Back to back Champs

After being swept by Ateneo in the elims, I was a bit apprehensive of La  Salle’s drive for back-to-back titles.  But deep inside, I also believe in La Salle’s ability to bounce back  after a loss.  So last Saturday, over 20,000 fans trooped to the Araneta Colesium to witness history unfolding.  Although the Lady Spikers could afford to lose Game 2, Coach Ramil De Jesus who has been with the Spikers for 20 years, said he doesn’t want a Game 3 and that La Salle could end it in the second encounter. Ramil said everybody  played their roles to the hilt.  As team manager Eric  Ongkauko would say, it was “strength in numbers” a Golden State Warriors slogan.  When the Lady Eagles marked Kim Dy, the team went to Des Cheng and Tin Tiamzon. To the victors the spoil.  La Salle also swept the individual awards with Majoy Baron named Season MVP while Des Cheng got the Finals MVP.  Grandslam, the Spikers could win a grandslam next year as only skipper Kim Fajardo is graduating.  Baron, Cheng, Tiamson, Dy, together  with Aduke Ogunsanya, May Luna and Dawn Macandili would still be a potent force next  year.  With Volleyball , clinching another crown, will  the De Salle Archers do the same? Ask Ben Mbala,Kib Montalbo, Jun Melecio and  Prince Rivero. By the way, a diehard  LaSallite, texted me that Ateneo should sing “It’s Your Turn To Cry” by the Dave Clark Five.  I answered him “Don’t Be Cruel”. 

No honey, no money

In my previous column I mentioned that the CIVIRAA landed ninth place in the recently-concluded Palarong Pambansa in Antique.  This is alarming as in the last staging of the Games, CIVIRAA is always in the fourth place.   Councilor Joy Young , assistant deputy mayor on education matters and a sportsman himself said, Cebu City will no longer give the Php 1 million subsidy   to DepEd 7.  Young said he thinks it was a case of “mismanagement’ that led to the shameful debacle.  Cebu City however will continue giving allowances to athletes based in the city numbering 215.  We are not asking for the championship but at least let’s have some honor.   Have a little respect.

Did you know?

Our officials should take note of this. Months after placing third in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics  Marathon, Japanese runner Kokichi Tsuburaya committed “hara-kiki”   nine months before the 1968 Mexico Olympics. Kokichi left anote  apologizing for failing his country, he wanted to be champion. Here in the Philippines, our sports officials “Nagpabaga lang ug nawong ug dili muhawa bisan nag balintong na ang team”.  Maybe one reason why Ateneo’s premier setter Jia Morado is leaving the team was the failure of the Ateneo Lady Eagles to win the crown for the second  straight year.  Although she is still eligible to play for a year, Jia is so affected by the loss.   In the NBA, Larry Bird has likewise resign as president of the Indiana Pacers after the team  was swept by  the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round of the NBA Playoffs

Jim  Fixx

Pioneered better health through jogging and turned the craze into an industry in the 1970s. His book the Complete Book  of Running sold millions.  He prided himself on being able to run 16K a day  and claimed that running is good  for the heart.  In 1984,Fixx  died while jogging and cause of death?  A massive heart attack!

NOTES:Belated birthday greetings to  two  pretty women.  Kisse Velez and April   Joy Tabanag.