Although I Tweeted about this a few days ago, I wasn’t able to blog right away about meeting Oman’s football hero, Ali Abdullah Harib Al Habsi.

Because of his stellar performance as the Oman National Team’s goalkeeper in last year’s Gulf Cup, he has since then earned the nickname “The Great Wall of Oman.” Professionally, he is currently playing in the Premier League for the Bolton Wanderers as a goalie.

I personally got to “meet and greet” the football superstar last Tuesday, 22 June 2010. I had my photo taken with him, of course, and was able to get an autographed picture of him as well. I was also able to get a candid photo of the Omani hero, who came clad in a simple white dishdasha.

Football Royalty! Me with Ali Al Habsi. He was such a gentleman.

An autographed picture of the Omani football hero. He signed this in person, right in front of yours truly.

A candid photo of Ali Al Habsi, seated, side view.

My impression of Ali Al Habsi? He is down-to-earth, humble and soft-spoken. He didn’t have a slew of bodyguards and personal assistants floating around him, unlike other famous people, although paparazzi couldn’t be kept away.

Congratulations to Rubilen Amit for winning the first ever Women’s World 10-Ball Championship.

The pool tournament was held during the first week of June this year at Metro Manila and concluded today. It was broadcast over TFC Pay-Per-View here in the Middle East.

Rubilen, a young Filipina, was a dark horse in the contest, but her keen eye and steady hand even in difficult angles at the table gave her the much-deserved victory.

Before competing in professional billiards leagues, Rubilen was a consistent winner in Pan-Asian events, such as the Southeast Asian Games. She was also a very good basketball player, but she eventually chose billiards as the sport to dedicate her time and effort to.

Mabuhay ka, Rubilen!

I would like to share a video that was forwarded by my dear friend Genefel.

These are highlights of the legendary participation of father-and-son tandem Dick and Rick Hoyt at the Ironman Triathlon World Championships in Hawaii. Select footage has been edited to the very heartwarming, inspiring tune of My Redeemer Lives.

Team Hoyt, as the pair is more commonly known, is from Massachusetts. They have competed together in marathons, triathlons, and other such sports. Dick is a retired military man. Rick, his son, was born in 1962 with cerebral palsy.

During competitions, Dick pulls Rick in a special boat as they swim, carries him in a special seat up front as they bike, and pushes him in a special wheelchair as they run. The video shows all these in touching detail.

Wikipedia gives us an excellent background on this unconventional sports team. CNN.com also has a story on their incredible journey through life.

When asked what one thing Rick wished he could give his father, his reply was: “The thing I’d most like is that my dad would sit in the chair and I would push him once.”

Pass the tissues, mates.

Ladies and gentlemen, I am pleased to share with all and sundry a preview of the new Philippine five-peso bill, graced by none other than Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao himself.

In preparation for various Saber Forms that will be part of my Wushu curriculum in the coming weeks, I was asked to look for a sword that is suitable not only for the training but also for my, well, comfort.

“Comfort” meaning it has to go with my height (or lack thereof). Also, I could choose to have a light or heavy sword, which depends more on the weapon’s material rather its actual size.

My father had always taught me that heavier swords usually have stronger steel structures.

Anyway, I did not have to buy a new sword or anything. Father gave me a katana that he got back in the mid-1980s when he and my mother lived and worked in a different province.

This particular weapon was, simply put, perfectly suited for me. When I held it with arm slack, it extended to a good several inches off the ground.

It was neither light nor heavy, but had a solid weight that will condition my arms to move quickly with a weapon as well as maintain my balance and grip.

Here is a katana image I found online that very closely resembles my own. In the future, I will try to take a picture of my sword itself and post it here.

Finally, a most apropos quote from the anime BLEACH:

What a letdown, Kurosaki-san. A real letdown. After all, there’s nothing but fear reflected in your sword.

When you dodge, “I’m afraid of getting cut.” When you attack, “I’m afraid of cutting someone.” Even when you try to protect someone, “I’m afraid of letting them die.”

Yes, your sword speaks to me only of absurd fear. That’s not it. What’s necessary in a fight isn’t fear. Nothing can be born from that.

If you dodge, “I won’t let them cut me.” If you protect someone, “I won’t let them die.” If you attack, “I’ll cut them.” Well, can’t you see the resolve to cut you reflected in my sword?”

~Kisuke Urahara

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The first day of September hailed the last Semifinals match of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup, between the Alaska Aces and Talk-and-Text. Said game is the fifth, “sudden death” one in the two teams’ harrowing Best-of-Five series.

Much to my dismay, and that is putting it VERY mildly, my beloved Aces lost. Just one more game to win to make it to the Finals, but no. It breaks the heart, after their valiant efforts to keep the team alive by winning the previous two games.

It was rather obvious early in the game that Talk-and-Text was on a roll, piling up a lead as high as 18 points. In spite of the Aces’ attempt at a rally led by import AJ Williams, it was too late to cut down the lead to a single digit. Thus, Talk-and-Text will be the one to face Red Bull in the upcoming Commy Cup Finals.

More PBA talk up ahead.

I cannot be blamed because the Alaska Aces just, indeed, made the most amazing comeback in their Best-of-Five Semifinals series against Talk-and-Text.

After losing for two straight games in said series, the Aces rallied remarkably and tallied up two wins, in Game Three last Wednesday and in Game Four earlier this evening. This battle is not without casualties, as back court dynamo John Arigo pulled a hamstring last Wednesday and had to sit out the following game. Likewise, import AJ Williams suffered a bruised nose from semi-wrestling oncourt against the more buff rival import Gerard Honeycutt.

Rodney Santos, who smoothly filled Arigo’s shoes in ball-handling and slash-shooting following the latter’s injury, was the hero of the past two games.

Ali Peek, who saw scant action for the entirety of the season due to injury, rose to the occasion and made big offensive contributions during crunch time, such as in-the-paint power moves and fearless inside shots that weaker players would never dare take right in the face of the imports.

Game Four was especially thrilling, as it was a close game right from the start. During the second half, the lead wavered by one to three points from one team to another. The Aces victory was more or less clinched when a technical, automatic ejection foul was slapped against Talk-and-Text import Honeycutt, who threw his wristband on the court and, apparently, cursed when the opponent managed to steal the ball away from him. This gave the Aces three free throws plus possession, allowing them to bring up their lead to a total of eight points.

Red Bull Thunder won their Semifinals series in Game Four, against the San Miguel Beermen. That means they would be awaiting who will win in the Alaska Aces versus Talk-and-Text Sudden Death match this Sunday – their opponent for the coveted 2002 Commissioner’s Cup.

Of course, I am fervently hoping and wishing that my beloved Aces would once again make it into the Finals series.

The Alaska Aces, in third place after the eliminations, made in into the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup Semifinals by defeating the FedEx team last Tuesday in their second Quaterfinals clash. FedEx won the first match but the Aces did not immediately get eliminated because they had a twice-to-beat advantage.

Next, the Aces had to go up against Talk-and-Text, the team which came out second after the eliminations, in a Best-of-Five series. The former was defeated in the series’ Game One last Friday, with the defeat duplicating in the second match yesterday evening. Thus, the Aces were down 0-2. One more victory and it is to the Conference Finals for Talk-and-Text.

It is very saddening to note that the Aces’ defeats were caused by too many turnovers and the deficiency in both offensive and defensive contributions from the local players. The Alaska imports, Chris Carawell and Ajani “AJ” Williams, are very hard workers, but their combined strengths would never be enough if the locals do not pitch in.

Talk-and-Text has quite a Filipino line-up to be reckoned with, including a deep bench that has some big, energetic rookies who are raring to show off their front court and back court mettle.

I am fervently hoping that the Aces will manage to hold on until Game Five, because winning this will be the only way they could get into the much-coveted Finals series.

This is fantastique!

My beloved Alaska Aces are currently tied with the San Miguel Beermen in second place overall going into the Quarterfinals of the Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup.

This afternoon, Alaska tallied up another win by beating the much-hyped but greatly overrated national team, RP-Selecta. It was not just any victory, either; the Aces had a final score lead of 25 points.

The imports of the Aces for this season are simply superb. Ajani Williams is virtually unstoppable on a good night. Chris Carawell has the consistency and in-the-paint strength of Karl Malone, not to mention that he looks sort of like an NBA player on the court, with his poise and grace.

Alaska locals have also stepped up in their game, quite commendably. Sophomore John Arigo has improved vastly since last Season and the previous conference, where he lost touch and focus in the very crucial Game 7 of the Governor’s Cup Finals. “Ariba-ariba” Arigo is turning out to be one of the league’s most versatile young players, as he could shoot well from the perimeter, slash/drive, steal and play the part of court general.

Trade acquisition EJ Feihl has lost weight, gained speed and confidence, and increased his scoring and playing time averages. Of course, last conference’s Best Player runner-up Don Allado is still taking the extra offensive burden in the absence of franchise player Kenneth Duremdes, who was lent to the Asian Games national team.

The Aces finished second last Conference, with a rather painful Game 7 defeat in the Finals at the hands of the Purefoods Hotdogs. I have high hopes that they will get another shot at the crown this season, and hopefully go all the way to get the job done.

The Alaska Aces lost to the Purefoods Tender Juicy Hotdogs in Game Seven of the Finals of the PBA Samsung Governors Cup.

Purefoods piled on the points as early as the First Quarter, with their lead going up to as high as 16 points. Late in the Third Quarter, the Aces attempted to play catch-up, narrowing the advantage to seven points, but that was the closest they ever got to the Hotdogs.

Thus, Purefoods capped the 2002 Governors Cup championship via an impressive Game Seven defeat dealt on the Aces.

The Game Seven record of Alaska was previously 3-1, but now it has been marred with yet another loss at 3-2. Purefoods, which has never before won a Game Seven with a 0-3 win-loss card, has now upped its record with a 1-3 slate.

There are two more conferences coming up, the Commissioner’s Cup and the All-Filipino Cup. I am certain Alaska will finally bring home the bacon for this Season in any or maybe even both of these.

Wala pa ring tatalo sa Alaska!

My beloved Alaska Aces managed to force a Sudden Death Game Seven against the Purefoods Tender Juicy Hotdogs for the Philippine Basketball Association‘s Samsung Governors Cup.

Rodney Santos started for the team as he had in Games One and Two of the Finals series and got to pile on the slasher points early in the game. He was, naturally, declared the match’s Best Player.

Don Allado played on a sprained ankle but he was still awesome with the rebounds, assists and power play in the paint. He even managed to put in a slam dunk. I just hope he still gets to play in Game Seven, which will be held this Sunday.

The Purefoods TJ Hotdogs are on a roll, in more ways than one. They lorded it over the Alaska Aces for the third straight time in Game Five of the PBA Samsung Governors’ Cup Finals held earlier tonight.

Alaska had a six-point lead going into the Second Quarter, but from there on it was Purefoods all the way. Sometime during the Third Quarter, the TJ Hotdogs’ lead went to as high as 19 points.

If Purefoods wins Game Six on Thursday, they shall get the Cup and team head brain Ryan Gregorio, 25, will go down in PBA history as the third youngest coach to lead his team to a championship. I, rather inexplicably, find this entire set-up saddening. Gah.

The victories in the 2002 PBA Samsung Governors Cup are now two apiece for the Alaska Aces and the Purefoods Tender Juicy Hotdogs.

With this deadlock of sorts, the Best of Seven Finals series has been reduced to a do-or-die Best of Three. Game Five will take place tomorrow, to be followed by Game Six on Thursday.

If still necessary, Game Seven is slated on Sunday. However, if one of the two teams sweeps the next two games, then it is the much-coveted Championship for them come the close of Game Six.

Game Four was painful. Alaska had a six-point lead going into the Third Quarter but their defense collapsed against the valiant Second Half efforts of Purefoods import Derek Brown and young local Richard Yap.

Apparently, Purefoods was very much inspired and fired up by the pre-game conference hullabaloo, wherein Brown was awarded Best Import of the Conference while Purefoods forward Rey Evangelista was given the Best Player of the Conference honors.

Don Allado was also running for the latter award but, unfortunately, he was not able to amass enough statistical points during the Eliminations of this present Conference.

However, with Ali Peek’s probable return off his stint in the Philippine team, Don’s playing time might be cut down a bit or some such.

We shall see.

I am glad I was not able to watch the Alaska Aces play last night.

In their third game against the Purefoods TJ Hotdogs for the PBA Governors Cup, they broke their four-game winning streak since the Semis and lost touch in the endgame.

However, all is not lost. The Aces still have a one-game edge over the Hotdogs. They likewise get a two-day break from the games, as they will be playing Game Four on Sunday. There is enough time to recuperate, rethink their strategies and find more variations for their Triangle Offense that would hopefully prove more than a match for the Purefoods defense.

My fingers are crossed for the Aces’ victory.

Wala pa ring tatalo sa Alaska!

My much-adored Alaska Aces won Game Two of the PBA Governors Cup Finals.

Two more wins and it is the Championship for them, after a few years’ Cup drought.

Yesterday’s game went into Double Overtime. The extensions caused the Purefoods TJ Hotdogs‘ downfall, because it was apparent that they did not have the raw determination to survive the long, harrowing minutes that constituted the endgame. The youthful, raring-to-go Alaska was up to the extra mile that the Double Overtime demanded.

Alaska’s win could be attributed to the significant contributions of imports Ron Riley and James Head and key locals John Arigo and Don Allado. The score was 106-102.