Kevin "The Big Bully" Garnett

With the Boston Celtics winning last year's championship, KG has solidified his place as one of the dominant and most respected player in the league. This year's team has gained numerous nods from all corners of the court for keeping the intensity level up and playing every game as a championship-caliber team. It's easy to say that most of the credit goes to KG for releasing the beast within to his teammates!

Some may applaud at this feat but I''m sure not everyone would agree about KG's on-court celebration. For those who are still confused, I present to you...

Exhibit A - Jose Calderon


Exhibit B - Glen Davis (you have to admit that this is hilarious!)


Exhibit C - Jerryd Bayless

Kicksology: First Edition

To mark my first entry since god knows when, I shall introduce to the world this new section-kicksology, where I will feature shoes that will make your useless time on the internet worth spending. And it's just timely that for my first edition I have the honor to feature the People's Champion, Manny Pacquiao.

The existence of this shoe makes me even prouder for our World Champ not only for making De La Hoya retire but for being the first Filipino to have a signature Nike shoe.

Drool over the intricate details that represents P.I.

As most Pinoys are, Manny is no exception to have passion for basketball. As one of the best pound for pound fighter in world right now, Nike honored Manny with a shoe of his own-NIKE AIR MAX BIZNESS PE.

Aside from our own, this shoe is also been worn by Zach Randolph and Richard Jefferson.

Ateneo leads UAAP!!!

Ateneo bumped off the UE Red Warriors from the top of the team standings to lead the UAAP. Winning with a 6 point margin, the Eagles' assault were heavily backed up by Al-Hussaini's strong double double effort of 18 points and 17 boards. Ateneo has been known to hold winning records in the past or even other teams such as UE's impressive 14-0 elimination record last year but still it proves nothing as it wasn't enough to win them the title. With a strong start, already 3-0 from some of the biggest teams in the league (DLSU, UE, FEU) let's see if they can finish strongly.

Final Scores:
NU vs ADU
65 73

ADMU vs UE
64 58

Old Faces In Different Places

Every year, NBA teams ship in and out players to build the best team around the league. With different schemes and styles some work while some don't. This year a number of franchise players look for a new beginning but will Destiny give it to them like she did with Garnett and Allen.

BARON DAVIS. ELTON BRAND. CORREY MAGGETTE. *coughs* JERMAINE O'NEAL. These guys headline the list of traded players this year and even if it's not as impressive as the Boston tea party last year, it's always exciting what these basketball superstars can do!


Here's a list of the traded players:
Baron Davis to LA Clippers
Elton Brand to Philly Sixers
Correy Maggette to GS Warriors
Ronny Turiaf to GS Warriors
Richard Jefferson to Milwaukee Bucks
Yi Jianlian to Nets
Bobby Simmons to Nets
Roger Mason to SA Spurs
Brent Barry to Houston Rockets
Michael Pietrus to Orlando Magic
Jermaine O'Neal to Toronto Raptors
TJ Ford to Indiana Pacers
Rasho Nesterovic to Indiana Pacers

Tiu Good To Be True

article written by jefferson reyes

The first of many?

In the much celebrated rivalry of the collegiate basketball scene, the blue trumped over the green as the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) Blue Eagles trounced their nemesis and defending champions, De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers, 79-73, amidst a jam packed Araneta Coliseum graced by various personalities including NBA superstar Gilbert “Agent Zero” Arenas of the Washington Wizards and People’s Champ Manny Pacquiao as the University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 71 continues on July 6.

Witnessed by a massive crowd of approximately 22,000, which also included business and political celebrities such as PLDT and Smart Communications Chairman Manny Pangilinan, Senators Richard Gordon and Mar Roxas, Hans Sy, son of mall tycoon Henry Sy, and US Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie Kenney, the Blue Eagles handed the Green Archers their first opening game defeat under the mentorship of Coach Franz Pumaren. Free throws made the difference as Ateneo registered a high 81% FT percentage against a meager 44.8% of La Salle.

As with every Ateneo-La Salle meeting, excitement has always been the main element as both teams remained nose-to-nose and refused to relinquish their school pride until the last quarter.

Coming off from a two point deficit from the third frame, DLSU stalwart Joseph Evans “Jvee” Casio resuscitated the hopes of the Archers in the last frame with two successive shots including a fast break from the three-point miss of Blue Eagle Jai Reyes to bring the game 56-60 in favor of DLSU.

Rabeth Al-Hussaini and Severino “Nonoy” Baclao, tried to prevent the rally of the Taft-based squad but faltered as the Green and White veterans Rico Maierhofer and James Mangahas, and rookie Joshua Webb combined to give La Salle its biggest lead against the Blue Eagles, 61-67.

Locked at 67, the Katipunan-based cagers crawled back into the scoreboard courtesy of back to back shots from Jobe Nkemakolam and Al-Husaini to put the Eagles within reach 65-67. It was Eric Salamat’s drive that knotted the game at 67-all fueling Ateneo’s resurgence.

Salamat and Al-Hussaini teamed up to extend Ateneo’s advantage but was equalized by the tandem of Maierhofer and Casio to register the 13th deadlock of the ballgame at 71 apiece with 4:20 ticks remaining.

Back-to-back charities from Tiu and Salamat expanded Ateneo’s lead to 74-71 but Maierhofer’s own free-throw with a minute remaining put DLSU at the edge 74-73. Ateneo sealed the deal when star player Chris Tiu buried two of his three charities after being fouled with 38.5 seconds remaining making it 76-73.

DLSU failed to respond as Blue Eagle Yuri Escueta made all of his charities securing the 79-73 victory for the Blue and White.

In the opening quarter, Tiu was awarded two charities prior to the start of the clock after a technical foul was called to DLSU due to their coaching staff’s non-ID usage.

Following this, Ateneo raged with a 4-0 run holding the Archers scoreless, 6-0. Casio responded with his signature trey with 7:35 left. Tiu did not disappoint as he blasted his own three-pointer to put the game at 9-3 in favor of Ateneo.

La Salle finally awakened as PJ Walsham and Alvin Villanueva pushed the Archers to the game’s first deadlock at 9-9. The game remained tight as the first frame closed, 17-16 with the Blue Eagles on top.

The second quarter saw the turn of tide. The Green and White regained the upper hand, 24-25, following another trey from Casio with 5:55 in the regulation. Maierhofer’s up and under move padded La Salle’s lead, 24-27. Mangahas exploded together with Hyram Bagatsing and Webb to protect the Archers’ advantage closing the second frame, 35-40.

Ryan Buenafe, one of the Blue Eagles’ esteemed rookies, fired back-to-back shots to break away from yet another deadlock in the third, 53-51. Maierhofer answered with a trey with approximately 49 seconds remaining to put back the lead for DLSU, 53-54.

Salamat’s charities put Ateneo on the driver’s seat towards the end of the third frame, 56-54.

Ateneo head coach Norman Black, credited Tiu anew noting that as the Blue Eagles’ best player he delivered as expected and lived up to his role. When asked about the performance of his rookies, Black pointed out that he did not play them that much because of the intensity of the game and the clamor for securing their first victory. Despite this, he sees more playing minutes for them in their future games.

As for the technical foul that was called to him at the start of the fourth quarter, Black explained that “The referee warned me that if I said another word, I would get a technical. I couldn’t really understand it because in the second half I didn’t really say a word. I didn’t like it.” Because of this, an appeal is believed to be underway as this was the first time Black was called for such a technical.

Tiu steered the Blue Eagles campaign pooling in a total of 26 points and 7 rebounds. Salamat and Al-Hussaini added 10 points each, while Buenafe contributed 8 marks.

Meanwhile, Casio led the Green Archers raking in 19 points and 4 rebounds followed by Maierhofer with 16 marks and 8 rebbies. Meanwhile, Mangahas added 13 points and 6 rebounds.

NBA Finals 2008: Boston regains glory!!!

Looking back, I never expected these two teams to meet in the finals. Boston was considered a super team and looking back at the past (and forgotten) teams, we've seen the fate of these teams fall a million times. Danny Ainge pulled of a shocking trade on draft day, which brought the Big Three together but it didn't mean they would win the championship. Look at the Dallas team where they had Antawn Jamison as a bench, that never worked. That was a team exploding with talent but it was too much and the team eventually burst. This Boston team is different as you can see with unselfish plays and determination to really win games but not relying on offense alone. The distribute the ball well and recognize their teammates considering the presence of the Allen, Pierce and KG. These guys worked their way up, though struggling in the post season starting with Atlanta who barely made the playoffs cut and the LeBron led Cavaliers. It wasn't until game3 of Detroit where they showed their tenacity as the Beast in the East. In the finals series, the battle was welcomed by hype because of the rich rivalry and legacy of the two teams. And it didn't needed much before the Celtics provided us with evidence that
they were out there to play and be the next champions. I have to admit that I was disappointed with Kobe's game. I don't know if he wasn't himself or hurting or should we just commend the great defense that Boston displayed around him. I salute the Celtics for being the champs because they proved their detractors wrong (including myself). I thought their team was a fad and will quickly lose their passion for the game and start playing selfishly but no. It just shows that no matter what the game is, three heads are better than one. Congrats to the Celtics fans!

BOSTON CELTICS vs LA LAKERS 2008

This year's finals match-up is a fantasy in the making. After key acquisitions from both teams it wasn't impossible that this season would end up with these two great teams. Just like the great teams that battled in the past such as Russel's team vs Chamberlain's and the 80's team of Bird against Magic. That is how rich the history is between the two. But what we have now are two superstars and legend in the making headlined by Kobe and KG who wish to write their own history. Will the celebration be in the East or West? Lakers or Celtics? That's what we shall find out!

A position-by-position look at the matchups in the NBA finals between the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers.

CENTER: Kendrick Perkins vs. Pau Gasol. The Lakers wouldn’t be here without their midseason acquisition of Gasol from Memphis. He’s a good passer for a big man, making him an excellent fit for the triangle offense, and is shooting 53 percent in the postseason while averaging 17.7 points. Perkins made 61.5 percent of his shots in the regular season and had some strong games in the Eastern Conference finals, including an 18-point, 16-rebound performance in Game 5. Edge: Lakers.

POWER FORWARD: Kevin Garnett vs. Lamar Odom. The Defensive Player of the Year, Garnett increased his offensive production in the conference finals, averaging 22.8 points in Boston’s victory over Detroit. His intensity on both ends of the floor is what makes the Celtics go. The versatile Odom was inconsistent against San Antonio in the Western Conference finals, but rebounded from a poor Game 3 with strong performances in the last two games. Edge: Celtics.

SMALL FORWARD: Paul Pierce vs. Vladimir Radmanovic. Finally in the NBA finals in his 10th year with Boston, Pierce is set to face his hometown team. He has shown in the playoffs he can still be a potent scorer, notably in his 41-point effort to beat Cleveland in Game 7 of the second round, and has become an underrated defender. Radmanovic is a good perimeter shooter who doesn’t do much else, and the Lakers need his jumper to be on to soften a Boston defense that held opponents to the lowest field goal percentage in the league. Edge: Celtics.

SHOOTING GUARD: Ray Allen vs. Kobe Bryant. Allen seemed to break out of his shooting slump in the final two games of the conference finals, averaging 23 points and going 8-of-14 from 3-point range. Bryant, a tenacious defender, will certainly welcome the challenge of trying to get that slump started again. And the league MVP has been at his best in the playoffs, averaging 31.9 points to lead all players in the postseason and shooting 51 percent. Edge: Lakers.

POINT GUARD: Rajon Rondo vs. Derek Fisher. Fisher had a fairly quiet series in the conference finals, but his postseason experience, solid defense and courage to take big shots remain a comfort to the Lakers even when his shot isn’t falling. Rondo’s poor jumper was especially off late in the last round, when he shot 10-of-35 in the final three games. The Lakers will make him beat them from the outside. Edge: Lakers.

RESERVES: James Posey, P.J. Brown, Sam Cassell, Eddie House, Leon Powe, Glen Davis and Tony Allen vs. Sasha Vujacic, Luke Walton, Jordan Farmar, Ronny Turiaf, DJ Mbenga and Trevor Ariza. Posey won a title with Miami two years ago and is a key contributor who will help defend Bryant, but tough to figure out what else to expect from Celtics’ reserves. Minutes greatly fluctuated along with their production for most of them during the postseason. The Lakers counter with a much younger bench that tries to increase the tempo and energy when Bryant is resting. Edge: Lakers.

COACHES: Doc Rivers vs. Phil Jackson. Rivers did a great job molding all the Celtics’ new pieces into a 66-win team. But he’s appeared to lose confidence in some of his role players during the postseason, creating some inconsistent rotations. Jackson, the career leader in postseason victories, did one of his best coaching jobs this season on a team that started with the turmoil surrounding a possible Bryant trade and was never expected to be here. He seeks a 10th title, which would break Red Auerbach’s record. Edge: Lakers.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ap-nbafinals-matchups&prov=ap&type=lgns

GAME TIME: NBA Playoffs 08

Only a few days left before the season ends and the finals begin. But before that could concluded the battle for the final spots have been tight on both ends.

Displaying vintage Pistons basketball from their last games, it seemed nothing could stop them from cruising to their 6th consecutive Eastern Finals appearance. It's been a while since any team claimed such feat and its worth to mention that the Lakers team of Magic and Jabbar were the last to have made that mark. You may say that it was just luck since they probably had the easiest matchups in the East. I guess it could be true for the Sixers match but remember that they were dealt with an upset in their first game in their homecourt. While looking at the Orlando match, before they played against Dwight Howard he was averaging 20/20. It could be forgivable if it's in the regular season but this is THE PLAYOFFS. Well I guess if you have the kryptonite you can surely knockout Superman.

Just playing the waiting game against the winner of the Celtics/Cavs game tomorrow, I'm sure no matter what the result the Pistons will be more ready than ever in this year's playoffs (pointing to the Sixers upset) especially with the much needed rest Billups had from his injury it's time to start yer engines!!!

Over at the Westside, Kobe and the gang went for the early kill. Though it was a dogfight to the last second with a score of 108-105, the Jazz were short handed. Being 5-8 from the arc during the fourth, it seemed they had the remedy, but missing the last two 3's meant it was the end of their season.

Lakers will face the winner of the San Antonio Spurs and New Orleans Hornets.