A TOPSY TURVY OFF SEASON

Ben Gordon (Bulls) and Charlie Villanueva (Bucks) are now Pistons.

Hedo Turkoglu (Magic) was first a Blazer then a Raptor.

Shaq (Suns) is now with the King in Cleveland while Richard Jefferson fortifies the Spurs.

Treveor Ariza (Lakers) is now a Rocket while Ron Artest (Rockets) is now a Laker.

And we've barely scratched the surface.

So, let me make a deal with you. I'll let the NBA off season madness run its course and when all the wheeling and dealing is done, I'll let you know who I think are the winners and losers in the NBA 2009 offseason.

HOW CAN DWIGHT HOWARD BECOME AN ALL TIME GREAT?

How about adding a skyhook to his power dunks?

Created and perfected by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the skyhook is the only shot ever called "unstoppable" by friends and foes alike. Of course, it helps when you're an agile 7footer but we've seen big men get flummoxed by lay ups, much less an 18-19 foot skyhook. A jumper is not even automatic from that distance.

But you don't need me to tell you that. How about I let THEM tell you that?

LAKERS WIN GAME 2, 101-96!

It took them a little more time and a lot more Pau (24pts, 10 rebounds and a dominant presence in overtime). But in the end, the Lakers will be going to Disneyland with a 2-0 lead as Kobe Bryant scored 29 pts and Lamar Odom came up big with 19 pts, 8 rebs and 3 blocks.

It basically came down to a rookie (Courtney Lee ended up with 2pts on 1-3 shooting) going for the win with about 9 seconds left. 

With Turkoglu (22pts)  and Lewis (34pts) red-hot for most of the game, it was a wonder that neither one tried to dominate in the last few seconds but what's done is done and the Magic still came away with what could be a very crucial piece of the championship puzzle: the knowledge that, yes, they can beat the Lakers.

I look forward to Game 3, where I expect the Magic to win, 95-85.

RUBILYN AMIT IS WOMEN'S WORLD CHAMPION!

Rubilyn Amit, the 27-year old pride of Mandaue, routs Taiwanese Liu Shi-Mei, 10-4, to win the 2009 Women's World 10-Ball Championships held here at SM City's The Block last Saturday.

She joins Efren "Bata" Reyes, Alex Pagulayan and Ronnie Alcano as the newest member of the elite club of Pinoy world pool champions.

Once again, congratulations to Miss Amit, who has shown the entire world that the Pinay is, indeed, world class.

Mabuhay ka Rubilyn!

LAKERS TAKE GAME 1!

Let me crow here a bit.

The Lakers were as good as I thought they would be. But the Magic were worse than I thought they would be.

Kobe Bryant scored 40 points, and added 8 rebounds and 8 assists (who I predicted would explode against Pietrus and Lee). So much for Kobe getting old and slow. 

Pau Gasol had 16 points, 8 rebounds and 2 blocks. So much Gasol being soft and easily dominated by Howard, who definitely wasn't Superman tonight (like I predicted).

My prediction was Lakers over Magic, 100-88. Final score was Lakers over Magic, 100-75. I think I earned my money this week.

WATCH OUT FOR THE BLACK WIDOW!

Shanelle Loraine may be gone but there is no lack for beautiful billiards beauties in ongoing World Women's 10 Ball Championships.

In fact, one of the most beautiful players there is also one of the deadliest. Meet Jeanette Lee aka The Black Widow. She knows how to play them balls.

 

BYE BYE SHANELLE!

She may not have made past the elimination rounds but she has certainly won the... ehem... hearts of Filipino men.