Apart from keeping lines of communication open for people struck by tragedy in the aftermath of Typhoon Ondoy, Twitter also brings us news of a brawl between Smart Gilas import CJ Giles and Talk N Text forward Ranidel de Ocampo, in a scrimmage between the two squads bankrolled by Manny Pangilinan. Tweeting from the game was Charles Tiu, the Tiu brother whose hidden desires are not being discovered.

The incident apparently blew up after Giles threw a deliberate elbow at Ranidel, which led to the whole TNT crew ganging up on Giles. (Of course, Charles Tiu called the behavior “unprofessional.” No word on whether Chris Tiu stood in a corner while praying the rosary the whole time.)

Anyway, as Ricky Relosa and Ronnie Thompkins (or for a more recent example, Homer Se and Terrence Leather) would tell you, these things are par for the course in Philippine basketball. If Giles can’t deal with the physical play – and with his background, who knows? – it might be a looong stint for the Gilas boys in the PBA. Hopefully he’ll be able to put it all together.

This incident, though, should further spice up Monday’s exhibition between Smart Gilas and Powerade Team Pilipinas, which also features Ranidel de Ocampo. I am legitimately excited for that game already. While Smart Gilas should have the advantage considering their core has been training together over the past couple of weeks, Powerade might have a puncher’s chance if guys like Willie Miller or James Yap catch fire.