Deuts.NET » News and Sports

Would Brgy. Ginebra Appreciate FIFA?

Mon — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 10:11:04 +0000

Another guest post from Monster Mon. Check out the other posts by Mon.

Why is football a long shot in generating significant fan interest and sparking a sporting revolution in the country to overtake basketball in the hearts of gullible Filipino masses?

As it is right now, nothing much can be expected from our various National Sports Associations in terms of funding, support and initiative in promoting their various fields. With athletes’ cries of delayed and entirely lacking and/or undelivered allowances, what more can we expect when it comes to solid provision for local and international exposures, gears, coaches and trainers, etc.
With this, much of the needed funds and publicity will and should obviously come from corporate sponsors and sporting godfathers. Of course, nothing comes free. In exchange for sponsorships, athletes, teams, meets and leagues serve as marketing tools and vehicles of these interested sponsors.

If one is a marketing manager with funds at his disposal, it is a no brainer to sponsor someone and something which will be gaining media mileage and publicity, say for example a basketball team participating in tournament complete with prominent coverage in the tri-media, over a grassroots football program at the heart of an almost empty, unkept football field doubling as shelter of carabaos with nary any media attention.

We have enormous successes from the RP Blue boys of youth softball, jungolfers and tennis players, note even chess wizard Wesley So. But without much fallback in the form of commercial and professional leagues, athletes are left to fend for themselves with limited opportunities in sporting fields other than basketball.
A man has got to eat. And without a promising long term horizon in other sports, not much interest is generated and sustained in the hearts and minds of our young athletes to pursue their passion. Government pension for athletes won’t take anyone anywhere.
Come up with an improvised hoop and a ball and you’re ready to go. Roads in our country can double as basketball courts easier than converting them into football fields.
I don’t know if this is entirely accurate. Or I may just be hating to admit it if it is indeed the awful truth, but we Filipinos have a penchant for the “bara bara“, lack of a system, free wheeling, anything goes, “bahala na si Batman” kind of an attitude. Football being the Beautiful game, may be something that is not ready to be appreciated by our masa. For a country thriving with one upmanship, “kanya kanya“, counterflows and cutting corners, the purity of Football will surely lull the masa to a deep slumber even before the first tagay of Ginebra.

With the international success of Pacman, Bata Reyes, Django Bustamante et al, again with the private sponsors and managers funding all their stints, awareness and interest in football will remain so so in the national scale.

So, what keeps a nation of vertically challenged citizens with not much success in the international scene in the significant past still addicted to hoops? Apart from ending, point shaving and the like which adds even more spice to the game, maybe it’s because of the immediate gratification in terms of points and fastbreaks, much the same as jabs and KO punches in boxing, that fans get to experience.

I personally believe that the excitement from basketball is something that Filipinos can relate to more than the excitement and appreciation to be derived from football. We absolutely don’t have a chance winning big in basketball globally. But it doesn’t matter to the fans. James Yap’s jumpers are enough for them to get their fix of adrenaline rush. They wouldn’t care less if James Yap won’t be able to convert those same shots over foreign behemoths in various international meets.

Basketball caters to Filipinos’ impatience more than football. Are you still wondering then why lines in lotto outlets as well as lines for showbiz auditions and gameshow contestants are eternally long?

Filipinos want a quick fix to everything; and they simply won’t last 120mins. with the score reflecting 0-0.

On LBJ Jumping Ship

Mon — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 18:11:21 +0000

Monster Mon articulates about Lebron James’ transfer to Miami Heat.

Greatness and legendary status entail more than talent. The scenario here is no matter how many titles the Heat may win, LBJ would have some trouble solidly validating and cementing himself as a true leader.

But, if he can totally live with it in the guise of “it’s the team that wins championships”, then it perfectly makes sense cutting corners and hooking up with DWade & Bosh.

MJ, Magic and Larry Legend are really a different breed belonging to a different generation. We can’t totally fault LBJ because he’s just being himself. He’s too self assured (even without a ring at that) that he can afford to jump ship and think that it doesn’t diminish anything at all.

This is a different generation altogether. Remember, even KB insisted on a trade not a few times when LA was in deep sh*t and before they were able to land Gasol for a song.

My point is: True leaders will always be the last person to abandon ship; and the thought wouldn’t even cross their minds. Greatness cannot be hyped. Legends need not be hyped.

So is it just fitting to ask, “What’s there to witness?!” =)

Reposted here as it appeared in http://moncruz.tumblr.com/post/791736670/mj

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I learned about my passion in photography when I had my first digital camera in Sony DSC-S60. Then I took it the next level when I had a Canon EOS 30D. You can check out my latest photos at my flickr photostream or my self-hosted gallery (which I intend to update soon).

If you wish, I would love for you to subscribe to my flickr photostream via email. By subscribing, it means that you’ll receive an email notifications everytime I upload new photos to my photostream. Click here, enter your email address, and follow the online instructions.

Fearless Forecast: It’s a ‘Deja Vu’

deuts — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 17:41:56 +0000

Fearless forecast: it’s going to be a repeat of the 2008 NBA Finals, in this year’s battle for the crown. New faces, new talents, but they’d better watch out for the dazzling Rajon Rondo.

In a few hours, Game 1 between the LA Lakers and Boston Celtics will begin. Go Boston!

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Sigabong 2010 – Clash XXII: The Renaissance of Faith

deuts — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 14:56:35 +0000

The UP Hamili Brotherhood and UP Hamilia Sisterhood present the 22nd Edition of Sigabong – a prestigious annual battle of the bands in Iloilo City. This year’s edition features an Inter-School Battle of the Bands and will be held on March 6, 2010, 7:00 PM at Iloilo Capitol Grounds.

Participants to this event will include bands from:

St. Therese College;
Iloilo National High School;
University of San Agustin;
Western Institute of Technology;
John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University;
Collegio de San Jose;
Central Philippines University;
Alimodian National High School;
West Visayas State University; and
Iloilo Doctors College;

Which brings to mind: it’s been more than 10 years since my first experience as a resident when we held Sigabong in 1999. That really was a long time ago.

Good luck to the resident Su-ons from the UP Hamili Brotherhood and UP Hamilia Sisterhood. Cheers to your success!

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Obeertym: a Yahoo! Basketball Fantasy League, Season 2

deuts — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 15:33:23 +0000

Locked and loaded! The league is ready for kick-off. 15 teams are in for the battle for their right to the crown. 15 teams, out of which 9 were carried over from the premiere season, while 5 dropped out of the race. 6 new franchises in second season.

Let’s take a look at the progress of the league from the last season. The teams below are ranked according to the standings of the 2008 season.

As the Commissioner, I say welcome to the newcomers, and to the rest of the teams — GOODLUCK!

P.S. And to El Galacticos and BolBol (aka DecimusQuintus), I can see you!

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NBA2K10 Now Available in Stores in the Philippines

deuts — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 15:43:32 +0000

NBA2K10, which was released October 6 in the US, arrived at Philippine stores today, and they’re selling like hotcakes. I was glad I was able to grab a copy from Datablitz in Rockwell.

I was too excited I probably won’t be able to sleep tonight (LOL). A new game from my favorite series, there are a lot of adjustments to make. Hopefully, they’d be all for the better enjoyment of the game.

I’ve read a lot of reviews, negative and positive, about this new installment from 2K Sports. As a matter of fact, the 2K Sports forums are swarmed with whinings, complaints, and issues about the game, some valid while some are about simple aesthetics.

For me, it’s still fresh from the store. I’m gonna hold off with the review until maybe a week of play, both offline and online. I hope I can come up with a comprehensive review, I’ll surely post it here. Meantime, I’ll enjoy the weekend with my new game.

P.S. By the way, I got a Region 1 BLUS copy of the title, and it’s working great with my standard TV.

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Poll Result: Who’s the Greatest Player to Ever Play Basketball

deuts — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 09:56:26 +0000

Our survey, which arose from the heated discussion in Mon’s post, “Michael Jordan: The Greatness of his Airness, came to a close today after running for exactly one month. 52 respondents cast their votes, and here are the results:

Michael Jordan – 33 votes – 63%
Kobe Bryant – 6 votes – 12%
Deuts Ambuscade – 5 votes – 10%
Lebron James – 3 votes – 6%
Oscar Robertson – 2 votes – 4%
Magic Johnson – 1 vote – 2%
Larry Bird – 1 vote – 2%
Others – Manu Ginobili – 1 vote – 2%

So here it appears Michael Jordan is the clear winner. Of course we haven’t obtained the demographics of the respondents. So we really can’t tell whether MJ is still popular especially to the younger generations who haven’t yet seen him play.

Nevertheless, behind the result, I’m glad I was able to garner as much respondents. It’s really not that much but it’s actually beyond my personal expectations. Thank you to all respondents. Based on this, I think we should feature more polls/surveys here. Anyone suggestion for the next poll question? Drop a line in the comments below.

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The ‘Hangtime’ Move by Deuts Ambuscade

deuts — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 22:57:23 +0000

Deuts Ambuscade is Brewing Coffee in the Air.

Wearing jersey no. 8, Deuts Ambuscade of the San Antonio Spurs gets past three defenders in this impressive move to the basket.

Okay, not to confuse with the real life NBA, this was just a clip from my favorite Playstation 3 game, the NBA 2k9. Deuts Ambuscade was a created player of mine and a superstar playing for the San Antonio Spurs.

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Donaire wins WBA super flyweight title by unanimous decision

deuts — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 05:42:14 +0000

LAS VEGAS — Nonito Donaire unanimously outpointed Rafael Concepcion on Saturday night in his first super flyweight fight to take the WBA interim title.

Donaire, the 26-year-old Filipino star who vacated his IBF flyweight title to move up in weight, improved to 22-1 with his 21st consecutive victory. Judge Max De Luca scored the fight 117-111, Duane Ford had it 115-113, and Jerry Roth called it 116-112.

via Donaire wins WBA super flyweight title by unanimous decision.

Congratulations to Nonito Donaire! We Filipinos are truly proud of you!

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The Cory Aquino Funeral and the Error 99

deuts — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 17:25:22 +0000

I don’t think I could let it pass when I knew that former President Cory Aquino’s funeral march will pass by near my place. So I grabbed my camera and tried my best to document the event despite the heavy rains.

However, as I was shooting around, I got the much dreaded Error 99 by every Canon camera owners. Maybe it was because of the dying battery, maybe the CF card, maybe the lens, or worst–the camera itself (God forbid!)

Everytime the error occured, I had to turn off the camera and back on again before I can actually get the shot. It was real annoying, but at least I got to take some pictures (see below).

It was a long wait, but I guess it was worth it. The was I guess the largest crowd I’ve ever seen so far, and in a rainy day at that.

Back to the error, I still have to perform some tests in order to isolate what’s actually causing the error. So please wish me luck that I won’t need to replace a lens or the camera.