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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