I was glad to finally catch my Phoenix Suns play this season but was immediately disappointed as a hot shooting Dwyane Wade carried Miami to an easy win over my Suns 105 - 92.
Wade scored 43 points on a 15 of 41 shooting night to lead all scorers. My favorite player Steve Nash did not play due to injury.
This was the first game between the two teams who figured in a prominent mind-season trade last year that brought Shaquille O'neal to the Suns and Shawn Marion to the Heat.
When I tuned in, it was the beginning of the fourth quarter with the Heat leading by eleven, 81 - 70. My Suns are still adjusting to their change in identity and I missed the free flowing offense I have been accustomed to.
Wade, Marion and Beasley was in the bench that time. But my Suns failed to capitalize. I even did not recognize manning the pointguard for the Suns at the time.
When Stoudemire returned, the Suns went on a little run closing the gap to 99 - 90. But two dunks - one by Haslem and the other an alley-oop by Marion - stopped the momentum and secured the win for the Heat.
Shaq scored only 12. Boyet Sison of the Sports show Hardball, predicted a better game for the big Aristotle based on Shaq's past first games against his former teams. I guess age is gaining on the big fellow.
GMA-7, Solar Sports and RGMA are leaving no stones unturned to bring the Pacquiao - Dela Hoya Dream Match to the whole country on December 7, 2008.
The Dream Match will be covered round by round by DZBB, LS 97.1 and the provincial radio stations under GMA.
Manny Pacquiao will be featured on Reader's Digest as reported by GMA's 24 Oras. The magazine will be distributed in Asia and talks about the Philippine's pride's life and the odd's he faced.
While I do not consider Manny Pacquiao a national hero yet I feel proud that this Reader's Digest issue will once again bring the Philippines to better light amongst is Asian neighbors thru Manny's fame.
I admire Manny for continuously improving himself despite all the money and accolades he already received. I am particularly fond of the improvement in his English and his desire to pursue a college degree.
I hope he would continue inspire the Filipinos in terms of persevering and giving one's best to achieve one's dream.
The Talk N' Text Tropang Texters bucked off a slow start to trounce the Baranggay Ginebra Gin Kings, 103- 90 to a arrest a three-game losing skid and continue the Kings woes at the cellar of the standings in the on-going elimination round of the 2008 KFC Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.
After a scintillating first quarter that saw them shoot 70% , commit a single turnover and enjoy a 36 - 16 lead, the Kings suddenly turn cold.
From a 36 - 16 deficit Talk N Text clawed their way back into game in the second quarter capitalizing on the Kings' 9turnovers to bring them back in the game and end the half down only by six, 55 - 49.
The Tropang Texters rode their momentum in the second half as they started with 8 straights points in the third quarter to take the lead for good and never look back.
Junjun Cabatu and Willy Wilson tried to carry the last stand for the Gin Kings in the fourth quarter, conspiring to trim the lead to eleven, 93 - 84.
Two big play stopped the Kings' rally. First, rookie Jared Dillinger blocked a breakaway lay-up of Paul Artadi. Then, Sunday Salvacion failed to get the possession after Cardona air-balled a trey.
Cardona scored on the next possession, Alapag converted a long trey and Cardona capped of a night with a great
The Texters' defense contained King's main man Jayjay Helterbrand to a single field goal in the second half. Macmac Cardona lead the texters with 32 points.
True to his promise, Joe Dumars has shook up the Detroit Pistons' roster and that no one is indespensible. No less than the Pistons leader and 2004 Finals MVP Chauncy Billups and Antonio McDyess was traded to the Denver Nuggets for Allen Iverson.
Joe Dumars was not satisfied with 6 straight conference appearance. He wants the Pistons to play in June. While he found no trade scenario's to his liking in the offseason, he seemed so focus in bringing the Pistons another championship to make this trade very early in the season.
Pundits has said that the trade works more in favor of the Nuggets this season and works for the Pistons come 2010 for the Lebron sweepstakes, I feel that this trade will do wonders for Detroit in the PR and marketing aspects. With Iverson in the fold, they could no longer be described as boring to watch.
For Iverson, this maybe a good chance to finally get a championship ring. And that he is on the last year of his contract should be enough to motivate him.
As for Dumars, he just made a strong bid to be executive of the year if this trade catapult the Pistons to the finals in June
Nonito " the Filipino Flash " Donaire Jr. is following on the footsteps of Manny Pacquiao in giving honor to the Philippines inside the boxing ring as he succefully defended his IBF Flyweight title against mandatory challenger Moruti Mthalane with a sixth round technical knockout.
After five fairly even rounds, Donaire caught Mthalane with a left that cut the challenger's eyelid. The fight was stopped one minute and 31 seconds in round 6 because Mthalane could not continue.
Image is taken from Wikipedia.
The Portland Trail Blazers bounced back from an opening loss to the Lakers with a win over the San Antonio Spurs in their first game at home 100 - 99.
Oden or not, the Blazers displayed a lot of promise of surpassing their 41 - 41 regular season finish last year. A 19 year-old French player was a revelation in the game by the name of Nicolas Baton. A very long and athletic rookie.
The Blazers have a solid young core and with the addition of Oden, will be contenders in this season and in the future as well.
This is the very first game that I was enable to watch, albeit, not from the start to finish. But everytime I do so, I can feel the electricity in the crowd as the young blazers strut their ways.
Also, I did get to see Rudy Fernandez playing in the NBA. I had some doubts when the Spurs, the veterans that they are, tried to win it at the end.
Good thing Roy and Aldridge were up to the task.
