And then there were four . . .

Brackets were almost right to a T, but it wasn't easy for these two No. 1's and two No. 2's. Do we have a repeat? Dunno, but it will be hard to bet against them.

THE Commissioner bids adieu

Emilio 'Jun' Bernardino Jr. always looked approachable and never was intimidating. After all, he had a segment for the PBA basketball telecast called 'man on the ball' where he would often be at courtside speaking to the different basketball personalities. I was surprised that he was named commish since he never really looked the part and his demeanor was anything but 'bossy'. But, boy, was he on top of things and for the good of the league. He sure was a hard act to follow. More than than, I bet he was a good, human being. His passing, while attending a party he helped organize for a friend, came as a shock to everyone. This is sad news.

NBA Scout 101

When former US NCAA basketball Coach Mike Jarvis issued a challenge to press the mute in my remote, I did and it opened my eyes to the nuances of the game. Now here's another interesting article courtesy of Blazers Edge. I'm getting schooled and I'm grateful for it!

True Wizard

I still cannot help equating the Wizards with MJ and Kwame even after all these years. But one Agent is helping me get over that. It really is a Takeover (and the best part is that he does seem like most of us except he's getting it done in the NBA). Although, I thought the Sonics deserved to win this one but won't mind getting a '0' jersey.

PBA Hall of Fame Inductees

Congratulations! Coach Ron is in and so is Mr. Dante Silverio and 8 other Philippine basketball personalities. Read more about the second batch of inductees.

Better do scouting or Nigeria, here he comes

My guess is Mr. Mikee Romero of Harbour Center really loves his basketball or he wouldn't mind going to Nigeria and learn more about the team that participated in the Fiba championships. Anyway, I just hope his crew has done its work on the other participating teams or it would be quite an exile. Anybody has report on who the reinforcements will be for the other teams? At no other time has basketball been more emphasized as a team sport. Good to know that they don't expect this to be a walk in the park.

The Pistol 'Pete Maravich'

Since we're celebrating March Madness ( sorry Dukies), allow me to segue to the brilliance and tragedy of a basketball player and a person that is Pete Maravich - one of, if not, the greatest player to play college basketball.

More than an athlete, Pete was a tortured soul. There are plenty of great athletes but more than the beauty, it's the labour, both physically and mentally, that draws people to shake their heads and wonder how life is such a mystery after all the applause has died down. People like reading about achievements but it is the struggle which ultimately draws the connections with humankind - to remind everyone what it is to be human.

So please, if you've some money to spend and would like a great read on basketball, not just a sport but as an interesting story about a remarkable man, pick Maravich (and if you're through, send them to me). Fon now, I can only read Bill. And I could always wish for some more.
To think I had been pondering over setting up multiple kiddie hoop goals - but now resolve to delay teaching my daughter about basketball, not until she has been toilet-trained.