Giving Thanks

     While Thanksgiving is an occasion celebrated in North America, I thought it would be nice to do a thanksgiving special.  After all, our family already had our turkey this week.  This time, I list down some of the more popular sports figures and what they have to be thankful for, or at least what they should be thankful for.

Michelle Wie (Golf) - Thankful for her first LPGA win.  Maybe after this, detractors will finally ease up on her.  Despite showing plenty of promise and talent, nobody has eased up on the pressure for this young golfer to win a title.  Maybe this time, she can compete under less scrutiny.

Steve Nash (NBA) - Thankful for Coach Alvin Gentry.  The Suns have looked like the Suns of old, scoring over 100 points every game and Nash averaging over 9 assists a game.  Currently, the Suns have the NBA's best record.

Rico Maierhoffer (PBA) - Thankful for Smart Gilas Philippine National Team.  With Gilas hoarding this present batch of young basketball players, Rico has more than a good chance of winning Rookie of the Year Honors.

John Cena (WWE) - Thankful for young WWE fans.  While most older and die hard wrestling fans have tired of Cena and his antics, young fans aged around 8 to 12, have been solidly behind Cena.  This has kept Cena one of the WWE's more popular stars.

Dana White (UFC) - Thankful for old hands.  With an unprecedented epidemic of injuries to the UFC's top stars, president Dana White had to dig deep to find main event-worthy performers.  He was fortunate (or talented?) to find old hands like Randy Couture and Tito Ortiz to give him consecutive heart-thumping main event matches in sold out arenas.   

Boxing (in General) - Thankful for Manny Pacquiao.  The old sport usually referred to as the, "Sweet Science" was slowly losing its popularity with casual and mainstream sports fans due to spoiled fighters often too pampered to provide any exciting fights.  Enter Pacman, a literal human dynamo, who has captivated the world, not only boxing fans.  With his attacking brand of boxing, mainstream media who have often neglected boxing like Time Magazine, New York Times and Jimmy Kimmel show have all taken notice.

Stephen Jackson (NBA) - Thankful for inefficient General Managers.  Despite his constant disruptive behavior, expensive contract and erratic play, Jackson still found a team (a GM) foolhardy enough to take him  on to make him a franchise player.  Bobcats Managing Partner Michael Jordan has continued to add on to his litany of questionable moves by trading away Raja Bell's expiring contract to take on Stephen Jackson's terribly expensive one.

     As for me, I am thankful for my students, both in my culinary class and my varsity bowling team.  They have so far given me their best efforts and I am glad that they are seeing the benefits of their efforts.  Hopefully they keep working.

photos courtesy of sports illustrated and mmaroot.com

Cutting It Off

     As a coach, I am a firm believer that success, in sports and in life in general, is predicated not only on talent, intelligence and luck, but also, just as importantly, character and camaraderie. All my teams have always been drilled, trained and taught on the importance of these two and the central role they play on the team's success.  That's why I am applauding several teams who made the right decision by cutting off members who have become threats to the team's character and camarederie.  Letting these bad elements remain would've brought serious damage to the team and letting them go is definitely a wise move.

     This past week, three teams have made the sometimes difficult but always correct cut.  The Smart Gilas Philippine National Team let go of ultra-athletic, defensive dynamo C.J. Giles; the Golden State Warriors traded away disgruntled veteran Stephen Jackson and the Memphis Grizzlies waived superstar Allen Iverson.  Giles was rumored to have regularly come to practices with a hangover, evidence of all-night partying and after giving him second and third chances, Gilas management decided to send the naturalization prospect packing, before he became a bad influence on the team.  Meanwhile, the beleagered Warriors finally had enough of Jackson's antics, which included constantly asking to be traded and picking a fight with Coach Don Nelson.  They traded Jackson to the Charlotte Bobcats, which also boosted their chances of reducing payroll, since Jackson was reportedly owed about 35 million dollars for three years.  Lastly, after complaining about his playing time and bench player status after only two games with team, Iverson was sent to the waivers.  

     Kudos are definitely owed to these organizations and I am hoping several others follow their lead.  Here are some potentially poisonous elements teams should consider expelling:

Nate Robinson - The Knicks are a mess.  It's like the team is set up so that the payroll is completely gutted by next year to have enough salary cap room to lure Lebron James, but still, Knicks fans, and anyone who loves NBA basketball, deserves valiant efforts every night from them.  Players like David Lee and Wilson Chandler seem to be trying to get the Knicks to win, but Nate Robinson is a different story.  The reigning two-time slam dunk champion has always been a "me-first" type of player despite being an undersized point guard and signing him to a one year deal may not have been a good idea.  He seems to be coasting along, more concerned with getting stats than with helping the Knicks win.  Case in point, in a recent Knicks game against the New Jersey Nets, Robinson even found the time to be fooling around.  In the link above, Robinson, apparently for kicks, decided to throw a last second half-court shot.... AT THE OPPONENT'S BASKET. Then, to top it all of, the shot GOES IN.  Robinson's reaction to Coach Mike d'Antoni's tirade against him?  What? It didn't count.  Does Lebron really want to be a Knick?  Well, he better hope Nate Ronison isn't one if he moves over to Broadway.

Michael Koncz - This native Canadian currently serves as pound for pound king Manny Pacquiao's "adviser," but clearly, his presence is not wanted by a lot.  Already, Koncz has had a physical tiff with physical trainer Alex Ariza, and even Head Trainer Freddie Roach has proclaimed his ignorance of what Koncz really does.  While Ariza and Roach are no saints themselves, they clearly are invaluable to Pacquiao's competence in the ring.  As for Koncz, if Manny needs someone to "advise" him, I would put his money on Buboy Fernandez.  Like Ariza said, all Koncz does is decide which car to take or which restaurant to eat in anyway.

Monta Ellis - Yes, the Warriors deserve some kudos, but they also need to do more work.  Next on their list to move should be their lead gurad Monta Ellis.  Ellis was happy to sign on his multi-million dollar contract, but he has made it a point to show absolutely none of the leadership that begets that kind of money.  Since signing his contract, Ellis has injured himself for almost half of an NBA season on a moped (!) accident, then quickly threw rookie Stephen Curry under the bus by saying he couldn't play with him on the floor at the same time and win, despite never actually meeting or playing with Curry.  Then, for kicks, he decides to announce to the world after the Jackson trade that despite being one of team's more tenured players, he wouldn't want to be the leader on this team.  Of course, the Warriors' tales of woe always end with a tiff with the coach.  After one practice, Ellis asked pointed questions at Coach Don Nelson, trying to embarass him in front of the team.  While Ellis provides most of the scoring and assists, the woeful Warriors need a leader with his head on straight to lead a bunch of very talented youngsters.  

photos courtesy of examiner.com  ball don't lie and getty images

5 Questions on Pacquiao Cotto Answered: Post Fight

    


 First of all, thank God I got tickets to watch the fight live in Crown Plaza.  I can't stand the thought of not witnessing this historic fight live.  With that in mind, thanks to Paul Cheah, who got me the tickets, even if he wasn't watching with us.  Now, it's time to check the answers in my fight primer.

 1.  Can Pacquiao take Cotto's power?


Original Answer: No.


Post Fight Answer: Man, Manny really did his best to make me look bad.  Not only was he able to take Cotto's power, he actually went out and tested it.  I couldn't believe my eyes as my brother and I were watching.  I could see Manny's plan as soon as he held his hands up and stood his ground.  While others (including the commentators and people in the Crown Plaza Ballroom) were panicking, I muttered to my brother in disbelief, "He's doing it on purpose to mess with Cotto."  True enough, after the fight, Manny himself said he wanted to see if Cotto could hurt him.  He then took those punches, shook them off and attacked and destroyed Cotto.  If I can ever get consolation, it's that Pacquiao had been candid and admitted that Cotto's punches really did hurt him.


2.   Can Cotto nullify or match Pacquiao's speed?


Original Answer: No.


Post Fight Answer: This was an easy question as everyone has had problems with Manny's speed.  After his "experiment" with Cotto's punching power (and giving trainer Freddie Roach a heart attack) Pacquiao relied on his superior speed and outclassed Cotto.  Even Cotto, in a show of gentlemanliness and respect, spoke of Pacquiao's blinding and unworldly speed, saying he, "couldn't see where the punches where coming from."  


3. Will either fighter's training camp distractions prove fatal to their bid?


Original Answer: No.


Post Fight Answer:  Well, obviously Manny was not distracted as he was again at his best, displaying tremendous speed coupled with crunching power.  In fact, so confident was Manny in his focus that he reportedly even spent time practicing for his post-fight concert!  Heck, he even found the time to sing, "You Raise Me Up" before he returned to the locker room after the fight!  Meanwhile, Cotto, as outclassed as he may have been, showed that he has fully recovered from the beating he received from Antonio Margarito and the distraction named Evangelista Cotto was a distant memory, even displaying an effective left jab against Pacquiao.  He was also moving a lot better than his previous fights.  Of course, he didn't move fast enough against the world's top pound for pound fighter.  The bigger question now is, "Will he recover from the beating he received from Pacquiao?"  

4.   What will happen in the fight?



Original Answer: Manny will be too much for Cotto.


Post Fight Answer: At the risk of sounding arrogant, the fight went on as I envisioned, save for Pacquiao's experimentation with Cotto's power.  What made Manny's latest triumph especially awe inspiring is how this fight went like his past three fights.  David Diaz, Oscar de la Hoya and Ricky Hatton were all supposed to be stronger than him and all three were supposed to be ready for his speed.  Instead, they were all mowed down by the buzzsaw from the Philippines.   His blinding attack and hand speed overwhelmed Cotto, and I couldn't believe that Cotto trainer Santiago didnt stop the fight by the 9th round.  Cotto later revealed he refused to stop, but the trainer should take charge in these situations as obviously pride and adrenalin will not allow Cotto to consider his own safety.   

5.  What will be next for both fighters?


Original Answer: Pacquiao vs Marquez and Cotto vs Margarito


Post Fight Answer: Obviously Cotto and his camp cannot be making decisions and plans at this point.  It's in his best interest to rest and recuperate, then have a long talk with his family regarding his plans.  I still think that Cotto will be looking at Margarito, maybe Shane Mosley for his next big fight.  Arum might set up a tune up for him first though.  As for Manny, the clamor to fight Floyd Mayweather has begun and it is getting loud.  I still have a gut feeling that Pacquiao will end up fighting Juan Manuel Marquez.  Mosley presents too low a reward for the risk he presents and Mayweather, while exuding bravado, has not backed off his asking price of 65% of the purse share, which is absolutely absurd.  If Mayweather will not agree to the 50-50 split Manny is proposing, then no further proof is needed to prove that "Money" is afraid to dance with human dynamo from the Philippines.


photos courtesy of Yahoo! Sports and Getty Images

5 Questions on Pacquiao Cotto Answered

     Time Asia's newest cover boy Manny Pacquiao takes on Puerto Rico's Miguel Cotto on Sunday (Saturday US time) in the aptly-titled pay per view, "Firepower," and to serve as the fight's primer, I will answer five of the most important questions surrounding their bout.

1.  Can Pacquiao take Cotto's power?

     No.  Despite Manny's unbelievably gruelling training of having someone hit his body with a stick, Cotto's power is hard to overcome.  Cotto's attack, which usually involves very punishing body blows (and even low blows), really can hurt welterweights, much more welterweights who came up in weight like Manny.  His sterling record of 34 wins (27 by knockout) is littered with big welterweights, so Manny will feel the power of each of Cotto's vaunted body punches.  If Cotto catches Manny with more than a few body blows, it could be a long night for Pacquiao.  Now, before everyone panics and calls for my head, read on.

2.  Can Cotto nullify or match Pacquiao's speed?

     No.  Every single opponent of Pacquiao had said that they had studied and figured out Manny's speed and quickness (both in foot movement and punching speed) before they succumb to it in the ring.  Cotto has joined those ranks by claiming he can fight speed as proven by wins over Shane Mosley and Joshua Clottey.  While those two are bordering on great as well, Pacquiao's speed is nowhere close to theirs.  Manny's unworldly hand and foot speed is what truly makes him great, not his punching power as a large number of fans are wont to believe.  The problem for Cotto is that he can prepare as much as he wants, but no sparring partner on this planet, much less in his camp, approximates "Pacman," so he has not prepared adequately for Manny's speed and quickness.  While Cotto's powerful punch can knock people out, a barrage of "Pacman" punches, some of which Cotto might not even see, can knock him out too.   

3.  Will either fighter's training camp distractions prove fatal to their bid?


       No.  Manny's camp was littered with distractions, from the two super typhoons, to infighting between adviser Michael Koncz and trainer Alex Ariza, to Freddie Roach scoffing at Manny Villar's pandering to the, "Pambansang Kamao."  All these, however, distracting, are par for the course for every "Pacman" camp.  Expect Pacquiao to be ready for fight night as he himself recognizes the tremendous opportunity laid before him.  Meanwhile, Cotto's camp which was a little busier than usual watching Cotto's weight, was rocked by former trainer (and Cotto's uncle) Evangelista Cotto, who slapped a lawsuit on the fighter, the culmination of years of infighting with the Cottos, Miguel Sr. and Jr.  Just like Manny, though, expect Cotto to be ready for what is easily the biggest fight of his life.  While he has expressed respect and admiration for Pacquiao, it is also important to remember that the Puerto Rican covets all the admiration, riches and glamour Pacquiao has earned.

4.  What will happen in the fight?


      Many boxing experts differ on their predictions, with some counting on Pacquiao's speed to win and some counting on Cotto's power.  My fearless forecast?  Pacquiao will win in either late round knockout or unanimous decision.  Manny will be well wary of Cotto's power and he will be highly motivated to frustrate Cotto and take away his strength advantage.  The last thing Pacquiao needs is to lose by knockout, expect Manny to do everything in his power to avoid it.  Manny doing everything in his power usually means lights out for his opponent.


5.  What will be next for both fighters?


     Considering the fight goes as I predicted, expect both fighters to still be in the fight game.  A loss diminishes Cotto's marketability and charisma, but it won't be too bad that Bob Arum can't find a fight for him.  A rematch against Antonio Maragarito is being floated around and expect Shane Mosley to come knocking if he sees Cotto has slowed down.  For Manny, a showdown with Floyd Mayweather would be golden, but don't wait with bated breath.  Mayweather will angle for more money and slow down negotiations and don't be surprised to see Manny face Juan Manuel Marquez instead.  A third fight in that rivalry would be a good pay per view and with both fighters aching to defeat the other convincingly, should be a slam-bang affair.


Next Week: I will do a checklist of these five questions to see where I went right and wrong.


photos courtesy of Getty Images and the AP

Experience: The Overhyped Commodity

     With the influx of relatively young candidates into the Philippines' presidential elections next year, the expected barrage of mud slinging has now begun, and while I seldom write about politics, this attack on candidates' "experience" and "achievements" has really rubbed me the wrong way.  As with Philippine politics, the question of which athletes to send to tournaments (or which presidentiable to elect) has been a contentious one to say the least because of the "age and experience" debate. 

     In sports (and apparently now in politics), our officials have always put a premium on "experience" and "past achievements" so much that we end up sending virtual grandfathers and grandmothers to tournaments.  Furthermore, favoring experience has slowly led to the degradation of our national development of athletes so we have now experienced a problem with continuity.  I still remember our track team sending a aged Elma Muros-Posadas and Ed Buenavista to the South East Asian Games and the Olympics because they were "experienced" and what was our medal haul? O medals, and in Buenavista's case, a disqualification for crossing running lanes.  Meanwhile, boxer Harry Tanamor will still be given a chance to fight for a 2012 Olympic slot despite the fact that he would have reached the maximum age limit for boxers competing in the Olympics because, wait for it, his "experience" and past "achievements."

     What is it with experience?  While I agree that premium should be put on experience, it shouldn't be the end all and be all of choosing an athlete or a president.  Experience is nothing more than being there.  It's what is learned form experience that is helpful and that is quite unquantifiable.  What's with the hullabaloo over past achievements?  A gold medallist now is nothing but an older, former medallist two to four years later.  Doing good things in the past doesn't always mean one is capable (or willing) to do more good things in the future.  Remember Taekwondo jin Toni Rivero and how she created a stir at the Olympics?  Well, we kept sending her and she kept losing.  Remember how we were convinced basketball pros would play better than college standouts in international play? Yup, we really did great with an 8th place finish.  Sports as with politics (and cooking, I might add), is an unforgiving field where you must outperform yourself daily, lest people criticize and attack you.   In such fields, hanging your hat on something in the past or on experience will have you eating someone else's dust.  Such fields are not to be dominated by age and experience, but they are actually settings for great performances by people, regardless of age, experience or past achievements,  who have the heart, the innovation and the intention to actually make them.  Take these athletes for example:

Sam Cassell - This loud-mouthed, trash talking NBA great (and now assistant coach) wasn't always a great.  As a fresh-faced rookie with virtually no great achievements to speak of, he was picked late (24th pick) in the first round.  Despite that, he not only earned playing time for the eventual NBA Champions Houston Rockets, but also became the team's most valuable sub for their back to back championship run, averaging 6.7 points and 2.9 assists (1st year) and 9.5 points and 4.9 assist (2nd year). Not bad for someone 23 other teams passed on.

Jim Morris - A science teacher and high school baseball coach, Morris had a bet with his students that he would try out for a Major League Baseball team if his team would win the district title.  One title later, coach and teacher Jim, whose earlier attempt at playing pro baseball was devoid of achievements and filled with injuries, did try out.  Throwing 98 mph fast balls continuously at the tryouts later netted him his dream of playing professional baseball at age 35.  His life story has been made into a Disney movie, and indeed his journey from an injured old coach and former player into the MLB's old oldest rookie and world wide inspiration does merit a movie.

Sharon Limansantoso - This Filipino-Indonesian bowler, playing for Indonesia as unassuming rookie, stunned the crowds as the 24th South East Asian Games in Thailand.  Despite being a relative unknown because of her lack of experience, Limansantoso came from behind to defeat the more experinced and highly-favored Esther Cheah of Malaysia 187-167 and 241-198 in the Masters Event, earning herself and Indonesia a gold medal in the bowling event. 

     In sports and in politics, what one has done and what one has experienced undoubtedly plays a role in one's ability to perform, but in examining every great political leader and athlete in our history, neither one is the most important element to their success.  What good did tons of experience do for Elma Muros and Ed Buenavista? Picking a president who was supposedly more learned and experienced has our country experiencing corruption at an all time high.  Superb politicians and athletes do have their common denominators, but they are neither experience nor past achievements.  Great heart to perform what they feel is right despite insurmountable odds and degrading criticism, unparalleled innovation to battle the constant yet ever-changing challenges that come their way and the purest of intentions to properly, respectfully and honorably represent their team or country are their common denominators. 

     Next year, decisions will be abound for our countrymen.  In forming our national sports teams and in picking our political leaders, we must all choose.  Let's do ourselves a favor and throw age, experience and past achievements out the proverbial window.  Let's choose the ones with great hearts, unparalleled innovation and pure intentions.  We cannot afford to keep sending athletes to competitions only to see them lose miserably, and Lord knows we can't afford another governement more concerned with crowing about supposed achievements instead of actually trying to achieve them.

photos courtesy of sports.espn.go.com and answers.com