I became a sportsfan because of PBA Games way back in my elementary days.

The 34th Season of the PBA will start this Saturday. PBA games will now be broadcast on Channel 9. And I plan to post entries about games that I will be able to watch.

I look forward to seeing Gabe Norwood. A fil-am who donned the national colors recently and was drafted number 1 in the recent draft.

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I was lucky enough to catch the 2nd day of the 2008 Ryder Cup when most of the drama unfolded.

Except for the recent US Open Golf championship, this was the most thrilling golf match I have ever watched. Just as what the commentators said, this tournament called Ryder Cup brings about emotions you get to see only every two years. I am glad to have witnessed Ian Poulter with his eyes seemingly coming out of its sockets.

My girlfriend does not share my appreciation of the event and bugged me for staying up to the wee hours of the morning just to see its conclusion.

On that critical Day 2, Team USA was able to protect their opening day lead and gave them momentum going into the final day.

In terms of fashion, I think Team Europe had the better shirts of the tournament if its any consolation.

The win of Team USA made we wonder what Tiger Woods felt. I would think he would have another great motivation in his sleeve come 2010 Ryder Cup.

Note: Image taken from wikipedia.

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Here are the winners of the awards for Men's Basketball of UAAP Season 71

Most Improved Player: Rabah Al-Hussaini
Defensive Player of the Year: Nonoy Baclao
Rookie of the Year: Ryan Buenafe

Mythical Team:
JV Casio
Chris Tiu
Rico Maierhoffer
Jervy Cruz
Rabah Al-Hussaini

Most Valuable Player: Rabah AlHussaini

Other Awards

Chris Tiu - PS Bank Maaasahan Award
Eric Salamat - KFC Court Colonel
Rabah Al-Hussaini - Jollibee Champ of the Season
DLSU Team - Head & Shoulder Crucial Stop

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The Ateneo Blue Eagles proved to be too much for the La Salle Green Archers to handle, as they (ADMU) finished off this season's championship series at the jampacked Araneta Coliseum with 62 - 51 win to sweep the Archers.

First, the Eagles main men romped off with most of the major awards in men's basketball and then the Blue Eagles romped off with the championship with their tremendous defense.

Chris Tiu, playing his final game in the UAAP bounced back from a lackluster game 1 performance to put Ateneo in commanding 41 - 26 first half lead. Then, Ateneo's defense took over in the second half to finish off the Archers in this finals series.

As expected, La Salle started full of energy with hopes of extending the series.

Things don't look good for the Eagles as this season's MVP Al Hussaini picked up two early fouls and sat out the whole half.

Well, there was no need to worry because Team Captain Chris Tiu was there to take over. He scored 9 points in the second quarter to lead his team. Jobe Nkemakolam gave Ateneo a huge lift from the bench as he delivered 8 points for the half.

After the spirited start, La Salle committed so many fouls. Main gunner Casio, had 3 while Maierhoffer had a Technical foul.

Nevertheless, the defending champion Archers never did go out without a fight.

JV Casio rallied them in the third quarter. His fourth trey of the period trimmed down Ateneo's lead to six, 43 - 49.

But that rally was negated by the succeeding turn of events.

Rico Maierhoffer was thrown out of the game after incurring his second technical foul on a controversial call apparently for giving the dirty finger sign to a blue eagle.

And then Casio picked up his fourth foul after Mangahas made a trey to help La Salle inched closer 46 - 50.

Though the fourth quarter started with Ateneo just ahead by three, 50 - 47, it was clear that La Salle is at a disadvantage.

The last quarter was a defensive battle as both teams struggled to score a basket. But Ateneo gained headway because of free throws. In a tighly-called game, La salle was on the wrong end of the calls.

Ateneo scored 5 of their first eight points on the charity line to stay ahead 55 - 49 with less than four minutes left to play.

With Maierhoffer's ejection, La Salle has only Casio to turn to which was greatly anticipated by the Eagles.

Casio warded off Jai Reyes for an offensive foul to foul out of the game. This is also his last collegiate basketball game. This practically doomed La Salle's caused.

As what Ateneo has done all season long, their defense was enough to thwart any attempt of La Salle into extending this finals series.

After a Reyes conversion inside to helped Ateneo to 59 - 49 lead with only 1:21 left, the sea of blue started off the championship celebration.

It was a great revenge for Ateneo as they swept La Salle not only on the series but on the whole season. Last years, the Archers won only two out of their five meetings to eliminate them in the final four.

Nonoy Baclao was adjudged the most valuable player in the finals series as his performance spearheaded Ateneo's tremendous defense that won them the championship.

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The Ateneo De Manila University Blue Eagles clamped down on the De La Salle University Green Archers and rode on the broad shoulders of Rabeh Al-Hussaini to move a win away of getting UAAP Season 71 Men's Basketball Championship crown, 69 - 61.

Al-Hussaini brushed off early championship jitters before taking over game 1 in a dominating performance, finishing with 31 points on 14 of 26 field goal shooting and adding 9 rebounds. La Salle found no answer to contain Ateneo's center.

If defense really wins championship, then Ateneo is more than ready to claim this year's title as they showed once again that they can held down La Salle to poor shooting percentage. Nonoy Baclao anchored Ateneo's interior defense with his seven blocks.

The win also marked the first time that the Eagles won over the Archers three consecutive times. And unless La Salle can make the adjustment in defending Al-Hussaini and improve their field goal shooting on game 2, then they will be swept by Ateneo on the way to crown.

Chris Tiu committed two early fouls and Al-Hussaini appeared jittery at the start of the game. Rookie Ryan Buenafe played with great poise in his first UAAP finals game to lead the Eagles in the first half 36 - 29.

In the second half, Al-Hussaini stamped his class over his defenders and Ateneo's defense proved enough to thwart any La Salle run.

Rico Maierhoffer was the lone bright spot for the Archers but his efforts was not enough. JV Casio had a better game this time around but unable to rally his team to victory.

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The UAAP Season 71 Men's Basketball saw some players who have basketball blood flowing on their veins.

Most noticeable among them were Marc Agustin and Paul Gonzalgo of the Adamson Falcons. They are of course, sons of PBA players, Ato Agustin and Dante Gonzalgo respectively. Although their team did not make it to the final four, they made good account of themselves with their performance this season.

Aside from the two mentioned above, I also saw the following players continue the basketball tradition in their respective families.

Joshua Webb ( DLSU ) from former senator and PBA player Freddie Webb's family.
Edgar Tanuan (FEU), son of former PBA Player Jack Tanuan.
Raymond Austria (ADMU), son of AdU coach Leo Austria.
Paul Zamar (UE), son of former UE Coach Boyzie Zamar.
Japs Cuan (UST), brother of former DLSU standout Mac Cuan.

Feel free to add those that I missed through your comments. Click on their names to see their individual statistics this season courtesy of Ubelt.com.

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Defending champion De La Salle University Green Archers and top-seeded Ateneo De Manila University Blue Eagles will dispute UAAP Season 71 Men's Basketball championship after dispatching respective rivals in the crossover semis.

The Archers took the best challenge the Far Eastern University Tamaraws could offer and came out victorious 67 -62 in the first game. FEU led most of the game until James Mangahas' heroics in the endgame.

Mangahas, who had a career game, completed a crucial three-point play to put La Salle ahead 64 - 62 with only 35.2 seconds left and scored three more points to lead the Archers past the Tamaraws. Baracael missed two pressure packed free throws in the ensuing play. Paul Sanga's missed trey to force overtime sealed FEU's defeat

In the other game, the Blue Eagles showed why their the number 1 team of the season so far as they clobbered the University of the East Red Warriors, 70 - 50 to arrange another final showdown with their archnemesis La Salle.

The Warriors made a game out of it only in the opening quarter. The rest of the game was a display of Ateneo's domination.

The Eagles closed the first quarter on a 10 - 0 blast, outscored the Warriors 15 - 10 in the 2nd, broke the game wide open in the third and started the fourth quarter with eight straight points to put the outcome beyond doubt.

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The De La Salle University Green Archers digged down deep to their well of experience to eke out an escape win against the Far Eastern University Tamaraws 62 - 59 in their play-off game to determine the No. 2 team in Season 71 Final Four of the UAAP Men's Basketball.

JV Casio bounced back from arguably his worst performance in the UAAP to lead the Archers to another twice-to-beat advantage in the final four. History-wise, La Salle always get to the finals when having that advantage.

Casio's experience in pressure-packed games was in display as he scored 16 points that included two clutch lay-ups to thwart the Tamaraws rally.

The pressure of this crucial game affected both teams as they combined in a turn-over-filled opening half. FEU was just slightly ahead 25 - 23 going to the break.

The experienced Archers composed themselves in the second half, hitting their stride early to taste their first lead of the game 29 - 28 after Malabes scored five straight points.

The Archers forced the Tamaraws into more turnovers and stretched their lead to eleven 45 - 34 with a little over two minutes left in the quarter.

Fernandez' trey and Cervantes' tip-in allowed to Tams to stay close 39 - 47 as the quarter ended.

FEU wilted to the pressure at the start of the fourth. Coach Capacio was called for a technical foul and Baracael was tagged with an unsportsmalike foul. Aiding La Salle to enjoy its biggest margin of the game, 56 - 41.

With La Salle seemingly about to turn the game into a blow-out, FEU turn to their defense to start an 11 - 2 run and turn the momentum to their side.

Casio scored on a clutch lay-up to stem the tide of the Tams uprising to give La Salle an eight point lead 60 - 52 with three and a half minute left to play.

FEU battled back with 5 straight points to make it 57 - 60 with still 1:40 to go. DLSU turn to their main man once again as Casio delivered on another clutch lay-up to maintain distance from FEU.

Cawaling scored a basket and FEU was able to force a turnover and have the last possession. Cawaling had a wide open three to force overtime but missed, allowing La Salle to escape with win.

DLSU is just a win away from reaching the finals and defend their crown.

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Thirty-four consecutive wins in Flushing Meadows? Roger.

Five consecutive US Open Championships? Roger.

Thirteen Grand Slam Singles Title? Roger.

The best tennis player ever? Roger.

Roger Federer added another milestone to his tennis legacy after beating Andy Murray in straight sets 6-2, 7-5, 6-2 to win his fifth consecutive US Open Trophy. A feat not done in almost a century.

The win is a vindication for Federer that he is still on top of his game after a year that appears "disappointing" because of "so many losses" and "missing out" on the first three grand slam events of the year. Not to mention, slipping to number 2 in the world.

Look at the three phrases inside quotes above. For other players, the year Federer had is great enough. Roddick was quoted as saying he would gladly take what Federer had this year. Andy Murray said that Federer's year was phenomenal.

When 2007 ended, Federer is predicted to match and maybe surpass Pete Sampras' all-time record of 14 grand slams. He was that dominating then that a year with more losses that his previous years of supremacy and not winning any of the first three grand slam events looks like Federer is sliding downward.

Adding more to that notion is the rise of Rafael Nadal. He recently replaced Federer as number one in the world rankings. He captured his fourth straight French Open after demolishing Federer. He again beat Federer in the best epic Wimbledon final, Federer's best surface. And he added the Olympic Gold.

In retrospect, the turn of events could be a blessing in disguise. Before, all other players have an extra motivation to beat Federer. Now, Federer will have the extra drive to be on top again.

Frankly, all I want to see is for him beating Nadal in the French Open final.

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Roger Federer and Andy Murray defeated separate foes to advance in the US Open final, the final grandslam of the year.

Sorry, no Federer-Nadal final in this year's US Open. Andy Murray saw to that.

Roger Federer, seeking a fifth US Open trophy, is on his way to the finals after defeating Novak Djokovic in four sets. This will be his third straight grand slam final and the last chance to defend one of the three he won last year.

Andy Murray is on his first ever final and on the verge of becoming the first British winner after a long, long while after upsetting and outplaying World No. 1 and top seed Rafael Nadal, also in four sets.

Federer won over, last year's finalist,Novak Djokovic in four sets and exact revenged to the man who defeated him in the semifinals in the Australian Open.

When I tuned in to the match, Federer had just won the first set, 6 - 3. Djokovic took back the second set when Federer failed to capitalize on many points to break Djokovic. It was 4 - 4 in the third set when I changed channels. I was feeling uneasy and thought that I maybe jinxing Federer. When I returned, Roger took the third set and was serving for the match un the fourt set.

When he let out a shout of triumph, I was beginning to pray for a Federer-Nadal III. But Andy Murray did something about that.

Andy Murray who is having a career year and a career run at this year's open outplayed Nadal in a magnificent upset to earn the right to meet Federer in the final.

Murray broke Nadal right in the first game of the first set and won the second set in a tie-break. The match was postponed due to rain. When play resumed the next day, Nadal expectedly came out, breaking Murray in the first game and eventually took the third set. In the fourth set, Murray showed great nerves to halt Nadal's streak in winning major tournaments this year that included the French Open, Wimbledon and Olympic Gold.

While I am a bit disappointed of not getting my dream final, I am not totally comfortable of Federer's foe in the final. Murray will be in the first final of a grandslam in his career which will mean less pressure for him. Add to that the fact that he has a winning record over Federer. I think he will come out with more confidence and a nothing-to-lose game face.

As for Federer, the fifth straight US Open trophy, seems a little easier to achieve now that Nadal wont be on his way. And a great deal of criticism will be put to silence after he hoist that trophy. A loss meanwhile can only make this "performance dip talks" more louder than ever.

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The Ateneo De Manila University Blue Eagles made life a little harder for their archnemesis De La Salle University Green Archers as they stopped the latter from claiming the No. 2 slot, and the twice-to-beat incentive that goes with it, outright with an impressive 65 - 57 win at the end of eliminations of UAAP Season 71 Men's Basketball.

JV Casio and the Archers suffered an ill-timed horrendous shooting that left the door open for the FEU Tamaraws. Both DLSU and FEU ended the elimations tied with 10 - 4 cards. They will now have a virtual best-of-three series the winner of which will advance to the finals.

The Eagles rode on a perfect start and never looked back to sweep the Archers in the elimation round and relegate them(Archers) to a harder route to reach the finals.
Last year, the Eagles won three out of their five meetings but saw the Archers holding out the crown.

JV Casio delivered arguably the worst performance of his UAAP career in a game they needed more to win, making only two out of 16 attempts.

With their main gunner shooting blanks, DLSU shot only 3/22 3 point field goals despite leading the league in that category.

Chris Tiu scored 7 points in the first quarter to lead the Eagles to a great start. DLSU shot poorly and turned the ball over a lot to fall behind 21 - 12 after the first.

The Archers played better in the second, forced the Eagles to turnovers but failed to make headway, still down 36 - 28 after the first half.

Simon Atkins scored 5 straight points from the outside to push the Archers at the start of the second half 33 - 36.

Nonoy Baclao scored seven straight points including his first trey of the season to carry the team before the Eagles closed the quarter with a 16 - 6 run for a 13 point lead going in the fourth.

Despite its poor shooting, Ateneo could not break the game wide open.

Casio finally scored on the fourth on a free throw. His fast break basket anwered Chris Tiu's lay in La Salle cut the lead to six. Rico Maierhoffer's three help the Archers inched closer 57 - 62 with only 3:26 in the game.

Nonoy Baclao once again answered with a basket and the Eagles held the Archers scoreless the rest of the way. Jai Reyes free throw rounded the scoring 65 - 57.

If there's one team that is really happy with Ateneo's win, it would be the Tamaraws. Not only do they have a chance to reach finals, Ateneo may have shown them what they need to do to beat La Salle in their best of three showdown.

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In a technically no-bearing game, the University of the East Red Warriors displayed more character and poise to derail the Far Eastern University Tamaraws' hopes of securing a play-off berth for the second spot in the final four, beating the latter 73 - 61 at the Araneta Coliseum yesterday in the penultimate day of eliminations of UAAP Season 71 Men's Basketball.

The Warriors probably want to erase the stigma of their near collapse against UST that they played with more focused in the start and held off any rally the Tamaraws mounted in the fourth. The Tamaraws must now hope that Ateneo beats its archnemesis La Salle in the final playing date of eliminations to get a chance for a play-off for the last twice-to-beat incentive slot of the final four.

UE started well and scored 12 points off the 14 turnovers committed by FEu to take a 36 - 24 lead going into the halftime break.

FEU tried to rally in the third but UE kept them at bay behind Pari Llagas who scored 7 points in the quarter including a trey. Benedict Fernandez scored 10 straight points from two fastbreak lay-ups and two treys to cut UE's lead to nine, 54 - 45 going into the fourth quarter.

As they have done in the past, FEU mounted a comeback in the fourth, cutting the lead into six in numerous occasions. The last on Cervantes basket, 67 - 61 in favor of UE.

After Martinez canned two charities to up the lead to nine, the Warriors tightened their defense, Reyes came up with three steals and a fast break lay-up to finally break the Tamaraws. Paul Lee finished up the scoring with a basket, 73 - 61.

In the first game, the Adamson University Soaring Falcons ended its Season 71 campaign on a bright note by beating the National University Bulldogs 69 - 57.

The Falcons got a great game from its wingmen; Agustin, Gonzalgo and Nuyles to hand the Bulldogs the distinction of finishing last this season.

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The team that was used to be called Seattle Supersonics is now officially Oklahoma City Thunder after a formal announcement has been made by its officials. [ Click here for the article source]

Last year's rookie of the year, Kevin Durant and newly-drafted point-guard, Russel Westbrook, will have a new home and new team name to start fresh and continue the team's rebuilding program.

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The final four cast of the UAAP Season 71 Men's Basketball is now complete.

Ateneo De Manila University Blue Eagles
De La Salle Univesity Green Archers / Far Eastern University Tamaraws
University of the East Warriors

Only the positioning as to who is no. 2 and no. 3 will be determined.

Which team do you think will make it all the way? Read on for my predictions.


Final Possibilities and Prediction:

ADMU vs DLSU

An epic finals match between two archrivals teeming with subplot rivalries. Tiu vs Casio. Coach Pumaren vs Coach Black. Their second round meeting might prove to be a championship preview.

On paper, the Eagles look more solid. Al Hussaini has tremendous improvement. Nonoy Baclao's rebounding and defense is an integral part of ADMU. Guards Tiu, Salamat, Buenafe and Reyes can provide the outside and slashing offense.

Coach Pumaren is the multi-titled coach that probably has seen everything in college basketball. I know he can make the adjustments needed for the Archers to repeat. JV Casio is deadly and battle tested. Rico Maierhoffer if he stay away from fouls can make life difficult for the Eagles.
The only weakness I think DLSU has is a solid pointguard. This might be the baptism of fire for Simon Atkins.

Prediction: DLSU in three games

ADMU vs FEU

As the only team so far to beat the league-leading Eagles, the Tamaraws stood a good chance of claiming season 71's trophy.

Being coached by one of the best defensive players Philippine Basketball has seen, Coach Capacio will definitely rely on defense more. Aldrech Ramos and Reil Cervantes must hold down Al Hussaini and Baclao, controlling the rebounds might prove to be the key in winning the championship. Barroca, Fernandez and Cawaling should play well to counter Tiu, Salamat and Reyes. Adolfo and Baracael need to stop Buenafe.

Prediction: ADMU in two games.

UE - DLSU

Having beaten the defending champs in the first round will suit well for the warriors and give them confidence to avenge last year's finals loss. This matchup I would like to see.

I think both teams are almost identical in their system and evenly matched in manpower. Although, the Warriors lack a go-to-guy in the caliber of JV Casio.

I hope to see a Paul Lee and JV Casio shootout.

Prediction: UE in three games.

FEU - UE

A final's match between these U-belt neighbors is unlikely but still possible. And a game between them is highly entertaining with the first meeting decided only by two points.

Advantage goes to UE, having gone to the finals last year.

Prediction: UE in three games.

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The University of the East Red Warriors and its fans heaved a sigh of relief after escaping from a furious comeback that eventually fizzled out of the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers 89 - 87 to complete UAAP Season 71 Final Four cast yesterday at the Philsports Arena.

The Tigers hanging on a slim chance to sneak inside the Final Four, dug themselves a big hole in the third quarter, launched an improbable comeback from 22 points down that shocked the Warriors in the fourth quarter but blew their chance of winning by attempting ill-advised shots when they trim the lead down to 1 and 2.

The big 22 point cushion gained by UE from playing solid basketball in the third quarter and Paul Lee's five crucial points in the midst of the Tiger's rally in the fourth proved to be enough to stem the tide in their favor.

The win officially ousts the Tigers from final four contention and enable the Warriors to avoid complications should they lost.

The Tigers are arguably the heartbreak team of UAAP Season 71 despite having, what I feel is, the best individual player in the league right now - Jervy Cruz. Cruz lacked the consistent support from roster filled with promising rookies and lost starting point guard Cuan early in the season.

The Tigers have failed to win against the Final Four teams, three of which were decided by only 1 or 2 points. Prior to this game, they lost to DLSU on a game-winning tip-in of Maui Villanueva.

Having known their predicament in order to advance in the semis, the Tigers started strong, getting steals that led to easy fastbreak points. UE closed out the quarter with an 11 - 0 run to enjoy a 23 - 19 lead.

Marcy Arellano lead UE in the second period as they erected a 46 - 35 lead going to the halftime break.

UE displayed its deadly form in the third quarter as they padded its lead to as much as 24 points on a Paul Lee basket 74 - 50.

UST showed heart by outscoring UE 16 - 6 in the first four minutes of the payoff period. Coach Pido Jarencio was given a technical foul and was thrown out of the game after complaining a non-call.

If that was a psychological ploy to fire up his boys, Coach Pido did a great job. The incident fired the Tigers more as they forced UE into turnovers and made baskets on the other end.

Paul Lee, who played his best game of the season so far, scored on a nice drive and a trey to somehow derail the Tigers' furious rally, giving UE a 86 - 72 lead. UST responded with 10 straight points, the last on Mirza's trey to inch closer 86 - 82.

A pair of Llagas free throws made it 88 - 82 before Cruz and Cuan scored 7 points to help UST threateningly close 88 - 87 with 34.6 ticks to go.

Zamar turned the ball over by stepping on the sidelines, UE's ninth turnover of the quarter to give UST a chance to take the lead with still 26.2 seconds left. But Bautista shot an ill-advised three which was blocked. Francis Allera also shot a forced trey that led to an Elmer Espiritu recovery.

Espiritu muffed both charities. With 8.8 seconds to go, UST tried to win the game on another Allera trey. When the shot missed, a great sigh of relief came altogether from the UE team and its followers.

In the first game, the Adamson University Soaring Falcons took the De La Salle Green Archers into overtime before losing 84 -79.

DLSU's win ties them with FEU at 10 - 3 win-loss slate. Both teams have a game left, should they both win or loss, they will have a play-off to determine who get the twice-to-beat incentive, virtually having a best-of-three series to enter the finals. A loss by any of the two will relegate it to the number 3 slot.

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