Pacquiao on the Brink of a Landslide Victory in ESPN STAR Sports Champion of Champions

With the way things are going, the world’s best pound – for – pound boxer Manny Pacquiao looks headed for a landslide victory over world number one squash player Nicol David of Malaysia as he continues to gain a majority of the votes in the Finals of ESPN STAR Sports’ Champion of Champions competition, an online poll that will decide the Sports Personality of the year who made the biggest impact in the world of sport.

As of press time, Pacquiao has garnered more than 90 percent of the votes over David in ESPN STAR Sports’ website www.espnstar.com. Fans can still vote until today before the Champion of Champions is announced live on ESPN SportsCenter tomorrow. Read more

Sydman’s Side Defect (12/27/08) - A TALE OF TWO FRANCHISES

A TALE OF TWO FRANCHISES

RED BULL could lose Yeng Guiao before the 2008-09 Fiesta Conference could unfold. This is after seeing his team decimated continuously and vigorously for three consecutive seasons. It was said that Red Bull is eager to give up their PBA franchise which they have held since 2000.

Meanwhile, AIR21 is keen of changing their name to Burger King, seeing that the fast food chain needs to bolster its popularity (which puzzles me considering that BK is turning out to be the fast food version of the coffee wi-fi shops). Burger King’s PBL stint has produced Ronjay Buenafe, Macky Escalona, and current Air21 stalwarts Doug Kramer and JR Quinahan.

How are these two teams intertwined? Let’s see with this theory.

Teams are checking out whether or not Burger King needs to pay a stiff or measly sum of franchise fee. Sure, it’s true that Bert Lina of Air21, owns Burger King, but it’s doubtful if he is the main stockholder of the franchise. Browse Wikipedia and you’ll see that BK is owned by Lina, Lito Alvarez, Ricky Vargas, and Manny V. Pangilinan.

Vargas is TNT’s board representative while MVP owns TNT.

This explains why Air21 is TNT’s bitch.

BITCH I TELL YOU!

If SMC monopolizes the best players from other teams… then TNT basically takes out all the “fun” in Air21. Sure, one will argue that the Ranidel de Ocampo versus Don Allado trade is not lopsided, since Allado is merely a victim of lack of playing time and ball-hogging backcourt-mates… which de Ocampo at one point of his career will also suffer…

…But try checking out TNT’s major Air21 acquisitions: Yancy de Ocampo (who should have been blossoming if he had more minutes), Renren Ritualo (who should have been blossoming if he had more minutes), Jay Washington (who blossomed when SMB saved his hide), and Macmac Cardona (who is blossoming… period) are amongst the few names that were taken away by the Tropang Texters from the Express that should have been key acquisitions for their drive to the top.

Okay, so MVP is making TNT some kind of a RP Team sanctuary. Great! That means Arwind Santos is the next name to join the Texters! Problem lies… will Patrick Fran be again part of the trade? How ‘bout Gilbert Lao?

Please, do me a favor and trade him for Jec Chia. The guy does not deserve being in the reserved list.

Which reminds me… Red Bull has already dealt Cyrus Baguio and Celino Cruz to the Express in exchange for draft picks.

One would wonder… what the fuck!

Baguio is the only “thing” left in the Red Bull lineup! Add Cruz and Red Bull will have has-beens and never-were cagers. This is like PBL was unearthed in the PBA but instead of signing free agents, all they did was hire Liga stars.

Yes, it is THAT bad.

Sorry Red Bull, but inasmuch as I like Yeng Guiao’s ability to create something from nothing, this season says it all. I think the original lineup… the one that had OGIE GUMATAY and BERNARD TANPUA looks better than this current cast! Why waste your energy molding these players if you’re just going to lose them to… free agency.

I have a theory… and I have to be wrong… but it concerns RB and the rest of the league…

If you hate me now, you’ll hate me more.

Red Bull is a poor PBA team.

Baguio was initially being pushed to Ginebra. However, since the Gins backed down, the Barakos tried this to Air21.

By the way, months before Junthy Valenzuela’s trade, I had a spy telling me that “The Hitman” has been practicing in the Gins roster. This idea puzzled me because Valenzuela was still playing for the Bulls. But in his two games of playing for Red Bull in the 2007-08 Fiesta Cup, we merely made 6 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 13 minutes.

A mere conference ago, Junthy averaged 15.7 points, 5 rebounds, and 3.4 assists for Red Bull.

The same can be said to why weeks before Red Bull traded Rico Villanueva; they were giving Carlo Sharma more minutes. And when they traded Villanueva for Romel Adducul, they quickly sent Adducul to Purefoods for… Don… freaking… Camaso!

Red Bull gets dividends out of making talents and offering them to big market PBA squads!

Currently…

SMB: Mick Pennisi, Lordy Tugade, Larry Fonacier (before being sent to Alaska)
PUREFOODS: Kerby Raymundo, Enrico Villanueva, Topex Robinson, Rich Alvarez, Paolo Bugia
GIN: Junthy Valenzuela

Except for Raymundo, this was pretty much the core of the Red Bull team that last won a championship! And by the way, remember when Red Bull offered Willie Miller to TNT for nothing? Akala mo nagyayabang sila???

HINDE OY!!!

This could be why Yeng Guiao has been chirping to ease out of RB coaching duties in the near future. With the way his team has been oppressed, decimated, and churned out to different sectors, he should be working for some talent enrichment company!

With the recession “hinting” to take effect in the next year, some ballclubs could be at risk of disbandment. While it is not the case for Air21, Red Bull could be suggesting this otherwise. We are forgetting that the PBA is a commercial league, where franchises are owned by multi-national businesses. This is why SMC has the best players and TNT owns the remainder of the talent.

Alaska’s players are great but that does not mean they are hefty. Sta. Lucia had to endure years of the “Kenneth Duremdes-Brandon Cablay” trade before they finally got quality players. The Realtors are also lucky to have a set of players that are usable but not heavy on the budget, considering that the real estate business doesn’t hold shit to Class C and D Filipinos living by eating SMC products and subscribing to either Smart or TNT.

So what will happen to Red Bull?

Will Air21/Burger King get enough of the bullying?

Only time will tell.

(photo from air21express.com.ph)

Pacquiao Reaches Finals of ESPN STAR Sports Champion of Champions

Filipino boxing sensation Manny Pacquiao received an early Christmas present yesterday as he advanced to the Finals of ESPN STAR Sports’ Champion of Champions competition, an online poll that will decide the Sports Personality of the year who made the biggest impact in the world of sport.

Pacquiao knocked out Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar in the semi-finals after voting ended yesterday morning. The world’s best pound-for-pound boxer will now face World number one squash player Nicol David of Malaysia. David defeated another Indian cricketer in Sourav Ganguly in the other semi-final bracket. The Champion of Champions will be announced live on SportsCenter this December 31st. Read more

Ball Hog: Parks may play for RP; First Pinoy NBA Player, PBA POTW, Yeng Not Impressed & Baguio’s Destination

Sons of Parks, Ravena may play for RP Flag

Seven-time Philippine Basketball Association Best Import Bobby Parks and former PBA Rookie of the Year and Most Improved Player Bong Ravena represented the national quintet at one time in their careers. Parks, who led San Miguel Beer and Shell to championships in the PBA, played for the RP Team in Club championships after a stellar career in the pro ranks. Ravena was a member of the gold-medal winning RP quintet in the 1991 Manila Southeast Asian Games, an all-amateur squad that featured then the likes of Johnny Abarrientos, Vergel Meneses, Marlou Aquino and Vic Pablo, to name a few. This time, though, their sons—Ray Parks and Keifer Ravena—are expected to spearhead the RP under-16 team to be handled by Eric Altamirano in next year’s Southeast Asia Youth Basketball Association.

Raymond Townsend - First Pinoy NBA Player

There’s a little footnote in the NBA history that many Filipinos and people in general forget. There was a Filipino-American who played in the NBA. He was a groundbreaker for Filipinos, Fil-Ams and Asian Americans but he’s not recognized as one, as he should be. Fil-Am Raymond Townsend played three seasons in the NBA. Many people forget his contributions because he played from 1978 to 1982, a time when the NBA was barely setting its foot to commercial success and the only race that mattered was black or white. Townsend was the first Fil-Am to play in the NBA. He played for the Golden State Warriors and Indiana Pacers. He was the first Fil-Am and only Asian American to ever be drafted in the first round of the NBA draft.

Arigo, Yeo share scribes’ weekly PBA honor

COCA-COLA’S John Arigo is the perfect example of a forgotten man making people realize he’s still around. Sta. Lucia Realty’s Joseph Yeo is the exact opposite, repeatedly reminding everybody he won’t go away.

This the Accel/KFC Philippine Basketball Association Press Corps’ Coplayers of the Week for the period December 15 to 21 stressed by leading their respective teams to much-needed wins and the realization of their short-term goals in the Philippine Cup.

Olympian, ex-MICAA cager Bernardo dies

Basketball Olympian Narciso “Ciso” Bernardo passed away Tuesday, his family told GMANews.TV Tuesday night. He was 71. According to his son Noel, his father died at noon Tuesday in hospital due to cardiac arrest. Noel, a councilor of Mandaluyong City, said Bernardo has been bed-ridden since 2002 when the cager had a stroke. Bernardo, also a former councilor of the city, would be buried on Saturday.

Yeng, Franz not impressed

Yeng Guiao and Franz Pumaren, two of the most successful mentors in the country today, raised doubts if Toroman’s recent victory in Guangxi, China, was enough proof that he has something that no local coach could offer in handling the national team in international tournaments. “First, let’s congratulate them, but it does not mean that we will not be able to do that if a Filipino coach had handled the team. ’Yung level of tournament, no doubt kaya ng Pinoy ’yan,” Guiao added. Pumaren also doubted the quality of the tournament that Toroman’s squad…“Look at the quality of the tournament. Even Singapore gave the Chinese team a scare. Tapos ipagmamalaki mong tinalo mo ang Macau at Brunei. Even our high-school teams here can beat Macau and Brunei,” said Pumaren.

Baguio’s Destination?

ANOTHER championship contender has joined the race in acquiring the services of Red Bull skywalker Cyrus Baguio. The BusinessMirror learned that Talk ’N Text has also expressed interest on the six-foot-one Baguio after negotiations between Barangay Ginebra and the Barakos were stalled.

NIKE ZOOM KOBE 4 CUT: NIKE UNVEILS ITS LIGHTEST AND STRONGEST BASKETBALL SHOE EVER

NIKE ZOOM KOBE 4 CUT: NIKE UNVEILS ITS LIGHTEST AND STRONGEST BASKETBALL SHOE EVER

The game of basketball is evolving to a quicker pace, and as basketball’s agent of change, Kobe Bryant is leading the charge in breakthrough innovation. For his fourth signature shoe, he demanded a shoe that was lowcut and even lighter than the revolutionary Nike Hyperdunk (13 ounces).

“When I first asked for the lightest basketball shoe Nike has ever created, particularly a low top, you could have heard a pin drop in the room,” said Kobe Bryant. “The shoe the Nike design team delivered raises the basketball footwear bar to the next level,” Bryant adds. Read more

Sydman’s Power Rankings Xmas Special (COMPLETE SET)

Welcome to the Power Rankings Xmas Special

Why is this a… gasp… Special??? (I’m making this a proper noun as you can see)

Kasi matagal na akong hindi nakakagawa dahil pinulbos ako ng trabaho! BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Uhurm.

Off we go!

This being the season of giving, here are the superstars that almost made the list.

OUTSIDE LOOKING IN:

35. RONALD TUBID – KINGS
34. BONBON CUSTODIO – BEERMEN
33. JASON CASTRO – TROPANG TEXTERS
32. WYNNE AROBLEDA – EXPRESS
31. CYRUS BAGUIO – BARAKOS
30. NELBERT OMOLON – REALTORS
29. DONDON HONTIVEROS – BEERMEN
28. JIMMY ALAPAG – TROPANG TEXTERS
27. GABBY ESPINAS – BARAKOS
26. MARK TELAN – TIGERS

Read more

Political Leaders & Their Sports

I read that Obama’s transition team are thinking of folding-up the bowling alley (Nixon installed) inside the White House and replace it with hardwood. That’s because Barry ‘O Bomber (that’s Barrack monicker) and his White House crew are hoops lover.

The US bowling people are up in arms, I mean, wary of this. Check the story here.

No doubt, this is bad to the nth degree for the bowling if ever Obama team shuts down the bowling lane in favor of a basketball court. But this is good for basketball.

Read more

Charles Barkley Dodging Shoes A La Bush

Lead from NBA-FH.

Chris Webber of the rival Ahmad-Gary-Chris trio visited TNT lair earlier today. Chris Webber picked up the shoes (I think he threw his retired sneakers he used over there at Philadelphia) then threw the pair to Barkley. Ernie is right, Bush does better job and looks good in dodging the shoes. For a guy who used to dodge Oakley’s, Laimbeer’s, Shaquille’s fists, Charles looks so pitifully old and lame.

Read more

Surprised? Air21 Express Trade Ranidel De Ocampo For Don Allado Plus Pick

Is Manny Pangilinan still part of development of the Philippine Basketball Team? If he is, he might be planning on sending his Talk N Text team to incoming asian and world basketball competitions.

It’s because, he just traded for Ranidel De Ocampo (a big guy who can shoot from the outside, score inside, defend, rebound, locker room guy, peak of his career) to his Tropang Texters team.

Talk N Text (Tropang Texters) sent Don Allado packing and bundled a draft pick to get the services of Ranidel De Ocampo. This will reunite Ranidel with big brother Yancee. (Or, TNT will ship Yancy now? That’s the trend between this bros.)

Now, TnT has a starting five of Jimmy Alapag, Renren Ritualo, Jared Dillinger, Ranidel De Ocampo and (Yancee or) Ali Peek at center. TnT is coached by former National Team coach Chot Reyes. Bolstered by Ranidel, this will put more pressure on Chot to actually make a winning machine out of this crew.

Read more

Pacquiao in Final Four of ESPN STAR Sports Champion of Champions

World number one pound – for – pound boxer Manny Pacquiao became the first individual to reach the semi-final round of ESPN STAR Sports’ Champion of Champions competition, an online poll that will decide the Sports Personality of the year who made the biggest impact in the world of sport.

Fans all across Asia voted Pacquiao over Liverpool striker Fernando Torres of Spain in the quarterfinal round yesterday.  The Filipino ring sensation earlier beat out motorcycle racer Valentino Rossi in the first round. Pacquiao is now set to face off against the winner between Indian cricket player Sachin Tendulkar and Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Read more

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