Reality Bites

I am the point where Luis Suarez’ brilliance can no longer cover up for on and off-field disciplinary actions.

As a lifelong Liverpool supporter, I can no longer condone his action and wish to see him away from Anfield lest he continue to tarnish the club’s name, image, and what is on the road to achieving.

 

 

For sure, Suarez is a talent; an all-world player who can change the outcome of games with his presence. And that is the beguiling problem. He can win ballgames but he also brings ulcers, headaches, and the wrath of social media upon you.

However, as I said, I can no longer turn a blind eye. Premier League title or no Premier League title. I recall while watching the Liverpool Soccer Schools how this was preached: “Team spirit, hard work, determination and the ability to overcome any obstacles in life and above all play with dignity and fair play.... these are all the values and characteristics we look for in our players.”

Suarez can check possibly the first four characteristics but not the last which is just as important.

Suarez first came to my attention when he was a player for Ajax Amsterdam which happens to be the Dutch club that I support. He was an incredible player who soon found himself in rare air with the great Johan Cruyff, Marco Van Basten, and Dennis Bergkamp who also starred for the club.

In the middle of a suspension after biting PSV Eindhoven midfielder Otman Bakkal, Ajax, perhaps tired of Suarez’ numerous suspensions and disciplinary problems dealt him to Liverpool. I was ecstatic but wary.

I thought that maybe he had worn out his welcome in Amsterdam (although he departed the club on good terms) but I took note of the manner in which he departed his first Dutch club, Groningen, where he tried to leave as soon as a bigger club (Ajax) expressed interest. Groningen didn’t accept and even won an arbitration case. Only when Ajax doubled its fee was he released.

Before joining Liverpool, there was another red flag as Suarez deliberately slapped a shot by Asamoah Gyan in the 2010 World Cup. He was sent off for his trouble. And to Ghana’s chagrin, Gyan missed the penalty that would have seen them through.

Unlike others who called Suarez’ handball an act of cheating I don’t think so. That is no different from a deliberate tackle to save a possible goal off a breakaway. That is no different from what Marco Materazzi did to get into Zinedine Zidane’s head in 2006.

On to Anfield where he starred to give the Merseyside club its first deep threat since El Niño was in these parts. Then came the racist abuse of Manchester United’s Patrice Evra and the biting of Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic.

The Uruguayan received an eight and ten-match ban (aside form the fines) respectively for both incidents. Suarez proclaimed his innocence with regards to his remarks about Evra and caused further controversy when he refused to shake the MUFC captain’s hand in the pre-game tradition causing further embarrassment for Liverpool.

That he also did not agree with the ten-match ban seemed like he did not appreciate the seriousness of his actions.

In the midst of a tumultuous stay in Liverpool, Suarez tried to force a move to Arsenal prompting further discipline from the club. This reminded me of his time with Groningen and his apparent disrespect towards clubs in order to further his own career if not agenda.

Now in the midst of this wondrous World Cup in Brazil, there has been talk of him leaving for a Spanish club. With that in the backburner, Suarez capped it off with another mad incident wherein he bit Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini; an incident missed by the referee or the linesman but caught on camera in all its gory detail. What made it even catastrophic for Italy was not only did Suarez avoid being sent off but Uruguay scored off a corner shot mere moments after the incident. This when they had played well despite being a man down after another controversial decision where Claudio Marchisio was dismissed for a challenge. If they sent off Marchisio for that then why wasn’t Neymar given a red card for a blatant elbow against Croatia’s Luka Modric.

But the more grievous crime was Suarez’ insatiable hunger… for controversy and egregious defiance in the face of obvious evidence.

According to FIFA, football’s governing body “can confirm that disciplinary proceedings have been opened against the player Luis Suarez of Uruguay following an apparent breach of art. 48 and/or art. 57 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ match Italy-Uruguay played on 24 June 2014. The player and/or the Uruguayan FA are invited to provide with their position and any documentary evidence they deem relevant until 25 June 2014, 5pm, Brasilia time.”

“According to art. 77 lit. a of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC), the FIFA Disciplinary Committee is responsible for sanctioning serious infringements which have escaped the match officials’ attention. Furthermore, according to art. 96 of the FDC, any type of proof may be produced (par. 1), in particular are admissible, reports from referees, declarations from the parties and witnesses, material evidence, audio or video recordings (par. 3).”

I have no idea what FIFA will hand down to Suarez. It could be a lengthier ban and another higher sum. Whatever it is, I think it is time that Liverpool take the high road and not bring back Suarez.

This man has serious issues about morals and ethics. He is highly disrespectful and with no regard for history and authority.

It pains me to say that considering what an important player he is for the Reds. But the club has a code of ethics and no longer can anyone turn the other cheek to someone who has no regard for the rules as well as his club and country. Enough of this nonsense.

It might be harder to win that elusive Premier League title but at least we will do it the right way.JMP

NCAA Preview Part II

We’ve already written about how San Beda is the hands-down favorite to win a fifth consecutive NCAA title. We also mentioned that some teams will contend – Jose Rizal University, University of Perpetual Help, Colegio de San Juan de Letran, College of Saint Benilde, Arellano University, and Lyceum of the Philippines University.

Those six teams will not only need to be creative but will need all hands on deck to defeat a de-powered Red Lions squad where the advantage of Ola Adeogun is even more marked because they have no one to match up against him.

That leaves us with four teams who look to bring the rear.

The San Sebastian College Recoletos Golden Stags will go where CJ Perez goes. The second year forward is their only creative force and without him on the floor, the Stags struggle. This team is already far removed from its Pinatubo Three days yet they have struggled to add key pieces to the puzzle. Perez was a terrific addition. But the one and done Leo de Vera hurts. De Vera was just as versatile if not clutch for this time.

But knowing head coach Topex Robinson, he’d rather talk about the present team and its young core. To put it bluntly, they are in rebuild mode and they have some raw but exciting players who could help their campaign.

There’s Michael Calisaan and Rhanzelle Yong, reed-thin forwards who can shoot and drive to the basket. When they get on a streak, they are capable of strapping the team on their backs.

Two other holdovers from their title days with the Pinatubo Three are Jovit dela Cruz and Bobby Balucanag. This is Dela Cruz’ time to shine but in the summer he was making bad decisions with the ball. But that is why you play in the summer – in order to correct the mistakes. Jovit needs to step up his game and help Perez not only in scoring but to get this team on track via creating shots for teammates.

Balucanag should get t in his head that he will need to rebound and play defense. Bradwyn Guinto has good moves inside the paint but is almost entirely dependent on gimmes from Perez and company. If Guinto can stay in the game, he will help. But he will need protection from his teammates who don’t seem to understand team defense.

In case you noticed I didn’t mention their point guard position. Exactly. What point guard position.

Emilio Aguinaldo College.... if Cedric Happi Noube is healthy, they will have that all-around stud to help them compete. Happi in and out of the lineup during the summer due to health issues, EAC struggled.

They showed flashes of potential. Sidney Onwubere seemed to get it right towards the end where he made good use of his athleticism to score and grab crucial boards. If he can be consistent in his scoring and make better decisions, he will be a force. He’s blessed with freakish athleticism. If that maturity sets in, along with Happi, EAC could be a force.

This is a team that likes to bombard from the outside. But the Generals have to remember that they aren’t dealing with entrapped Guardia Civil during the Revolutionary days. They’re in the NCAA. Just as in any league, for them to compete, they have to do it inside the alligator wrestling pond that is the shaded lane.

John Tayongtong, Jan Jamon, and Igee King look good when they are on fire from the outside but if recent NCAA history has shown that any title dreams means having to dominate the inside.

And that leaves us with Mapua.

No team has dropped in form and competitiveness more than the Cardinals. Several years ago, they had a good team with some gamers. Now, not even their best all-around player in Josan Nimes is in uniform.

Nimes is not in uniform due to grades or injury depending on whom you talk to. Whatever it is, not having him, gives them even more problems.

That places more pressure now on Joseph Eriobu to play better and smarter (just like EAC’s Onwubere needs to step up). Because right now, their best player is center Jesse Saitanan and they will not only need to feed him the ball but to help him stay in the game. They still have Jeson Rey Cantos, Hesed Leo Gabo, and Carlos Isit to help but this team will struggle as they need to find consistency.

Without Nimes, as it is, there isn’t time to figure out who is their go-to guy much less how to attack opponents.

They looked lost, uncoordinated and lacking in motivation during the summer. Here’s hoping that it doesn’t carry over into the NCAA season or else it will be a long long and lonely one at the bottom. JMP

NCAA Preview Part I

The road to a five-peat for San Beda rests on the shoulders of one man – Ola Adeogun. The Nigerian center is the X-Factor in which no other team in the NCAA can match much less has an answer for. And with the road to the title cleared of any Raymond Almazans, even with a depowered Red Lions team, San Beda is a heavy favorite to win it all again.

 

Take him out of the equation and this year will be anyone’s ballgame and championship. Practically all the other teams do not have that force in the middle and have to make up with it with undersized forwards or others used outside they regular position.

With regards to SBC, Even with key pieces to their recent dynasty – seven of the last eight NCAA champions – moving on, second year head coach Boyet Fernandez has a few more studs to count on when Adeogun is saddled with foul trouble. He has two players who can seemingly score against any defense in Baser Amer and Art dela Cruz left.

Fernandez will take his cue from the San Antonio Spurs. He has three players he can depend on and a bunch of role players to backstop them. So any talk of the lack of star power is overrated.

The Semerad brothers need to be more consistent. You’ll never know when they will score or help or be saddled with fouls. Looking at their bench, Radge Tongco and Ryusei Koga will help put points on the board. Now incidentally, they are all combo guards.

However, if any team wants to unseat the Red Lions, they will have to be very creative in their attack. Having said that, right now, it is only San Beda that is assured of going to the Final Four.

Let’s take a look at two of the more impressive NCAA sides during the pre-season – Jose Rizal University and the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta.

During the summer, the JRU Heavy Bombers were an overachieving bunch despite not having a quality big man since James Sena was sheriff in these parts. Essentially, they played small ball with a number of tweeners logging heavy minutes and trying to Steph Curry opponents into oblivion like Philip Paniamogan and Jaycee Asuncion.

Over the summer, the two realized that they need to more than simply bombard from the outside. They need to get inside the lane because the outside shot will not fall all the time.

Michael Mabulac has finally rounded out into a smart paint player but he is more of a power forward than a center and one who is woefully undersized when going up against Adeogun. He might battle the Red Lions’ man in the middle to a stalemate for a quarter; maybe even a half that could help win a game, but in a long series, Mabulac will need some help from his friends.

Make that “friend” as JRU is really thin up front. And that other friend is Abdul Razak, the Ghanaian center who looked lost in JRU’s schemes on both sides of the court and even had butterfingers on offense. If – and this is the operative word – if Razak can just rebound and play defense, as the Heavy Bombers have a few players who can point points on the board, and stay out of foul trouble, they will go far.

Other crucial parts to their puzzle and if they want to make the Final Four – point guards Gio Lasquety and Teytey Teodoro. Both aren’t the type to create for teammates. Teodoro can hit it from the outside but he will be even better if he can find a way to create for teammates especially since Jordan dela Paz was stricken off the roster due to grades at the last moment.

Dela Paz’ loss is huge as he brought scoring and rebounding from the three-spot. How they adjust without him is just as key.

The other under-sized team that could go far is Perpetual Help. But as it is painfully obvious, they will live and die by their Fantastic Four of Juneric Baloria, Harold Arboleda, Justine Alano, and Earl Thompson. The four need to produce each and every game no ifs and buts.

Even if they account for 90% of their team’s output, the Altas will need to play defense as a strong offense doesn’t always mean they will win. Gab Dagangon and Flash Sadiwa need to be consistent with what they can do and not merely make cameo appearances every now and then.

With this NCAA season played to a tighter sked, that means there will be fewer days for rest and you don’t know what the wear and tear can do to Aric del Rosario’s squad.

Another Final Four contender but one that struggled in the pre-season is Letran. Clearly, head coach Caloy Garcia was trying to tinker around and figure out who he can count on. There’s a lot to like in this squad that can go deep once more despite missing Almazan.

They have some new rookies like Chester Saldua and Daryl Singontiko who will help this season. But what they need is a presence inside the slot. Knights coach Caloy Garcia’s team will compete and probably mow down the rest of the field (with the exception of Perpetual Help, JRU, and College of Saint Benilde) that is anyone’s ballgame) that too are without their own center.

They can still make it to the finals but being a bridesmaid for a third straight year isn’t funny. You can say that it’s good for a young team. Not really because soon this team will lose Racal and Gabawan further thinning that frontline corps. Moral victories are only temporary; no one will even remember them in the long run.

The Knights have one of the better backcourts with Mark Cruz, Rey Nambatac, and McJour Luib. The difference will be in Kevin Racal, Jamil Gabawan, Ford Ruaya, and Rey Publico staying in the game foul free. More so since Ruaya and Publico are more outside players despite being tasked to protect the lane.

This team needs to be strong inside. Mark Cruz, as talented and clutch as he is, can score all the points he wants but Baser Amer can match that. What they need to show is how to more than match and offset Adeogun in the paint.

Solve that riddle and the title is yours.

Another dark horse squad is College of Saint Benilde. They have lineups vastly similar to Perpetual Help, JRU, and Letran – talented backcourt, very good wing players but not much help in the middle.

Now this team can score. In bunches. In the high 90s. They just need to play better defense.

By the time the NCAA season tips off, Mark Romero will be in game shape. He’s got the talented Paolo Taha to help out. RJ Argamino, Jonathan Grey, Raph Nayve, and Luis Sinco will all help. But the key here is Robert Bartolo and JR Ongteco manning the slot. Consistency is the key.

Arellano University can surprise everyone and play well. They are a year older with some of last year’s newbies like Keith Agovida and Zach Nicholls getting their feet wet in seniors ball. If Agovida can be less tentative and become a slashing and creative force, he will help point guard Nard Pinto who seems to be the only guy who can create for teammates.

Prince Caperal is back for one more fling and he needs to be dominant inside (and not on the bench because of foul trouble). Not sure if Ice Ciriacruz can replicate his deadly form of years ago. If he does, they will have scoring sock from the wing.

This squad should count on Nichole Bangga, Julius Cadavis (it’s now or never, son), Levi Hernandez, and Jiovani Jalalon.

The onus on this team is for them to be that – a team. One that cannot only spread the wealth points-wise but to get everyone in the act. If they can be unselfish like Letran is they will be a serious challenger.

Lyceum of the Philippines University did relatively well in the summer but I am not too high on that as some of their foes included a de-powered RP Youth squad (that played minus many key players).

I love how Rhoel Maconocido and Dexter Zamora have strapped this team in their backs. I hope they realize that they cannot simply live with the outside shot. And speaking of outside shots, Shane Ko wasn’t his usual scoring self in the summer. If he can pick his spots and provide rebounding, defense, and assists that will be better than any other long bomb he can hit.

Unfortunately, LPU isn’t deep. But do have Joseph Gabayni who will be their source of strength inside. Christian Paul Pamulaklakin should help too.JMP

Mis pensamientos sobre la pérdida de España a Holanda

In the light of the Netherlands’ 5-1 victory of Spain in the Group B opener of the 2014 World Cup, the first and foremost question being asked is, “Is this the beginning of the end, Spain?”

Then there’s a rapid fire of follow up questions.

Why wasn’t Juan Mata sent in? Why was Iker Casillas at goal when he didn’t have a great season at Real Madrid at all? And why use Diego Costa at all?

They weren’t asking that in the first 44 minutes. So pipe down. Games can change even with one goal. Ask Croatia.

First and foremost, revenge is a huge motivating factor for anyone person or sports team. Having said that, you cannot have those studs up tackles the Dutch used to imprint themselves on Iniesta and company in the last World Cup.

The Dutch, under the creative Louis Van Gaal, borrowed the script from Brazil’s 3-0 Confederations Cup win over Spain last year. The Oranje were more attack-minded with younger legs fuelling their attack. And while Holland had some of its old warhorses making a statement in what is probably their swan song World Cup in Robin Van Persie and Arjen Robben, they got some thoroughbreds in Stefan De Vrij, Daley Blind, Jonathan De Guzman, Jeremain Lens, and Joel Veltman to name a few who can run their game plan to perfection. And that Blind forward pass to Van Persie was absolutely perfect.

The aggressiveness of the Dutch on the attack as well as their choking midfield defense contributed greatly to Holland’s biggest win since dispatching Uruguay, 3-2, in the semifinals of the last World Cup.

On the other hand, the Spanish teams that headed into the Confed Cup finals and the first game of this World Cup are of two different mindsets.

During the Confed Cup, Spain was tired especially after a long affair that went into extra periods and a shootout against Italy. Quite a few players warned after the loss, “Wait ‘til the World Cup.”

To paraphrase a line from Tom Hiddleston’s Loki from The Avengers, “I’m still waiting.”

In this club football season, Barcelona’s national team contingent came up silverware-less. Real Madrid’s players took home the Champions League trophy and Atletico Madrid’s Diego Costa helped break the Barca-Real hegemony over La Liga.

Was this team still hungry?

Sure. But is Spain like some old time boxing champ holding on for one last bout when it’s got nothing in the tank?

Not at all. They’ve still got something and until they are formally unseated then they would do well not to react with knee jerk changes. Besides, Vicente Del Bosque infused some new blood into the lineup like Cesar Azpilicueta, Diego Costa and JuanFran.

No one turns old overnight. It’s a gradual decline.

One wonders if this is the end of possession-based football as a tactic and a weapon considering foremost practitioner of tiki taka, Barcelona went trophy-less. On the other hand, Bayern Munich of which Robben plays for, won the Bundesliga behind Pep Guardiola, the man behind the success of Barca in the past six years, and new avatars of possession football.

The simple truth is Spain owned 52% of ball possession and created fewer shots 9-13 with 6 to the 11 of Holland on target.

For sure there must be some changes.

Spain after all got to the Confed Cup finals and qualified for this World Cup. They were 14-1-2 heading into Brazil (dating back to this past 2013-14 season) where they outscored opposing teams 36-9. They just ran into a determined team in Holland.

As painful as it is to point to Spain icon Iker Casillas, he must shoulder some of the blame in this galling loss to the Oranje.

Van Persie caught him off the line. Van Persie dispossessed him of a poor touch before slotting the ball into an empty net. And Robben…. the 30-year old twisted defenders and Casillas into a pretzel knot before scoring a brace himself.

Should David De Gea be at goal for their next match or is it Pepe Reina? Maybe De Gea should be given a chance as he came of age in a dreadful season for Manchester United.

Del Bosque must also ponder one of his moves. When he took out Xabi Alonso for Pedro Rodriguez there went whatever possession was left of Spain.

Costa wasn’t the only one to lose the plot. So did Xavi, Sergio Busquets, and Iniesta. The Dutch rendered the midfield maestros invisible. And when the Dutch blitzkrieg came rolling down Salvador, Brazil, Spain was helpless to stop it.

The game isn’t solely a physical and tactical one. It’s also a mental one.

They’ll have five days to get over this loss before they face Chile, 2-1 winners over Australia, in Rio De Janeiro.

More than the moves in hindsight, there are days when everything clicks and there are days when there are disasters. This 5-1 loss to Holland qualifies as the last one. JMP

Song of the Weekend: PLN

Pakiusap lang naman

Wag mo na sana akong sasaktan

Masyado nang marami ang mga drama sakin

Wag mo nang dagdagan dahil ayoko nang masaktan pa

Pakiusap lang naman

Wag ako iba nalang 

Sana'y maunawaan mo itong damdamin ko

Sa pag dating mo sana'y magbago na ang

takbo ng mundo

JMP

Lemonade Out of Lemons

The first months of a relationship are critical.  It determines the expectations and outcome of the relationship.  Before I met Joan, here is my personal list of things that were important for me to have in a partner:

1)    Do what you say. If you say you will call on Sunday, call me on Sunday. If you can’t call me, let me know. It's really that simple. If you memorized all those formulas in math class, you can definitely handle this concept.
2)    Be open to newness.  If you aren’t willing to at least try sushi one time, you may not be willing to keep up with my desire to grow.  The world is filled with things I have never seen or done before.  I’d like to try out the new stuff together.  Experiencing something new on your own is no fun.
3)    Apologize.  If you find it difficult to apologize when you are wrong, you are probably not going to be accountable for your actions or comments in the future. I admit when I am wrong so I need you to practice that talent as well.  An apology goes a long way to mend hurt feelings.
4)    Family. I come from a huge network of aunts, uncles, and cousins.  I’m into family. If you never talk to your family, or talk horribly about them, I’m not the person for you. I value family and I need you to as well.  If you don't, that's totally cool too...for someone else who may want you.
5)    Bashing your ex. With the ability to grow comes the ability to forgive. If you are still saying awful things about a past relationship, I know that I am next in line to be talked about if we break up. It also tells me that you don’t take responsibility for your part in a relationship.
6)    Handle your childhood issues. We all have them. But if by this age you haven’t done some work to grow through them or to heal, you probably won’t ever do it.  Life is too short to let our childhood issues affect us as adults. And there are too many therapists out there with sliding scales.
7)    Have priorities.  If you buy 2,000 jeans but can’t pay your car note, we aren’t going to work out.  If you spend 2,000 on a spur of the moment vacation but don’t have health insurance, I can’t expect you to have me as a priority when you can’t get the basics down.
8)    Fix it before bed. It’s simple.  I like my sleep.  Arguments affect my sleep.  I need a person who solves problems in the same way that I do: before bed.
9)    Make lemonade out of lemons. Problems happen and issues come up.  It’s why they call it life instead of something else.  A change of course sometimes leads you to a better path.  When something is thrown my way, I make the best of it.  If you like to complain and ask God why me, you won’t last a day with me.
10) Appreciate all people.  If you scream at the waitress just before you short her on her tip for not bringing you a glass of water that was exactly 72%, you are not for me.  I was raised to respect everyone from the people who clean the streets to the CEO.  And I am a stickler for tipping.  Plus, your words have to match your actions.  You can’t work at a non-profit and disrespect other people in one breath. JMP