Wednesday, September 27, 2006

The Invisible Hand

Getting tickets for Game 2 of the UAAP Finals just got really difficult. Ateneans are expecting, or at least hoping, to watch the 69th season end on a triumphant note, and everybody from Loyola Heights apparently wants a piece of it.

SRO tickets, as usual, will be sold on gameday itself. Which simply means that you have to line up early in the morning, and wait for the booths to start selling them. Plan B is to get GenAd tickets (the nosebleed section), and jump down to Upper B. Plan C is, of course, stay home and watch it on TV.

The scalpers' are also having a field day. Upper A tickets (face value: 120) reportedly went up from 350 to 700 yesterday alone. Today's going rate is 800. Patron seats are reportedly being sold for at least 2000.

Advisory: The games (the Eaglets are likewise playing for the championship) will be telecast live at the Blue Eagle Gym, High School Cafeteria, College Cafeteria, and Ateneo Professional Schools Atrium, Rockwell.

Monday, September 25, 2006

Bedlam

One down. One to go.

I don't think it is necessary to discuss the last play of the ballgame yesterday, which most viewers would have already seen repeatedly on TV and on YouTube. Well, except for those of us at the venue, who were too busy deliriously celebrating to pay any attention to the widescreen.

UST's Allan Evangelista learned a painful lesson yesterday when he celebrated - probably a little prematurely - after making the go-ahead shot with one second left in the game clock. In fact, he and the Tigers were too happy that they left Doug Kramer wide open on the next, and last, play of the game.


The zebras, being the morons that they are, almost won the game for UST. For starters, the three blind mice should be made to learn and relearn the definition of a backcourt violation. They are taking the joy out of the game. If they want to play, they could probably play for some schools who have "rookies" who, chances are, went to grade school with them.

Photo courtesy of www.fabilioh.com.

Thursday, September 21, 2006

Almost There

Barry announced last night that we won't be meeting on Monday. Which means one thing, and one thing only. I can, and I will, substantially satisfy my craving for hoops this Sunday, without any tinge of guilt or letdown whatsoever. Well, at least if we win. Otherwise, there would be plenty of letdown to go around.

He also won't be calling any more people for recits until the end of the sem. Which means I am pretty much set until the finals week rolls in. Which, is not really saying much since the final exam will account for sixty effing percent of the final grade.

I am also in knots trying to write a paper about, of all things, blogging. It would have been pretty simple and straightforward, if it isn't for a course called Legal Theory. I am planning to insert a sentence or two about Liberalism just to make a connection - any connection - no matter how flimsy. I have an eerie feeling it will be like Consti 1 and the E-VAT all over again. Crap.

The schedule for the second semester is also out at CRS. Partially, at least. Once again, there are two classes on Saturdays. Which means that Friday nights and Saturday afternoons will be cramming sessions again. It's not really a good study method. Not unless, of course, you have no choice.

Monday, September 18, 2006

SRO

In what probably is the most horribly-officiated basketball game I have ever seen, Ateneo barely survived Ken Bono, Patrick Cabahug, three dumbass zebras, and three token goons from the Manila City Jail. Despite all the Ts, the dubious foul calls, Adamson's not-so-subtle attempts to physically maim our players, and those two crucial - almost backbreaking - TOs in the last 30 seconds, the Blue Eagles won. To Adamson: welcome to your first Final Four. We hope you enjoyed the experience while it lasted.


(Seats are just suggestions.)

In the second game, the no. 3 seed, UST beat the no. 2 seed, UE. Good job, UST. Now, since you two would be playing another game on Thursday, (1) I don't have to call in sick, and (2) I don't have to miss Consti 2.

OBF.

Friday, September 15, 2006

On to the Fray


image courtesy of www.admu.edu.ph.

Tuesday, September 12, 2006

Curiouser and Curiouser

The following excerpt is from p. 46 of the UAAP Fact Finding Report on the DLSU PEP Test Scandal. See, and judge, for yourself.

"He (Mark Benitez) stated that Bro. Casingal (Bro. Roberto ‘Bro. Bobby’ Casingal, FSC, DLSU Director for Sports Development) went to their house and he was made to write:

"Atty. Villa: When did he go to your house?

"Mr. Mark Benitez: Nakalimutan ko na rin po eh. Parang pinasulat niya ko na kung ano yung mga ilalabas ko about kung...hindi na magbabanggit about kay Jun Tiongco at kay Derek Pumaren kasi daw po matataas daw yun...mahirap kalabanin." (I’ve forgotten. Seems he made me write about what I would disclose...no more mention about Jun Tiongco or Derek Pumaren because they’re high up there...hard to fight.)

"Atty. Villa: Who said that?

"Mr. Mark Benitez: Si Bro. Bobby po. (Mark Benitez, TSN, p. 24)"

Right now, it appears that more people, than the public was made to believe, were involved. It is also a rather sick coincidence that Jun Tiongco, one of the main characters in this sordid tale, is an assistant coach for UE, under Dindo Pumaren, and is also an assistant coach for Talk and Text, under Derek Pumaren. If you've been hiding under a rock for the past 10 years, just so you know, Franz Pumaren is DLSU's head coach. But, of course, I'm sure that the good QC councilor has absolutely nothing to do with this.

Friday, September 08, 2006

Balls

The Eagles showed no letdown for playing in a no-bearing game, and eliminated the Tamaraws from Final Four contention yesterday, 70-68.

FEU was leading 68-65, when Chris Tiu drilled a three-point basket to tie the game with some 40 seconds left. After FEU's Jeff Chan missed a three, Doug Kramer grabbed the rebound, and passed off to Escalona who calmly brought the ball downcourt. With less than 10 seconds left, JC Intal received the ball from Escalona at quarter court, drove through the middle and made a lay-up with 1.2 seconds left.


FEU had no more timeouts. Game, and season, over.

The Falcons and the Tigers, tied at 6-6, would play a game on Thursday for the no. 3 seed and the right to play the no. 2 seed, UE. The loser will go on to play the Eagles, who were seeded no. 1 as early as last week. (Let's all cheer for the Falcons on Thursday, just so we can have give a little payback to UST.)

A few game notes:

Game analyst Ronnie Magsanoc irritated me no end, for repeatedly insisting that the no. 1 seed would face the no. 3 seed. It's one versus four. ONE versus FOUR. Man, that would be one dumb bracket.

Another hilarious halftime performance by the Blue Babble Band. I say we let them perform during the cheerdance competition. You know, just to show how seriously we take that thing.

Thursday, September 07, 2006

Hallelujah!

Doctors and medical students: fret no more.

FOR frustrated doctors and medical students eyeing a nursing career overseas, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo offered an alternative she says should keep them home.

“I’d like to make special mention to frustrated doctors, don’t leave medical school because medical transcription (is here),” Arroyo said at a roundtable discussion in MalacaƱang on Thursday.

My God. Just where would this country be without her?

Monday, September 04, 2006

Shameless Plugging

Carlo J. Caparas, the "massacre" film king, who brought upon us film classics such as, The Maggie dela Riva Story and Vizconde Massacre, is eyeing to produce a movie on - of all people - Ninoy, "based on the convicts’ version of the truth." Legal genius Caparas, who may or may not be suffering from a delusion that he's Oliver Stone, will supposedly advance his own "one-bullet, one-triggerman theory."

“Only one bullet killed Ninoy. How come 16 people were convicted?”

Without passing on the man's aptitude in critical thinking, or the state of his common sense, let me just say that his appreciation of this country's penal laws and his sense of history must be leaning a wee-bit towards the deficient side. Because, in the real world, we call it a conspiracy. It's in the dictionary. Look it up.

Friday, September 01, 2006

The Three Point Dunk

Noli Eala seemed to have suddenly developed a weird case of brain fart, and is pushing for a three point dunk.

Now, that, to me, really sounds like a novel, if not revolutionary, idea. The only problem is that it's laughable, idiotic, and downright stupid. Who, in his right mind, would suddenly develop a rule for professional basketball that nobody else in the known universe has ever thought of adopting, and is absolutely unsuited for the Filipino physiology? Come to think of it, should the board members suddenly lose all their mental faculties, and decide to approve this really stupid proposal, imports will no longer need their local teammates. Except, of course, to inbound the ball.

While the NBA is changing its rules to push for more ball movement, and results of FIBA-sanctioned events show that we should emphasize outside shooting and teamwork, Noli Eala is, apparently, suffering from a delusion that all that Filipinos want to see are showboating and individual plays.

Here's an idea, Mr. Eala, why don't you just invent a new game, start a new league, and play with the rules as you see fit. Leave basketball alone.