The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) held its annual All Star Weekend last April 23 - 25, 2010 in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.


PBA fans were treated inside the Puerto Princesa coliseum with the following All-Star Activities:
1. Skills Challenge
2. 3-point Shootout
3. Slam Dunk Competition
4. Rookie - Sophomore Blitz Game
5. Shooting Stars Contest
6. Legends Shootout
7. The All-Star Game between the North & South All-Stars.

Aside from those activities, the PBA and its all-stars conducted basketball clinics, interacted with fans, participated in community-service likeGawad Kalinga house painting and tree-planting activities and helped in promoting Palawan's famed sub-terranean river which is a finalist in the search for the new seven wonders of the world.

The Philippine Basketball Association is the first professional basketball league in Asia. More than 3 decades old, the PBA is offering an annual all star weekend for its fans, patterned after the NBA.

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Rafael Nadal announced he is back to form on his best tennis surface by winning his sixth consecutive title at the 2010 Monte Carlo Masters. He last won a tournament in May 2009.

Rafa was in his old overpowering form as he demolished compatriot Fernando Verdasco in the finals 6-0, 6-1. He is the only player to win a tournament 6 years straight since 1968, when tennis became a professional sport.

Nadal is acknowledge as the best clay court tennis player of his generation, winning the ultimate clay tournament & grand slam French Open four successive times, 2005 - 2008. Last year he was beaten by Roder Soderling in the quarterfinals. Roger Federer became the eventual champion and completed a career grand slam.

He had been saddled with injuries for almost a year, no thanks to his brutal style of play. Now, he appears back in form. With this recent victory, Nadal looks to reclaim his King of Clay throne. Roger and company, look out. There would be no better final in Paris than defending champ Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal fighting it out in clay.

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The NBA 2010 Playoffs is now upon us. After 82 games, the real season begins in the NBA as 16 teams are rewarded with a chance to win the 2009 - 2010 championship.

Here are the NBA 2010 playoffs first round match-ups:

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Chicago Bulls

The best team in the regular season spearheaded by the season MVP, Lebron James. The Bulls who caught the last ticket to the playoffs needs a miracle bigger than Shaq to pull an upset. Although the Bulls gave us the best first round match-up last year and they were able to beat the Cavs once in the regular season, they will be having a hard time matching up with the Cavs' personel. They would be lucky to get two wins against Lebron's team.

Orlando Magic vs. Charlotte Bobcats

Featuring two of the top defensive teams of the regular season, this series will most likely be won by the Magic. The Bobcats are off to their franchise's first ever play-off appearance thanks to Larry Brown and the trade that brought them Stephen Jackson. Only Captain Jack has the playoff reps among the Bobcats.

Atlanta Hawks vs. Milwaukee Bucks

The Bucks would probably have a chance if Andrew Bogut did not get injured. Coach Skiles has his hands full in extending the surprise run of the "Fear the Deer" legions.

Boston Celtics vs. Miami Heat

Dywane Wade and the Heat will surely like their chances againstthe aged Celtics having the homecourt advantages. In the regular season, the Celtics lost a lot of home games in double figures and surrendering big leads as well. Wade should be motivated enough to surpass what Derrick Rose serve on the Celtics last year in the playoffs.

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder

The defending champs are shoo-ins to a return trip to the Finals most of the regular season, until it seemed to sputter in the end. The Thunder are overachieving young guys which will probably makes it a little harder for Kobe and the Lakers to advance. Something they would need in facing tougher teams.

Dallas Mavericks vs. San Antonio Spurs

The Mavericks appears to have the best line up to sneak past the defending champs but they would need to pass by the Spurs. Manu Ginobili is on fire and a solid Tim Duncan and well-prepared coach Pop, the Spurs smells capable of an upset.

Phoenix Suns vs. Portland Trailblazers

A Roy-less blazers should be an easier matchup for the streaking Suns.They should get the inspiration from their defensive win over the Blazers last March 21.

Denver Nuggets vs. Utah Jazz

This is the other series where upset is most likely. The Nuggets lost out the second seed after appearing legitimate contenders for most of the season. No thanks to Coach Karl's battle against cancer. The Jazz are playing sweet music but they need Boozer to advance.

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Sportsdom's take:

I wish that my Phoenix Suns can reach the conference finals in the NBA 2010 Playoffs. And if they are not facing the Lakers by then, Steve Nash would probably earn his first NBA finals trip. The safe bet still goes to a Kobe - Lebron duel in the finals.

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The 2010 Masters Green Jacket has already been worn by Phil Mickelson when I woke up early to watch the final round from the start. Arggh!

Image taken from ESPN Homepage today

Darn, my time conversion suck big time. I thought 2 pm eastern is 7 am here in Manila. Aside from being blog material, I was curious if Tiger Woods coming from behind could finally win a major championship. So, I planned to wake up early even its an off-work day for me.

Well, as I flip channels, growing iritated by the minute, I just thought our cable provider does not have the channel broadcasting the major golf championship. My day starting on a bad note.

When I fired up my browser. It dawned on me why I cannot find its coverage. It is already done and through. There he is, on ESPN homepage, lefty Phil donning his 3rd green jacket aided by 2009 winner Angel Cabrera.

As a consolation, I saw some parts of the 3rd round where Phil started his surge. His eagle,eagle and almost-eagle binge did the trick & had the hallowed August grounds rocking. With perhaps all the patrons at the famed Augusta golf course rooting for him today, he overcame overnight leader Lee Westwood's one shot lead, shooting 67 to finish 12 under for the tournament.

Lee Westwood is probably Golf's hearbreak kid, finishing close again. Here's hoping he finally get at least one major championship. I think a British Open trophy will be more meaningful for him.

As for Tiger, he never made the charge I was curious to see. He finished tied for 4th, 5 shots more than Phil.

It is a good thing that the Golf gods, if there's any, of Augusta favored a family-oriented man whose wife and mother are battling breast cancer.

Congratulations, Phil.

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Sidenotes:

Housemate Apol asked once if we'll ever get to play golf. Last year, I almost went to a golf driving range with best buddy, Ranel. His boss introduced him to the sport. But he soon left for Saudi.

For me, playing golf is not that a far-fetch idea. What I'm more concerned about is, if we can enjoy it as much as playing badminton or bowling. Golf is more of a silent and meditating sport. I don't think we will be allowed to cheer, jeer and laugh out loud among ourselves in a golf course.

And if the Golf gods are listening er, browsing, I sure wish to stand on Augusta National famed Golf course in this lifetime.

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Butler executed a superb defense and rode on the game-long brilliance of Gordon Hayward to defeat the more favored Michigan State 52 - 50 and advance to the 2010 Division 1 NCAA basketball championship for the first time in school history.

Dubbed the cinderella of the tournament, Butler continues its impressive run at their homestate no less. If they do win the championship, it will the first time the home team takes the trophy since UCLA in 1975.

Butler's defense flustered the Michigan State starters to 16 turn overs and foul trouble limiting its production. The first half ended tied at 28 and the Bulldogs allowed the Spartans less with only 22 on the second half.

Gordon Hayward displayed a game-long brilliance the stuff of great amateur players, none more crunch than in the end game. His short stab gave the Bulldogs a three point lead. He forced Spartan big man Green to an airball and secured the last defensive rebound to help his team hang on to a 52 - 50 lead.

Butler now awaits the winner of Duke vs West Virginia for the NCAA Basketball Championship in April 5.

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The other semifinal was a boring one as traditional NCAA powerhouse Duke University methodically shot down the challenge of West Virginia 78 - 57.

The NCAA Finals will be between David ( Butler ) and Goliath ( Duke ). Duke will be heavily-favored to win but the cinderella win of Butler will surely be heartwarming.

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After the first semifinal game, a video montage of the 1979 NCAA title game was shown by our local cable channel. It was between Larry Bird's Indiana and Magic Johnson's Michigan State with Magic's team prevailing.

Magic's eyes as he recalls that historic game is all you need to look at. I feel that he sincerely cherishes that championship more than any other he'd won.

For Larry Bird, I can only admire more for leading his school 33 - 0 prior to that finals game. He wishes that he could have given more in that game to give his school the championship that wasn't meant to be.

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The Charlotte Bobcats outhustled the Milwaukee Bucks in another overtime game 87 - 86 in the homestretch of the NBA 2009 - 2010 season.

The win pushed the Bobcats to number 5 in the Eastern Conference and moved them closer to a first ever playoff appearance in franchise history. This kind of games will at least give them a bit of a feel on what its like to be in a playoff atmosphere.

The Bucks led most of the way until Steve Graham hits a 3. However, John Salmons hit a 3 himself to tie it all up going into the fourth quarter.

The game turned ugly early in the fourth with misses, turnovers, offensive fouls. The crowd went alive after Stephen Jackson breaks the tie with hook, 73 - 71. After Bogus ties it again with tip-in, Jackson is at it again with 3. 76 - 73.

Jennings hit a corner 2 to nudge the Bucks closer 76 - 75. Raymond Felton hits a floater on the other end. Bogut sinks two free throws to keep Bucks close with 1:09 to play.

The next sequence typically shows why the Bobcats deserve to win this game. Felton misses but Charlotte was able to recover the ball and calls for time. On the ensuing play, Boris Diaw drives, misses and again recovers the ball. After two Jennings foul, Felton is at the free throw line for two. His first shot rattles first before sinking making the home crowd a bit uneasy. Then he makes the next smoothly.

After a timeout, Salmon ties the game with another 3, 80 all with still 10.6 ticks left. The Bobcats fails to score on the possession, its overtime.

In overtime, the Bobcats prove to be a step faster to the ball or the ball just bounced kinder to them because its their homecourt.

Bucks score first in OT courtesy of Carlos Delfino. A Tyson Chandler putback slam ties it anew. Mbah Oute steals the ball and scores on the break to put Bucks on top. Felton ties the game again 84 all.

Both teams exchange turn overs before Captain was at it again. Knocking in a huge 3 to put the Bobcats ahead, 87 - 84. Salmons answered with a 2 on the lane, 87 - 86.

But the Bobcats will hang on. Felton misses on a drive but Tyson Chandlers taps the ball out to almost half court and the Bucks failed to foul as time expired.

Sidelights: Charlotte Bobcats coach Larry Brown was ejected on the 2nd quarter. Saw Bobcat owner MJ high-fiving Captain Jack for a good job despite being bothered by some injury.

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