Lebron Steals Melo's Thunder...Again.

So who's talking about Melo now? Right, nobody.

And all it took was for Lebron James to do the exact same thing Carmelo Anthony did, which is to opt out of his contract and start a recruiting frenzy.

That means Melo will have to do something extraordinary just to get the attention he craves. Changing teams would do it, especially if Lebron James stays in Miami.

Of course, if Lebron James goes to another team, then whatever Carmelo Anthony is relegated to a side story...again.

Melo Opts Out Of Deal

It was a move most people expected no one was really surprised when Melo finally made it. It was the kind of move that someone who still had a lot to prove always had to take: the winner-takes-it-all gamble.

For Melo, that means putting himself in a position to get what he truly wants. No, it isn't a championship. (although he does want that). No, it isn't money or endorsement deals or shoe lines or whatever else it is Lebron James has.

World Cup: USA Squanders Golden Opportunity vs Portugal

By now, American football diehards are bemoaning the fact that a literally last-second goal from FC Porto winger Silvestre Varela robbed them of the three points they needed to make sure they move on to the next round.

And gnash their teeth they should. This Portugal team is nothing like its predecessors, seemingly made more out of flair than of substance.

Some thoughts for Gilas vs Japan!

So we lost to Chinese Taipei. So what? Time to move on to the next game.

That means Japan with that big frontline composed Kosuke Takeuchi (where's Joji? Did I miss something?) and JR Sakuragi. But Marcus Douthit, the reenergized Japeth Aguilar and Ranidel de Ocampo should be able to neutralize them.

That being said, there seems to be no other immediately visible threat from the Japanese side. They have nice, solid players in the backcourt but no stars, no game changers.

I fully expect Jimmy Alapag, Jayson Castro, Jeff Chan and Larry Fonacier to be the difference maker. If they can't, then God help us all.

  

Gilas Loses To Chinese Taipei, 79-84!

It hurts.

13 point lead in the 3rd, Jones Cup invite being rescinded, repeatedly humiliated politically despite our apologies...All these came into play as the Filipino natin mourn tonight's loss.

But despite the loss, I am not among the many Filipinos who are embittered by this.

Why? For three reasons.

Halftime: Gilas Leads Chinese Taipei 43-42!

Gilas got off to a bad start once again, aided by some hot three point shooting by the Taiwanese.

But the Filipinos regained their bearings int he second quarter, thanks to some stout defense from Japeth Aguilar and some sterling shooting from Jimmy Alapag.

Gilas seems to be getting into their groove and all they need to do now is continue playing the way they did in the second quarter for them to defeat Chinese Taipei.