Gifts from Santa

It’s Christmas Day and Santa Claus is giving away a bundle of gifts. I managed to take a peek at his list of whom to surprise and here’s what I saw:

Asi Taulava – the elixir of youth. At 40, the Air 21 Express center is the PBA’s most senior citizen. You wouldn’t think it the way he’s been playing lately. Last Sunday, he collected 23 points and 11 rebounds in 38 minutes against Talk ‘N’ Text. It was his fourth double-double in nine games this conference.

Manny Pacquiao – resolution of his tax problems. The champ has reaped tremendous honor for the country as a national hero and deserves to be spared the embarrassment of engaging tax collectors in media. Pacquiao won’t back down from anyone, in or out of the ring. If Pacquiao owes back taxes, he’ll own up. That’s the kind of man he is.

Chot Reyes – a favorable draw for Gilas in the FIBA World Cup in Spain on Aug. 30-Sept. 14 next year. The draw will be held in Barcelona in February. Six teams will be bracketed in four groups so that each country is guaranteed to play five games. Two of six teams will be struck out of contention after the first round then the 16 survivors advance to the knockout stage leading to the quarterfinals, semifinals and finals.

Global fight fans – the chance to witness the ultimate showdown between Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. Will it ever happen? Mayweather recently said he’d rather vacate the WBC welterweight throne than face Pacquiao who’s now the mandatory No. 1 contender. Why does Money avoid Pacquiao like the plague? Is it hatred for Bob Arum or is he just plain scared to run the risk of tasting his first defeat? Professional boxing is facing stiff opposition from mixed martial arts for media attention and fans’ money. If fight fans don’t get what they deserve, it may signal a dark age for professional boxing.

Richie Garcia – a strong showing by Filipino athletes in the Asian Games in Incheon on Sept. 19-Oct. 4 next year. The Philippine Sports Commission chairman will be the national delegation’s chef de mission. Coming from a disastrous seventh place finish at the recent Southeast Asian Games, the Philippine contingent is out to prove the final standing was no indication of lack of talent in Myanmar.

Jose Cojuangco Jr. – inroads in his campaign for fair play and sportsmanship in the Southeast Asian Games. It’s an uphill almost Don Quixote-type struggle for the Philippine Olympic Committee president who’s fed up with the machinations, maneuvering and manipulations of host countries in the biennial event. Cojuangco wants an even playing field and respect for Olympic sports. He deserves to be heard.

Chito Salud – an expanded PBA with at least two more franchises. Crack rookies enter the league every year and with only 10 teams in the league, a lot of quality players wind up looking for jobs elsewhere. Salud has worked hard to improve competitive balance. In the last two seasons, different teams took turns winning the three conferences, an indication of the distribution of power. Two seasons back, the three champions were Talk ‘N’ Text, B-Meg and Rain Or Shine. Last season, the three champions were Talk ‘N’ Text, Alaska and San Mig Coffee. In the ongoing Philippine Cup, the pacesetters are Petron and Barangay Ginebra with identical 7-1 records – neither team has won a title in the last two years.

Kiyome Watanabe – a Nihongo-English-Pilipino dictionary. The Fil-Japanese female wrestler, 16, won the gold medal in the 57-63 kilogram division at the recent Southeast Asian Games. While she represented the Philippines in Myanmar, Watanabe barely understands any language other than Nihongo. She was born in Cebu City and her mother Irene Sarausad is Filipina. She might want to learn some words in Pilipino or English or both before competing for the Philippines at the Youth Olympics next year.

Jasmine Alkhaldi – vindication at the Asian Games next year. She was unfairly stripped of the gold medal in the 100-meter freestyle swimming event at the recent Southeast Asian Games because of an alleged false start. Organizers ruled a re-swim, an out-of-whack solution, and an exasperated Alkhaldi finished third in what was a clear case of robbery. The London Olympic veteran should be even more motivated to show up her tormentors in Incheon.  

Meralco PBA team – a championship. Coach Ryan Gregorio isn’t cutting his hair until the Bolts capture a title. Forward Reynel Hugnatan is looking more and more like Mike Miller with his flowing locks and he, too, is staying away from the barber for as long as Meralco is title-less. Then, there is swingman Jared Dillinger who hasn’t shaved in three months. Dillinger is keeping his beard while Meralco fights for the crown. He’s taking care of split ends and trimming his beard but it won’t go until Meralco takes the title. Dillinger said his Fear-the-Beard look has nothing to do with emulating James Harden. By the way, it would be a nice touch if Meralco wins a championship during the chairmanship of corporate senior vice president Mon Segismundo.  

Philippine Davis Cup team – back to Asia/Oceania Group I. The Philippines hasn’t been able to break out of Group II the last two years. It came close last year after beating Syria and Thailand. New Zealand was in the way and after storming back from a 0-2 deficit, the Philippines was just a set away from returning to Group I in the singles clincher. But New Zealand’s Michael Venus recovered from two sets down to beat Treat Huey and keep the Philippines in Group II. The Philippines begins its next campaign for promotion against Sri Lanka on Jan. 31-Feb. 2.

Azkals and Volcanoes – superiority in Asia. The football and rugby hunks are making waves not only on the pitch but also in celebrity row. They’re still far from seriously challenging the top teams in Asia but with more experience, a lot of hard work and sacrifice, they’ll get there. The Azkals are playing in the Asian Football Confederation Challenge Cup in May and the goal is to earn a ticket to compete in the Asian Cup in Australia in 2015. The Volcanoes qualified for the World Cup Sevens in Moscow this year but while they’ve beaten China and Korea, Japan and Hong Kong are way ahead in the honor roll. Perhaps, the stars of both teams should spend more time on the field than shooting commercials.

A Merry Christmas to one and all!