NBA Western Conference Finals: Los Angeles Lakers vs Phoenix Suns

Ron Artest was one of my favorite players before because he seems to play with so much passion (we share the same birthday). But in this series, I was rooting for the underdogs, the Phoenix Suns and I want Steve Nash and Grant Hill to win a championship before they retire, although the series is not yet over, it is difficult for the suns to win 2 straight against the Lakers.

I watched the last second shot of Artest again and again…talk about being at the right place at the right time, but it really is all about the hustle of Ron-ron. Great play!

Can the Orlando Magic become the 1st NBA team to comeback from a 3-0 deficit? As they say there is always a first time, and the way Orlando won Game 5, I think it is possible that they can win Game 6 on the road and Game 7 at home. I know Vince Carter still has not delivered a good game in this series, but if Orlando extends the series to Game 7, I hope Vince Carter will redeem himself and carry Orlando to the NBA Finals.

I have been supporting 2 basketball teams for more than 15 years (tanda ko na), the Derby Ace Llamados (formerly called Purefoods TJ Giants) and the UP Fighting Maroons. I created a blog each for these teams http://www.purefoodsbasketball.com and http://www.maroonsbasketball.com to show my support and have been shooting the UP Fighting Maroons for the past 2 years and for this year i’ll be shooting PBA games for the Derby Ace Llamados.

Both Derby Ace and Maroons won their games today, the Derby Ace Llamados won over Barako Coffee Masters in the 2010 PBA Fiesta Conference and the UP Fighting Maroons defeated La Salle in the 2010 FilOil Flying V Preseason Tournament.

PS
Did you know that I was once a bench warmer for the UP Junior Maroons?

1. UAAP Season 72 Juniors Basketball: NU defeats UPIS, 84-77
When I watched this game, I reminisced the time I played for this team, even though I was just a benchwarmer that time and my career high was just 3 points on a buzzer beater:) Now I just watched my nephew play on just his first year in high school and felt proud of his game, what more if I am watching my own son play ball.

UPIS had their chance to win this game but it was not meant to be, I remember during our time that the only sure win we have is against NU, but now, we cannot even beat them.

On a side note, UPIS has no wins in the first round and has not been competitive the last couple of years because the varsity program was scrapped. But now it was re-instated and we hope to be competitive again in the next couple of years and hope to bring another championship .

2. UAAP Season 72 Seniors Basketball: UST defeats UP, 95-85
Another heartbreaking loss for UP which led all of the 1st half but could not sustain the momentum in the second half, losing to UST. Rookie Mikee Reyes had a breakout game with 21 points and veteran Woody Co led UP with 23 points. Current standing: 1 win, 6 losses (Only win came from the No. 1 team, Ateneo)

I hope they could bounce back in the second round and surprise some teams. My pictures of the games are posted in maroonsbasketball.com and upfightingmaroons.com.

3. FIBA Asia World Championship Qualifier: Korea defeats Philippines, 69-56
Watching the game yesterday vs Japan was a proud moment for our country, but today, Powerade-Pilipinas lost to Korea. No matter what type of preparation we do, I think our only weapon is the three point shot, but sadly, the shots were not falling down on this game. I hope this is just a minor setback and we can still qualify.

And I hope someday, our coach for the Philippine team will not turn down any offer to scout the opponents specially if that offer is from a proven foreign coach who has been in many international battles.

I am now rooting for Cleveland Cavaliers, Go Lebron.

FYI
Ron Artest and I share the same birthday, November 13

Nokia 5800 XpressMusic Features:
Touch Screen and/or stylus
Music/Video Player
3.2 Megapixel Camera
Expandable MicroSD 8gb card included
Wifi
GPS
Nokia Maps
more features at nokia.com.ph

The first gadget that I bought on launch day. These two phones have almost the same price when they were launched, 3650 (Around P18-19K in 2002) and 5800 (P19990 in 2009). Bought this 2nd hand from a friend for 13K.

What cellphone technology will be there in another 5 years for my next upgrade?

Review of the new Nokia 5800 XpressMusic soon!

Some posts about the UP Fighting Maroons:

- UAAP Season 71 Opening Ceremonies
- UAAP Season 71 First Round Schedule
- UAAP Season 71 UP Fighting Maroons Men’s Basketball Official Line Up
- Preseason Games Slideshow

I still remember meeting Paul Pierce in APC during his visit here in 2004.
(I used to teach Web Development in APC)

From my old blog:

“On June 22, 2004, one of my favorite NBA Player, Boston Celtics No. 34, Paul Pierce dropped by Asia Pacific College for a shoot around at APC’s basketball court sponsored by Nike Basketball Philippines. ”

As I predicted in this post, the Boston Celtics will win in Game 6.

Recap of the Celtics a year ago:
- 24 wins only out of 82
- Injury plagued – Paul Pierce playing only a few games
- Doc Rivers almost got fired after the season
- Lots of heat for General Manager Danny Ainge
- Boston going down 5th from the 2007 NBA draft which they had the highest percentage going 1st

2008 Recap:
- Traded for Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen
- Signing of Free Agents: Eddie House and James Posey
- Signing of veterans Midseason: Sam Cassell and PJ Brown
- 66 wins out of 82
- 26 Playoff games (New Record)
- Biggest turnaround in 1 season (from 24 wins to 66 wins)
- NBA Champions

What a difference a year makes. Sometimes you really have to go down, face some tough challenges before the Glory. I think the setback in Rounds 1 and 2, where the Celtics were challenged in 7 games made them an even more tougher team. Same as our lives, sometimes we face tough challenges, some of us fall and do not stand up again,  but these things make us stronger, these trials make us better and wiser always and the Glory will be next.

Eastern Conference Finals
Boston Celtics vs. Detroit Pistons – Boston in 6

Western Conference Finals
Los Angeles Lakers vs. San Antonio Spurs – Lakers in 6

NBA Finals
Boston Celtics vs. Los Angeles Lakers – Boston in 6

Note:
Congratulations to the Chicago Bulls for being the No. 1 pick in the upcoming NBA draft (even though they have only 1.7 percent chance of landing the top pick)