One of the greatest gifts a a sports fan can have is an autographed sports memorabilia from his or her favorite sporting idol.

I would love to have any signed items from Michael Jordan, Roger Federer, Steve Nash or from our Filipino sport heroes like Manny Pacquiao, Efren "Bata" Reyes, Paeng Nepumuceno, Robert Jaworski, Allan Caidic, Vergel Meneses and other PBA stars.

Not every fan are lucky enough to get their basketball cap, ball, shoes or jersey get signed on personally by their sports idol. So, the last recourse of die-hard fans would be to buy one autographed sports memorabilia from the internet.

But how authentic is the autograph on that sporting memorabilia you want to buy?

And we all know that buying online isn't all that good all the time. When a fan buys a signed item, it is all about the "signature" or "autograph" because it would be the connection he or she will have with his/her idol. And with that comes a company that deals with Autograph Authentication.

Autograph Certification Experts LLC (ACE) is one of the leading companies. ACE ensures that fans like me are not duped by forgers. They have an extensive library of signature samples of famous athletes. The ACE experts, headed by Justin Priddy, meticulously studies and analyzes every signature in every way and compares them to genuine signatures of athletes. And lastly, the security labels they will put protect any fan's prized signed memorabilia will almost impossible to remove without damaging the item.

Companies like ACE, will help ensure that what we worked hard to possess is the real thing, an authentic connection with our sports heroes - through their autographed sports memorabilia.

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Almost a month ago, I was happy to blog about the Chicago Bulls because I was able to watch them beat the much hyped Miami Heat.

Back then, the Bull's win for me is an indication that they are serious contenders in the Eastern conference in the play-offs.

To my surprise, the Chicago Bulls is now number one in the team standings in the Eastern Conference after their win against the Washington Wizards, 98 - 79. That is without Joakim Noah & Carlos Boozer.

Wow!

Perhaps they got more inspired seeing MJ & Scottie Pippen recently celebrate the 20th anniversary of Chicago's first NBA championship.

Well, the NBA championship is really won by the team that peaks right into the playoffs.

Though I agree that Derrick Rose should be the MVP of the regular season, (barring any major collapse of the Bulls) I'd still think the Celtics will prevail in the East though.

As for my favorite Phoenix Suns team, Captain Nash is injured and may be it is a little too late to catch the Memphis Grizzlies for the 8th place in the west.

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After the Ateneo De Manila University Blue Eagles win over the Far Eastern University Tamaraws last night 74 - 73, the Final Four of the 2009 UAAP Men's Senior Basketball competition is now complete and the semifinal pairings cast.

The Ateneo Blue Eagles will face the fading UST Growling Tigers and appears to easily march into the finals. Unless, coach Pido can pull a major ace up his sleeves, his wards would stand no chance against the defending champs.

The other semifinal match will pit the FEU tamaraws and the surging UE Red Warriors. The Warriors was able to avenged their first round defeat against the Tamaraws in a convincing fashion. The Tams should be wary of an upset and must take care of the Warriors right in the first game. Otherwise, a do-or-die second game will only increase the Warriors confidence.

I am expecting an ATENEO - FEU final and wishing the Tamaraws to win.

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I just caught the latter part of Hardball's replay of their June 12 show where in they featured Steve Nash as the 2009 NBA Finals correspondent for the David Letterman Show. Gosh, I have been missing a lot.

I am a big fan of Steve Nash and still feels bad about him and my phoenix suns not making the playoffs this season. And I am blaming Steve Kerr for that!

Nash, still being part of the NBA Finals, is some consolation for us fans. I just hopes he gets at least one championship ring before he hangs up his jersey.

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The past few days made me busy and prevented my from watching ongoing sporting events and blogging about it.

The billiards or pool season had already begun but I failed to watch the Philippine Open 10 ball pool championships. I saw a part of Womens' World Ten ball championships but never got to know who won. Perhaps a consolation, I saw one match of Shannel Lorraine. Hehehe!!!

I also failed to watch the game clinching Game 6 of the eastern finals between the Orlando Magic and the Cleveland Cavaliers. I also missed Game 1 of the 2009 NBA Finals. Waaaaaaaaahhh!!!!

The coming week is more likely to be just the same. :(

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Come Sunday, sportsfans like me will be treated to an action-filled April 19.

The first ever double world title fight in the Philippines dubbed "The Flash and The Furious" will be held at the historic Araneta Coliseum.

The 2009 NBA Playoffs will start on the same day.

As well as UFC 97 Redemption.

Hopefully, I could watch and enjoy them all and blog about all of them as well.

I.

In this historic bout, Nonito "the Filipino Flash" Donaire Jr. will stake his IBF Flyweight crown against Raul "the Cobra" Martinez while Bryan "the Hawaiian Punch" Viloria will challenge Ulises Solis for the IBF Light Flyweight belt.

The boxing event will also feature two up and coming Filipino Boxers in Denver "the excitement" Cuello and Sonny Boy Jaro. GMA - 7 will show the bout at 1 pm.


II.

Even without my Phoenix Suns, the fan in me eagerly awaits the 2009 NBA Playoffs to see who will emerge as champions.

With the MVP award almost assured, is this the year of Lebron's first championship ? Will Kobe and the Lakers complete the job this time around? Are the Boston Celtics capable of defending their crown without leader Kevin Garnett? Or will another team come from nowhere to lay claim on the championship? These are questions among others that will be answered soon.

CS/9 coverage will start at 10:30 am


III.

UFC 97 will feature Middleweight King Anderson "the Spider" Silva as he will try to defend his belt for the fifth consecutive time against Thales Leites. MMA Legend Chuck "the Iceman" Liddel will battle Mauricio "Shogun" Rua. Channel 23 will show this at 10 pm in the evening.

Now that slate of sporting events is really something to look forward to.

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I was browsing the worldwide leader in sports and my attention was drawn to a photo.

Is he a filipino? Is he Japeth Aguilar?

I thought I saw a filipino among college players tugging each other's arms in the photo. And I was right. I checked the roster and it was in fact, Japeth Aguilar who played for the Ateneo Blue Eagles in the UAAP.

He is a senior for the Western Kentucky University Hilltoppers who upset fifth seeded Illinois in this game. 

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My favorite local sports show, HARDBALL, proved to be the last straw that compelled me to open a Facebook account.

I really welcome as great sports news that sports talk show being hosted by wacky trio of Bill Velasco, Jinno Rufino and Boyet Sison is finally seen on free local TV via Studio 23 from Mondays thru Thursdays. I used to catch them only at my gf's house as it was previously and solely aired at ANC Channel every 10:30 pm on weekdays.

Having seen that they interact with sports fan through their facebook account, I decided to finally create my own Facebook account. Hoping someday my sports ideas would one day see the light of broadcast TV.

Update:
Guest what? My message on Hardball's facebook wall was read on Friday's episode February 27, 2008.

My primary photo looks dark on TV though. :)

More power to Hardball!!!! :)

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If there is one thing I really love to do, it is watching sports. Blogging about it make me realize a favorite fantasy - being a sports writer. When I started this blog last May, I have some doubts if I could sustain the effort - my love of sports carried me the past six months or so. And I guess 2009 won't be any different.

Here is my eight best sport watching moments of 2008.

1. UAAP Season 71 Basketball Games, Final Four and Finals
2. Manny Pacquiao's sensational obliteration of Oscar De La Hoya
3. Tiger Woods making a long birdie putt on 3rd Round of 2008 US Open Golf Championships
4. Roger Federer's semifinal win over Novak Djokovic at the 2008 US Open Tennis Championships
5. The Olympic Basketball Gold medal match between Team USA and Spain
6. Baranggay Ginebra Gin Kings capturing another PBA Title
7. Day 2 of the 2008 Ryder Cup
8. Watching mixed martial arts for the first time with UFC 92 The Ultimate 2008

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One of the cool things I find in baseball is to see outfielders in sunglasses chasing flyballs in the field. Aside from preventing them get distracted by the Sun or bright lights, I feel that sunglasses add to their psyche or mojo.

And I bet the sunglasses they wear during games are not the ordinary type I see around. Perhaps these baseball teams has departments solely responsible in getting the best sunglasses and sports stuff for the players.

As for me, wearing one is a lifelong frustration. The same can be said to the sports I am able to play. You see, I am nearsighted and has worn eyeglasses since my senior year in high school. That has prevented me from engaging with most sports especially those that has lots of contacts.

One thing that works for me in this respect, is I get to save money from shopping for sports stuffs like apparel and equipment etc...

If ever I get rich, I would have my eyes undergo LASIK surgery. That way, I get to wear sunglasses and go through the hassles and joy of selecting the best one for me!

Imagine playing your favorite sports in full battle gear? That would definitely give me more confidence which can improve my performance.

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Retirement or walking away from the Sport that you love and made you great is really the hardest thing to do for athletes who are caught by mother time.

Only a few athletes have walked away from their sports while they are on top.

Brett Favre came out of retirement only a year after that emotional farewell. This resulted in some intrigue in Green Bay. Lance Armstrong will be riding his bike again supposedly for the purpose of promoting cancer awareness. Evander Holyfield is reported to fight again versus a seven - footer.

Of the athletes in my generation, I can only think of Pete Sampras - retiring in top form. He called it quits after winning the US Open, his 14th career singles grandslam title at the expense of my favorite, Andre Agassi.

As I have read from my favorite sports writer, Bill Simmons, Elgin Baylor is another example of retiring when it is already time.

I hope that all sports personalities, specially the superstars have the wisdom to know the difference between walking away or grinding through and the humility to accept that they can not beat mother time

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The much anticipated sporting event in the world is underway in Beijing.

I am looking forward to Filipino athletes who were able to secure olympic berths despite the odds. I pray that they do well. Go, Pinoy!

Another thing that I will really look forward is the Men's Basketball competition. I am a sucker for underdogs that is why I hope Argentina win the gold. But I wouldn't mind if USA regains its supremacy in basketball.

Next to basketball, I would like to watch the Tennis competition. I hope Federer and Nadal can bring their rivalry in the Olympics as well.

Be one with Olympic spirit. Take on the olympic quiz challenge below and win exciting prizes.

China Olympic Quiz Challenge
WIN! all 5 official Olympic mascot dolls! Klik Dito

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The Far Eastern University Tamaraws showed their title-contention form as they trounced their university belt neighbor, University of the East Warrriors 71 - 69 in the ongoing UAAP Season 71 Men's Senior Basketball competition at the Philsports Arena.

The Tamaraws are missing their second best gunner, Mac Baracael who was shot last Thursday by a yet unidentified gunman but is said to be in stable condition. Despite his absence, the Tams were able to keep instep with the Warriors due to the stellar play of veteran Benedict Fernandez.

The first two quarters saw two treys at the buzzer from both squad. In the first, JR Cawaling nailed a trey to give FEU a 16 - 15 lead. In the second canto, it was Marcy Arellano's rainbow heave from a well-executed play that turned the favor for UE, 33 - 31.

A bliztering start by the Warriors in the second half, propelled them to a big ten-point lead, 43 - 33. But Fernandez scored ten straight points of his own to level the count. The third canto ended with UE still up by two, 55-53.

The pay-off quarter saw two teams battle toe-toe. An Elmer Espiritu offensive rebound and power lay-in knotted the count at 66 all with 52.4 seconds left in the game. In the ensuing play, Barroca found the lane open for an uncontested lay-in putting FEU ahead, 68-66.

UE has actually two chances to tie the game but was thwarted by good inside defense from the Tams. Aldrech Ramos was fouled after getting the defensive rebound and converted two free throws, 70 - 66 with only 9.4 seconds to go.

Thiele's surprised three point basket off the glass helped UE threaten for the last time, 70 - 69.

Mark Barroca was immediately fouled in the next possesion. He made the first free-throw, missed the second but recovered his own miss as the Tamaraws escaped with the win and a 4 - 1 slate.

UE fell to an even 3-3 slate.


*****
In the first game, the De La Salle University Green Archers cruised to its fifth straight win as they crushed the University of the Philippines 82 - 60.

The Archers bench scoring proved to be enough to lead the Archers to another victory and dealt the reeling Maroons to another lopsided loss.


SOME DIVOTS:

I was surprised and moved a bit by the joint entrance of FEU and UE cheering squads in their halftime performance. Its the first time I witnessed a show of unity. I hope other teams will follow.

Coach Glenn Capacio, who I don't personally like because of his past tormenting of my favorite Allan Caidic in their hoop clashes in the past, earned my admiration by two endgame decisions. I hope he can be as successful as Coach Franz Pumaren.

It is interesting that UE has plays named Sacramento and Double Fists. Or I just heard it wrong?

I hope Baracael recovers asap for FEU's sake and the perpetrators of that ghastly shooting be apprehended immediately.

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I just blogged about my first ever perfect game in my primary blog. As a fan, I have yet to witness one.

Bowling, perhaps, is the easiest among sports to accomplish a perfect game. A perfect game in bowling is striking out ten straight times and garnering a score of 300. Even so, it isn't everyday that I hear or read about it.

I know there is also one in baseball. A pitcher is credited a perfect game when no batter reaches base either via a hit or a walk. This is what I am dying to see in an actual game. I saw one in a movie, For the Love of the Game, which starred Kevin Costner as Billy Chapel, on the verge of retirement, accomplishing a perfect game in his last time at the mound.

If all breaks in 9-ball competition turned to a golden break, maybe that will also amount to a perfect game.

I don't know of other perfect game in other sports.

All I pray is that I see one in my lifetime.

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Some things that has yet to change...

My beloved Phoenix Suns' season ended in the hands of the Spurs. Shaq coming to the desert failed to push them into the next level. So for the time -being, Mr. Steve Kerr's blockbuster trade for the big fellah makes him more of moron than a genious.

Tracy McGrady's playoff legend or curse of the first round continues and again from the Jazz. I wish he get traded to the Pistons. Maybe he could have a better chance reaching the second round if he is in the eastern conference. But he was previously there as a Magic...

Speaking of Orlando, the Magic fell short again versus the Pistons. They should pray that roster changes for the Pistons as promised by Joe Dumars, will give them a better match up if they again meet in the play-offs.

Some surprises..

The Atlanta Hawks giving the newly-crowned champs Boston Celtics a good and competitive series than say, LA Lakers.

That a 50 win team failed to make it to the play-offs because of the fierce competition in the western conference.

Kobe Bryant failing to register a Jordan-like performance when he is the mvp and considered the most talented player in the league today.

Thank you '08 Season. Goodbye for now. Wake me up when October ends....

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Two major sporting events are ongoing. Unfortunately, I could not able to watch because of work. Fortunately, I have internet connection in my line of work.

These two sporting events were the NBA 2008 Finals and the 2008 US Open Golf Championship. 

From time to time, when my boss is not looking, I browse pages that covers both of them. 

Game 5 of the NBA finals is a bit less exciting. Considering that no team has yet to comeback from a 3-1 deficit, I suspected that the Celtics would just offer token resistance and take the crown right in their homecourt in game 6. But to my surprise, the Celtics almost won again coming from behind. 

The golf major championship, the US Open, is another story. I was hooked on the compelling live blog. I forgot the blog writer's name at the moment. But I really liked the idea of covering sports via blog real time. And since the championship was down to the last putt, I was itching to know the outcome. I am glad Tiger Woods made a clutch birdie. When I watch its replay, I can still feel excitement and awe at the greatest player in golf.

Hopefully, I can also do live blogs.

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