Schedule of Games: December 1, 2011

On the first day of December, two different Xavier Basketball teams will play back-to-back in the resumption of the MMBL tourney.

MMBL Division 2: Xavier School vs ? 
Time: 04:00 PM 
Venue: Jacinto Tiu Competition Court 


MMBL Division 1: Xavier School vs Our Lady of Fatima University 
Time: 05:30 PM 
Venue: Jacinto Tiu Competition Court 


Let's support our different basketball teams as they are in their final stages of preparation for the upcoming Metro Manila Tiong Lian Basketball league as they will go for a historic 5-peat.

0 vs 0: Jared Sullinger and Austin Rivers

Two of my main men squared off in the Value City Arena over at Columbus, Ohio where the 2011 Maui Invitational Champs, the Duke Blue Devils, squared off against the also undefeated Ohio State Buckeyes. Instead of yapping about how the Buckeyes completely annihilated the Blue Devils with its tenacious on the ball pressure and selfless team oriented system, let us talk about the games of both Jared Sullinger and Subzero, Austin Rivers. 

Jared Sullinger PF/C Ohio State Buckeyes 

Stat line: 21 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 8/14 FGs, 5/7 FTs, 2 turnovers, 37 minutes. 

The 2011 All-American and Wayman Tisdale Freshman of the Year awardee completely dominated Duke's big men even to the point Coach K had to remove Ryan Kelly, the Maui Invitational MVP, from the game because he couldn't keep up with Sullinger. Sullinger opened the game with his back-to-the-basket game shooting hook shots and muscling his way in for the deuce. When Duke went to a 2-3 zone defense with around 8 minutes left in the 1st half, Sully spaced the gaps and tried to find his open teammates. During the start of the 2nd half, Duke already made an effort to double Sullinger when he caught the ball and Sully struggled to find his shot, even had it blocked several times. Sullinger adjusted and protected the ball more and scored easily afterwards. 

Jared's weight loss has been evident in his game since he is able to move more fluidly. Sullinger's game is characterized by excellent hands and balance. He possesses strength several players in college have. One thing we didn't see from Sullinger in this game is his outside jumpshot. He attempted one three-pointer which missed but Sullinger does have that range. His dribbling skills were in full display as well as his passing ability. 

We cannot compare Sullinger to any player since his game is unique. A quite undersized big man who can score, rebound, assist, defend, run the floor, and has a selfless attitude. I do thing Sullinger is the best player in the country due to the hype and inconsistency of North Carolina's Harrison Barnes but we do have to give credit to the Ohio State coaching staff for surrounding Sullinger with talent which suits his game. Last season, most of their offense revolved around an inside-outside game but this year, it seems that Sullinger is more comfortable with it since the system allows him to create more opportunities for himself and his teammates. 

Austin Rivers PG/SG Duke Blue Devils 

Stat line: 22 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 turnovers, 8/18 FGs, 2/4 3pt FGs, 4/6 FTs, 37 minutes. 

Last year's High School Player of the Year, Austin Rivers had a so-so start to his college basketball career. He started the game missing several lay-ups, which he occasionally makes, and was a ball-hog. Coach K removed him for 3 minutes, which turned out to be his only rest in the game, and came back strong scoring Duke's next five points and continued to toy with the Buckeyes. Austin showcased his unmatchable quickness and his ability to create shots for himself and his teammates. In the first half, Rivers attacked the basket relentlessly scoring and getting fouled in the process. Aside from him and Mason Plumlee, no one played well for Duke which then ignited Austin's natural instinct to take over the game. 

After having success in the 1st half, Austin was defended better in the 2nd half. Ohio State tried to cut his angles and forced him to pass the ball to his teammates and which he did. Austin finished the game with only 3 assists, a far cry from what I thought. I personally thought he had around 5 or more assists from the way he tried to create for his teammates. When the game was out of hand, Austin tried to make the most of his offensive arsenal by trying to create for himself. At times, he successfully was able to do so but the ball was just in his hands for too long a time even Dickie V saying over the ESPN commentary that he had held the ball for 15 seconds and everyone was standing and taking pictures. 

Austin's game in College is much much different from the Austin Rivers we saw in High School. Over in Winter Park, he relied more on his 3-point shot compared to what we see now presently in Duke. In Duke, he's finding difficulty to create shots for himself since the defense in college is much tighter than in High School. Austin's quickness and explosive first step is still ever present and he is able to still attack the basket. We also haven't seen Austin's floater too much. Defenses have now forced Austin to go to his left, which he doesn't do too much in High School, but he's been able to make them in College. Hopefully, Austin's shooting touch, both from downtown and the charity stripe improve. 

Rivers' game is very similar to that of his idol Dwyane Wade plus the added outside touch. Austin needs to improve his off-the-ball game. He finds it very difficult to be able to be effective without the ball. Coach K also needs to let Austin run the point more often since this is his most comfortable position. Duke needs to also run more plays for Austin rather than giving the ball to Seth Curry, Andre Dawkins, and Ryan Kelly. I do think Austin is going to bounce back and hopefully get an All-American spot. 

Quote of the Day: November 28, 2011

"At one point in your life you either have the thing you want or the reasons why you don't. "

                                                                                                    - Andy Roddick 

LeBron James: OFFICIAL LOCKOUT MIXTAPE

Best player in the planet? Highly probable. Dominating? Very visible. 

Words can't describe LeBron James performance in the numerous summer tournaments he joined. He showcased the complete package from an All-Star such as him. Thunderous slams. A much improved fall-away J. Relentless blocks. The complete package, fellas! 

With the NBA season only about a month away, I do hope we witness performances such as these from the King. No more excuses! 

*I do predict he'll win the MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and a championship ring this year. It's just speculation! LOL! 

Powerful Beyond Measure

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.

Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.

 It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. 

We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?

Actually, who are you not to be?

You are a child of God. 

Your playing small does not serve the world. 

There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. 

We are all meant to shine, as children do. 

We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.

 It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. 

And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.

 As we're liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others. " 

                                                                               - Marianne Williamson 

A Graceful Reverse or a Powerful Slam?

Basketball is game highlighted by individual brilliance. Players who can change the complexion of the game with one magical move are the players we idolize; players whom we pay homage to. There are many highlights in the game of basketball and I'd like to think it's sport with the best set of highlights. Who would want to watch the Top 10 goals, homeruns, or touchdowns when all of them look exactly the same. Yes, to some extent there may be some degree of difficulty but it is only in the game of basketball where you can see people defying gravity. Players who hang in the air for an extra second or two and magically finish when they're about to land back on the ground.  

Now the debate sparks, what do the fans prefer? Do you prefer a powerful tomahawk jam or a seemingly impossible reverse lay-up? For me,  this is a no brainer. I highly prefer the reverse lay-up. Yes, I may seem like a lunatic, or am I, in picking this but the art of defying gravity is something worth marveling. Honestly speaking, many people can dunk the ball, in the NBA that is, and not many people are able to flick the ball when their eyes aren't looking at the target. 

Personally, I love dunks and I don't think no play can entice the crowd as much as a powerful dunk. My favorite dunk of all-time would have to be when a young Vince Carter jumped over a 7'2 center in the 2000 Sydney Olympics. That was Air Canada before the knee injuries and before, he never fails to amaze me on how he gets to elevate at that height at finish with power! 

Enough with the admiration for all the powerful dunkers in basketball history, Dr. J, Dominique, His Airness, Air Canada, The King, and even Air Up There! Let's go into my favorite reverse lay-up of all-time and it coincidently comes from one of the best dunkers of all-time, Michael Jordan. 

Jordan revolutionized the way we played basketball. The baggy shorts, the signature shoes, the arm bands, the tongue among many others but he also changed basketball. We attribute the success and the start of dunking to Julius Erving but I believe Jordan was the one who made a connection with the fans and allowed the fans to get in the game thus increasing the popularity of the dunk. 

MJ is not only known for his flashy dunks but also his acrobatic reverse lay-ups with "hangtime". Below is the video of my personal favorite MJ reverse. #nuffsaid He just magically makes  the crowd go insane and that is the power of the reverse lay-up. 

Schedule of Games: November 17, 2011

PAYA: National University (NU) vs Xavier School - FINALS 

Venue: Jacinto Tiu Competition Court 

Time: 4:00 / 4:30 PM 

Date: November 17, 2011 

After defeating the De La Salle Zobel squad last Wednesday, the Stallions go up against the tough National  University squad for the PAYA championship in a winner take-all game tomorrow, November 17. Paraded by RP Youth U-16 standouts Kyles Lao and Isaac Go, the Stallions look to reclaim their lost championship against a Bullpups team, led by fellow RP Youth U-16 standout Hubert Cani. Tomorrow should feature an exciting up-and-down game with both teams equally matched.  

Come and Support The Golden Stallions in their drive for 55! 

Thoughts Away From The Game: My Sembreak and What's To Come

This past sembreak indeed was a quick one. First, I want to thank God for giving me the opportunity to rest my body and spend time with the ones I love most dearly. I spent my sembreak quite differently this time. On the first several days, I spent it with my Father going out and learning the family business. There I was able to see first hand what my family does to get me in the position am I right now and for that I am truly grateful. Afterwards, I picked my brother from the airport after the Energen RP Youth U-16 National Team's stint in Vietnam. I was able to hear the great experience my brother had abroad and hopefully learn from it. (I hope I get to make a blog about it.) I was also able to go to Tagaytay with my family on two different day trips! Affected by a virus, I had LBM. It didn't feel all too good but as I reflect, God gave me the opportunity to rest my weary body. 

Instead of telling you guys about my so-called "unique" sembreak, I would want to reflect on everything before all hell breaks lose tomorrow. 

Our destiny is something already etched in stone; an inevitable event precedented beforehand. Our effort could possibly change the outcome but that is highly improbable. Destiny is something that takes it course. You just really have to embrace it or forever live in despair. Tomorrow, I receive arguably the biggest test in my life, the Science Quarterly Exam on Chemisry. 

I accept the fact that I am really not exceptionally good in Science nor adequate. I judge myself as someone horrible in the subject. Someone to this very day that has difficulty understanding the basic principles and concepts behind the Periodic Table. My grades in Science are dismal; flaunting a borderline passing grade. That isn't me. 

Thinking aside, the main debate is whether or not we should use a positive or negative outlook on things.  Do we have an optimistic attitude, always hoping for the best or should we have a pessimistic attitude and always prepare for the worse? To me, the latter is better. To me, it is much better to accept your shortcomings and limitations and do what is best to improve. (Honestly, I am not the best person to ask in topics such as these. I really do have a negative outlook on things.)

My faith is sealed. It cannot be changed or altered. The only think I can do is ask the Lord for acceptance. I ask him that His will be done and I humbly accept whatever score I "worked" for. The only think I can do now is to brace for the worse. The anticipation is always the worse feeling but I do hope that justice can be done. 

Basketball Never Stops

Nike always seems to come up with beautiful and exciting commercials. In their latest collaboration with Nike endorsers LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Dirk Nowitzki, Amare Stoudemire, Sue Bird, and Coach K and the Duke Blue Devils, Nike depicts that basketball is a game that never stops. It is a game that can be played anywhere and anytime you want to. It goes along with the fact that the NBA Lockout has still not yet been resolved and that these talented players join different leagues and showcase their love for the game. 

#BASKETBALLNEVERSTOPS