Thoughts Away From The Game: Pre-XCE

Tomorrow is the start of another journey, another obstacle, another experience.

There's no looking back; only forward.

As I, along with my batch mates, embark on our journey to Beijing, I'm thankful to the Lord for giving me an opportunity to immerse myself in the Chinese capital. I'm very fortunate to get a chance to learn outside the classroom in a modern day setting where I get to see, experience, and witness things that only happen in China on a daily basis. This is also an opportunity for me to find and understand the reasons to their success.

I'm really looking forward to the many scenic spots I will get to visit, the people I will get to meet, and the different activities I will get to do with my group mates. Hopefully this is something that I can constantly look back on as life changing. It is my hope that I will get to be able to make the most out of this trip and learn more about China, business, and most especially about myself.

This trip means more to me than just a vacation or a study tour. It is a chance for me to find the answers to my questions. It is an opportunity to get to know the real me and find my destiny. I'm going to sacrifice a lot for this but I believe that I will get a big return of investment. It may not be the way I want it to be but something that I truly deserve.

Carpe Diem 

Notes: I hope that I will be able to publish articles about this China trip. Follow me on Instagram @giancarlogo. Skype: gian_carlo_go  Email: ggo.13@my.xs.edu.ph 

Thoughts Away From The Game: Life from the Other Side of the Counter

We all are blessed with talents; each uniquely different from others. It is our moral obligation to use and hone these talents because it serves a greater purpose: for us to be able to give glory and honor to God. Whatever society may dictate, each and everyone of us has a dream that we want to achieve. These talents help us realistically set our own goals in life. Goals that we hope to achieve and attain.

Last week, I was able to be given an opportunity to work in SM Megamall Supermarket as a Sales Associate, which is simply just a fancier way of saying bagger boy. This job is the lowest of the low and seemingly appears easy to the naked eye. We think that bagging groceries is so easy that a degree is completely unnecessary for one to 'succeed' in this job.

Think again.

The baggers I've met and interacted with all have a flash of diskarte. They meticulously observe how a certain thing is done and hone it through countless repetitions (Literally thousands). Yes, they don't have a college diploma or they weren't given the opportunity to study at a good school like Xavier but yet they possess the most necessary skill to survive: observing and adaptability.

Their current working situation is abysmal. They stand for a long period of time and feel a high degree of pain. They work long eight hour shifts sometimes even extending to ten to twelve hours WITH NO EXTRA PAY. Sometimes, these workers aren't paid overtime money and instead are paid with a countless number of thank yous. Saying thank you feeds the soul but sadly doesn't put food on the table. They feel disheartened whenever their efforts aren't rewarded with the right salary.

These workers earn roughly around the minimum wage here in Metro Manila but sadly this isn't enough to provide for their family and themselves. They again use diskarte on how to budget and allocate the limited amount of money they have. What's worse is that if the bagger or cashier commits a mistake how little it may seem, they are charged for that. These cashiers are not machines that are immune to mistakes. They are people who work like machines because they work fast and efficiently thus their "work" becomes a habit (muscle memory).

What I admire from these workers is that amidst these conditions, they still manage to find purpose for their work and that they always have a smile on their face. They try to be optimistic with whatever life throws at them. They also have earned my respect because despite these, I don't see them complain. I never see them stretching their feet and saying that the pain is not anymore tolerable. They are able to withstand pain because they push themselves beyond what their bodies can do. Pain is nothing as long as the reward is gratifying.

These people aren't poor because they earn meagre salaries but rather because they lack opportunities to succeed. We can't brand them as lazy or stupid since they find ways to do things an educated man will have a difficult time doing. They work their asses off so as to provide for a hungry family.

I believe that the workers should be treated with more respect and treated as humans and not as dogs. These people have feelings as well and their job is harder than it seems. It requires a lot of patience and on the spot thinking to keep up with the bustling crowd. The way they treat you should be the way you treat them as well. 

These are the people responsible for SM's success. They are the ones who carry the principles and values the company stands for. They are the ones who entice the customers to keep coming back and I believe that these people should be treated better not only as a worker but more as a person.

Part two??? 

Ryan Buenafe: Love Me, Hate Me

He's back... And ever dominant!

In basketball, there is always going to be that one player who constantly defies the odds. He may be as fat as a pig but still manages to soar in the air like an eagle. He may be a player with an ugly looking shot but still makes every one of them no matter what you do. He may be a player who doesn’t practice but still annihilates the opposition come game time.

In the UAAP, that player is Ateneo’s Ryan Buenafe. The player who has been constantly criticized for his lack of physical conditioning, academic competency, and at times his values but this guy can really play ball. He stands around 6’2 and weighs God knows what. But he every time he steps in the court, he turns every game into his masterpiece.

Buenafe’s game is very counterintuitive. He doesn’t stand out with athleticism reserved for the blessed. He uses his wits to get by, over, and around you. (If you don’t believe me, watch his games on Youtube.)

When Ryan Buenafe dribbles down the court, you look at him like a predator trying to catch his prey. Your eyes widen upon this sight thinking you would be able to steal the ball or stop him at the very least. Well, your wrong. That’s a common misconception about Buenafe because he has the dribbling talent and the vision of a point guard. Oftentimes, he is Ateneo’s best creator as he masterfully sets-up his teammates such as Greg Slaughter, Nico Salva, and Kiefer Ravena.

If you guard his passing ability, Buenafe has the handles and strength to get by you in any way he wants to. He has this excellent feel for the game wherein he knows exactly what move to use to get by you. Some of his favorites are his counterintuitive head and shoulder fake, his ever deceiving up and under and his favorite and most well known move, the hang time lay-up. 

Buenafe may not have the highest hops but makes up for it with his craftiness in the air. He contorts his body gracefully in ways only seen through ballerinas. He effectively hides the ball while at the same time gets himself in the best possible position to finish at the rim. His hang time can only be compared to Joseph Yeo as they both similarly defy the laws of gravity and seem to sit and hang in the air with such ease.

Ryan plays the game with so much ease. He always seems very relaxed and composed. He is never rattled and that gives him an advantage. He gets to see the floor more and able to assess the situation and how to deal with it.

The former Rookie of the Year is even deadlier come the big stage. He seems to take this game to whole new level. He activates his clutch gene and becomes Jordan-like unleashing every bit of His Airness. In UAAP Season 73, he did so. In Game 2 of the Finals, he mercilessly annihilated the defense of JR Cawaling. Down the wire, with the championship hanging in the balance, he calmly nailed a 30-footer to seal Ateneo’s championship run winning the Finals MVP in the process.

In the last Ateneo-La Salle game, he mercilessly dropped 24 points (3/9 3pt FG, 8/16 FG, 5/6 FT), 8 rebounds, and setting up his teammates for multiple good looks while at the same time defending the front-runner for the Rookie of the Year. That says something. He has the talent and the skills to do so. It’s just going to be about damn time until he finally becomes the player we think he can be!

We hate Buenafe because of his inconsistency. We despise him because he can do things we only dream of doing. Adding insult to injury, he does these things well even if his body is as it is. It isn’t fair but that’s what makes Ryan Buenafe that kind of player, you hate seeing someone succeed despite his physical ‘limitations’ because you as an ‘able’ body person cannot do the things he is doing.

Only time will tell how far this kid will go. The sky is the limit for Ryan Buenafe and everytime he steps into the court, he still constantly defies the odds. Yes, anyone can play the game of basketball and play at its highest level and in its purest sense.

Ryan Buenafe vs Tengsanity

It’s either you love him or hate him.

 

Coronation Night for The King: A Journey

The Chosen One. King James. Witness. Quitness. Choker. LeBrick. Traitor. The King Without A Crown.

LeBron James has something to add to his long list of monikers---Champion. And it's about damn time.

Against all odds, hatred, and scrutiny, LeBron James delivered a virtuoso-type performance in the biggest game of his career--- a triple-double along with a lot of game changing plays. He masterfully dictated the tempo of the game scoring in a variety of ways and dishing off to his red hot teammates.

All we know about LeBron James is that he is a freak of nature---an invulnerable physical specimen who's too strong, too skilled, too quick, and too smart for the rest of the NBA. An unstoppable wreck of havoc whose talent and skill set is the greatest we've seen and probably we'll ever see.

We remember LeBron for either his greatest triumphs or his historic collapses. We look forward to seeing LeBron throw an emphatic dunk over the out stretched arms of his defender. Treating us to a beautiful air spectacle with him throwing it down in a variety of different ways. We crave to see him take over the last seconds of the game; shooting the ball instead of passing. We would love to see him fail miserably and allow his critics to bombard him with a lot of things they themselves cannot do or handle.

We observe, critique, and blast LeBron for whatever he is doing. We thing we are actually better than him telling him to do this and that. We criticize him for all the decisions he has made especially with the spectacle that happened on July 8, 2011 where he decided to "take his talents to South Beach and join the Miami Heat".

He was, is, and still to this very day the most hated NBA player in the phase of the Earth. Fans and basketball players alike envious of his talent, popularity, and stardom. His failure is our joy. His success is our demise. We always poke fun at LeBron for literally everything! His receding hairline, his inability to deliver during crunch time, and most especially that he has yet to win a championship.

What we don't notice and appreciate is LeBron's maturity and evolution as a basketball player. We have never seen or we will never see a player such as LeBron James. A genetically God-gifted physical specimen who's blazing quick and agile equipped with sheer physical strength. Add to that with a talent, a hardworking attitude, and a love for the game and you have yourself arguably the most talented player on the face of the Earth or the history of mankind for that matter.

After last season's disappearance in the Finals, LeBron went back to the basics. He worked out with Kevin Durant during the lockout and even made a Youtube segment called Striving For Greatness. He reinvented his game where he posts up more and takes advantage of his strength. He has learned to take lesser 3-point shots and instead get his points from putbacks and floaters. Instead of dribbling out the shot clock, he patiently uses it and finds the mismatch either in the post or in the wing

The NBA Finals was just a mere show to see LeBron's fans, haters, and critics to show how far he has come. How much criticism he has taken to get to that point--- in the podium accepting the Larry O' Brien trophy from commissioner David Stern. He gave everyone a postseason no one will ever forget. From his brilliance in the Indiana series to the 45-15-5 performance in Game 5 of the Conference Finals, LeBron James will continue to entertain us with his versatility and skill.

Congratulations LeBron! You finally showed the world how great you really are. Your not pointing fingers or taking the blame. You are being praised and honored for your brilliance not only for these NBA Finals but what you've actually done for the game of basketball.

There's more to come... Watch out! Be weary!

Tengsanity: Jeron Teng's Game Winning 3

In the fiercest and toughest rivalry in all of Philippine basketball, it was 'The Rookie' who took center stage. Jeron Teng, playing in his first Ateneo-La Salle game, shook of all the rookie jitters and calmly nailed a cold-blooded three-pointer which tied the game at 53 apiece. The Green Archers would later on win in overtime, 62-59, behind the 17-point performance from Mr. 104. 

New word in the basketball dictionary: 

Jeron Teng (v.) - In a clutch situation, the action wherein the player pump fakes his defender and calmly nails the game-tying or game-winning three-pointer. 

Dwyane Wade tried to pull of a Jeron Teng, to no avail, in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals. 

This potentially could be the start of something big for La Salle. Tengsanity. 

Rookie of the Year, anyone?

Notes: Jeron finally gets his first "Gets it to go" from Boom Gonzales. 

Playoff Hoopla: Spurs Aging Like Wine

This would be a daily segment on the blog wherein I discuss some puzzling and mind boggling things on the NA Playoffs. I know I've started late and may use some 'old' material but nevertheless I hope I provide an exciting new daily segment on the blog.  

Day 2 

THE NEW LOOK SPURS: STILL WINNING---DIFFERENTLY AND EFFORTLESSLY

No one exactly has the exact blue print to success. Each team is composed of different individuals; different characters with a unique set of skills and attitudes. There are different uncontrollable components involved. Indeed, success is difficult to maintain especially in different eras. Different time periods have their own distinct style, pace, and flare to it. 

Thriving under these circumstances are the San Antonio Spurs. They have won four championships in the past thirteen season and chasing their fifth championship in franchise history this season. Everybody talks about that the Spurs is built and ran solely on the offensive prowess of Tim Duncan or their tenacious defense. 

Their all wrong. 

The Spurs are built around talent development, selflessness, and a bunch of international players who work together as one cohesive unit. Gregg Popovich is one great tactician who seems to understand the game like we don't. His ideas often seem bizarre and outrageous but point is, it gets the job done.  

In the earlier seasons of the Tim Duncan era, the Spurs were a low-scoring team who ran selectively and went to Duncan in the post as their primary option. Duncan, who I consider the BEST Power Forward to ever play the game, used his skills to score at will but at the same time to set his teammates up for great looks. 

That was where Bruce Bowen made his mark in the NBA. One of the best perimeter defenders in the last decade and a deadly marksman from downtown (just the corner), he was one of the key players for the Spurs. Someone who could shadow the opponent's best perimeter scorers but able to provide a deep threat to allow Duncan to have more space to operate.

San Antonio in my opinion, the only team who seem to heavily rely on international talent and from a bunch of unwanted players in the NBA. This was where many players resurrected and cemented their legacy---as a San Antonio Spur. 

Tony Parker, the speedy French Point Guard, was one Popovich's long projects. Known for his speed, Parker was a horrific defender who had a horrible outside shot. This is where the Spurs testament to patience lies. Instead of giving up on potential, they build and develop it. Instead of allowing Parker just to be that same player, they patiently worked with him to become somebody great. 

Parker developed the most unstoppable teardrop in the league. An effortless shot which still fools players to this day. He has developed a respectable mid-range jump shot which keeps his opponent's in bay. He has also tremendously improved his defense making him one of the best defending Point Guards in the league. 

What's most important is that he still is that same player--- lightning quick and talented but much much better. 

That's not solely the reason the Spurs have been winning. 

They have been the only team to adapt through time. Throughout the league, we've noticed that there has been an increase in speed. An uptempo game which not only provides each team with a better chance to score but also at the same time excites the fans. 

The Spurs being a team which favors the slow break, they struggled with the change. Initially, they just couldn't seem to find the right set of players to do what they exactly want but as time passed, they did. 

DANNY GREEN BABY!!! 

The Spurs is a team with high character. They value value winning and they understand how to do it in its purest essence. They develop the right sets of players with the right attitudes.

They age like wine, as they grow older, they player better and more beautiful basketball. 

Playoff Hoopla: The Luckiest Team in the Playoffs

This would be a daily segment on the blog wherein I discuss some puzzling and mind boggling things on the NBA Playoffs. I know I've started late and may use some 'old' material but nevertheless I hope I provide an exciting new daily segment on the blog. 

Inscribed on the mouth piece of LeBron James is the number 16 in Roman numerical form. XVI not only represents how many wins each team needs to win the NBA championship but it's the hardwork, sacrifice, dedication, and luck needed for one team to call themselves NBA Champions. 

In this year's version of the NBA Playoffs, let us catch-up to the latest happenings. 

THE THUNDER ARE THE LUCKIEST TEAM IN THE PLAYOFFS 

The Durantula: Virtually Unguardable.

Think about it this way. Before the postseason started, everybody and I mean everybody knew that the Thunder had the roughest road to the NBA Finals. Dallas, the defending NBA Champions, in the first round. The Lakers in the second round and either LA or the Spurs in the conference finals. They are matched-up with three teams who combined to have win 10 of the last 13 NBA championships. 

Shocking isn't it? 

Game 1 of the first round, Dallas was up 7 heading to the last two minutes of the game poised to steal homecourt advantage from the young and 'inexperienced' team. When all things seem to go as planned, Dirk Nowitzki misses a WIDE OPEN 3-pointer which could have pushed their lead up 10 with less than 2 minutes remaning. He didn't miss that against Miami last year. It was literally cash money! 

Instead. What happens? 

The Thunder go on a sudden offensive surge capped by Kevin Durant's miraculous jumper over Shawn Marion's out stretched arms as time expired. HE JUST FLICKED THE FRIGGIN' BALL!!! 

Game 2. Same scenario but this time it's the veteran Jason Kidd taking and missing another WIDE OPEN 3-pointer. 

Poised to potentially steal another game in Oklahoma and even the series at one apiece... 

Instead. What happens? 

The Thunder again go on another sudden offensive surge and steal game two and sweep the defending champs. 

Think of this way, Dallas could have gone back home with a 2-0 lead instead of an 0-2 deficit.  

Second round against the Lakers. The team (Thunder) who commits the most turnovers per game in the NBA all of a sudden seem to take care of the rock and manage to not throw away the ball. Russell Westbrook, whom I've said time and time again to pass the ball and take care of the ball more, seems to listen to me. He passes the ball to Durant more and score when he needs to. 

Game 2, the Lakers are up down the stretch poised to steal Game 2 and what happens? Kobe Bryant. Yes, you heard that right, freakin' Kobe Bryant throws an stupid and errant lob pass which Kevin Durant easily converts to a fastbreak dunk and starts ANOTHER Thunder comeback. 

And by the way, Kobe doesn't choke. He doesn't miss or screw up during crunch time. That was a miracle in itself!!! 

Game 4, AGAIN (we really have to stress a point here) the Lakers are up down the stretch but the confidence-challenged Pau Gasol throws the ball away and sets up KD for another game winner. 

This really is painful to watch... 

The Thunder are a deadly team. When the game is down the wire and where most teams think that these young players will falter under the bright lights, they don't. They seem to shine and be at their best when the game is on the line. 

Westbrook and the Thunder seem to magically cut down on  their turnovers and convert at a much higher rate. Their relentlessly convert on the break and seem to have an answer to every thing the opposition throws. 

Don't forget they have the Durantula---their secret weapon. 

The sky is the limit for this team but their time to shine maybe not just yet.

Well, luck is definitely on their side.