I don’t mind offering yet another paean in honor of Manny Pacquiao as other journalists and bloggers have had to do in the last 24 hours. Manny deserves this thunderous stampede of worldwide acclaim. You’ve probably read all the exultations by now. He was masterful. He was impressive. He was untouchable. He was a Greek God incarnate in the middle of the boxing ring.

A group of fans watching the fight in Mandalay Bay got it absolutely right when they flashed posters glorifying Pacquiao’s conquest of Mexican heroes by placing crosses across the names of Barrera, Morales, Marquez, Diaz and posting the question in bold, black letters: Is There No One Else? Read the rest of this entry »

Aside from what can be read in dailies, is it just me, or is the hype for this Sunday’s Pacquiao-Diaz tiff non existent? If anything, the country is currently taking a serious beating, and there are just a lot of more important things to worry about.

I still remember in 2006 when we had to stalk Manny at ABS-CBN for the cover photo of Men’s Health’s July issue. Whereas, a normal cover shoot would take around 3-4 hours. He gave us literally 45-60 seconds to do our thing. If Mommy Rose Flaminiano (Yes, the movie producer who produced his life story) hadn’t intervened, we wouldn’t have been able to take his photo at all.

Like any modern day hero, Manny’s influence is felt even outside the boxing ring.

He is able to pick up the ladies at clubs with relative ease.

He makes 30-minute end-to-end drives of Edsa possible.

Kidding aside, Manny’s fists have the capability to uplift the spirits of the Filipino people. We’ve seen this time and again, and I don’t think people will ever grow tired of it. Though he still has a lot of good years ahead of him, I can only wish that no Filipino ever has to see him kiss the canvas.

All I know is once Manny steps inside the ring on Sunday morning, I will be cheering with the millions of Filipinos around the world. Despite all the distractions, let’s all hope and pray that our beloved Pacman is able to unleash a flurry stronger than a thousand Franks.

The timing of this bout couldn’t have been more perfect.

Once the official United States roster for the Beijing Olympics was released to the media, with NBA Most Valuable Player Kobe Bryant and NBA scoring king Lebron James atop the list, nerves of American basketball fans were frazzled anew. There was a time Americans were excited, not anxious, to watch their NBA and NCAA stars compete in the Summer Games. That was then. This is now. The NBA is where Amazing happens. The Olympics is where International Basketball happens.

Let’s face it. Part of the reason fans were so hard on Pau Gasol in the recent NBA Finals wasn’t so much because of his perceived frailty in the trenches as it was his international success in using that same damn finesse style. For fans used to the bump-and-grind-post-up-pick-and-roll-ball-screen-powered NBA, Gasol was bewildering. The-premium-isn’t-power-but-positioning dictum of international basketball is just as frustrating. Until the Americans reclaim the Olympic Gold Medal, international hoops, for them, remains an enigma. Read the rest of this entry »

I didn’t realize Tiger Woods was playing on such a bum leg in the U.S. Open until late Thursday afternoon last week, when I read he’s shutting it down for the year to have season-ending surgery on his left knee. I knew he just got back from some sort of medical hiatus (a knee arthroscopy in April), but a torn ligament and two stress fractures are pretty serious injuries. There are even rumors that things may be far worse than what his camp is letting us in on. But what amazes me was his resilience in continuing to compete - and win, even. It was like Barbaro still trying to run after breaking a leg in 20 places, but managing to finish the race in front. It’s incredible. It’s why he’s the greatest athlete of the modern era.

But how come I’m not hearing any stories recently of Filipino athletes doing the same? Are the incentives too small for us to create inspiring feats of individual courage and resolve to achieve things? Is it because we are wired differently? I’ll be keeping my eyes open for something similar but a little bit more local. To sports fans like us, seeing athletes go at it with fierce competitiveness and play through pain is not just entertaining to watch, but it encourages us with the ideal that with much perseverance comes great fulfillment, whether in success or self-worth.

Now that the ruckus that is the NBA Finals is over (Like Mico, I’m a Laker fan obviously), I can finally go back to my good ol’ Philippine Basketball Association. Not that I didn’t bother following the league standings, nor is it because I never watch any game that doesn’t involve my currently second-to-last place Ginebra. I guess I’m just one of those who miss the PBA of old.

• There aren’t any more Billy Ray Bates or Tony Harris type imports out there. Any time someone gets labeled “Black Superman” or “The Hurricane,” you know that you gotta shell out good money to see that.
• Rivalries just aren’t quite what they used to be. Crispa and Toyota? Heck, I wasn’t even born then, but the heat of their rivalry was felt even during my generation. Am-boy playaz’ talking trash during halftime breaks just isn’t going to cut it.
• Though I hate the guy’s guts, Sonny Jaworski’s antics never failed to amuse fans and haters alike. Not even a sick crossover from either Alapag or Caguioa can generate the same amount of energy from the Big J’s behind the back passes.

I realize that bringing back any of the above is quite difficult. Heck, there isn’t even a formula for any of the successes the oldest pay to play league in Asia has enjoyed in the past. Everything is just a product of how much the game, teams, and players have changed.

If by any chance, anyone from the PBA chances upon this blog, remember this — always listen to what the fans have to say. Commissioners may come and go, and players may retire. Loyal fans however, are always there no matter what.

What’s my opinion? Pit Tubid against Cardona in a boxing match during halftime, and you’ll get your ratings back. Anyone else out there willing to share their thoughts?

*Also, whoever came up with your website deserves to get fired. Really.