus JC and Bon who both resigned recently, I fully expect the team to be back when the 2nd Conference kicks off in a couple of months.


Final record: Runner-up finish with a 7-2 record (1-1, postseason)

Mixing smash and sports

I picked this up from AOL Fanhouse. Very interesting read.

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

Don't Believe The Hype: Sex Does Not Weaken Legs
Posted Jul 17th 2008 2:01PM by Tom Fornelli

I haven't played organized athletics in quite a while. Don't get me wrong, I'll still get together with friends to play basketball, football, or baseball once in a while, but the last team I belonged to was in high school. I remember playing football back then, and every Friday before a game we would basically have a walk-through of Saturday's game-plan.

At the end of every Friday practice, before the team would "break it down" our coach would give us a little speech about that week's game. When he came to the end of this weekly speech, he would always tell us the same thing.

"Boys, no sex tonight."

Now what in the hell kind of thing is that to tell a 16-year old kid who is going to a party that night? Why the hell am I going to the party if I'm not allowed to have sex? Still, it's an axiom that has existed in sports for quite a while. In the movie Rocky, Rocky's trainer Mickey tells him not to have sex with ADRIAN(!!!) before his fight because "women weaken legs."

Since Mickey said it, the entire world believed it. I mean, you try looking into those eyes of his and not melting. It's impossible not to believe him. Well, unless you're a cold-hearted scientist or a doctor who refuses to believe things without actual proof.

I'd like to introduce you to the newest American hero, University of Kansas team physician Sean Cupp. Cupp believes he can prove what I spent many a Friday afternoon trying to convince my football coach was a bunch of bull.

University of Kansas sports team physician Sean Cupp sure thinks so. Cupp, a sports medicine specialist, said no true scientific studies proved night-before sex impedes performance in any way. In fact, Cupp said if sex was part of an athlete's typical nighttime routine, the person shouldn't suddenly abandon lovemaking.

"Basically, the best way to continue positive performance outcomes would be to not change your pre-game ritual," Cupp said.

"You won't find a more superstitious bunch of people than coaches and athletes," Cupp said. "If they feel like they have a pretty good system, they're not going to stray from it."

The original theory behind the no sex rules weren't really that the act of sex weakens the legs-in reality, it strengthens them-but that it takes away an athlete's aggression. Since ejaculating draws testosterone away from the body, coaches were concerned that all that dopamine released in his defensive end's brain would cause him to hug the quarterback instead of breaking him in half.

In actuality, some recent experiments have shown that having sex the night before a game or match increases your testosterone levels, which means not only does having sex help the athlete break the quarterback in half, but he actually wants to go after the guy's family as well.

So if you have a big game tomorrow, or hell, even just a meeting at work, get yourself out there and get some tonight, fellas. You won't regret it. Well, at least not for a couple of weeks until you get the "I'm pregnant" call, but you'll cross that bridge when you come to it.

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

Alright, so we're having our biggest game of the season tomorrow. Connect the dots or do the math.

Hyperdunk McFly: The Philippine Launch

We went to Nike Park Bonifacio High Street last night to participate in the Hyperdunk Supreme McFly edition raffle hosted by Nike Philippines. The shoe, which was inspired by Michael J. Fox's character Marty McFly from the Back to the Future film trilogy, is limited to about 350 pairs worldwide. Fifteen pairs were raffled off last night to lucky participants. Too bad none of us won.

These sneaks are worth about USD 1.5k in the black market. Retail price in Manila was Php 6995. That's a pretty awesome deal for those who won the raffle. For the rest of us, we can either forget about it or shell out Php 60k for a pair on Ebay.

King for two weeks

My mom's leaving for Seattle tomorrow. She'll be away for about two weeks. Nothing new though since she jets off for trips every so often. That just means I'll have the whole flat to myself until the end of the month.

Sweet.

MCBL: Back from the Dead

Welcome to the postseason.

If there's one thing we've learned from our nailbiting semifinals game today against Pepsi - it ain't over 'til it's over.

In what has got to be the toughest game we've had this season, we've always believed anything is possible.

Having been outplayed, outhustled and outsmarted while trailing for majority of the game, we managed to battle back and escape with a miraculous 87-82 win. At one point, some of us felt our season was about to end. But we never lost hope. We never wavered. With so much on the line, losing was farthest from our minds. This hard-earned win just sent us to the championship game next weekend.

Before I forget, I have to give credit where credit is due. The Pepsi-Cola team came in very prepared. We beat them last week during the eliminations and it seems they've adjusted pretty well.

Despite our killer comeback victory, I have to admit we got lucky this time. The tides turned our way in the fourth period which enabled us to get our dirty acts together. We played sloppily and erratically for much of the game and we're fortunate it evened out in the end. Talk about the law of averages coming into play at the right time.

Props to JR for another splendid performance. Time and again, Bred proved he is mad clutch. We would not have survived without his heads-up play. Dude deserves the gameball.

Highlight of the game? Ward drilled a midcourt bomb off the glass just as the halftime buzzer sounded. The bank was open on a Sunday. Too bad we can't catch a replay.

Overall record: 7-1
Next game: Finals, vs Emerson-GMDC or Cebuana Lhuillier - July 19, Saturday, at the Xavier School Gym

Flashpacking in Chinese territory

My friend and I are flying to Hong Kong and Macau in a few weeks. There's only one thing in our itinerary and that's to watch the NBA-led Team USA take on Turkey in a basketball exhibition game at the Venetian. We're winging everything else beyond that.

No plans. No hotel accomodations. No check-in luggage. No one to keep us out of trouble. It's going to be one helluva fuckin' adventure.

2008 USA Basketball International Challenge

The national basketball teams of USA, Turkey and Lithuania will be in Macau this month for a series of pre-Olympic exhibition games. Each team will play each other once.

Team USA will play Turkey on July 31 and Lithuania on August 1. Turkey and Lithuania will square off on August 2.

Of course, the Nike-sponsored American squad is expected to roll over the competition with a bevy of NBA superstars in their roster. The all-star lineup includes Kobe Bryant, Lebron James, Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade and Chris Paul.

Turkey has two current NBA players on its roster (Orlando's Hedo Turkoglu and Utah's Mehmet Okur while Lithuania has three (Denver's Linas Kleiza, Cleveland's Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Washington's Darius Songaila). Also suiting up for Lithuania is former NBA guard Sarunas Jasikevicius, who played two seasons in the league for Indiana and Golden State.

The games will not have the usual competitive intensity but they should be entertaining to watch nonetheless.

2008 USA Men's Olympic Basketball Team

MCBL: Playoffs primer

The elimination round is over and we're carrying a 6-1 record to the playoffs. Anything less than a championship will probably be a disappointment. Why? Well, consider our numbers after the 7-game regular season:

• We're number one in most team categories - Scoring (83.7 ppg), Rebounds (45.7 rpg), Assists (15.1 apg), Total FG made (239) and attempted (512), 3FG made (40).


• We're number two in some team categories - FG% (47%), Steals (11.8 spg).


• We have the top candidate for division MVP (Herbert), while having three other players ranked in the top ten.


• We have the top candidate for best defensive player (Jon), while having two other players in the all-defensive team.

While Cebuana Lhuillier will remain the overall top seed because of their unblemished record (7-0), we believe we deserve to be up there. Hopefully, our paths will cross in the finals and we can settle this on the court.

Wanksta

I am so annoyed with people trying to pass off second-hand information as first-hand experience.

Unfortunately, there are a number of them around.

Ateneo over La Salle

Ateneo showed poise down the stretch as they disposed of archrival La Salle, 79-73, in their UAAP season opener this afternoon. Pretty good start for the Eagles who had solid contributions from a lot of players.

This victory, coupled with their two preseason championships (Champions League and the Nike Summer League), should boost their confidence even more.

Random thoughts on the game:

• Jobe Nkemakolam slimmed down tremendously. Someone school me on his fitness/diet regimen. Dude is batak.
• The Nike-sponsored La Salle players had better sneaks than the Nike-sponsored Ateneans. The white/gray/gold Hyperdunks the Archers had on were more fly than the black/blue Hyperdunks of the Eagles. Ateneans better step up their shoe game.
• I can see Joshua Webb becoming the next Mac Cardona and I don't mean that as a complement.
• Rookie Ryan Buenafe is a beast. Dude can ball.
• Rabeh's looking real good with his Tim Duncan post moves.
• Ateneo's sky-high frontline is one big block party.
• At his best, Eric Salamat has the most wicked crossover. Just ask the DLSU guards.
• I can't think of any other player who gets hit more than Chris Tiu. He may not look the part but dude is one tough animal.

Speaking of Ateneo's win, I heard someone say, "nanalo lang Ateneo, lumindol na." This is in reference to the eathquake that hit Manila a couple of hours ago.

Well, ladies and gentlemen, I hope y'all are ready cause there are more coming your way.

MCBL: IBS advances to Semis

We came into today's game against Pepsi with one thing in mind: to win. A win today guarantees us a spot in the semifinal phase. A loss would make us have to go through an extra round known as the quarterfinals. We all know we didn't want to go through that.

So we did what we had to do. We came out victorious with an 87-83 win. We end the eliminations sporting a 6-1 record. It's good enough to claim the top seed in our group.

However, the game was not without drama. We almost squandered a huge 26-point first half lead when Pepsi managed a big run during the second half. With our offense losing steam late in the fourth, Pepsi trimmed our lead down to 3 points, 83-80, with less than a minute to go. Two freethrows and a scintillating JR drive later, we were looking at an 87-81 margin with less than 10 ticks left. We let them score a meaningless layup to set the final score at 87-83.

Play of the game? With the game on the line, we went to JR and he didn't disappoint. He hit a tough, contested layup to give us a bit of breathing room, 86-81. Bred is officially clutch.

Funny tidbit of the game? JP fouled out and got T'd for the second consecutive game. Dude is very lucky his technicals got waived off. Else, he would have had to pay fines.

Five IBMers scored in double figures (Herbert 20, JP 16, Jon 12, JR 11, Pao 10).

Record: 6-1 (1st seed, Group A)
Next game: Semifinals, vs Henkel or Pepsi - July 13, Sunday, at the Xavier School Gym

Happy (Meal) Birthday

We know how our soon-to-be-former HR manager loves McDonald's. He can survive eating Happy Meals day in and day out. In true (and typical) JC fashion, his HR family threw him a suprise birthday party last night at nearby McDo Eastwood.

Grimace was the special guest but I'm sure JC would've preferred having Kung Fu Panda instead.

Happy Birthday JC!