Spoelstra first Pinoy NBA head coach

Spoelstra who traces his roots to San Pablo, Laguna is the first mentor with Filipino roots and youngest to ever coach in the league.

“I believe Erik Spoelstra is one of the most talented young coaches in a long time,” Riley, who steered the Heat to the NBA crown in 2006, told a news conference.

Spoelstra, son of Irish-Dutch Jon Spoelstra, a long-time NBA executive involved with the Portland Trail Blazers, Denver Nuggets and New Jersey Nets, said he’s proud of his Filipino roots even as he previously said he regretted declining an offer to play in the PBA.

Born in Portland, Spoelstra, whose mother Fe Celino is from San Pablo, Laguna, has been to the Philippines only once.

“I’m embarrassed to admit I’ve visited the Philippines only when I was three years old,” said Spoelstra. “I’m definitely planning to go again. I have lots of relatives who live just outside Manila. I’m hoping that someday soon, I’ll be able to visit and maybe, do some coaching clinics so I can share whatever I know about basketball.”

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Kudos to "The Dean", Mr. Quinito Henson (Joaquin Henson, but I prefer Quinito), for writing the best overall review of the recently concluded Pacquiao-Marquez fight. It's not so much for him siding with Pacman but for objectively analysing the fight and the scoring per round against the punchstat numbers. Even in his PBA stints that I've watched back in the Philippines, Mr. Henson had been my favorite commentator because of his accurate analysis of the game at hand (even the statistics recorded prior to a game) and his "extra" bits of information that makes ordinary fans even more excited to watch the game. Maybe that's why Mr. Henson deserved to be the first Filipino recipient of the first-ever PhilippinesCatholic Mass Media Award in the sports column category (2005) and first Filipino recipient of the first-ever Olympism Award from the Philippine Olympic Committee for excellence in journalism (2004).

The following is Mr. Henson's article for www.Philstar.com which should be read by every boxing fans, aficionados and know-it-alls especially those who are reprobating the judge's decision and discounting the effort Manny Pacquiao showed the whole world.

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"The problem with some Filipino fans is they’ve been spoiled by Pacquiao and expect nothing less than a spectacular knockout in each of his fights."

It is appalling to find some Filipinos casting doubt on the integrity of Manny Pacquiao’s win by split decision over Juan Manuel Marquez in Las Vegas last Saturday.

Like the sourgrapers in Marquez’ camp, they’re insinuating Top Rank chairman Bob Arum did a sleight of hand to protect his hefty investment in Pacquiao by loading the judges panel with personal choices. Marquez’ supporters claim the Mexican should’ve won because the punchstats show he landed more blows.

First, the record will establish that both Pacquiao and Marquez gave their thumbs-up on the three judges who were assigned by the Nevada State Athletic Commission. In fact, one original choice Bill Flaherty was replaced on Pacquiao’s instance because he is Roach’s family friend. He was subbed by Tom Miller, 48. The two other judges were veterans Duane Ford, 70, and Jerry Roth, 66, whose reputation for fairness is unassailable. Ford has been a judge since 1978 and Roth, 1982. They’ve been involved in major world title fights before so working last Saturday’s fight was not an unfamiliar experience.

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Araykupo! Halos ma deform ang karakas ni Pacquiao sa sapok na ito ni Tita Marquez.

Kahapon ay sobrang tensiyunado ako na kung may kumatok sa kwarto ko para manghiram ng bombang DVD ay baka masapok ko. Mabuti na lang at napataob mo si Marquez sa third round. Kung hindi baka delikado ka sa desisyon ng mga huwes. Kung bakit kasi pinabayaan mo pang sapakin ka ng kalaban mo na alam naman ng lahat na ang sapok niya ay very predictable at kayang kaya mong ilagan. Malamang ay pinapatunayan mo lang sa lahat na kayang-kaya mo ang umbag ng iyong katunggali. Inamin mo naman sa huli ng ikaw ay kapanayamin ng isang amerikanong hilaw na: "Aym rili hart. Ay did not see his panches bikus op di blad in may eye yu now." Wow improving ang english mo idol.

Sabi ni Girlash baka daw lumabas ang tren.

Dahil sa dikit ang laban ay marami tuloy ang nag second guess sa desisyon ng mga hurado. Bago nga sabihin ni Michael Buffer ang huling bilang ng puntos ay natawag ko na  yata ang isang limpak na santo't santa santita para lamang pagkalooban ka ng panalo. Langya, what a relief  ng i-anunsiyo na ng bedroom voice na emcee na ikaw ang nagwagi. Tangina ang swerte galing mo talaga! Aprub ka talaga.

Dahil (halos) evenly matched ang performance ng dalawa parehong proud sina Pacman at Pacwoman, este Marquez after the bout.

Sana sa mga susunod mong laban ay di ko na makita si Chavit sa likod mo sa ibabaw ng ring patuloy kang magwagi at makapag-alay ng karangalan sa ating bansa. Your place in the boxing world hall of fame is already cemented. Wala ng kokontra ha Recah Trinidad.

The Good (center), the Dud (kaliwa) and the Bogli (kanan).

Pacman Vs. Marquez

MARQUEZ, 130; PACQUIAO, 129!

Excited na ako, katulad ng mahigit sa 80 milyon na Filipino, para sa laban ni Pacman kay Marquez bukas. Gustong gusto ko na nga matapos ang Sabado dahil isa ito sa pinaka-boring na araw dito sa Tangguh (well lahat naman ng araw boring dito) at ng makapanood na ng laban ng ating pambansang kamao. Bukas ay busy kami sa opisina kahit na Sunday dahil malapit na naman ang cutoff ng singilan dito sa mga trabahong nagawa. Pero kahit na hilahin ako ng boss ko na pumasok sa opisina eh hindi ako mapipilit. Siguro magpakita lang ako ng 2-3 hours sa umaga at pagkatapos ay takas na. Bukas ay talaga namang isa sa pinaka matinding Sunday na nga ang magaganap dahil sa hindi lang laban ni Pacquiao kundi bukas din ang pinaka-aabangan kong Melbourne F1 Grand Prix (first GP of the year shet! Go Ferrari) at syempre ang first meeting para sa aming CNSHS Batch '98 reunion. Anyway nalayo na ako sa topic about Pacman.

Two weeks before the fight nagsimula na akong maghanap ng makaka-pustahan. Dahil sa nakilala na ng mga Indonesians si Pacman wala nang gustong mag bet against him. Aba at ang siste pa ay sila ang naghahamon ng pustahan na para sila kay Pacquiao at ako daw para sa kalaban. Mygalibaw! Meron naman iba na ang gustong pustahan ay kung anong round mana-knock out si Marquez na ang dating ay parang pa-ending sa PBA. Masyado na talagang sikat si Pacman at maging ang mga Indons na ang alam lamang ay sumipa ng bola at kumain ng pagke-anghang anghang na pagkain ay nawiwili na rin sa kwentuhan at tsismisan patungkol kay Pacman...at nakikipag pustahan pa na hindi naman ine-encourage ng kanilang relihiyon. Sino nga ba naman ang hindi magsusugal ng kanilang rupiah kay Pacquiao kung ang makakalaban nya ay ganito ang porma:

Naku mga Pinoy talaga in-edit pa ang mga pictures ni Marquez. Photoshop nga naman. Siguro para maiwasan ang mga kapustahan nila na umatras kaya medyo ginawang mukhang macho si Papa Marquez. Ang totoo kasi mas baklita pa diyan sa mga larawan sa taas ang pose nya sa mga photograpers sa weigh in nila. Narito ang isa sa original / unedited picture ni Marquez bago dumaan sa kamay ng mga pilyo.

Bakla daw si Marquez!

Wala na akong masabi... wala na rin ako time na mag-hanap pa ng Pacquiao scandals. Let's get ready to rumble sabi nga ni pareng Michael Buffer. Tanginangyan suntukan na!

Kung gusto nyo pang makahagilap ng mga letrato na katulad ng nasa taas ay bumisita lang sa PACLAND.

I was really very happy yesterday when I learned about his victory. The sad thing was that I was not able to watch the fight in television. Damn, there's no coverage provided by RCTI as most Filipinos here in Indonesia were expecting as the network covered Manny's bouts since he beat Barrera in theri first duel. I just relied on text messages sent to me after every rounds.

I could not really say anything more about the boxing fight since I was not able to see it. I just hope that somebody back home recorded it so I can watch it when I go on vacation.

Mabuhay ka Manny! Mabuhay ang Pilipinas! You made the Filipinos prooud again!!!

I felt a big relief that it will not be Miss Ara Mina, as rumored earlier to be the one chosen, who will belt out our national anthem. Well, not to say Miss Ara's talent is inferior but I believe Kyla can sing our NA better. Another thing is that there will be no added controversy since Kyla is not rumored to have any romantic relationship with our prized fighter while Ara is continually being linked to MP.

Bad thing is that I will not see my fantasy coming true...Jinky coming up the ring to smack down Ara Mina while she's singing the NA and obviously exchanging flirty looks and smiles with MP... the next scene is open for suggestion.

9th place in Asian basketball is not that bad. It's not the worst starting point.

Taiwan is actually playing for fifth place in the on-going FIBA event. And we know that we have a better team than our nearest Asian neighbor up north. Taiwan NT beat Japan, going with its American reinforced-NT, in its own turf! So the future is bright! We really hadn't had the best of luck in the preliminaries. Next time should be different though. Sulong Team Pilipinas!

Box score of China vs Team Pilipinas

Last night, the hopes of millions of Filipinos were dashed as the Jordan NT crashed Team Pilipinas 84-76. Really, I thought from the start that trying to adopt the "international style of play" was not such a good idea. Why? Because our players are not used to doing that. They all play in a PRO basketball league using PRO rules and format. This is somewhat like what happened to Team USA in the last tournaments where they were simply outplayed by their opponents. How about this...next time just know the rules..the amateur rules. Do not start from scratch and pretend to master the "international style of play". Instead go with the Pinoy basketball strength. The true style of Pinoy ballplayers. Go with what we already have in your system. It's just a basketball game anyway. I believe any style of offense and defense can suit any game as long as necessary adjustments are made before and during game time. Go with what we know already. Enhance it more. Master it. Instead of trying real hard to learn another way in a short period of time. Over preparation in a contracted schedule tends to bring in much injuries and stress. Look at what happened to some of the keyplayers like Seigle, Yap, Helterbrand. Seigle wasn't able to show his wares. Yap wasn't even chosen (because of typical bulok mentality Chot resorted into..gut feeling packingshet!). Helterbrand only played sparingly..well Jimmy Alapag was brilliant anyway.

Too much expectations also brought too much pressure on our team. Why? It's the Olympic slot that's at stake! Not only that. Team Pilipinas has been given too much limelight. Yeah basketball is the nation's favorite sport when Manny Pacquiao is not bruising opponents in the square ring... but really shouldn't we just let them play loose next time. Enough of the public media hype and over strident hoopla goal demands. Let the next Team Pilipinas focus on the objective.

As the level of competition goes up, so does our hunger to be back on top of Asian Basketball be. Let's start anew. Learn from these painful mistakes made in the 2007 FIBA Asia Championships. Never lose hope because one day we will again get to where we were once...the top seat in Asian basketball heavens. We will bring home the bacon next time. Right now we fell short, but Juan De La Cruz is as proud as anyone can be because he knows everybody in Team Pilipinas did his very best.

Makakalaban na rin lang natin ang Team Jordan mamaya as we bid for the next stage ng FIBA Asia 2007 Championships...mabuti na sigurong pag-aralan natin ang kanilang roster. Medyo mas mataas ang kanilang average height sa ating roster ngunit mas athletic ang Pinoy ballplayers natin. Sanay na sila sa amateur rules and international competitions...tayo ay nagsisimula pa lang matuto. Ranked 56th ang Jordan sa FIBA list while Philippines is ranked 65th lang.

Players to watch out for:

Rasheim Wright - a naturalized Jordanian who grew up in Pennsylvania, USA. Scored 40 pts in their win against China but struggled against Iran scoring just 9 pts. His field goal percentage is very impressive at 62.5% (15/24 FG). Free throw shooting is a bit suspect as he was just hitting his freebies at only 60% clip (9/15 FT). Averages 3 TO a game.

Enver Soobzokov - Didn't contribute too much in the China game but was a factor (aside from his 5 TOs) in their second game against Iran with his 3-point shooting bagging four from beyond the arc. Team Pilipinas should not leave this guy open from three point land.

Zaid Al-Khas - This guy can hurt Team Pilipinas from the low post and even from afar. His inside-outside game is good enough to cause havoc in our defense. Team Pilipinas should just let him throw away those three point shots as he is prone to being trigger happy and his percentage from downtown is just 23.5%. He should be boxed out very well everytime he's inside the lane looking for rebounds.

Islam Abbaas - The rebounding demon and enforcer of the Jordanian national squad. He snatched 10 offensive rebounds and 7 defensive rebounds for a total of 17 when Jordan beat China. This guy should be boxed out by at least two Pinoy ballplayer when a shot was released in the air. Although his performance in the rebounding department was stellar the first time, he did not saw that much action in their game against Iran. Is he injured?

***Jordainian frontlines Al-Khas and Idais (though has never seen too much action thus far) can both play inside and outside. Our defense has to step up.

Last time Team Pilipinas faced Jordan (Jones Cup, 06-Jul-2007), we lost by just four points. Here's the boxscore from that game:

Jordan (74): Almaayta 18, Idais 15, Daghles 9,Alkhas 8, Wright 8, Abbas 6, Sobzoko 5, Al-Sous 3, Abbas 2, Anajjar 0

Philippines (70): Caguioa 25,Alapag 17, Raymundo 8, Norwood 5, Wiliams 5, Hontiveros 4, Helterbrand 4, Taulava 2, Pennisi 0, Yap 0, Menk 0

Below is the complete list of the 12-man line up of Team Jordan:

JORDAN's ROSTER
#	Name	P	Heigth	DOB	Place Of Birth	Current Club
4	Fadel Kamal Abdelrahman ANAJJAR	G	192cm 6'4"	03/04/1985	-  KUW	-
5	Rasheim WRIGHT	G	194cm 6'4"	21/07/1981	Pennslvania  (USA)	-
6	Zaid ABBAAS	F	198cm 6'6"	21/11/1983	Nablus	-
7	Mousa ALAWADI	G	192cm 6'4"	20/07/1985	Amman  (JOR)	-
8	Issa KAMEL	F	195cm 6'5"	29/01/1983	East Jerusalem  (ISR)	HAPOEL JERUSALEM (ISR)
9	Enver SOOBZOKOV	F	198cm 6'6"	03/05/1978	-  USA	-
10	Sam DAGHLAS	F	199cm 6'6"	18/09/1979	Amman  (JOR)	-
11	Wesam AL-SOUS	G	183cm 6'0"	24/02/1983	Amman  (JOR)	-
12	Mousa Salah BASHIR	C	207cm 6'9"	13/07/1978	Jerusalem  (ISR)	HAPOEL JERUSALEM (ISR)
13	Zaid AL-KHAS	C	206cm 6'9"	07/03/1976	Amman  (JOR)	-
14	Islam ABBAAS	F	200cm 6'7"	11/03/1980	Nablus	-
15	Ayman IDAIS	C	208cm 6'10"	28/06/1978	Amman  (JOR)	-
Average height:			198cm/6'6"

Yesterday naman when our team beats China aba very elated ang lahat ng Pinoy I'm sure hindi lang dito at sa Pilipinas kundi sa buong mundo kung saan marami ang sumusubaybay sa journey ng ating mga manlalaro pasulong sa muling pag-compete sa olympics. Kaya nga today kahit masakit ang katawan ko at puyat masarap pa rin ang feeling kasi may pag-asa pa tayo. Kailangan lang matalo ng Team Pilipinas ang Jordan to advance to the quarterfinals. Well, easier said than done...remember tinalo ng Jordan ang Team Pilipinas sa recently concluded William Jones Cup... Jordanian ballplayers emerged as the champions there.

So bad news was behind us now.. Good news, sarap talaga... sana more good news at talunin natin ang Jordan later today... Tuloy tuloy na sana tayo sa next rounds and hopefully Olympics 2008!!! Go Team Pilipinas!