Pinoy Basketball Fan

Maybe basketball lovers were all glued to the PBA games because of their eagerness to see who’s the team that improved the most after almost two months of vacation (except of course Sta. Lucia and Purefoods). And maybe we all know which teams won Air21 won against Welcoat in the first game, 105-96. In the second game, Red Bull ousted Ginebra 89-83. Ginebra lead most of the 2nd quarter and 3rd quarter but Red Bull made a big turnaround 3 minutes before the final buzzer when they took the lead, 82-81.

Here are my courtside observations:

-Both Sunday Salvacion and Junthy Valenzuela didn’t play for Ginebra and Red Bull respectively. I smell they will be traded na talaga. What will those Ginebra fans who call Valenzuela a “Diego” say this time?

-Let me correct myself for saying some days ago that Macky Escalona moved to Welcoat. Apparently not. He suited up for the GinKings.

-Welcoat’s import Jason Keep who happens to be an Alex Crisano look-a-like isn’t worth keeping. No offense meant but it seems parang ayaw manalo ng Welcoat. They let Coach Leo Austria resign, they traded experienced Nic Belasco to a young Mark Isip? (where’s the match up?) and they got an import who displayed a mediocre performance debut. And overall, they have a non-impressive line up. Again, no offense meant. Why don’t they let Estong Ballesteros play?

-May asim pa si Victor Pablo. He scored 6 points last night against Red Bull. I think his three shots were all in the perimeter. Welcome back then!

-JC Intal is missed. If I heard it from JC correctly, it’s his allergy that will sideline him. I hope he gets better really soon! Oh and by the way, Mike Holper underwent ACL operation. That’d mean 6 months or so of rest.

-For the people who were there in Araneta, did you see that guy behind the Air21 and Ginebra goal? I do not know if I’d laugh at him or be concerned. He definitely caught everyone’s attention.

He’s definitely one of the most good looking ballers to play for the PBA. Why not when he really works hard for his good looks, add to that the wonders of genetics. I was surprised to see him recently donning this shoulder length hair, with that trademark metrosexual fashion statement he’s known for. I asked him what keeps him busy, he says he has this business which has something to do with sound and entertainment equipment used for gigs and other functions. I am not sure if he really wants to do a basketball comeback. One thing is for sure, he seems to be enjoying his craft at the moment.

The Port Masters remain unbeaten after displaying awesome shooting performance in the second quarter of their match against Pharex 99-77. Gilbert Malabanan scored 10 of his 14 points in the second quarter, backed by Jason Castro’s contribution of 10 points and 9 rebounds.

In the second game, got it’s second consecutive win through a victory over Noosa Shoes 85-74. RJ Jazul was the best player of the game with 19 points. The entry of Japs Cuan and Jazul made quite an impact to the team, as Toyota’s got legit guards which they seemed to lack in the early part of the first round elimination.

Games Tuesday
(Rizal Memorial Coliseum)
2 p.m. – Toyota Otis vs Bacchus
4 p.m. – Harbour Centre vs Burger King

I don’t have an idea if yesterday’s out of town game was televised because I was out the whole day. Much more that i don’t know who won the game. Since the results are not up on the PBA website, I texted Ronjay Buenafe but he didn’t answer back immediately. His reply came after I called Gec Chia around 9 pm, and Mr. former blue eagle said they lost the game.

No final scores yet so please bear with me. I asked Gec that question but he didn’t remember what the score was.

Okay, I admit it, I felt like I wanted to stop watching the games of the UE Red Warriors when my friends went to play for the professional league. But on the second thought,2004 UAAP Rookie of the Year Marcy was there to impress the fans with his skills. Some facts: he’s now 21 and will be celebrating his birthday this May. He’s got one more year of being eligible to play for the Recto-based university in the UAAP. His brother Gino also plays for UE, though I’m not 100% sure if he’s in the second roster.

Marcy’s mom, whom I call Mommy Beth is a plain housewife and his father currently works in Korea. Hopefully he can play for the PBA as soon as he ends his UAAP stint. That’s going to be an answered prayer for him, his family and those who love him.

Maybe we’re all still in that recovery process from these surprise trades going on 2 days before the second conference. We can probably take a breather.

we all know basketball players have a lot of perks. They are highly paid, they’re fit and they get to do what they love doing . For me, another bonus they have is they get to have the loveliest wife or girlfriend around. Don’t you find them too lucky? Here’s a few of what I’m talking about, Adonis Sta. Maria, Bader Malabes, Cesar Catli, Ken Bono, Mark Macapagal and Ty Tang.

I visited Moro Lorenzo the other day and I thought I would catch Coca Cola’s regular practice. Which I did. What I didn’t realize, there was a trade going on na pala. I was told Ginebra’s Macapagal would now be playing for Coca Cola and Escalona will suit up a Welcoat jersey starting today. Thanks to the Ginebra Online for this info. What we’re still trying to confirm is who are the other players involved. I heard it also involves Wilson and Tolomia. One thing is certain, the 2 Macs of the Gin Kings will be playing for different teams in the upcoming Smart Fiesta Cup.

I called MC Caceres of Coke to confirm, yeah, Macapagal started practising for Coke. Then I called Willie Wilson to ask if he’s traded, he said No. But Chester Tolomia practised for Magnolia already. Maybe we hafta wait for further news.

Wesley Gonzales- injured?

While I was there, I spotted Wesley. He went out of the therepy stuffy center in Moro wearing this foot brace or whichever was that. Then he jokingly said that he just wanted to skip practice. In the end, I wasn’t really sure what happened. Lolz

Marc Pingris - Enrico Villanueva swapped

As of this writing, it looks like Marc Pingris and Enrico Villanueva were swapped by their respective teams. According to Purefoods team manager Rene Pardo, the trade was influenced by Rommel Adducul’s diagnosis of stage 2 nasal pharynx cancer. Adducul won’t be able to play for the rest of the conference. Let’s all pray for Rommel. We’ll try to reach Tito Ed Ponceja, Rommel’s manager for comments.

Emmanuel Boybits Victoria started playing for the Swift in 1994. But the team has already changed its name to Sunkist Orange Juicers when I knew him personally. He’s certainly one of the most approachable PBA stars I knew. That was 1996. Fast forward 2008, he plays as Coca Cola’s assistant to Coach Binky Favis.

For PBA fans who frequent the game venues, they prolly know Ate Dorie as Boybits’ very loyal fan. She invited us for a lunch with Coach Boybits in time for her birthday. We asked her some questions.

PBF: How did the two of you meet?
Ate Dorie: Nagta-trabaho ako noon kay Nap Gutierrez. Ako yung taga hila ng player na mag guest sa show niya. Isang araw may dumating na player sa office, siya pala si Boybits, na tinutulungan ni Nap nung nasa San Beda pa si Boy (that’s how she calls Boybits). Yun, sinabi ko kay Nap na fan ako ni Boy, dun nagsimula yun.

PBF: Paano kayo naging close sa isa’t isa?
Ate Dorie: Dahil sobrang bait niya, palagi pa nang-aakbay. Palagi ako pumupunta sa practice nila.

PBF: What are the qualities ni Boybits na gusto mo?
Ate DOrie: Hindi siya mayabang. May isang pagkakataon, nung buo na yung fans club, tapos palagi sa Finals yung Swift, we thought of making him a banner. Tapos tinanong namin siya kung ano ang monicker na gusto niya, he said huwag na lang daw. Ok na yung name ng fans club na lang ang ilagay sa banner.

PBF: What’s your memorable moment with Boybits?
Ate Dorie: Kapag anniversary ng fans club, siya yung nagpapa cater, tapos pag birthday ko at birthday niya (Boybits- May 9), ganun din, siya ang bahala.

PBF: How do you see your relationship with Boybits some years from now?
Ate Dorie: Hangga’t buhay pa ako, kahit hindi na siya basketball player, I’ll continue supporting him, kasi alam ko ganun din siya sa akin.

Talking about loyalty! These pictures were taken during the 1990’s.

PBL News
by JP Abcede
Harbour Centre ran down Hapee Toothpaste, 88-69, in the continuation of the 2008 PBL Lipovitan Amino Sports Cup at The Arena. Batang Pier led by as much as 26 in the game. Jonathan Fernandez topscored with 22 points on 6/9 three-point shooting. Harbour Centre remains undefeated.
Meanwhile, Toyota Otis had its first win, defeating San Mig Coffe, 92-86. Chito Jaime had a double-double of 17 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Sparks.

Sam Ekwe to join RP Team in Seaba
by Admin
San Beda Red Lions star Sam Ekwe will be joining the Harbour-RP team to compete in the SEABA tournament in Jakarta, Indonesia which starts on April 3. He is the only addition to the team that won the Gold medal in the 2007 SEA games. Unlike last year, no import would play for the team lead by Jason Castro, TY Tang and Solomon Mercado. Harbour-RP team won the title last year with Julius Nwosu and Vidal Massiah as reinforced imports.

Paul Artadi, Kid Lightning. I never quite expected that he’ll have this cute but striking monicker to bear. I’ve known him since his Absolute days in the PBL. How time flies so fast that he’s now married to an equally cutie Maggie Perez. FYI, Maggie’s the lady in red you see on BPI billboards along the streets of Metro Manila.

Luckily I was able to attend their wedding ceremonies last Feb 16 at Sofitel Hotel.