It's ok to be SECOND.

August 21 - Talk 'N Text didn't go Grandslam as Petron beat them in the Game 7 of the PBA Governor's Cup Finals. The team seemed really tired and Petron really excelled, most especially their import, Grundy. The Tropang Texters did not win, but winning 2 championships this year wasn't bad at all. I really admire how they were as a team. Win or lose, they're still WINNERS for us; and we'll support them all the way! I know that they're still happy because at least now, they'll get to rest, take a vacation, and spend time with their respective families. Most of them will fly within this week to the States. And I was happy to have spent some time with them after the game, and before they leave for the US.

 last game for Nina. She left for the US during halftime.

 TNT Nation

 super cute Tristan -- Ryan Reyes' baby

 we believe

 i thought we already had the chance

 woah!

 and confetti was all over the place

 Congratulations Petron

 no matter what happens, we won't miss our traditional photo

playing Monopoly Deal in Johnny Rockets Eastwood

 with the two "abs" boys: Aaron and Charles haha

 great gang!:)

 love these girls!:)

with my idol Jimmy and Bora bud Harvey

August 22 - No sleep yet and I had a long day. After the weekly division meeting, we went to Eastwood for our Department's planning and a bit of  team-building. We had lunch, played bowling, listened to the words of my idol who also happened to be our surprise guest Jimmy Alapag, and had a brainstorming of our plans for 2012. It was such a productive and fun day! It didn't show much that I haven't got any sleep yet haha!

 our special guest! what a coincidence haha

 Team Advocacy & Marketing w/ Jimmy Alapag

 I'm such a fan!:)

 score board at the end of the game

My last stop that day was at the Smart Club Championships in Rizal Stadium. Unfortunately, Smart San Beda FC lost to Teknika, which scored 3-0. But it's not bad winning second. I got the chance to take good shots of the Younghusband brothers before everybody else came near. Special thanks to their manager who's also a very important part of all MVP's teams, Father Ed Africa.

 the field

 the crowd

 trophies

 good job guys!

 cute!

 Let's go Smart San Beda FC!

Finishing SECOND isn't bad...but it will always be the best to be the FIRST!:)

Updates on the Sports I Love Watching: Football, Volleyball, Basketball

FOOTBALL

Last August 16, I was tasked to bring bottled water and to set up banners in the football field of University of Makati. I didn't know what's gonna happen there until I saw the football players of Smart San Beda came out of the dugout...most especially the Younghusband brothers: Phil and James. They're up for a game against Smart Bro Stallions from Iloilo. I left the game at halftime with the score of 2-0 for Smart San Beda, and I believe they won that game. The crowd was just so awesome so I really had fun!:)

This was followed by another game the next day but that I wasn't able to watch anymore. The Smart Club Championships will happen next Saturday (Aug27) in Rizal Stadium.

VOLLEYBALL

This V-league Season, I support the Maynilad Water Dragons. I've seen them win once against Perpetual Help. I missed their last two games - Aug. 16 (vs. Navy) and 18 (vs. Air Force); but I watched their 2 games prior to that (vs. San Sebastian and Army), wherein our team lost. The Maynilad players did well but probably not enough.

 Maynilad lost against San Sebastian

 Maynilad lost against Army

 watching from the ringside w/ my friend Pat

playin' hard

And to find out who's gonna take the last slot in the quarterfinals, Maynilad shall face Perpetual Help later this afternoon at The Arena. I hope Maynilad wins!

BASKETBALL

It's 3-3 now in the PBA Finals. Petron won over Talk 'N Text last Aug. 17 (Game 5) with a score of 93-80 led by their import Grundy. It was 3-2 by then and everybody thought TNT's bid for grandslam was in major jeopardy. However, with the comeback of Moe Baker (as replacement to Scottie Reynolds) and the injured Jayson Castro, the team's energy leveled up and kept the grandslam dream alive! TNT won with a final score of 104-78 which kept the balloons from falling down that night. All the TNT fans were jumping for joy! Unfortunately, I wasn't there live. I chose to stay home 'coz I was reviewing for my exams and my face looked kinda tortured 'coz of the facial session I had the previous night. LOL

 I stayed only during the 1st quarter of Game 5

in my heart, they're #1!!!:)

Game 7 is coming up later tonight. I'm soooo nervous! A simple mistake could drive away the grandslam. TNT really has to keep the energy they had in Game 6 and continue to focus and work hard. They played a good offense the previous game but they really have to sustain that tonight and improve on their defense. They gotta do something to stop Arwind, Denok, Danny I and Grundy. Lord, we offer this game to you. Your will be done. Our team's victory shall always be Yours!:)

1st Time to Watch the Azkals LIVE!

Last July 3, I was able to witness the 2nd leg of the Azkals vs Sri Lanka football game at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila. There were lots of football fans who came despite the bad weather.

I wasn't able to start the game 'coz I came only 30 minutes after the game started. But that was actually a blessing in disguise because as the game started, heavy rain started to pour and all the fans at the bleachers got soaked, while those in the grandstand with tickets worth Php 2000-Php3000 were saved. We only got free tickets from our friends and ex-coworkers in Smart Sports, and we're so thankful 'coz we saved 300 bucks! haha!

It was the first international football game I've seen live and it was such an awesome experience! When I came, the score was 1-0 in favor of Azkals. It was funny that people were asking me why I was dry and they found me uncool for not getting wet!:))

Anyway, I've seen a lot of friends and familiar faces there. We all enjoyed watching the game. Most especially because Sri Lanka couldn't score. I loved the crazy crowd. We've been doing a crowd "wave" from point A and back, with all the crowd in the stadium. It's so fun! Plus there's a huge flag which crawled around the stadium. So cool!

After  2 hours, the game ended 4-0 for the Azkals! The crowd was cheering and jumping for joy! The team went around the stadium to thank the fans. After the game, there were cameras and interviews at the exit gates asking the fans how their experience was. My friend said it was "fun fun fun!" haha!

It was indeed an awesome experience. Btw, thumbs up for Neil Etheridge for playing good defense!:)