update on the sporting world

This is rather late for the first post of this new year. But hey, a person’s got some work to do. Still, it’s better late than never. I was just trying to screen out my ideas in search of finding the best subject to discuss on this blog. Something that would kick off my blogging year right. Too much for my obsessive-compulsive behavior, it’s actually an update on the latest sporting events (for those who are yet unaware that I DO have a sporting side to me).

I’ve been out of the loops on the NBA for a while, so NBA fans better look someplace else. I did manage to catch up on the Celtics’ loss to the Cavs last Saturday though, Friday night in Cleveland. Looks like the Celtics tough winning form from last season’s championship crew is not so evident this time around. And with the Cavs and Magic hot on its heels, they better get back to the drawing board. I am keeping my eyes peeled on local basketball league this time, so NBA better had to wait.

Another major update is the upcoming Australian Open. If you did not know, this is the first of four grand slam tournaments and it will unveil exactly a week from now, January 19th. Melbourne is the hottest place to be in Australia during this time of the year. Let’s see if Novak Djokovic will be able to successfully defend his title from last year’s tournament or if Roger Federer, 3-time Aussie Open champ before Djokovic snatched it from him last year, will rise to the challenge.

Jayjay Helterbrand slicing through the defense of SMB's Danny Seigle (left) and Marc Pingris (right).

Last, but definitely not least, on my list is the recent events on the PBA. Last night’s matchup between sister teams Ginebra Gin Kings and San Miguel Beermen were pitted to be a major on-court battle and it certainly was! Racela’s early ejection saw the SMB squad’s fate turn from bad to worse, trailing by as much as 22 points at some time during the game. But with a deep bench and a talent-laden lineup, who says my Beermen are going to back out? Several players contributed but Hontiveros was the biggest contributor to that epic comeback. Lineup-wise, it was supposed to be a lopsided match but Ginebra surely did give SMB a run for their money. Glad it was over and on to TNT for Wednesday. The other end of the semis match pits Sta.Lucia against Alaska. I can’t wait!

Federer is lucky at 13!

Federer emerged victorious in this year’s saga of the US Open Tournament. This is too big of a story for me to describe in words, so let’s just leave it at that.

To read the entire news story, click here.

On Racism and Olympic Games

Yesterday, I read this news on Yahoo! about the recent controversy that hit the Olympic Games. This involves what was considered a “racist” advertisement photo showing the Spanish basketball team slanting their eyes in an effort to mimic the Chinese, whom ironically enough is this year’s host. (see photo below)

This happened way before the Games unveiled and was initially published at a Spanish newspaper, but wasn’t until recently that it leaked through the internet. The photo itself elicited various opinions; hence, it prompted reps from the Spanish basketball team to extend their apologies. Spanish basketball star and Los Angeles Lakers’ center Pau Gasol spoke in behalf of the team saying it was all done in “good humor”.

It pains me, as an Asian, to think that they were basically nonchalant about this gesture. In our supposedly modern world with a much higher understanding of cultural differences and the concepts of equality, you can’t help but wonder how they failed to anticipate negative interpretations that the image would conjure. Sure, they can claim that it was all done in “good humor”, but can we take their word for it?

On top of all ironies, this year’s Beijing Olympics’ theme is “One World, One Dream“. Now, where’s the unity and oneness in this?

A couple of days ago, the Spaniards defeated the Chinese basketball team during their match and that is despite the predominantly Chinese audience’s major booing. Sad thing is, a matter like this, with serious repercussions, cannot be settled on the basketball court.

UP and down

Such a contrast in fate for two of my favorite sports icons this past weekend.

Let’s start things off on a positive note. After a winless record at last year’s season of UAAP, the UP Fighting Maroons kicked off their hosting year with a “W” during Sunday’s event at the Araneta Coliseum after leading by as much as 12 points against the NU Bulldogs. What a relief that is for me, after failing to watch a single game last season! Maybe I was their lucky charm, haha! Yep, yep! I’m a loyal maroon and although I am missing a few faces from last year’s lineup, these bunch of guys are pretty promising with Martin Reyes’ impressive 21-point production. Now that calls for a celebration!

On a sad note, Federer lost to Nadal yet again. No, I’m not too late on the French Open — this is Wimbledon I am talking about. Yes, on Federer’s turf at that! He was supposed to be the “king of grass”. Well, not anymore or at least in this year’s Wimbledon tournament! Nadal seems to be too deadly at this point knowing that he is seemingly invincible in clay, and now he’s taking over grass?!? I sure do hope Federer retains his world no.1 ranking despite of that!

Still, I would have preferred Nadal to beat Federer in Wimbledon over somebody else. So, I guess that still ends things on a positive note! They’re both deserving anyway!