Friends, Basketball and the "Call Me Maybe" Craze

Yeah, I have friends whom I've known through basketball and I'm so happy that our friendship gets stronger each day (or should I say, each basketball game day? haha).

 After a home service by Nail Rituals (pls follow them on twitter: @Nail_Rituals)

It is owned by our friend, RenRen Ritualo of Air21 and his wife, Teacher Margaux

birthday party of our friend, Kris (June 22)

Since I got back from Japan, I haven't missed a TNT game. And it's probably one of the reasons why I kinda gained weight! haha! Every after game, we go out and dine. Can't imagine that we're spending lots of cash to get ourselves fat! LOL!

June 24 - TNT vs BGK

Then at halftime, "Call Me Maybe" was played...so we took advantage of the music! LOL!

Call Me Maybe during PBA Halftime LOL from roycie salen on Vimeo.

 Cafe Bola

 June 27 - TNT vs BMeg

 Mr. Kurosawa Eastwood

July 1 - TNT vs RoS

 Flaming Wings, White Plains

And of course, we also support the Philippine team! Last 25th of June, we visited Smart Gilas 2 and the team to SEABA (They're in Chang Mai, Thailand this week) during their practice in Ultra. My friends watched their tune-up game last June 29 in Moro Gym (Ateneo), but I had to miss it 'coz I was in school.

w/ Chris Tiu

Joy and Jimmy A.

Each team member was give the "Game of Life" book of MVP

While the team was practicing, we made a "Call Me Maybe" music video via VideoStar (on my iPhone). So funny that some of the players got distracted with our craziness haha!

Call Me Maybe by Carmela & Joyski from roycie salen on Vimeo.

when Joy wore Ranidel's new shoes:))

Jason "The Blur" Castro

Outback, Libis

Congratulations Talk N Text!

This team has been very close to my heart...and I'm just so happy that they made it again! Back-to-Back Philippine Cup Champions!:) They've been the best All-Filipino team since last year. After this conference's Game 5 (Jan. 29), they became champs again!:)

I'm so proud of these guys because I know how much they have worked hard for this. Through this conference, they encountered a lot of injuries and dilemmas which have almost stopped them from running, but they never gave up! They kept fighting, kept believing, kept the faith and worked harder as a team. They really have THE HEART OF A CHAMPION!

Congratulations to the team, the coaching staff, the management, their families, friends and fans. I'm just so honored to be a part of this family. Congratulations also to Larry Fonacier for winning this conference's MVP!:)

TNT Nation in full support!

woot! confetti galore!

 Ali got emotional in his interview (after all he's been through)

 must be the team's lucky charms lol

 Larry = MVP

super cute Liam, Larry's son

Ryan Reyes taking the net off the ring

 our traditional championship photo :)

friendship :)

And so our tradition continues...victory party at Dads/Kamayan/Sambokojin, Ortigas after the awarding ceremonies, then Bugsy's Fort for the after-party. It's just so AWESOME!:)

 with our idol Jimmy and the soon-to-be-engaged JD

 with the forever late, Aaron

 with our next conference's import Ohmar

 with the 6-time Champ Coach Chot

PROUD TO BE TNT!:)

Looking forward to more championships! Heart and soul for the game. Keep the faith!:)

PBA 37th Season Rookie Draft

So it's that time of the year again. It's just been a week since the PBA 36th season ended. And now, we're up for the 37th Season! After the Rookie Camp last Aug. 24-26, the time of the revelation of the draft picks finally arrived! Held on August 28 in Robinson's Place manila, the event was attended by the rookie draftees & their respective families, the PBA management, all of the PBA teams (w/ a few players and coaches), sponsors, and other special guests. And there were a lot of fans who were there to witness the event. It's also the first coverage by AKTV Ch. 13 (TV5) and it's just as perfect!

the mechanics

A few weeks before the draft, I got really sad of the news that most of the Smart Gilas boys would be applying for the rookie draft. However, the idea that it's gonna be for their own growth and success in their career, made me understand and accept their choice. Now I'm really happy for them, most especially because they were all a part of the 1st round draft picks!:) Two thumbs up for Jvee Casio for being the overall 1st draft pick!:)

Jvee

 Chris

 Marcio

Mark

Here's the list of this year's draft picks:

1st Round

1. JVee Casio (Powerade)

2. Paul Lee (Rain or Shine)

3. Chris Lutz (Petron)

4. Marcio Lassiter (Powerade)

5. Mark Barroca (Shopinas)

6. Mac Baracael (Alaska)

7. Jason Ballesteros (Meralco)

8. Allein Maliksi (Barako)

9. Reil Cervantes (Ginebra)

10. Dylan Ababou (Barako)

2nd Round

11. Magi Sison (Shopinas)

12. Pamboy Raymundo (Talk 'N Text)

13. Eric Salamat (Alaska)

14. Julius Pasculado (Alaska)

15. Ariel Mepana (Alaska)

16. Brian Ilad (B-Meg)

17. Gilbert Bulawan (Meralco)

18. James Martinez (Ginebra)

19. Ken Acibar (Barako)

20. PJ Sorongon (Barako)

21. John Marc Agustin (Powerade)

3rd Round

22. Marc Cagoco (Shopinas)

23. Filemon Fernandez (Petron)

Then the picking stopped after all the teams have PASSED. Unfortunately, there were a couple of draftees who weren't able to make it. I felt sad for them, but I hope they still have a future in basketball.

For the Talk 'N Text, they're still together. However, Mark Yee was traded to Meralco Bolts. New additions to the tropa were Japhet Aguilar (Gilas), Shawn Weintein (Meralco), Bam Gamalinda (Meralco), and the 12th draft pick Pamboy Raymundo ()San Sebastian & NLEX).

And for the other teams, Powerade got Josh Vanlandingham and Doug Kramer. Dondon Hontiveros was acquired by Petron. Yes, he's back to his mother franchise. And lastly, Willie Miller was back to Barako. Yikes, now I really am confused! I don't know if I can still cheer 100% of my heart out for Talk 'N Text now that a lot of the players who have already become my friends were all over the PBA teams. I guess this time, I would hate the other teams a lot less...and no more shouting bad words at the games haha!:))

It's gonna be an exciting season. I can't predict who's gonna be on Final 4 because all of the teams seem really stronger now. Congrats to all the rookies and see you at the games!:)

 Rich and Japs looking like Twin Towers

 Angelicopter with Mark Barroca's girlfriend

 w/ YR and Ranidel of TNT

 Jvee will always be our IDOL!

 so proud of Dylan, and his Guidance Counselor image haha

taking so long...in the making! haha

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!:)