I had a great year and I hope you all did too. Sana next year will be brighter and happier for all of us here. We may not agree all the time pero that's what democracy is all about. Allow me again to share some thoughts.
Wish ko for 2006:
1. Sana wala nang pasaway na member who will send us numerous forwarded e-mails na wala namang kinalaman sa group. I understand that you want to make your presence felt pero naman, say something from the heart, not by clicking on Forward. Same goes for chain letters, solicitation letters, advertisement ng kung anu-anong scams and most especially links to mail-order brides, puh-leeze. Send it to your friends, huwag sa buong group where hundreds will receive it. It's spam however way you look at it.
2. I would like to see less of Friendster, hi5, Myspace and Tickle invitations sent to the whole group. Send it directly to the people you want to be friends with not to everybody. It doesn't make sense to me. It's getting to be a popularity contest, paramihan na lang ba ng friends sa list? I still don't have a Friendster account so don't bother sending me invites, thank you.
3. I know that hindi tayo mauubusan ng something to say about what's happening to our team, other teams, sa mga players, coaches and life in general pero nakikiusap naman po ako, don't use words you wouldn't want your future kids to read and learn about. I've said it before and I will say it again (and again), nobody deserves to be called walang kuwentang tao, bobo, tanga, a-hole and kung anu-ano pa. We know how to use the computer so we all have brains, right? Be responsible.
4. For those who have difficulty expressing themselves in English, forget the universal language, use the one you are most comfortable with. That way you can easily say whatever your mind and heart wish to. And please reply to messages properly, huwag na po ninyo kami hiluhin sa paghahanap kung nasaan ang replies n'yo. Just start typing where the cursor appears after you've hit Reply. At kung puwede rin po, huwag naman po text language, nakakasakit ng ulo basahin.
5. Lastly, for my favorite teams, the Purefoods Chunkee Giants, to finally be the champs again after more than three years of frustrations. We're currently looking good, hope we go all the way.
For my UAAP team, the UE Red Warriors, to book a seat to the finals in season 69 and win it of course. It's been 20 years!
For Harbour Centre to prove everybody they can win as a team, the players to forget about being stars and learn to play basketball as a team game.
And to everybody reading this, A PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR TO ALL OF YOU! GOD BLESS YOU ALL!
31 December 2005
10 October 2005
Fourth Again
Controversial. The word perfectly summarizes the University of the East Red Warriors' season 68 campaign.
Eyebrows were raised at the nine freshmen in the lineup this season. Last year's team a rookie team? Ha!
With only five holdovers from last season's team, the Warriors plunged into action right on opening day and lost as expected to powerhouse and this year's champions Far Eastern University Tamaraws. The Tams were simply too much for the Warriors' very young crew.
First big brush with the Big C, as in controversy, came shooting straight at them when the De La Salle University Green Archers placed their first round game that the Warriors won by a point, under protest. They cited non-calls on two supposedly goal-tending violations in the game but the University Athletic Association of the Philippines' technical committee dismissed it after deliberations.
They closed out the the first round of eliminations with a 5-2 win-loss record. The second loss dealt by the streaking Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles.
The second round they opened with a bang by beating the Tams and ending FEU's seven-game winning streak. A job not new to the Warriors as it was also them that halted the Eagles' 7-0 run last season.
The Eagles though was the biggest puzzle for UE as they lost again in their second round game.
Controversy came knocking at their door anew when the game against DLSU in the second round was again put under protest. But this time they did the protesting. They questioned the resetting of the game clock that gave the Archers time to score and tie the game that forced the overtime. DLSU won the game after the five-minute extension.
The protest as everybody knew by now, was upheld, the win awarded to UE then DLSU appealed, UAAP Board met, took the win back from UE and ordered a replay.
As if to say it wasn't done with UE yet, controversy again tried but failed to find residence in Recto, Manila. Rookie sensation Bonbon Custodio's eligibility to play in the league was questioned. Timing though wasn't perfect as there's a league policy that bars any team from questioning the eligibility of the players from the other teams after the first round of eliminations. Alas for the University of the Philippines' Fighting Maroons, who brought the issue to public consciousness, the Final Four door was again slammed shut with them outside, by no other than Bonbon and the Red Warriors.
But that was the last good thing to happen to the Red Warriors. Marcy Arellano, the 2004 Rookie of the Year, downed by dengue fever, missed the replay match against DLSU that cost them the twice-to-beat advantage. He likewise missed the playoff for third and evident in their Final Four game against the Tams that he hasn't got his rhythm back.
It went downhill for the Warriors since the replay match. They were running number two and three all season but failed to win the games that matter.
They had an amazing run. Unbelievable even. Sophomores Marcy and Earn Saguindel together with super rookies Mark Anthony Borboran, Jorel Canizares, Bonbon, Elmer Espiritu, Kelvin Gregorio, James Martinez and Angelus 'Bogart' Raymundo worked tirelessly in the eliminations to keep them at the upper half of the standings.
What happened then? Where did they go wrong?
The team's inexperience did them in. Pressure caught up with them in the end. Their inability to deal with it in the homestretch is something the team should work on in the off-season. The rookies may not be your typical rookies as only a couple of them were actually fresh out of high school basketball, the rest were transferees from other schools and those taking their graduate studies in UE, so they're not exactly young. The reason probably is this being the UAAP where the games, level of play, competition, and atmosphere are so much different from the other collegiate leagues.
The players' mental and emotional maturity proved lethal to their cause. Shock and awe worked wonders not for them but against them. Sure, everybody enjoyed every slam, every block, every shot from the outside coming from them but when they do get intimidated, they get intimidated big time.
Adamson University Soaring Falcons, National University Bulldogs, the Maroons and the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers, they disposed of convincingly, sweeping them off in the eliminations. The Tams and Archers they beat once but the Eagles they weren't able to get past thrice this season.
It's interesting how this season's Final Four cast performed. UE never being able to beat ADMU in three games, ADMU wasn't able to pass the DLSU test three times and DLSU failing to score a win in all four games against FEU. UE no match to ADMU but ADMU no match to DLSU. UE beat DLSU in the first round. DLSU no match to FEU. UE won their second round game against FEU. ADMU escaped past FEU also in the second round. Interesting.
The UE Red Warriors lived up to the hype and managed a return trip to the Final Four. Coach Dindo Pumaren had hoped to place a notch higher at third but his boys failed to deliver. They did well at first then the collapse happened.
To say that they had a disappointing season would be an insult to the other four teams that didn't reach the semis but there really is no other word fit to describe it but that. They made the news by winning ten times, made even more news with the protests and still making news as to what happened to them, at least within the walls of UE.
As the UE community say goodbye to Earn, Bogart, Jerome Lapena, Jonathan Babilonia and Luis Palaganas, they're left with no other choice but hope next year will be better. Maybe it'll be theirs next time.
May the story of this season serve its purpose and be the motivating factor for the Warriors' return next year. A newspaper columnist even called them a "mere scheming gatecrasher the last couple years." It is for the Red Warriors to take the challenge. Change the plot.
As for me, I will continue to watch the games, support my school, win or lose, anemic game or not, spark or no spark, I'll be there. I'll just keep believing our time will come. Hopefully soon. And please, less controversial too.
Eyebrows were raised at the nine freshmen in the lineup this season. Last year's team a rookie team? Ha!
With only five holdovers from last season's team, the Warriors plunged into action right on opening day and lost as expected to powerhouse and this year's champions Far Eastern University Tamaraws. The Tams were simply too much for the Warriors' very young crew.
First big brush with the Big C, as in controversy, came shooting straight at them when the De La Salle University Green Archers placed their first round game that the Warriors won by a point, under protest. They cited non-calls on two supposedly goal-tending violations in the game but the University Athletic Association of the Philippines' technical committee dismissed it after deliberations.
They closed out the the first round of eliminations with a 5-2 win-loss record. The second loss dealt by the streaking Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles.
The second round they opened with a bang by beating the Tams and ending FEU's seven-game winning streak. A job not new to the Warriors as it was also them that halted the Eagles' 7-0 run last season.
The Eagles though was the biggest puzzle for UE as they lost again in their second round game.
Controversy came knocking at their door anew when the game against DLSU in the second round was again put under protest. But this time they did the protesting. They questioned the resetting of the game clock that gave the Archers time to score and tie the game that forced the overtime. DLSU won the game after the five-minute extension.
The protest as everybody knew by now, was upheld, the win awarded to UE then DLSU appealed, UAAP Board met, took the win back from UE and ordered a replay.
As if to say it wasn't done with UE yet, controversy again tried but failed to find residence in Recto, Manila. Rookie sensation Bonbon Custodio's eligibility to play in the league was questioned. Timing though wasn't perfect as there's a league policy that bars any team from questioning the eligibility of the players from the other teams after the first round of eliminations. Alas for the University of the Philippines' Fighting Maroons, who brought the issue to public consciousness, the Final Four door was again slammed shut with them outside, by no other than Bonbon and the Red Warriors.
But that was the last good thing to happen to the Red Warriors. Marcy Arellano, the 2004 Rookie of the Year, downed by dengue fever, missed the replay match against DLSU that cost them the twice-to-beat advantage. He likewise missed the playoff for third and evident in their Final Four game against the Tams that he hasn't got his rhythm back.
It went downhill for the Warriors since the replay match. They were running number two and three all season but failed to win the games that matter.
They had an amazing run. Unbelievable even. Sophomores Marcy and Earn Saguindel together with super rookies Mark Anthony Borboran, Jorel Canizares, Bonbon, Elmer Espiritu, Kelvin Gregorio, James Martinez and Angelus 'Bogart' Raymundo worked tirelessly in the eliminations to keep them at the upper half of the standings.
What happened then? Where did they go wrong?
The team's inexperience did them in. Pressure caught up with them in the end. Their inability to deal with it in the homestretch is something the team should work on in the off-season. The rookies may not be your typical rookies as only a couple of them were actually fresh out of high school basketball, the rest were transferees from other schools and those taking their graduate studies in UE, so they're not exactly young. The reason probably is this being the UAAP where the games, level of play, competition, and atmosphere are so much different from the other collegiate leagues.
The players' mental and emotional maturity proved lethal to their cause. Shock and awe worked wonders not for them but against them. Sure, everybody enjoyed every slam, every block, every shot from the outside coming from them but when they do get intimidated, they get intimidated big time.
Adamson University Soaring Falcons, National University Bulldogs, the Maroons and the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers, they disposed of convincingly, sweeping them off in the eliminations. The Tams and Archers they beat once but the Eagles they weren't able to get past thrice this season.
It's interesting how this season's Final Four cast performed. UE never being able to beat ADMU in three games, ADMU wasn't able to pass the DLSU test three times and DLSU failing to score a win in all four games against FEU. UE no match to ADMU but ADMU no match to DLSU. UE beat DLSU in the first round. DLSU no match to FEU. UE won their second round game against FEU. ADMU escaped past FEU also in the second round. Interesting.
The UE Red Warriors lived up to the hype and managed a return trip to the Final Four. Coach Dindo Pumaren had hoped to place a notch higher at third but his boys failed to deliver. They did well at first then the collapse happened.
To say that they had a disappointing season would be an insult to the other four teams that didn't reach the semis but there really is no other word fit to describe it but that. They made the news by winning ten times, made even more news with the protests and still making news as to what happened to them, at least within the walls of UE.
As the UE community say goodbye to Earn, Bogart, Jerome Lapena, Jonathan Babilonia and Luis Palaganas, they're left with no other choice but hope next year will be better. Maybe it'll be theirs next time.
May the story of this season serve its purpose and be the motivating factor for the Warriors' return next year. A newspaper columnist even called them a "mere scheming gatecrasher the last couple years." It is for the Red Warriors to take the challenge. Change the plot.
As for me, I will continue to watch the games, support my school, win or lose, anemic game or not, spark or no spark, I'll be there. I'll just keep believing our time will come. Hopefully soon. And please, less controversial too.
28 August 2005
[pinoyexchange.com] Game Analysis Thread: ADMU vs UE 08-27-05
Great game, Ateneo. Nice effort though from the Warriors, just wasn't enough.
I personally would like to apologize for whatever rude behavior UE students and fans displayed during and after the game. Even the words and ways used in this forum to express their views and opinions (this post included), my sincerest apologies to those who found (and will find) them offensive.
I know that many UE fans are guilty of improper decorum at times but please don't generalize. Some of us are dying of embarrassment every time such things happen.
Instinct tells you to fight back when you're under attack. We don't have so much compared to the other schools. We take pride in every little thing that happens to us, UE's 8 wins in the UAAP on top of the list. Frustration when you think you're doing so well can be really hard to deal with. And besides, we don't have the monopoly of inexcusable behavior. You think we're a bunch of morons, we think you're being arrogant. You say we don't have manners, by saying that what does that make you? List can go on. I didn't make an issue of being discriminated at back when I was still in school, I'm not about to start now that I've graduated.
Again I am sorry for we lack moral rectitude at times, I guess it's just life telling you people are really different. But we can also do Math, you know.
I personally would like to apologize for whatever rude behavior UE students and fans displayed during and after the game. Even the words and ways used in this forum to express their views and opinions (this post included), my sincerest apologies to those who found (and will find) them offensive.
I know that many UE fans are guilty of improper decorum at times but please don't generalize. Some of us are dying of embarrassment every time such things happen.
Instinct tells you to fight back when you're under attack. We don't have so much compared to the other schools. We take pride in every little thing that happens to us, UE's 8 wins in the UAAP on top of the list. Frustration when you think you're doing so well can be really hard to deal with. And besides, we don't have the monopoly of inexcusable behavior. You think we're a bunch of morons, we think you're being arrogant. You say we don't have manners, by saying that what does that make you? List can go on. I didn't make an issue of being discriminated at back when I was still in school, I'm not about to start now that I've graduated.
Again I am sorry for we lack moral rectitude at times, I guess it's just life telling you people are really different. But we can also do Math, you know.
06 August 2005
Confessions of a Reluctant Purefoods Fan
Six of 23. Way past my quota. I managed to watch six live games last conference. A far cry from the one the previous conference and the two in the transition tournament. Mind you, I paid for the four and another one for an extra ticket the last game.
I never did like watching the games live for various reasons.
I never did like watching the games live for various reasons.
First, I can't concentrate on the game. There's so much to see and hear when you're there. I usually lock myself in my room and watch alone every time Purefoods plays.
Second, I don't get to hear what the commentators are saying. Someone is not playing or someone gets hurt, I have no idea why and what really happened to them. They don't show halftime features either.
Third, I always have a problem finding someone to watch the games with. I'm not exactly friendless, it's just that basketball is as alien to my friends as Quidditch is to ordinary Muggles. But I do have a friend who watches the games with me whenever she can. Problem is, Purefoods always loses every single time she's with me. I don’t know why. Lastly, a patron ticket at the Araneta costs more than what my parents spent as matriculation fee for my entire high school education. Not a joke, you can check with my school.
But it's different now. I endured teasing and insults, some meaningfully and with great intentions to the downright hilarious from family and friends whenever I go out to watch a game. They were like, "Oh, there's still a PBA?" Forgive my cousin whose work prevents him from watching as much television as possible. He's not as normal as he used to be. Michael Jordan retired and he lost interest. Never was a fan of local basketball, that one.
But it's different now. I endured teasing and insults, some meaningfully and with great intentions to the downright hilarious from family and friends whenever I go out to watch a game. They were like, "Oh, there's still a PBA?" Forgive my cousin whose work prevents him from watching as much television as possible. He's not as normal as he used to be. Michael Jordan retired and he lost interest. Never was a fan of local basketball, that one.
"There’s actually someone like you watching the PBA games live, I mean aside from their families? Are you going out with a player now?" Duh. That was my lawyer-friend talking but that doesn't stop him from being an idiot. Nothing beats my mother who asked not just once (but twice…), "UAAP na ba?" Over the summer, hello?!
So what made me go out and leave the comforts of my room (and brave traffic too I should add) to go and watch the games live? Cheesy, yes, but I owe it to Team Purefoods, the Yahoo! group and the people there who welcomed me into their lives despite my ludicrous personality.
I never thought it would be possible. I have to admit it took me ages to decide to attend the first party and to agree to come watch the first game with everybody. I was still unsure whether to show up or not at the first game that I even let myself watch the first quarter at home then forced myself to leave the house at the start of the second. I came in time for the third quarter. Ha!
Friends or just mere acquaintances, it doesn't really matter at this point. Time is essential in building great relationships. Right now, I'm just plain glad I can watch the games without asking my not-so-lucky-friend to come along for someone I know is bound to be there watching the game. Enough with blackmails and dinner promises after just so I have someone to go with. Boyfriends are out of the question. Haven't been with someone who's also a Purefoods fan. Not fun watching when you have someone with you cheering for the other team. Though now the guilt factor is there when I didn't watch and they lost and my only excuse for not watching was that I didn't feel like going out.
War room at times, I have found friends in the group. So I'd like to thank them for luring me out my house to become a true Purefoods fan. I've been told it's not enough watching the games on television and being a member of the group, you have to be there physically to give support. I still don't agree with that but they have a point there somewhere.
To AP, Al, Alva, Arlyn, Au, Botchok, Buchay, Chandz, Chel, Clarie, Clarisse, Crysta, Crystal, Kuya D, Denise, Ella, Esther, Ge, Gerald, Ian, Kuya James, Jena, Jen, Jheza, Jordi, Kath, Kaye E, Kaye G, Kya, Lara, Murrei, Teya, Kring, Maris, Rose, Melissa, Migs, Yhame, Phoebs, Pie, Princess, Rhea, Mae, Aben, Roseanne, Ryan, Tin, Ting and Zinz; thanks for putting up with me. For texting uncontrollably and an always riotous atmosphere in the chatroom when I'm in the weirdest of moods. Have patience though, I'm here to stay.
To the Hotdogs, Eddie, James, Paul, Cap Rey, Rich, Tonyboy, and Papa Jun for being nice when I know it's not the easiest thing to do.
To Sir Pardo, who pressured me into watching the rubber match of the wild card playoffs last January and to Bossing Cap Alvin for picking up the phone that somehow added to the pressure. It could have been different if I didn't make that call when told to do so.
So we lost and got booted out thrice last season including the transition tournament. Semis dreams still a dream but there's more to life than winning. You just have to learn to appreciate the simple things in life. No major injuries, the team able to win games (it's better than not winning at all, you now), Kerby and James in the national training pool (James now engaged), no disbandment rumors, and personally, making friends with fellow fans.
A championship is a championship, who doesn't want one? But if it's not there yet, continue to hope and pray that everything falls into the right places for the team when the next season starts. And to an ordinary fan like me, it's not what the history books are saying that matters, it's the simple joy of seeing my favorite team on court playing the game we all love.
So what made me go out and leave the comforts of my room (and brave traffic too I should add) to go and watch the games live? Cheesy, yes, but I owe it to Team Purefoods, the Yahoo! group and the people there who welcomed me into their lives despite my ludicrous personality.
I never thought it would be possible. I have to admit it took me ages to decide to attend the first party and to agree to come watch the first game with everybody. I was still unsure whether to show up or not at the first game that I even let myself watch the first quarter at home then forced myself to leave the house at the start of the second. I came in time for the third quarter. Ha!
Friends or just mere acquaintances, it doesn't really matter at this point. Time is essential in building great relationships. Right now, I'm just plain glad I can watch the games without asking my not-so-lucky-friend to come along for someone I know is bound to be there watching the game. Enough with blackmails and dinner promises after just so I have someone to go with. Boyfriends are out of the question. Haven't been with someone who's also a Purefoods fan. Not fun watching when you have someone with you cheering for the other team. Though now the guilt factor is there when I didn't watch and they lost and my only excuse for not watching was that I didn't feel like going out.
War room at times, I have found friends in the group. So I'd like to thank them for luring me out my house to become a true Purefoods fan. I've been told it's not enough watching the games on television and being a member of the group, you have to be there physically to give support. I still don't agree with that but they have a point there somewhere.
To AP, Al, Alva, Arlyn, Au, Botchok, Buchay, Chandz, Chel, Clarie, Clarisse, Crysta, Crystal, Kuya D, Denise, Ella, Esther, Ge, Gerald, Ian, Kuya James, Jena, Jen, Jheza, Jordi, Kath, Kaye E, Kaye G, Kya, Lara, Murrei, Teya, Kring, Maris, Rose, Melissa, Migs, Yhame, Phoebs, Pie, Princess, Rhea, Mae, Aben, Roseanne, Ryan, Tin, Ting and Zinz; thanks for putting up with me. For texting uncontrollably and an always riotous atmosphere in the chatroom when I'm in the weirdest of moods. Have patience though, I'm here to stay.
To the Hotdogs, Eddie, James, Paul, Cap Rey, Rich, Tonyboy, and Papa Jun for being nice when I know it's not the easiest thing to do.
To Sir Pardo, who pressured me into watching the rubber match of the wild card playoffs last January and to Bossing Cap Alvin for picking up the phone that somehow added to the pressure. It could have been different if I didn't make that call when told to do so.
So we lost and got booted out thrice last season including the transition tournament. Semis dreams still a dream but there's more to life than winning. You just have to learn to appreciate the simple things in life. No major injuries, the team able to win games (it's better than not winning at all, you now), Kerby and James in the national training pool (James now engaged), no disbandment rumors, and personally, making friends with fellow fans.
A championship is a championship, who doesn't want one? But if it's not there yet, continue to hope and pray that everything falls into the right places for the team when the next season starts. And to an ordinary fan like me, it's not what the history books are saying that matters, it's the simple joy of seeing my favorite team on court playing the game we all love.
14 June 2005
Membership Perks
James Yap Yahoo Group Membership Privileges
Join This Group!
The moment you clicked on that box you are doomed, er, entitled to great things. Let me count the ways.
1. You become an official member of the group (of course, silly).
2. You get to interact with fellow James Yap fans and maybe even end up being friends with your co-members.
3. You get updated on what's happening with James and the team even if you didn't understand what Jason Webb, Dominic Uy, Eric Reyes and Peter Martin said in their reports.
4. You don't need to buy newspapers, magazines or visit their websites for news about James, Purefoods, the PBA, and Philippine basketball in general. Lots of good souls here who share them with us, thank you very much.
5. You start to realize (first time in your life you have been presented real proof) that people are so different from each other, you now stop wondering why the term "world peace" can win you crowns in beauty pageants.
6. You tend to be shocked at the words used by your co-members to emphasize their points. Really, people, forgot what they taught you in GMRC class?
7. You're torn between exasperation and disgust (well okay, pity) at Friendster, Myspace, hi5 and Ringo invitations sent to the whole group. (Ooh, you've got a lot of friends, great! So how do you know Dobby? What, you don't know who he is and you've got him in your list?! Whoa, this is a popularity contest!)
Same goes to forwarded e-mails that do nothing but clog your inbox.
8. You begin to accept that not everybody who has an e-mail account knows how to reply to e-mails. You just have to be patient, look for it in the middle, at the bottom of the page and sometimes replies come with the wrong replies. It will force you to ask yourself if it's just you or your computer, which is which?
9. If you haven't realized it yet, you have now, the group, the perfect example of what's wrong with our society. That you can always ridicule, malign, curse to oblivion, and insult a public figure (in our case, the players, the coaching staff, the management, James sometimes and the girls in his life) and be perfectly fine with it. But the moment you do the same thing to non-public figures (that means all of us here) it's like you've just committed the most heinous crime known to mankind.
And if you try to be clever by giving someone a dose of his own medicine, that someone will cry foul and tell the whole group how mean you are. C'mon, you reap what you sow, man!
9. Patience is a virtue. So they say. So if your co-members said something stupid, just grin and bear it. It's your choice you joined this group.
10. This may sum it all up, being a member of this group forced my gray matter working double time to answer a question that popped up on my mind the first week I'm a member here. Why do the members here hate every girl who gets involved with James?
Why indeed?
See, these are all but just few of the reasons why you are so lucky you are a member of this group. So just sit back and relax when you're reading your mails.
Important Rule:
There is nothing wrong with voicing your own opinion but everything comes with responsibility. Remember the golden rule. Treat others only in ways that you're willing to be treated in the same exact situation. And please, please don't speak about things you know nothing of.
Join This Group!
The moment you clicked on that box you are doomed, er, entitled to great things. Let me count the ways.
1. You become an official member of the group (of course, silly).
2. You get to interact with fellow James Yap fans and maybe even end up being friends with your co-members.
3. You get updated on what's happening with James and the team even if you didn't understand what Jason Webb, Dominic Uy, Eric Reyes and Peter Martin said in their reports.
4. You don't need to buy newspapers, magazines or visit their websites for news about James, Purefoods, the PBA, and Philippine basketball in general. Lots of good souls here who share them with us, thank you very much.
5. You start to realize (first time in your life you have been presented real proof) that people are so different from each other, you now stop wondering why the term "world peace" can win you crowns in beauty pageants.
6. You tend to be shocked at the words used by your co-members to emphasize their points. Really, people, forgot what they taught you in GMRC class?
7. You're torn between exasperation and disgust (well okay, pity) at Friendster, Myspace, hi5 and Ringo invitations sent to the whole group. (Ooh, you've got a lot of friends, great! So how do you know Dobby? What, you don't know who he is and you've got him in your list?! Whoa, this is a popularity contest!)
Same goes to forwarded e-mails that do nothing but clog your inbox.
8. You begin to accept that not everybody who has an e-mail account knows how to reply to e-mails. You just have to be patient, look for it in the middle, at the bottom of the page and sometimes replies come with the wrong replies. It will force you to ask yourself if it's just you or your computer, which is which?
9. If you haven't realized it yet, you have now, the group, the perfect example of what's wrong with our society. That you can always ridicule, malign, curse to oblivion, and insult a public figure (in our case, the players, the coaching staff, the management, James sometimes and the girls in his life) and be perfectly fine with it. But the moment you do the same thing to non-public figures (that means all of us here) it's like you've just committed the most heinous crime known to mankind.
And if you try to be clever by giving someone a dose of his own medicine, that someone will cry foul and tell the whole group how mean you are. C'mon, you reap what you sow, man!
9. Patience is a virtue. So they say. So if your co-members said something stupid, just grin and bear it. It's your choice you joined this group.
10. This may sum it all up, being a member of this group forced my gray matter working double time to answer a question that popped up on my mind the first week I'm a member here. Why do the members here hate every girl who gets involved with James?
Why indeed?
See, these are all but just few of the reasons why you are so lucky you are a member of this group. So just sit back and relax when you're reading your mails.
Important Rule:
There is nothing wrong with voicing your own opinion but everything comes with responsibility. Remember the golden rule. Treat others only in ways that you're willing to be treated in the same exact situation. And please, please don't speak about things you know nothing of.
27 May 2005
Membership Privileges
Team Purefoods Yahoo Group Membership Privileges
Join This Group!
The moment you clicked on that box you are doomed, er, entitled to great things. Let me count the ways.
1. You become an official member of the group (of course, silly).
2. You get to interact with fellow Purefoods fans (we had infiltrators before though) and maybe even end up being friends with your co-members.
3. You get updated on what's happening with the team aside from what you're seeing on television. You kinda know of new players suiting up even before Peter Martin and Jason Webb get wind of it.
4. You don't need to buy newspapers or visit their websites for news about the team, the PBA and Philippine basketball in general. We have an official news clipper, thank you very much.
5. Then you start to realize (first time in your life you have been presented real proof) that people are so different from each other, you now stop wondering why the term "world peace" can win you crowns in beauty pageants.
6. You tend to be shocked at the words used by your co-members to emphasize their points. Really, people, forgot what they taught you in GMRC class?
7. You're torn between exasperation and disgust (well okay, pity) at Friendster, Myspace, hi5 and Ringo invitations sent to the whole group. (Ooh, you've got a lot of friends, great! So how do you know Norbert? What, you don't know who he is and you've got him in your list?! Whoa, this is a popularity contest!)
8. If you haven't realized it yet, you have now, the group, the perfect example of what's wrong with our society. That you can always ridicule, malign, curse to oblivion, and insult a public figure (in our case, the players, the coaching staff and the management) and be perfectly fine with it. But the moment you do the same thing to non-public figures (that means all of us here) it's like you've just committed the most heinous crime known to mankind.
And if you try to be clever by giving someone a dose of his own medicine, that someone will cry foul and tell the whole group how mean you are. C'mon, you reap what you sow, man!
9. Oh then you get to know your regular irritation -- Little Miss Perfect, who made it her personal mission to defend whoever is the subject of much ridicule. Her battle cry: to right every wrong. By right, it means her idea of right. She calls the attention of members using bad words, corrects misspelled words and wrong grammar (Not all the time though. She does it only when she thinks your post is obviously lacking in moral rectitude. Meaning, she's doing it to shoot you back to earth and help you realize no one's perfect.) and chastises you when you aren't making any sense at all. She hates stupid comments, this girl (but who doesn't?).
She does go overboard at times, irascible when things aren't going the way she wanted it to be or when the other members can't get what she's trying to say. She's sarcastic most of the time but I do find her funny, don't you? She maybe tactless but I guess she just love Purefoods very much, she'll do everything for the team. Even if it meant making enemies out of supposed to be fellow Purefoods fans.
I just hate her when she does those read-between-the-lines posts, probably hoping she'll get our minds thinking really hard. I think it's her way of saying 'I'm smart, you're dumb, sorry if you've missed it.' Oh please, dunderhead I am not. But I won't give her the satisfaction of admitting I didn't get it.
Tip on how to deal with her, don't give her free ammunition to shoot you. Be careful on what you're posting because she's bound to see even the most minute detail.
10. This may sum it all up, being a member of this group forced my gray matter working double time to answer a question that popped up on my mind the first week I'm a member here. How can these people claim to love Purefoods when they clearly hate the Hotdogs?!
Why indeed?
See, these are all but just few of the reasons why you are so lucky you are a member of this group. So just sit back and relax when you're reading your mails. I love this group so much that when another existing group landed on my lap, I deleted it from Yahoo Groups and advised the members to join this one instead.
P.S.
Little Miss Perfect may wage a war at me for this but as I understand correctly, she value opinions even from hostile parties. Peace!
Join This Group!
The moment you clicked on that box you are doomed, er, entitled to great things. Let me count the ways.
1. You become an official member of the group (of course, silly).
2. You get to interact with fellow Purefoods fans (we had infiltrators before though) and maybe even end up being friends with your co-members.
3. You get updated on what's happening with the team aside from what you're seeing on television. You kinda know of new players suiting up even before Peter Martin and Jason Webb get wind of it.
4. You don't need to buy newspapers or visit their websites for news about the team, the PBA and Philippine basketball in general. We have an official news clipper, thank you very much.
5. Then you start to realize (first time in your life you have been presented real proof) that people are so different from each other, you now stop wondering why the term "world peace" can win you crowns in beauty pageants.
6. You tend to be shocked at the words used by your co-members to emphasize their points. Really, people, forgot what they taught you in GMRC class?
7. You're torn between exasperation and disgust (well okay, pity) at Friendster, Myspace, hi5 and Ringo invitations sent to the whole group. (Ooh, you've got a lot of friends, great! So how do you know Norbert? What, you don't know who he is and you've got him in your list?! Whoa, this is a popularity contest!)
8. If you haven't realized it yet, you have now, the group, the perfect example of what's wrong with our society. That you can always ridicule, malign, curse to oblivion, and insult a public figure (in our case, the players, the coaching staff and the management) and be perfectly fine with it. But the moment you do the same thing to non-public figures (that means all of us here) it's like you've just committed the most heinous crime known to mankind.
And if you try to be clever by giving someone a dose of his own medicine, that someone will cry foul and tell the whole group how mean you are. C'mon, you reap what you sow, man!
9. Oh then you get to know your regular irritation -- Little Miss Perfect, who made it her personal mission to defend whoever is the subject of much ridicule. Her battle cry: to right every wrong. By right, it means her idea of right. She calls the attention of members using bad words, corrects misspelled words and wrong grammar (Not all the time though. She does it only when she thinks your post is obviously lacking in moral rectitude. Meaning, she's doing it to shoot you back to earth and help you realize no one's perfect.) and chastises you when you aren't making any sense at all. She hates stupid comments, this girl (but who doesn't?).
She does go overboard at times, irascible when things aren't going the way she wanted it to be or when the other members can't get what she's trying to say. She's sarcastic most of the time but I do find her funny, don't you? She maybe tactless but I guess she just love Purefoods very much, she'll do everything for the team. Even if it meant making enemies out of supposed to be fellow Purefoods fans.
I just hate her when she does those read-between-the-lines posts, probably hoping she'll get our minds thinking really hard. I think it's her way of saying 'I'm smart, you're dumb, sorry if you've missed it.' Oh please, dunderhead I am not. But I won't give her the satisfaction of admitting I didn't get it.
Tip on how to deal with her, don't give her free ammunition to shoot you. Be careful on what you're posting because she's bound to see even the most minute detail.
10. This may sum it all up, being a member of this group forced my gray matter working double time to answer a question that popped up on my mind the first week I'm a member here. How can these people claim to love Purefoods when they clearly hate the Hotdogs?!
Why indeed?
See, these are all but just few of the reasons why you are so lucky you are a member of this group. So just sit back and relax when you're reading your mails. I love this group so much that when another existing group landed on my lap, I deleted it from Yahoo Groups and advised the members to join this one instead.
P.S.
Little Miss Perfect may wage a war at me for this but as I understand correctly, she value opinions even from hostile parties. Peace!
18 April 2005
James' Social Life
I've been sitting on this for a long time na. A part of me doesn't want to comment and let the issue die a natural death but recent posts made me decide I can't keep silent anymore.
I am not related to James and I can't boast of us being friends because we're not. We've seen each other on several occasions but until he calls me by my first name and not greet me by a generic greeting, I am still an ordinary fan.
I've only been here in this group for less than a year but I can safely say I know everything that has happened here kasi I reviewed all the messages since the group's birth. I understand that everything about James is our concern and whatever he does and says is our business but we ought to draw the line somewhere.
This is the first time and hopefully the last I will comment about James' love affairs. My heart goes out to Nina, Nina Ricci, Paula and Kris for they all got violent reactions from almost everybody here. Their supposed sin: wala lang naman, they got involved with James.
Nina, for they're not together anymore and she still gets maligned and ridiculed in this group. I've never met her, used to see her at the games before and all the talk here of her being panget is so not true. I do find her pretty. Whoever said she's not has a problem with insecurity and should consult a shrink. The issue just recently discussed here about her was FYI, old news. I just don't have the time to check who brought it up and resurrected the issue but the forum post quoted was two years old already. Please correct me if I'm wrong but I do remember reading that item when I was reviewing past messages here in this group. James was still in UE then, so how old would an issue be before you consider old?
Nina Ricci, for creating quite a stir and be labeled a flirt. She seems to have a good head on her shoulders and were able to come out unscathed before things get out of hand. Good for her.
Paula, for having her Friendster account gets checked out a hundred times a day and having been swamped with invitations just so people could confirm if she and James are indeed going out. I'm wishing her all the best and may people not find fault in her to avoid getting her name in their hate list. May she have the patience to put up with people all trying to befriend her all because she is James' new girl.
Kris, for yet adding another thousand to the growing number of people who hate her for being Kris Aquino. Whatever relationship they have at the moment, wala na po tayong pakialam doon. If they choose to hang out with each other, it's not for us to decide. We cannot choose for James and he is not obliged to ask our opinion on who he's going to be friends with. No matter what we think of Kris, if she and James are really good friends, there's nothing we can do. Hindi po sa ipinagtatanggol ko si Kris, I don't like her either. I used to like her but after the Joey brouhaha, I've given up on her. She's not perfect but so are we. James included. We may not like her for James but be reminded that there are always two sides to the coin. Showbiz people and the general public see James as an insect trying to ride on the phenomenon that is Kris. Kung hindi po natin s'ya gusto para kay James, hindi rin po nila gusto si James para kay Kris. Argue with me on the popularity issue but the glaring fact is, Kris is more popular than James. James become known only to the general public because he got linked to Kris (as my showbizzy friend would prove to me). Everybody knows Kris, there's no escaping her.
Madali po kasing magsalita ng kahit ano laban sa isang tao, ang mahirap ay tumingin sa salamin at itanong sa ating mga sarili kung may karapatan ba tayong magsalita ng masama laban sa kanila.
If you have things to say, na hindi po maganda about sa mga taong nasa paligid ni James, talk to your friends, in private, huwag po post sa buong group. They may have friends and relatives na member din dito and natural lang po na masaktan sila sa mababasa nila. Kung tayo po ang nasa kalagayan nila, maha-hurt din naman tayo, 'di ba?
Again, I would like to reiterate, it's not for us to decide who James see or date. We can only wish James the best of everything he gets himself into, that is, for him to be more successful in his basketball career and to find true happiness with regards to his personal life.
If you have any comments, reactions (negative or otherwise), feel free to e-mail me. Don't send it to the group, send it to me directly.
Good day everyone.
I am not related to James and I can't boast of us being friends because we're not. We've seen each other on several occasions but until he calls me by my first name and not greet me by a generic greeting, I am still an ordinary fan.
I've only been here in this group for less than a year but I can safely say I know everything that has happened here kasi I reviewed all the messages since the group's birth. I understand that everything about James is our concern and whatever he does and says is our business but we ought to draw the line somewhere.
This is the first time and hopefully the last I will comment about James' love affairs. My heart goes out to Nina, Nina Ricci, Paula and Kris for they all got violent reactions from almost everybody here. Their supposed sin: wala lang naman, they got involved with James.
Nina, for they're not together anymore and she still gets maligned and ridiculed in this group. I've never met her, used to see her at the games before and all the talk here of her being panget is so not true. I do find her pretty. Whoever said she's not has a problem with insecurity and should consult a shrink. The issue just recently discussed here about her was FYI, old news. I just don't have the time to check who brought it up and resurrected the issue but the forum post quoted was two years old already. Please correct me if I'm wrong but I do remember reading that item when I was reviewing past messages here in this group. James was still in UE then, so how old would an issue be before you consider old?
Nina Ricci, for creating quite a stir and be labeled a flirt. She seems to have a good head on her shoulders and were able to come out unscathed before things get out of hand. Good for her.
Paula, for having her Friendster account gets checked out a hundred times a day and having been swamped with invitations just so people could confirm if she and James are indeed going out. I'm wishing her all the best and may people not find fault in her to avoid getting her name in their hate list. May she have the patience to put up with people all trying to befriend her all because she is James' new girl.
Kris, for yet adding another thousand to the growing number of people who hate her for being Kris Aquino. Whatever relationship they have at the moment, wala na po tayong pakialam doon. If they choose to hang out with each other, it's not for us to decide. We cannot choose for James and he is not obliged to ask our opinion on who he's going to be friends with. No matter what we think of Kris, if she and James are really good friends, there's nothing we can do. Hindi po sa ipinagtatanggol ko si Kris, I don't like her either. I used to like her but after the Joey brouhaha, I've given up on her. She's not perfect but so are we. James included. We may not like her for James but be reminded that there are always two sides to the coin. Showbiz people and the general public see James as an insect trying to ride on the phenomenon that is Kris. Kung hindi po natin s'ya gusto para kay James, hindi rin po nila gusto si James para kay Kris. Argue with me on the popularity issue but the glaring fact is, Kris is more popular than James. James become known only to the general public because he got linked to Kris (as my showbizzy friend would prove to me). Everybody knows Kris, there's no escaping her.
Madali po kasing magsalita ng kahit ano laban sa isang tao, ang mahirap ay tumingin sa salamin at itanong sa ating mga sarili kung may karapatan ba tayong magsalita ng masama laban sa kanila.
If you have things to say, na hindi po maganda about sa mga taong nasa paligid ni James, talk to your friends, in private, huwag po post sa buong group. They may have friends and relatives na member din dito and natural lang po na masaktan sila sa mababasa nila. Kung tayo po ang nasa kalagayan nila, maha-hurt din naman tayo, 'di ba?
Again, I would like to reiterate, it's not for us to decide who James see or date. We can only wish James the best of everything he gets himself into, that is, for him to be more successful in his basketball career and to find true happiness with regards to his personal life.
If you have any comments, reactions (negative or otherwise), feel free to e-mail me. Don't send it to the group, send it to me directly.
Good day everyone.
27 January 2005
So Close
Almost but not quite. A major overhaul but still not enough. For now.
The Purefoods Tender Juicy Hotdogs once again failed to make it to the promised land but not without leaving a mark in the ongoing PBA Gran Matador Philippine Cup.
Surprise everyone they did. From a woeful Fiesta Conference 4-14 win-loss record, they went 12 of 24 this conference. Not really bad for a team continuously hobbled by injuries, rocked by trades (done deals or just plain rumours), the search for a legitimate center still being a dream, and a suffocating playoff schedules, they bowed out of the conference with a lot of promise. Down but not out, and straight to the hearts of their fans and basketball aficionados in and out of the country. The killer schedule is enough to deserve a standing ovation.
Nobody gave them a second look at the start of the tournament. On paper one of the most talented teams in the Philippine Basketball Association. They have a superstar lineup, each player a star in his own right - MVPs from amateur and other leagues, but just couldn't get their act together as a team. Until this conference.
It has been a roller-coaster ride for them. The past three months a testament of the team's hard work and resiliency. They might have gone to battle undermanned but they never gave up without a fight.
The preparation
Amidst the busy schedule of the Hotdogs, from personal appearances for the company and the league itself, there are a lot of changes within the organization during the off-season.
UAAP and PBL champion coach Enrico 'Koy' Banal joined the team immediately after the transitional Fiesta Conference. A big boost for the ball club as he joined head coach Paul Ryan Gregorio and Ronald Magsanoc as an assistant coach. He even brought along Eric Gonzales, his long time assistant in his previous head coaching jobs.
They joined Red Bull Thunder as the PBA representatives in the Sultan Cup Invitationals in Brunei. The tournament was a disaster by leaps and bounds but a good experience for the team nonetheless. It was a great bonding session, the coaching staff announced after the disappointing stint.
The tune-up games went well and good. They managed to win games, even had a game that ended in a draw against powerhouse Talk 'N Text Phone Pals.
Mike Hrabak came in off a trade with Ervin Sotto to Shell Turbo Chargers. Team captain Alvin Patrimonio was named playing assistant coach. Zaldy Realubit joined the team to fill the void in the middle. He was pulled out of the touring SMC All-Stars.
Games begin
The Hotdogs shocked Fiesta Conference champions Barangay Ginebra Kings in their first game. They pulled the rug on the Coca-Cola Tigers with a two-point win. They created quite a stir since they've never went 2-0 since the 2002 Governor's Cup.
Playing assistant coach Patrimonio was appointed Team Manager replacing Ed Cordero who joined Eric Altamirano in the SMC All-Stars as Deputy Project Manager. It was the first time in the history of the league to have a playing team manager.
They suffered back-to-back losses after the back-to-back wins prompting new believers to think twice and back off.
Tonyboy Espinosa came aboard to replace an injured Gilbert Demape. They pulled a squeaker over the Alaska Aces in a game filled with lots of action and drama in and outside the playing court. Peter June Simon was the hero of that game but the bigger news was that Patrimonio missed his first game in over a decade.
Patrimonio now holds the record of having played 596 straight games. The last time he was out was when he was forced to sit out a game due to a deep cut in the forehead some 12 years ago.
It was a see-saw battle from then on for the team. Then Patrimonio closed the first round of eliminations by announcing on his birthday his retirement from active playing.
Purefoods fan or not, people have been touched one way or another by the person that is Alvin Patrimonio. He retired after 16 years of playing in the pros, four MVPs and countless other awards and records to his name. What makes his retirement so special was the fact that he didn't play for any other team but Purefoods. That only is an achievement in itself.
The PBA gave a special tribute to the man before the team's last elimination assignment shortly before Christmas and luckily they closed the year with a win.
The playoffs
The Hotdogs finished the eliminations tied at number four with the Alaska Aces and the San Miguel Beerman but went down to number six due to an inferior quotient.
Facing the Coca-Cola Tigers in the wild card phase of the eliminations, it was easy at first glance since Coke has never beaten them prior to the series. The first win was a breeze but the Tigers came back in Game 2 to extend the series. And the killer schedule took off.
After beating Coke in their best-of-three series, then came another best-of-three with the Shell Turbo Chargers that kicked off a day after the rubber match with Coke. Tired and weary, the Hotdogs lost the first game but came recharged and hot to win the second one. They managed to extend the series to a winner-take-all but even the most energetic athlete needs rest after a big game. One cannot deny the fact that they were very tired. At least their bodies were. Had they won their second playoffs, the third one was supposed to start the day after the last one ended. PBA schedule out to prove what?
Moving on
"Our goal is to finish in the middle of the pack for the moment. This is only our first year of rebuilding and the players are still trying to master our system." That was what Coach Ryan said before the start of the conference.
"But true to the Purefoods tradition, we'll keep on fighting and hopefully better things will follow."
He might have seen the future.
This is the Hotdogs' best conference ever since they won the championship in the 2002 Governor's Cup. They finished dead last last conference. They reached the quarterfinals and missed the semifinals by a hairline. The difference is too big to ignore. The rebuilding process is slowly producing results and was evident throughout the conference.
They will be a force to reckon with in the second conference, provided they get an import who will complement their game style. It will be another time for adjustments but with the way things are going, they will have an easier time dealing with it. The local players also need to be more consistent, improve their free throw shooting, learn to keep their emotions in check, know that rebounds is a basketball term and therefore part of the game, and continue to believe in themselves. Most importantly, hope that playoff schedules come in player-friendly packages.
Winning 12 out of 24 games this conference may not be enough to convince even their own fans and may be too shallow an achievement to some but still, it’s better than 4-14.
The road back to greatness may be long and rough but the TJ Hotdogs are slowly but surely getting there.
The Purefoods Tender Juicy Hotdogs once again failed to make it to the promised land but not without leaving a mark in the ongoing PBA Gran Matador Philippine Cup.
Surprise everyone they did. From a woeful Fiesta Conference 4-14 win-loss record, they went 12 of 24 this conference. Not really bad for a team continuously hobbled by injuries, rocked by trades (done deals or just plain rumours), the search for a legitimate center still being a dream, and a suffocating playoff schedules, they bowed out of the conference with a lot of promise. Down but not out, and straight to the hearts of their fans and basketball aficionados in and out of the country. The killer schedule is enough to deserve a standing ovation.
Nobody gave them a second look at the start of the tournament. On paper one of the most talented teams in the Philippine Basketball Association. They have a superstar lineup, each player a star in his own right - MVPs from amateur and other leagues, but just couldn't get their act together as a team. Until this conference.
It has been a roller-coaster ride for them. The past three months a testament of the team's hard work and resiliency. They might have gone to battle undermanned but they never gave up without a fight.
The preparation
Amidst the busy schedule of the Hotdogs, from personal appearances for the company and the league itself, there are a lot of changes within the organization during the off-season.
UAAP and PBL champion coach Enrico 'Koy' Banal joined the team immediately after the transitional Fiesta Conference. A big boost for the ball club as he joined head coach Paul Ryan Gregorio and Ronald Magsanoc as an assistant coach. He even brought along Eric Gonzales, his long time assistant in his previous head coaching jobs.
They joined Red Bull Thunder as the PBA representatives in the Sultan Cup Invitationals in Brunei. The tournament was a disaster by leaps and bounds but a good experience for the team nonetheless. It was a great bonding session, the coaching staff announced after the disappointing stint.
The tune-up games went well and good. They managed to win games, even had a game that ended in a draw against powerhouse Talk 'N Text Phone Pals.
Mike Hrabak came in off a trade with Ervin Sotto to Shell Turbo Chargers. Team captain Alvin Patrimonio was named playing assistant coach. Zaldy Realubit joined the team to fill the void in the middle. He was pulled out of the touring SMC All-Stars.
Games begin
The Hotdogs shocked Fiesta Conference champions Barangay Ginebra Kings in their first game. They pulled the rug on the Coca-Cola Tigers with a two-point win. They created quite a stir since they've never went 2-0 since the 2002 Governor's Cup.
Playing assistant coach Patrimonio was appointed Team Manager replacing Ed Cordero who joined Eric Altamirano in the SMC All-Stars as Deputy Project Manager. It was the first time in the history of the league to have a playing team manager.
They suffered back-to-back losses after the back-to-back wins prompting new believers to think twice and back off.
Tonyboy Espinosa came aboard to replace an injured Gilbert Demape. They pulled a squeaker over the Alaska Aces in a game filled with lots of action and drama in and outside the playing court. Peter June Simon was the hero of that game but the bigger news was that Patrimonio missed his first game in over a decade.
Patrimonio now holds the record of having played 596 straight games. The last time he was out was when he was forced to sit out a game due to a deep cut in the forehead some 12 years ago.
It was a see-saw battle from then on for the team. Then Patrimonio closed the first round of eliminations by announcing on his birthday his retirement from active playing.
Purefoods fan or not, people have been touched one way or another by the person that is Alvin Patrimonio. He retired after 16 years of playing in the pros, four MVPs and countless other awards and records to his name. What makes his retirement so special was the fact that he didn't play for any other team but Purefoods. That only is an achievement in itself.
The PBA gave a special tribute to the man before the team's last elimination assignment shortly before Christmas and luckily they closed the year with a win.
The playoffs
The Hotdogs finished the eliminations tied at number four with the Alaska Aces and the San Miguel Beerman but went down to number six due to an inferior quotient.
Facing the Coca-Cola Tigers in the wild card phase of the eliminations, it was easy at first glance since Coke has never beaten them prior to the series. The first win was a breeze but the Tigers came back in Game 2 to extend the series. And the killer schedule took off.
After beating Coke in their best-of-three series, then came another best-of-three with the Shell Turbo Chargers that kicked off a day after the rubber match with Coke. Tired and weary, the Hotdogs lost the first game but came recharged and hot to win the second one. They managed to extend the series to a winner-take-all but even the most energetic athlete needs rest after a big game. One cannot deny the fact that they were very tired. At least their bodies were. Had they won their second playoffs, the third one was supposed to start the day after the last one ended. PBA schedule out to prove what?
Moving on
"Our goal is to finish in the middle of the pack for the moment. This is only our first year of rebuilding and the players are still trying to master our system." That was what Coach Ryan said before the start of the conference.
"But true to the Purefoods tradition, we'll keep on fighting and hopefully better things will follow."
He might have seen the future.
This is the Hotdogs' best conference ever since they won the championship in the 2002 Governor's Cup. They finished dead last last conference. They reached the quarterfinals and missed the semifinals by a hairline. The difference is too big to ignore. The rebuilding process is slowly producing results and was evident throughout the conference.
They will be a force to reckon with in the second conference, provided they get an import who will complement their game style. It will be another time for adjustments but with the way things are going, they will have an easier time dealing with it. The local players also need to be more consistent, improve their free throw shooting, learn to keep their emotions in check, know that rebounds is a basketball term and therefore part of the game, and continue to believe in themselves. Most importantly, hope that playoff schedules come in player-friendly packages.
Winning 12 out of 24 games this conference may not be enough to convince even their own fans and may be too shallow an achievement to some but still, it’s better than 4-14.
The road back to greatness may be long and rough but the TJ Hotdogs are slowly but surely getting there.
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