The UAAP Coaches

Got this picture from a friend. Not so sure what year this was taken. But it was about the time when Coach Norman Black (2nd row, middle) was coaching the San Miguel Beermen, while Franz Pumaren is one of the team's point guards (3rd from right). Magkasama pa sila sa San Miguel, my all-time favorite team sa PBA! Si Coach Norman has always been my all-time favorite coach. At ang all-time favorite player? Sorry, hindi yun si Franz Pumaren! 

Medyo huli na ang post na ito. Natapos na ang usaping Black vs. Pumaren sa UAAP, at alam na natin kung sino ang wagi, at sino ang sawi! It was just great to find this picture again.

Hector Calma forever!

Ateneo-La Salle Game 2 Finals

Prayer of a Sportsman

Dear Lord, in the battle that goes on through life
I ask but a field that is fair,
A chance that is equal with all in the strife,
A courage to strive and to dare;

And if should win, let it be by the code
With my faith and my honor held high;
And if I should lose, let me stand by the road,
And cheer as the winners go by.

And Lord, may my shouts be ungrudging and clear,
A tribute that comes from the heart,
And let me not cherish a snarl or a sneer
Or play any sniveling part;

Let me say, “There they ride, on whom laurel’s bestowed
Since they played the game better than I.”
Let me stand with a smile by the side of the road,
And cheer as the winners go by.

So grant me to conquer, if conquer I can,
By proving my worth in the fray,
But teach me to lose like a regular man,
And not like a craven, I pray;

Let me take off my hat to the warriors who strode
To victory splendid and high,
Yea, teach me to stand by the side of the road
And cheer as the winners go by.

-Berton Braley

===

I read in one of the posts in Multiply that losing with character and poise is as important as winning with honor" --- Ateneo has a lot to teach La Sallites and not just how to play good basketball. Very interesting. Despite heartbreaking losses of past seasons, Ateneo has been poised even in defeat. I remember that from the Game 3 of Season 69, when JC, Macky and Doug thanked the Ateneo supporters in Araneta despite losing to UST. In contrast to Pumaren when all he could do was to blame officiating and saying that the finals was a script. Sorry, a lot of people don't buy this!

And to the Blue Eagles, what a season it has been! Biggest thanks to Rabeh Al-Hussaini, Bacon Austria, Nonoy Baclao, Mike Baldos, Ryan Buenafe, Vince Burke, Justin Chua, Yuri Escueta, Tonino Gonzaga, Kirk Long, Jobe Nkemakolam, Jai Reyes, Eric Salamat, Nico Salva, Chris Sumalinog, Chris Tiu, coach Norman Black, and everyone who made this championship possible. It has been a memorable season and championship! Congratulations! Bonfire na!!!

Related articles:

PDI

Manila Bulletin 1

Manila Bulletin 2

UAAP Awards

Lumabas na ang balita tungkol sa mga UAAP awardees sa artikulong ito mula sa Inquirer.

MVP: Rabeh Al-Hussaini (Ateneo)

Mythical 5:
Rabeh Al-Hussaini (Ateneo)
Jervy Cruz (UST)
Rico Maierhofer (DLSU)
Chris Tiu (Ateneo)
JV Casio (DLSU)

Rookie of the Year: Ryan Buenafe (Ateneo)

Sa Huwebes magaganap ang awarding ceremony. Sana kasabay na rin nito ang awarding sa CHAMPIONSHIP!

Ateneo vs. La Salle Game 1 Finals

Di na ako nag-abala pang bumili ng tickets at nanood na lamang sa Moro Lorenzo Sports Complex ng laro, kasama ng mga kapwa Atenista.

Masaya ako na nanalo ang Blue Eagles sa unang laban sa finals. gRabeh ang nilaro ni Rabeh Al-Hussaini, ang sentro at isa sa mga nangungunang kandidato para sa Most Valuable Player Award. Ang kanyang 31 puntos ay naglagay sa kanya sa record books bilang player na nagtala ng pinakamalaking puntos sa isang finals game.

Maganda rin ang nilaro ni Baclao. Ang 7 shot blocks ay marami para sa isang laro. Humuhusay si Nonoy sa pagiging isang defensive player. At lumalabas na rin ang kanyang 'angas'. Minsan naman kelangan ang angas para maipakita sa kalaban na seryoso ka sa laro at gusto mong manalo.

Nabawasan ang playing minutes ng Team Captain na si Chris Tiu dahil sa foul trouble, kaya rin nadagdagan ang playing minutes ni Rabeh.

Magaling ang depensa ng Ateneo ngunit hindi masyadong maganda na nagtala ang Ateneo ng maraming turnovers. Buti na nga lang magaling ang depensa at hindi nakapuntos ang La Salle.

As usual gRabeh ang aking sigaw at pagka-hyper ko kahapon, lalo na tuwing nakakapuntos is Rabeh. Sobra akong natuwa sa pinakita niyang emotions. Kitang-kita sa kanya ang kagustuhang manalo para sa Ateneo community. Nagkaroon sya ng interview kamakailan lang, na maaaring magpaliwanag sa kanyang gumagaling na performance sa UAAP. Ang interview ay makikita rito.

At ang block at sigaw (mukhang sigaw kasi sa TV) kay Rico Maierhoffer... wala akong masabi. Ito ang angas!

Sa pagtatapos ng blog entry na ito, nais kong ibahagi ang nabasa kong nakatutuwang talata. Ito ay mula rito.

Yuri-ka! Salamat at after a long wait nasa cham-tiu-nship ulit ang Ateneo. This season is a really big rabeh-lation. Good job-e Blue Eagles. Bombahin nyo ang oping-sa ng La Salle with a jai-namite. Baldos-er their defense, always block-lao their shots, and continue zig-zags-ging to create fast burke points. Justin time for them to be black-ed out. Lets see if makaka-salva pa sila.

Phew..I think I'm going to have a buenafever because of all this heat. So bring home the bacon guys.

Dalawang araw pa at game 2 na. Tapusin na natin ito! OBF!