Wheels on Woods

Last April 18, 2011, a skateboard competition was held in Tacloban City entitled "Wheels on Woods". The event was jam packed with people, skaters flocked from the region and some from Cebu and Manila. Republiq skater Ansey Flores and Wong Lorenzana joined the party as guests and also showed some of their tricks. I was late when I arrived at the said event. Actually, I had no plans of going but my cousin insisted which was a blessing in disguise. I met old friends who are into photography at the event which led me to take out my cam and snipe. Sorry but I don't know their names and the tricks but I'm a fan of Tony Hawk and Pierre Luc Gagnon. I just don't play the sport. 

I don't know if these guys (and girl) will be the future of skateboarding here in our country or be the next Tony Hawk or PLG but there's one thing I do know, the event was a success and I'm looking forward for more competitions in the future. 

Top 10: Players Looking To Steal Kobe's Title

Los Angeles Lakers star  Kobe Bryant  figures the 2011 NBA Championship is his to lose -- and he doesn’t intend on losing it.   

That’s why he went back on the court in Miami after the Heat beat the Lakers 94-88. While his teammates dispersed for dinner and assorted extracurricular activities in South Florida, Bryant went back to work on his jump shot.   

Losing to LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and company didn’t sit well with him. So he had ball boys feed him the rock for an hour while he launched shot after shot into the mostly empty American Airlines Arena.   

“There were a couple of my shots, my pet shots, that I didn't feel comfortable with, so I had to get back out and work on them,” Bryant told reporters afterward. “It's my job. I got to work at it. This is what you're supposed to do. If you're uncomfortable about something and feel like you can tweak some things, you got to work on them. It doesn't matter when you work on them. You got to get it done. You got to figure it out.”   

Later, he sent Yahoo! Sports this text message: “I want what all men want. I just want it more.”   

But other NBA players want it, too. Here are the top 10 players aiming for Kobe’s crown.

No.10 Dwayne Wade, Miami Heat

While teammate LeBron James gets more attention in Miami these days, Wade seems more than comfortable taking the last shot. His ability to attack the rim and earn free-throw opportunities makes him one of the league’s most dangerous scorers in playoff scenarios.

Bryant regards him as one of the top “closers” in the game -- one of those select players who thrive on the last-minute pressure of close games.

“I’ve played against him, and I’ve played with him on the Olympic team, and I know this: He’s really good at it,” Bryant told Yahoo! Sports. “He’s not afraid of those moments. I think the world of him. His game, his competitive spirit… He’s great.”

No.9 Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic

How do you defend “Superman” in the paint? You beat him up and take your chances at the free-throw line, where he lacks superhero power.

This tactic tends to frustrate and/or anger Howard. If he can learn to channel his emotions and attack back, he could become an insurmountable match-up for most teams in the league. LeBron saw that first hand when Howard scored 40 to finish off the Cavaliers in their 2009 playoff series.   

The challenge for Howard is to lock in every night and fight through the adversity. “The biggest thing for me is that I have to learn how to play hard on a consistent basis,” he once told Sports Illustrated. “I do it for five or six games, and then I might take one game off. Not that I take a game off, but I might take some possessions off, and I'm not as aggressive as I can be.”

No.8 Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder

The Thunder has come of age this season. This team has learned how to finish off victories, making it a dangerous playoff team in the Western Conference bracket. “One thing we’ve gotten better at is closing games out,” Durant told reporters earlier this season. 


Key to that is Durant’s rapid development. His ability to take over games has earned him the “Next Kobe” label from a lot of experts. 


The Los Angeles Times asked Bryant what he thought of that. “It depends how he develops and if the coaching staff he has around him will tell him what he's doing right and what he's doing wrong,” Bryant said. "A lot of coaches get scared to tell players what they're doing wrong. I didn’t grow up like that. 


“I grew up with Tex [Winter], and Tex would tell you that you stink, you know what I mean? If you had to work on something, he would tell you, and I think that helped me.”

No.7 Manu Ginobili, San Antonio Spurs

This well-seasoned team knows how to win NBA Championships. And the Spurs have operated at peak efficiency this season with Ginobili, Tony Parker and Tim Duncan still playing at a high level. 


“They're tough,” Lakers forward Lamar Odom told the Los Angeles Times. “They know what to expect out of each other. They know how to play with each other. They play well off each other. They're disciplined offensively and defensively. They stick to their guns. They do the same thing over and over again. They make it work.” 


Ginobili hits clutch shots, helps on the boards at critical game moments and makes timely steals. Best of all for San Antonio’s playoff hopes, he can aggravate Bryant to no end. The annoying Ginobili has prodded Kobe into committing flagrant and technical fouls. That could become a major X-factor should these teams meet in the playoffs.

No.6 Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks

Once again, Mark Cuban’s team is headed toward postseason play. But will the Mavericks ever have a group tough enough to finish off playoff victories? 


Will their star, the multi-talented Nowitzki, ever learn to be a Kobe-caliber closer? “Dirk wants to and he should be,” Cuban told The Dallas Morning News. "It's more a question of 'Could he?' 'Could we allow him to?' The second unit has to not lose leads. They [the backups] have to increase leads, have to get stops. And we didn't do that last year. You've got to be able to hold onto a lead. You can't be giving up leads.” 


Jason Kidd believes Nowitzki could be a clutch player at the end of games if his supporting cast gives him that opportunity. “He's always had the ability to be a closer,” Kidd said. “But it's up to the rest of us to help him out.”

No.5 Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls

While James, Wade and the rest of the “Heatles” grabbed most of the headlines in the Eastern Conference, Rose moved the Bulls into contending position. Experts believe he is emerging as a Bryant-like force -- and Kobe agreed.

“I can tell when a player truly wants to be better and does what it takes to improve,” Bryant told ESPN. “It was a quality I had when I was growing up… I admire that about him. I could really see it from last year to this year.”

By improving his shooting range (as Kobe did), Rose gained the ability to take over games. He can score every which way, which is why he may be the league’s MVP this season.

“He's got a long-range ball now,” Bryant said. “He can pop behind the pick and shoot the jumper. He can pull up off the dribble and shoot it, and him getting to the rim goes unquestioned. He's putting the time in the gym, and I certainly respect that.”

No.4 Brandon Roy, Portland Trail Blazers

He is getting his wheels back. After undergoing arthroscopic surgery on both knees, Roy is working back into top shape. His ability to play full-tilt again could make Portland a dangerous playoff team.

“That team played as well against us as any team has played in a long time,” 76ers coach Doug Collins said after a late-season loss to the Blazers.

How good is a healthy Roy? Bryant went on The John Thompson Show and told the radio audience that Roy is the hardest player to guard in the NBA -- tougher than Durant.  “Roy, 365 days, seven days a week,” Bryant said. “Roy has no weaknesses in his game.”

No.3 Chris Paul, New Orleans Hornets

For much of the season, Paul looked weary from carrying this so-so team. “I put too much pressure on him to carry us every night,” Hornets coach Monty Williams told The New Orleans Times-Picayune. “The bottom line is, to play at this level for 82 games is impossible. He’s one of the great ones. I feel like I put too much pressure on him at times.”

Paul pulled out of a scoring funk in time to boost his team’s playoff profile. “It’s winning time,” he told The Times-Picayune. “You can’t wait and hope other teams lose to get in position.”

A string of mesmerizing performances reminded NBA fans that he could make the Hornets dangerous in a playoff series. And research by NBA.com shows how Paul has transformed a .500-caliber team into a squad that is difficult to beat in close games.

“In general, the Hornets have been about average offensively and a little better than average defensively over the last five and a half seasons,” NBA.com observed. “But late in one-possession games, they've been exceptional on both ends of the floor.”

No.2 Paul Pierce, Boston Celtics

If these old warriors have one title run left, Pierce figures to lead the charge. The MVP of the 2008 NBA Finals loves to compete, particularly against Bryant. Remember when he declared that Bryant wasn’t the best player in the world?

Remember when he guaranteed the 2010 Finals wouldn’t return to LA? Pierce isn’t always right with his proclamations, but his swagger is contagious in Boston.

He re-signed with the Celtics after Boston lost to LA in seven games last summer.

“It’s been driving me crazy just knowing we could have had a second title in the last three years,” he told reporters during a conference call. “I’m using it as motivational for the next four years, next year for extra motivation knowing how close we were to winning another title. It’s difficult to go through that. I haven’t thought about one game for so long, and I know it’s not going to erase any time soon.”

No.1 LeBron James, Miami Heat

The "decision" really wasn’t all that difficult. James joined the Miami Heat to improve his chances of finally winning an NBA title. He wants to take a run at Kobe -- with the help of his new friends Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.

Kobe would love to see LeBron in the finals. “There's a deep competitive fervor going on between them, and that's natural,” Lakers coach Phil Jackson said earlier this season. “That's just the way it's going to be.”

That fervor reared its head when the Heat drubbed the Lakers on Christmas. During the end-of-the-game trash talking, Bryant had a reminder for James.

“I`m a champ,” Kobe said. And LeBron, to this point, is not. That will make the 2011 NBA Playoffs so much fun to watch.

Kobe Bryant fined $100,000 for Homophobic Slur

The San Antonio Spurs were in LA last night against the Lakers. The game was a must win for L.A. to secure the 2nd seed in the Western Conference. The San Antonio Spurs rested their 3 stars (Duncan, Ginobili, & Parker), but still the Lakers weren't able to pull off an easy win against the Spurs' reserves. It was a grind until the last 2 minutes of the game where the Lakers took control. It was a Laker win but a costly one, Andrew Bynum hyperextended his surgically repaired right knee in the second quarter and didn't return to the game. At the heat ofthe game, Kobe Bryant was called for a personal and a technical foul by referee Bernie Adams and had some choiced words for the ref. Well, it found to be personal & discriminatory for a certain community and also for David Stern, which is why he was fined $100,000. Here's the clip.

Kobe said he wasn't directing it to the Gay and Lesbian community and it shouldn't be taken literally. I guess substituting it would be much more appropriate even if it's still obvious, like shoot for sh*t. So next time he argues with the refs, he should probably replace it with "fu#*ng Fart". Peace.

Meralco Stuns Smart Gilas Pilipinas in Tacloban City

I got a chance to witness courtside the game between the Meralco Bolts and Smart Gilas Pilipinas. It was a very entertaining match that lasted for 53 minutes because it had an overtime period. Both teams went back and forth, giving their all. Eventhough, Gilas team captain Chris Tiu didn't accompany the team because of a shoulder injury, Smart Gilas never backed down against the Bolts. Spitfire guard Jv Casio led the surge with 20 points and scored the game tying basket which sent the game to overtime. But the Bolts was too much for Gilas. Sol Mercado led the way and Champ Oguchi did the finishing touches in the overtime period sealing the game for the Bolts. The Bolts won 91-89.

 Smart Gilas Pilipinas' JV Casio guarded by Meralco Bolts' Sean Weinstein

Inside the Huddle of Smart Gilas Pilipinas

Smart Gilas Pilipinas' JV Casio looking to pass.

Japeth Aguilar with the Jam.

Meralco Bolts' Sean Weinstein tries to bother Barrocas shot.

Meralco's Sean Weinstein trying fight a screen set by Mac Barracael for Mark Barroca

Gilas Coach Rajko Toroman questions the Referee.

Merlaco Bolts' Center Asi Taulava jumps for the ball.

11 Tips for Getting Over your Ex

1- Take Her Off That Pedestal

First things first: Stop acting like your ex was God’s gift to men. She wasn’t perfect. If we’re being honest, she probably wasn’t even close. Make a list of her annoying traits. Let your buddies bad-mouth her. Do whatever you have to do -- just take her off that pedestal.

2- Get Closure

Step two for getting over your ex: get closure. If you’re going to end this thing, end it. Make sure you’re both on the same page. This is a breakup, not a “break.” The two of you are moving on, which means potentially seeing other people. If you feel the need to do a relationship postmortem, do it now. You won’t be seeing her again for a while.

3- Don't Contact Her

This may be the most important of our 11 tips for getting over your ex. After you’ve gotten closer, don’t contact her. Go cold turkey. Seriously. Maybe you said some crap about trying to stay friends, maybe you made some idiot vow to “always be there for each other,” but forget it. By staying in touch with old flames, you’re asking for months (if not years) of on-again-off-again uncertainty. So, throw out her phone number, stop texting her and unfriend her on Facebook. Imagine how freaked out you'll be the first time you see some strange dude in her profile picture, and you'll see why a clean break is essential.

4- Work Out

Without a girlfriend gobbling up hours out of every day, you may be wondering what to do with yourself. Now that you’re single, we suggest hitting the gym or taking a jog. It’s a healthy way to work out all of that post-breakup frustration. Getting in shape is also a good way to boost your self-esteem. And don’t forget: The gym is a great place to meet women (plenty of reasons why working out makes our list of 11 tips for getting over your ex).

5- Avoid Her Friends And The Places She Hangs

If you want to avoid the temptations that come with bumping into an ex, you might have to make some sacrifices. You might have to cut ties with some of your mutual friends. You might have to avoid some of your favorite haunts (because they’re her favorite haunts, too). Trust us, it’s a small price to pay for peace of mind.

6- Throw Away Anything That Reminds You Of Her

That dopey-looking teddy bear she gave you for your birthday, the sappy love letters she wrote, the adorable pictures of the two of you -- chuck ’em. Throw it all away. The sooner you get all that junk out of your house the sooner you’ll get over her. 

And before you ask, yes, it’s fine to keep items that don't evoke any emotional connections. If she bought you a copy of Call of Duty 2, keep it. But clothes, jewelry, keepsakes, and the like should be ditched. 

7- Don't Try To Get Your Stuff Back

By the same token, you don’t want to try to get your stuff back. You can’t have a relationship relapse if you don’t allow yourself to see your ex. Forget about all that stuff you left at her place. Consider it gone. The $50 you’re going to have to spend to replace a few DVDs is a small price to pay to avoid an ex-girlfriend who could be either desperately needy or irrationally angry.

8- Hang Out With Your Friends

One of the things you had to sacrifice when in a committed relationship was time with your friends. Girlfriends are notorious time-bandits, always greedy for more and more of your attention. But now that you’re single, you can reconnect with the buds you left behind. Not only will it be fun, but it will also be therapeutic because hanging out with your friends is one of the most rewarding of our 11 tips for getting over your ex.

9- Exercise Your Newfound Freedom

Relationships are about compromise. Being single should be about doing whatever the hell you want. Look, you’ve ditched the ball and chain. You’re free. So stay out until four in the morning, hop on a plane to Vegas with your brother, or just sit on your ass and watch basketball all day. Taking pleasure in all of those things that you couldn’t do as a boyfriend is a great way to get over your ex.

10- Remember The Bad Times

It’s pretty common for guys to idealize their significant others after a breakup. You’ll just be going about your business, and then, suddenly, you’ll remember an inside joke or a great date. Then you’ll grin, thinking about a cute personality quirk she had, and before long, you’re fantasizing about how great your sex life used to be.
 
Snap out of it. One of the most important of our 11 tips for getting over your ex is to remember the bad times. Focus on the fights and the problems. Recollect her bad habits and shady behavior. It’s like taking a cold shower. 

11- Sleep With Another Girl

The most foolproof method for getting over your ex is to sleep with another girl. It’s the fastest and most efficient way to get an ex-girlfriend out of your system. One of the reasons we equivocate about leaving an ex behind is because -- no matter how confident we are -- we worry we won’t find someone new. That’s what sends us crawling back to our familiar, comfy, dysfunctional exes time and time again. Finding a new love interest, even for one night, is the best method of countering all those self-defeating thoughts.

Bonus: Make Sure Your Next Girlfriend Is An Upgrade

One last thing you want to be certain of is that your love life is moving in the right direction. If your rebound girlfriend is a train wreck, you could end up moving backward and reconnecting with your ex, only to waste another year or two of your life on a relationship that’s doomed to fail. So be sure that your next girlfriend is an upgrade.

Banish Her From Your Mind

If you follow these 11 tips for getting over your ex, we’re certain you’ll be back in the saddle in no time. It’s never easy, but with a solid plan and a lot of willpower, you can forget the past and focus on your future.


-credits to www.askmen.com