Measurement game

Paul Pierce called it a “measurement game.”

That’s the big time NBA opener between the Boston Celtics and its rival the Cleveland Cavaliers last Wednesday.

Pierce scored 23 points, including some patented jumpers in the fourth quarter, while Ray Allen contributed 16 points. Kevin Garnett, the other member of Boston’s Big Three scored 13 points and hauled down 10 rebounds.

My eyes were on Garnett during the game. It was a measurement game for him after that knee surgery. 

Garnett missed a wide-open jam in the fourth but earlier he banked a difficult fade away jumper over the outstretched arms of Shaq. In the third quarter, Shaq knocked him to the floor after trying to dunk over the Diesel but Garnett easily picked up himself.

Judging from those sequences, I think Garnett’s back. That’s bad news to LA Lakers and their fans.

During the post game interview with Cheryl Miller, Garnett nonchalantly said he has to improve his game. As to the game being a “measurement game” Garnett said he agreed with Pierce. “…Cleveland, Orlando and Washington are getting better. Tonight it was a test for us and I thought we did a good job,” he said.

Boston added Rasheed Wallace to their lineup and it was a test for him as well. Rasheed is a known whiner and hothead, but this time he was business-like. With Rasheed knocking off treys, the defense opens the lane to the likes of Rondo and Allen.

While Rasheed seems to fit Boston’s game, Shaq has yet to blend with Cleveland. Even LeBron was honest enough to say his mind, “If you’re not on the same page offensively, it can be difficult to score at times, no matter who’s on the floor.”

Shaq showed he’s a liability in high pick-and-roll and the Celtics capitalized on his slow reaction time to score some key baskets in the fourth quarter.

The win by Boston, in the home court of Cleveland, was its first in 17 tries. If Boston was weighed in the balances after Wednesday’s game then they were not found lacking!

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The Cebu Tours and Travel Association (CTTA) and Cebu Association of Tour Operators (CATO) held a presscon Wednesday at Marriott Hotel to official launch the 1st Tourism Eco-Fun Run they called Go for Green.

The race slated on November 29 will start and finish at the IT Park. The race features 3K, 5K and 10K and its route will be going north. From IT Park, runners will turn left from Salinas Drive then turn left again at Gov. Cuenco Avenue then off to Country Mall and back. The prizes are mouth-watering: P7,000 for 10K, P3,000 for 5K and P1,500 for 3K, for both men and women champions.

Aside from cash, the winners and runners (those who finish) will have the chance to win tickets to national and international destinations, overnight stay in Cebu’s leading hotels, dinner tickets to restaurants and many more.

Cookie Tan, president of CTTA, summed it up: “I’d like to invite everyone to join the 1st Tourism Eco-Fun Run on Nov. 29. This will not just be a fun run but may be your luckiest run!” she excitedly said.

The proceeds of this run will fund tree planting projects in Carcar and Aloguinsan and various coastal clean-up projects in the first quarter of next year.

I’m excited because there’s a media category in the 5K segment, with prizes to top finishers.

As an environmentalist, I’d already crossed out Nov. 29 in my calendar! You guys should do the same.

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MORE POWER to Atty. Leonardo Carreon, the presiding judge of the Regional Municipal Trial Court of Argao. No, he’s not celebrating his birthday. I just want to encourage him to continue with his walking routine at the oval. I met him on two occasions already and we always have a good chat about being fit and healthy.

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