Grand Slam

     Over the years, the Philippines seems to have lost its lofty standing in the international community, so much so that any stories about the Philippines, save for natural disaster or Manny Pacquiao stories, are written with certain detachment and generality.  These days, rarely are there stories that take a deep look into the Philippines, examine its rich, unique culture and at least give understanding its bewildering yet loving people the "old college try."  Pacific Rims, written by self-professed basketball junkie Rafe Bartholomew, is one such book.


     Arriving in the Philippines on a Fulbright scholarship, Bartholomew embarks on a singular quest to learn about the Philippines' obsessive love for basketball and what he finds is that this obsessive love has embedded itself in almost all of the country's elements.  


Play by Play


     The book displays Bartholomew's skill as a sports writer, as he recounts both the Alaska Aces' road to the Philippine Basketball Association's import-reinforced conference, and his own tour of duty as a ringer/import for a Boracay-based commercial team.  In both counts, he succeeds in getting the reader to heavily root for them by laying the proper groundwork.  He generously recounts his time hanging out with the Aces and its players, their insecurities, their struggles and their personal thoughts and dreams, leaving the reader no chance to not be invested.   Meanwhile, his tongue-in-cheek recap of his own travails in the heavily partial officiating of the Boracay commercial league is whether by design or not, the perfect microcosm of the proverbial Filipino hard luck story so prevalent in the country's long-running telenovelas.  By the time he recounts the respective big games of both teams, the narrative becomes a written version of Marv Albert's iconic play-by-play, leaving the reader breathless with anticipation during the recap and hopelessly spent by its end.

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A Rose By Any Other Name

     Almost everyone over the age of 14 has probably heard or read Shakespeare's line, "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet," or something like that.  Apparently, though, not everyone believes in it.  The team USA will send to the 2010 World Basketball Championships is devoid of the proverbial, "Big Names," like the trio of Lebron James, Dwayne Wade and Kobe Bryant.  More importantly, none of the members of the Olympic gold medal-winning team of 2008 will join the team.  This has resulted in loud moans and groans from American basketball fans, with some already writing the team off as, "doomed."  Is this version of Team USA really that bad?  


The Right Fit

     This year's Team USA may be devoid of big names and big centers, but what they have are a wealth of are long, athletic and lean bodies.  Players like Derrick Rose, Rajon Rondo, Kevin Durant, Lamar Odom, Andre Iguodala, Danny Granger and Rudy Gay all possess this body type, which makes switching at defense possible from the "1" spot to the "4" spot.  This will enable the team to play excellent trapping defense to cause turnovers, which will fuel USA's greatest weapon, the fastbreak.  Just ask China, who just got blasted by Team USA's run-and-gun game, 98-51.  Every year, Team USA always does most of its damage in transition.  The 2008 team did, and even the legendary 1992 Dream Team did too.  

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Numbers Game

    While the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), and sports "journalists" who couldn't be bothered to do research all hailed the appointment of Richie Garcia as the new Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman, my stomach churned nervously.  Recently, the joint POC-PSC task force announced that the Philippines could send as much as over 200 athletes to this year's Asian Games.  While people see Garcia's appointment bringing about peace between the POC and the PSC and the eventual improvement of Philippine Sports, I only see more disappointment.  While that makes me sound like an old curmudgeon with, wait for it, "crab mentality,"  I'm backing it up with numbers.

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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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Poisonous Cocktail

     The line, "Sports and politics should not mix," has become a tired, old adage with everyone spewing it left and right.  While that may be a truth that cannot be denied, another field mixed with sports produces an even worse cocktail.


     When sports figures achieve a certain level of success and fame, the call from the movie world cannot be far behind, especially here in the Philippines.  What results is usually a poisonous cocktail, wreaking havoc on both the sporting world and the movie world.  With both these fields struggling in our country, shouldn't we ban the two from ever mixing?  If you need further evidence, take a gander at some of the culprits.

Wapakman (Manny Pacquiao and Onyok Velasco (Boxing) Benjie Paras (PBA Basketball), Krista Ranillo     

     Ring or court brilliance has absolutely no effect on making movies, as evidenced by this box office blunder.  Featuring not one, but two boxing champions, and a PBA great, the superhero movie was a super flop, gaining the least ticket sales in the 2009 Metro Manila Film Festival.  Pacquiao plays Magno, a dedicated father who, by virtue of an accident gains powers to become Wapakman.  Magno then struggles to balance his time with being a superhero and a good father to his children.  It actually features Wapakman fighting a giant crab and a villain with supersonic breasts.  Yeah, I know.  Making bad movies that earn very little seems to be a Pacman staple, but this one actually was worse, spawning a controversy with co-star Ranillo, causing his biggest spat with wife Jinkee yet.  It was probably the universe agreeing with me.

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Taking (Second) Chances

     On Sunday, UFC Middleweight and MMA Pound-for-Pound Champ Anderson Silva gets yet another main event fight, despite his last three being inexplicable head scratchers.  In his last three main event fights, SIlva toyed around with his clearly overmatched opponents, namely Patrick Cote, Thales Leites and Damian Maia, refusing to engage them in any serious exchanges.  It was clear he could knock out any of the three at any time he wanted, but he instead chose to dance around, doing for talking and running than anyone cared for.  This Sunday represents a new beginning for him, his second and last chance, according to UFC President Dana White.  Before he gets anymore ideas to again dance around and waste his second chance against challenger Chael Sonnen, I have some cautionary tales for him.  

Delonte West - Despite being drafted with high hopes by the then rebuilding Boston Celtics, West was quite a disappointment for Beantown fans and his name slowly began fading into oblivion.  The Cleveland Cavaliers, seeking to fit pieces to help Lebron James win a championship, gave West a second chance.  Instead of rising to the challenge, West continued to be an inconsistent scorer, missed games due to a battle with clinical depression and got arrested by carrying not just a handgun, but a shotgun on his all terrain vehicle.  (Plus, there is a rumor that he was having an affair with James' mom.  Okay, so that's not verified. Sorry.) Now, West's appeal for teams have so plummeted that one of the NBA's worst teams, the Minnesota Timberwolves, traded for him, just so they can waive him and save money.  If you get waived by the Wolves?  Ouch.

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Fifty Peso Shots: July 2010

Some shots from the cheap seats:

• A long-awaited light heavyweight match ups has been set up in the UFC.  Lyoto "The Dragon" Machida will face Quinton "Rampage" Jackson  The Dragon vs Rampage match should be a slam bang affair with both looking to rebound after big losses.  I'm looking forward to Machida bouncing back with renewed energy.  Rampage actually nixed this match up earlier to shoot the A Team movie, he can only hope his performance will be miles better than his impression of B.A. Barracus.

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The Kids are Alright

     So, the 2010 Jones Cup has concluded and to no one's surprise, Iran came out on top, yet again.  The Philippines' Smart GIlas, ended up 4th, toting an even 3-3 record.  Looking at the Gilas website, seeing all the panicked, doomsday-like proclamations of supposed, "concerned fans," about how GIlas is doomed and how PBA players are needed for victory,  I was/am incensed.  I am not paid by Manny Pangilinan or Smart GIlas, but I truly support their long term plan for basketball.  I even wrote about why I would bet on Gilas over any PBA team when playing international tournaments.  Rather than rehash all my statements in that article, I decided to play the numbers game.


Head to Head

     Most of the comments long for the inclusion of PBA players, saying the GIlas players were, "less-skilled," kids and the pros would have the capability to do better.  One of the strongest PBA-backed national teams played the Jones Cup last year, so I took a look at the numbers.  Going by team records, Powerade (PBA) finished 7th overall with a 2-6 win-loss record.  GIlas, as menioned finished 4th with 3-3.  It should already say something about Gilas that they needed less games to get to three wins, right?

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For Better or For Worse

     The NBA free agency of 2010 seems to have lost all its hype when Lebron James copped out moved to Miami, but the dealings have not stopped.  Here are some more deals, and how they stack up for the respective teams.

Carlos Boozer signs with Chicago Bulls:  One of the lovers spurned by James, the Bulls went to work immediately, signing Carlos Boozer.  This is a great move, with Chicago finally getting a post presence that has been missing since Elton Brand was a Bull.  Boozer could become the consistent scorer that will complement the Bull's stifling defense and that would mean a long run in the playoffs.

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A Tale of Two (NBA) Cities

     Every father's nightmare is when his daughter begins to fall in love.  Worries about finding the right man would dominate and sometimes eat up a father's life.  Every dad, of course, worries about the "wrong" man, the one who is all flash, promises the world to their daughter, but barely delivers.  They warn their daughters about the man who demands unconditional love while refusing to commit and conitunually flirting with other suitors.  Ultimately, fathers worry that the wrong man will break their daughters' heart, in the worst case scenario, publicly.  This is why fathers pray a different kind of man sweeps their daughters off their feet.  They pray for a man who has enough gumption to have flash, but follows through.  They hope for a man of simple taste, with no ego to feed.  They would kill for man who not only commits to relationship, but continually works hard on it to keep it going strong.

     This is a tale of two (NBA) cities, and of two superstars. 

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The Wait: Over

     I'm not bitter about how the "World Cup fever," encouraged pretenders to claim how obsessed they are about football.  I will be bitter, however, if Filipino sports fans miss one of Philippine sports' most touching moments because of a World Cup we aren't even participating in.  That's why I'm doing my part to make people notice.

     Filipino pool ace Francisco "Django" Bustamante was recently crowned the 2010 WPA World 9 Ball Champion.  The man with one of the most powerful breaks in the game finally got the title that eluded him for so long, beating Taiwanese star "The Little Monster," Kuo Po Cheng, 13-7 in the final match.  Bustamante, who defeated fellow Pinoy  Antonio "Nickoy" Lining in the semi-finals, called the World 9 Ball victory as the one that, "completed" his illustrious career.

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"Free"k Show

     As expected, the NBA free agent bargaining period opened to a flurry of activities, and while the "Big Three," of Lebron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh have all not signed up yet, it has already become a freak show, with things bordering on the ludicrous taking place.  Here is just a sampling of the circus.


Too Much of a Good Thing

     Every year, some poor team throws too much money at some talented yet undeserving free agent in fear of not getting anyone.  This year, with a huge pool of free agents came a huge amount of head-scratching deals as well.  Just check out this list:


Darko Milicic (Minnesota Timberwolves): Four year deal, at least $ 16 million guaranteed
Amir Johnson (Toronto Raptors): Five year deal, $ 34 million
Rudy Gay (Memphis Grizzlies): Five year deal, $ 80 million 
Joe Johnson (Atlanta Hawks): Six year deal, $ 119 million


     Now, I love the talent all these players have, and my fervent hope of Darko redemption is unparalleled, but that's a whole lot of money for guys who haven't or will not do as much on the court as that money will on their teams' salary cap.  Sure, big men are hard to find, but Milicic and (Amir) Johnson's upside is worth a lot less.  They're not exactly coveted by numerous suitors.  As for Gay and JJ, they may be franchise players on their current teams, but the max money they're getting are for franchise players on championship teams, not middling teams struggling in playoff situations.  

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Sunset Riders

     The sporting world has always been a constantly changing one, with its athletes moving in and out.  Recently, though, three figures, often misunderstood, often maligned, in no means great,  but worthy of true respect in my eyes, have left.  It's time to say good bye.

Keith Jardine - Less than a week ago, the Ultimate FIghting Championship (UFC) decided to  terminate the contract of the Ultimate Fighter alum. Jardine's most recent loss to Matt Hamill was actually his fourth consecutive loss, which prompted the issuance of his pink slip.  Jardine has always been a favorite of mine, as he possesses one of the truly great monickers of all time (It actually was my pick for "Top Monicker").  More than that, though, "The Dean of Mean," got my respect because he was always ready to fight, evidenced by the fact that he often stepped up when the UFC needed a competent light heavyweight to fill a card.  Very few fighters are willing to fight on short notice as back ups or substitutes, but Jardine made no bones about it.  While his termination is not a permanent banishment from the UFC, fans will certainly miss the "Dean," and his unorthodox fighting style. 

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Missed Conceptions

     All so-called experts keep saying that money, or the lack of it, is the main reason for the Philippines' lack of sporting success.  Let me say this though.  Throw in more money, and we might still not be as successful as we want.  For the money (if it ever comes) to work, we, as a country, need to get rid of these long standing misconceptions.


Misconception # 1:  We are world class. All we need is the money.

     The truth is, save for pool (billiards), wushu and maybe dragon boat racing, we are not world class; we haven't been in a while.  For a country to be considered a world power in a sport, it can't just have a singular world champion who won once in say, 10 years.  One athlete winning a world championship doesn't mean the training program is a success.  A country can be considered world class if they win and almost win on a consistent basis.  The Philippines has to face reality.  There are no Olympic sports where it has been a world power for almost 2 decades.  Boxing?  Tae Kwon Do?  Basketball? Archery? We haven't been close enough to smell the world powers.  The sooner the sports powers realize this and create a comprehensive, "back-to-the-drawing-board-type" of training program, the better.   The sporting powers must eat humble pie now and accept that we have a long way to go, so that an honest effort can be made to develop talents.

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Fathers and Sons....Iiiiinteresting...

     Ask almost anyone and they'd remember when Mother's Day is.  Father's Day, though, is a whole different story.  In honor of the oft-forgotten special day to honor dads, here's my special post, featuring the most interesting father-son relationships in sports.










Bill and Luke Walton (NBA Basketball)












     NBA players with famous NBA fathers are growing in number nowadays, but few have the special relationship these two have.  Bill was the anchor of the 1976-77 Portland Trail BLazers team that won an NBA Championship.  Then, he went on to the Boston Celtics and also earned a championship there.  Although injuries would shorten his career, BIll would continue his affair with the NBA, by being a TV analyst.  Meanwhile, Luke was drafted into the NBA to, in the irony of ironies, hated Celtics rival LA Lakers.  As of this week, Luke has tied his dad, winning two championships with the Lakers.  As if a father and son playing for the Celtics and Lakers, respectively, isn't interesting enough, there were games about at least six times, where Bill did the coverage of the Luke's games.  BIll tried his hardest to sound objective, but his being silent during Luke's exploits is quite indicative that he had a difficult time analyzing his son's game to the public.

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Broadcast Comm 101: THE Interview (part 2)

Here's the conclusion of my two-part interview with broadcast great Sev Sarmenta.  Enjoy!

Fifty Peso Seats:  With Smart Gilas and the other national team programs, the Philippine Basketball League (PBL) seems to be struggling to find franchises and players.  What do you think of the PBL adopting the NBDL format, becoming the "farm" teams for the PBA players where raw but drafted players can hone their skills? (Question was asked before PBL-Liga Pilipinas merger)

Sev Sarmenta:  That will only work if the PBA teams still have money left to run farm teams.  The existence of the PBL helps the PBA because it prepares players for the pros, even if PBA teams don't necessarily have a PBL team.  A strong amateur league, or transition league between college and the PBA will still emerge given our passion for the game and the appeal of getting great exposure for middle sized companies.  Who would've known about Excel Roof, Harbor Center, Ascof-Lagundi and other names, if not for the PBL?

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Broadcast Comm 101: THE Interview (part 1)

When I started this blog, reaching 100 posts became quite a big deal for me.  (Thanks btw, Tibibord for your humbling post.  I'm posting the link because it might help publicity for both our blogs.) As I was finishing my last Top 10 "Top 10," however, the greater concern became how I could make my next 100 better.  I still am not sure I can, but I know I'm starting way better than my first post.

It was my complete honor to conduct this interview with one of my broadcast heroes, broadcaster extraordinaire Sev Sarmenta, who was also my college professor.  Sarmenta, who is actually celebrating his 25th anniversary as broadcaster this year, does commentary for various sports, which include boxing and basketball, and he has been around the world to cover the Olympics and the Asian Games as well. 

Fifty Peso Seats:  Among all the sports you have covered, which sport/event would you say is your favorite?

Sev Sarmenta: I can do basketball, volleyball, and tennis reasonably well because i've played these games. in fact, i still try to play at the college covered courts at the Ateneo at least twice a week with the staff.

Boxing is something i learned to do over the last decade.  It helped I was a fan and Manny Pacquiao made boxing come to life.  Golf, I wish I could do more often because it is also a complex sport disguised as simple.

Basketball will have to be the favorite simply because of its complexity.

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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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Top 10 "Top 10s": Greatest Filipino Athletes (1920-1970)

     With my last two top 10s, I decided to do a two-part special, featuring the greatest FIlipino athletes of all time.  I've always found it foolish to compare athletes from the present generation to the ones from previous generations, as time brings about tons of changes,  whether they be the level (and number) of competition to the technology behind the game and equipment.  That's why I've made two lists.


Parameters:  All athletes with Filipino blood, who performed their feats of sporting greatness between the years of 1920 to 1970 will be included.


10. Felicisimo Ampon

     Many people state that height is clearly an advantage in tennis, but no one told FIlipino tennis great Felicisimo Ampon.  Despite being just 5 feet tall, Ampon was so good, he was even considered the best tennis player in the world, "inch for inch."  In 1937, Ampon brought international recognition to the Philippines by taking Davis Cup Singles Title.  He continued to lead the Philippine charge in Davis cup, but his most significant achievement would be winning the Pan AMerican Championship in Mexico.  Ampon also won titles in the Far east Games and a doubles gold in the 1954 Asian Games.  His most impressive feat, however, would have to be his stints at Grand Slam tournaments.  He is the first and only FIlipino in history to reach the quarterfinals of both the French Open and Wimbeldon (he was also the shortest man to ever play in a Grand Slam), both times giving then World's number 1 player Frank Sedgman the scares of his life.  Ampon also won the WImbeldon Plate Championship in 1953, which is a oturnament for the players eliminated in the first and second round. Perhaps the best description of Ampon's contribution ot tennis was summed up by British Ambassador Peter Beckingham who said Ampon was, " a great internationalist who has imparted a new meaning to the delicate game and is a credit to the sport."

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Top 10 "Top 10s": Most Beautiful Women in Sports

     Before any chants of me being sexist begin, allow me to defend myself.  I would've made a separate list for male athletes just to even the field, but then again, who would want me to describe muscular, athletic men in my blog, ranking them by their looks?  See?  I knew we would all be in agreement.


Parameters:  For the list, I only included athletes still active (so no Anna Kournikova or Trish Stratus), and while looks are important to me (and this list), I've also considered success as an important factor, since there is nothing sexier than a successful woman. (so no Daniela Hantuchova, sorry syd or Kelly Kelly either).  Lastly, I allowed for no more than three per sport, lest I have a list of only tennis players and WWE Divas.


10. Jessica Mendoza (UAAP Courtside Reporter)

     In a previous "Top 10," I listed down the Top 10 Sportscasters, showing my deep respect for great sportscasters. Studio 23's reporters for the UAAP?  Well, I'll be diplomatic and say they have a long way to go to even approximate any of my Top 10's greatness.  Mendoza (the UAAP courtside reporter), however, is a breath of fresh, (beautiful) air.  I've always admired public speakers who never say things like, "ummm," or "ah," and she doesn't, which is quite an achievement if you check out her contemporaries.  The cherry on top of the sundae?  She is a self-described, "nerd."  What could be better? (Thanks to Tibibord for the pic and the info)

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Top 10 "Top 10s": What-Could-Have-Beens

     Some people say it's never good to ask "What if?" questions because there will never be any real answers.  Sometimes, though, it is a little fun.  That's why I'm presenting my top 10 sports "What-Could-Have-Beens," sports figures whose relatively incomplete careers leaves questions behind.




  10.  Earl Manigault

     People said that upon NBA great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's retirement, he was asked who was the greatest player he had played against.  His answer was said to have astounded everyone as he named Earl "Goat" Manigault, a man who never set foot in the NBA, as the guy.  Turns out, Manigault was indeed a heck of a street ball player.  Details of his exploits include such tales as once doing 36 consecutive reverse dunks to win a 60 dollar bet, dunking from the free throw line with two hands over two people during a game, and picking off dollar bills and quarters from the top of the backboard.  It was clear that the freakishly-athletic 6'2" baller was an exceptional prospect for the NBA.  Unfortunately, Manigault succumbed to a drug habit for years, effectively destroying any chance for a basketball career.  It does beg the question, though, if the "Goat," could have dominated the NBA the way he dominated the playground.

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Top 10 "Top 10s": Worst Monickers

     As I've mentioned before, I love sports monickers, especially the really good ones.  Sometimes, though, people can get too excited and start giving athletes monickers without really thinking.  The results, you will see in the list below.


Parameters:  While I tried to limit the number of monickers per sport, it is hard since the PBA has an extraordinary amount of horrible monickers and they deserve to be mentioned.


10.  Lex Luger and British Bulldog (WWE)

     Lex Luger finally found his niche in the WWE when he bagan a patriotic All American persona who battled Yokozuna.  Following that, he was paired as a tag team with another nationalistic persona, the British BUlldog.  It was perfectly fine to introduce them individually, but the powers that be just had to name them and the result was one of the worst tag team names of all time, The Allied Powers.  Yes, that's cheese you're detecting.

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Top 10 "Top 10s": Best Sportscasters

     Sometimes, I don't mind watching sports at home instead of live, and these guys have a lot to do with it.  I have tremendous respect for great sportscasters and I have not given up  on my dream of being one.  That's why it was such a great experience for me when I did coverage for the Philippine Bowling Open a few years back with Bill Velasco.  I hope to do more in the future, maybe even with my former prof. Sev Sarmienta.


Parameters:  To be fair, I gave 5 slots for foreign sportscasters and 5 slots for local sportscasters.  Also, while I have been watching, studying and enjoying sports for over two decades, I can only include those I actually heard for at least 10 times.  This means I can only give special mention to legends like Dick Ildefonso and Pinggoy Pengson.


10.  Marv Albert

     The NBA playoffs, people say, are like a different season, and so are the commentators.  Even the TV stations bring their "A" game and among the best is Marv Albert.  He does have a great television voice and he always develops great camaraderie with his panelists.  The thing I love the most though, is his ability to make the game more exciting through his accentuation.  He doesn't say anything too unique but the way he say lines like, "for three!" or "up high and down hard!" just sound awesome.  I also love his penchant of starting disagreements with his panelists like Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson.

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Top 10 "Top 10s": Best Monickers

     I love monickers.  In fact, I wrote about my favorites before in a previous article.  I think they give sports a lot more color and they give athletes a chance at better name recognition, which is always helpful in making a certain sport more popular.  


Parameters: As usual, only athletes playing in the sports that From the Fifty Peso Seats covers will be counted.  Also, given my preference for MMA monickers, I decided to control myself by limiting it to three per sport at the most.  Also, as tribute to my brod Tibibord, I would like to give special mention to "El Aparador" Joel Dualan.  Great monicker, but it did little to extend his PBA career.  I heard he's coaching though.


10.  Marcus Davis (UFC)

     One of the better fighters in the UFC's middleweight division, I have to admit that I barely knew of Davis a few years ago.  That all changed when I witnessed one of his fights.  It wasn't his fighting style that really got me.  It was his monicker.  "The Irish Hand Grenade," is just freakin' awesome, isn't it?  Of course, he would've ranked higher had his monicker not have been too controversial to use in Ireland.  he ended up being called, "The Celtic Warrior," there, since Ireland continues to experience unrest.

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Top 10 "Top 10s": Best Coaches

     Being a coach of over 10 years myself, I know all about how truly difficult a coach's job is.  A coach has to wear many hats, teacher, confidante, leader and sometimes even sponsor or benefactor.  Plus, everyone knows that  blame for a loss is always to the coach while glory for a victory is always to the players.  Coaching truly is a thankless job and these 11 guys are the ones I truly admire.


Parameters:  I've picked only coaches from sports that From the Fifty Peso Seats covers so coaching greats like Bobby Knight or Coach K are not eligible.  I've also put in half foreign coaches (coaches whose achievements were done internationally) and half local coaches. (FIlipino coaches or coaches where Philippines was the venue of their achievements)


10 (tie).  Rajko Toroman - Basketball

     This Serbian tasked to coach the Philippine National Team has already done wonders for our Smart GIlas team, but it would be premature to name him to this list for only that.  What people have to remember is what he did before we stole him.  Toroman was first tasked to coach the Iranian basketball team.  Within a few years, he assembled an Iranian team that defeated perennial Asian powerhouse China to emerge as Asian basketball Champions and a stint in the 2008 Olympic Games.  What I admire the most, though, is his patience in teaching.  Watch any game of Smart GIlas and you will see that he takes every opportunity to use game situations to teach his players, making every game a meaningful learning experience.  If he can bring the Philippines to the Olympics as well, his position would definitely jump up.  

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Top 10 "Top 10s": Most Awesome Knockouts

     In this second of my top 10 "top 10s," I name the most awesome knockouts I've seen and know of.

Parameters:  Since From the Fifty Peso Seats covers both Boxing and UFC, it would be fair to give 5 slots each to both sports.  They will all be ranked under one list though.  While knockouts come in many forms, I am most awed by quick, sudden and unexpected knockouts.  Here we go:

10.  UFC - Matt Hamill vs Mark Munoz

     In what was a memorable UFC debut, Munoz, the Filipino Wrecking Machine, underestimated fellow wrestler Hamill's stand up game and well he, as my friend put it, "got wrecked." Hamill absolutely destroyed Munoz with a well placed head kick and the fight was over.   I'm still a fan of Munoz though and his recent victories over Nick Catone and Kendall Grove have me smiling.

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Top 10 "Top 10s": Top Sports Movies

      So it begins.  This is my 91st post, which means I'm 10 posts away from the 100th and to celebrate reaching that number, I will be revealing my top 10 "Top 10s,"  my personal best of sports.  To start with, I'll be listing down the top 10 best sports movies in history.


Parameters:  My only restrictions would be to exclude movies where sports were not the central theme of the movie.  This is why Oscar winners like, "The Blind Side" and "Jerry McGuire" were not considered candidates, no matter how much I love them.  Other than that, any sports movies were a part of the list of candidates.


10.   Kingpin (Bill Murray, Woody Harrelson, Randy Quaid)

     What kind of bowling coach would I be if I didn't include this movie?  Possibly the only bowling-centric movie ever made, Kingpin is an irreverent comedy from the Farrelly Brothers (of There's Something About Mary fame) about a former college bowling standout (Harrelson),who lost his hand in a hustle gone wrong, trying to help naive Amish bowler Ishmael (Quaid) win a pro bowling tournament to earn money to save his Amish town.  While in no danger of being regarded an art film, the movie is absolutely hilarious with over the top performances from three great actors (extra kudos to villain Bill Murray).  


Favorite Part:  Asked why he bowled so low, Ishmael explains, "It's not my fault.  It's you and your ten frames!" He then explains he bowls 15 frames as his granddad taught him, "to always do more."

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NBA 2010 Season Awards

     With the playoffs kicking off last Sunday, it's also time to take a look at which players should receive individual recognition for their efforts.


Most Valuable Player (MVP)

     I only look for three things in my MVPs.  First, is the player putting up tremendous numbers?  Second, will the player's team absolutely lose its way without him? Last, is the player a great ambassador for the NBA and basketball in general.  With that, I only see four candidates, Lebron James (Cleveland Cavaliers), Kobe Bryant (L.A. Lakers), Dwight Howard (Orlando Magic), and Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City Thunder).  All these four players satisfy the first question, but only two will satisfy each of the next two questions.  While James will in no way satisfy the third question, it is the least important of my questions, so as much as it pains me, Lebron James must be MVP a second straight year.  His numbers are simply other-worldly, with averages of 29.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, 8.6 assists, 1.6 steals and 1 block per game.  Furthermore, it is beyond obvious that the Cavaliers would be absolute crap without him.

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Fifty Peso Previews: 2010 Playoff Preview (1st Round)

     While it's a little late in the game, here are the Fifty Peso Previews for the first round of the playoffs.


Western Conference 


L.A. Lakers (1) vs Oklahoma City Thunder (8)

     The Lakers are, as usual, creating their own drama with a less than stellar end to the regular season.  Anyone entertaining a 4th "8th seed defeats 1st seed" upset needs to remember that all Phil Jackson-coached teams encounter tons of problems just before the playoffs and then comes in to do what they need to do to win in the playoffs.  The exuberant Thunder (who I predicted would make the playoffs in my pre-season Fifty Peso Previews, will have their first audition for greatness and leading the charge would be NBA history's youngest scoring champ Kevin Durant.  Despite Durantula's impending playoff coming out party, the Lakers' experience and the Thunder's inexperience will result in a cocktail known as a Laker series win.


Fearless Forecast: Lakers in 6

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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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NBA Fantasy League Awards

     With the NBA regular season on it's final week, it's the best time to hand out my All NBA Fantasy League Awards.  Now, while some of the awardees would win the real NBA awards, the following are winners in the fantasy league world.  In short, these are this season's best players, statistics-wise.


Regular Season MVP

Lebron James - I've been giving James a lot of grief for his childish behavior and boorish arrogance, but statistics wise, this guy is a fantasy stud.  This season, James averaged 29.9 points (on .502 FG percentage and 1.7 3 pointers made), 7.3 rebounds, 8.5 assists, 1.7 steals and 1 block per game.  He was a positive factor in at least 7 statistical categories, and in most leagues, only 9 are measured.  With a crappy line up I had in a league where I missed the live draft, I will finish no lower than 4th, thanks in no small part to James.  He may be the "King" of immaturity, but in NBA Fantasy Land, he truly is the "King."

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Heartbreak Hotel

     In the sports entertainment world of professional wrestling, hyperboles are thrown around like rice in a wedding procession.  There are, however, a few great men and women, who have earned each and every single one of those hyperboles.  One of those great ones, bade a final goodbye to his adoring fans of over 25 years.  Shawn Michaels, the "Heartbreak Kid," finally bade good bye to the WWE Universe last Monday, ending the career of easily one of wrestling's most popular and enduring superstars.  As a tribute to one of wrestlings icons, I look back on HBK's most memorable career moments.  While HBK has won a tremendous amount of titles, including every single one the WWE has ever had, I find these moments were his greatest.

Kwentong Barbero


     In 1988, a then teenaged Shawn Michaels burst into the WWE scene as one half of the Rockers. Teamed with Marty Jannetty, Michaels wuickly busted through the tag team ranks, winning against greats like the Hart Foundation and the Brain Busters.  His road to greatness, however, started with the implosion of his tag team.  After a series of rumors surrounding the Rockers' partnership, Michaels cleared the air in Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake's barber shop, raising Jannetty's hand before turning around and super-kicking him in the face.  The separation from Jannetty allowed Michael's to pursue the tremendous singles career everyone will remember for quite some time.

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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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The Other Brother Experiment

     I just love Ball Don't Lie , the Yahoo! basketball blog.  They recently posted one of the funniest things I've read in months, jokingly describing that the Phoenix Suns have an, "Other Brother Experiment."  I didn't get it at first, but then I realized that the among the players listed in the Suns roster are Robin Lopez, Taylor Griffin and Jarron Collins, all players with more accomplished or famous brothers in the same sport.  Now, while I found the blog comment funny, my heart does go out to the world's numerous "Other Brothers," since I am an "Other Brother," myself.  That's why I thought it would be nice to mention other "Other Brothers" in sports.  Those athletes who never could make it unlike their more illustrious brothers.

Harvey Grant - Horace Grant is known for his tremendous work ethic, defense and rebounding and these talents made him a vital cog in the Chicago Bull's first "Three peat" run with Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen. Then, he went ahead and won another championship as a veteran off the bench for Shaq and Kobe's L.A. Lakers.  Unfortunately, that level of enviable success did not run in the family as Horace's twin brother Harvey.  While Harvey was a an NBA player himself, his level of success certainly pales in comparison.  Harvey had a 5-year NBA career with the Portland Trail Blazers, Washington Bullets and the Philadelphia 76ers, averaging 9.9 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists, numbers that aren't that bad, until you realize that in Horace's 17 year career, he was not only an NBA All Defensive Second Team four times, but also an NBA All Star, playing in the annual event  in 1994. Hey, at least when I used Harvey Grant in NBA Jam, he could make three pointers.  That's always a plus, right?

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Delusions

     I don't smoke, I have never and will never get near illegal drugs (take that Floyd Mayweather!) and I hardly drink anymore.  That's why it's hard to imagine that I would ever get moments of insanity or delusion.  These sports developments, however, had me second guessing myself a bit.

• We all know about the top 4 teams of the NBA's Eastern Conference, and it's already quite a surprise that Atlanta is third, not Boston.  The real clincher?  Take a gander at the fifth and sixth seed.  Perennial whipping boys Milwaukee Bucks and Charlotte Bobcats are deep into the playoff race and they seem to settling in.  Wow.

•  Say goodbye to Purefoods. After winning the PBA Philippine Cup Championship, the Tender Juicy Giants are changing names.  While it's tough to not see the name Purefoods in the roster of PBA teams, what really takes the cake is the name they're changing into.  From now on (hopefully only this conference), they will be known as the B-Meg Derby Ace Llamados.  That's right.  That's the name.  That's a big mouthful.  Of livestock feed.  Goodness.

• In a doubles exhibition match with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, "legends" Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras, armed with aging bodies and wireless mics, proceeded to have a highly uncomfortable, supposedly funny and good-natured ribbing that turned into a horrible PR nightmare.  What started as a funny Sampras imitation of Agassi turned into Agassi calling Sampras a cheapskate and Pete serving a ball straight into Agassi.  What's worse than two great tennis players in an immature bickering match?  Two RETIRED former great players in an immature bickering match in a charity event.  Yeesh.

• Manny Pacquiao is surely the biggest sports icon in our country today.  Maybe ever.  So what does it say that the best and most comprehensive story on the Philippines' National Fist was written by an American (Andrew Corsello) for the American GQ magazine?  Don't believe me?  Read the article here.