Arnold In Coron

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Coron, Palawan

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KBBL Semifinals

Last Saturday, the Kumbento88 Rigmarolers-B lost to Batch 90, the very same team we beat in last season’s championship series.

We were outplayed, outhussled, outcheered, and even outdrummed by the same opponents we pulverized just a few months ago.

I arrived at the game late due to traffic in the Ortigas/Floodway area. The 3rd quarter of the semifinal game, where our team has a twice-to-beat advantage, was already well under way when I entered the PCC gym.

But it was not only me who arrived late during that game last Saturday. Our main big man, Chunky Ramos, also arrived late with the 3rd quarter already underway due to a previous commitment he had to attend to. (Note: Nagninong si Chunky sa kasal. Repeat: Nagninong, hindi nag-abay!)

It wouldn’t have been a big problem that Chunky was late for the game since the opponents were just leading by a very manageable margin by halftime. We could have easily overhauled that lead as we have previously done so in the past.

But the problem was the tournament committee refused to let Chunky play, citing a FIBA ruling that any player arriving at the game after the 1st half of play is not eligible to play for the remainder of the ballgame anymore.

This was the same committee which tolerated various violations in game schedules, player uniforms, and other trivial matters. This was a friendly tournament after all. Allowances were to be given to achieve the ultimate goal of the tournament, which is brotherhood.

But rules are rules, they say. We just did not want to argue further, or put the game under protest. All in the spirit of sportsmanship.

We lost the game. But Batch 90 did not beat us.

They cannot beat us when we are complete as a team – from the starters to the relievers, to the role players, to the coaching staff, and more importantly, to the numerous supporters showing our undying batch spirit.

They can once again bring on the drums this coming Saturday. We just have to bring the full force of Kumbento88 to drown out their beats.

We are the defending champions. No one can be louder. No one can be prouder.

Support you team! Be there at the PCC gym on Saturday, August 23, 2008, 7:30PM. No excuses for being late this time. Destiny will not wait for us.

Bing In Italy

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Venice

Florence

Pisa

Vatican

Rome

Batchmate In A Coma

lifted from my email sent to our yahoogroup

I was also able to contact Cedric Sta. Ana's sister, Eileen, yesterday thru text and got the message that they shall be removing Cedric from the ICU today. I cannot assume to pretend that I know how the family feels at these moments. But what I do know is that Cedric's sister is very glad when someone from his brother's batch contacted them even just thru text to offer their support.

Last Friday, Jeff and I were exchanging texts as we were planning to arrange a visit to Cedric. But it being a Friday, time went by so fast and by the end of the day, no plan was actualized. And I knew that the next 2 days, being a weekend, would be as equally hard for us to organize a visit to the hospital. But today, let's not waste another day with our usual excuses. A batchmate is fighting for his life. No, let me rephrase that, a batchmate is hanging on for his life. Let us show him and his family that his brothers here in Kumbento88 are here to support him in whatever way we can. Nalalagas na tayo. But this is the sad reality of life that we have to face. And it would be better if we face this as one - showing support to one another.

I haven't known Cedric personally as we didn't become classmates in my whole stay in PCC. But with the recent events bonding our whole batch as one, does it even matter? Let's pay him a visit at The Medical City later tonight. Anyone is welcome to join us. But I particularly request those who know him personally to come with us. I gather that he was in Eagle in his 4th year in HS, just in case some of his classmates forgot. Let us show support. When you come to think of it, the basketball game that got us united in support last year was very trivial when you compare it to the support we are asking from you now.

This is the Game of Life. A teammate is badly beaten entering the last 2 minutes. What do you do?

Note: For those planning to pay Cedric a visit, he is currently at Room 441 of The Medical City in Pasig.