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.

Read more

Better Than Streaky Bacon

     For sports junkies, few things make sports more exciting than streaks.  To do a great thing is impressive, but to do a great thing multiple times and to do consecutively at regular intervals?  That deserves lots of recognition.  The world of sports has provided us with some truly lip-smacking streaks, two of which were just achieved recently.

Fed Up

Aside from being called the greatest tennis player of all time, Roger Federer has won an unprecedented 15 Grand Slam titles, including impressive streaks at Wimbledon and US Open titles. This past week, though, Fed continued with his streak that I personally love.  As of today, the Swiss hotshot has a streak of 22 consecutive Grand Slam Semi-Finals appearances.  While for some being a semi-finalist is less impressive than being champion, being a semi-finalist for 22 straight times means that Federer has been one of the best in each of the four Grand Slams for over five consecutive years! Still not impressed? Consider this. The closest streak rivaling Federer's?  Ivan Lendle's streak stands at 10.

One-Named Wonder

     Baseball has several impressive streaks and this past week, one was established by a player so good people call him by only his first name.  Seattle Mariners' Ichiro Suzuki now holds the MLB record for consecutive 200-hit seasons after his infield single against the Texas Rangers this past week.  Ichiro now has 200 hits for nine consecutive seasons and he isn't even close to retiring yet.  How impressive is this achievement?  He broke "Wee" Willie Keeler's record of eight consecutive seasons, which stood for over a century!  Yes folks.  Keeler achieved his record from 1894-1901.  That was even before the World Wars!

Read more

We Deserve Better

     Too often, people find my choices of favorite players to be perplexing.  While people loved them their dominant stars like the Michael Jordans, the Lebron James and the Kobe Bryants, I rooted for players like Chris Mullin, Hakeen Olajuwon and David Robinson.  Was I just intent on being different for different's sake?  "No," I always explain.  It's just that while people look for flashy moves, achievements and dominance, I look for character and class.  This past weekend only served to reinforce my standards of people worth emulating.

In a bizarre ending to an otherwise entertaining match, Kim 
Cjlisters defeated Serena Williams 6-4, 7-5, with match point being won on a point penalty on Williams for "conduct unbecoming."  Called for a foot fault on her second serve at 15-30, Williams, clearly incensed, brought her head down and after a moment's pause, proceeded to verbally accosting the line umpire.  While the line umpire claimed that Williams told her she could kill her, Serena has denied this.  What was clearly confirmed, though, was that the defending U.S. Open Champion told her she could, "ram this ball down" her throat.  Williams was then rightfully penalized a point (since she was already warned for breaking her racket in the first set) and since it was match point, Cjlisters was declared the winner.

Read more

Betting on Gilas

     Like a young lover spurned by the object of affection, Lito Alvarez, governor of the Burger King Whoppers of the Philippine Basketball Association, scoffed at Japeth Aguilar's decision to play for Smart GIlas.  Then, he went on jilted lover's attack, saying maybe the PBA should continue fielding teams for international competitions, instead of Smart Gilas.  I think this is where Alvarez has broken from reality because unlike him, I believe Smart Gilas will do better than a PBA All Star Team in international competitions.  

      Now, before people start to make preparations to bring me to the looney bin, I do have my points.  Without going into the X's and O's and player by player match ups, I think Gilas will outperform the PBA selections because of three factors.

Certain Tendencies

     The PBA has done its best to change some of its rules (closer 3-point line among others), but it rema

ins a professional league.  That means playing against the same teams while being officiated by the same referees.  It also means playing only the same afternoon and evening schedules.  This means that opponents will play off your tendencies, while referees will call based on certain reputations.  Pro players come into the game performing certain moves that almost always get calls, defend players and avoid fouls  based on their reps, while they can fake off opponents by feigning moves they are known for.  Furthermore, players' bodies all have developed an internal body clocks attuned to playing their best during the late afternoons and late evenings.  This results in players like Kerby Raymundo and Jay Jay Helterbrand who were largely ineffective because they couldn't get the calls and the free throws they needed to get their games going.  Pro players have a difficult time scoring of drives to the basket since they have developed a tendency to wait for calls that would come in a pro game, but never in a FIBA Tournament.

     Meanwhile, GIlas players will spend most of their days training on a system developed by Rajko Toroman, whose system fits the international amateur game.  While Toroman is by no means the greatest coach on earth, his system is still a lot closer to the international game than any of the PBA's greatest coaches.  This means that players will keep playing in

ternational ball, complete with constant movement, outside shooting, and zone defense.  The only tendency they will develop is the tendency to play international amateur style of baskeball.

Shaping Things Up

     PBA players are supposedly in great shape, but "game shape" in international ball is way different from "game shape" in pro ball.  Pro games last 48 minutes, but it's filled with longer breaks, mandatory commercial timeouts, more timeouts and more slow down play.  International games give teams just 5 timeouts and even the halftime break is shorter.  This is why all our PBA teams from Norman Black's 1994 team to Yeng Guiao's 2009 team all shoot poorly.  The players are all out of breath and tire easily.  In international play, most teams play with constant player and ball movement, giving players no room to "pace" themselves to play 48 minutes.  Playing the pro style doesn't prepare the pros to keep up with the pace of the international style of play.

     While Gilas will play as a guest team in the PBA, they will also participate in several c

amps, exhibitions and tournaments with FIBA rules and international amateur opponents.  This will ensure that Gilas players will be physically prepared to run and defend with only five timeouts and a shorter halftime to rest with.

It's Only Natural

      Although naturalizing an American by no means ensures you make a difference, naturalizing C.J. Giles does.  Giles, a former L.A. Laker, is 6'11" with great rebounding skills and a competent low post game.  This is by far more than any of the PBA's top big men can provide.  The soo

n-to-be naturalized player has athleticism that none of our local big men can provide.  Perhaps more importantly, though, is Giles' will.  Even if he is not a natural born Filipino, expect him to give his all in every game.  This was clearly seen when he played for GIlas in the FIBA Asia Champions Cup.  Giles, who was injured in a previous game, begged Coach Toroman to put him in the next game, despite being told he was excused.  That kind of dedication on an athletic 6'11" player is quite a game changer, and more importantly it's a game changer the PBA doesn't have.

     On paper, it sounds silly that a team with Chris Tiu, Japeth Aguilar and Dylan Ababou could beat a team with the likes of WIllie Miller, Asi Taulava and James Yap and maybe it is, in a professional PBA game.  In the international game, though, my money (and Manny Pangilinan's) is on Smart Gilas and its bunch if amateurs. 

photos courtesy of delfinek.hu and kansas.scout.com

Breath of Fresh Air

     Too often nowadays, athletes in news stories not involving their particular sport features some law violation of some sort.  That's why it was quite a breath of fresh air for me to read about Kaleb Eulls, a high school football star who is committed to playing for the Mississippi State Bulldogs next year.  

     The 6'4" 255 pound defensive end ended up saving 22 lives by doing an act he later termed as, "Crazy."  Heroic is a more appropriate term though.  Riding a school bus with his 2 sisters going to Yazoo County High School, Eulls was awakened by his sister, only to find a woman threatening everyone with a handgun (.380 semi-automatic).  In an amazing display of level-headedness, Eulls opened the bus' emergency rear door, allowing as many students to escape as he could while reasoning with the woman with the gun.  Then, when the woman was slightly distracted while looking out the window, Eulls seized the opportunity and the gun and he quickly ran outside to disarm it.  

     Asked about his heroic deed, Eulls was candid about it, stating his disbelief at his own actions, obviously realizing what a tremendous risk he had taken with his life and career.  He said he acted in order to save his sisters and the others on board, doing "the right thing."  

     In these times where selfishness reigns not only in the sports world, this high school hometown hero has truly humbled me.  I've seen too many athletes demand too much while giving too little.  I've seen athletes think too much of themselves that they fail to act like true role models.  That's why Eulls and his selfless act should be what dominates sports headlines. Class acts like him are what kids who want to get into sports should read about.  If Nike and Adidas want their role model, they should look no further than Yazoo County.

     Perhaps Sheriff Tommy Vaughn of Yazoo County said it best. 

     "He (Eulls) made the statement to one of my deputies that if she was going to shoot anyone he would rather she shoot him. Watching him do that and him doing such a heroic act and not even caring about his own safety, that's something you don't see every day." 

story and photo courtesy of rivals.com and bulldogblitz.com

The Hulabaloo Over Japeth

     By now, every basketball die hard in the Philippines has heard of the "Japeth Aguilar Controversy."  Aguilar, the Philippine Basketball Association's (PBA) first overall pick of this year, has announced his decision to not sign with the Burger King Whoppers in favor of playing for the Smart Gilas Philippine National Basketball Team.  This has led the Whoppers, headed by its governor, Lito Alvarez, to lead a call for Aguilar's lifetime ban from the PBA, claiming that Aguilar is, "making a mockery," of Asia's oldest professional basketball league.  Now, fingers are being pointed, and factions are beginning to form.  Who really is to blame here and who can resolve this matter?  Well, for all the finger pointing going on, I think let's all be honest and point to the only man who could've started this and the only one who can resolve it.  Manny V. Pangilinan.

Is Aguilar Evil?

     Aguilar's sudden change of heart is what gets Alvarez' goat and I have to say, it is extremely peculiar for a first overall pick to suddenly decide not to play.  After all, being the overall top pick presumes one will get the maximum salary (over PhP 8 million, three years) and possible endorsement deals.  This peculiarity has the Whoppers calling Aguilar a turncoat, essentially. The question is, though, "Is Japeth that evil?"  

     My gut says no.  Barring any possible rift with Whoppers (and then National Team Coach) Yeng Guiao (Aguilar has denied any rift), I see only one other scenario which would embolden Aguilar to change his mind.  Samahang Baskeball ng Pilipinas (SBP) President Manny Pangilinan is the creator and benefactor of the Smart GIlas team, and he has secured funds to pay all Gilas players salaries which would rival what the players could possibly receive as PBA rookies.  It's entirely likely that Pangilinan has offered Aguilar the same amount (or more likely m

ore) he would receive from the Whoppers.  Along with that, playing with Gilas assures Aguilar of not only star status, but also international exposure as Gilas will officially represent the Philippines in all international competitions, including the FIba Asia and the Asian Games.  For an American College player who still entertains thoughts of playing in the NBA, that kind of exposure is priceless.  

     Think this is all too much of a conspiracy theory?  Consider this.  Aside from being Gilas' benefactor and SBP President, Pangilinan also owns a PBA franchise (Talk and Text Tropang Texters) and is a part owner of the Burger King Whoppers.  Yup. The same team that Aguilar is said to be shafting.  Now, if this was all Aguilar and his agent's (Ronnie "Shoulder Rubber" Nathanielsz) doing, then one would think Pangilinan would be up

 in arms over two of his groups in conflict.  Instead, it has been several days and the man known as MVP has said nothing.

     So is Aguilar evil?  I think Aguilar was presented with enticing options, and he chose the one that enticed him the most.  While he did declare for the draft, he never signed a contract, so he never reneged on any deal.  Besides, it's not like he reneged on the Whoppers to play for another PBA team.  He chose to play for the country and the national team.  How's that for a good reason?

To Ban or Not to Ban

     Let's get real here.  Banning Aguilar forever is a bad bad idea for the PBA.  A 6 foot 11 baller with mad hops and excellent defensive timing, Aguilar is the Philippines' best big man of the future.  Depriving him of a PBA career deprives the PBA of a superstar who will put s

eats in the arena.  Meanwhile, trying to get the ban itself will prove to be a tough task.  The San Miguel-owned teams (San Miguel Beermen, Barangay Ginebra Kings and Purefoods Giants) could care less about the Whoppers, and having Aguilar out for three years means  he will be open to negotiations for other teams.  SMC would never pass on the chance to not only weaken the Whoppers but also have the

chance to snatch Aguilar away.  Meanwhile, I cannot imagine Talk and Text, a Pangilinan owned team, voting to ban Aguilar for joining a Pangilinan sponsored team.  That's four potential votes lost already and given that the other teams would also love the chance to snatch Aguilar for themselves, Alvarez has to face facts that he is screwed.

     Let's be clear here.  Aguilar is no saint.  While he claims his intention has always been to play for the national team, he could have done everyone a favor by not signing up for the draft.  In any case, though, he has broken no rules and as a FIlipino basketball fan, imagining him teaming up with C.J. GIles, Chris Tiu, Andy Barroca and Dylan Ababou in a team coached by Rajko Toroman excites the heck out of me.  I can wait for Aguilar's PBA debut for three years if it means we go deeper in future international tournaments.  As for the PBA's integrity?  Oh please. The league has been around for over thirty years.  They'll live.

photos courtesy of forums.interbasket.net and yumipitz.blogspot.com