Take Two

     Recently, one of my favorite blogs, "The Past and the Spurious," turned two.  In honor of tPatS and its mastermind, Tibibord,  I composed this post, brought to us by the number two.


So how has the number two inserted itself in sporting history?

• It's the number of Grand Slam titles Australian Pat Rafter won during his career.  He won back-to-back U.S. Open titles in 1997-98.

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Top 10 "Top 10s": Greatest Filipino Athletes (1971-Present)

     This is officially my 100th post and before I begin, I would like to thank all of you have seen my blog.  Whether you follow my posts regularly, you glance at it from time to time, or you visit so you can post spam on my comment box, thank you.  Let's get it on then.


Parameters:  Once again, all athletes with Filipino blood qualify for this list, provided their claim to fame and greatness after 1971.


10.  Mansueto Velasco

     After Anthony Villanueva won a silver medal in the 1964 Olympics, the Philippines experienced a silver medal drought, always falling short of Villanueva's effort.  The drought would end only in 1996, when a tiny flyweight by the name of "Onyok" Velasco captured only the Philippines' second Olympic silver medal, along with the hearts of a proud nation.  Velasco used his skill and quickness to rise through the ranks, but then lost a controversial (yet again) decision to Bulgaria's Daniel Petrov.  Aside from causing commentator Ron de los Santos to completely lose his professionalism (he started shouting, "Dinadaya tayo!" repeatedly during the telecast), the loss would shatter the country's gold medal dream.  Despite that, though, Velasco has earned his spot on this list.  

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Appointments

     A lot of people have been discouraging Manny Pacquiao from running for political office, claiming sports and politics shouldn't mix.  Then, add in the history of athletes in our political world (i.e. Senator Robert Jaworski, Secretary Eric Buhain) and you've got yourselves a compelling reason to agree with those people.  Let's think about it though.  What if the right athletes made the trek to the political world?  Our country may find its best government yet, so to our upcoming new (hopefully!!!) president, take a gander at these potential cabinet appointees from the sporting world.

Paeng Nepomuceno (Department of Health) - The four-time World Cup Champion and Greatest Amateur Bowler on the Planet is over fifty years old, yet he looks not a day over 40.  Still competitive against the world's best, Paeng has repeatedly stated his secret is keeping in shape.  He bikes, runs and does calisthenics, all while eating right.  My brother, who was roommates with Paeng during the Asian Games can attest to Paeng's supreme work ethic, as he wakes early every morning for sit ups/crunches as well.  Wouldn't it be great if we were all a la Paeng, healthy and looking good even at 50 years old?

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Alternatives

     The times are tough.  Economic downturn, foreclosures and whatnot are making things difficult for everyone.  Now, people have been forcd to tale on second jobs just to make ends meet.  This got me thinking about star athletes and if they had to take on second jobs, which ones would they be good at?

Steve Nash (NBA/Phoenix Suns)


     Nash is a certified wizard on the basketball court and even at 36, he is still making great plays in the NBA.  It cannot be argued that the Canadian is one of history's most creative guards and this creativity is not confined to the basketball court only.  If he were forced to take on another job, independent filmmaking might be a good choice for him.  Ever the internet buff, Nash has been making fun short videos and vitamin water commercials and they are appearing everywhere from facebook to youtube.  As evidenced by the video above, he would have a shot as a filmmaker.  Of course, Martin Scorsese need not be worried.  James Cameron might though.


Roger Federer (Tennis/ATP)

     More than his historic runs in tennis (16 Grand Slam titles, over 20 straight finals and semi finals appearances), Federer's "Killer Instinct," is what astounds people.  Obviously, he possesses a tremendous mental game to allow him to be both consistent and transcendent against his opponents, despite the mounting pressure of all these younger players constantly challenging him.  This mental game, coupled with the cold, machine-like efficiency he wins with would make him a great HR Director.  With the companies downsizing, they need someone tough and efficient enough to not only decide who to let go, but also inform them of the bad news.  If there are any doubts as to the ability of the world's number 1 tennis player to break people's hearts, hopes and dreams efficiently and coldly, just ask Andy Roddick and Andy Murray... after they stop sobbing.


Tiger Woods (Golf/PGA)

     His endorsements have dwindled and he hasn't played in a while, so Tiger might have to start looking for a second job.  Well, his life has already been turned into a circus, so why not join one?  The circus could always use a juggler and Woods has clearly demonstrated he can handle that job.  If there are any doubts, just check out what he has done so far.  Since turning pro, he has handled endorsements, marriage, kids, (allegedly) affairs with 14(!) different women, all the while winning a tremendous amount of titles and being golf history's most dominant player.  That man can juggle people.  He may want to start with golf balls first before chainsaws though.


Lebron James (NBA/Cleveland Cavaliers)

     The King has repeatedly asked us to be witnesses, and all we have witnessed from him is great play, no championships and pretty bratty behavior.  So far, he has refused to shake hands, flicked a tray of gatorade into the crowd and danced goofily with teammates when blowing out opponents.  If he did need a second job, he would be perfect as a product tester of Evenflo Baby Products.  If the products work well enough that the prissy Cavalier doesn't complain or moan about it, it will be good enough for our children.  With that, Lebron would no doubt not shake my hand...


Paeng Nepomuceno (Bowling)


     The greatest amateur bowler in the history of the world continues to play (and win!) in the bowling circuit, but if he did need to look for a second job, he has shown he is ready.  The 4-time World Cup Champion showed up on ABC TV5's dancing show and not only put up a great showing, he ended up winning the contest!  Combine the win with his in-shape physique and movie star looks, he would be a great D.I. (dance instructor).  Ladies would line up to dance with him, although he should prepare himself for a visit from Mommy Dionisia Pacquiao first.

A Wish Granted?

The biggest bowling news lately is how American cops endangered the arrest and incarceration of a suspected drug dealer because they played Wii bowling in his house after they raided it. In the side of my bowling world, however, no news is bigger than the headlines made last Friday.

Last Friday, legendary Rafael "Paeng" Nepomuceno notched another bowling victory by earning the right to represent the country in the 2009 AMF Bowling World Cup, which will be held in Melaka, Malaysia from November 14 to 21, 2009. The 52 year old placed 2nd in the 64-game elimination round and then blasted his much younger competition in the stepladder finals. Paeng first faced Paolo Valdez and smashed him, 244-236 and 213-181. He then brought the pain to top seed Benshir Layoso, whipping the national team bowler 217-201 and 242-195 to earn his 16th trip to one of bowling's most hyped tournaments. Paeng's enviable record at the World Cup (an unprecedented 4 titles in 15 attempts) plus his record of 118 overall titles is what he plans to bring to the table come November.

While this piece of news is more than enough for me to get excited for November, another older, but no less important piece of news added very dry wood to the already raging fire of my excitement.

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Dreams May Come

Over the past couple of months, a couple of "dream match ups," previously thought of as impossible, became realities. Manny Pacquiao and Oscar de la Hoya sealed the deal and will fight later this year, while American pros like Walter Ray WIlliams Jr. and Tommy Jones were finally able to bowl in the Bowling Men's World Championships. This got me to thinking about "dream sports match ups," and while some will be impossible to arrange, it was still nice to consider them. Here are just some of the "dream match ups" I thought out:

Basketball - Dream Team 1 (then) versus the rest of the world (now)

People keep talking about matching up the original Dream Team (Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan and Larry Bird) with this year's Redeem Team (Kobe Bryant, Lebron James and Dwayne Wade), but I think the better way to compare them would be to see if the original Dream Team can still win the Olympic Medal with the much-improved international teams. People keep claiming that the U.S. simply could not dominate anymore because all the other countries have improved, and that claim would be answered if the original Dream Team could play in the Beijing Olympics. (Runner-Up: 1993 Chicago Bulls vs the 1994 Rockets)

Bowling - Walter Ray Williams Jr. versus Rafael "Paeng" Nepomuceno

Williams, with the most Professional Bowling titles in history, was finally able to compete in the World Championships in Thailand this year. However, Paeng shied away from joining the team this year. It would be great to see them on a one on one match on wooden and synthetic lanes, with different lane conditions. The greatest pro bowler vs the greatest amateur bowler in history. What's not to love? (Runner-Up: Dick Webber versus Pete Webber)

Basketball - Grand Slam Crispa Teams versus Grand Slam San Miguel Team versus Grand Slam Alaska Team

Each team boasts of the fact that no other team could beat them in a whole season. It would be great to see which team would beat which. A mini-tournament featuring the four teams would be sight to watch. Imagine the match ups of Johnny A vs Bernie Fabiosa or Hector Calma, Atoy Co vs Ricky Brown or Jojo Lastimosa and Philip Cezar vs Ramon Fernandez or Bong Hawkins. Araneta wouldn't be big enough to fit the amount of people who want to watch this one. (NCC National Team versus the 2007 PBA National Team)

Boxing - George Foreman versus Mike Tyson

This dream match between tremendously powerful sluggers would have been possible were it not for Mike Tyson's trouble-making ways. This won't be a pretty fight, but it sure would be a great one to watch. A knock out is almost guaranteed as neither would rely on sticking and jabbing or other pretty boy stuff like that. (Runner-up: Manny Pacquiao vs. Roberto Duran or Oscar de la Hoya vs. Marvin Hagler)

MMA - Anderson Silva versus Royce Gracie

Silva has been named MMA's best pound-for-pound fighter ,while Gracie has been widely-regarded as the sports greatest ever. The spider-like smooth moves of Silva, combined with his scary knock-out power, would be put to test against the tough, patient and crafty Gracie. Whether the fight ends with a knockout by Silva or a submission by Gracie, the fight will surely be a dandy. (Runner-up: Brock Lesnar versus Dan "the Beast" Severn or Ken Shamrock vs Frank Shamrock)

Pro Wrestling - The Rockers vs The Hardys

While pro wrestling can always bring the old guys back, this match up seems to be only possible as a dream match up since Marty Jannety is nowhere to be found. These two teams revolutionized the Tag Team genre and their high-flying antics would surely be entertaining, no matter how fake wrestling is. In fact, the only match better than this would be these four guys in a Tag Team Ladder Match. If only Vince McMahon read my blog... (Runner-up: Undertaker versus Rick Flair)

Of course, these are only dream match ups that I want to see. Place your comments if you have other dream match ups. I would love to read about them.