Witness weakness

Fuck the fix.

Orlando it is.

Lebron had his witnesses. But Dwight got the verdict.

Battling the fix

David Stern just got his first wish as Kobe and the Lakers are through to the Finals. Now it's up to Orlando to fight the fix and close out Lebron and the Cavaliers in Game 6 later.

It'll be tough because everyone knows the calls are all going to be for the King despite being on the road. But if Orlando waxes hot and they keep making their shots, Stern and company can't do jack about it.

I hope the Magic finish this one in blowout fashion so they can stick all the refs' whistles up David Stern's ass.

Sunday morning hoops

Went 4-1 in tough scrimmages last night. It got my body a little banged up with a couple of bruises here and there but I'm all good though. Ready to hit the courts again in a bit for an early morning runout. Game time is at 8am. Too bad I'll miss much of Game 6 of the Cleveland-Orlando series. I hope I get back in time to see the Magic finish off the Cavaliers.

Wanting Kobe 4 whiteouts

I am so tempted to cop my first ever Kobe sneaker. I've never had any of his sigs and I still intend on keeping it that way. So help me God.

The fix is still on

David Stern can breathe a sigh of relief, at least for another day. His dream for a Kobe-Lebron championship series is still alive.

The Orlando Magic had their chances in Game 5 but ultimately fumbled in the fourth quarter. As expected, it didn't help the Magic's cause that the refs were riding the King's jock again.

The fix was a bit more obvious in Game 5 of the Denver-LA series as all 50-50 calls in the fourth quarter went the Lakers' way. Still, Denver had their opportunities too, but they played terrible basketball in the final period. Chauncey Billups was totally out-of-sync. He looked like a rookie with all the stupid turnovers and poor decisions.

I hope the Nuggets get their act together and win Game 6 tomorrow at the Pepsi Center then hopefully squeak past the NBA fix for Game 7 in Los Angeles. Meanwhile, Orlando has a real solid chance of closing Cleveland out at home on Sunday.

Count me in as one of the few who don't want to see a Mamba-King duel in the Finals. I can just imagine how much of a slurpfest that would be.

Barca wins lackluster Champions League Final

What an anticlimactic end to an otherwise superb season of European football. Too bad the English champions failed to show up tonight. Props to Barcelona for getting the job done.

On a different note, what the fuck is up with United's all-white kit?! They looked like Real Madrid. They played like Real Madrid. They lost like Real Madrid. SMH.

Roma 2009: The Dream Final

The most anticipated game in world club football kicks off in less than an hour. Fittingly, it pits arguably the two best clubs this season.

My take? United wins, 1-0, in regulation.

Stern Warning

The NBA should have an ambulance and a med-evac chopper ready at the Staples Center for Game 5. With Orlando winning today, a Denver victory tomorrow just might lead to a David Stern heart attack.

I can already imagine the Amway Arena and Pepsi Center crowds going wild.

Stern in trouble

I think it was fairly obvious to the whole world that David Stern and his army of imbecile refs tried to win Game 4 for Lebron James and company. Too bad the Magic didn't get the memo and kept hitting their threes at an amazing rate, closing out Cleveland in overtime.

Besides, how can you rig the game if Lebron kept turning the ball over without contact? The zebras can't blow his horn their whistles then.

I expect the NBA to go all out and make sure this series reaches Game 7. I just hope Orlando can keep shooting the lights out so Stern can bid his dream finals goodbye.

Until then though, brace yourselves for more bullshit calls in favor of the one they call King.

The Birdman takes flight

In case you missed it, this was the ESPN special on Denver's Chris Andersen as shown during halftime of the Western Conference Finals Game 4 between the Lakers and Nuggets yesterday.



"What statement did you want to make?"

"Look at me now."

Twitter overtakes FB for my attention

Haven't been on FB recently because of Twitter. No, I haven't jumped off the Facebook bandwagon yet. I just find it easier logging on to Twitter because I don't need to have wi-fi to send or update my tweets. Plus yeah, it's a lot less complicated too.

Love-set witness

In all my years playing competitive pickup ball, I've never seen or experienced a love-set game. You know, a game so lopsided that the losing team couldn't even muster a score.

Until tonight.

I was on the right side of a love-set game when we absolutely demolished this particular team on our way to a 21-0 blowout win. Afterwards, we were all in a state of awe and disbelief with what had just transpired.

This might not mean much for other people but I take pride in winning.

Plus, nothing feels better than dominating your opponent so much that the next time you play them, they don't believe they have any chance. They've lost the game before it even started.

Air Jordan still owns THE SHOT in Cleveland

I've been hearing people say King James' buzzer-beater trumps Air Jordan's shot over Craig Ehlo two decades ago.

Let's make this simple.

Lebron James hit a three at the buzzer to win Game 2 over the Orlando Magic. Whatever happens, they go to Orlando for Game 3 this weekend.

Michael Jordan drilled a gamewinner at the buzzer to win a series over the Cleveland Cavaliers. Had he missed, the Bulls were out of the playoffs.

Now tell me who's clutch.

Unbeata-Bulls

I looked up 'dynasty' over the web. This is what I got:

Swine flu stopover

It took a while but the Philippines is no longer A(H1N1)-free. The Department of Health recently confirmed the first ever case of swine flu in the country. The victim is a 10-year-old girl who recently flew in from the US.

I hope this is just an isolated case and does not spark anything disastrous. On second thought, Manila's got terrible air pollution. Maybe it's enough to deter the airborne virus from spreading. LOL.

Day of the 'dogs

The Orlando Magic came back from 15 down to snatch a 107-106 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. Lebron James was at his usual best scoring 49 points, grabbing 8 rebounds, dishing out 6 assists while blocking 3 shots in the loss. The Magic were 9-point underdogs in Game 1.

The American Idol final night turned out to be another shocker. There was little doubt that everyone expected favorite Adam Lambert to win. In a bizarre twist of fate, voters rallied behind heavy underdog Kris Allen who came out on top.

Sometimes I like rooting for the 'dogs to make things interesting. It's not fun if you go chalk all the way.

Back to books

People might not believe this because I'm actually having a difficult time believing it myself too, but I've mysteriously started reading recently. I was never into books so it's quite puzzling, I know.

Reading was never my thing, at least not since the Hardy Boys Casefiles were in fashion back in my primary school days. That's the last time I remember enjoying some form of literature. I guess going through a stack of pages wasn't my idea of having a good time while I was growing up. Glad I was able to survive school having enlisted the help of Barron's or Cliffs for my book reports. I wish we had Wikipedia back then. It would've been way easier.

Anyway, I've been spending a lot of time the past few days finishing a couple of borrowed books. I'm hoping to finish them soon so I can return them and borrow a few more. I can't say how much longer this phenomenon will last but I'm hooked for now.

Clever comeback Vol. YM chat

Where's the modesty?

I only have honesty.

Phiten-ized

I've been wearing these titanium-infused Phiten necklaces for about a week now and I must say they've worked for me so far. I've been taking less of my asthma maintenance medication and I noticed I don't tire out anymore.

I'm not saying it's all because of these. For all I know it just might be all in my head. But whatever, as long as I feel it works and it does me good then that's all that really matters.

In case y'all are wondering, yeah I wear two and I never take them off.

Days and confused

I dunno what's wrong with me. Maybe I just lack sleep because I've been planning my day like it's a Saturday, only to realize it's just Friday.

Blown out Vol. Atlanta Hawks

My team got spanked in a pickup game last night at the Ateneo Gym, 30-10. If you follow the NBA Playoffs, we shot like Atlanta and defended like Dallas.

Unbelievable.

The Kings of Cover

Need proof that there are a lot of dumb people in this world?

Cleveland and Denver are an astonishing 17-0-1 against the spread during the first two rounds of the playoffs. The only non-cover was a push in Game 4 of the Cleveland-Atlanta series.

Amazingly, there are quite a number of bettors who still faded these teams despite the odds being stacked against them. They were looking to break the streak while everyone else was cashing in. If that ain't stupid, I dunno what is.

Making it rain Vol. Pacman Jones

We made it rain last night. Good lookin' out for those with umbrellas. Dolla, dolla bill y'all.

Cebu on my mind

It's been almost 2 months since I was last in Cebu and I'm kinda missing its laidback lifestyle. I've to admit that there's not much to do there though.

Anyway, I told myself I'll plan a quick trip there before I start working again.

Ode to my mother

Happy Mother's Day Mom!!! You know I love ya!

Lost for words

Some people are just so fuckin' unbelievable. You give them a inch, they want a mile. This is so messed up I don't know what else to say.

Disposable protection

This went around over the net last week, mostly via Twitter:

"Ninety people get the swine flu and everyone is wearing facemasks while millions have AIDS yet people still don't wear condoms."

Quite baffling yet so true.

But yeah, if you ask me... I'd most likely wear a mask than use rubber. LOL. SMH.

PBA groupies

I watched another Talk N Text game at the Big Dome yesterday. I swear I see the same faces over and over again everytime I go. I'm afraid it's only a matter of time until I start seeing them in my dreams too. SMH. LOL.

Great but not greatest yet

With his quick demolition of Ricky Hatton, Manny Pacquiao is on another level now. He's made his case for the best boxer in the world and I'm sure not a lot of people will object to that.

However, some folks are already proclaiming him the best ever. Too much of a reach at this point. I think he will need to beat Mayweather and perhaps one of the more high-profile welterweights in Paul "The Punisher" Williams or Miguel Cotto to stake his claim for the greatest boxer of all time.

I swear people are too caught up with the Pac-Man hype and slurpfest that it's starting to get annoying.

Mexico's latest export

Mexicans are known for producing good boxers and tequila. Now, they are infamous for spreading the dangerous swine flu virus.

Good thing there aren't any direct flights from Mexico to Manila. Not that it would prevent the virus from reaching the Philippines, but that's way better than sharing a border with them. I can just imagine the number of Mexicans going to the US legally or otherwise. It must be hell for the US authorities.

Attention-deprived Aquinos

They're at it again. SMH.

Cory Aquino's family, specifically her infamous celebrity daughter, is again asking for the public's sympathy. According to reports, the former Philippine president underwent some form of surgical procedure in relation to her bout with colon cancer.

I still don't get why they have to release official statements and even appear on television to rally prayers for the old lady. It's as if the public truly cares. Can someone please tell them she's way past her prime? As difficult as it is for them to accept, she's just not relevant anymore.

Besides, there are a million other nameless people who have cancer and cannot afford treatment who deserve the public's support and sympathy.

I can just imagine the amount of hype and media coverage she'll get once she dies. I will pity those who don't have cable television. Torture will be worse than Guantanamo.

Previous posts:
Cory and Cancer
Cory and Chemo

Feels weird to be out of IBM Basketball

I played hoops with my former IBM teammates yesterday. Haven't shared the same court with them ever since the MCBL championship game last December. Moreover, I left the company soon after so I haven't seen most of them since then. They're now getting ready for the 2009 MPG Corporate Basketball League (MCBL) that starts next weekend.

Modesty aside, I built the IBM basketball program from scratch in mid-2007. Since then, we've joined three leagues and we've never finished lower than 3rd. We've gotten two runners-up trophies while placing third once. We've also produced one MVP, one Best Defensive Player, 5 First Teamers, a few more Second Team players and numerous league statistical leaders. Pretty good for a group that had no organized basketball team before.

This season, like our previous ones, I think they have a great chance of getting back to the finals for a third consecutive time. Hopefully, they'll end up winning this time around. I'm sure, like me, they're tired of playing bridesmaid again.

I may not be part of the team and of the program anymore but I'm confident they will be able to continue what I started. We've never missed the playoffs while I was at the helm so I hope they keep that streak going. I left the team in good hands so I'm sure they know what to do.

Good luck, have fun and don't embarass yourselves, boys.

I will miss playing with all of you.

Pacquiao KOs Hatton

Didn't expect to see it end so abrupt, so fast and so soon but Manny Pacquiao sure shut the lights out of Ricky "The Hitman" Hatton for all the world to see. The Brit got clocked pretty bad.

Courtside seats to catch former Tar Heel

I'm excited to see former UNC player David Noel play as Ginebra takes on Talk N Text in the PBA's main game tonight at the Araneta Coliseum.

Dude's been on a roll since arriving as the Gin Kings' import a couple of weeks ago. He got a triple-double on his debut to lead Ginebra to a win. He also captured the Slam Dunk title and was named the All-Star game MVP during last week's PBA All-Star weekend.

Can't wait to see him play up close. Been his fan since he captained an overachieving 2005-06 UNC team to a fantastic season despite losing its championship core (Felton, May, McCants, Marvin Williams, Jawad Williams).