What sports fans want

LOS ANGELES — Columnists continue to write because readers like to consume our stories. Here are some comments on the previous articles:

My wife and I have been avid readers of your Star column. I just read about your Ouano article. Can you write or do a feature about the other several successful Filipino martial artists (FMA)/orgs there in the US? PhilStar, in Starweek has featured Petiki Tirsia Kali (PTK) in Europe. How about the ones in the US? Having admired jiu-jitsu for several years, I was only recently made aware that PTK is distinctly a Filipino art. This is another aspect of the Filipino culture we can be really proud of. PTK or kali is a Filipino style recognized all over Europe and the US for its effectiveness in closed quarters combat. (Posted by RJ on Tuesday, April 5, 2005.)
I’m a fan of this jiu-jitsu and other related sports/self defense methods; but can’t get into it. Is there a clinic here in Pampanga that offers Jiu-jitsu or Muay Thai where I can enroll?

Thanks, hoping for more write- up regarding mix martial arts in the near future. (Posted by Aris on Wednesday, April 6, 2005 10:46 a.m.)

Because it is still considered to be at the stage of infancy, there may not be a lot of clinics outside Metro Manila offering to teach the discipline to all those interested. But thanks to the overwhelming interest Filipino sports fans are giving mix martial arts; it may not be long before the enthusiasm spreads to the different provinces. To other readers who may have information on jiu-jitsu or Muay Thai clinics in Pampanga, please post on www.jannelleso.net.

Writers will always be open to suggestions on what the readers want to read on the papers.

Can u please have a story about the early students of Bruce Lee? Most of them are Fil-Americans, especially Dan Inosanto. Bruce Lee first authorized this person to teach his martial art JEET KUNE DO. I think this kababayan of ours must be honored for his contribution to the martial arts world and for being one of the only few people the legendary martial artist of all-time, Bruce Lee, has taught. (Posted by WoRd LiFe on Friday, April 8, 2005 11:07 a.m.)

Dan Inosanto’s dojo is located in Marina del Rey, California. He will be conducting a seminar entitled "Train with the Legends" on June 9-12, 2005 at the Inosanto Academy in Los Angeles, California. We will have more information about him in the coming weeks.

Other sports may be gaining popularity among the Filipinos; but most remain loyal to the number one sport in the country: basketball.

It is good to hear about Chot Reyes’ US trip to scout for Fil-Ams (legitimate). If you wouldn’t mind I would like to request you to check out this guy by the name of Christopher Ross. I maintain a team here in Barangay Marulas, Valenzuela and I have a player whose sister now lives in the States. She married an American and they have a son. He’s a 6-2 point guard. Once he competed in the slam dunk competition. He is 17 years old and I think with that height and athleticism, maybe we can give him a second look for possible entry into the national team. (Posted by Giovanni Nicolasora on Tuesday, April 12, 2005 07:57 a.m.)

Did Coach Chot Reyes have the chance to see Alex Cabagnot play? At 6-1, he can be a perfect point guard for the national team especially now that the other aspirants are injured. Based on the statistics he must be a very good player. In fact he is the starting point guard of his school. (Posted by Jay S. Llavan on Tuesday, April 12, 2005 12:25 p.m.)

Everybody’s talking about Cabagnot who was born on December 12, 1982 in Quezon City. Those who watch him play say they are reminded of Fil-Am star Mark "The Spark" Caguioa. Some argue that he is even better. Both are products of Eagle Rock High School here in Los Angeles.

This scholar-athlete gained recognition four years in basketball and twice in volleyball. He was a three-time all-Northern League Conference pick and was voted league Most Valuable Player twice. He also earned all-Metro and all-City honors in both his junior and senior campaigns before he graduated in 2001.

Since then, Cabagnot has moved on to make waves in Hawaii where he plays for the University of Hawaii at Hilo. For the 2004-2005 season, he was chosen Player of the Week on January 3, 2005. Last season he earned honorable mention all-conference recognition by starting in 23 out of the 25 games he appeared in. He led his team with 116 assists and 48 steals, with a 2.57:1 assist to turnover ratio. He finished fourth in scoring with 9.6 ppg and led starters with a .371 (33-89) shooting percentage from the three-point arc.

Unfortunately, Reyes didn’t see Cabagnot play while he was here in LA holding tryouts for possible recruits to the national team. The 6-1 guard couldn’t fly out of Hawaii to miss school. Two weeks earlier, he already spent his spring break in LA to be with his family. Perhaps people will just have to wait to see what Cabagnot can do with the ball. That’s if he decides to give Philippine basketball a try. There’s been a rumor going around that the 22-year old player would rather stay here in the States and get a regular job after college.

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