HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MIGHTY MOUSE!

Insta-Fan (Meeting the San Beda Red Lions for the first time)

I was never a fan of this team until I met them last January of this year. Until now, I have not really figured it out why I disliked this team so much. If I have to hate a team in the NCAA, it’s this team. Well, maybe, because, it’s the only team I knew back then (before I became a supporter of the NCAA).

The San Beda Red Lions in their huddle

For the past two years, I've been watching live exhibition games of Manila-based teams here in Cebu. When Camille told me that the Mendiola-based squad was going to play for the Sinulog Cup 2012, I got a bit excited, but there’s this feeling of negativity ( I don’t know how to name that feeling,  all I knew was it was negative). But in the end, my excitement prevailed.

Composure says it all! Southwestern University Cobras, 2012 CESAFI Seniors Basketball Champions.

                So much hype surrounding this team in the pre-season, beaten by a lot of teams in the eliminations, had close games which they lost, people had second thoughts on their run to the championship, placed second at the end of the semis, went into the finals against the UV Green Lancers which they have not beaten from the eliminations until the semifinals. But who cares? As what sportscasters say, when you’re in the finals, it’s a different story – the competition and the drama is at its best. And whichever team handles the pressure well, will most likely win the championship.

Deja vu No More.

           If you are able to watch the finals last season, it was this team who fell short to the Webmasters in a do or die game 7, but they never let that loss haunt them this season.

Learn from the expert

I am lucky to have a mentor who’s an avid follower of basketball. If basketball players have coaches then I also have mine. I met Ate Adz through the Singles for Christ community. I am fortunate to have her because she’s not just a sport buddy; she’s my older sister and my friend. Aside from those household meetings, where she would treat us to dinner and long hours of chatting, sports, specifically basketball has strengthened our friendship.

                In terms of watching basketball games live, I must say that she’s the veteran and I am the rookie. Let’s put it this way, she’s the Danny Seigle and I am the Dylan Ababou of PBA. (They’re our favourite players)

Here are some tips that Ate Adz shared to me when watching basketball games:

•  Be familiar with the players’ faces. Maybe you’ll meet them again somewhere.
• Don’t be shy with them, because it’s once in a blue moon that you see them in person.
• If you want quality pictures with your favourite athletes, wait for them outside the dugout, after the game.
• It’s better to sit at the courtside if it’s a PBA game or games played by Manila-based teams.
• Never watch games (mentioned above) without your camera. You might regret it after.
• If you have magazines with your favourite athletes on it, make sure to bring them and ask for an autograph.
• Don’t just watch those handsome faces of the players; consider their skills and attitude in the game. At the end of the day, you’re there to watch a game, not a fashion show.
• Learn from the games you’ve watched.
• Enjoy!

Smart Gilas: The Second Time Around

We expected them to come back and last………, they did! I promised to be ready with everything and I was indeed very ready! The only difference was that, Kim and Camille weren’t able to watch with me. But they made a “dedication thingy” for Chris Tiu.

Very candid shot. counter clockwise from right: Marvin Hayes,
 Marcus Douthit, Mark Barroca and Chris Tiu

If you compare this team to the first one, it’s different. They already had a naturalized player in Marcus Douthit, Cliff Hodge was also there to replace Marcio Lassiter who was injured at that time and the built of their bodies were great. I was with my sister and my roommate. The excitement that I felt was still the same with the first one. While they were warming up, the first person I saw was Chris Tiu but the presence of someone from the Gilas bench shocked me the most. It’s Coach Charles Tiu, the brother of Chris Tiu. 

Smart Gilas 2011

Up Close and Personal with the Smart Gilas team

I am fan of UAAP/NCAA and PBA. These leagues are based in Manila, so I get contented with watching them on TV. An opportunity came when our National basketball team, Smart Gilas Pilipinas had a 2-day exhibition game in Cebu. I, with my sports buddies Kim and Camille didn’t have second thoughts of watching the game live. Who would not take that opportunity? You’re going to see up close and personal the most popular basketball players in college – Chris Tiu, JR Cawaling, Dylan Ababou, Mac Baracael, Mark Barroca, Aldrech Ramos, Japeth Aguilar, RJ Jazul, Greg Slaughter and of course the champion coach Rajko Toroman. Plus, I got to take a picture with Trish Roque, one of my favourite courtside reporters in the UAAP.

The only angle that we got for we were behind them.

 We were seated at the lower box section behind the bench of the Gilas team but we failed to take pictures with them. We were hesitant to approach them and ask for a picture, it was our first time and we were wearing our school uniforms. We just got contented of staring at their faces. Hahahaha!!! 

It All Started with a VHS tape

For a girl to be an avid supporter of basketball is a bit rare. While most of the girls are busy with fashion and shopping, I just stay at home with my sisters watching the sport that’s dear to me.

Dennis Rodman, Scottie Pippen and Michael Jordan

My addiction to the sport started with a VHS tape of the Chicago Bulls’ Championship years in the late 90s. It was my father who bought it for me and my brother as “pasalubong”. From that time on, I just fell in love with the sport. Who wouldn’t? You’re seeing Michael Jordan shooting clutch baskets, Scottie Pippen slamming the ball to the basket emphatically, Steve Kerr, John Paxson and Craig Hodges burying those dagger threes and who would forget Dennis Rodman? It was not just his performance in basketball that’s interesting but also his hair colour. He was the “fashionista” of the Chicago team. Those were the best days of the Chicago Bulls. I never get tired of watching the video over and over again. Thanks to technology! We’re still able to view those glorious years of them up until now.