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!:)

PLDT-Smart launches the JUMP Experience Center!

Last August 10, I was invited to the exclusive launch of JUMP Experience Center in Cyberzone, 4th Floor of SM Megamall B. It's the first high-technology experience center in the country and that's what PLDT and Smart Communications are so proud of.

At the entrance, there are 3 screens. We were instructed to create an avatar on the middle screen, then it was projected on the third screen using something that looked like a cardboard that's placed right in front of the camera -- this was called "projected reality". It's so cool!

 my avatar being projected on the screen

 my friend Vida emailing her avatar to herself

 The Arena

We posed for some photos in the photo booth. Then we had some cocktails served by Hizon's catering. After a short while, the program started. The stage, which was at the center of the room was called "The Arena". Some futuristic looking dancers performed. After that, there was some introduction about the place. Two bloggers were invited to try playing Angry Birds in the 82-inch screen, and were given prizes after.

 futuristic dancers

 Angry Birds

Then we were toured around by "the experts". They were very knowledgeable about all the products and home/business solutions that were found inside Jump.

 while checking out the new telpad

looks like a plaque/award!:p 

After the tour, there's a short Q&A portion wherein the bloggers got to ask the PLDT-Smart representatives more about Jump. After that, we had a texting game, wherein we're asked to text our name, company/blog to one number. That phone's screen was being projected at the big screen so we got to see every message that came in. Then the 10th and the 21st (originally 20th but it was the caterer's waiter that's why the person next to him was chosen next) texter were each given an HTC Chacha. Lucky people! haha!

 Q&A portion

 the txt contest

 the lucky winners of HTC Chacha

After a bit of chatting with friends, I played Angry Birds in the huge screen, then we had our last few shots taken in the photo booth. Fun!

trying my skills on this huge screen lol

PHOTO BOOTH!!!

If you wanna know and experience the latest in mobile technology and home & business solutions, JUMP is the perfect spot for you!:)

2-2: A Tough One!

So I missed 2 games of the Finals. One was last August 10 in Tubod, Lanao del Norte where Talk N Text won over  the Petron Blaze Boosters. Another game I missed was last August 12 at the Big Dome, wherein Talk N Text won over Petron 132-105! I couldn't skip class 'coz I got a group report.

I didn't wanna watch last August 14, but a friend of mine forced me to...so I did. But I was happy because I was able to witness the Leo Awards wherein the top players of the conference were awarded. I am ok with the result of the awards, but my most favorite was the MVP Award received by Jimmy Alapag of TNT! He really deserved it. He's a good man and he's a role model not just for his teammates, but for all the other basketball players too. Congratulations to the awardees!

 Ryan Reyes (TNT), John Wilson (BGK) as part of the All Defensive Team

 Jason Castro - Most Improved Player of the Year

 Rabeh Al-Hussaini won Rookie of the Year

 nice team composition

 and this is perfect

 Jimmy Alapag got the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award

 one of our 'makulit' buddies Marc Pingris won as part of the All Defensive Team

However, TNT lost to Petron as the game ended105-83. This just showed how tough the succeeding games will be. Both teams really want that championship! Now it's 2-2. It's not easy to tell who will dominate. But TNT gotta win grand slam, so please help us Lord!:)