Basketball is Not the Only Sport

The FEU quadrangle after the rain

On a daily basis for the past week, news about a suggested merger between the country’s two famous collegiate leagues, the University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) and the National College Athletic Association (NCAA), was published on newspapers. I’m not against the idea but it casts an old and extensive shadow over other sports included in the said leagues. These are two very old and traditional leagues with very established identities.

I don’t have a good view of the NCAA, but like in the UAAP, I do know that these leagues are composed of other sports. The idea of merging the two leagues just because of promoting Basketball (once again) somewhat discards the presence of the other sports. Though the ‘merger’ as stated in the Inquirer is still issue-stricken and will need to be talked over by UAAP, NCAA and BAP-Samahan ng Basketbol officials, they shouldn’t shun other competitive sports aside.

  

During my senior days in high school, there was a boom in the popularity of volleyball in the country. This I credit to Shakey’s V league where collegiate women’s volleyball teams competed regardless if they’re UAAP or NCAA member schools. Those whose name resounded strongly with the crowd or on the statistics sheet were the ones chosen to be part of the Philippine Volleyball Team. I don’t have the exact timeline when the likes of Michelle Carolino from De La Salle University and Mary Jean Balse from the University of Santo Tomas have battled against other Asian contenders.

  

And volleyball is just one of the other sports.

There are still other sports where Filipinos exhibit skill and competitiveness but the limelight seem to deny them recognition as the cheers ring loud for Basketball. Not that I’m against the game. In fact, I enjoy watching the basketball games in Araneta. I’ve accepted that basketball is a national sport and a pivotal part of our culture. What I’m trying drive at though, is for shoots to share the fame with smashes, high kicks, goals, spikes and checkmates.

  

The adrenalin-rush, fascination, gasping, yelling, cheering and crowd-wowing stunts are not limited in a Basketball court.

Read more...

Navigation and a New Direction

I just came home from Starbucks. At last, I’ve found an outlet for the distress I’m feeling for quite awhile. In my previous entry, my mind was in a topsy-turvy state. Alas, I found someone who’s easy to talk to. My friend gave me that much-needed relief.

I found relief in having a plan.

A plan is an organized, step-by-step stratagem. But coinage of the term contingency or a ‘back-up’ plan shows how plans get derailed. Thus, hatching a Plan B becomes a necessity. It is this undertaking which redirected my cluttered and slightly rebellious behavior—making it momentous for me. It somehow invigorates the detrimental position I found myself in. A paramount factor would be the person who accommodated my whines.

Having a friend like that is like having a GPS in the Philippines. The streets aren’t perfectly mapped out and getting to a location is very tricky. They don’t actually command you to take the road. They let you gradually propose a plausible path. And it’s up to you to formulate a SMART decision; Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Time-bound.

Despite the number of friends, or should I say acquaintances, I could talk to; I learned how rare good conversations are. There are only a handful of persons who possess this attribute.

Everyone should know who their ‘go-to’ person is.

Read more...

A Life I Used to Want

I never thought that I’d end up admitting that the life I’m living now isn’t what I wanted. I think my grasp of the whole thing is slowly slipping, inconclusively but intentional. Trying to hold a number of things together needs a rather elevated, above average ability of balance—which I believe I possess. It’s like having all of Shiva’s hands.

So where’s the problem?

Interest and loss of momentum. I can perfectly recall that sad Saturday morning during my fourth year in high school. Winning is vital for our volleyball team. We needed to win to compete in the Finals. Unfortunately, we fell short as we have done in our previous games.

We lost the first set with a 23-25 score. Not bad, especially when it a ballooned reception ended that set. It was in the second set that I felt the same thing that I’m feeling now. Nailing the etiology for my present façade is still obscure. Yet, I can identify with that game. We were leading with just one point. The score was 15-14 and it’s our service. All was well so far. Strategy was dancing inside our court. But after we lost the tie with a 15-16, we were pinned. Loss of momentum was the solitary cause.

Comparable to my unwell state, I lost the will to push through. It’s like I’m this dimwit who runs around the fire instead of putting it out. To be honest, typing this blog perfectly depicts my current state.

People who don’t exert too much effort are those who’re, usually, content with what they have. Ambitious and career-driven individuals would push themselves to the limit just to get what they want and get out of whatever hell they’re in. It’s not that I’m satisfied or content. I know I need to be someone more.

But why bother?

I’m living a life that I used to want. Now, I’ll have to do my best to want this life again, ..and I don’t see that happening in the near future, but hey I’ve got to try right?

Read more...