Playing Santa 2010

     It's Christmas time once again and it's time to see who has been naughty or nice.  I still wish I could give them the gifts I assigned to them.


Naughty

Mark Joseph - The interim president of the Philippine Aquatic Sports Association (PASA) has been naughty, continuing to refuse holding an election for PASA leadership, while making his lack of leadership clear.  He has shown ignorance for his wards' difficulties, like the divers' problem with frog infestation in their pool or their accident in the Asian Games itself.


Gift: Proper elections to expose his poor approval ratings in the PASA

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Fifty Peso Previews: 2010-11 Northwest Division

If you guys missed the 1 hour special of Lifestyle Network's Clash of the Toque-en Ones, there are replays on Dec 24 at 430 pm, dec 25 at 8 am and 1030 pm and dec 26 at 9 pm! Don't miss it!


Yes, I am very late, but I'm finally finishing my NBA Fifty Peso Previews with this post on the Northwest Division.


Denver Nuggets

Major Additions: Al Harrington
Major Subtractions: None


     Usually, great teams don't like to tinker with their line ups too much, but the Nuggets are far from great. Adding Harrington is not enough, and obviously Carmelo Anthony agrees.  Anthony has essentially asked for a trade and expect the Nuggets to make something happen within the year.  With Anthony gone, this will pretty much be a dead year for the Nuggets as the rest of their players like Chauncey Billups, Kenyon Martin and Chris Anderson have been slowed by both age and injuries. The Nuggets will have to rebuild.


Fearless Forecast: Eliminated in the regular season

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Fifty Peso Previews: 2010-11 Pacific Division

Just like to remind everyone that a 1 hour special on Lifestyle Network's Clash of the Toque-en Ones will be aired on December 20 at 10 pm Skycable Ch. 52. Catch everything from the auditions to the finals!

Golden State Warriors

Major Additions: David Lee, Dorell Wright
Major Subtractions: None


Warriors fans heaved a sigh of relief as the team changed owners and coaches.  They seem to have taken the first step towards a winning attitude, grabbing All Star David Lee and a defensive-minded (former SMB import) Keith Smart as their coach.  The problem is, how long until will the winning actually comes?  This team has developed such a culture of losing that it may take a while.  Look for big years from Steph Curry, Monta Ellis and Lee, but racking up wins and playoff berths are at least 2 years away.


Fearless Forecast: Eliminated in the regular season

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Fifty Peso Shots: November 2010

     I'm very late with my November edition of Fifty Peso Shots, but I was kind of busy last November 30.  wink wink.  Many thanks to everyone who supported me and I look forward to giving Pinoy food and Pinoys, here and abroad, something to be proud of on my upcoming cooking show on Lifestyle Network! Meanwhile, check out the 1 hour special of the entire Clash of the Toque-en Ones on December 20 at 10 pm, Skycable channel 52.


Now, some shots from the cheap seats:

• POC and PSC leaders claim they are "happy" and/or "satisfied" with Team Philippines' performance in the last Asian Games.  We finished way behind South East Asian neighbors, but they are happy? Great! We should probably look forward to another sixth place finish in next year's SEA Games. Woohoo! (Please detect major sarcasm here) 

• Lebron James acted like a big sissy, intentionally bumping Coach Erik Spoelstra when he called a timeout during a testy loss to the Dallas Mavericks.  Then, he allegedly had friend  lapdog Maverick Carter release a story of how Spoelstra was such a tyrant, slamming Lebron on being not serious enough.  Instead of gaining sympathy for the Heat's woes, James is just giving more credibility to rumors he's a cancer to teams.  It also raises Spoelstra's stock as coach as the Heat rattled off four consecutive wins after he scolded Lebron.

• Hornets fans have it tough. After a summer of uncertainty when franchise player Chris Paul threatened to leave, they now face an ownership void.  George Shinn is ready to sell the team and the NBA will be their owner for the time being. That has to be the weirdest feeling.  Imagine competing in a contest where your mom is also the tournament director. Yikes!

• Many disappointed with the performance of Smart Gilas should be more patient before calling for the return of PBA pros.  In the past, foreign coaches would always praise the Philippines as "talented but needing more time to adjust to each other and the international game."  If one reads into the recent interviews with coaches, they no longer spew that same condescending lines.  They talk about the Philippines unmatched toughness and relentless defense.  That is improvement, if one cares to actually think about it.

• If people want to know which National Sports Association (NSA) Heads to replace, look no further than Swimming/Diving Head Mark Joseph.  The man with two first names was so on top of the situation that he didn't even know his OWN DIVERS GOT INTO A BUS ACCIDENT on the way to competing. Then, after he was informed his diver was injured (confirmed by doctors), he scoffed and broached the possibility that it could have been, "an old injury acting up."  That's the picture of a leadership award winner right there.

photos courtesy of sports.yahoo.com, getty images and gmapinoytv.com

Fifty Peso Previews: 2010-11 NBA Southwest Division

Before anything else, I'm inviting everyone to catch me on Lifestyle Network's Clash of the Toque-en Ones Final Showdown on November 30, from 4 to 8 pm at the Rockwell Tent.


The Fifty Peso Previews are heading out West and let's take a look at the Southwest division.  

Dallas Mavericks


Major Additions: Tyson Chandler
Major Subtractions: None


The Mavericks are a veteran, talented team. Yet again.  The problem is, the Mavs have been talented and competitive every year, but never close to winning a title save for their one blown chance against Miami in 2006.  The team will lean again on Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Kidd, but the two vets need massive stepped up play from new addition Chandler, Caron Butler and Shawn Marion and a concerted effort on defense to challenge with the big boys.  From the looks of things, though, it will be a tough grind.


Fearless Forecast: Eliminated in the playoffs (2nd round)

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Fifty Peso Previews: 2010-11 NBA Southeast Division

     First of all, many thanks to those who voted and supported me as I competed for Lifestyle Network's CLash of the Toque-en Ones.  I've made it to the top 2 finals and I have one more showdown to win before I realize my 25-year dream of having my own cooking show.


     Now, it's time to continue my long-delayed NBA 2010-11 Season Previews, this time featuring the NBA's Southeast Division. As usual, we're honored to have hitmaker Toto Sorioso providing our teams' theme songs for the year.


Atlanta Hawks 

Major Additions: Josh Powell, Etan Thomas
Major Subtractions: None

Improving every season for the past 5, it would seem the Hawks should go for a title run this season.  Their line up is young and talented and most of the core players have been signed up for the long haul.  Somehow, though, the Hawks won't make it any farther this year.  Their offense remains stagnant at times and one has to remember that both playoff appearances by the Hawks in the past two years ended in ugly, 4-game sweeps.  They need to show added maturity and unselfishness if they don't want to be known as just a good regular season team.  


Fearless Forecast: Eliminated in the playoffs (2nd round)
Toto's Theme Song: GIve Me One Reason (Tracy Chapman)


Charlotte Bobcats

Major Additions: None
Major Subtractions: Raymond Felton


Bobcats fans must be ready to be masochists.  Despite new owner Michael Jordan's proclamations about wanting to win, the Bobcats have not added to their roster which barely made the playoffs for the first time last year.  Then, they went ahead and let starter Raymond Felton go to the Knicks.  It looks to be a tough year for the Bobcats and it will be a struggle yet again to make the playoffs.


Fearless Forecast: Eliminated in the regular season
Toto's Theme Song: Love the Way You Lie (Eminem feat. Rihanna)


Miami Heat

Major Additions: Lebron James, Chris Bosh, Mike Miller
Major Subtractions: Michael Beasley


All talk has been on the Heat and their trio of superstars, with many predicting immediate multiple championships and challenging the Bulls' 72-10 win loss record.  It's been a rough start for Miami and it's not all about needing time to gel.  The Heat are very thin up front and in the playoffs that may be exposed, like the way the Celtics have done, twice already.  The Heat need tougher play underneath or they will come up short.  They will dominate the regular season but they need to handle their business down low if they want to challenge history.


Fearless Forecast: At least Conference semi-finals 
Toto's Theme Song: The Club Can't Handle Me Ryt Now (Flo Rida feat. David Guetta)


Orlando Magic

Major Additions: Chris Duhon
Major Subtractions: None


Orlando had a great record last year but disappointed many by losing to the Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals.  Instead of blowing up the team, the Magic decided to give the team one more year together.  Will the added year make them play better?  What the Magic needs is stepped up play from both VInce Carter and Rashard Lewis as Dwight Howard cannot do it alone.  Once those two step up and not disappear like last year, the Magic can go all the way to the Finals once again.


Fearless Forecast: At least Conference Semi Finals
Toto's Theme Song: Magic (B.O.B.)


Washington Wizards

Major Additions: John Wall, Yi Jian Lian, Kirk Hinrich
Major Subtractions: None


What a mess the Wizards were last year.  This year, with a new face to the franchise, the Wizards can probably look forward to a less chaotic year.  Winning, however, will not be as automatic.  Wizards need their mercurial but talented players Gilbert Arenas and Andray Blatche to buy into Coach Flip Saunders' system if they want bring the Wizards to playoff contention, which is definitely easier said than done with these two guys.


Fearless Forecast: Eliminated in the regular season
Toto's Theme Song: Reset (Charice)

Fifty Peso Shots: October 2010

First of all, I'd like to invite everyone to watch my cooking demos daily on the Lifestyle Network or online on this link and on this one as well. Help make me Lifestyle Network's 1st Star Chef by voting for me.  Send an email to lifestylenetwork@thelifeyoulive.tv and type VOTE SHARWIN on the subject box.  You can vote as many times as you want as voting is unlimited, even from one email account!


Now, some shots (good and bad) from the cheap seats:


The Good:

• Kudos to the new UFC Heavyweight Champ Cain Velasquez.  I was among millions who doubted him, but he sure proved us wrong.  He showed tremendous quickness and cardio which allowed him to move well and escape from his back.  I think that was his key to defeating Brock Lesnar.

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Tiu-pefied

First of all, I'd like to invite everyone to watch my cooking demos daily on the Lifestyle Network or online on this link and on this one as well. Help make me Lifestyle Network's 1st Star Chef by voting for me.  Send an email to lifestylenetwork@thelifeyoulive.tv and type VOTE SHARWIN on the subject box.  You can vote as many times as you want as voting is unlimited, even from one email account!

     I'm probably the worst kind of fan there is.  Obsessed and always analyzing, I've become jaded to a degree.  I'm rarely effusive in my praise, but my interview last week with Smart GIlas skipper Chris Tiu left me no choice but to be different.  It's funny because I've known him since he was in second year high school, but his presence, humility and wisdom never fail to amaze.

     Finally able to talk to him after several tries, he graciously granted my request for an interview, inviting me over to Gilas practice. (Check out my fly on the wall article here)  While he was warming up and getting treatment for his sore hamstring and thighs, I take the opportunity to strike up a conversation/interview.

Plugging the Holes

     On the subject of pros playing, Chris displays his intuitive and intelligent side.  He admits pros are needed, despite GIlas playing together for over 11/2 years.  "There are pros and cons," Tiu explains.  "Whatever experience we’ve got over the last two years, you can’t compare to the experience the other pros have gotten. They’ve been playing for the past 5-7 years of their career so it helps to have an experienced player on the team." He is fully aware that, especially at this point in their development, they need some help.  "It helps to have pros plug in the holes, missing links within the team.  It would definitely help to have these guys, Asi (Taulava) Kelly (Williams) Sol (Mercado), most specially the big men positions coz we’re very limited with big men."  

     He's a realist, though, and he recognizes the difficulties PBA players have with their commitments to their mother teams.  Besides, he thinks the Gilas amateurs are more than ready themselves. "I think the level of the guys on this team now, JV (Casio), Mac (Baracael), (Chris) Lutz, Marcio (Lassiter), when they make it to the pros, they’re not going to be considered rookies anymore. A lot will be expected of them, so in a sense they’ve reached that level already where they can be very competitive at the pro level; technically they’re pros as well."  If given the choice to decide on the country's basketball program?  It's obvious Tiu believes in the GIlas program.  "I prefer you get some pros and retain the non pros, because for one being (amateur Gilas), we’ve traveled to so many countries playing against the best players and we’ve played as one team. We’ve gotten used to the system of coach (Rajko Toroman) so that’s an advantage."

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Fifty Peso Previews: 2010-11 NBA Central Division

First of all, please help me get into the top 2 of Lifestyle Network's Clash of the Toque-en Ones by sending an email to lifestylenetwork@thelifeyoulive.tv and typing VOTE SHARWIN on the subject box.  You can vote as often as you want, even from the same account.  Check out my demo here on this link and my new demo on this one.

Now, we continue with the Fifty Peso Previews, again with the help of hitmaker Toto Sorioso, whose single, "Gupit" will surely make you a fan.

Chicago Bulls


Major Additions: Carlos Boozer, Kyle Korver, Ronnie Brewer
Major Subtractions: None


The Bulls front office has indeed stepped up.  Bringing in a new coach (that can actually coach), and a batch of talented free agents, they have given the team all the tools they need to go deep into the playoffs.  While Boozer's freak hand injury will slow things down, look for the Bulls to finally become serious contenders for the playoffs for the first time since some guy named Jordan was leading them.  Expect the Bulls to play great Tom Thibodeau defense and execute better offensively.


Fearless Forecast: Conference Semi-finals
Toto's Theme Song: I Got a Feeling (Black Eyed Peas)

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A Fly on the Wall (at Gilas Practice)

First of all, please catch my cooking demo at the Lifestyle Network or by clicking this link.  Then, help me become Lifestyle Network's first Star Chef by sending an email to lifestylenetwork@thelifeyoulive.tv and typing VOTE SHARWIN on the subject box.  Votes are unlimited so I hope you can keep voting, even from the same account!  


     It's easy to take shots and give advice from the cheap seats; that's why I call my blog From the Fifty Peso Seats.  Last night though, I decided to move down the aisle and take a closer look.  Attending the practice of Smart Gilas, I had no idea who would train and what they would do.  One thing's for sure, though.  Leaving practice, I had a very good idea of how we're going to do at the Asian games.

     Scheduled at 7 p.m. at the Arena in San Juan, practice actually starts earlier than that, as I spy Mark Barroca already outside the gym at 530.  I came early, since I was meeting Chris Tiu for an interview at 6.  Soon after parking, JV Casio and Tiu arrive and we enter the gym.  Dylan Ababou follows, then Chris Lutz with Coach Rajko Toroman.  Chris and I begin talking as he gets taped.  Beside us, Casio gets a much needed massage treatment on his beat up legs.  As Casio grimaces in pain, I ask Chris about Marcus Douthit.  He is optimistic about Douthit's chances, but rues the pressure of having things done before the Senate goes on break.  He then reveals that even if Douthit is naturalized, we have to hope the Asian Games Committee accredits Douthit.  I ask him if China could screw us over and he admits it's a possibility.  

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Fifty Peso Previews: 2010-11 NBA Atlantic Division

First, please check out my cooking demo on the Lifestyle Network.  October 7 at 11 am, 5 pm, 11 pm, October 8 at 10 am, 4 pm, 10 pm, October 9 at 9 am, 3 pm, 9 pm.  Vote for me by sending an email to lifestylenetwork@thelifeyoulive.tv  Just type in VOTE SHARWIN TEE on the subject line.  You can vote as many times as you want and help me get my very own cooking show!     


     It's that time of the year again. The NBA season is fast approaching and it's time to preview the teams and their chances. This time, our fifty peso previews get an upgrade from our special guest, singer Toto Sorioso, who supplies his own previews by assigning theme songs for each team.  I guess,  our fifty peso previews should be seventy five peso ones now...


Boston Celtics


Major Additions: Shaquille O'Neal, Jermaine O"Neal, Luke Harangody
Major Subtractions: Rasheed Wallace

     Going against the trend, the Celtics sought to enhance their chances for a title by getting older, not younger.  Replacing the retired Wallace with two O'Neals, both past their primes, Celtics are bigger and more experienced, but also a lot older and slower.  Still, the sheer brilliance and experience of this line up will give teams more than they can handle, and the Celts will look forward to another deep playoff run.  Look for Rajon Rondo to continue to emerge as Boston's franchise player and an inspired effort from the "Big Three" who may consider this year as their last best chance.


Fearless Forecast: Playoffs (conference semi-finals) 
Toto's Theme Song for Boston: My Way (Frank Sinatra)

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Tiu Tiu Train (of Thought) Part 2

     First of all, I'm inviting everyone to follow me on twitter, not just for the latest on sports, but on food and restos as well.  www.twitter.com/fiftypesotweets    

      Here's the continuation of my exclusive interview with Smart Gilas insider Charles Tiu.  This time, we get into his thoughts and preferences.


From the 50 Peso Seats: To celebrate From the 50 Peso Seats 100th post, 10 top ten lists were made.  What is your pick on Best Sports Movie?

Charles Tiu: (I) Haven't watched too much sports movies, especially the old ones but i really like sports movies in general. I'd have to say Remember the Titans or Coach Carter, which I've watched like 5x. (my pick: Hoosiers)


FFPS: What about Most Beautiful Woman in Sports?

CT: Most Beautiful? i don't know.. tough one.. i like Stacy Keibler of WWE or maybe (Maria) Sharapova! (my pick: Melina of WWE) 


FFPS: What about Best Monicker?


CT: Best monicker... Sir Charles.. 'cause i love Charles Barkley. (my pick: Dean of Mean)


FFPS: Do you play NBA Fantasy?  Who would be your number one pick if you get to
pick first?


CT: Yes I do, and I often help people out too! Kevin Durant.. though Chris Webber told me he'd pick Dwight Howard.


FFPS:  Who is your pick to win the NBA MVP this season?  Will Miami win it all this
year?


CT: Kevin Durant will probably win the MVP this year. I don't think Miami will win it all. I hope they do because I sure don't want the Lakers to win again. I don't see any team beating the Lakers out West this year and the closest team that could would be Oklahoma. Boston will be in the thick of things again.


FFPS: Would you care to predict the outcome of this year's UAAP?


CT: I predicted the final four teams right, even before the season started, when even lasalites doubted their own team. It will be a tough one that will probably need three games, but i sitll say Ateneo will be victorious. (CT was right. Ateneo completed a three-peat, beating FEU 65-62 in the second and final game of the title series)


FFPS:  Who do you think is the best basketball player to come out of Xavier High
School?

CT: I can't speak of those who graduated ages ago, but probably Joseph Yeo (individually, athletically and skills wise) but as a team player and career so far, it's hard to match Chris Tiu too (2 mythical fives in the UAAP, National Team Captain)


But if you ask who the best player was while playing for Xavier in high school, it would definitely be Eric Yao.


FFPS:  What's keeping you busy nowadays?  Any business/project you want to invite
people to?


CT: I am doing something for the 10.10.10 Run for the Pasig River. I would definitely like to invite people to join. You don't have to be runners or what; you can just walk. This is our statement to show that we care about our river and this will show the government that they better do something about it. 120,000 runners will be a world record and it will make the Filipinos look good again, amidst all the recent controversy surrounding us.


FFPS: Thanks for your time.


CT: Thanks!

photos courtesy of gmanews.tv,  fanpop.com,

Tiu Tiu Train (of Thought) Part 1

First of all, everyone is invited to follow me on Twitter.  http://twitter.com/fiftypesotweets     

     From the Fifty Peso Seats is honored to have an email conversation with Charles Tiu, one of Smart Gilas' insiders, who took time out to reveal news on Gilas, among other things.  In part one, Tiu finally details the real deal about Gilas, debunking some lies other newspapers have been concocting. (Note: The interview was conducted a week ago and all of the information has since been verified by the news)

From the Fifty Peso Seats: You've become an unofficial spokesperson of Smart Gilas, writing about them in the broadsheets and updating fans on twitter.  How did you get in this

position?  Did you volunteer or were you asked?

Charles Tiu: I don't think I am their unofficial spokesperson. I just happen to know a lot of stuff about the team, since I'm pretty close to coach and i follow them a lot, watch their practices and all that. And I really only update with things that i know are okay to be talked about already. Like (for) example Lassiter being AWOL. (Lassiter has since apologized to Gilas - FFPS) It came out only late last week in the papers but we knew about that a few weeks earlier. I didn't want any of those coming from me, because I am in no position to report that. I just also like to update people via twitter cause I feel that with the generation nowadays, they don't really bother reading newspapers much to get their news updates.

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Fleeting Dominance

     With the next two UFC pay-per-views featuring exciting, but nonetheless non-title matches for  main events, the five UFC titles are all safe for now.  Over a year ago, I wrote about how dominant all UFC champions were and how it might get boring if no one could defeat them.  Well, what a difference a year makes.  

     This year, four of the five dominant, god-like champions have all been revealed to be actually human.  Lyoto "Dragon" Machida, who was the fighter that was hit the least in UFC history, slipped and then got pummeled by Mauricio "Shogun" Rua.  Then, coming back from a debilitating bout with diverculitis, Brock Lesnar successfully retained his Heavyweight Championship, but not before he was pummeled in the first round by challenger Shane Carwin. Then, pound-for-pound king Anderson SIlva, was taken down, grounded and pounded by Chael Sonnen for four and a half rounds, before escaping with a "Hail Mary" submission less than 2 minutes before the final bell.  Finally, B.J. Penn, who had been barely challenged in the lightweight division since winning the title several years ago, lost not once but twice(!) to the diminutive Frank "Answer" Edgar.


      The question now becomes, "Why the sudden decline?"  Have those previously dominant champs lost something due to age or injury or is it a matter of the challengers figuring out how to defeat the champs?  

     Although champs like Silva and Penn are getting on in age, Lesnar possibly not fully recovered, and Machida finally encountering someone who wouldn't chase him, the two questions probably are the wrong ones to ask.  As Joe Rogan has constantly said, "Styles make fights," and I believe that was the case with all those four champions.  Each of them faced a challenger whose greatest skill posed as the champ's greatest threat.  Machida was a counter puncher, but so was Rua.  Silva may be the world's greatest striker, but Sonnen was the ultimate wrestler with excellent takedowns.  Lesnar is simple an intimidating powerhouse, but Carwin had unreal striking power.  Penn was a dominant force both with power and jiu jitsu, but Edgar was a whirlwind of a striker who Penn couldn't catch.

     Whether my theory is accurate or not will be known in the coming months, with each of the four champions mentioned getting significant tests.  Lesnar will meet fellow athletic wrestler Cain Velasquez, Silva will have his rematch with Sonnen, Rua will test his skills against former champ "Sugar" Rashad Evans and Penn attempts a welterweight comeback against Matt Hughes.  If they all come back and go back to their dominant ways, then the "Style Theory" holds true.  If not, then the UFC may be deeper than people think.  Either way, it will be good times for the UFC and fans like me. 

Peeking at the UAAP

     Being an absolute sports geek, it's pretty amazing that I've never paid for tickets to see a UAAP Basketball game.  Admittedly, I am not as obsessed a fan of the UAAP as I am the NBA, PBA or the UFC, but I have seen my share of games.  Recently, I got to watch two UAAP games and, thanks to the generosity of high school buddies Harvey Keh and Aly Yap, I still haven't paid for tickets.  


     Anyway, here are some thoughts I gathered while watching:

• Far Eastern University does have the deepest bench this season.  A number of their bench players would have started for other teams.  The question now is, can Coach Glenn Capacio maximize it?

• Eric Salamat has small hands.  This contributes a lot to him being a turnover machine and a volume shooter. 

• University of the Philippines doesn't need better players or better coaches.  It needs a ball handler to emerge as a leader, because half the time they can't get their plays to even begin.

• Aldrech Ramos is an absolute beast.  It's a shame that Far Eastern University guards RR Garcia and Terence Romeo went to the Allen Iverson School of Non-passing Point Guards.  Otherwise, Ramos would be averaging over 25 points a game.

• The UAAP crowd may yet be the biggest collection of non-basketball fans watching a basketball game (crouches to avoid a flying chair).  Watching the reaction of the crowd, I just want to grab the mic and remind them that a) not all calls will go your team's way and b) it is not automatically "luto (rigged)" if you think calls cost your team the victory.

• Coach Norman Black should consider playing with no centers at times.  I know he likes a traditional Center and Power Forward tandem and that works fine when Justin Chua is in the game, but other centers like Golla and Escueta are different stories.  He should go with Mico Salva and Arthur de la Cruz together instead.  These two have better basketball I.Q. than Golla and Escueta.

     On an unrelated note, I bought a couple of Fire Floss Buns from Bread Talk after the game and I had this observation:

• It might not be a good idea to buy French Baguettes (which they display uncovered near the entrance) at Bread Talk.  When I was there, I saw a woman pinch the bread with her bare hands several times and I'm not even sure she bought it.

Throwing the Resign Switch

First of all, please follow me on twitter http://twitter.com/fiftypesotweets


     What is it about the world today, that when one bungles a task calls for resignation or replacement are immediately called for?  I have yet to give my full support to interim Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jessie Robredo (probably much to the chagrin of my buddy Harvey Keh), but I would like people to step on the brakes a little on calls for his head.  People placed in leadership positions do have a lot of responsibility on their shoulders and they are expected to rise through tough times, but they are all human too.  If every leader who fouled up early in their careers were immediately replaced, we would have missed these greats:

Bethune "Siot" Tanquincen - The soft-spoken former UST Growling Tiger got a baptism of fire replacing PBA great Allan Caidic as Baranggay Ginebra's coach in the Fiesta Conference of the 2004 season.  Opening with an eliminations record of 4 wins and 10 losses, "THe Baranggay" fans grew restless and some grumbles even called for his firing.  After the debacle of the eliminations, Tanquincen's determination to impose his own system led to the emergence of Jay Jay Helterbrand and Mark Caguioa, aka The Fast and The Furious.  That translated to an improbable championship over Red Bull in that same conference.  Then, Siot led the Kings to the Philippine Cup championship right after that, giving the Kings its first back to back championship in history.

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Uneducated

     I was supposed to write about Pacquaio's immense ability to forgive and how maybe he should make an exception with Antonio Margarito's cheating with hand wraps.  I hesitated because I wasn't sure if he should or not, but one thing I am sure of is that Pacman should not grace Floyd Mayweather Jr. with his legendary forgiving nature.


     In the now infamous internet tirade, Mayweather sullied up the world wide web with what Yahoo! Sports' Kevin Iole called, "a hateful, racist, vitriolic," rant, attacking Pacquiao.  Among his many points of attack, Mayweather called Pacman, "a yellow chump" and a "midget." He also talked about making Pacquiao "make him a sushi roll" and "cook him some rice."  Then, as if those weren't enough, Mayweather talked about Pacman never saying no to money and reiterated his belief that the FIlipino icon takes illegal steroids.  


     What is truly infuriating, however, is his supposed "apology."  Days after destroying whatever respect he may have earned over the years, Mayweather comes out to "apologize to everybody," claiming that he doesn't have, "a racist bone" in his body. He adds that he was "just having fun."

     That is how a world class boxer shoots himself and his legacy.  Mayweather has never been a popular figure here in the Philippines, with many believing he has continually ducked the opportunity to fight Pacquiao, but real boxing fans (even the ones residing here) have always respected his blinding quickness, his amazing boxing defense and his unbeaten record.  Not now though. 

     What kind of idiocy allows such garbage be spewed from one's mouth? Mayweather's words do nothing for his already struggling sport, one which has been incredibly good to him. His words are certainly unwelcome, in a time when hate still reigns in this world and racial divides have not been fully crossed.  His words are woefully inappropriate, in a time when everyone, even young children, could easily access the hateful rant of their boxing hero.  

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Fifty Peso Shots: August 2010

Some shots from the cheap seats:

• It's a good thing no one seriously considered the James Toney vs Randy Couture fight as a true "Boxing vs MMA" fight.  While Toney insulted not only MMA fans but boxing fans as well by coming into the fight out of shape, it was still obvious boxers would stand no chance against take downs, no matter their level of fitness.  Perhaps it's time people stopped trying to pit the two sports against each other and accept them as two different genres.

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Gee Thanks Mom and Dad

     When parents name their children, I often wonder if they ever consider the possibility that their children could become famous.  If they do, they wouldn't name their children with weird-sounding names.  At least, I think they wouldn't.  These guys' parents, though, probably didn't think their children would be famous.  You'll know what I mean.

God Shammgod (Basketball) - This former Washington Wizard actually didn't like his name so much that he went by the name of Shammgod Wells during his high school playing days in La Salle Academy with Ron Artest.  When he moved on to Providence College, though, he had no choice but to use his legal name of God Shammgod, and the legendary name was born.  Unfortunately, his game was far less legendary and after a short NBA stint, Shammgod bounced around the world, including the China Basketball Association.

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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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