The latest issue of Baller, the PBA’s lifestyle magazine, is out now, featuring the Meralco Bolts’ coach Ryan Gregorio (known around these parts as “The Genius”) and spitfire guard Mac Cardona on the cover.

Continue reading "Issue 3 of Baller out now!"

I swung by the PBA office last Wednesday for a chat with Commissioner Chito Salud. I had wanted to talk to him about the plans for the PBA’s developmental league, which I’ll be writing about for the March issue of Baller magazine. I’d introduced myself by name as a Baller writer when I booked the interview, so I was a bit surprised when the commissioner’s executive secretary, Ms. Coy, asked me, “Are you Fire Quinito?”

Apparently, my reputation preceded me.

Continue reading "One-on-one with Commissioner Chito Salud: Barako, Gilas, salary cap and other issues"

Here’s an excerpt from a story I wrote for the maiden issue of Baller about the San Miguel coaching drama last conference. It’s a look back at the career of Ato Agustin, who will make his PBA finals coaching debut this Saturday. There have been some minor edits for clarity.

ATO AGUSTIN is no stranger to the lack of loyalty of the franchise that ironically carries the tagline Iba ang May Pinagsamahan. After winning a Most Valuable Player award and several championships in seven years for San Miguel, he was unceremoniously traded in 1996. It took him 14 years to get back to the San Miguel bench, and he had to climb his way up to do it.

Agustin has been the hottest name in the coaching ranks outside the PBA, despite debuting as head coach only last year. Not much was expected from the Stags when he took over; the team had not only missed the Final Four for the third straight year, it also lost its two best players, center Jason Ballesteros and gunner Jim Viray.

Continue reading "Ato Agustin: A Baller magazine excerpt"

I’ve got two stories in the latest issue of Baller, the Official Lifestyle Magazine of the PBA, featuring Barangay Ginebra’s Three Kings on the cover. I’m not even a Ginebra fan, but damn, that is a fine-looking cover – in my opinion, better than the James Yap photo that graced the maiden issue. My idol Patricia Hizon wrote the cover story, as well as about 1,549 other features in the magazine. Inside are a few more photos of Willie Miller, Mark Caguioa, and Jayjay Helterbrand goofing around. Wille Thriller looks like he had so much fun at the pictorials.

Continue reading "Baller 2nd issue out now"

I’m working on a story on Alvin Patrimonio for the next issue of Baller, the official lifestyle magazine of the PBA. I’m just hoping I could do him justice.

[ Photo by Markku Seguerra ]

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"

Sorry for the lack of updates, I’ve been swamped at the day job. The bad news is, I will be away on a work trip all of next week too, but there are a couple of things I’m working on for the blog that hopefully will be done by tomorrow.

Also, for those who’ve been asking about the availability of Baller, you can call the publisher, Global Integrated Media, at (02)815-6238 during office hours. Look for Maricel Omanito.

Anyway, just wanted to share…

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!"