Shorts: Numerology

     Okay, so I turned 31 this week.  Wondering what kind of year my 31st will be, I took a look at some NBA players who have worn the number 31 for most or all of their careers for some answers.  


Pacemaker

      Right out of UCLA, reed-thin Reggie Miller donned the number 31 for the Indiana Pacers.  Known as Cheryl Miller's kid brother, Reggie bucked the odds and silenced the doubters as he proved he could not only survive the NBA but also dominate despite his slight build.  Miller played 18 fruitful seasons (all for the Pacers), marking his career with an amazing 8 point explosion in less than 15 game seconds against the Knicks, over 1000 three point shots converted and timeless playoff battles against John Starks and Michael Jordan.  Unfortunately, the sharpshooter was never rewarded with a championship, coming close in the 2000 NBA finals.  Question is, will my year feature amazing accomplishments like Miller's infamous playoff scoring sprees and duels or will the year be one big heartbreak like Reggie's inability to win a championship?

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Repeat Please!

     This year's Wrestlemania in Arizona looks to be another blockbuster pay-per-view event for the WWE, and it should, since it will feature Undertaker vs Shawn Michaels 2 ('Taker's Wrestlemania undefeated streak of 17 wins vs Michaels' career.)  This was a rematch over a year in the making and in the wrestling world, a year is an eternity.  This got me wistfully thinking about other matches that should've gotten a rematch, but didn't.


Portland Trail Blazers vs Chicago Bulls (early 90s NBA)

     The two teams met in the 1992 NBA Finals, with the Bulls, courtesy of astounding play and suddenly accurate three point shooting from Michael Jordan taking the championship.  Both teams were very loaded, with the Blazers having Terry Porter, Clyde Drexler, Jerome Kersey, Buck Williams, Cliff Robinson and Kevin Duckworth.  Meanwhile, the Bulls featured John Paxson, Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Horace Grant, Bill Cartwright and B.J. Armstrong and the two teams were just evenly matched, that it seemed they would be headed for an intriguing rivalry for at least another 2 years.  Alas,it was not meant to be as the revamped Phoenix Suns emerged as Western champs the following year and then Jordan retired the 1st time after that.  Just the thought of the aerial battle between His Airness and the Glide is more than enough to be wistful about a rematch.


Mike Tyson vs James Douglas (Heavyweight Boxing)

      In what was easily the upset of the decade in boxing, "Buster" Douglas knocked out the until then indestructible "Iron" Mike Tyson, taking his undisputed heavyweight championship. Douglas was at his best, moving, jabbing and frustrating Tyson until the fearsome champ tired out.  Finally, he seized his opportunity in the 11th round, dropping Tyson for the first time in his career.  Despite this almost perfect night from Douglas, it was still a close fight, as Tyson also dropped Douglas with a smashing right in the 10th round.  That is why a rematch would've been tremendous for the boxing world.  Unfortunately, the loss was only the first of a string of bad developments for Tyson, who then was found guilty of rape, sent to jail and found himself bankrupt.  Douglas, meanwhile, enjoyed his championship too much, showing up bloated for his first title defense against Evander Holyfield and got knocked out of significance.  


Ryo Chonan vs Anderson Silva





     Silva, generally considered the best mixed martial artist in the world, pound for pound, has been undefeated in the UFC.  Before he got his aura of invincibility in the UFC, however, Silva lost four times.  One of those losses in the now defunct Pride Championship in Japan, was to Japanese Ryo Chonan who is currently in the UFC roster as well.  In what has to be one of the most spectacular finishes in MMA, Chonan unleashed a flying scissor takedown which led straight to a heel hook to defeat Silva.  It's almost a certainty that Silva would want to avenge that fight, but Pride has been bought out by the UFC and Chonan, while still in the UFC, has seen his career fade into oblivion.  A rematch may not draw as much interest, so it's unlikely a rematch will be set up.  

Goodbye Madam President

     As the world says good bye to former President Corazon Aquino, one of the world's icons of democracy, I would like to pay my respects as well.  As president, Aquino managed to make an impact on Philippine sports (including setting up the Philippine Sports Commission), despite being handed a gargantuan task of restoring Philippine democracy after over 20 years of Marcos rule.  Now, a good many people have a lot of wonderful and personal things to say about Aquino, I have no such luck.  Instead, I am listing down my favorite sports moments during her presidential years as my tribute.

1986 - The Crowning of Asia's Sprint Queen

     The 1986 Asian Games was the setting for one of Philippine sports' greatest moments.  Lydia de Vega, one of the young products of Michael Keon's Gintong Alay program, sprinted her way to gold medal in the 100m dash event, the centerpiece event for athletics, earning herself the distinction of be

coming Asia's fastest woman.  This achievement, coupled with de Vega setting an Asian record of 11.35 seconds, is especially significant, since the country has never again won for this event in the Asian Games.

1989 - The Upset at Roland Garros

     Few people knew of Michael Chang, a Chinese-American who helped the U.S. dominate the junior circuit together with batchmates Andre Agassi, Pete Sampras and Todd Martin.  After the 1989 French Open, though, everyone was buzzing about the 5 foot 9 Chinese kid with blinding speed.  It was this blinding speed on Roland Garros' relatively slower surface that enabled Chang to break through onto the senior circuit as he copped his first and only Grand Slam Championship.  The then teenager defeated the more highly-touted Steffan Edberg in a thrilling five set match, 6-1, 3-6, 4-6, 6-4 and 6-2.

1989 - The Arrival of an "Earthquake"

     Luisito Espinosa, one of the Philippines' well-loved boxers stepped into the world stage in 1989.  The boxer, known as "Lindol" (earthquake in Filipino), challenged Thai Kaokhor Galaxy for the WBA Bantamweight Title.T

he Filipino announced his arrival by knocking out the champion in the very first round.  Espinosa would later on defend this title twice before losing it to Israel Contreras in 1991

1990 - Here come the Pros

     Basketball-crazy Philippines got a reason to celebrate as professional basketball players were finally allowed to compete in the international arena, just in time for the 1990 Asian Games. Immediately, an all-PBA selection was formed to help the country win the much-coveted basketball gold medal.  It was a veritable who's who in basketball as the team featured Allan Caidic, Samboy Lim, Alvin Patrimonio and Ramon Fernandez and the team went on to win the silver medal, losing only to perennial champion China.  That all star team, coached by the legendary Robert Jaworski, would become the highest placed Philippine basketball team since.

1990 - Warrior Wins at 'Mania

     The Toronto Skydome was filled to the rafters with over 68,000 fans as they cheered on the likes of the Hart foundation, the Rockers and the like in the sixth edition of Wrestlemania.  This particular 'Mania, though, was dominated not by the charismatic tag teams but by two iconic singles competitors.  The main event featured the controversial Ultimate Warrior and the immortal Hulk Hogan and in a testament to both of their charisma, the 68,000 fans were split down the middle.  In a thrilling match filled with non stop action and false finishes, the Warrior defeated Hogan, landing his trademark splash after Hogan missed on his patented leg drop. 

1991 - Just One Away 

     In a testament to the FIlipino spirit, the archipelago nation bid and then successfully held the 1991 edition of the South East Asian Games, just 5 years after regaining independence via "People Power."  The Filipino athletes didn't disappoint the local crowd, as the Philippines had their finest showing in history then, winning 91 gold medals, one gold away from overall champ Indonesia.  

1991/92 - The Dream Becomes Reality

     Just like in 1990 with the Philippines, the USA relished their chance to finally send their NBA professionals to play in the Barcelona Olympics.  In 1991, USA Basketball assembled what many consider the greatest basketball, the "Dream Team."  The USA looked to avenge their Olympic loss in 1988, assembled a team at least two deep at each position with future Hall of Famers, including the legendary trio of Michael Jordan, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson.  The team absolutely destroyed the opposition in the Tournament of the Americas to qualify for the Olympics, and then cruised through the Olympics to claim the gold that was meant to be theirs the moment their team was formed.

     There they are, my favorite sports moments form 1986 to 1992.  I hope that somehow, former President Aquino will take some time off her busy schedule in heaven to read my post.  Although I would appreciate her not commenting, lest I lose my mind.