#labapilipinas

He's one of those fish who found their way into Philippine waters. Yeah right. The Senate President knows that. And we're glad to witness one of Philippine basketball's biggest catch.

EHEM!   Are we really #FIBAWC bound? Because it seems we're not. While most teams gather and prepare, doing tune-ups already, adding notable stars to their pool, even a couple of National Teams joining the NBA Summer League —our Gilas pool is struggling with attendance as they begin to call the weekly practice. What used to be a "small ball" handicap for Gilas Pilipinas has now become " small attendance " obstacle!

This isn’t about that famous fashion brand. “‘Clined” in fact is a contraction of a word. Much as we really wanted it to mean an increase, an improvement, an upward trajectory like—“inclined”. But, it’s the otherwise. And sadly, he really has “declined”. Of course the other part of the title, “Calvin”—we know who we are referring to here. And he’s been all over our timelines lately. Hugging the global spotlights for the wrong reason. Sadly, not the best of news we all wanted to hear.

Make it happen. Are we finally back to it? It's cringeworthy every time a nation talks about it. Never again. Hey wait, let's turn to the next paragraph before we start hitting the streets or hiding in the mountains once again.

(Updated as of 112117, 09:52H)  Not too long ago we heard and were excited about a new grassroots development league launching. And a country mad about hoops didn't think twice welcoming this exciting idea. We were even more surprised (or not at all) that the league's acronym begins with the initials "MP" —reminding us of one  legendary boxing great (who by the way was a PBA playing-coach—yes—believe it or not, this is a fuc— uhm — FACT 😱 and not some fakenewsery ). And then add the customary kicker "BL" for Basketball League. And it's good to go. Well, you know who we're talking about, right? 😜

It's crippling. Yeah, sorry for desecrating the PBA logo. But this is just how the PBA pictures itself right about now. The issue is just so pressing and went out of the roof. And it seems it isn't moving forward just yet. 😩

Do you still remember this story?  Okay, let’s refresh our sometimes forgetful memories.

Hello mga ka-fans! Alam ko matagal akong nawala. Hindi na yata uubra ang palusot na santambak o ga-bundok na labada kaya’t wala ako sa mundo ng pagba-blog. Hmmm, subukan ko kaya ang ganitong dahilan: “I had to go on a secret trip!”

The nights are dark. There's eerie silence as bodies lie flat on the dark murky pavements. We expected moments like this. A lot of this kind actually. A murder like no other. A rampage that leaves every countenance unidentified. Embarrassed but expecting something like this to happen. Every night leading to bleak mornings. Red letters written all over the storied walls. Blood...

Alien who?

Siya nga ba? Seaba talaga?! O, siya!

First things first. Happy New Year! Well, am I too late to the party? Okay, there's 300-something days before Christmas, so then. This blog's been in deep slumber for quite some time. Yeah, laundry, chores and all. The usual.

The PBA was already on a high after Ginebra snapped an eight-year championship hiatus. But,  Leo Isaac Newton left us this footnote: What goes up must come down!

(Disclaimer: This is not a mesh of sports and politics.) Okay, moving on. Ooops wait, somebody insists: "You’re wearing black, there's definitely a political undertone on this post!" Now before we get deeper in this politics-sports-pineapple-pen debate, here is the real title actually: "Hashtag EJK: E nd J okes on K angkong " So enough using that creative imagination!

(Updated 091216 19:06H) We begin with the allegation that the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) is the root that leads to the trunk, branches and leaves of this seemingly atrophying tree called Philippine Basketball.

Hello there mga ka-fans! Sana medyo nakakapag move-on na din tayo sa masalimuot na #FIBAOQT na yan. Sa ngayon ba na-delete mo na yung walang kwentang Gilas app na yan? Eh yung official theme song na "Sabay Tayo"? Malamang, 'matic, tanggal na din sa playlist! Hindi mo na rin pinanuod yung huling kabanata ng #KuwentongGilas. Kung sakali parang binudburan mo lang ng asin o pinigaan ng kalamansi ang sariwa pang mga sugat. Wapaaak!

It's just so timely. President Digong – just in his rookie year – has intensified the fight against drugs.  Teka lang, we're not here to talk about politics. It's not also about drugs. Let's talk about our favorite Pinoy hoops stars and social media. Being a fan today has become so damn different than – say ten or so years ago. Okay, let's just say back in the time of Big J and El Presidente. Fine, maybe Meneses and Duremdes era. Perhaps Taulava and Caguioa (oops, but these vinos still play significant minutes, come on – so let's erase that). 

Mas mabuti yatang tumigil nalang sa pagsuporta sa koponan ng bayan. Mas mainam yata na manisi nalang. Mangutya nang lubus-lubusan. Mang-asar at sabihing mali sila. Tanga si Coach Tab at tinanggal si Abueva. Dapat pinaglaro si ganito. Dapat ginawa yung ganyang play. Dapat tinira na ni Chan, bakit pinasa pa. Dapat sa ilalim lang si Blatche. Dapat hindi si Blatche yung naturalized player natin. Sana hindi tayo yung first game kahapon. Sana nagpahiram yung ibang team noong Fiba Asia nung nakaraang taon. Sana pwede si Clarkson. Sana nanalo tayo sa France. Sana hindi nalang natin ni-boo yung Haka ng Tall Blacks (malas daw kasi na i-boo). Sana nilakasan pa natin yung sigaw. Sana hindi lang "De-fense...De-fense" yung alam nating i-chant. Sana hindi nalang tayo naging fans. Sana'y pag-ibig nalang ang isipin... (Teka, anong linya 'to?)

Hello there fellow PBA fans (and non-fans)!  What if President-Elect Rodrigo Duterte is actually THE Philippine Basketball Association's current commissioner ? Oh come on, you still with me?— if you're not too busy, then let's go sago! Here are 10 THINGS we probably can expect from a Duterte Commissionership in Asia's first professional basketball league:

There's just five of them. At this juncture, we already know who these candidates running for the presidency are (as well as those vying for VP). But lest we forget there are senators that we have to elect. (Yeah, heard some guys out there shout from the top of their lungs: Manny Pacquiao! ) There's a dozen vacant seats awaiting them at the Senate. But there's like 50-ish candidates and do you know each of them? I bet it's hard to remember all. Why, Kilala mo ba si Win?   Except for those who are popular enough (read: rich enough to afford tons of TVC). Otherwise it's really hard to remember and earmark each candidate the moment you are there in the voting precinct ready to shade the oval next to the corresponding number and name.