Basketball Ain’t Dying Here: The Kobe Bryant Take Every Advantage Manila Tour 2011

Photo by Joseph Nebrida from Inboundpass

By France Pinzon

Yes, I had just written about the country’s growing love for football weeks ago. But really, what’s not to admire? It says a lot, when you see the entire nation covered with makeshift basketball courts that welcome all sorts of individuals to play anytime of the day, regardless of sportswear. Regardless if they’d rather watch matches on television, than flock to our arenas and pay for their seats. Regardless if they’d endlessly bash our pro-league and declare it as close to its extinction. Read more…

By the Balls: A UAAP Season 72 Preview

By Jinno Rufino

Aahh, to be young (and agile) again. Too bad the not-so-young anymore had long outgrown their first edition Chucks and skimpy P.E. tights, but at least we get to relive our younger years, somehow, every July, through the energy-fueled dramafest that is the UAAP men’s basketball series. Gearing up for Season 72, sports enthusiast cum analyst Jinno Rufino makes the predictions and tells us which club he thinks has the leather ball in their court this time.
The University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball tournament has given us heart-stopping action the past couple of years, from the UST Growling Tigers’ mother-of-an upset win over the ADMU Blue Eagles in 2006, to the epic comeback season of the DLSU Green Archers in 2007, to finally, the relentless dominance of ADMU in 2008. Expect Season 72 to have that edge-of-your-seat suspense towards the end of regulation.

This year, three teams have been deemed ready for a(nother) championship, three are expected to mess up what has just been said about repeat championship, and another two are determined to gain some higher-than-usual ground through the competition. Read more…

Gretchen Fullido: Miss Deeds

Bending over backwards to give us the news, Gretchen Fullido is a welcome sight even when she’s telling us to get ready for heavy weather. At a time when everything is becoming reality TV, this broadcasting siren may be a talking head, but she doesn’t need a Teleprompter to have the first and last say.

Words by Chip Childers

“I guess I’m just passionate about my work. I think that someone who isn’t passionate about this job would rather just jump off a cliff than have to deal with this schedule….” I didn’t need any more convincing from Gretchen Fullido on this point.
Read more…