Blades for 2008

The prices may be high but the adrenaline rush they bring is a lot higher. These latest rollers out in the market today are just a few of the brood from whence they came.

The Rollerblade Racemachine is one pair every skater wants to own. Made of the toughest materials with the fusion of comfort and extreme stability, this pair will go down as one of Santa’s most requested present, now that Christmas is less than 100 days ahead. Perhaps the young skater’s wettest dream, the Racemachine’s price can be drop any jaws. Even Santa’s.

Price: $499.00

The Rollerblade Speedmachine may not be as pricey as the Racemachine, but it still can strain some wallets and wrung those pockets dry. Even so, the Speedmachine’s latest features and coolness factor are all worth it. Just make sure you know how to skate before cashing out on this one.

Price: $399.00

For the cheapskates and stringers alike, fret not. The Rollerblade Astro is specifically designed to accommodate those who cannot own a decent pair of skates without robbing a bank. The Astro is also made of strong materials, parades nice features, and provide smooth cruising and a great amount of air.

Price: $60.99

New Sites!

To my avid readers and blogging mates (if I have some, that is)!

I have recently launched two new websites and they are still fresh from the oven: Sneakers Monk and The Music Hermit. As their names suggest, Sneakers Monk will be everything (or something) about sneakers and all while The Music Hermit will be about music and anything that has to do with it.

They are still relatively new so they do not contain much yet. But please do take time to take a look and if your feel they are related to your sites, please add them as well. Thanks!

Special thanks to my friends who have helped patched these websites together!

Riding the Hype: Pacman VS. Golden Boy

I hate to admit this but I’m really hyped up with the upcoming Pacquiao-De La Hoya bout this December 6. Though Pacquiao is the obvious underdog in this matchup, I am rooting for him to win. In fact, I have compared several definitive factors to see who has the advantage on what aspect and who has the upper hand on the other. And here’s what I figured out so far:

Height, Size, and Reach

With a towering 5’10 frame over Pacquiao, who is 4 inch shorter, The Golden Boy clearly has the advantage. Add to that the fact that Oscar is a natural middleweight, he has the benefit of tonnage come fight night. Pacquiao, on the other hand, started as a flyweight. But I think he is comfortable around the lightweight division, as evidenced in his fight with David Diaz. Also, with De La Hoya’s longer reach, he can use those jabs all day long while keeping Pacquiao at bay.

Advantage Verdict: De La Hoya

Punching Power

While Oscar has a higher knockout percentage of 77% (39 wins with 30 KOs) compared to Pacman’s 72% (47 wins with 35 KOs), it is quite obvious that Pacquiao has downed more boxers than Oscar. But even with their KO rate being so close to even declare who packs the stronger punch, I think both guys punching power will be affected by the weight movement. Pacquiao is coming up to 147 while De La Hoya steps down 2 divisions to meet him dead center.

Advantage Verdict: Even

Speed

Clearly Pacquiao’s. I believe this is where the age factor comes into play. Pacquiao is much younger than Oscar, which could mean the Golden Boy has slower reflexes and lees agile. As witnessed by many during the Pacquiao-Diaz fight, Pac is still quicker after moving up in weight. If he can maintain that ability to unleash lightning-fast combinations and quickly get out the way, then speed will kill De La Hoya.

Advantage Verdict: Pacquiao

Durability

Both guys can take a punch, err, a lot of punches and still have the energy to celebrate after a 12-rounder. But of the two, Pacquiao possesses the stronger chin than De La Hoya. Also, Pacquiao can take body shots and go toe-to-toe against anyone. Against De La Hoya at welterweight, however, there’s a significant chance that Pacquiao may feel something to any beating Oscar has for him, if Oscar plans to get up close and personal with him. Same goes to Oscar.

Advantage Verdict: Even

Intelligence

Pacquiao is a pure brawler by instinct. And if it goes down the wire, Pacquiao will disregard any instructions and will try to engage De La Hoya for some slugfest. Which could spell bad for the Pacman. So far, De La Hoya is the more polished fighter among the two. I have to give props to Freddie Roach for transforming Pacquiao into a multi-dimensional boxer. But if we are looking for a thinking fighter here, De La Hoya’s the man.

Advantage Verdict: De La Hoya

Overall, De La Hoya has got the odds favoring him at 70-30. The only thing he has to watch out for is the speed Pacquiao certainly has. Golden Boy may have the advantage, but then, I’d still root for the little guy. After all, one punch can change everything.

The 5 Greatest Point Guards of All Time

#5 Steve Nash

A lot of people doubted Nash when Phoenix Suns chose him, a relative unknown, in the 1996 NBA Draft. But a few people realized that he already was a superstar in his own right, leading both his high and college basketball teams to the top of the pedestal. A master of the running game, a wizard of passing, and a 2-time MVP, what Nash needs now is a championship ring to cap his much storied career.

#4 John Stockton

Some might call him dirty, especially when he is on defense. But Stockton is the quintessential point guard when it comes to the Pick-and-Roll. A capable scorer and an excellent playmaker, Stockton will go down as one of those who deserve a championship but didn’t. But for Stockton fans, he is NBA’s leader in career assists and steals.

#3 Bob Cousy

The Innovator. At least that’s what I would like to call him. He created moves that were light years ahead of his time. He may have a bad start with the NBA, but he quickly established himself as one of the most perennial point guards of all time.

#2 Gary Payton

The significant half of the ‘Sonic Boom’, the other being Shawn Kemp, Payton led the Seattle Supersonics with the tenacity never seen in other players. While a very efficient scorer and passer, Payton is widely known for very tight defense, a skill that brought him notable recognitions. But the greatest compliment he ever received? Hall of Famer Gail Goodrich telling everyone Payton is the complete point guard.

#1 Magic Johnson

The only other point guard who can dominate all five positions (the other being Toni Kukoc. However, Kukoc started as a small forward), Magic’s deft for scoring and dazzling passes makes him one of the most entertaining point guards. In addition to the 5 NBA titles and other awards, what makes him the best is the fact that he carried an already established powerhouse to a new level of greatness in his rookie season. Too bad HIV took a peek.

Picking the Right Skimboard

As mentioned in one of my previous posts, skimboarding is growing by leaps and bounds in the Philippines. But as much as the sport’s popularity is enjoying its fame here, many Filipinos still don’t know how to pick a skimboard, or discern what constitutes a good skimboard.

Though not really a practitioner of skimboarding, I do enjoy watching other people slide their way through (or atop) the shallow waters during my weekends at the beach. After asking several skimboarders some vital information on how to pick the best skimboard, here’s what I have learned so far:

Choose first whether you will be doing wave riding or sand riding.

The type of skimboarding activity you choose is a definitive factor when picking a skimboard. In the Philippines, skimming the shoreline is the most prevalent form of skimboarding. Though I don’t know if I should call it sand riding.

For novices, do not spend too much fortune on an entry-level skimboard.

Flat sand skimboards are highly suggested for beginners. They are good at riding the shoreline but not adequate to conquer waves. For those who want some wave actions on their first try, crossover skimboards are the way to go, though a bit expensive. They can skim the shores and punch through waves at the same time.

For advanced and experienced skimmers, wave riders are the best options.

Wave riders are divided into two – those that are made of cheap materials and those that are composed of high-end elements. Both can skim the sand and ride the waves well. However, expensive wave riding skimboards are usually made of carbon fiber or epoxy resin, making them durable and perform much better.

It is also important to note that other factors such as age, weight, and skimming ability comes into play when choosing a skimboard. Manufacturers have guide tables that help skimmers weigh their options with regards to the said factors. There are some instances that guidelines do not matter. For example, a large rider may need a big board, but if he can run very fast and land on his board without any trouble, he can use a smaller board.

But really, it is all about preference.

Itching for Pacman-JMM III

Should there be a Pacquiao-Marquez III? Perhaps the most asked question in the boxing world after Marquez devastatingly grabbed the Ring’s lightweight belt from Joel Casamayor last Saturday, I think there should be a third match to settle the score and end all speculations.

For starters, the first fight was a draw. Forget the 3 knockdowns Pacquiao gave Marquez in the first round. JMM effectively counterpunched his way most of the bout. I personally think the draw was the best decision for such a fight.

The second fight also seemed like a draw, until Pacman downed Marquez at the fifth. The second match was so close that both fighters seem to be on almost equal level. Though Pacquiao deserve the victory in the second match, the results are still too close to name who among the two is the best boxer.

Both have debuted with a bang in the lightweight division, but obviously JMM took out the most challenging prospect. David Diaz, whom Pacquiao knocked out in their last fight, was the softest mark among lightweight champions. Joel Casamayor, on the other hand, was among the toughest in the ranks.

Don’t get me wrong, I am a Pacman fan for life, but I have to neutral as well. Certainly, a rubber match between Pac and JMM should be in order, whether or not Pac wins against Golden Boy this coming December 6.

Spotting a Fake Yonex Racket

Badminton is increasing its popularity share here in my native Philippines, as evidenced by badminton centers sprouting out overnight like patches of inedible mushrooms and the number of individuals frequenting these places. Without a doubt, badminton is certainly not a fad that will go away in time.

That said, cons are taking advantage of people who love badminton but know so little of the equipment. Counterfeited Yonex rackets are all around, even at legitimate sporting goods stores. Which is why I, a badminton enthusiast myself, will share some tips on how to spot a fake Yonex from the real deal:

· A real Yonex racket is longer than the regular racket, measuring at 674 cm. The fake Yonex is falls short ranging from 10 cm and above;

· Fake Yonex rackets have uneven paint jobs. This should not be difficult to spot;

· A real Yonex racket has individual grommets. Fake rackets use grommets that are cut from tubes;

· The bag also helps. A real Yonex badminton cover has texts in silver and gold;

· Look out for misspelled words. Fake rackets have ‘Tatanium’ written all over the racket;

· Serial numbers are engraved on the joint. Counterfeit rackets have them printed.

Though most sellers offer fake badminton rackets for a much lower price, they are not worth your money. Fake items, in general, uses low grade materials, making them unreliable and easy to break. For those who plan to shell some cash on a badminton racket, it is best that you get that from reliable sporting goods stores.

Buying a racket should be long-term investment, so invest wisely.

JMM Beats Casamayor to the Pulp

Juan Manuel Marquez from Mexico successfully edged Joel Casamayor for the Ring Magazine’s lightweight crown. JMM, whose record now stands at 49-4-1, 36 KOs, proved to be a durable fighter against a hard punching Casamayor, 36-4-1, 22 KOs. After a fast-paced exchange of counters and jabs, both men slowed down by the third, picking their shots from the distance.

Casamayor unleashed most of the punches, including power shots, but JMM was more precise with his bombs, landing them where they hurt most. Casamayor was able to stage a great stand against JMM, even managed to stagger the Mexican star with a hard left. But JMM was able to whip counter punching combinations.

At the 11^th, in flurries of exchanges, JMM’s right caught Casamayor on the chin, sending him to the canvass. He got up, but this time, JMM’s punches were like homing rockets, detonating with bangs when it reaches Casamayor’s body. Casamayor went down the second time, at which referee Tony Weeks stepped in to stop the bout. Casamayor was finally stopped for the first time in his illustrious boxing career.

The Guzman-Campbell bout was canceled at Guzman's request, stating he was not healthy to fight and was dehydrated in attempt to make the weight, in which Guzman failed as well. Campbell and promoter Don King were disappointed with the decision. Both men believed that Guzman should have fought Campbell even if Guzman was over the designated mark.

Clashes in the Lightweight Division

Forget Pacquiao-De La Hoya for the moment.

This Saturday, September 13, 2008 at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas, WBA / WBO / IBF lightweight champion Nate Campbell (32-5, 25 KOs) of the United States will trade punches with undefeated WBO super featherweight champion Joan Guzman (28-0, 17 KOs), a native of the Dominican Republic and moving to a higher class.

While I say they are equally matched in terms of reach and height, Guzman possesses more athleticism than Campbell. Guzman is faster, more agile, and a harder puncher in contrast to Campbell. But one cannot count the older guy out. 36-year old Campbell has proven himself a tough warrior on the ring and against a younger Guzman, who is 4 years his junior, I think he can hold him off.

That said, I do not dismiss the high probability of a Guzman stoppage in the middle part of the fight. A proven power puncher with speed on his side, no doubt there will be a showcase of punching barrages courtesy of the Dominican.

The odds? 70-30 in favor Guzman.

Another fight slated on the same evening will be the Juan Manuel Marquez-Joel Casamayor bout. Marquez (48-4-1, 35 KOs) will be climbing the scales to the lightweight division in an attempt to wrest The Ring’s Lightweight belt from Casamayor (36-3-1, 22 KOs).

A tactical and more polished fighter than his Cuban opponent, Mexican native JMM is the heavy favorite to win this matchup (so do I). But I do not think Casamayor will go down easily in this fight. If Casamayor falls this 13^th, JMM will surely have a hell to go through first. With all that said, a Casamayor victory is still possible, but not likely.

Asheville's Tower of Power

Judging by the size of this man, 7’7 Kenny George is pure basketball material. He already made records in his school, University of North Carolina-Asheville, in terms of scoring, rebounds, and blocks. Basing from his performance today, his ticket the pros is already purchased with the added benefits.

But his gigantic physique is also the cause of most of his burdens. He cannot drive a car since he can’t fit into the driver’s seat. His father has to drive some 700 miles from their hometown in Chicago to fetch him when the semester ends so he won’t have to force himself into an airplane seat. Despite the drawbacks present in big men, young George seems to take it all in a stride.

“I don’t hate it, but there are times I wish that I weren’t so tall,” George said.

George grew up with his father, Kenny, Sr. His parents parted ways when he was still 2 years old. Though there is an obvious lack of a mother in his life, Kenny Sr. does a fine job raising George.

Being very tall also poses health concerns for George. Strains on the knees and back pains are just several of his constant complaints. He even might miss another season because his foot needed surgical attention due to an infection.

Facing a possibility of entering a season without its best player, UNC-Asheville has, in their coach’s own words, “have to learn to play with him and without him.”

But the most dramatic thing about this young center, whose career in the NBA is already guaranteed, is that George plans to pursue a career in the film and movie industry. When he first arrived at Asheville, basketball was not his main concern. Instead he brought with him sketchbooks, story boards, and movie ideas.

If NBA is not for him, perhaps the world’s biggest movie producer will suit his frame just nicely.

Hadoken This

Once I saw a video of a Kiai master posting a challenge that he can beat any Mixed-Martial artists with nothing but his Kiai powers. The same Kiai master even upped the challenged by claiming no one has ever defeated him in over 200 fights. The clip kinda got me hooked, especially when it shows the Kiai master beating fellow martial artists (doubtful) without landing a punch. Alone. In a room full of fighters brandishing sticks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEDaCIDvj6I

The Kiai master employed nothing, just his Kiai abilities. Hitting air with frantic screams, his opponents were either sent to the canvas crashing, flying, and landing with their heads shaking frantically like those having an epileptic seizure or in the middle of a demonic possession.

Well, any MMA fighter would be a) amused; b) challenged; or c) insulted. In any case, one did answer the call; a young man which I believe is no more than a pure street brawler.

So they met, signed some kind of contract, and flaunted their goods. Admittedly, I rooted for the Kiai master, with my beliefs that Ryu’s hadoken was not a work of fiction. The first few seconds was electrifying, with the old man whisking his hands as if preparing for a blast of his energy shout.

The shout did come, but there was no energy. Instead, young guy floored him with punches and in instant, delivering traumatic blows to the Kiai master’s head.

Lights out, old man.

The video ended with the Kiai master receiving perhaps the most humiliating beating of his life and registered his first loss in over 200 fights (again, doubtful). I came to realize that: a) hadokens do not exist and b) I am a 24-year old comics nut who still thinks I can create fireballs with my hands.

Sucks.

High School Athletes and the Internet

Talented high school athletes must understand that college recruiting is a serious step towards either their athletic advancement or sport profession. However, chances of getting scouted by college recruiters depend on the amount of exposure high school athletes are getting, which includes media. Not to mention their school’s popularity.

Athletes who come from prestigious high schools seem to have the upper hand on the media thingy, especially when they have their games aired by huge sports channels. Athletes from unknown schools have to work hard for some exposure. Egging college recruiters to watch high school sports live in these schools can be a tough job.

That said, it is truly marvelous when one thinks how the Internet and the concept of mobile information can help the said athletes gain tremendous amount exposure just by getting their college recruiting video pasted all over the Web. Social media sites and cyber groups, specifically sports video websites and athlete circles, can also help in generating a lot of interest just by passing the word and the action in cyberspace.

Gone are the days when unheralded high school athletes have to send out letters and video reels to get college scouts’ and recruiters’ attention. With a little help from the World Wide Web, getting some amount of exposure and attention is relatively quite easy.

Rafting the Cagayan de Oro River

Just in case you are scheming to take your family to a vacation in Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines, make sure you devote one day in white water rafting. Outdoor thrill at its finest, nothing beats to the feeling of having conquered the 23 rapids of the mighty Cagayan de Oro River, a water network that snakes its way in 90 kilometer stretch from the mountains of Bukidnon.

The rafting is a 12.3 kilometer experience, starting from the boundary between Cagayan de Oro and Bukidnon. The intensity of the routes depends on the levels of the rapids, ranging from Levels I to IV, with IV being the ceiling of manageable rapids. So far, every person who conquered the river has nothing but good memories of the 6-hour ride.

While still a recreational activity, talks of having a whitewater rafting tournament here at Cagayan de Oro are heard to be in the works. Pretty much, if everything turns out all right, white water rafting will soon become Cagayan de Oro’s premiere outdoor sport.

Skim Boarding in The Philippines

Water sports in the Philippines are starting to take some roots and growing in a steady pace. While the number of water sports enthusiasts, surfers and wake boarders in particular, are still put at the minimum, their horde will definitely increase in a few months time. However, not all beaches in the Philippines have big waves like the ones in Siargao Island, nor all Filipino water sport junkies have the moolah to splurge on the wake boarding facility in Camarines Sur.

Behold the ingenuity of the Filipino mind – skim boarding.

Though not a product of Filipino brilliance, skim boarding offers Filipino a taste of pure water fun without waiting for the big waves or hitching on a streaking speed boat / cable tow. Skim boards, unlike the conventional surf boards, does not require extreme buoyancy and are thinner, smaller, and lighter. Also, a stunning difference between the two is that skim boarding can be done on shallow waters. A lake or a pond can be a skim boarder’s haven, per se.

Since the sport’s arrival, many Filipinos have got hooked to it. With the country’s majestic beaches, skim boarding is having a boom time here. Check out some of the Philippine beaches and you might get lucky with one of the increasing numbers of Filipinas in love with their skim boards.

No More Sonic Booms, Thunder Claps Instead

Another team in the list. Another franchise to beat.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Formerly known as the Seattle Supersonics, the Oklahoma City Thunder did not come as a surprise to NBA fans. Six weeks before the official announcement, news has already leaked out regarding the team, including its logo and colors.

Sadly, the Green and Yellow of the former Supersonics mark is non-existent. NBA aficionados (most, if not all) find the Thunder log sucks. In some angles, yep, the OKC Thunder logo does suck.

Brandishing an Orange-Blue-White scheme, the OKC Thunder logo is based on the Oklahoma flag. Perhaps the people in Thunder’s creative department are just die-hard Oklahoma-loyalists? What’s wrong with that? Well, it could have been okay, until fellow Oklahomans (and a huge lot of them) professed their hatred for the new logo. It’s just un-NBA-ish.

But enough with the logo, here’s the official roster of the Oklahoma City Thunder for the NBA 2008-09 Season:

Nick Collison	6’9	PF
Ronald Dupree	6’7	SF
Kevin Durant	6’9	SF
Mickael Gelable	6’7	SG
Jeff Green	6’9	PF
Devon Hardin	6’11	C
Serge Ibaka	6’11	C
Desmond Mason	6’5	SF
Johan Petro	7’0	C
Mouhamed Sene	6’11	C
Joe Smith	6’10	PF
Robert Swift	7’0	C
Earl Watson	6’1	PG
Kyle Weaver	6’6	SG
Russell Westbrook	6’3	SG
D.J. White	6’9	PF
Damien Wilkins	6’6	SG

9 players of from the roster are 22 and below, with an average pay of $3 million dollars each. I’d say the OKC Thunder will be fielding fresh legs most of the time. Joe Smith, Desmond Mason, and Damien Wilkins are team’s most experienced players, aging 33, 30, and 29 respectively.

From their roster alone, a playoff appearance for this season is a long shot. Coach P.J. Carlesimo (yep, the one Latrell Sprewell almost choked to death 11 years ago) is the Thunder’s man at the helm.

A playoff spot is a long shot indeed.

A Short Note on Kali

Kali is one of the most effective knife-fighting systems in the world. For those who are in the dark and dubious as to what Kali really is, it is an art of fighting developed and perfected by ancient Malayans who settled in the archipelago now known as the Philippines. Simply put, Kali is a Filipino form of fighting.

One of the believed masters of the art was a tribal chieftain known as Lapu-Lapu of Mactan Island. Lapu-Lapu’s name may be unheard of but he was the one who led a war party that battled with Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan and his crew (which resulted in the latter’s death.

The knowledge of this style of knife-fighting has persevered the ages and has evolved into several variations. Despite the difference in some fundamental ideologies, all Kali systems share the belief that self-defense means disabling your opponent to a point where he could no longer stage another attack, which could mean breaking his wrists and bones.

Through the years, Kali’s influence has spread from the Philippines into the modern world. Several branches of law enforcement and defense of First-World countries have included Kali as part of their skills training for bladed- and close-quarters combat.

Trivia: Benicio del Toro and Tommy Lee Jones both trained in Sayoc Kali during the filming of the movie Hunted.

Ben Gordon Gone? So what?

With Ben Gordon no longer donning the Chicago Bulls jersey next season, how will the Chicago Bulls fill the void? While probably this is the most asked question by any Bulls fan, it is not that hard to answer.

Admittedly, Ben Gordon, though an effective scorer, is a selfish player. There are moments when he hogs the ball too much, dribbles a tad more, or goes airborne and commits a turnover because he has nowhere else to go. In all simplicity, Gordon is a selfish player. The only good thing about him is that he led the Bulls in scoring.

Chicago Bulls sans Ben Gordon will have to make a lot of adjustments to their rotations and their system, but the Bulls have Grade-A players who can take Gordon’s place in terms of performance, both on defense and offense. They just need some extra shoving.

Kirk Heinrich still has some load left in him. That guy can play, no doubt. Not as offensive minded as Gordon but he can really dish out when it is needed. He can play pint, though not yet in the league of Magic Johnson or John Stockton, and he can score as well. With Gordon gone, Heinrich is now at a spot where he can shine much brighter.

Luol Deng is a presence to reckon with. An efficient post player whether on the offense or D, Deng can pour when it rains. Gordon’s decision to leave the Bulls spares the team from the hype and drama of having star players entertaining thoughts of limited play time or contract security.

Derrick Rose is a fine addition to the team, but he has a lot to learn from the veterans. Don’t get me wrong, rookies are getting better and better every year. But the point is, they are still rookies. Rose, surrounded by experienced players, will have a lot to jot down for Basketball 101. Given time, Rose will rise to stardom and help the Bulls etch their names in history books once more.

Although we cannot say for sure whether the Bulls will going to make run this year under inexperienced coach Vinny Del Negro, but what Del Negro can bring to the table is irrelevant at this point. He has a team that can score at will. The only question for Coach Del Negro is whether his bunch of young players to listen to every word he has to say. If the coach can get him to do just that, I believe the Bulls will be an underdog to watch out for.