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! 

How to Still Love the Aces?

Kung paulit-ulit kang nasasaktan at pinapaasa, susukuan mo na ba, o magtitiwala ka pa din? #HugotAlaska

Three times being a runner up in the last 2 years (against the same team -- how painful is that??), I thought the Alaska Aces would take this Commissioner's Cup Finals against ROS by storm. I wasn't able to watch Games 1 and 2 but based on what I read online, they weren't doing very well, add to it the absence of Vic Manuel and Jvee Casio, they were also at a disadvantage. I believed, though, with all my heart that they would win Game 3. They wouldn't want to go back to a 0-3 hole like they experienced against SMB, thus leading to a sweep. 

I was wrong. Here we are again. 0-3 on a best of 7 series. Just like what happened to them against SMB. Watching game 3, I felt that they were lacking energy. Sure, they had spurts of energy and tight defense, but they weren't consistent. Now, it wasn't a matter of blaming Coach Compton for replacing who was "hot" on the court with "fresh legs", which breaks the Aces' momentum because there wasn't one to break in the first place! It was frustrating because their shots weren't going in and it also didn't help that ROS kept on making 3-pt shots. The Aces were able to cut the lead down to 4pts but, the game was over then. If only there were another 2 minutes left. If only RJ Jazul didn't miss that technical free throw. If only they scored in the three times they ran back and forth on the court with ROS. 

My spirit was at an all-time low after watching that game. I wanted to believe that the Aces still had a chance in winning this series. But, in my mind, I knew there wasn't. Sure, they could grab a win (2 if they were really lucky). BUT I KNEW THEY COULDN'T WIN 4 STRAIGHT GAMES AGAINST ROS esp if they are playing like the way they did on Game 3! I know I sound negative but I'm just being realistic. 

I stil wanted to cheer for them, believe in them, but I didn't know where to get the fighting spirit, I felt that I had slowly lost faith in them. I couldn't say the words "Tiwala lang" anymore, esp. when you read in an article that the Aces themselves don't even know what's happening anymore. 

I was looking for something that would inspire me to believe in them again and write something that would encourage them or even just the fans to still believe in them, give them even just a glimmer of hope. And then I came upon the first article I wrote about them, entitled "How I Came To Love the Aces". I was reminded of the first time I watched them live and how I slowly fell for them. Seeing the words "unselfish plays", "we not me", "teamwork" and "almost perfect defense" coming from me, it hit me. THAT is the Alaska that I love and believe in. Somewhere deep inside those missed shots, careless passes that resulted to turnovers, is one of the best (if not the best) defensive teams in the league. This is the team that would cut down a 20+ deficit in a matter of a few minutes without being rattled or panicked. They would execute plays perfectly and their solid defense would make the opposing team commit tons of turnovers. I still see that when they play these days, but I believe that what they lack is consistency. And also add to that the confidence, "yung kumpyansa sa sarili". I believe they can dig deeper within themselves and still win a game (or four) in the next coming days. 

To my fellow Aces fans who are looking for something to believe in in this 0-3 hole we are in, I hope this gives you a glimmer of hope. It did on me. :) Instead of criticizing them repeatedly, all we can really do is support them. Sila nga lalaban pa eh, tayo pa kaya! Our support is what the team needs most at this point in time. Hey Alaska Aces, no matter what happens, I got your back! Don't give up! One game at a time. It isn't easy, it never was, but I know you can do it when the will and drive is there! I will still cheer for you, with all my heart. :) GO ALASKA! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! :) 

Out With the Old, In With the New

The first 3 months of 2016 for me has been "okay." 

I have a previous blog post about being adventurous this year and I've certainly done some of it already but, this month (March) makes it more special. 

I'm turning 29 on the 24th and I am excited and scared at the same time. Excited because I know there a lot of things in store for me this year, scared because i do not know what these things are. 

I told myself that i would enjoy my last year in my 20s and I've been doing that for the past 3 months, no regrets. :) I quit my job last January and been doing things that I haven't done before. It's been fun going out of town, sleeping the whole day on some days, meeting up with friends and going to the gym. But I know that there is much more to life than that. I need to do something more, and earn money and enjoy the process. :) 

Also, I need to re-organize my life and determine my goals while enjoying. 

First, I would organise my room, clean out stuff and clothes from my closet which I don't need anymore. Honestly I just keep some of my stuff for sentimental reasons. 

Second, I will be more aggressive and not just write my thoughts and feelings in my blog. Be proactive!

I've decided: 2016 will be a year of transition for me, a better me, a new me! 

I know it's not easy but I gotta do this for myself! Aja!

These Dreams

I dreamt of you again. 

The feeling was so strong. It felt so good that I wanted to hold onto it for as long as I could. But it was all that it could ever be. A dream. 

I'm sure that I'm already over you. I'm not pining for you now. But every once in a while, you still appear in my dreams, each one more intense than the previous one. Every time my birthday is coming near, I dream of you. And whenever I wake up from that, I always wish that it wasn't a dream. But I know dreams are all they could ever be. I guess it's not you but it's the way you make me feel in those dreams that I really want: special, loved, cared for.

Thank you for appearing in my dreams. You always appear at the right time, when I feel down and feeling that it's hard for people to love me, you remind me that it's not, that there's nothing wrong with me. 

You will always have a special place in my heart because you taught and made me realize a lot of things. Thank you again! 😊😊😊

PBA Finals and FTS!

And off we all go to Game 7.

I'm not even sure what, why or how it happened, but there it is, the Aces will be facing SMB tomorrow, err later. Do or die. Winner takes all.

From their 3-0 standing, the Aces weren't able to give it one last push to defeat the Beermen. Winning against the Beermen wasn't easy but I was honestly waiting for the balloons to fall on Game 4. And Game 5. And Game 6. But no, they didn't! I was thinking that Cyrus Baguio's 3-pt shot that sent Game 4 into overtime would give the Aces the drive and energy to close up the series, but somehow, it didn't. I said to myself then, "Oh well, there's still Game 5, the Aces would finish it by then." Watching that game live, at the Big Dome, I could already feel that the Aces would finally finish this, but they still didn't. And Game 6, well, as per Coach Alex Compton, he was out coached. This 3-3 standing really left me dumbfounded. I wasn't tweeting that much after that Game 6 loss because I was at a loss for words! I didn't even try to analyze what happened. I told myself I'd just wait for Game 7 and pray that Alaska gets the chip.

Monday afternoon I was taking a nap, and when I woke up, I saw that I had a lot of notifications on my twitter account. My twitter friends volunteered me to guest on From The Stands. They were looking for Alaska and SMB fans to talk about Game 7. At first I wasn't sure if I would go, because I wasn't feeling well, but then I realised this is a once in a lifetime experience and that I shouldn't let it pass. So after a few hours, I found myself talking in FTS! This is the only podcast/show I'm watching on YouTube, waiting every Monday for the hosts' (Polo Bustamante, Chuck Araneta, Carlo Pamintuan) opinions, breakdown and whatever they have to say about basketball, sports, etc. It makes me understand basketball more. haha Never in my wildest dreams had I thought that I would be guesting in FTS! Thank you guys for this opportunity! :)

As for the guesting, basic questions were asked, like how I became an Alaska fan, how I felt about what happened in the series, etc. All the stuff I didn't want to think about and analyze were asked to me live. I'm not even sure I said the right things, but whatever I said, they were said from the top of my head, no edits and no holds barred. (well, just a little.)

link for that FTS episode below:

https://youtu.be/v9J2TMCOo8E

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I think I've said all the things I could say about the PBA finals (and more) in that episode.

For Game 7, I wish, hope and pray that the Alaska Aces would win this AFC because I know they deserve this so much! They've worked hard for this. I will be cheering for the whole team alongside my fellow Alaska fans. I believe in each and everyone of them. I'm not saying that SMB does not deserve this. In the end, really, it all boils down to who wants it more. But I still believe that the Aces want this more! I mean, who would want to be swept by SMB again right?

The Aces NEED to win Game 7 because:
- They deserve this!
- 15th championship guys!
- Who wouldn't want to win, right?
- My reputation is on the line! A lot of people now know that I'm a die-hard Alaska fan! What would happen to me? haha

Kidding aside, no matter what happens, I will still be cheering for the Alaska Aces! Do your best and be the hungrier team! Treat this game as if it's your last! #StrongerTogether

I leave you all with this quote that former Alaska import Romeo Travis tweeted earlier:
"Never give someone a third chance to screw you over."

Goodluck to my beloved Alaska Aces! Fight! :)