5-Hour Energy and the PBA's Powerade Tigers

H/T to Brosi Gonzales for this celebratory photo of the Tigers

I finally got the opportunity to watch the PBA Finals live for the first time last night. It was Game Three of the Best of Seven PBA All-Filipino Finals involving the defending champions a.k.a Heavyweights Talk N' Text Tropang Texters and the 8th-seed a.k.a. Underdogs Powerade Tigers. TNT had a 2-0 lead over Powerade and no PBA or even a NBA team has escaped from a 3-0 deficit.

The Wiz picked the Wrong Guy

The Washington Wizards are a sad sack of a franchise as of the moment. They are at 2-15, which is the worst record in the NBA. They finally made the inevitable move to fire Flip Saunders after an embarrassing loss against Philadelphia and after team captain Andray Blatche pretty much threw him under the bus with his comments.

Sure, they selected Randy Wittman to replace him, probably because he already had previous head coaching stops, but that is the a "meh" hire. Ted Leonsis wanted to make a splash and make sure Washington is relevant in the Association. This move won't allow you to do that.

What would? Having Sam Cassell coach the team would. The 42-yr old two-time NBA Champion is currently an assistant with the team. Besides, he would be a quote machine given his reputation during his playing days.

The Wizards need a total shakeup. The team is young. Maurice Evans is the oldest guy on the team. And he's 33. Your next oldest guy is Rashard Lewis, who is 32 and spent 13 years in the NBA, the most in the team. Only four guys (Evans, Lewis, Ronny Turiaf,  Roger Mason) are over the age of 26. Its lottery pick, Jan Vesely, has played in only 10 games, averaging under 12 minutes, not reflecting the reputation that precedes him. Your key players have somewhat regressed. It's really a mess.

Leonsis preaches on the nation's capital becoming a destination. I don't think Randy Wittman would make people want to go there. It might be if Sam I Am was, and if he could run the team the way the team had been constructed.

Blog Outsourcing - January 23, 2012

Welcome to The Morning After.

Today marks the Lunar a.k.a. Chinese New Year, where 2012 marks the Year of the Dragon.

The Chinese calendar has an animal for the 12 years that comprise the cycle, as seen below:

The Dragon: 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012  
The Snake: 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001

The Horse: 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002
The Sheep: 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003
The Monkey: 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004
The Rooster: 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005
The Dog: 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006
The Pig: 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007
The Rat: 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008
The Ox: 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009
The Tiger: 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010
The Rabbit: 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011

You can go here to check what this year lies ahead for you.

Here forth are the links to keep you busy after the jump.

Could Pacquiao-Mayweather finally happen?

All we need is for Floyd's camp to confirm this conversation. This match needs to happen.

(h/t to @tigastorres for theYouTube clip)

Just do it, Bob Arum, Leonard Ellerbe. Do it. For the sake of the sport.

Update: it has been confirmed. Now the world awaits.

The USA Basketball Shortlist

The finalists as to who will be comprising the Olympic Team competing in London has been named. Here are their names in alphabetical order:

LaMarcus Aldridge (Portland Trail Blazers)
Carmelo Anthony (New York Knicks)
Chauncey Billups (Los Angeles Clippers)
Chris Bosh (Miami Heat)
Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers)
Tyson Chandler (New York Knicks)
Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City Thunder)
Rudy Gay (Memphis Grizzlies)
Eric Gordon (New Orleans Hornets)
Blake Griffin (Los Angeles Clippers)
Dwight Howard (Orlando Magic)
Andre Iguodala (Philadelphia 76ers)
LeBron James (Miami Heat)
Kevin Love (Minnesota Timberwolves)
Lamar Odom (Dallas Mavericks)
Chris Paul (Los Angeles Clippers)
Derrick Rose (Chicago Bulls)
Dwyane Wade (Miami Heat)
Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City Thunder)
Deron Williams (New Jersey Nets)

Blog Outsourcing - 1/16/12 edition

Greetings and welcome to the weekly Morning After, where someone tries to remind you what you could have missed.

The iconic boxer of his generation, and probably most of ours, Muhammad Ali, will be celebrating his 70th birthday this week. The heavyweight champion attended an advanced birthday party for him in his hometown in Louisville. That party also served as a fund raiser for the Ali Center, a educational and cultural complex, where it will be an illustration of his legacy both inside and outside of the squared circle.

He may have been ravaged by Parkinson's, but he is still an inspiration and a legend.

Here forth are the links after the jump and staring at another meme pic from me:

The King has returned.

He's back. Albeit for a short while, but it's quite magical to see his return to the stadium he helped build.

Blog Outsourcing - January 9, 2011 edition

Welcome to the latest edition of The Morning After on The Victory Formation.

So, later today, the BBWAA will be announcing who will make it to the Hall of Fame. Rules are quite simple. You only have a limit of 10 people to select.

Who would I vote? The pool to select can be seen here.

I would vote the DH's: Raines and Edgar. The latter was THE name when it came to the Designated Hitter pre-Papi.

I would vote Larkin, Bagwell, Bernie and Larry Walker in. Veterans who defined themselves with their respectives franchises (Reds, Astros, Yankees, Rockies)

I would vote McGwire, Palmeiro in, because you saw for yourself in his playing career that they warrant it, in spite of the allegations.

Who is in yours, then?

Here forth are the links to catch you up after the jump.

Twitter and the Student-Athlete

I always believed in the context of free speech and its expressive nature. So the recent move by newly-minted Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer to bar his student athletes from using social media is eyebrow-raising.

I understand the premise and the need for the move. After all, we have seen too many scenarios where these student-athletes get into trouble because of what he said and all. In fact, it's not just on social media. Remember when the brawl at the Crosstown Shootout took place, when after the game, Tu Holloway decided to use his "gangsta" bit in the post-game press conference? It illustrates that there is a dire need instead of banning the tool, one should instead educate them on the use and its repercussions, because after all, they are representing the institution that they play for, no matter if they put a disclaimer on the top.

I love tweeting, and so do most of the writers here at TVF. We enjoy how helpful this tool has been for everyone. Some more than others. (You probably know who that particular person is already) As always, one should always be prepared to handle the responsibility of wielding this instrument. As such, I leave you with this reminder.

Think Before You Click.

More Details on the #SendongCharityGame

On January 7, 2011 at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium and televised on Studio 23, the Dili kamo nag-iisa charity football match will take place. It will involve Tercera Division side CF Internacional de Madrid, a club that is currently twelth in their table.

The lineup for the locals, dubbed as Azkals Alyansa for this match, which is an mix of players from the national side and from the United Football League are as follows:

Goalkeepers: Eduard Sacapaño (Army Fritz & Maciol), Edmundo Mercado, Jr. (Philippine Air Force Phoenix FC), Paolo Pascual (Global FC)

Defenders: Roel Gener (Army Fritz & Maciol), Roxy Dorlas (Loyola Meralco Sparks FC), Ange Tressor-Guisso (Global FC), Yves Ashime (Pachanga FC), Martin Doctora (Philippine Air Force Phoenix FC), Anton del Rosario (Kaya Cignal FC), Jerry Barbaso (Global FC)

Midfielders: Emelio Caligdong (Philippine Air Force Phoenix FC), Misagh Bahadoran (Global FC), Valentine Kama (Global FC), Angel Guirado (Global FC), Carli de Murga (Racing Club Portuense), Lexton Moy (Kaya Cignal FC), James Younghusband (Loyola Meralco Sparks FC)

Attackers: Phil Younghusband (Loyola Meralco Sparks FC), Ian Araneta (Philippine Air Force Phoenix FC), Nate Burkey (Kaya Cignal FC), Ojay Clariño(University of Santo Tomas)

Philippine Air Force Phoenix head man Edward Cabalida will be handling the squad, whose UFL Cup Winning Squad will be having a separate friendly with the Spaniards at a yet to be determined date and time. The Spaniards also are scheduled to have a friendly with the senior women's national side on January 6, from 7-9pm at the newly built Bonifacio Global City turf field. That info came from Malditas captain Marielle Benitez.

Prohibited items for the charity match are as follows:

Cigarettes and lighters
Laser pens and pointers
Weapons and/or sharp objects
Candles, fireworks, or any type of pyrotechnics
Glass bottles, PET bottles, cans, and hard plastic containers
Posters, banners, and signage with any politics slogans or advertising without explicit Local Organizing Committee approval
Alcoholic beverages
Illegal drugs
Large chains, spike bracelets, wallet chains, metal belt buckles
Balloons Chairs

Waivers needed for Pregnant women and for Parents of children below 12 years old

As part of the activity, the classic chant of Liverpool FC supporters and other clubs, Gerry and the Peacemakers' You'll Never Walk Alone, will be sung. Here's the actual song with lyrics so that you can sing along.

Tickets for friendly are already available. Kindly check your nearest Ticketworld outlet.

Soccer Central Philippines will let you know more details when we have the information available.

Blog Outsourcing - 1/2/12 edition

Welcome to the New Year. Welcome to The Victory Formation in 2012.

A new year brings optimism and positivity. Such is needed when you have been challenged. Whether through serious matters to frivolous ones, or from pertinent issues or trivial campaigns, the new year allows us to reset and start again from scratch. If you have been through a great moment, it's an opportunity to exceed it or at least maintain the level. Otherwise, it is a means to forget about the frustrations and leave them all behind. So go forth and make the year yours.

Here forth are the posts to make your day:

#SendongCharityGame Set

The match has been set. C.F. Madrid, a Tercera Division club in Spain, will be the opponent. What matters is that help is coming on the way for those who really need it.

Blog Outsourcing - December 26 edition

Greeting to everyone.

Just happy to know the NBA is back.


Here forth are the links to keep you busy after the jump.

Blog Outsourcing - December 19 edition

Hello and I would like to wish you a Merry Christmas and other holidays that come at this time of the year.

Allow me to once again take things seriously as the Motherland, specifically its southern portion, was battered by Tropical Storm Washi (locally known as Sendong) over the weekend. I am fine, but after personally enduring the wrath two years ago, it surely is not alright down there.

Relief efforts are already underway. If you so choose to help, you can check here & here for details on how you can chip in. You may also check the website of the Philippine Red Cross.

The Filipino spirit remains undaunted. Unfazed. We will rise up again. And Again.

Here forth are the links after the jump:

May the force be with Neil Etheridge

Good luck Neil. You have just made history, not just for you, but for Philippine football and for the continent as well.

Blog Outsourcing - December 12 edition

Good Morning and welcome to the latest edition of The Morning After.

The weekend was abuzz with much ado about how Tim Tebow managed to pull magic out of the hat. Again. But hey, isn't that what Eli Manning is pulling out of his hat, too? He just tied another NFL record being held by his brother and his brother's iconic predecessor. Doesn't the Broncos have a mean defensive line like Elvis Dumervil? But the Giants have that guy gracing our cover photo for today? Willis McGahee has been adequate without Knowshown, but Brandon Jacobs just passed a Tiki Barber record and played one half without Ahmad.

They have some sort of luck, but not the Andrew kind, because that is what Indianapolis needs.

Here forth are the links after the jump:

You're Quite The Natural, Brandon

I am a huge fan of Brandon Roy. The shooting guard out of Washington was a Minny draft pick before being shipped out to Portland for the rights to Randy Foye.

You cannot question his heart, his will, his love for the game and his devotion to the sport and to its fans, especially in the Pacific Northwest, where he played for Lorenzo Romar in the University of Washington and for the Portland Trailblazers.

It is with great regret that I heard reports saying that Brandon is seeking medical retirement due to his degenerative knee condition. It is definitely saddening and disappointing his physical body could not withstand the pressure and wear-and-tear that is the NBA.

However, we choose to remember his greatness and in this past postseason, he surely gave us one to remember him by.

Thanks, Brandon. We'll miss you.

There is only one Stan Musial

I guess the idea that someone playing his entire career with one team is pretty much dead or over. People prided over that notion that you stick with the team through thick and thin, through the good times and benefits, and the bad times, when things get ugly and all that.

Those were the days. It looks so far away now.

I look at this as reports come out that Albert Pujols has agreed to become a member of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim after spending his first eleven years in the National League. A $250 to $260 million 10-year deal for a 32-year old three-time MVP. Said deal has a full no-trade clause and no opt-out.

Maybe this is for the benefit of the Cardinals, not being burdened by such a contract, but I feel this is a missed opportunity for him to burnish a legacy as a true St. Louis legend.

Kudos to the Artie Moreno and the Angels. They wanted to make a stand in a town where the being the main baseball talk can be had with the current state of the Dodgers. Adding him and then adding C.J. Wilson definitely helps.

*Stan Musial played 22 seasons in Major League Baseball. All of them with the St. Louis Cardinals.

Blog Outsourcing - 12/5 edition

Yup, David Beckham and the Los Angeles Galaxy arrived in Manila as part of their Asia-Pacific Tour. You could also consider it as the farewell tour for the English midfielder, considering he already has offers from Paris Saint-Germain and others to return to Europe.

You can check out here for some details. Also here.

Football in the Philippines has come a long way after a year. From being nowhere in sight to now being in the spotlight. Hope this continues.

Here forth are the links to make your morning after the jump.

Wishlist for the Azkals versus the Galaxy

Yes, I am absolutely giddy for the match between our national team and that of the MLS Champions, the Los Angeles Galaxy. At the same time, I would like to put my thinking cap on and dream about what I would like to see this weekend.

1. World class action from the Galaxy. At least, we have an idea on what to expect from them because they faced an Indonesian side first. Hopefully, we can get to experience world-class football action from them for at least a half before Bruce Arena decides to turn the rest of the game into an audition to see who fits into his plans next season.

2. Debuts. Well, Weiss added two new elements previously unknown to the normal masses, Matthew Uy and Demetrius Omphroy. Both are defenders, so at least they can be added onto a pool of possible plug-ins for the future given the age of our back line. Demetrius would be familiar in facing the Galaxy, after all, he was playing for a MLS club in Toronto FC. I also would like to see the only position player that did not see action in the just-concluded SEAG, Jake Morallo of the Loyola Meralco Sparks. And yes, Chris Greatwich finally returns to the side that remembers him well for his goal scoring exploits.

3. Prove-its. No one probably took a huge flak in their individual performance earlier this year than what Edward Sacapano had to go through in the second leg of the AFC Challenge Cup Qualifier at Mongolia. This is his chance to prove the naysayers wrong. Of course, no one else has to be under fire more than Weiss, after what can be said as a disastrous SEAG campaign and with mounting questions about whether he really is fit to handle our national side.

4. Chemistry. This is the chance for the under-23 standouts to see if they can immediately fit right in our senior side. Good opportunity for the likes of Joshua Beloya or Ojay Clarino to play a role alongside their elder counterparts. Yes. This is a good time to experiment, but not at the extent Weiss pulled off in earlier matches. Remember, the Challenge Cup is to be held in March.

5. Crowd. I'd like to see a vibrant, energetic crowd that will inspire our national side to give its fullest effort. Hopefully, a full crowd that can convince the powers that be, that you know what, there is hope in getting people to watch events like this in the future.