“MONEY” Pacquiao

Millions of Filipinos are looking forward for the Pacquiao vs Larios fight. What’s more enticing is that they will be fighting on Philippine soil, which like basketball, puts Manny with a homecourt advantage.

But then TV Network Giant ABS-CBN played a spoilers role and killed all the excitement one would feel while watching the fight LIVE! Why? because of their delaaaaaaaaaaaayed telecast. Ordinary Filipinos who watched the fight on local channel are stucked with commercials longer than boxing rounds. “Nakakasawa at nakakabwisit yang dami ng commercial” says one boxing afficionado. “Sana kahit delayed e hindi naman ilang oras na delayed, sa Pilipinas na nga naglaban e. Hindi mo na kasi masyado mararamdaman yung laban kasi alam mo na kung sino nanalo“, added another. Even if it is available on pay-per-view, not every Filipino has cable tv or internet access for that matter.

Even ticket prices are too high. P47,000 for the ringside and the bleachers is P528.00, where the minimum salary in this country is P300($6)-350($7) a day in Metro Manila and much lower in the provinces. They even made a joke on Manny’s song entitled “Para sa’yo ang Labang ito (This fight is dedicated to you)” to “PERA sa’yo ang Labang ito” where PERA is money in english. One wonders who is Manny dedicating his fight to now, is it really for all the Filipinos? or selected Filipinos?

What was that slogan of ABS-CBN again? Ah yes, “In the (delayed) Service of the Filipino.”

Cavs fall short

LeBron James, the 21-year old phenom from Akron scored 21 points in the first half. Looks like another nail biter of a game for the Detroit Pistons and the Cleveland Cavaliers. But, what do you expect, its Game 7, its win or go home, lose and your season is over.

End of the 3rd quarter, scoreboard says. L. James – 22. What? He scored only a point the entire quarter? That wouldn't be a problem, knowing his game, he's a pass-first scorer. He doesn't really care how many points he scores, as long as his team gets the W. The problem is the rest of the Cavs went cold. They cannot execute their plays properly, unlike the previous games. Hurried shots were taken, layups were getting blocked, players getting called for offensive fouls. The Pistons made their adjustments and tighten up, especially on defending James. They took their game to another level, just like what the Chicago Bulls used to do during their champioship run in the '90's. The final score, 79-61, the Cavs is now the NBA record holder of the lowest score in a Game 7.

'Bron and the rest of the Cavs have all summer to make adjustments. It's either keep their nucleus intact, and that includes re-signing Drew Gooden and Flip Murray or test the free agency market. I think they should re-sign Drew and Flip first, James only has Zydraunas Ilgauskas as the only remaining teammate when arrives and that includes changes from his coach too. The team lost as a team. They should grow as a team. I thought they have something special with this current team.

Of course there is always a room for adjustment for the betterment of the team, like maybe hiring an offensive-minded assistant coach. Coach Mike Brown is good defensive coach, no question about that, but there are many times that the Cavs offense looks stagnant, no movement, they're left watching 'Bron with the ball.

This is a good experience, especially for James, who only this year had his baptism of the post season. They have to experience pain to make them stronger. All great teams, including the Pistons have experienced it.

Make no mistake though, the Cavs have earned the respect of the Pistons and the rest of the doubters who wrote the Cavs off, even before Game 1.

“You’ve got to keep your head up,” said LeBron. “We did a wonderful job in this series and the playoffs, so we have no reason to hang our heads about anything.”

That's right 'Bron. They should be back next year, and maybe advance further, deeper into the playoffs.

Cleveland wins its 3rd straight, leads series 3-2

Detroit and 95% of the sporting world is not expecting this. Charles Barkley even said after Game 2, that Cleveland could win at least one game, then the Pistons will wrap it up. It’s just a formality for the Eastern Conference’s main event with the Miami Heat.

The Cavs won Game 3 without Larry Hughes whose younger brother, Justin died at the young age of 20 because of heart problem which he had when he was born. LeBron James has his second triple-double in his first postseason appearance, 21 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. Sir Charles was right, Cleveland can win one game. After the game, Rasheed Wallace guaranteed a game 4 win.

But the Cavs made Wallace eat his words, another win for Cleveland, series tied 2-2. Rasheed injured his ankle in the first quarter while trying to block LeBron. Cleveland still haven’t gotten any respect because they’re supposed to do that, protect their homecourt.

Game 5 is back at the Palace. Where the Pistons are 42-4, including their first round series versus the Milwaukee Bucks. Deetroittt basketball, as what the Palace announcer have been saying all these years. They too have to protect their own court.

Score is tied 84-84, ‘Bron has the ball dribbling just outside the three point line. Then he makes his move, found Drew Gooden under the basket, 86-84 with just 27 seconds left. Detroit ball, Tyshaun Prince’s shot was swatted away by Donyell Marshall, Lindsey Hunter picks up the loose ball then shoots. Missed! Eric Snow rebounds the ball, thinking that there are only few ticks left on the clock threw the ball to the backcourt and that time will soon expire. Hunter chases it down and called time-out with still 1.9 seconds left. Time-out Detroit. Richard Hamilton got the ball, then flopped acting like he was fouled by Marshall and threw the ball out of bounds. No call! The Palace is stunned. Cleveland has now the edge, 3-2 and could wrap the series back in Cleveland.

LeBron said when he was interviewed that they cannot be complacent, this has happened back in 2003 when Detroit was downed 3-1 againsts Orlando and in 2004, down 3-2 againts New Jersey. Even Charles Barkley is out of words. They are not expecting this, the suppose Ho-hum series is getting to be the biggest upset in this year’s playoffs.

The series is not yet over, Detroit may win the next two games but at this point, the Cleveland Cavaliers will get their respect.