Off to the Championships, again

It was a game where fate lies. The winner will barge early in the championships with a twice-to-beat edge, the loser will try to live out another day.

Both teams are unbeaten. Both are hungry for the crown.

We started looking to have an easy walk for our third game in 4 days, though I would say we never had a solid game for any games we played. We always consider ourselves the underdogs but we always believe that we could somehow make it, together.

But in this game, we feel the pressure off our back. I fielded the players who were not given the playing time yesterday. It was an agreement to give them exposure and the sense of purpose being on the team.

However, if you had watched the game, you could say the gamble (of fielding the bench: Buniel, Tarranza, Calamba, Jusay, & Sanchez) was the best move we had to that game.

The CASS, is never to be willed out. They have the killers outside and the perimeter. And they have good ball movement.

At first, the game was a see-saw battle, with the lead changing many times. Our first five kept the pace and never gave up. My second-quarter five were my starters yesterday. It was hoped that once they entered the court, they could blow the opponent and break the game wide open to our advantage. But it did not happen though. We kept exchanging baskets with the opponent and couldn't get the rhythm of our game. We can't widen the gap and this lasted up to halfway in the third canto.

I put my second stringers back and wished to get some energy from them. It did work. And the last thing we saw, we blew past them by 6-8 points. I kept the lineup up to the crunch time and then fielded back the veterans to control the end game.

With one minute remaining in the game, we were up by ten points. And as I said, the opponent is never to be looked down. They had deadly shooters in the outside that could easily trim down our lead, or worst, surpass it. Luckily for them though, their shots were falling! But it's just that the time was never theirs. They close the game with an 8-0 run, 2 points short of forcing the game to overtime or taking down the lead.

At the buzzer, the scoreboard is flashing 90-88. It was another win on our side.

And now we are waiting whoever we will meet in the finals.

(P.S. Prayers are answered. We ask for a 'victory' today. And it was given.)

We won!

82-75.

Yes, that was the score of the first game where I guided the COE basketball to their first avidly-anticipated and challenging contest against the team to beat this Palakasan, the SET Tigers.

It was a thrilling match-up that saw 7 lead changes. For the most part, the COE led the contest with as high as 6 points. But the solid play of the contesting team would not allow us to break away.

We relied deeply to our veterans.

Though we never had a practice where all of us are present, their familiarity with each other and their will to win greatly helped us to secure the much-needed victory. A win against CASS tomorrow would ship us back to the championships with a twice-to-beat advantage.

The early part of the game showed a shaky offense from our side with our set play not followed and let the opposing team score 10 against our 4. However, our defensive stops had carried us to finish the first quarter at 17-all.

There was still a sense of rustiness on our part. Few of the five had never played on a tune-up match-up and had to test their plays at game time. Some opportunistic plays never went to our side to have a greater cushion for our lead. Yet, we ended the half with a 42-38 lead.

One good thing about the game is the SET's offense. It's that good but is also that predictable and we take advantage on that area. We may have missed offenses, but we take back on defense.

The third quarter saw us gasping for air and hang for a 2-point lead at the end with a 68-66 mark. The reserves are not that quite well tuned, we just have around 7-8 man in rotation. Tomorrow, we'll look into that and hope that the bench could play solidly. More solid I would say.

Seeing our quarter leads, it does not imply that the game is on our pockets. No! Like I said, we're playing against the team-to-beat this year. Before the game, we talked on this team's strength but we remained to be optimistic that we can pull out a win anytime.

Midway in the fourth, SET started shooting well. And in a while, we found our slim lead vanished, and now facing a 4-point hole with the opposing team leading. Their treys are falling, their jump shots are swishing through the bottom of the net. All we could do is to call a timeout - to catch more air and regroup.

It was until the closing minutes that we caught our pace, they still were leading, now just by one at 75-74.

Now it's our time.

The boys started to stiff their defense and forced uncharacteristic errors on the opponents. The crowd played a great factor too of boosting the tired legs of the Dragons. This is when we started to break-away. So timely and sweet. We managed to take advantage on their penalty situation and level-up our defense.

Astorga's words were as good as a saxophone playing in a silent night, as we are nearing the end mark. "...don't think of our offense, let's play defense", he constantly reminds. And that played a great role for this game. More coaches would say, "defense is offense", and "defense wins a ballgame". It's true.

We had good stops in the game, solid blocks and flashy steals. Toong played a good game of protecting the basket and killing them in his inside offense. The guards, Gueroben, Mira, Campenceño, Ucab and Gascon played well, also the forwards and reserves Jusay, Sanchez and Astorga.

In the end, it was the sound of victory that is more pleasing to hear.

It was a great game, I would say. Add to that the cool and relax atmosphere on the bench. Everyone contributed well in one way or the other. Everyone is equally sharing the spotlight and is looking more to win than to stage for his own show. SET is credited too for playing a nice game and for being so sport throughout the contest.

We still had a couple of games left before the ultimate crown.

But we wanted to start each of those game, where we left off today.


(PS. Now everyone is on the same page as to the others, we reviewed our plays now with each of them present. Tomorrow is a test of character and will. Same as today.

A bunch of thanks to Ariel Genon for the side help. He is a former COE ball player and is one of the veterans who are instrumental in handling the college its one of many basketball championships.)

From wired to unwired - at home

The first time I got a broadband connection I said this is enough.

But later, it seems that I need more than enough. So I was thinking to make full use of it and have the connection shared to more than one PC. So this time I need a broadband router, to distribute the service to the 2 PCs (one is an outdated, primitive and obsolete model) and a PL (don't ask me what is this).

So the hunt for a router began.

I was in Manila last May and have the fullest of my time to find good and cheaper routers (my budget then was around 2,000). I stumbled upon this store somewhere in EDSA which sells cheap computer products. My first choice was to buy a wireless broadband router. So that anywhere at home, I could still browse the internet.

Unfortunately, what I was sighting as a must-have and best-fit-for-me router for the main reason of the cheap price (it costs Php 1,250.00) is actually not a wireless device. Too late for me to notice when I already bought it. I attempted to replace it with the one I am really looking for and contacted the store with the agreement that I had to pay the additional cost to acquire the wireless one.

I stayed at my cousin's home then in Laguna. So I should have to commute to Manila (for more than an hour, and with 3 different transport lines) just to replace my router to that store. I tried first on Saturday afternoon around 6pm but I failed, I was 30 minutes late of the stores closing hour. So I tried again the next day. Same result.

I ended up using patiently the low-quality router (they say quality comes with the price) and persevering the problems it constantly give me. Not to mention that it was not wired! I have to buy a 10m LAN cable in case i would like to extend the coverage of the connection.

Well, somehow it did make me happy. And that's the most important.

However, when you are lured to something that you have wanted and expected to possess before, then you try to shift your attention to it.

In the office, I was offered with this wireless router (a Netgear Super-G Wireless router, model: WGT624) to a price which I would say is reasonable enough. Furthermore, this comes of high-quality and better package (a PC wireless network card is included). Before I hesitated to buy - I may want it but I don't need it, yet. But just yesterday, I decided to have a go for it. And luckily, I would pay it in two gives - that becomes a better deal!

So at home, before, everything was once wired. Not anymore.

This time, I had the luxury of going to any point at home and have me still connected to the internet. Cool stuff!

If you are my neighbor and have a wireless LAN-capable PC, I would be glad to share my broadband connection.

Shh....let's just talk offline.

MSU-IIT Cheerdance '07: Another great display of skills and talent of IITians

Wow!

As usual, it's great to start the yearly Palakasan with a great bang! Great indeed that it could fill a 5,000+ seater (excluding those standing) gymnasium to the rafters, and with thunderous cheers from the crowd that could break the house down. That atmosphere had never changed this year.

The MSU-IIT cheerdance competition '07 was another savvy display of IITians wit, skills, character and talent. Each colleges had shown what they've got. Cheers to each of them for again entertaining us with their bone-breaking, breath-taking stunts, eye-popping moves and dazzling showmanship.

Of course, there are those who bested the others and rose to the occasion to become crowd favorites. The cheerdance, I could say, is the only event in the Palakasan that could cause not only traffic jam but also people jam, not to mention, you have to sweat out just to have a good view of the dancefloor. Whew! I for one had been in the group of appealers to enter a restricted area in the gym. Luckily, faculty are allowed to enter that zone, so I was relieved.

So much to that, here are the results of the contest:

Champion: Integrated Developmental School - IDS Hornets
1st-Runner up: College of Science and Mathematics - CSM Lynx
2nd-Runner up: College of Education - CED Phoenix
3rd-Runner up: College of Business Administration - CBA Griffins
4th-Runner up: College of Engineering - COE Dragons
5t-Runner up: School of Computer Studies - SCS Wolves
6th-Runner up: College of Arts and Social Sciences - CASS Arachnids
7th-Runner up: School of Engineering Technology - SET Tigers

The IDS Hornets made it to the top again this year. They were the defending champions as they entered this competition. They were able to pull surprises in the show and bested their college counterparts. And they are a bunch of high schoolers pitted against their college rivals.

The CSM Lynx made a good comeback this year. After an un-CSM-like performance last year (fyi: CSM was always the team to beat in every cheerdance contest). Their choreography was great and they executed well, to become one of the crowd favorites (IDS was one).

For me, I wasn't impress much with the CED Phoenix this year. Some of their routines were not new. Maybe they just re-use some of their steps from last year, in which they have a good showing that year. They also capped the "Best in Props" award.

CBA Griffins impressed me better than the previous years I saw them performed. There was an improvement in their styles, performance and impact.

How about the Dragons? Hmmm... my college. If I am not from COE, to say, they will still be my favorites to land in the top 3. Their gracefulness and unique dance style could really captivate your attention. Maybe, it was their cheers that have not made to the judges choices.

If their was one college who showed great character, it should be the SCS Wolves. Even though they don't have their complete uniforms at performance time, still they showed up. They were able to land into the 6th spot. Not bad. And their uniforms arrived just when every contesting teams were called up in the dance area. For the sake of their violet and green costume, they perfomed for the crowd once more.

The last two places coincides with my guesses. Not that they performed badly. It's just that among the eight, they just settle for 7th and 8th when rank.

The other awards:
Most Disciplined: IDS Hornets
Best Cheerleader: IDS Hornets
Best group (showdown): IDS Hornets
Most Energetic: CSM Lynx
Best in Costume: IDS Hornets & CSM Lynx

So, see you again next year! And that time, I should be at the venue 1 hour before the program starts (just to secure a comfortable spot for Arce and me)!

PS. A 30 pesos for the admission fee is enough (or even cheaper) for a wonderful, exciting, 3-hour show.

Am I good to coach?

The day started so early for me, even too early. I was awake by 2am and made some diagrams and court plays, the X's and O's.

Yes, I was creating basketball plays, though I had some other's work to follow.

In my younger days, it was my dream to play the sport of basketball, but did not have the breaks, chances and compelling will to pursue that dream. Though it never waned through. This time, I am a major fun of it. So sweet is the game to me that I would watch interesting games on television and even on a live play. I once said to myself: "...one day I could set foot to that Araneta Coliseum to watch PBA games." And so off I went when I had the chance to visit the place during my week-long stay in Manila. Today, I constantly check what is happening in the NBA, the current trend of the Sports and even plan to have a cable TV at home just to watch the games. To add more, the only PC game I enjoyed playing is basketball - with my NBA Live 07. You see, the sport is so special, to me.

I could hardly believe that I built my ambitions around it, and yet becomes successful in other field and have greatly contributed to other people's lives. Well, that's a blessing!

Some months back, my student and also a fellow in church asked me to guide our college team in the yearly students intramurals (we call it Palakasan). I was hesitant to accept, and right then I declined the invitation (I just promised to give them a set play). I had never played basketball pretty well and most likely I could never teach them well too. But a few days ago, two students from that same team asked me to mentor them - maybe just to give a faculty presence to the team for some guidance. This time I said yes.

So this early morning, I prepared the things needed to the team's practice - their set of plays. I have research several plays from the internet. Remember, I haven't run a team in the past so this is really new to me. Our scheduled practice was set at 6am, and I am done by 5:30am.

Actually, the practice started at 6:30am. Some players thought it was canceled due to rain the previous night. But we manage to push through with the practice. At least we had two plays learnt today.

Hmmm... is this a new path for me? Well, it is not.

I will not think of me as coaching, but rather me as providing guidance to these young guys.

Am I good to coach? Maybe, just for a little of everything.

No class on my Digital Electronics

The University today (and yesterday) had their scheduled exams for midterm.

Not all of my students today are present in class and some of them have their minds set for other exams. Todays, topic however requires proper attention and keen understanding. It is the start of a more complicated, if not hard, lessons in digital electronics. That is why, I let the others take a break and for the benefit of those taking their exams, I did not hold a class today.

But, next Tuesday we'll be a regular class and a possible class extension just to finish all of Chapter 5 of the Mano book. Just to ensure all is set for our midterm exam this september.

Light Friday

Today, Friday, should be a lighter day for me.

It is on Fridays that I start my day at 7:30 and wind it all up by 3PM. And this is supposedly a n0n-stop schedule.

It is on Fridays too that I become both a student and a teacher. I teach Digital Electronics from 7:30-9am and attend masteral classes from 9am to 3pm. Whew! This must be a day.

Gladly, we will not have a class on Data Structures today. And maybe we will just have a discussion on Distributed Database class. That is why, I am taking this day lightly.

Anyway, its not that lighter as I could think of, for now. I have a scheduled meeting at 10am.

But I am seeing a great day ahead. ;)

Good day!

On BiLogs

Hi there!

This would be my first time to post here an entry, on early Friday morning of August.

I hate to write my thoughts or even to express or tell others what keeps me busy these days. But this is one challenge our new era has brought us. In years time, we may no longer be familiar with the notebook diaries but I guess, we would be more accustomed to online blogs.

What blogging merely could give us is more than what we can express deep in our thoughts and feelings. More to it, we could have an easier means of information sharing.

The world has come to a point where the complex becomes simple and the simple becomes complex. We do understand the alphabet better than understanding binary information. We seldom logs our status but now we are gearing towards putting on record what we have accomplished or what we have recently uncovered. Yes, that could be intracately simplistic. And that too could be freely complex.

The thing is, the underlying concept is we have come to the information age where everything is a string of binaries, either 0 or 1. Well, so much to it, this must be an fun ride, joining the caravan of online writers. And this is what primarily what BiLog is: on binary information logs!

Complex? No, its simple!