Outside the mansion of former ARMM governor Zaldy Ampatuan stands a basketball hoop. The base is made of 2x4 wood, a virtual luxury for makeshift basketball goals. Bystanders say that the hoop was placed there by soldiers stationed in the mansion in the aftermath of the November 23 Maguindanao massacre. Ampatuan is being held today after being charged with rebellion, while his mansion has been largely deserted.

Spent last night in Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat. We were actually able to catch the Alaska-San Miguel game over dinner, and to my surprise, the veteran cameraman we were traveling with used to shoot and direct PBA games. We basically watched the game from his technical perspective, which was awesome. He said that covering the PBA live was the hardest gig for any cameraman because of the pace of the action; if you could do camera work for the PBA, you can do it anywhere else.

Btw, how about that game? Pretty awesome, wasn't it? And it was exciting even if the referees actually called fouls.

On to part 2 of my first impressions. If you missed it, check out part 1.

Continue reading "2010 PBA Philippine Cup first impressions, part 2"

Can I just share that, while you are reading this, I have spent the last couple of nights in Koronadal, South Cotabato. Koronadal is also known by its other name Marbel. Yes, I spent the last two evenings in the hometown of 1998 PBA Most Valuable Player, Captain Marbel Kenneth Duremdes. Anyway, quick takes on each of the PBA teams in the Philippine Cup so far:

Continue reading "2010 PBA Philippine Cup first impressions, part 1"

In a previous post, I talked about the changes being introduced by new PBA commissioner Chito Salud, which he passes off as innovation but are actually recycled ideas. While in the middle writing that entry, I started to think of ideas, from my point-of-view as a fan, that could make my life easier and that could help the PBA. These are all practical ideas that have been done elsewhere, not pie-in-the-sky stuff that the PBA couldn’t possibly do.

I’m sure everyone has ideas as well, so post away in the comments.

Continue reading "Innovative ideas for the PBA"

As you’re reading this, I’m probably somewhere in Central Mindanao working on a documentary project with The War Correspondent Ed Lingao for the day job. Which is awesome, except for the part where I’m going to miss the opening of the NBA season. But worry not, I’ve loaded up some posts which are scheduled to be published over the course of the week though, so you’ll have something to read despite me being away. On to the bullets:

Continue reading "Monday bullets, starring Kiefer vs. Baser, Manny Pacquiao, Ryan Gregorio, and Caloy Garcia"

I let out a chuckle when I read the blurb for Chito Salud’s appearance on the GMANews.TV sports show FTW, which said that the new commissioner’s mantra is “constant innovation.” It was funny because so far, the only real innovation under his tenure has been the changes in the opening ceremony. In fact, most of the ideas the new regime has trotted out, so far, has been recycled.

The “time-tested” three-conference format? It’s obviously a return to tradition, and Sonny Barrios actually proposed the very same thing in 2008.

Continue reading "Constant innovation or recycled ideas? A very early look at the PBA under Chito Salud"

Lots of stuff to get to, wala munang pasakalye:

• Got a nice shout-out this morning from my favorite play-by-play man (and fellow Baller contributor) Mico Halili, who dug deeper into Yeng Guiao’s way with words in his column today. He adds a few more quotable quotes from the fiery coach, including my favorite: “Bahala kayo diyan! Hindi ako tatawag ng time-out! Gawan niyo ng paraan yan!”

Continue reading "Thursday bullets starring Yeng Guiao, Tim Cone, and James Yap's lovelife"

The premier issue of Baller, the new magazine of the PBA is out now, and unlike most other “official” PBA stuff, this actually doesn’t suck. It helps that the project was developed and conceived with little interference from the league, and the people at the helm are experienced publishing industry veterans who knew how to put out a magazine. In fact, the man running it is Eric Ramos, the award-winning writer and former editor-in-chief of FHM Philippines, Pump, and Maxim Philippines.

Continue reading "Grab a copy of Baller now!"

I was in Lucena, Quezon this past weekend for my buddy Oliver’s 10-10-10 wedding (congratulations on your first marriage, pare!). Bored during the long drive late Saturday night, I came across a bunch of interesting tweets from Wesley Gonzales and Paolo Bugia talking about the funny shit that comes out of Yeng Guiao’s mouth during games. Gonzales currently plays for Guiao at Air 21, while Bugia was drafted by Guiao’s Red Bull team in 2005.

Gonzales started it all on Saturday morning, telling everyone about the hilarious “pep talk” they received from their coach after Air 21’s loss to San Miguel the night before:

Continue reading "Shit My Coach Says: Wesley Gonzales and Paolo Bugia talk about Yeng Guiao’s insults"

I got a text message late last night from a basketball insider asking if I wanted to get a couple of drinks, and on a whim, I said yes. He was meeting a friend, he said, one of his idols. It turned out that we were going to be drinking with one of the best point guards in Philippine basketball history, a two-time NCAA Most Valuable Player, a former PBA rookie of the year, and the record-holder for most assists in a single game, dropping 28 dimes.

Continue reading "Thursday bullets starring Kiefer Ravena, Johnny Abarrientos, and the PBA’s greatest forgotten point guard"