falling for an arch rival!

Its been six days after my first UAAP experience but the feeling is still there. Excitement, kilig and tension. I cans still smell the game.

But what made me sleepless for the past 6 nights was not really about the team that I was routing for. It doesn't make any sense right? How can I think of an arch rival when the victory was with my team and I am also doing some comments to the team captain of my fave team? This would sound ridiculous to my friends especially those who were really my basketball buddies.

Almost seven years ago, I saw this guy wearing a green jersey playing basketball in tv. I was really astounded by his performance. He was a good playmaker, a go to guy and a floor leader to his teammates. I started to love watching that basketball show and it was the start of my UAAP journey. After a few more games, I’ve learned that the guy I was actually watching was called COOL CAT and was a member of the LA SALLE varsity team. It did not really made sense to me. I did know the history of UAAP back then. So I started checking the history of the league. I’ve learned that La Salle had long rival (way back in NCAA time), the Ateneo. But it didn’t bother me at all. I continued to admire that guy and even prayed that he’ll make it to the pros. After a year of following his career, I have learned to love the league as well. By the year 2002, ‘twas a challenge for me to defend Mr Cool Cat to some friends who were Ateneo believers. My friends had always hated the green archers because of their playing attitude. But I remained positive since I saw Mike’s determination and professionalism. During the finals season of the UAAP season (2002), Mike had to suffer a few criticisms which for me were unfair like he sold his game to the other team or he really wanted Ateneo to win and such rumors. I was mum. By the time he left UAAP and transferred to the pros, I was even happier since he became part of the team that I was also following since the time I was born (?). After settling to the pros, I started thinking. Will I still continue to be an archer or its about time to weigh things. Just when I thought I made the right choice, I was also starting to plan for my college application. I bumped into different people and most of them are La Sallites. That’s where I’ve started to really observe the archers during their games and indeed they were really “maangas” and I hated it. I told my self, “Bakit di ko na notice yan during mike’s time?” Now it was very visible.With macmac Cardona and Joseph Yeo as captains and go-to-guy of this team, I made a decision that I had to let go of my fondness of La Salle. But I have to admit, Yeo and Cardona were indeed exceptional in terms of basketball. But for me, attitude does its part too.

After scouting for a new team, I have come to a decision that I would go for a team with good basketball philosophy and values and academic background. A team that even without basketball, the players could still be successful in the field that they’ve chosen. I was torn between UP and Ateneo. In terms of basketball, Ateneo was ahead and UP was far far behind but both have good academic programs for their athletes so I chose Ateneo since UAAP is about basketball and sports in general.

For 6 years I became an Ateneo believer. I have seen how their basketball program changed from Joel Banal to Norman Black as well as how the players started and exit the team. The rookies that they’ve recruited and the pros that they’ve created; indeed Ateneo made a difference in a league that actually centers in basketball. The team has grown to be an unpredictable and continuously surprise every time they go out of their dug out and play the game. For so many seasons, the team was forecasted to be the least to reach the final four but never the less; they proved them wrong and every year they get better and better.

So how is this connected to my dilemma for the past days?

Well, after watching the ADMU-LA SALLe game last Sunday, things started to change for me. After seeing one guy who played so hard and lead his team had caught my attention again and unfortunately, he came from the other team, my arch rival. JC CASIO. Two words: ATTITUDE and ABILITY. His attitude toward the game is awesome. He was never pikon and always made sure that he could take those shots seriously. His ability to drive and destroy the defense of Ateneo and the flawless three-point shot that he would take, swept me off my feet. He is undeniably a hard court prince for me.

Now, I am just happy that my fondness of basketball has reached its maturity. Its not about winning and loosing a game, but how you played it. Your win will just be the icing to the cake that you createdvwhile loosing will help you get better the next game. Nothing to loose, its just about taking side. I dare you to take side too.

But remember, no matter how I admire JV Casio for his basketball prowess, I remain to be an ATENEO believer for the same reason that I had six years ago. ONE BIG FIGHT ATENEO.

Post game EmO!

Yeah, its over and it ended well!But more than Ateneo winning the game, the best things were before the game ended.I don't know what to say yet..I feel so high.So here are some random thoughts in my head right now.

Chris, the man behind the win is playing his best season this year and I hope he'll be consistent and so with the entire team. Buenafe has a future with basketball.Kirk Long did not really played well. I did not feel his presence and so did jai reyes. Defensively, Nonoy and Al did a good job though did not do better than their Lasalle counterparts. As what I've said, one man cannot win a chanpionship and so with Ateneo if it would only be Chris efforts alone.

As for Lasalle, it was not their day but I know for sure that they'll do better. For JV he was still the gunner and the leader of the team.He made it through but his friend rico did not shine that much.It was rookie Joshua Webb who showed the crowd what a La Salle game should be. With some defensive help from Ferdinand and Walsham, Ateneo was forced to commit errors.Simon Atkins playing for his 2nd year and Badel Malabes were both mum too. Bader seems to be upset.hmmmm I'm not sure though.Overall, Lasalle's defensive tactics made them better than Ateneo.Luck however was with Ateneo.

Some stupid errors from both teams were really visible.One point, Al was supposed to shoot the ball during a fast break and he was just below the ring and he missed it. Whew, what jerk! Then, Jai's stupid shot during a fast break. For La Salle, the foul committed during the last minute of the game that brought Chris Tiu to the line for a 3 free throws.Some fast break plays that did not go well. But I know both teams will learn from what happened today.

When we were about to go out of the big dome, I heard some La SAllites were talking about some wrong/uncalled violations.The technical foul called before the game started that brought Chris to the free throw line. The uncalled foul when Meirhoffer was supposedly hit by the elbow of Nonoy Baclao and when eric's foot hit the ball during the last shot taken by JV Casio.And some other lapses.

But more than those technical stuffs, what made the game so special was the fact that it was my first and a dream come true. I saw Chris for the first time.I kept on praying that he'll be safe and he'll play good/better game today.Yeah, it was really really heart warming seeing him.I felt the world was with me. May be because he was part of my UAAP dream and became an influence to my dream/s.But then again, he was just one of the reasons why I started dreaming a UAAP game.

Yes, I am now a certified UAAP crowd.And a true FYTING MAroon!I cheered whole-heartedly during the UP-NU game. I felt so complete during the time that when we were singing UP NAMING MAHAL.I've been singing that song since first year but it meant alot to me few hours ago. It was a song of victory. I sang it with my dear cuzin who happens to be an Iskolar ng Bayan too!

The game is over and it ended on my side.But it didn't end there. I was with my cuzins and tito's family and of course, we talked about what happened, over dinner (thanks to Shakeys). Yeah, all of them are La Sallites and La Salle believers and I felt so alone.I kept mum and just concentrated on what I was doing (eating!!!). But I was also sad when they started saying negative things about the game esp about ateneo's dirty tactics and why Chris tiu is still playing this season.But I can't argue.I owe them alot.But I know deep inside me, Ateneo won and it was a fair game.

Now, I just want to enjoy the feeling!

dREAming and living it!

Here I am very ecstatic about the game that I'll be watching tomorrow.Well, its not just a "game" but one of the games that I've been dying to watch since high school. Yes I was and will always be a UAAP fan and mostly, an ATENEAn BASKETBALL believer.

Some years back, I can still vividly remember my first ever mag, a CHALK UAAP_NCAA mag. It was Paul Artadi, Wesly Gozales, James Yap and Mac Cardona donning the cover pages of the magazines.Since then, I started collecting mags that featured the UAAP events and even the NCAA. Everytime there was an ATENEO-LASALLE game, I skipped classes.May be it was part of my immature and stupid days, but rest assured, I very much enjoyed it.Looking back, I can still recall how I started dreaming of becoming a court side reporter, a scholar in UP/ATeneo, a friend of one of the UAAP stars and of course to be part of the crowd cheering for my respective school.

Now, here I am recalling my dreams and I realized that most of them came true.First, I became a scholar in UP.Yeah yeah I'm one proud Iskolar ng Bayan...jajaja.Next, this is just super coincident. I came in contact with no less than TY TANG of DLSU in my fourth year in high school!!!I can't believe it until now. It started with a dare from my stupid mind to send TY a letter while working on my College application for DLSU. Not until few days before my 16th birthday someone txted me saying thank you and yes guys it was TY Tang...kuya TY.It was one of the best gifts God has given me.We were texting each other like brother and sister.I came to know about his girlfriend Rachelle SY and all others. I was really really happy.And now, the last but certainly not the least dream that would come true is that fact that I would be part of the crowd tomorrow to cheer for my team (UP) and ofcourse as a supporter for ATENEO though I'll be staying with my cuzins in the LASALLE side.It wouldn't matter now.As long as I can watch them play and pray for them, it'll be ok.

I know I have a lot to thank...so here it goes from the deepest part of my hearT :

Of course to GOD who made all these things possible.Thank you God for being there for me and helping me achieve all of these things that I have now.I know that I am not worthy to have it but with YOU and YOUR power, YOU made me worth every blessing. Forgive me for all the things I've done that made you sad.

To my parents for helping me achieve my dreams and were very supportive of me even during my stupid high school days.They would buy me magazines and allowed me to skip classes every time I wanted to.I love you mom and popz!

To my brothers who were my greatest basketball influence of all time. Thank you for introducing me to the sports and instilling in me the right attitude and skills in basketball.You are my heroes and my buddies forever.!!!

To my high school barkadas who are still my closest friends who dreamt with me!You were part of this guys.To joya,julie,analyn,antonet...I miss you but I know that you are happy for me.Even though you're not gonna be with me tom physically, Ul be in my heart!!!Without you I will not continue dreaming...and I won't start it either!

To my closest friends who were there to listen while I talk about basketball, ateneo,chris tiu and etc...thank you guys!Thank you to NG JIZA!!!You inspired me alot...heehee remember when you texted me that U saw Wesly Gonzales in Glorietta?I told myself AKO DIN at di lang si wesley ang makikita ko...its gonna be the entire ATENEO and DLSU team!

And most especially my cuzins DIA DUDAY BUTCH.Guys, you made my dreams come true.To DIA who bought the tickets for us!!! I'll be forever thankful to you!

And to EASTWEST banking corporation for hiring me and paying me...jejeje this is where I got the money to buy our tickets!

So before I end this, I would want everyone to know that EVERY DREAM HAS A BEGINNING (GOAL 1) and I AM LIVING MY DREAM (GOAL 2).