Moneyball: Playing The Game of Life

First of all, I would like to say a big thank you to all of the people who continually support this blog. It's not very often that a person can willingly express his thoughts and opinions on certain universal situations and have people read and understand his opinions. Though I created this blog for the primary purpose of archiving my Stallion articles, it's turn to something bigger--- a place wherein I can express different things and how they resonate with me. Hoping for the continued support. I don't think that's too much to ask for. 

Instead of going factual about the latest happenings around the basketball world, let's just go deeper in tackling about life... It's always been about living the life. 

I just finished watching the movie Moneyball, about ten minutes ago. Indeed it was a great motion picture. I loved how they brought a first-person perspective on how dirty the sporting business is. How teams use money as a leverage to create a 'better' team. A team that will, actually should, win a World Series. Life isn't like that. It's never a fair game. 

I don't believe in the very basis of equality. I completely understand and accept the fact that God created us equally in His image and likeness but in the world we live in today, that's logically, figuratively, and mathematically impossible. People don't receive the same impressions because of numerous reasons---race, color, habit, or even just the way they look or act. Binaries, as what I have learned in my elective class. 

People are never going to be treated equally, given the same opportunities, or even be given recognition for something because it is in the world we live in. Let's say in Basketball, everyone only cares about who scores the most points, who hit the game-winner, or even who made that emphatic slam dunk but they never really appreciate the people who work hard to let these 'superstars' an opportunity to those things. If the center didn't box out and grab the rebound, would you think the alpha dogs even have a shot of going down on offense? What about the guy who sets the screen and constantly gets abused, does he get the credit for slowing down his teammate's defense? NEVER. 

That is how life is lived as portrayed in the movie Moneyball. It's not easy. People are never going to be credited for the dirty work. Heck, they are even not going to be given their own opportunity to shine because of how they act. They might play differently, act strangely, or even look out of the ordinary but the bottom line is does he get the job done. It doesn't matter HOW they do it as long as it's DONE! PERIOD. 

We live in a world full of critics and haters and that's a fact. We don't live in a world where people are given credit for doing the smallest things. In fact, it's supposed to be that way. Let's say a building, everyone knows the architect, designer, contractor, and developer of the building. They are known as the ones  who envisioned that project but do the people who actually do it get credit for executing their plans? NO! As my favorite Vincent Van Gough quotes, "Greatness is not done by an impulse but a series of small things brought together", these people tirelessly and collectively worked on it and it wouldn't be achieved without them and their efforts! We should give credit where credit is due. 

Enough lambasting about the people in the upper class. There's only one thing true about life, if you want something, go get it. Don't allow people to step on you and say you can't. Your better than that! Also, we need to start being more grateful for the people that help us go to the top. Never forget the people who've helped you along the way because as my Dad will always tell me, what goes up must come down. Success and greatness is short lived. No matter what happens, you'll get washed up--- pretty badly. When all is said and done, your going back to the same people. The same people who edged you on in times of struggle. Be humble. Remain humble. As Proverbs 27:2 goes, Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger and not your own lips. 

Just remember, what goes up must come down. In life, you can't have it all but as you take your own journey on life and greatness, thank the guy from above whose constantly showered upon you blessings,  guidance, and most especially His Love. 

Haters Gonna Hate

Several months ago, friends of mine introduced me to something I'd consider a reality we live in- Haters Gonna Hate. We live in a world full of critics; people who'll do anything to bring us down to our core. People who have the guts to say things that  they themselves can't do. Yes, it's much easier to point out someone's mistakes rather than yours and even I'm guilty of that. They (Haters) want to appear above the rest; using their keen intellectual ability to dissect and pinpoint every wrong move you make. Trust me, there are no exceptions. 

In the world of sports, superstar athletes are no exception to the rule. In every basketball game I go to, you'd hear an obese guy saying how slow this guy runs. Come to think of it, I'd bet he'd run even slower than he (player) does. Another 'glorious' sight in the game of basketball is when you would see a person saying this person is dumb, bobo, stupid for making certain decisions that affect the outcome of the game. You aren't making the decision! Why criticize someone for making one under the given circumstances? 

That's one thing I hate about life and sports in general, there are a lot of critics out there. People are insensitive and not mindful of the things their saying. They think everything those professional athletes are doing is easy- it isn't! That's what their payed for; to make it effortlessly appear that their under distress and control in times of pressure. 

There have been many talents and egos destroyed by this. You'd see talented individuals who couldn't perform to their potential rot in the bench with a shattered confidence. As a speaker once told me, Potential are the things you still haven't done. A puzzling question that probably is running on your mind is why is there such a word called potential? Easy. Potential is something your dub to a certain player or person who you absolutely hate for one reason or another but has the necessary skills and talents to succeed. You would never say this guy has potential if he is already GREAT!

We cannot change society and its course. The only things we can do is how to adjust to what society presents us. If it presents us a hater, then find a way to make him a believer. That is no easy task! Convincing someone, especially a critic, that you are really that talented! People have their own certain opinions about players that one game can't change their perceptions. It takes a lifetime for a player to prove to his haters that he is indeed a good one! 

We live in a society who judges people normally through physical attributes and faith and over the next several blog entires, we'd be slowly learning about great people who've proved to the world that their haters and critics were wrong. 

For every great person, he'd have a million haters. 

"Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them makes life meaningful." - Joshua J. Marine

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." - Martin Luther King, Jr.

#HatersGonnaHate

Thoughts Away From The Game: Happy New Year

Let's not start the New Year with a basketball-related blog. Sorry if I may dampen your spirits on my thoughts regarding the very exciting NBA season but we'll save that for another time. First, I would personally want to greet you, my viewers, a happy and prosperous New Year! 

Well, 2011 was a blast, sorta. A handful of highs and plentiful lows but hey, I'm not complaining. To start off, I want to thank the Lord for giving me another year of existence here on planet Earth. I want to thank Him for everything I have. I feel so blessed to have a great education, a loving family, food on my plate, friendships that will last a lifetime among many others but the things I'll be most grateful for is knowing that I have someone who will always have my back and love me for who I am and that is Him. 

Life this year was quite a roller coaster ride. It started with a great run with Coach Owen and his troops and finishing second year. (Dang I'm that old) The summer was a blast, joining the Xavier - The Little Entrepreneur program in Singapore. I learned a lot from that trip. You get to see first-hand how a small nation such a Singapore could be progressive yet being able to help the environment. (Please offer Sustainable Development for college. LOL) 

True to form, life will never be a breeze. As I entered 3rd year, I had to deal with a ton of things, academics and basketball. By the way, I still don't have a Prom date. Oh well, I just got to find one in a span of several months. I took my academics much more seriously this year but still I'm not satisfied. Yes, bragging aside, my grades may seem high but for you to succeed, you have to challenge yourself to be the best you can. The sleepless nights, the #LONGNIGHTER s, yes it is a twitter hash tag, with Enrique, Kyles, and Rich, and the countless hours in the classroom took its toll. 

Basketball wise, well, I'm far off from what I set out to be. I've felt my game has taken a setback. Oh well,  I just got to find a solution to that like all my problems. Hahaha! 

Amidst all the difficulty, I again thank the Lord for all the challenges. He finds ways to make me fight for the things I want. He challenges me to be the best that I can be and allow me to be an instrument of his love. (I really got to start Tebow-ing before every game.) As Joshua J. Marine once said, "Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them makes life meaningful." As I continue to search for that purpose and meaning in life, I know someone is guiding me. Someone whose love is unconditional and can never be questioned. 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for the year! Without each and every one of you, my life wouldn't be as complete. (I sound so cheezy. LOL) Each and every one of you will have a special place in my heart for one reason or another. I hope I get a chance to personally thank you for the year that has passed but sadly I ran out of load. LOL! I'll do it tomorrow hopefully. I can't live without the company of the people I associate myself with. They bring that excitement, that spice, and the company that my life needs. Without it, you can consider me dead. 

What lies ahead inside the ball of thoughts? I don't know. We surround ourselves with big goals. Yes, they sound great but can we achieve them? I'm not a big fan of goal-setting. Maybe it's just because I never get to achieve them but for the sake of optimistic thinking, let me make 5 supposedly achievable goals. Oh wait, that's just for me to know and for you to find out. 

The New Year promises us a new start. It gives us another opportunity to start from scratch. It gives us the chance to achieve greater things. All I can say to you is good luck. Enjoy the ride of the year but remember the past. As me and a friend of mine will always talk about, it's nostalgia. As we grow older, we will miss and crave for the moments in our past. Cherish every moment you spend. Live life to the fullest because with just one snap of a finger, everything could be taken from you - just like that. 

Well, I hope we all have a great year. Something worth remembering. Don't worry, we won't die in 2012 in whatever date those Mayans predicted. We each have our own time but while were here, let's make a difference. I end with one mind orgasmic question, how do you want to be remembered? 

In your work be legendary. In your life, make history. 

Franchise Player

What sets great players apart from the ordinary ones? 

Skill? Maybe. 

Star Factor? Probably. 

We can name a million other reasons on why great players are great but one thing we forget is that they stay on one team for the longest time probably even ending their careers there. This isn't something easy. Along the way, money may lure you out of your current city. You may decide that it is more beneficial for you to play for this certain team since they have the better offer. Young players nowadays fall for that. They prefer to play for the team that presents them the best offer and not the team that best fits into their style of play. Plain and simple, MONEY TALKS! 

Another excuse on why players don't want to stay on their respective teams is that they want to place themselves in the best situation to win a championship. Isn't that familiar? Oh yeah. Those were the exact words that came out of LeBron James' mouth when he decided to head over South Beach and join Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. (Yes, all of you might be thinking that I am finally dissing LeBron on my blog publicly. YAY for me.) 

That's just a BS excuse. You look like a coward doing so. You make yourself appear weak, unable to handle the pressure of leading a weak team to the championship. 

That's one thing I admire the most from great franchise players. Let's take for instance Kobe Bryant. Kobe Bryant was playing his greatest individual basketball season during the '05-'06 and '06-'07 stretch. He was the NBA's leading scorer; scoring virtually 30+ points in every given night. He demanded trades. He had a sex scandal (And is now currently in divorce court. LOL!) but he never gave up. 

Imagine a playoff team having Smush Parker and Luke Walton as your 3rd and 4th best players and still was one game away from upsetting the Phoenix Suns in the playoffs. That's freakin' insane! Is it even humanly possible to carry a team for that long? I don't think so. 

Franchise players stick to their team when the going gets rough. They find ways to build around their talent and not run away like a cat. Franchise players have the privilege to be remembered as players who stuck with their teams through thick and thin and they will be forever remembered which team they played for. (With the exception of Jordan. Let's face it, he'll never be remembered in a Wizards uniform) 

That's something missing in the NBA now. Gone were the historic rivalries, the Magic-Bird, the Celtics-Lakers, among many others but why? BECAUSE they never stay put on one team for one reason or the other. 

Do we have to feel sympathy for them very similar to what I/we felt for KG when he moved to the Celtics to win a title? NO. Players are paid for that purpose. They are paid to win at all costs. They are paid to fill the seats in the arena. They are paid to fill sponsorships. It is their duty and responsibility to do anything and everything to win. Under the circumstances, winning comes from the players personal initiative! You have to give yourself the permission to win. 


It's a privilege to be remembered for everything you've done for one city, one team, and in one jersey. Don't waste the opportunity. 

Merry NBA Christmas Part 2 of 2

1.  7. Trades for the Free Agency Class of 2012 Dwight/Paul/D-Will

Dwight Howard, Chris Paul, and Deron Williams lead the charge for the Free Agent Class of 2012. Not as intriguing or powerful as the 2010 class led by LeBron James and company, this proves to be a strong class of future Hall of Famers.

We might see Dwight don the Laker colors such as what Shaquille O’ Neal did before. We might see CP3 running Mike D’ Antoni’s run-and-gun style offense over at New York with Carmelo Anthony and STAT. Deron Williams might just go to the team that desires.

Trades will place teams in position teams to again land a marquee player or they will result to trade for any of them.

Predictions:

Dwight Howard: Traded to the LA Lakers for Andrew Bynum and someone I don’t really give a damn about.

Deron Williams: Stay with the Nets and go elsewhere. You can’t really understand how this guy thinks. 

Chris Paul: Traded to the Clippers. Sign max contract extension.

2.  8. Gives the Oldies One More Shot

Will the Boston Celtics, or also more popularly known as the Retirement Home for the aged, get one more run at the Larry O’ Brien championship trophy? Will Kobe be able to carry the Lakers to another ring? Can Tim Duncan win championship #5?

With the given schedule, I don’t think teams such as these can have a good chance to compete for ring unless they tank numerous games. Thinking about how these teams value winning the regular season, tanking games would literally kill them.

The only logical chance for them to win is for them to qualify for the playoffs with lower seedings then come playoff time, beat the younger teams.

When you think of it, old teams should benefit from a shoter schedule since there are lesser games. Lesser flights, lesser road trips, among others but when you pack it that way, it’s a totally different story. There’s no logical sense concluding that Kobe’s knees are going to hold-up after this season. This league is going to literally KILL its old superstars!

3.  9. The Year of the Durantula?

Kevin Durant had another sound year last season. Dominating the opposition with his relentless scoring ability. Graceful finishing and a killer instinct, that sets Durant from the other young players in this league. There’s no way to defend him. He’s can kill you in any conceivable way. The question is, how do you want it?

I had Durant as my 2^nd option on winning the MVP behind LeBron. (Dang, I just hate Derrick Rose or what?) Durant led the Thunder to the Western Conference Finals where they lost to the eventual Champions, Dallas Mavericks.

Durant has already made a clear point, he’s the leader of this young Thunder team and that was further affirmed by the fact he got a massive contract extension with the team last summer. Durant has continued to blossom in every year he has been in the league considering the fact he was only 2^nd to Greg Oden. The Blazers must be shaking their head.

Durant is also a victim of timing. The time he enters the league, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James are there and as he is already making his name, a ton of players come in after him but that’s life. We can’t complain about it. We just have to do our best and let Him to do the rest.

4.   10. Jimmermania?

Jimmer Fredette is in the NBA! Say what? Yes, the BYU standout who made waves last year in college joins the NBA’s Sacramento Kings. As early as now, he is already dubbed as the Savior of this franchise. A franchise, who a couple of years back was one win away from the NBA Finals.

Jimmer’s scoring prowess dazzled college basketball fans, scouts, and players. Who would ever think that a player would be scoring 30, 40, and even 50 points in a college basketball game? JJ Redick was the last player who shot the lights out but would you ever think a white guy from BYU could do it? I don’t think so.

Yes, Jimmermania is a noun that signifies the presence of a great player. A player who shoots the outside shot with relentless accuracy.

To me, I don’t like the way Jimmer Fredette plays. I don’t like players who shoot 30 shots a game and makes 12 of those and scores 30+ points. You giving disgrace to the game of basketball! Basketball is team sport and you should help in every other category aside from scoring. If it were just about scoring, as people perceive it to be, it’d be called Burning the Hoops.

But who am I to judge?

5. 11.  D-Rose 2.0 ?

Finally, a post-Michael Jordan Chicago Bull player wins an MVP award. Derrick Rose led the Bulls to the best record in the Eastern Conference and led them to the Eastern Conference Finals where they lost to the Big 3 in a grueling six game series.

Pooh, his nickname, dazzled the league with his courageous and relentless drives, something very similar to what Allen Iverson did then, minus the hits. Rose goes in the lane and seems to finish any shot with the greatest of difficulty channeling his inner-MJ.

Rose deserved the MVP. I can’t just continue to hate him for stealing the award but he did something magical last year, leading the Bulls amidst all the injuries to the best record in the East and that is something easier said that done. How many times did he have to save the Bulls? Countless.

Are we going to see a much better Derrick Rose? I don’t think so. Rose’s game will still be explosive but I think he’ll have lesser scoring opportunities with the return of Carlos Boozer. Boozer will now hopefully provide their scoring down low. Rumor has it that they are in hot pursuit of Jason Richardson and that is going to lessen his shot attempts. Is he willing to cut his numbers? Most certainly. Pooh ain’t too greedy.

6.  12. Sophomore Slumps?

You’ve reached #12. Sorry if I tired you out after reading but let’s make this quick, I hope. Last year, a lot of Rookie posted great numbers and were major contributors for their respective teams. Can we attribute their success to talent, hardwork, and thriving in the proper system or say they were lucky. Teams didn’t look too much at them and let them to their own thing. 

Sophomores usually have significant drops in their production, or what I like to call Sophomore Slumps. They go through that kind of stretch because they’d never expect that they been given that much attention both defensively and offensively this early in their career. There are very little players who don’t undergo this phase in their career and those are an elite few.

Will we see Blake Griffin bleed for every point? John Wall blocked at the rim countless of times?

Those scenarios are highly probable but can these sophomores prevent the slump? YES!

We’ve made a brief rundown on the league before it begins on Christmas. Were in for an exciting season full of ups and a lot of lows but the world is just happy to finally see players putting the basket down the hoop.

And It Drops…

Nothing But Net. 

Thoughts Away From The Game: Poem

If you think you are beaten, you are 

If you think that you dare not, you don't 

If you'd like to win, but don't think you can,

It's almost certain you won't. 

If you think you'll lose, you've lost 

For out in the world you'll find 

Success begins with a fellow's will, 

It's all in the state of mind. 

Life's battles don't always go 

To the stronger or faster man; 

But sooner or later the man who wins 

Is the man who thinks he can. 

-Arnold Palmer

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 

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. 

One Of The Cheesiest Songs I Have Ever Heard

Credits to Kyles Lao for the find.

Game Analysis: Xavier vs San Beda Championship Game

To me, numbers do not matter in games such as these. You can throw away all the statistics and just focus on one thing, heart. Championship games are decided by great players and teams who rise up to the occasion and play their hearts out even giving more than 100% even if its mathematically impossible. 

With Xavier's win today, it successfully defends its title and now for the first time in history are back-to-back champions in this prestigious tournament sponsored by Milo. Yes, a win is a win but as Coach Owen would always say, "the last day you learn is the day you die." Let us critique that game and see how well did the Stallions fare and how much do they have to improve. 

1. Height Advantage 

The Stallions did a good job in capitalizing their height advantage. They had numerous offensive rebounds which led to many second chance points and opportunities. Their height also anchored their numerous zone defenses with San Beda's players as it intimated them even before they attacked the ring. Their centers and forwards also were able to block numerous shots but sadly were called for too many ticky-tacky fouls in my opinion. 

2. Free Throws 

Last game, Xavier missed 21 free throws. Today, I honestly don't know. I didn't bother to take down stats of those because it was difficult and I wanted to personally enjoy the game and the championship atmosphere. Xavier definitely shot better than the Red Cubs and that is what distanced them from their opponents. 

3. FATE 

The championship was really for Xavier to lose. San Beda had countless opportunities to tie or even take the lead at the foul line but they couldn't make the baskets when it was necessary. Jarrell Lim would have to be regarded as the Savior as he nailed every conceivable shot from every conceivable angle when they needed it the most. That my friends is what a MVP is about! As the Essence of Winning suggests, we can win with a dominant performance from one player but without God's divine hand, I don't think we can do so. It was really our game to lose! 

4. Too many forced shots. Control the tempo. 

As mentioned above, Xavier had a big size advantage when it came down low. San Beda's players were only leveled to the shoulders of our own big men but I don't understand why we still force up difficult shots. Yes, by nature Xavier is really a run-and-gun team scoring most of their points from fastbreak opportunities but against a fast team like San Beda, you can't run all the time against them. Organized chaos, is what we need. We know when we should run and we should also know when it is the time to set and rely on our improving halfcourt game. 

5. Who is the alpha dog? 

Every player by nature wants to take over the game but at times he can't do it alone. You need to understand who to give the ball to when you need points. Coach Owen's system allows players to shoot open shots given at their own range but for one to be great you must know when to give the limelight to others. You should have shame when you continue to throw up bricks. Pass the ball, help in other aspects of the game! You should not be too centered on scoring especially in games like this! Team comes first! 

I hope the Stallions can have a deeper run in the Nationals and bag the championship with 15 strong! You have a long way to go guys but its a great start! Congratulations! You have successfully defended the crown and protected our house! 

Thoughts Away From The Game: My First SOP

People often think that charity work or outreach programs are done only by people who either do it to reduce their taxes to pay to the government and older people who want to give back to the community as part of community service. We teenagers aged between 14-16 can make a difference to less fortunate people through the Saturday Outreach Program, more commonly known as SOP. 

After 2 consecutive absences due to basketball games, today I finally had my chance to interact with the victims of human trafficking from the Visayan Forum. Today, we didn't go to their Antipolo safehouse but rather we went to a subdivision beside it, Beverly Hills if I'm not mistaken (by the way, our Coach and one of our assistant coaches live there) and treated them to a day filled with sports. Our day started with some teambuilding games courtesy of Mr. Aragon. These games tried to strengthen the bond between the Xavier students and the girls from the Visayan Forum. These games needed communication from both sides for it to be successful. 

I noticed that the girls were more open and active. Based from what I have heard from the previous SOPs, they were very shy and were very hard to persuade to join the different activities but through sports, it bridged the cap between both sides. You could see the joy and excitement in the eyes and the way these girls reacted. Its good to be able to give them joy and happiness as they have been through a lot. It is good to know that we can and we were used as instruments by God to show his love and reach out to these victims. 

The second part of our SOP was a Sports Clinic. There were 4 different sports that the girls could choose from namely basketball, volleyball, badminton, and frisbee. I was assigned to handle the basketball clinic. I just showed them some of the basic fundamentals such as passing, dribbling, and shooting. To me, I didn't accomplish a lot since we only had one rubber basketball plus the net on the ring was very small thus I had to keep jumping to get the ball. 

Through this exercise, I could see how sports, namely basketball, bridges the gap between people who don't even know each other. Very similar to the Basketball Without Borders Asia program I joined in Singapore last year, it showed me that basketball is a universal sport enjoyed by many. Different genders, ages, backgrounds enjoy shooting the ball in the hoop, hearing the bounce of the ball, and the swish of the net. 

I find importance, personal satisfaction, and joy with this program. As my CLE teacher Mr. Chris King De la Cruz would say, "tungkulin ko maging makipag-kapwa tao." God has blessed me with a loving family, an opportunity to study in a good school, the company of good friends, my talents, and countless blessings. Giving up 3 hours of my Saturday for Him since as the Bible says, whatever you do unto others, you do unto me, is just peanuts to what he does for us. He is there 24/7 guiding us and returning the favor is no biggie. I hope I have the opportunity to be able to have more activities such as these and to hopefully attain the nirvana state of goodness.

A Man on a Mission, trying to help the community.

Other notes:

 Please eat before you go to your SOP. You don't want to barf on the way back. LOL.