Bowling When It Counts

     Bowling has been in the news a lot lately.  Unfortunately, it's more because of politicking by people who can barely play, and all that politicking, as we all know, amounts to nothing.  This week, though, the bowling world gets a chance to do things that really count.

     On Friday, January 30, 2009, the Xavier Bowling Team, together with the Xavier High School FACAMPA (the faculty and staff organization), in cooperation with BOSE speakers, presents the 6th Xavier Charity Bowl at the E-Lanes Bowling Center along Ortigas Avenue.  For the 6th consecutive year, the Xavier School family, consisting of students, teachers, parents and guests gather together to bowl in a friendly but nonetheless competitive tournament to raise funds for the Xavier School Educational Trust Fund (XSETF).  While no prizes except medals and donated goods are awarded to the winners, more and more people are joining the Charity Bowl to aid this noble cause.  This XSETF gives talented and deserving students a chance to receive a Xavier School education despite their financial handicap.  This year, the Xavier Bowling Team hopes to increase the funds raised, to continue its tradition of increasing the funds raised each and every year since the charity bowl's inception.  

     While the Xavier Charity Bowl is enjoyed by the entire Xavier family, everyone is invited to take part in the event, as competitors, spectators or even sponsors.  For more information, you may contact Coach Sharwin at plated_thrills@yahoo.com.

     Meanwhile, on Saturday January 31, 2009, bowling shifts to the Green Valley Bowling Center along C-5 as the bowling community urges everyone to participate in the Bayanihan Tournament.  SEA Games Gold Medallist and bowling hero Joonee Gatchalian was recently diagnosed with diabetes and glaucoma and he will be undergoing surgery to combat his blindness.  Unfortunately, only one eye may be saved due to the severity of his glaucoma.  With his medical bills piling up, Joonee needs help to defray these costs.  The Bayanihan Tournament hopes to raise funds, hoping that this time, the country that Joonee has served proudly as a national team member, comes together to serve him.

     The tournament features a simple 8 game with handicap format, with the winner taking a PhP 30, 000 first prize.  There are two squad times competitors can play in, namely the 1 p.m. and the 5 p.m. squad.  Those who cannot play but are willing to donate may do so at Green Valley on Saturday, where hopefully Joonee would be recovered enough from surgery to be there.  For more information please contact Louie Chuaquico at 0917 8120506.

     Both of these causes are very close to my heart and I am looking forward to participating in both these events.   I am hoping my brothers and sisters who bowl will too, and if you can't bowl, why not just come to support it?  I know I won't be the only one thankful for your support.

Sports' Best Monickers

      A lot of sports figures have become household names throughout the world.  No doubt, their unique and astounding skills have a lot to do with their enviable fame, but sometimes, their monickers or nicknames help tremendously too.  Here are some of my favorite sports monickers, names that are not only effective for name recall, but also quite fun too.

UFC/MMA - While names like "The Natural", "Rush" and "The Spider" dominate the win column and the, "Who is the greatest?" debate, my all time favorite monicker still belongs to Ultimate Fighter Alum Keith Jardine.  The bald mixed martial artist who defeated big names like Brandon Vera and Chuck Lidell is now called the "Dean of Mean."  Imagine that.  "The Dean of Mean" Keith Jardine.  What's cooler than that?

Runner ups - Huntington Beach Bad Boy, The Irish Hand Grenade, The World's Most Dangerous Man

Boxing - "Pacman" Pacquiao and "Money" Mayweather are certainly atop the pound for pound rankings, but in terms of monickers?  In my mind, nobody tops rising Filipino boxing star Donnie Nietes.  The boxer will soon be fighting at the Araneta Coliseum is known simply as, "Ahas."  Yeah, many boxers have been called reptiles before, but the name sounds so much cooler in Filipino.  Besides, Ahas actually brings a live one wrapped around him as he enters the ring.

Runner ups - Hands of Stone, El Terrible

NBA - Many NBA players simply use their initials or a few syllables of their name as their monickers, but some players have some great monickers as well.  Tops on that list would have to be Pete Maravich's.  One of the greatest players to ever play, this point guard revolutionized basketball, dribbling and passing, in particular.  Along with his trademark loose gray socks, is his monicker, "Pistol." Now that's a name.

Runner ups - Magic, Glyde, Mailman

PBA - In the PBA, dozens of players have monickers, thanks to our highly-imaginative commentators.  Of course, with a huge selection, there still has to be a clear winner.  For me, the coolest would still have to be Ricardo Brown's.  The original Fil-Am guard, could play both guard positions and most importantly could shoot from everywhere on the court.  He moved so well on the court that it was only fitting that he be called, "The Quick Brown Fox."  Yeah, it's a mouthful, but it's way cool, huh?

Runner ups - Captain Marbel, The Ninja, Skywalker, Robocop

WWE - Of course, I would have to end the article on wrestling.  Sports entertainment would never be the same with the monickers.  In fact, it would be reduced to half with them.  While most monickers are creative, some are just plain better.  Number one on my list would be "Stone Cold" Steve Austin.  I mean how else could you explain his meteoric rise into stardom with his limited physical skills? The Texas Rattlesnake certainly owes a lot to his estranged wife, wh is credited for helping him come up with his enduring monicker.

Runner ups - Demon of Death Valley, Heartbreak Kid, Nature Boy  

     Almost everyone loves monickers, but I'm pretty sure everyone will have their own favorites.  So what are your favorites?  Write in your comments or send me an email at plated_thrills@yahoo.com  

New Year's Resolutions For Sports

     Everyone makes new year's resolutions lists  or wish lists during the new year, and those lists are usually left undone or unrealized.  In any case, making a list for sports is not just wishful thinking, but also great fun as well.  So here are my new year's resolutions if I were these prominent sports figures.  

Roger Federer (Tennis) - To show more emotion in matches and finding a way to defeat Rafael Nadal.

Jose "Peping" Cojuangco (POC)  - To not meddle in sports anymore and just retire NOW.

Stephon Marbury (NBA) - To quit whining and cooperate with a buyout that helps the New York Knicks move on.

Baron Davis (NBA) - To get in better shape and start working harder to help the Clippers.

Jeff Hardy (WWE) - To stay out of trouble and maintain the status of being the WWE's most popular superstar.

Manny Pacquiao (Boxing) - To concentrate on defeating Ricky Hatton and Floyd Mayweather this year.

Brock Lesnar (UFC) - To learn submission defense in preparation for either Nogueira or Mir.

Chot Reyes (PBA) - To give Ren Ren Ritualo more playing time.

Chris Tiu - To play more basketball, either in the national team or the PBA, and do less TV.

Steve Hontiveros (POC) - To either grow a pair and actually work for the betterment of sports or retire permanently for the betterment of sports.

John "Bradshaw" Layfield (WWE) - To get in better shape because flab doesn't invoke fear or hatred.

Brandon Vera (UFC) - To bring back the fire in the heart and the firepower in the fists and knees lest he fade into obscurity.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. (Boxing) - To put up or shut up regarding Manny Pacquiao.

Floyd Mayweather Sr. (Boxing) - To just plain shut up.

Marlou Aquino (PBA) - To actually earn my paycheck.

Kenneth Duremdes (PBA) - To give up plans for playig and just concentrate on coaching.

     Like I mentioned earlier, resolution lists are usually left undone, but new year's day is also a great time to hope and wish, right?