Why do I love the game of basketball?
It's not really impossible to happen since I'm a male Filipino growing up in a family with basketball-crazed brothers, father, uncles, neighbours and friends. It's hard to deny that Philippines IS still a basketball nation. (Maybe boxing is a close second, Pacquiao knows.)
But, how my passion for the game really started is beyond me. As the youngest of the siblings, being born in the mid 80's, simply means my older brothers were already in their teens during the 90's. Whatever tv show they have on, then that means that's my programme for the day. They won't listen if I wanted to watch Power Rangers, or Teenage Ninja Turtles, or maybe re-runs of animes of Voltes V and Daimos. No. Whether it's the PBA, NBA, UAAP, or even the now defunct MBA and PBL, basketball is on.
They would tag me along to watch a live Ginebra game, be it on Araneta Coliseum, or on Cuneta Astrodome. I would find them watching NBA/PBA games recorded on betamax/vhs tapes. It was absurd. It was addicting. I got hooked.
1990's BALLGAMES AND THE FLYING A
During the 90's, it was easy to watch the NBA. Because all you see is the Chicago Bulls and Michael Jordan. Winning 6 rings on that decade isn't an easy task. He's a popular dude. Plus he starred with Bugs Bunny on Space Jam. It's hard to root against him. Watching their championship games on tv with my brothers almost became a habit. Another Jordan shot. Another Jordan dunk. Another Jordan fadeaway. Another Rodman technical.
Jordan is equals to winning. Favorite. He makes it so easy.
Plus add the fact that 2 of my older brothers were studying at UST at that time, wherein the UST Tigers won their grandslam. They won from 1993 to 1996.
I could still recall my brothers screaming as if they won the national lottery. They were jumping up and down and I could see Coach Aric being carried by the players, Dennis Espino, Bal David and the other players were screaming on top of their lungs. I was thrilled and was excited, as if I was studying at their school at that time.
**In which I eventually did from 1998-2006, with ZERO Men's Basketball Championships. They won their next ring after I graduated. Ouch.**
But I really fell in love with the art of the game when I was watching intently for the first time: a championship game between Sunkist and Alaska. It was the 1995 Governor's Cup. I asked my brother Jason : 'Bakit sya lagi kumukuha at nagdidribol ng bola?' as I observed this early on the game. The player I was pointing to was named Johnny Abarrientos. He explained to me that he needs to because he is a 'Point guard'. I didn't get it. So? He further explained the responsibilities of a point guard. Plus the rest of the 4 positions on the floor. I was schooled that day. I loved the ball lessons. I adored the Flying A.
Unlik Jordan, Flying A is so 'Pinoy'. Standing at 5'8, he looks like any other regular guy out there. But I loved his style of play. Fast, quick, and quiet. He is your anti-superstar. Think of a Tim Duncan-esque player. Not too much of a swagger, yet effective and a winner.
Despite Johnny's team being not always the fan favorite, and going against crowd darlings such as Ginebra, San Miguel Beermen, Purefoods TJ Hotdogs, I've rooted for him ever since. I loved the underdog tag on him. He is arguably the best point guard ever in the PBA, and still he would deny it.
I can vividly recall one interview on him on what is his reaction on his monicker the "Flying A", and he replied, not to the exact letter, but something like 'Di ko nga rin alam, di naman ako lumilipad eh'.
CHILDHOOD HOOPS AND THE STINKERS
I would try to copy their moves on the court. On the game, with my friends. As a skinny grade-schooler, we could only dream and pretend like it's the game 7 of the finals. Personally, I am not the athletic type, I am not gifted with skills. Heck I could even shoot an occasional airball. (Which I easily adapted until adulthood.)
But I still play, all day, all after-school time, and maybe until all night. I come home sweaty, greasy, and yes, all mucky and dirty. Sometimes I would come home bloodied, with skin tears, with 'corbos', with knee abrasions, and body aches and all. You will still find me play more after a drink of 'ice tubig'. We would play for a a bet, sometimes for 'ice-tubigs', for a litre of Coke, which eventually evolved to a case of ice-cold beers. Hell, we could've played for just the air and kill each other to win. And have fun.
I remember one time, as a Grade 4 or Grade 5 kid, me and my 3 other friends, were challenged by the 'squatter kids'. They look mean and tough, but were all smiles with the playful challenge. We betted on nothing. It was a makeshift ring on a wooden post, on a side street rarely passed by vehicles. It was around 1 in the afternoon, with the sun way up north of the sky.
And we played like it was Jordan's final shot. It was a tight see-saw battle. Basket after basket. No I don't want to shoot an airball this time, or the word will spread out and might reach out to my school crush. I made a couple of baskets too. It was a hard game. Referees would be shocked to see how hard we fouled and played. No calls, no free throws. just play on. But here's the catch: our opponents stunk. I mean, they played good. But they LITERALLY stunk. And we had to play man-to-man defense. Body to body. Our faces against theirs. I tried not to breathe. It was simply that bad. After two games, we were tied with 1 game a piece. We called it off and it was game over. We drank countless of ice-tubigs that day. It was priceless. Our nasal passages rejoiced.
FOR THE LOVE
So to answer the question, why do I love playing basketball? There are tons of reasons and factors. One, I could play it almost anywhere, everywhere. On the street, on the court, on the playstation. (There's no way I could've played golf on the concrete street.) Two, it is a team game. Yes, you could hoop by yourself, but it's always better to play with and against someone. Competition level varies on the quality of ice-tubigs. Three, you can enjoy watching it as a fan, or part of the audience. You can either cheer or jeer with tons of fun and excitement. Endless debates on who is the G.O.A.T. On the best Jordan shoe. The best game watched. On the best player on the 2k roster. On the best collegiate player. NCAA vs UAAP.
It's really difficult to explain a fan's passion for the game. I guess I love the art and philosophy and the attitude of the game.
Making an 'attempt' to make a 'goal'.
'Bouncing back after a 'loss'.'
'Teamplay'.
'Never say die'.
One thing I'm sure of, I would play for the prize of an 'ice-tubig' with my mates, and family anytime. Whether they 'stink' or not.
It's not really impossible to happen since I'm a male Filipino growing up in a family with basketball-crazed brothers, father, uncles, neighbours and friends. It's hard to deny that Philippines IS still a basketball nation. (Maybe boxing is a close second, Pacquiao knows.)
But, how my passion for the game really started is beyond me. As the youngest of the siblings, being born in the mid 80's, simply means my older brothers were already in their teens during the 90's. Whatever tv show they have on, then that means that's my programme for the day. They won't listen if I wanted to watch Power Rangers, or Teenage Ninja Turtles, or maybe re-runs of animes of Voltes V and Daimos. No. Whether it's the PBA, NBA, UAAP, or even the now defunct MBA and PBL, basketball is on.
They would tag me along to watch a live Ginebra game, be it on Araneta Coliseum, or on Cuneta Astrodome. I would find them watching NBA/PBA games recorded on betamax/vhs tapes. It was absurd. It was addicting. I got hooked.
Here's my attempt at SkyWalking.
Zero casualties reported.
1990's BALLGAMES AND THE FLYING A
During the 90's, it was easy to watch the NBA. Because all you see is the Chicago Bulls and Michael Jordan. Winning 6 rings on that decade isn't an easy task. He's a popular dude. Plus he starred with Bugs Bunny on Space Jam. It's hard to root against him. Watching their championship games on tv with my brothers almost became a habit. Another Jordan shot. Another Jordan dunk. Another Jordan fadeaway. Another Rodman technical.
Jordan is equals to winning. Favorite. He makes it so easy.
Plus add the fact that 2 of my older brothers were studying at UST at that time, wherein the UST Tigers won their grandslam. They won from 1993 to 1996.
I could still recall my brothers screaming as if they won the national lottery. They were jumping up and down and I could see Coach Aric being carried by the players, Dennis Espino, Bal David and the other players were screaming on top of their lungs. I was thrilled and was excited, as if I was studying at their school at that time.
**In which I eventually did from 1998-2006, with ZERO Men's Basketball Championships. They won their next ring after I graduated. Ouch.**
But I really fell in love with the art of the game when I was watching intently for the first time: a championship game between Sunkist and Alaska. It was the 1995 Governor's Cup. I asked my brother Jason : 'Bakit sya lagi kumukuha at nagdidribol ng bola?' as I observed this early on the game. The player I was pointing to was named Johnny Abarrientos. He explained to me that he needs to because he is a 'Point guard'. I didn't get it. So? He further explained the responsibilities of a point guard. Plus the rest of the 4 positions on the floor. I was schooled that day. I loved the ball lessons. I adored the Flying A.
Unlik Jordan, Flying A is so 'Pinoy'. Standing at 5'8, he looks like any other regular guy out there. But I loved his style of play. Fast, quick, and quiet. He is your anti-superstar. Think of a Tim Duncan-esque player. Not too much of a swagger, yet effective and a winner.
Despite Johnny's team being not always the fan favorite, and going against crowd darlings such as Ginebra, San Miguel Beermen, Purefoods TJ Hotdogs, I've rooted for him ever since. I loved the underdog tag on him. He is arguably the best point guard ever in the PBA, and still he would deny it.
I can vividly recall one interview on him on what is his reaction on his monicker the "Flying A", and he replied, not to the exact letter, but something like 'Di ko nga rin alam, di naman ako lumilipad eh'.
CHILDHOOD HOOPS AND THE STINKERS
I would try to copy their moves on the court. On the game, with my friends. As a skinny grade-schooler, we could only dream and pretend like it's the game 7 of the finals. Personally, I am not the athletic type, I am not gifted with skills. Heck I could even shoot an occasional airball. (Which I easily adapted until adulthood.)
But I still play, all day, all after-school time, and maybe until all night. I come home sweaty, greasy, and yes, all mucky and dirty. Sometimes I would come home bloodied, with skin tears, with 'corbos', with knee abrasions, and body aches and all. You will still find me play more after a drink of 'ice tubig'. We would play for a a bet, sometimes for 'ice-tubigs', for a litre of Coke, which eventually evolved to a case of ice-cold beers. Hell, we could've played for just the air and kill each other to win. And have fun.
I remember one time, as a Grade 4 or Grade 5 kid, me and my 3 other friends, were challenged by the 'squatter kids'. They look mean and tough, but were all smiles with the playful challenge. We betted on nothing. It was a makeshift ring on a wooden post, on a side street rarely passed by vehicles. It was around 1 in the afternoon, with the sun way up north of the sky.
And we played like it was Jordan's final shot. It was a tight see-saw battle. Basket after basket. No I don't want to shoot an airball this time, or the word will spread out and might reach out to my school crush. I made a couple of baskets too. It was a hard game. Referees would be shocked to see how hard we fouled and played. No calls, no free throws. just play on. But here's the catch: our opponents stunk. I mean, they played good. But they LITERALLY stunk. And we had to play man-to-man defense. Body to body. Our faces against theirs. I tried not to breathe. It was simply that bad. After two games, we were tied with 1 game a piece. We called it off and it was game over. We drank countless of ice-tubigs that day. It was priceless. Our nasal passages rejoiced.
FOR THE LOVE
So to answer the question, why do I love playing basketball? There are tons of reasons and factors. One, I could play it almost anywhere, everywhere. On the street, on the court, on the playstation. (There's no way I could've played golf on the concrete street.) Two, it is a team game. Yes, you could hoop by yourself, but it's always better to play with and against someone. Competition level varies on the quality of ice-tubigs. Three, you can enjoy watching it as a fan, or part of the audience. You can either cheer or jeer with tons of fun and excitement. Endless debates on who is the G.O.A.T. On the best Jordan shoe. The best game watched. On the best player on the 2k roster. On the best collegiate player. NCAA vs UAAP.
It's really difficult to explain a fan's passion for the game. I guess I love the art and philosophy and the attitude of the game.
Making an 'attempt' to make a 'goal'.
'Bouncing back after a 'loss'.'
'Teamplay'.
'Never say die'.
One thing I'm sure of, I would play for the prize of an 'ice-tubig' with my mates, and family anytime. Whether they 'stink' or not.
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