iwalkalone

There has been a lot of talk about who really won the recent bout between Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez. Most people say (even most Filipinos, sadly), that the fight should have been in favor of Marquez or at least a draw. I disagree completely though and here's why.

I. How I Scored the Fight

The thing about this fight is that it was so close that there were at least 4 rounds with no clear winner. In fact, I thought that after 8 rounds, the fight was split evenly. But from rounds 9 to 12, Pacquiao was clearly more aggressive, probably realizing that he had to pick it up in order for him to get a win. And for that, I gave him the last 4 rounds. Not only was he more aggressive, he landed more punches. Thus, my final score was 116-112 in favor of the Pacman.

Now, I remember watching the first two fights between these two and at that gap between Round 12 and the announcement of the winner that I was feeling nervous. I thought that Manny might have lost the fight since it was too close. And yet he won both fights, with the knockdowns he forced probably pushing him over the top. But in part 3, after the fight, that even though it was close, even with no knockdowns, it was clear to me that Manny was the victor.

II. Stats

Though Marquez seemed to have landed the clearer and more definitive punches, the stats proved otherwise. According to Yahoo! Sports "Pacquiao landed 176 of 578 punches. Marquez connected on 138 of 436 punches, preferring, as in his first two fights, to counter punch. Pacquiao had a 117-100 edge in power shots." Now, how can you say that you won if the stats don't back it up? Stats don’t lie. The story would have been different though had Marquez knocked Pacquiao down. But he didn’t. Speaking of...

III. The Challenger as the Aggressor

In boxing, it has long been known that coming into a fight, the perception of "champion" and "challenger" is far apart. The champion is the man on top of the hill, driving away all those who challenge his throne. He doesn’t need to prove anything since he has the belt. All he needs to do is do the “Floyd Mayeather style” (I can’t believe I’m using Floyd to protect Manny but WTH), land enough punches, be defensive and, do everything right to the eyes of the judges.

The challenger on the other hand is the one trying to take away the crown meaning, you to prove to the people watching that you beat the champion convincingly. And, you can do that only by being the aggressor. Judges, real boxing experts and fans know this. Heck, even Ippo Makunouchi knows this and he's a cartoon! Though Marquez is one of the best, if not the best counter puncher in the world today, there’s a problem with that style when it comes winning the judges over when you’re the challenger.

Then I hear Marquez rambling that he "has done everything he could" and that "he doesn't know what else to do." Hey Marquez, I'll tell you what you can do. You fucking brawl with him and knock the shit out of Pacquiao. And when he's counted out, then you can call yourself champion. You’re no different to some Filipinos who lose then claim that they were cheated with no proof or basis. And quite honestly, I don't think he'll brawl with Manny and, I don't think he can do it. Why? Cause he afraid of him. Marquez wouldn't engage coz he's fucking scared of him. He got knocked down 4 times in the previous fights, remember? That's why you make it look like you landed the clearer punches and then bitch about it once you've lost. Asshole.

(I'm sorry for going crazy in the last part; he got me really steamed with those comments.)

IV. High Expectations

Being the pound-for-pound king means high expectations, especially after you string a bunch of sterling knockouts and shutouts. But of course, every fighter has his weakness and we knew all along that Marquez has Manny's number. We were just blinded (I myself admit this) by Manny's recent string of amazing victories. As Mario Lopez said, Marquez is Manny's Joe Frazier. Manny had an off night against a fighter whose style is exactly tailor-fitted for the purpose of beating him.

Also, I read somewhere that Pacquiao is on the decline. Really? You're saying this after one fight? A fight in which his opponent is considered to be his kryptonite? Let's see if this happens again in the next fight and maybe I'll agree. I know it wasn't his best performance and he could have been better. He wasn't his usual gung ho self but hey, he still won.

To end this, the lingering question is should we have a Pacquiao-Marquez 4? Let’s go through this step-by-step. If there’s a fourth fight maybe, we'll have closure. Maybe Manny knocks out Marquez or maybe Marquez beats Manny in convincing fashion. But that’s a big “maybe.” There's a chance that something like this might happen again. As many others have said, their styles are made for each other and it will always be too close to tell (not to mention more bitching). Thus, I think we should not have a part 4 and have this book closed already.

So, even in an off night, the Pacman was still victorious, no matter how controversial it was. And that's a mark of a true pound for pound champion. I'm sorry, but I'm with my boy Pacquiao on this one.

iwalkalone

someone's gonna get hurt for sure. i think it's best if it's me.

iwalkalone

That might just have been the best NBA Playoffs First Round ever. We got amazing individual performances, upset wins, headbutts. Name it, the first round had it. Before I go to my second round predictions, here are a few awards from me to those who played in the first round:

MVP: Zach Randolph

Mythical 5:
Andrew Bynum (C)
Zach Randolph (F)
Kevin Durant (F)
Derrick Rose (G)
Rajon Rondo (G)
(Chris Paul would have been here if the Hornets won the series)

Best Defensive Player: Serge Ibaka

Now for my predictions of possibly, the best second round ever!


Eastern Conference

1. Chicago Bulls vs. 5. Atlanta Hawks
I originally thought that Atlanta would prevail in this series in 7. First because I thought the Bulls were really off in the first round against the Pacers. They had to go through 3 really tough games against the 8th seed that had a losing record in the regular season, with Derrick Rose saving the day in the end game. Second, I think the Hawks matched up well against the Bulls, (Horford on Noah, Josh Smith on Boozer, Kirk Hinrich on Rose) and if games went down the wire, they are surely capable of pulling it off, as we saw in the series against the Magic.

But, the Hawks suffered a big blow in losing Capt. Kirk and this will be the cause of their downfall. Rose will now have an easier time and I don't think Jamal Crawford, Jeff Teague, or Damien "I'm only with this team because my Uncle is Dominique" Wilkins can do much in the defensive end.

Super X-Factor Man of the Series: Someone who can step-up in the absence of Capt. Kirk

Prediction: Bulls in 5


2. Miami Heat vs. 3. Boston Celtics
The playoff series everyone has been waiting for. This should be the most-watched series in the second round because of what's at stake. Expect a very physical series between these two teams.

Should the Big 3's of both teams negate each other, Rajon Rondo should be the key guy if the C's are to win this series. The Heat don't really have pointguards who can match-up with him defensively. I expect them at some point, to put either Wade or James on Rondo.

The most important player in the Big 3 of Miami will be Dwyane Wade. We know he has struggled against the C's during the regular season and it will be big if he can come out of that slump. Bosh will still be like a Bosh, and James probably will produce huge stats, but D-Wade will be the key. As for the C's, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce must shoot at a high percentage to loosen up the offense. Finally the bench of the C's will be deeper with Haslem and Miller unable to play. Big Baby, Delonte, and Jeff Green should do well against James Jones, Joel Anthony, and Juwan "I will never retire" Howard.

I am so ready for this one. Let's do this!

Super X-Factor Man of the Series: Rajon Rondo

Prediction: Celtics in 6


Western Conference

2. Los Angeles Lakers vs 3. Dallas Mavericks
This is the first time Kobe and Dirk will face off in a playoff series and it has been long overdue. And the series could be a good one. The match-ups will be interesting to see. Both teams will have a barrage of defenders to throw at each others' stars and it will be great to see how the stars will react and produce.

The Lakers though are deeper with Odom, Brown, Barnes, and Blake. Terry is the only good bench player the Mavs have and he gets a lot of minutes down the stretch so I don't really consider him a bench guy. I would've picked the Mavs if they had Caron Butler in the line-up.

Super X-Factor Man of the Series: Lamar Odom

Prediction: Lakers in 6

4. Oklahoma City Thunder vs 8. Memphis Grizzlies
As an Oklahoma fan, I would've wanted the Spurs in the second round over the Grizzlies. The Grizz and my Round 1 MVP Z-Bo have been on fire and a hurting, slow, and old Spurs would have been a better match to the young and on fire Thunder. Also during the regular season, the Thunder went 1-3 against the Grizzlies and they had a hard time with Z-Bo. But, all of those games were before when Perkins came in so it will be interesting to see how Perk can hold off Z-Bo.

Durant will again have to lead this team and will have a bunch of defenders thrown at him (Tony Allen, Shane Battier, Sam Young). He will need Russell Westbrook make good decisions, unlike that Round 1 Game 4 debacle. As for the Grizzlies, they're the real deal and should be taken seriously despite being the 8th seed.

Super X-Factor Man of the Series: Kendrick Perkins and his D on Z-Bo
(Man, I just love saying Z-Bo)

Prediction: Thunder in 6


Round 2! Here we go!

iwalkalone

Bear with me. I haven't done this in a while. But it's surely nice to be back. But it's even better that what I'm writing about is also back. By the way, I started writing a day before the start of the playoffs. I guarantee that I did not change any of my predictions. )

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It's that time of the year again, where basketball fans lose their minds and go missing (think the last scene in "The Grudge") only to find them glued to their couch, eyes hypnotized, watching the best basketball in the universe. It's the effin' NBA Playoffs! Welcome back! Oh did we miss you.

This year, fans will be salivating more than usual because of the drama, the influx of talent, and the great basketball that only the NBA Playoffs can give. Every NBA fan will agree with me when I say that this year's playoffs will be special.

Now, let me give you my predictions.

Eastern Conference

1. Chicago Bulls vs 8. Indiana Pacers
Come on. The Pacers do not deserve to be in the playoffs and it should be the Houston Rockets if it wasn't in the West. Many give credit to MVP Derrick Rose (my pick for MVP as well) but seem to forget Coach Thib's magic. He has transformed this team from a young team with no identity, to the best team in the league. And if you have a good coach and an amazing leader in place, things usually turn out well.

Prediction: Bulls in 4

(Post-Game2 Comment: Pacers are bringing it, gotta hand it to them. Bulls though winning, look to be struggling. Thank God for D-Rose and Kyle Korver!)

4. Orlando Magic vs 5. Atlanta Hawks
Many people forget that the Magic actually made it to the NBA Finals 2 years ago. My favorite scene in that series? During the trophy ceremony after the Lakers had won, Dwight Howard and Jameer Nelson stayed on their bench and decided to watch the ceremony. They were probably telling themselves that someday, that's gonna be them.

2 years later, people from ESPN are predicting that they are gonna lose because they match-up bad against Atlanta and that Jason Collins, of all people, will be the key of this series. I'm not buying in to this though. Atlanta this past few weeks, seem to have given up and lost interest in playing. The Hawks' indifference will be their downfall. Dwight Howard will be imposing and the Magic's shooters will be blazing.

Prediction: Magic in 7
Super X-Factor Man of the Series: Gilbert Arenas (time to go Agent Zero Mode)

(Post-Game 2 Comment: Great strategy for the Hawks of allowing Dwight to score all he can and then defending the rest of the team. I'm still looking for you Agent Zero!)

2. Miami Heat vs 7. Philadelphia 76ers
73 Wins? Nope. 7 championships? Well now's your chance to get one Lebron. At least their first round won't be a problem. It's the next 2 rounds that matter. Philly's a good team and Doug Collins has done a great job with them. They might even steal a game in this series. But, they're nothing more than a First Round NBA Playoff team; for now at least.

Prediction: Heat in 5
Super X-Factor Man of the Series: Mike Bibby

(Post-Game 2 Comment: I really don't care much about this series.)

3. Boston Celtics vs 6. New York Knicks
Well, Amar’e Stoudemire was right when he said right after he signed with them that the Knicks are back. Their playoff stint though will be short. Many people are saying that the Knicks will upset the Celtics and I can’t blame them from thinking that. The C’s have been a different team since that Green-Perkins trade and their veterans really do look old. But the C’s are still a better defensive team and this will be the key to series. After Stat and Melo, there’s really no one besides Chauncey Billups, who can promise to step-up. I’m already excited for the Heat-Celtics 2nd round.

Prediction: C's in 5
Super X-Factor Man of the Series: Big Baby Davis

(Post-Game 2 Comment: These Bos-NYK games are crazy! Games 1 and 2 went Down-the-wire! Great Melo performance at game 2!)

Western Conference

1. San Antonio Spurs vs. 8. Memphis Grizzlies
A big problem for the Spurs coming in the playoffs is injuries. Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and, Tony Parker are all playing hurt. And this can give the Memphis Grizzlies an opening. (And what a great series this could’ve been if Rudy Gay was playing) However, the Spurs will still prevail because of their experience and better coaching. Pop has done a great job transforming this team’s style of play due to changing times and he will surely still outcoach that other guy (don't know his name and I didn't bother researching it haha).

Prediction: Spurs in 5
Super X-Factor Man of the Series: Tony Allen

(Post-Game 2 Comment: Spurs are in trouble in this one.)

4. Oklahoma City Thunder vs. 5. Denver Nuggets
The Thunder for the first time will face the burden of expectations in this year’s playoffs. Though they finally found a solution of their lack of inside toughness in acquiring Kendrick Perkins, people still think they will lose in the first round to the 10-man deep Denver Nuggets.

Rewind to before the season started, Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook were in Turkey representing the USA in the World Championships. And if you remember the Championship game, it was KD and Russ leading the way against the whole country of Turkey. Now, I know the NBA and Worlds and different but when it comes to pressure, I wouldn’t  say that the OKC stars are inexperienced. I am indulged to say though that it's their time!

Prediction: Thunder in 5
Super X-Factor Man of the Series: James Harden

(Post-Game 2 Comment: Thunder bench helped its 2 stars at Game 2. That's the way it should be for the rest of the series.)

2. Los Angeles Lakers vs. 7. New Orleans Hornets
The road to the 3-Peat starts now. The defending champs though will probably face their toughest test yet because of the tough competition. That’s why it is good for them to face the depleted Hornets. The loss of David West is huge of Chris Paul and friends and they will have to rely on CP3 even more. It will probably be enough to make them win a game but that would be it. Lakers will head to the second round hopefully with their swagger back.

Prediction: Lakers in 5
Super X-Factor Man of the Series: Andrew Bynum and his knees

(Post-Game 2 Comment: Great CP3 performance in game 1, great Laker performance in game 2 despite Kobe only scoring 10 points.)

3. Dallas Mavericks vs. 6. Portland Trailblazers
Again many are saying the higher-ranked team in this series could be upset. Again, I’m not buying this. Depth is key to a series and I believe that the Mavs are just deeper than Rip City. They have a solid 10-man rotation against the Blazers 7 and a half (Brandon Roy, seems like half the player he used to be) man team.Time to finally see a Lakers-Mavs series!

Prediction: Mavericks in 6
Super X-Factor Man of the Series: Brandon Roy

(Post-Game 2 Comment: Told ya. Someone from ESPN even predicted it was gonna be a sweep by the Blazers.)

Western Conference Finals Prediction: LA Lakers vs Oklahoma City Thunder

Eastern Conference Finals Prediction: Chicago Bulls vs Boston Celtics

NBA Finals Prediction: LA Lakers vs Boston Celtics

NBA Champions: Lakers with the 3-Peat

See you again for my second round predictions!

iwalkalone

In a few minutes, "The Home of NU Rock" NU107 will be shutting down. I actually am still in the state of denial as I never thought that a world without NU would be possible. While listening to the last broadcasts of the station, the more it feels more real with the DJ's being emotional with saying their goodbye. Reminiscing about what was seem more difficult if you know that there is no inkling of hope that it will be relived. I feel my heart is being ripped out having the thought that NU will be removed from its existence.

I admit that I was not really an avid listener of the station during my high school years, yet listened to to it sparingly during college. But I knew it existed and I knew how important it was to the Pinoy Rock Scene. Being a member of a band before, I knew that it was every bands' dream to have its song heard in NU. They may get lucky and end up like Spongecola, Sugarfree, and Itchyworms, but the it was a different level of joy to make it in NU.  Now, with NU gone, what will be their goal? Where will bands, rockers,  and simple music lovers go? Removing NU from the Pinoy Rock Scene is like erasing the NBA from every basketball player. It was truly a "Home" for everyone, a family that loved the same thing; listening to rock music. No one gave a fuck if you sucked or were destined for stardom, as long as you loved rock, you were very welcome and you felt at home.

For the past 2 years though, I have listened to NU literally everyday.  In the year I was jobless,  I listened to the station everyday. Then when I got a job, there are times when it can be boring and one needs something to get hyped. And with people from my office playing clubber songs (my "tugs-tugs-tugs" tolerance is up to 3 songs only, no offense to tug-tugs lovers), I take my earphones, plug it to my cellphone (which has a radio) click on NU and put it on full volume. Though it felt bad losing my band, I still loved rock music and NU was my aid in keeping my love for it. I listened from morning when I arrive, while working, and still listening while in the jeepney on my way home. I even became my alarm in the morning. (Who wouldn't wake up when you hear someone growling in the morning?) It's been exceptionally difficult to listen to the shows this week; its hard to listen while DJ's reminisce about the good old days and say their goodbyes as they play "going away songs." But I still try to keep my earphones on as what that final ad says, "you only get NU once in a lifetime"

But, what's done is done. I will terribly miss the 40-Minute Rockathon, Stairway to 7, Remote Control Weekend, and all the other shows. As the biggest light giver of the Pinoy Rock Scene dies out this Sunday, members of it will feel be orphaned. Though we can hope that the station will someday come back, for now all we can do continue our love for rock. All we can say now is this: Thank you NU107 for everything. Thank you so much and goodbye.

And to end this blog, I'll borrow NU's sign off and imagine me saying it copying Pontri's voice.

This is the Home of NU Rock, DWNU FM at 107 dot 5 megahertz in Pasig. A loud and proud member of the KBP, this is NU 107.