Out of the BLUE!

Saturday, Sunday Club - Team Blue took out the Fighting Stallions in a forgetful margin. Deja vu? Again, the first team that imposed a lose to the Stallions' flourishing record, same 1pm schedule, and the manner of defeat. Fate? It could be.. But in the eye of basketball logic, it is not.

The first problem is the team was drowning in confidence. We overlooked that we're playing against the first runner-ups last conference, they're not from Las Vegas but indeed from San Jose so don't incorporate luck to their brand of game, and they've proven us that they can DEFEAT us in black and white which simply implies that they're for real.

We need to go back to the drawing board in order to adjust our mistakes:

1. Bad decisions were clear as white, as basketball fundamentals was merely forgotten. Cross-court passes/dangerous passes was translated to countless turnovers and yet scoring opportunities for Team Blue. Passing to a nearby teammate will not hurt.

2. With passes can't connect, Forcing the issue is not the smartest thing to do. A lone wolf has a 0% chance of winning against a pack of wolves. With good spacing and patience, we'll be able to have better looks with a good pass or two. I'm sure we don't want to dig our own graves.

3. Horse Mask, even Michael Jordan has Scottie Pippen as his partner, somtimes even trusted Dennis Rodman's cuts into the rim, and assisted Steve Kerr one of the most important shots in the history of the Chicago Bulls. Let's just accept that fact that bastketball is a team game. Come on, we're better than that!

4. Stallion's Defense, we're known to be the roughest defenders in the league but the basic box-out was neglected, as it caused a lot of second chance points that killed us in the 2nd quarter courtesy of Team Blue's, 6'3 center, Friedlander. And yet, our zone defense had a lot of loop holes as the top defenders were committing so early with the offensive player who has the ball at the top of the key which makes the other side of the defense open. We can't afford to be exploited because of our defensive mistakes, we are the tallest/largest team in the league, let's wisely utilize our advantages against our opponents, the size of the court is on our side.

Against Team Black next weekend. I know we'll be physically and mentally adjusted. Let's keep the faith guys.

Stallions in Full Throttle!

Stallions Basketball is on a roll so far with a 4-0 flawless record. After the traditional opening game winner against Team Yellow (3rd time in a row), the Stallions started to move forward to grab the goal of 'no less than a championship' thus won the following three games against Team Green, Vendors, and Red.

Joseph Aguilar receiving instructions from playing coach Elmer Galvez before the game starts. How is he going to fit in within the circle?

Team Green was the 1st season's 1st runner-up. Their ace player 'Buljak' was re-signed by the team in order to put up a fight once again this season as they were downed to the 8th place which was the worst last season. Team Green also acquired Grimares who was a former teammate of Joseph Aguilar from the Blue team of the 1st season who is a top gun to consider. With good recruits, Team Green fared well against the Stallions.

If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen - it was a war that occurred. The game ended with two casualities from the Team Green; one with an ankle sprain and the other has suffered a knee injury. Also, some Stallions took it up close with Team Green star player 'Buljak' -- Buboy Nodalo, shoved his shoulder after fouling out, same with Nanat Aguilar who spitted on his face on his final foul, Wilson De Leon also almost had a fight when the game was halt because the basketball game might turned out to be a riot between the two teams. Allan Zamora, Team Green's head coach, instigated a walk-out but failed after being conferred by the commissioners. The aftermath was a point lead for the Fighting Stallions, a hard fought victory.

The following game day was a good day to walk in a park. The Fighting Stallions man-handled Team Vendors with a 51 point lead! Enough said.

Lighting never strikes twice in the same place -- and it did! Team Red knocked-out the Fighting Stallions on a twice-to-beat advantage, twice in a row, beaten twice in two consecutive seasons on a play-off. A clear testament of 'speed kills' but the Stallions don't have plans anymore of losing this conference.

The game ended 89-87 in favor of the Stallions. It was an intense game that made a lot of players fouled-out; 4 players from the Red Team and a player from the Stallions. Team Red always 'put their best foot forward' through applying a full-court pressure on any team because their team is composed of agile players and it worked wonders against the Stallions which was evident with the results of the play-off games.

Given that the Red Team is a fast team, Stallions had surprised them with a counter full-court pressure which off-balanced their offense. Credits to Buboy Nodalo, Nanat, and Joseph Aguilar whom played a ragged defense at the backcourt that made the depleted line-up of Red Team worn out. As players from the Red Team was in foul trouble and some were fouled-out, it was Don-Don Nodalo and Bong Iranga, Stallions' giants, whom dominated the inside. The Red Team was never giving in as they were still ahead by two points at the last minute. The defense worked out well further for the Stallions -- the last seconds was crucial as Bong Iranga basket two important put-backs on the crunch that put the Stallions ahead and finally snatched the victory over the Team Red at the final buzzer.

Tomorrow is going to be against the team that beaten the Stallions last conference at the elimination round. Team Blue took the 1st runner up at the first conference this season. Let's go for a bounce back and show them that they only lucked-out, a convincing win for pride! GO STALLIONS!

Fighting Stallions Prevailed!

Siberian dog brought at the court as a muse - lovely isn't it?

DLF Fighting Stallions (White team) won three consecutive opening games against the Yellow team, maybe next year again, perhaps it's a tradition in the making..

92-86 was the final score tonight. No less than a championship is the target of the team this conference and we did it right in the on set. Good luck to us next weekend! (:

SEAIR is the colors of Asia!

It's my first time to come aboard with Seair which took me safe to my many 'first time' in Boracay. The Bora-escapade was an unforgettable trip, honestly I can't get enough of it until now, perhaps that's how the astonishment of the whole journey had rid of me..

Dornier 328 at Caticlan airport.

The carrier that flew us to the paradise was Seair! An airline which caters regional flights all over the Philippines. A month before the flight, I was thinking twice if I'll still go on with the Seair because of the incidents that they were involved several months ago which is really alarming for me as a passenger but all of the worries suddenly vanished when we were handled delicately at the airport by their ground staff, having a cue that the rest will going to be alright as well.

A shuttle bus conveyed us safely to the place where the airplane was parked and then by the stair, I was greeted by a warm smile of the welcoming flight attendant on the door step of the cabin which was I found so nice. The routine explanation of the safety procedure was clearly and properly narrated and the rest was history.

After the snaack ~ Flavorish nuts!

Even though there was a delayed for about half hour of my return flight to Manila, Seair's services was a compromise to consider. The shuttle services at the Caticlan airport exclusively for the Seair passengers is great -- instead of letting their passengers commute by themselves, Seair provided a bus to hand a seat.

Unfortunately we weren't able to avail the free back and forth boat ride to the island of Bora because we were unaware of the priveledges from Seair. A good pack of treats but it's our ignorance's fault (we'll exert effort next time to ask) so nothing to take away from the commendable services of Seair. Thumbs up!

MY BORA EXPERIENCE!

Flight's final approach to the Caticlan Airport, Boracay at glance.

It's my first time to visit the beautiful island of Boracay. The visit informed me a few little facts about the flourishing paradise; 35 minute distance from Manila via plane travel (faster than a taxi ride from Caloocan to our house in Sampaloc, Manila..wow), Bora is still part of Luzon, it's under the province of Aklan, 70% in Bora are foreigners especially koreans, and every move spells money but nonetheless it's a 5 star tourist spot, worthy of it.

..After the flight, a shuttle bus (thanks to Seair) at the Godofredo Ramos, Caticlan airport awaited to escort us towards the port for a 10 minute boat ride onto the main island of Boracay.

Finally.. A stepped to the flawless white sand.

The best beach I've ever seen in my entire life. Funny thing is I was startled -- I haven't seen the rest to enjoy but I've immediately told myself, "definitely I'll be back here", such an alluring place, now I know why Boracay is a world class attraction.

The white sand is powder-like which so soft and comfortable to step on. I've seen several tourists don't mind wearing footwears, they preferred to feel the soothing sand instead. The beach water is like a shade of aquamarine.. So crystal clear, a perfection of beauty and yet with the white sand, it is indeed.

Bora is unbelievable and so as the food.

Our eyes were so full of wonderful sceneries, however we also need to feed our tummies with delicious Bora delicacies. Pasta ala Marinara didn't fail my italian craving along with a lot more; fettucini alfredo, pizza, chicken, mojos, and many more island food which derailed my diet. The island is so perfect, thus the beautiful sultry weather dictates anything cold to quench the thirst.

The classic-talk about Jonah's Fruitshake is a part of the Bora experience which can't be missed. Whoever Jonah is, it's the best in the island, and if you fail to have their refreshing drinks, perhaps your bora journey I must say is incomplete. Lucky us! (:

The Paraw is a double outrigger sail boat found in the Philippines.

There are more to Boracay than the beach and the food. The water activities are imperative to indulge. We enjoyed the Paraw Sailing at the sunset, even though we sat at the edge wing which is a bit uncomfortable (it's my butt only) but I wasn't able to to notice it actually when it started to sail towards the clear outskirt. The paraw navigates along with other paraws wandering at the calm sea water intending to project a nice Boracay point of view from the sea. It's a wonderful pleasure to ride the classic Paraw boats of Aklan.

Viewing the coral reef and feeding fishes -- isn't awesome?

Island hoping and snorkeling took us to an another fun adventure at Bora. It took us 3 hours to finish the trip. We circled the whole island and seen the Crocodile Island (crocodile shaped island), Puca beach which is so beautiful, it's located at the other side of the Bora proper, The Pearl of the Pacific island which is a private island full of adventerous caves. We also passed by the Pacquiao Mansion and Shangri-La Boracay for some nice pictures. After sometime, we were able to snorkel at the astonishing coral reef and yet fed some colorful fishes underneath. A floating buko boat was so cool! It arrived to rehydrate us after a long fun water activity. The whole island hoping experience was such a splendid!

Boracay is really the gateway to paradise. From head to toe, vise versa, everything is marvelous. I've said enough perhaps.. It is such an unforgettable experience. A world class beach in the Philippines! The best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be! (:

BOO!

Well I don't like the outcome of the UAAP cheerdance competition. It sucks when UP was awarded the 2nd runner up, having a stellar performance and a very delicate one, the UP-ikot jeep was so classic, come on..there's something wrong! A dire act to sabotage the 3-peat.

It's ok for me that ADMU had it this time around since the Blue Babble Battalion's improvement was very evident, it shows that they are really up for something this year but I think 3rd place would be appropriate given that UST and UP did showcase better..

So it's down to the 1st place, I'm thinking it's a toss up between UP and UST, well..yes I was disgusted. When I saw Anton Montinola's (FEU manager, UAAP president for this year, sucker) devious smile, I knew it's going to be FEU. How could someone smile confidently in amidst of nervous moment? Well I guess he knows the result even though it was yet to be announced, what a scumbag!

Fried Bread Roll! Stuffed with ham, cheese and flavored outside with egg, bread crumbs.

It saved the day! It's like we had pizza, so heavy in the tummy, thanks to mom. (:

Survival Thursday!

The DLSU Green Archers chances of making it to the final-four was at stake, same as the UST Growling Tigers. The only way DLSU will get a shot at the final four is to force a play-off against the UST, DLSU > NU, UE > UST, that's the basic equation needed to tie the standing at 6-8, both UST & DLSU.

However UST has its own fate on their hands while DLSU has to hop over NU and hope that UE wins against UST..so it's like the Espana-based squad has more control about the situation given that they only need to win the game to secure the final four slot.

One happy guy because Yuumi went to the house yesterday to watch UAAP with me.


"GO USTE!" One happy tomasian,
NU defeated DLSU, 63-61. UST automatically advances to the final four.

At the second game, even though UST lost to UE, the game has no significant bearing, UST will still move on to the next round despite their lose, given that DLSU lost, which fail to tie the standing within par.

We celebrated eating a lot of ice cream. :3