Manny vs Oscar

I like this one the best. It's a simple Round by round from ESPN. I really don't need all the analysis and I won't pretend to know more about boxing.

May mga funny hirit din ang sumulat nito. and I super admire his/her skill in coming up with descriptive and succint sentences that truly fuel your desire to watch the match.

If for some reason you were under a rock this last Sunday, here's how, sabi ng nga ESPN, "Manny turned The Dream Match into a nightmare for Oscar":

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DARIUS ORTIZ: Ladies and gents, The Dream Match is upon us!

DARIUS ORTIZ: National anthems under the way.

DARIUS ORTIZ: Chants of Manny! ring through the arena.

DARIUS ORTIZ: That scent you smell in the air? That’s a shirtless, steaming mad De La Hoya pacing back and forth in his dressing room like someone hid his boxing rope.

DARIUS ORTIZ: Manny Pacquiao saying a prayer. Now he makes his way to the ring.

DARIUS ORTIZ: Manny walking to the theme of We Will Rock You. Didn’t De La Hoya walk to that against Fernando Vargas?

DARIUS ORTIZ: Hope he’s got the song on loop; he’s taking his time getting to the ring.

DARIUS ORTIZ: Longest ring walk ever.

DARIUS ORTIZ: I called it. We Will Rock You plays again.

DARIUS ORTIZ: Through the casino, down the escalator, quick stop at the buffet…and he’s in the arena. Filipino crowd goes wild!

DARIUS ORTIZ: Pacquiao saying a prayer in his corner.

DARIUS ORTIZ: Oscar De La Hoya making his way to the ring.

DARIUS ORTIZ: The Golden Boy walks to Mariachi music.

DARIUS ORTIZ: De La Hoya is in the ring and saluting the crowd. Tomas Mendoza waves the flag from the corner.

DARIUS ORTIZ: Shane Mosley and Bernard Hopkins looking swanky in suits.

DARIUS ORTIZ: Let’s hear it Michael Buffer: Let’s get ready to rumble!

DARIUS ORTIZ: Pacquiao introduced first. He looks calm and even breaks a smile as he’s announced.

DARIUS ORTIZ: How can you not love Pacquiao?

DARIUS ORTIZ: De La Hoya introduced next. Boos ring through the crowd.

DARIUS ORTIZ: The Golden Boy looks stoic but intense.

DARIUS ORTIZ: The men touch gloves.

ROUND 1

ROUND 1: And we’re off!

ROUND 1: Oscar dishing out his jab. De La Hoya pressing forward.

ROUND 1: De La Hoya looks gigantic in front of Pacquiao. PacMan looks like a boy.

ROUND 1: De la Hoya doles out his jab. Pacquiao picking his spots.

ROUND 1: Pacquiao unleashes a combo then moves out quickly.

ROUND 1: De La Hoya is raking the body.

ROUND 1: Pacquiao grazes Oscar with a hook.

ROUND 1: Pacquiao is finding his range. He stays outside, finds an opening, leaps in and strikes.

ROUND 1: De La Hoya wobbles Pacquiao against the ropes.

ROUND 1: Pacquiao is using solid lateral movement. Pacquiao wobbles Oscar with a left.

ROUND 1: Pacquiao finishes the round on his bicycle.

ROUND 2

ROUND 2: De La Hoya backs Pacquiao up with a left but Pacquiao fires back with his own left.

ROUND 2: De La Hoya isn’t moving enough and is getting caught flush with left leads.

ROUND 2: PacMan now has De la Hoya backing up.

ROUND 2: De La Hoya throws a three-punch combination but Pacquiao blocks the majority of it.

ROUND 2: Pacquiao lands another left lead. His speed is overwhelming Oscar.

ROUND 2: Pacquiao is potshotting. A body shot forces him to lower his guard.

ROUND 2: Pacquiao lands an uppercut to a stationary De La Hoya.

ROUND 2: Oscar’s feet are in sand. De La Hoya is a much more elusive target.

ROUND 2: Manny hooking with his right. You don’t hook with a hooker, Manny.

ROUND 2: Manny lands a jab just before the bell.

ROUND 3

ROUND 3: Dan Rafael puts it perfectly: The difference in hand speed is amazing.

ROUND 3: De La Hoya lands a thudding jab but Manny Pacquiao walks through it.

ROUND 3: Pacquiao lands a head-snapping left lead. De La Hoya waddles forward.

ROUND 3: De La Hoya seems frustrated. He’s throwing bombs but most miss.

ROUND 3: Pacquiao working his jab. De La Hoya looking to hook off of it.

ROUND 3: Finally, De La Hoya is utilizing his jab.

ROUND 3: De La Hoya lands a right to the body. Manny responds with his own body shot.

ROUND 3: De La Hoya works the jab then follows it with a hook. Better round for Oscar.

ROUND 4

ROUND 4: De La Hoya lumbering forward to begin Round 4. He leaps in with a combo but misses wildly.

ROUND 4: Pacquiao lands a pair of left hands to De La Hoya’s exposed chin. De La Hoya’s hands are way too low.

ROUND 4: Pacquiao, the smaller fighter, is outjabbing De La Hoya.

ROUND 4: Pacquiao has lost all respect for De La Hoya as he leaps in with uppercuts.

ROUND 4: Pacquiao is on his toes, peppering De La Hoya with hooks and crosses.

ROUND 4: Pacquiao digs in and unloads body punches. De La Hoya seems stunned.

ROUND 4: Pacquiao is handing circles around De La Hoya.

ROUND 4: Pacquiao is dropping his hands but he can’t pull the trigger. Freddie Roach called it!

ROUND 5

ROUND 5: Round 5, Manny on his bicycle.

ROUND 5: De La Hoya’s guard is higher and he’s pumping the jab. He looks a little better now.

ROUND 5: A two-punch combo wobbles Oscar.

ROUND 5: Oscar looks downright old.

ROUND 5: Forget pull the trigger, De La Hoya doesn’t even have a gun.

ROUND 5: Pacquiao leaps in with a left. De La Hoya sees it coming but he can’t get out of the way.

ROUND 5: Oscar trudges forward, right into incoming fire.

ROUND 5: Oscar lands a body shot and follows it with four hooks.

ROUND 5: Both men trade at the bell. Oscar looks extremely frustrated.

ROUND 6

ROUND 6: Both men trading jab to begin Round 6.

ROUND 6: Pacquiao coming forward but he looks a little winded. He’s expended a ton of energy in the first five rounds.

ROUND 6: De La Hoya moving back now. he’s waiting for Pacquiao to move in.

ROUND 6: Both men trade body blows. Pacquiao raises his fists.

ROUND 6: Pacquiao just misses with a right hook. The follow-up left doesn’t miss its mark.

ROUND 6: Pacquiao lands a thudding right hand to De La Hoya’s skull.

ROUND 6: Pacquiao blitzes De La Hoya with a four-punch combo just before the bell.

ROUND 6: Dan Rafael says Oscar is totally shot. I’m not so sure. Obviously, this isn’t the Oscar of 10 years ago, but Pacquiao’s just the better man tonight.

ROUND 7

ROUND 7: Pacquiao using his jab beautifully now. De La Hoya just can’t find his feet.

ROUND 7: De La Hoya putting his jab out there. Pacquiao waltzes around it.

ROUND 7: A hook/uppercut combo backs up Oscar. Pacquiao is trying to finish him!

ROUND 7: Pacquiao’s punches are landing with authority. Oscar looks pathetic.

ROUND 7: De La Hoya has no legs underneath him.

ROUND 7: Oscar has stopped punching back.

ROUND 7: De La Hoya waves him in. Bad idea.

ROUND 7: De La Hoya throws an uppercut but misses badly.

ROUND 8

ROUND 8: Pacquiao working his jab. De La Hoya still not punching.

ROUND 8: Pacquiao lands a left, then a right.

ROUND 8: De La Hoya comes to life but Pacquiao responds with his own fire.

ROUND 8: Pacquiao lands a four-punch combo to De La Hoya’s ribs.

ROUND 8: This is Oscar’s last stand. he has no answer and looks out of his league.

ROUND 8: Pacquiao looking for one more left hand to finish the fight.

ROUND 8: Oscar lands a half-hearted combo. Pacquiao mocks him. Pacquiao tries to finish the fight just before the bell.

ROUND 8: Lots of discussion going on in the corner.

ROUND 8: De La Hoya quits!

ROUND 8: Pacquiao crying in his corner!

ROUND 8: Total devastation, as Dan just put it.

And the Philippines rejoice! Hahaha!

Goodbye Justin

I don't know how to start this entry. I feel like crying again. I'm so sad, I'm so angry.

If you've been reading my entries since I started blogging, you'd know that I adore and follow the career of Justine Henin. Today, she announced her retirement from professional tennis--effective immediately. She is rank number one in the WTA for over 100 weeks, with those in rank two trailing by a thousand points.

I was actually thinking about her just this morning. I was thinking about a blog entry about my anticipation for the French Open--na maga-absent na naman ako, na si Sab e magpupuyat, at maloloka na naman kami sa YM, na si Justine na naman ang screen saver ko, na lalampasuhin nya lahat ng kalaban nya, na for 4 years running she will rule the French Open. Nagka-countdown na nga ako sa French Open.

Then, I hear about this news.
Hindi ako makapaniwala. Why? Bakit ngayon pa with the French Open coming? Naiyak talaga ako. I just can't believe it. I really feel bad.

Justine said na she can't find the desire to play anymore, and she doesn't worry that her injuries take longer to heal. She's finally contented with her life, that she can let go of playing tennis.

When Sab and I talked, lalo pa kong nasad. Sab said na sana inantay ni Justine ang French Open. Parang si Sampras daw nung nagretire, sya pa rin ang nanalo sa US Open. Maganda sana kung inannounce nya ang retirement tapos malalaro pa sya, tapos todo support ang fans, standing ovation and all, farewells and tributes. Go out with a bang.

I think the reason why I'm so sad is because I'm really gonna miss watching her, the superb backhand, the precise shots, and the immense concentration only a champion athlete can show. I'll definitely be very sad watching the games this year, and I'll have to find a new player to root for.

Hay... good luck to your new life, Justine. I will really miss you.

NO! NO! NO!

Ayoko! di ko matangap!
I'm so broken hearted.

Goodbye Justine...

Wimbledon 2007

It starts tonight!
Go Roger! Go Justine!

French Open 2007

Yehey! Yehey!
Great matches for the finals of the 2007 French Open.

My favortie Justine Henin is aiming for 3-in-a-Row! Go!
I'm not very familiar with her opponent, Ana Ivanovic. All I know is she's considered the most-improved, and she conquered second seed Maria Sharapova in the semi-finals. I'm sure match will be very exciting, syempre gusto ko si Henin and manalo. Ayoko na mag-explain, hahaba lang!

Masaya ko kasi ang attire ni Henin ay parating PINK. Go thigh muscles!

As for the Men's Finals, it's just like last year. Inantok ako last year, sobrang haba ng laban! Five sets kung five sets! Labanan ng dalawang NIKE endorsers.

Same with Henin, Rafael Nadal is aiming for his third consecutive championship at Rolland Garros. He'll be facing SUPER World No. 1 Roger Federer. Grabe si Nadal, 81-0 s'ya sa clay court--talk about being the master of the sport! The record only ended last month, at si Federer mismo ang nakatalo sa kanya. For the French Open specifically, 20-0 ang record n'ya.

I don't really favor one or the other with these two guys. I'm just so happy that I'll be able to watch great tennis again!

Can't wait for the results!

Paintball!!!

It was such a rush! 66 bullets is not enough.

Super protected.

Mga super gagad! Green Team panalo! Ubos ang bala!

Black team, panay pasa. Yak!!! Arouch!

Wimbeldon 2006 - Men's Finals

Parang repeat ng French Open nung una. Tambak si Rafael Nadal... kaibahan lang, hindi na s'ya nakabalik... panalo si Roger Federer.

Some random thoughts and pics...

Panalo ang Nike. Kitang kita ang Swoosh sa shirt, head band, wrist band, shorts, socks.

Astig din yung mga padapa-dapa ni Nadal.

Ang coat ni Federer with his personalized logo. Parang hindi masyadong bagay sa shorts.

Grabe na sa pagpupunas si Nadal,ang bagal mag-serve!

Nanood pa si Manolo Santana, last Spanish to win Wimbledon. Ang comment n'ya kay Nadal, "He is the best Spanish player, since me!" Hehe.

5 languages pala kayang salitain ni Federer. Cool!

That's it for Wimbledon this year.

Wimbeldon 2006 - Women's Finals

Galit na talaga ako kay Amelie Mauresmo. ROAR!

Natalo si Justine Henin-Hardenne (2-6, 6-3, 6-4). Hindi gumana ang kanyang super one-handed backhand. Wimbeldon na lang sana ang kulang n'ya sa Grand Slam titles... hay.

Ang totoo, dati pa ko may namumuong kainisan kay Mauresmo. Nag-umpisa 'to nung talunin n'ya ang isa ko pang paborito na si Martina Hingis sa Australian Open. Dito nag-umpisa ang downfall ni Hingis.

At lately, talagang sinusubaybayan ko na si Henin-Hardenne. Sabi nga sa isang PDI article na nabasa ko, dying breed na daw ang mga kagaya ni Henin-Hardenne sa mundo ng women's tennis ngayon. Wala nang lugar para sa mga "finesse" players, hindi na nila kakayanin ang mga "power" players. Pinasimunuan kasi ng Williams sisters, sunod na ang mga Russian giantesses.

Kaya bilib ako kay Henin-Hardenne. She is the exception to the rule. 5'5" lang s'ya, hindi nagga-grunt, naka-relo, naka-cap, may sleeves, minsan may collar pa. Naka-white or pale pink kahit hindi Wimbledon, clean looking! Ang ganda ng thigh at forearm muscles n'ya! At s'ya ang perfect combination ng finesse at power with her killer one-handed backhand.

Hay... next year na lang ulit.

Federer vs. Nadal naman tonight. Hindi ako decided kung kanino ako kakampi.

Pinoy Boxers, World-Class Boxers!

Saw the Pacquiao-Larios bout today (who didn’t?!) and got fed up with all the commercials. Business is business, gotta make money.
So, while waiting for the match, I made a project out of the commercials na lang. Wala lang, trip.

Ang hindi ko lang nakuha is yung Ginebra San Miguel and Nestle.
Yung Alaxan Gel ni Jinky, hindi rin pinalabas.

Here are some pictures of the fight. Ito ang talagang dapat na pinapanood, Ros!

All praises ako kay Larios... laging nakangiti at tinanggap n’ya ng maluwat ang pagkatalo n’ya. Wawa naman talaga s’ya. Sa totoo lang, nalulungkot ako after every boxing fight na napapanood ko. Nakaka-awa talaga yung mga talunan. Naiyak nga ako nung natumba si Erik Morales nung last fight nila ni Pacquiao. Wawa talaga.

Nonetheless, I’m happy for the Pinoy boxers. And I’m happy that we can show the world that we can host a word-class fight in our country.

Congrats MYaMi!!!

YES!!! Panalo!!!
I almost missed the game, akala ko Thursday pa. Congratulations, Miami Heat!

And congratulations to Momon... alam ko naman na deep inside you, umasa ka pa rin! Bahala na s'ya sa entry n'ya na sure akong magiging puno ng analysis, drama, at mga dinadamdam ng isang tunay na fan! Click here na lang.

My Miami Fan

As I'm writing this entry, the Miami Heat is leading 40-35 against the Dallas Mavericks in the 4th game of the 2006 NBA Finals. Watching the games is now part of my role as Mymah.

Dahil nasa review si Momon, I have to watch the games for him. And at the precise moment the game ends, I have to text him about the results... not before it ends, and not way after. Hindi rin dapat magsend ng text kung humahabol ba... or malaki ba ang lamang. Final result lang, that's it.

Unfortunately, after the first two games lost, and the very close third game... Momon has given up hope. Meron s'yang bracelet na Miami colors, and just recently, nasira ito. Para sa kanya, senyales yon na talagang matatalo ang Miami. Hindi rin pwedeng ma-overexcite pag leading ang Heat kasi baka mahabol pa.

Kaya naman as his supporter, more than the Miami Heat's, I can't say, "Hindi... kaya pa yan!" Hindi ko rin pwedeng sabihin, "Tama ka. Wag na tayong manuod." So I just listen to his analysis, his rantings, predictions, rationalizations (may sense o wala), and his requests for me to comfort him.

Please... Miami Heat, manalo kayo. Para sa Mymah ko.

Shakey's V-League Championship

The third set was the real clincher. From then on, na-sense ko na definite nang matatalo ang UST. After around 20 dead locks, natapos din ang set with 30-28. LaSalle showed complete composure as UST gave up set points due to unnecessary errors! And when the UST squad started the fourth set, completely deflated, they brought with them a quiet resolve to easily hand over the championship to LaSalle.

The De LaSalle Lady Archers deserved every bit of their victory. I was really impressed by several of their players. I commend Maureen Penetrante. Grabe and depensa n'ya, ang galing n'ya mag-block and she led her team very well. Michelle Carolino, well, what can I say... feeling ko ang bigat bigat ng palo n'ya. Yun yung tipong maaalala mo yung feeling forever sakali mang maputo mo kahit isa lang sa mga M-9 spikes. Charmaine Peñano, the libero, iba s'ya, she's so fast and effective. Di talaga n'ya tinatantanan yung bola. Aside from these three, there were also their other reliable players, Desiree Hernandez and Manilla Santos. Si Santos, parang cute na cute ang lahat sa kanya kasi di s'ya kasing tangkad pero ang taas tumalon at ang lakas din pumalo. Their settter, Chi Saet, is definitely a talented setter; hindi s'ya flashy, but she distributes the ball very well.

As for UST, talagang na-disappoint ako. Sa totoo lang, sa UST talaga ako kampi.

I'm sorry, but I'm not truly impressed with the performance of Roxanne Pimentel. The announcers kept on putting her on a pedestal. Tuloy, it got so high that she landed so hard. Basang-basa ng mga LaSalle yung running spike n'ya, at wala s'yang depensa sa likod, kaya kailangan tuloy s'yang palitan ng libero. Okay lang naman yun kung magaling yung libero ng UST, e hindi gaano e! The last two points for LaSalle in the fourth and final set was due to Roxanne Pimentel's errors. And mind you, this was exatly like last season's championship match.

Masasabi ko pang tunay at malayong magaling si Mary Jean Balse kaysa kay Pimentel. Si Balse, may depensa at may variety and mga palo. Naiinis din ako sa UST dahil ang dami nilang errors, lalo na sa mga instances na hinding hindi pwede magkamali. RALLY POINT PO TAYO. Kapansin-pansin din na parang hindi sila all-out sa laro. Di sila nagda-dive at minsan naku-kuntento na lang sa pago-over ng bola. Nasayang tuloy ang efforts nila Joyce Pano at Venus Bernal. Hay... ganon talaga.

Oh well, anuman ang resulta, masaya pa rin ako sa V-League. Sana magtuloy-tuloy to sa isang professional volleyball league dito sa Pinas.

Sali!