Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Fifty Peso Shots: October 2010

First of all, I'd like to invite everyone to watch my cooking demos daily on the Lifestyle Network or online on this link and on this one as well. Help make me Lifestyle Network's 1st Star Chef by voting for me.  Send an email to lifestylenetwork@thelifeyoulive.tv and type VOTE SHARWIN on the subject box.  You can vote as many times as you want as voting is unlimited, even from one email account!


Now, some shots (good and bad) from the cheap seats:


The Good:



  • Kudos to the new UFC Heavyweight Champ Cain Velasquez.  I was among millions who doubted him, but he sure proved us wrong.  He showed tremendous quickness and cardio which allowed him to move well and escape from his back.  I think that was his key to defeating Brock Lesnar.

Monday, October 18, 2010

Tiu-pefied

First of all, I'd like to invite everyone to watch my cooking demos daily on the Lifestyle Network or online on this link and on this one as well. Help make me Lifestyle Network's 1st Star Chef by voting for me.  Send an email to lifestylenetwork@thelifeyoulive.tv and type VOTE SHARWIN on the subject box.  You can vote as many times as you want as voting is unlimited, even from one email account!


     I'm probably the worst kind of fan there is.  Obsessed and always analyzing, I've become jaded to a degree.  I'm rarely effusive in my praise, but my interview last week with Smart GIlas skipper Chris Tiu left me no choice but to be different.  It's funny because I've known him since he was in second year high school, but his presence, humility and wisdom never fail to amaze.

     Finally able to talk to him after several tries, he graciously granted my request for an interview, inviting me over to Gilas practice. (Check out my fly on the wall article here)  While he was warming up and getting treatment for his sore hamstring and thighs, I take the opportunity to strike up a conversation/interview.

Plugging the Holes

     On the subject of pros playing, Chris displays his intuitive and intelligent side.  He admits pros are needed, despite GIlas playing together for over 11/2 years.  "There are pros and cons," Tiu explains.  "Whatever experience we’ve got over the last two years, you can’t compare to the experience the other pros have gotten. They’ve been playing for the past 5-7 years of their career so it helps to have an experienced player on the team." He is fully aware that, especially at this point in their development, they need some help.  "It helps to have pros plug in the holes, missing links within the team.  It would definitely help to have these guys, Asi (Taulava) Kelly (Williams) Sol (Mercado), most specially the big men positions coz we’re very limited with big men."  

     He's a realist, though, and he recognizes the difficulties PBA players have with their commitments to their mother teams.  Besides, he thinks the Gilas amateurs are more than ready themselves. "I think the level of the guys on this team now, JV (Casio), Mac (Baracael), (Chris) Lutz, Marcio (Lassiter), when they make it to the pros, they’re not going to be considered rookies anymore. A lot will be expected of them, so in a sense they’ve reached that level already where they can be very competitive at the pro level; technically they’re pros as well."  If given the choice to decide on the country's basketball program?  It's obvious Tiu believes in the GIlas program.  "I prefer you get some pros and retain the non pros, because for one being (amateur Gilas), we’ve traveled to so many countries playing against the best players and we’ve played as one team. We’ve gotten used to the system of coach (Rajko Toroman) so that’s an advantage."

Saturday, October 16, 2010

Fifty Peso Previews: 2010-11 NBA Central Division

First of all, please help me get into the top 2 of Lifestyle Network's Clash of the Toque-en Ones by sending an email to lifestylenetwork@thelifeyoulive.tv and typing VOTE SHARWIN on the subject box.  You can vote as often as you want, even from the same account.  Check out my demo here on this link and my new demo on this one.

Now, we continue with the Fifty Peso Previews, again with the help of hitmaker Toto Sorioso, whose single, "Gupit" will surely make you a fan.


Chicago Bulls


Major Additions: Carlos Boozer, Kyle Korver, Ronnie Brewer
Major Subtractions: None


The Bulls front office has indeed stepped up.  Bringing in a new coach (that can actually coach), and a batch of talented free agents, they have given the team all the tools they need to go deep into the playoffs.  While Boozer's freak hand injury will slow things down, look for the Bulls to finally become serious contenders for the playoffs for the first time since some guy named Jordan was leading them.  Expect the Bulls to play great Tom Thibodeau defense and execute better offensively.


Fearless Forecast: Conference Semi-finals
Toto's Theme Song: I Got a Feeling (Black Eyed Peas)


Wednesday, October 13, 2010

A Fly on the Wall (at Gilas Practice)

First of all, please catch my cooking demo at the Lifestyle Network or by clicking this link.  Then, help me become Lifestyle Network's first Star Chef by sending an email to lifestylenetwork@thelifeyoulive.tv and typing VOTE SHARWIN on the subject box.  Votes are unlimited so I hope you can keep voting, even from the same account!  


     It's easy to take shots and give advice from the cheap seats; that's why I call my blog From the Fifty Peso Seats.  Last night though, I decided to move down the aisle and take a closer look.  Attending the practice of Smart Gilas, I had no idea who would train and what they would do.  One thing's for sure, though.  Leaving practice, I had a very good idea of how we're going to do at the Asian games.


     Scheduled at 7 p.m. at the Arena in San Juan, practice actually starts earlier than that, as I spy Mark Barroca already outside the gym at 530.  I came early, since I was meeting Chris Tiu for an interview at 6.  Soon after parking, JV Casio and Tiu arrive and we enter the gym.  Dylan Ababou follows, then Chris Lutz with Coach Rajko Toroman.  Chris and I begin talking as he gets taped.  Beside us, Casio gets a much needed massage treatment on his beat up legs.  As Casio grimaces in pain, I ask Chris about Marcus Douthit.  He is optimistic about Douthit's chances, but rues the pressure of having things done before the Senate goes on break.  He then reveals that even if Douthit is naturalized, we have to hope the Asian Games Committee accredits Douthit.  I ask him if China could screw us over and he admits it's a possibility.  

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Fifty Peso Previews: 2010-11 NBA Atlantic Division

First, please check out my cooking demo on the Lifestyle Network.  October 7 at 11 am, 5 pm, 11 pm, October 8 at 10 am, 4 pm, 10 pm, October 9 at 9 am, 3 pm, 9 pm.  Vote for me by sending an email to lifestylenetwork@thelifeyoulive.tv  Just type in VOTE SHARWIN TEE on the subject line.  You can vote as many times as you want and help me get my very own cooking show!     


     It's that time of the year again. The NBA season is fast approaching and it's time to preview the teams and their chances. This time, our fifty peso previews get an upgrade from our special guest, singer Toto Sorioso, who supplies his own previews by assigning theme songs for each team.  I guess,  our fifty peso previews should be seventy five peso ones now...


Boston Celtics


Major Additions: Shaquille O'Neal, Jermaine O"Neal, Luke Harangody
Major Subtractions: Rasheed Wallace


     Going against the trend, the Celtics sought to enhance their chances for a title by getting older, not younger.  Replacing the retired Wallace with two O'Neals, both past their primes, Celtics are bigger and more experienced, but also a lot older and slower.  Still, the sheer brilliance and experience of this line up will give teams more than they can handle, and the Celts will look forward to another deep playoff run.  Look for Rajon Rondo to continue to emerge as Boston's franchise player and an inspired effort from the "Big Three" who may consider this year as their last best chance.


Fearless Forecast: Playoffs (conference semi-finals) 
Toto's Theme Song for Boston: My Way (Frank Sinatra)