WALA PA RING TATALO SA ALASKA!

 Goodbyes are never easy. 

Whether it’s saying goodbye to friends after a weekend of fun, or saying goodbye to someone special because they’re going away, there is always sadness. Different levels of sadness, but there is sadness nevertheless. 

I admit that the past 3 years I’ve been laying low in watching live basketball games of Alaska Aces, but whenever I got the chance, I watched online or on tv. I haven’t been also updated with the team roster or happenings with the team like I was a few years back, but I’m still an Aces fan. Which takes us to the sad news that was announced this week: Alaska Aces is leaving the PBA. 

A little back story.  My uncle who is also a die hard Alaska fan already told me that there have been rumors that Alaska Aces might be leaving the PBA (because an uncle worked there before, and sometimes gave us free VIP tickets, told him that this would be possible in the future.) 

I never actually thought that it would happen. But here it is. The news caught me by surprise. I was busy with work that day, so I wasn’t checking my phone much. As I checked my phone, I saw that there were a lot of notifications on my twitter from my fellow Aces fans. I thought there was a major trade or something, so I checked my twitter feed. Lo and behold, they were saying goodbye and reminiscing about the days when we would watch games live and then talk/tweet about it after, blaming players, coaches, being angry with the opposing team, etc. 

I hurriedly checked the Instagram page of Alaska and I saw the post. I got teary-eyed and sad. I could compare it to someone special to me bidding farewell. From a “business” point of view, it was the only way to go, but deep inside I still can’t believe it. Basketball has played a big part in my life. It was one of the “bonding times” of me and my dad. Ever since I was a child, my dad would take me to wherever Alaska was playing and we would watch. I wasn’t that familiar with basketball rules before, I just knew that if a ball went inside the ring, the team scores points. 2014, I rekindled my “ love” for basketball, mainly because of Chris Banchero, who was then a member of the Aces team. It was just him I was watching, then I noticed that I was watching the players one by one, Dondon Hontiveros, RJ Jazul, Calvin Abueva, Sonny Thoss, Tony Dela Cruz, Ping Exciminiano, Vic Manuel, Cyrus Baguio, JV Casio and more. Then I started knowing the game, positions, fouls, etc. I never thought I would be heavily invested in the Aces. I mean, I was just a fan, but I felt sad when they lose, and I felt ecstatic when RJ Jazul shoots that critical 3-pointer. I got angry with SMB ( you probably experienced this not only once in your whole life when you’re a die-hard Aces fan) when they won against Alaska. Haha But I was still there for them, I was always that loud cheerer. Shouting my heart out whenever they have games, regardless where I’m watching, at home or live. I even went to Lucena to watch their game3 against SMB last 2016. Cheering for this team was an honor for me, the team whose core values are aligned with my beliefs: winning with integrity and honesty. 

As I said at the start of this blog, goodbyes are never easy, but they’re inevitable. 

Thank you, Alaska Aces, for providing your fans one of the best moments of their lives. I will never forget everything I experienced while rooting for you: I got interviewed in a sports vlog (which I never imagined would happen in my whole life), became fan of the night ( yes I was so proud of that haha), cried tears of joy whenever the team got through obstacles (winning against stronger teams) and also cried tears of sadness when you lost, esp during that 2016 championship Game7. I also met a lot of people, fellow fans, while watching your games which led me to make new friends. Alaska Aces has played a major part in my life and I would never forget that. Ever. ❤️

I will always be an Alaska Aces fan, no matter what happens. Cheers, my fellow ka-Alas. 

WALA PA RING TATALO SA ALASKA. ❤️❤️❤️

My first game watching Alaska Aces. 

Of course, picture with CB2. ❤️

Alaska Aces Fan, Reporting for Duty

"The team needs Calvin. Bring back Calvin."

"Change the coach. Trade this player."

Here are just some things I've read after Semis Game 2 last July 16, 2018. 

I myself had a lot of things in my mind that I wanted to post and tweet but I refrained myself from doing so. Honestly, these thoughts/statements didn't even cross my mind. But, oh, 

I have a lot of things to say about the opposing team. (Nothing personal, just the emotions evoked during the game. haha)

From the way the Aces were playing, also with the absence of Abueva and Banchero, my thought was "Uh oh, it's gonna be a tough hill to climb." My mind was prepared for the worst, that we would get swept, but there was still that part of me, that die-hard Aces fan, that prayed, hoped and believed that we still had a chance to win against SMB. As my friend and fellow fan said, "Bilog ang bola." I always told them that I'm prepared for the worst, but of course, deep inside I was hoping that we would win. 

A lot of people are asking me why I'm rooting for the Aces, because most people I know cheered for the SMC teams. It was easier to say "Kasi andun is Banchero, crush ko siya." Admittedly, that's what made me interested in the Aces and in watching PBA. But as time passed by, the Aces earned my respect, loyalty and trust. They play fair and with dignity. In a basketball world tainted by politics and money, they remain honest and true. Maybe that's one of the reasons why they lose sometimes, or they don't have good picks in drafts and trades. They make the most out of what they're given and maximize what they can. So even though they are at the top spots, I always see the team as an underdog. (Not to put the team down or to blame anyone, it's just the way it is.) Hello bashers, please always put this in mind before you make accusations and derogatory comments. 

Sino ba namang team ang ayaw manalo diba??

This goes out to all of us. We can share our opinions about the team, management and coaches, but I hope that we take into consideration all of their hard work and efforts. We are their fans. We are here to support them. Yes, we can voice out our opinions but we should be mindful also of what we say. What they are doing, is their job/s. How would you feel if somebody you didn't know (let alone one who isn't an expert at that field) told you that you aren't doing your job well? 

I'm not saying that I am perfect. I also get frustrated when a free throw doesn't go in, or if we throw away a 20-pt lead and even lose to an opposing team, or if the coach sits out  a player who is "on fire." But that's their decision. 

Semis Game 3 (scheduled July 18,2018) is about to take place. I admit this makes me think that this can possibly be the Aces' last game this conference and it saddens me to think about that. I know they can do it. It would take a lot of hard work but I know they can, with or without Calvin Abueva and Chris Banchero. Tinalo niyo sila noon, kaya niyo ngayon! I believe in all of you! Call me crazy, but winning against a powerhouse team that almost everybody is rooting for, makes the victory all the more sweeter.

Hello, fellow Aces fans, let's embody the Alaska Aces tagline "We Not Me". Let's not put blame on whoever but stand as one in supporting the team. :) No matter what happens in this game though, I still am and always will be an Alaska Aces diehard fan.

SawadeeCREW

Throwback to kilig. :p

Posting word for word what I wrote on October 10, 2008

BTW, this happened on October 5, 2008. :)

It was the 5th night of October. Syempre may birthday na naman.. Sun escapades. Hindi ko talaga alam kung si Jennifer lang ba and gusto kong kausapin or deep inside me gusto ko malaga makausap si T. I'm guessing it's the second one and first... haha :)

Una si Jennifer lang ang kausap ko, originally, siya lang talaga ang kakausapin ko, nagchichikahan na nga kami eh, pero one way or another, siya na naman ang nakausap ko... I don't know why but the phone always ended up in his hands. Well, buti nailing nun una nangingibabaw yung galit ko, so ginisa ko siya. I didn't let him go off the hook so easily. Sinabi ko na may kasalanan pa siya sakin. And then he went on with the painosente look/strategy. So I knew na he remembered what I said. He simply didn't like to go out to talk. Sabi niya, "aka megdebut naka, yaku ali kupa, tali mu nako." It was then that I knew, that he knew what I was gonna say.. haha :) natawa ako na nagalit. Sabi ko, "Hindi naman yun noh! Iba naman yung sasabihin ko" then he laughed, "eh ano ba yon?" he asked.
"Hindi pwede sa phone. Dapat sa personal."
"Why? Bakit?"
"Eh basta, gusto ko sa personal"

It was then na tinext ko si B, na kausap ko si T. She told me na tanungin ko na lahat ng gusto ko itanong, na baka daw hindi na ako magka-chance ulit, na baka daw umamin na siya. Her encouragement gave me courage. So ayun tinanong ko na sya. Before I asked him, parang my heart stopped beating. Then I asked him, "nanu bang feelings mu para kaku?" At any timing inulit and tanong ko sa harap ng mga tao. "feelings ku keka?" ayun, narinig nilang lahat. Kinantyawan tuloy kami. Tapos sabi niya "meron." After the word "meron" I didn't concentrate on the other words, but I heard the key words perfectly, gold-digger, marine, pride. Sabi niya kaya daw hindi siya lumalapit sa akin dahlia nahihiya siya. His main reasons were "pride" and "marine ya." I didn't know what to say, because he had a point.

Tama siya. He said the words that I've been thinking all along. I was right. All of my assumptions were confirmed and I couldn't say anything. Pathetic but I changed the topic to a lighter one, which he gladly went along with. I asked him, "kelan pa?" he told me "after ng debut" That was the second thing he said that night that brought me to Cloud 9. haha at tinanong nya ako "eh ikaw kelan pa?" sabi ko "matagal na, before pa ng debut" haha sabi niya niloloko ko lang daw siya. Sabi ko nga, parang nakakasiguro ka na meron ah! Sabi niya, syempre naman! haha Tapos tinanong ko pa siya "eh before nung debut? wala?" "yung before ng debut, puppy love lang yun"

That's it. hahaha

What I Want

I want those forehead kisses.
I want you to hold my hand just because.
I want you to put your arms around me to show the world that I'm yours and you're mine.
I want us to walk wherever together, not caring about the people around us.
I want us to watch movies together, those cheesy chick flicks, Tagalog movies, horror movies.
I want us to enjoy eating meals together.
I want us to go on a vacation together.
I want that random cheesy Facebook status you'll post telling me that you love me.
I want to be texted good morning or good night.
I want us to watch fireworks together.
I want you to be loyal to me, to make me feel secure even if we don't always see each other.
I want to do random sweet things for you.
I want you to be serious about me, I'm too old to play games.
I want those random dates where we don't do anything, just talk about things.
I want to receive red roses from you, just because.
I just want to be loved.
Is that too much to ask for? 😊

How Their Determination Will Make You Love the Aces

Aaaaaand the Aces manage to survive Game 5! 

Tight defense and good offense were their weapons last Game 5. 

It was a very close game but the Aces got out of it alive, forcing another game vs ROS.

That was the longest 48 minutes of being on my toes, wishing that all the shots of the Aces came in and that the ones by ROS didn't. As always, I think it was the Aces' heart and determination, the will to survive that got them the win. 

Obviously short on players, they managed to make the most out of who they have and bring a new kind of game to the court. Kevin Racal was a big surprise for the past 2 games. It felt like Coach Alex just waited for the perfect time to unleash him. I believe that was also a factor that helped them win. Another thing I've noticed about them was their desire and drive to win. It was evident in each and everyone of them. With all the high levels of energy and fighting spirit, it was as if Calvin Abueva had rubbed off on all of them. I could never be more proud of them. With this kind of players, it's not surprising that people love and believe in them so much. 

I'll be keeping this short. 

I know it's a bit too much already Aces, but can I ask you for one more win (or two)? We've gotten this far to just let it all go to waste. Just continue doing what you did on Games 4 and 5 and don't lose the heart and determination. The series isn't over, let's stretch it to one more game! I know it's not easy, I think that it gets harder and harder each game, but I know you can do it! 

As always, we got your back! 

GO ALASKA! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! 

How Can You Not Love the Aces?

*unselfish plays - CHECK

*wenotme - CHECK

*teamwork - CHECK

*almost perfect defense - CHECK

*consistency - CHECK

Now that wasn't so hard, right? CHAR. Haha

The Aces were able to force a Game 5 against ROS with a 12-pt win last Friday the 13th. While Friday the 13th was mostly believed to be an unlucky day, it proved to be otherwise for the Aces. Starting off with a BPC award for Calvin Abueva and ending the day with a win, avoiding the dreaded "sweep." 

I wasn't even thinking of the BPC awarding on that day. All I thought about was, are the Aces gonna win Game 4? I prepared myself for a Game 4 loss but no matter what. There's still a part of me who wishes that the Aces would click somehow, that I'd see them play Alaska basketball. Game 4 was a test to them, to see how hungry they were, how much they were willing to do for the team. 

I've read interviews, articles and statements from the players, saying that, they would do the best they can for Game 4, they've got nothing lose already so might as well give it their all. They couldn't afford to make mistakes, commit turnovers and miss free throws. I wondered how they would play that day, but I was hoping to see the Alaska Aces play the way they always did: with heart and drive to win. 

Then the time came. Game time. But first, the awarding of the BPC. Everyone was 99% sure that Calvin Abueva would bag this one. And he did. (Raise your hand if you got teary-eyed when you heard his name being called. I know I did.) The celebration didn't last long though. A few minutes after that, Alaska's do-or-die game was about to begin. 

I was nervous, yet hopeful. Then I got the  first surprise of the day - rookie Kevin Racal was starting for the Aces. The game was slowly unfolding in front of me. Halfway (or maybe just minutes) into the 1st q, I got my next surprise- I realized they were playing Alaska basketball. They were back! The hustle, carefully "thought of" passes and their signature "almost perfect defense." It all somehow clicked. I'm so proud and happy for them. Maybe it was the BPC award of Abueva, or their will to prove that they can beat ROS, or just to prove to themselves that they are just as strong and as deserving for a championship title. 

They've got a long way to go, it's not an easy road, but they already got through one obstacle. Go for one more (or three)! 

Hey Alaska Aces, would it be too much to ask for another win on Sunday, May 15? Show them what a powerhouse team you are. Be consistent and hungry for the win! My fellow Aces fans and I, we got your back! 

GO ALASKA! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!