FINALLY! A JONES CUP WIN!

At the very least, we know we won't get whitewashed at the Jones Cup.

We'll go up against Lebanon next, then Japan and South Korea. Japan and South Korea are crucial games, since they are our groupmates in the so-called "Group of Hope" in the FIBA-Asia Tournament. 

We win there, we go to the World Champsionships, where European, North American and South American teams can beat us up at their leisure.

JONES CUP DEBACLE

What is wrong with the Philippine National Basketball Team?

First they lose to Jordan (expected) by a humiliating score of 90-59(unexpected), never even being in the game since the Jordanians' 20-0 run(what?!) in the second quarter.

Then they lose to Chinese Taipei-A by a more palatable score of 86-77 but not after they go down by 19pts in the second quarter (again?!).

The only bright light? US collegian Japeth Aguilar who had a strong showing in the Jordan game with 8 points, 6 rebounds and 2 blocks and followed it up with 10 points in the Taiwan game, including a booming tomahawk jam that would have been sweeter had the Filipinos won.

Now, I seem to remember the Philippines lording it over the Jones Cup whenever PBA players are used. Evidently, we have either sent amateurs pretending to be professionals or our professionals are still at the amateur level.

The fiery Guiao must turn into Albus Dumbledore now and conjure up a spell to turn this team into a competitive team come the Fiba-Asia qualifiers. 

If they don't think they can be competitive, then they should just send Coach Toroman's Smart-Gilas Team. At least they seem to fight tooth and nail in every game.

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!