Thank you Chot

#ThankYouChot
(Photo lifted from Twitter)

I was never a fan of Vincent "Chot" Reyes.

Personally, he's just not a guy I think I could hang with-- based on his "TV personality." He is fashionable at a fault, back when he was still coaching in the PBA en route to a 5x PBA Coach of the Year award (that he reminds every person who visits his Twitter page). To me, his loud shirts took away from the game. Not that he is not entitled to wear his bright, colorful, fashionista ensemble to the SMART Araneta Coliseum or MOA Arena or wherever, but it came off as a bit of a distraction really.

Then there's his nonchalant attitude. Maybe it's because I was brought up by a rival school. There's just something about the way he talks I guess.

Is he misunderstood? Probably. Most likely.

The Great Debate: Johnny vs Jimmy

The Flying A vs The Mighty Mouse
Photo credits to the owner

Two players of different eras, forever remembered for the greatness and passion for the game of basketball.

The game is on the line, fans anxiously hang on to every breath as the coach madly scribbles zigzags and curls on a stained white board. Words are being thrown out in the air while players scramble to focus while gulping on water or energy tonics-- whichever fuels the body faster. There's no time to hesitate, this is "win or go home" and nothing more. The lead referee blows on to his whistle to resume play.

Silence.

Team Ageless

When Asi Taulava first went to the ASEAN Basketball League in what many thought would be his "swan song" after two unimpressive seasons in the PBA with the Meralco Bolts, it was met with nary a whimper. There he was, a former PBA Most Valuable Player, probably looking for one last paycheck and maybe to cash in on his name/brand.

There's nothing wrong or shameful about it, business is business. Some guys are able to quit when they are ahead, others, keep on pushing until either their minds or bodies break. At the end of the day, these men (old, injury-riddled or in-denial) are just that, men-- men who need to provide for themselves and their loved ones. What good is looking back in a once illustrious career if you can't enjoy the fruit of your labors all the way to retirement?

So when his handlers coined "Team Ageless," we were part of the many who dismissed it and just said: "best of luck to you Asi, for all the years playing for flag and country and just being an all-around good guy despite your larger-than-life size, thank you."

One ASEAN Basketball League season, championship and Most Valuable Player later, we were all proven wrong.

SPRITE AND NBA CARES SUPPORT SPECIAL OLYMPICS ATHLETES IN NBA GLOBAL GAME BASKETBALL CLINIC

A member of the NBA's Indiana Pacers (left)

supervises the basketball clinic of the 

young Special Olympics athletes

To mark the games taking place in the Philippines and Asia as part of the 2013 NBA Global Games, Sprite partnered once again with NBA Cares, the global social responsibility program of NBA, to foster acceptance and inclusion for differently abled athletes through an exciting basketball clinic.

The NBA Cares Special Olympics Basketball Clinic Presented by Sprite took place on October 9 at the Mall of Asia Arena where 60 young Special Olympics athletes had a once-in-a-lifetime experience to improve their basketball skills with the assistance of employee volunteers from Sprite as well as the entire Indiana Pacers team.  NBA Legends Ron Harper and Jalen Rose were also present to lend a helping hand.
 

Hustle like Hatfield

Photo courtesy of interaksyon.com

After 14 years (on and off) with the Philippine Basketball Association-- from Tanduay Rhum to Coca Cola and finally to Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, Rudy "The H-Bomb" Hatfield is finally calling it a career. This, after a so-so campaign in recent conferences following his nth comeback in the professional ranks.

We were not mistaken when we Tweeted the other day that Hatfield "reinvented" the way Filipino small forwards played the game. Back in the old days, small forwards were cast as one of the following: spread the floor wing shooter, defensive stopper or Mr. Intangibles. The guy who does the little things that almost go unseen by the not so educated basketball mind. It was almost, always one of the three. Can't be all (even the great NBA legend Magic Johnson had to concede on playing great lockdown defense, while Larry Bird lacked athleticism so there's always something holding small forwards back).

Asi moves on to ABL

ASI!

Sing no sad songs for the 6"9 Fil-Tonggan who captivated the hearts of many the minute he stepped on a local basketball gym-- dimpled smile, faux blonde hairdo and all. Yes, Asi Taulava will no longer be part of the Meralco Bolts or even the Philippine Basketball Association this season. The self-christened "Rock" has opted to sign with the ASEAN Basketball League's San Miguel Beermen in hopes of bringing the Filipino squad its first title in only its sophomore year.

Was this the right move going forward for Taulava?

Yes. The Beermen play only once a week (as is the schedule of the ABL) as compared to the PBA's grueling schedule. They enjoy cable television coverage which is always hard to argue against (despite the fact that we were made to watch the whole of the ABL Season 3 Finals Game 3 between the Indonesia Warriors and the Beermen in bloody red color setting). It's San Miguel. Plus, Taulava is already 39 years going 40.