Different, How?

Maroons add talent, coaching staff and train abroad, but results are the same.

The way the maroons have played the first two games of season 73 makes it hard to be a UP fan. The promise of glory all summer long had been simmering far too long.

It’s enough to have UP fans and alumni all giddy for a final four run.

The arrival of Mike Silungan. The addition of coach Boyet Fernandez. The continuing development of Magi Sison on Smart Gilas. The Las Vegas training. The new recruits.

Somehow none of these have mattered as State U has suffered back to back losses to start the season 0-2.

And it’s not just the losses. Its how they’ve lost.

The first game against La Salle reminded too many loyal fans of last year’s team.  Give La Salle all the credit in the world, but the Fighting Maroons were simply outplayed, outhustled and outcoached in the opener.

Against Adamson, turnovers again were the story but like in the La Salle game, UP simply got outhustled.

The Falcons got practically all of the critical offensive rebounds that pretty much sealed the deal for the Adamson victory.

It’s not too late, and it’s never too late for sports. Coach Aboy is a smart coach and can get his team to adjust. Once the team gets used to not just watching Silungan and Co dominate the ball, there is hope that the Maroons can be competitive.

Lets hope.

defensive F.A.I.L.

wow. Wow. WOW!

The End of Photophobia

Okay maybe thats too strong of a word.

I've met and have had the opportunity to talk to some very special people in my life. Never have I had the inclination to say, "hey let's have a picture taken together! I want to prove to people that I've met you!"

I've always believed that my reputation as a decent human being telling stories would be proof enough to say that I was telling the truth about my encounters.

Yabang, Grabe.

Change is good, and maybe this one I need to get done.

People I've had a conversation with and/or gotten close to but didn't get a photo simply because I didn't fee like it:

(NBA Asia Challenge dudes)
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Dominique Wilkens
Robert Horry
Vlade Divac
(Didn't get to talk with Tim Hardaway though, I'll be honest with that)

Same with local stars, I've met so many I've lost count. Aye.

Thanks to BJ Armstrong too, a real cool guy that was real easy to approach. Meeting you may have changed my life. In more ways than one. Let's talk.

=P

Transition Game

Life after the NBA.. Sort of

By Eddie Ching

BJ Armstrong is a self proclaimed lifer. A basketball lifer.

After a decorated 11-year career, B.J. continued his involvement with the NBA by working as the assistant General Manager of the Chicago Bulls when he retired. Now on the other side of the fence, the management side of sports, B.J. was a rookie once again.

This time B.J. notices all the Gatorade signage in NBA arenas. This time he gets to sit back and relax and enjoy the game as a fan (sitting with Michael Jordan, no less) and this time he has to pay for own hotdogs.

Immersed in most aspects of the NBA organization, B.J. moved on to help NBA players in their transition.

This time as an NBA agent.

With a roster of over 50 NBA players, most notably Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls, the now VP of basketball management at Wasserman Media Group, B.J. uses the things he learned from his playing years to help today’s young stars.

Michael Jordan. Phil Jackson. Three consecutive championships. Not a bad resume.

B.J. talked with reporters about his NBA life and the things he learned. Winning a championship early on, he said that as a young team they just really took advantage of their opportunities and though hard work and cooperation among teammates, won three championships in the process.  Thanks in large part to that Michael Jordan guy too.

Towards the end of the get together, he was asked if he wanted a Filipino on his roster of NBA players. B.J. smiled. When told a certain Filipino could sell 100,000 jerseys overnight, B.J.’s eyes twinkled, and the sports business professional in him became really attentive all of a sudden.

Basketball player to basketball sports manager. As is the life of the basketball lifer.

(Note: thanks to Global NBA, Gatorade and Rick Olivares for the opportunity to attend the meet and greet with B.J. Armstrong! Nice seeing the NBA guys there too!)

Celebrating, Kanuk style

 

After winning the gold, Canada's Womens Hockey team celebrate on ice drinking champagne, beer and smoking cigars

all i can say is.. are you SURE it was cigars? we are in Canada, remember?

look at the size of that joint!