Roller Coaster Thoughts..

Waahh! So many things has already happened since I last updated this cyberspace of mine - a lot of stress to deal with being in the graveyard shift for four months already, isn't that tiring? Just wishing and praying that good things will happen in lieu of these sleepless nights..:D I always know that God is good and will always find a way to help me with this ordeal..hehe..kaka-stress na talaga.

Anyhow, just thought of updating this one for the sake of updating myself with what's really happening within and outside of me. :)

Let me start with congratulating Rain or Shine for having their 1st win on Friday the 13th! Congrats @GNorwood5! Gotta get the 15-peso load my cousin bet for his Alaska to win..haha!

These past few weeks have been a roller coaster ride for me - a mixed feeling of having been elated for the arrival of my sweetest Ninz and having to rumble and rant for the extension of our graveyard schedule. Grumbling and complaining isn't really my cup of tea but having our night schedule extended up to 4th month and until-they-tell-us-so really made me grumble because of the fact that I'm having some kind of anemia and afraid that this would worsen it. I just hope and pray that if I've got time to go to a doc, everything will be back to normal. Also got confused whether i'd be offended or flattered if my fam calls me "Kim Chiu"..haha,,flattered pa talaga? Payat ko na daw kasi..hay..ito kasi si GY.. But nevertheless, as quoted by my idol Gabe Norwood, "in victory and defeat, I'm still blessed beyond belief."

Another reason for being on hiatus is that I've been hooked to twitter lately. Been following interesting and inspiring tweets from celebs and other pipz in this world wide web. It's keeping me up to date on what's happening especially now that Phil. elections is near. I also got to know the thoughts of people who we only see on TV, especially my crush, haha! I suggest you better be on twitter too so that you'll not get behind with recent happenings. But of course, be respectful enough with the ones you follow. You may not like their tweets all the time but at least you get to hear their thoughts, ayt? Twitter is fun - you don't only get to address to people whom you thought you will never reach but you also get to befriend someone who has the same interests as yours. But just don't expect too much that the people you're following or addressing will follow you back or reply to your tweet since it will just cause major disappointment..believe me!

Well, these are just some parts of what's on my thoughts these days. There are so many things pa that I wanna share but I ran out of words na especially that I'm at the office updating..hehe
Just grabbing the opportunity that my eyes aren't closing yet..haha.. Excited to go home na! and see fam and mah sweet..missing him much already..:D

Gotta go..Bye for now..:)

Smart Gilas Pilipinas edge out Singapore Slingers 70-67

I just want to share another milestone of Smart Gilas Pilipinas Team on one of its exhibition games against Singapore Slingers yesterday, September 23, 2009. This really made my day especially that Chris Tiu went with the team to play :D I just hope he gets to share this win in his blog. Take note that out of the, I think, 14 member of the team, only 9 went there to play. Below is the article from a Singapore sports news. Sorry for being so biased..:)

Members of the Smart Gilas developmental team together with coach Rajko Toroman, fourth from left, depart for Singapore for a series of exhibition games with the Singapore Slingers. They are, from left, Maggie Sison, MacMac Baracael, Mark Barroca, Japeth Aguilar, Jason Ballesteros, JV Casio and Chris Tiu. (Photo by Rudy Santos)
courtesy of teampilipinas.info

article courtesy of redsports.sg

Singapore Indoor Stadium, Wednesday, September 23, 2009 – The word on the Smart Gilas Pilipinas team was that they were all about skills, quickness and hustle.

Although they displayed all that and more, including several rim-rattling, crowd-pleasing dunks, it took a last-ditch defensive play from point guard Mark Barroca to prevent his Singapore Slingers counterpart Al Vergara from setting up the game-tying shot at the death.

Smart Gilas Pilipinas edged out the Slingers 70-67 in a fast-paced Challenge Series game that was chockful with excitement all 40 minutes. The match was the second of four pre-ASEAN Basketball League (ABL) season matches for the Slingers. Their first was a 93-85 win over the Coca-Cola Tigers of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) last Friday, and while that victory was achieved against an experienced, well-grounded side, this match was a different kettle of fish.

The Smart Gilas Pilipinas squad are a national developmental team whose ultimate goal is to reach the 2012 Olympics in London. Led by former Iranian men’s basketball team coach Rajko Toroman, the Smart Gilas consisted of standout collegiate and amateur players like Barroca and the twin towers of 2009 PBA Number 1 draft pick Japeth Aguilar and former Los Angeles Lakers’ player CJ Giles, who, standing at 6 feet 11 inches, is an inch taller than Aguilar.

And it was Giles who provided the highlight moment of the match late in the third quarter, with the game tied. The centre, who led Smart Gilas with 21 points and 11 rebounds, rose high above the Slingers defence to dunk an alley-oop pass from Barroca to hand his team the lead at 52-50. After the Slingers immediately turned it over, Giles slammed home a teammate’s miss with aplomb to double the Smart Gilas’ lead, and send the hugely-partisan Philippine crowd into raptures.

The crowd were at it right from the tip-off, as the Slingers looked to be overrun by the Smart Gilas team during the opening exchanges. The home team started with Kyle Jeffers, Pathman Matialakan, Hong Wei Jian, Al Vergara and Marcus Ng, the latter being the one change from the previous starting five, taking Lim Wai Sian’s spot.

Despite the seemingly-consistent lineup, coach Frank Arsego said, “There is no starting five yet. We are still putting some players in and changing around, and seeing who can do what.”

What the Slingers did was get into an early deficit – as they did in the previous match against the Tigers – and then climb right back out of it. The Smart Gilas sprinted and hustled their way to a quick 8-2 lead, with Aguilar and Giles splitting the points, and the Slingers looked both out of depth and sorts as they struggled to keep pace with their opponents. They racked up the turnover count as well, with Wei Jian accounting for four first-quarter mishandlings.

With the Smart Gilas team and the crowd smelling blood, the Slingers dug in and played to their strengths. With their shooters yet to find their range, they went to the low block of Jeffers and Pathman for points in the paint.

Jeffers then made the second period his own. Tormenting the Smart Gilas post defenders time and again, the big 6 feet 9 inch American scored 12 of his 20 points here in a dazzling array of post moves, long jumpers and even an alley-oop dunk from a Vergara feed.

Aguilar scored six points in the period to keep the Smart Gilas close, but the Slingers led by as many as eight, the largest lead in the game. Jeffers’ points, as well as contributions from Pathman and Wei Jian, who converted a double-clutch layup which seemed to defy gravity, provided the impetus for a 35-31 Slinger lead at half-time.

The second 20 minutes was a cagey affair, as both teams neither built a substantial lead nor held one for an extended period of time. There were nine lead changes and five tied scores alone in the half, which the Smart Gilas team dominated to overturn the half-time deficit.

Although Aguilar was held scoreless in the third period, Giles, Joseph Casio, Chris Tiu and Marnel Baracael stepped up to score the points for their team. Baracael scored all his seven third-quarter points in a 7-0 run which gave Smart Gilas a 43-37 lead as the Slingers seemingly fell into a rut.

But once again, the Slingers came right back at their opponents. A reticent Wei Jian, who had not taken a jump shot yet in the game, scored 10 of the Slingers’ next 13 points, including two three-pointers. He said, “Coach told me not to worry (about his 4 first quarter turnovers), and to just keep taking shots.”

Wong Wei Long, who missed the previous game due to his enlistment into National Service, added another trey as the Slingers tied the game at 50, before Giles came up with his double-dunk delight for the Filipino fans.

Barroca’s jumper off an excellent screen from Giles made it 58-52 at the start of the final period, but the Slingers chipped away at the deficit once again, and led 61-60 after three minutes of fourth-quarter play when Vergara made one of two technical free throws after Smart Gilas were deemed to have made an improper substitution which resulted in them having six players on court for several moments.

This left Pilipinas coach Toroman delirious with rage, as he remonstrated at length with the officials. The Serbian was once again absolutely livid with three minutes to go when, with his charges trailing 64-65, the Slingers’ Jamal Brown seemed to commit a goaltending violation which was not called by the officials. The following play went out of bounds off a Smart Gilas player, handing possession over to the Slingers, and leaving Toroman and his team quite incensed.

Boos rang down from the Philippine section of the crowd, but they soon turned to cheers when Aguilar made a jumper which gave his team the lead for good, and again when Tiu’s acrobatic layup made it 70-67 to the Smart Gilas with 50.2 seconds to play.

Jeffers used up the clock on the ensuing inbounds play, but missed his hook shot after good team defence from the Smart Gilas. They then had a chance to put the game to bed, but Marcus Ng nearly stole the ball off Barroca, whose team then failed to get a shot off in time as they committed a shot-clock violation with 5.5 seconds left.

Vergara brought the ball up-court as the Slingers prepared for a game-tying three, but Barroca swiped the ball away from behind as time expired on a game that left spectators and players alike breathless.

“Our main aim was to take away their athleticism,” said Arsego on the Smart Gilas team. “These guys are the future of Asian basketball. With their team structure and play, ball movement and screens, this team is hard to defend.”

Despite the close loss, Arsego felt his charges could hold their heads high. He said, “The Smart Gilas had that third quarter run, but we kept it close till the end with big plays. We were just a little tap away from winning the game. I’m proud of the boys, to put up that sort of performance against this team.”

When asked about the aspect of play that the Slingers could improve on, Vergara replied that they could do better on their transition defence, and Wei Jian echoed his point guard’s thoughts, saying, “We did not defend hard enough, nor run back fast enough during their (Smart Gilas) fast breaks.”

The Slingers will play their next match of the Challenge Series against the Barangay Ginebra Kings, one of the most popular PBA teams. The match will take place on Wednesday, September 30 at 8pm, and will be played at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

Scoring by quarter:
Singapore Slingers v Smart Gilas Pilipinas
1st Q: 17-14
2nd Q: 18-17
3rd Q: 17-25
4th Q: 15-14
Final Score: 67-70

BOX SCORE:

More of the pics from redsports.sg:

sorry for being so cheeesy..:)

Just can't help but post this one since I'm also one of those TIUnatics out there.haha.so cheesy! Enjoy!

Chris Tiu and the First Step Towards the Philippines’ Olympic Basketball Dream

A very nice article by Sir Rick Olivares.

The color of his jersey had that familiar blue and white on it. Even when his name was announced there were the usual cheers from the crowd. Except that this wasn’t college anymore but in the international arena.

It was no longer for Ateneo de Manila but for the Philippines or “Pilipinas” as it was emblazoned in front of his game jersey.

Yet incredibly, just like the champion Blue Eagles team he just left, he has willfully subjected his talent and scoring prowess for the better of the team. Tiu was far from the leading scorer for the Smart Gilas Men’s National Basketball Team. There were others like Andy Mark Barroca, Dylan Ababou, and Chester Jarrel Giles, the team’s American reinforcement, to provide scoring punch, but his effect on the team is felt in so many other areas.

“The National Team is different from the Blue Eagles because here you’re playing with the best of the other college teams so in terms of talent and leadership, they are all “the man” on their teams,” described Tiu, the Smart Gilas’ Team Captain of his role. “They already know what to do. Here I plug in holes that I need to fill whether on or off the court.”

Tiu was a part of the 12-man squad that donned the Philippines’ colors in the recently-concluded 20th FIBA Asia Champions Cup in Jakarta, Indonesia from May 12-20, 2009 and is the lone Atenean on the squad (although Ford Arao and Ryan Buenafe are in the National Pool). The Philippines was one of the 10 countries that participating in the tournament that features club champions from all over Asia.

After having been suspended from international play by FIBA, the Philippines is back and out to regain lost glory in a sport it once dominated in Asia. The goal of the Smart Gilas program is to qualify for the 2012 London Olympics.

“Dreams do come true and it is very much doable (the Olympic dream),” said Tiu who admitted to fulfilling a boyhood dream of not only representing the country in international competition but also making the quadrennial event which is arguably the world’s biggest sports extravaganza. “We have a very good coach and we have players who can help who are coming in.”

“The pressure – well, I don’t feel it very much yet maybe because it’s not a qualifying tournament for the Olympics” said Tiu of the FIBA Champions Cup in the middle of the tournament. “But it’s still a tournament I hope that we can win. Although it’s going to be very difficult with the level of competition.”

“The pressure is different from playing for an elite university with a few thousand alumni following the team to leading a squad that you have 80-plus million who will be following it. You know there’s gong to be pressure.”

But when needed to step up, the Atenean is ready and willing such as the battle for fifth place with host Satria Muda Indonesia.

The match wasn’t without its share of drama as Indonesia bucked the loss of one of its two American imports to a disqualification foul. Rather than fold, the home team found a wellspring of points and hope in its locals who combined with its remaining American to forge overtime after being down by 10 points with a little over a minute to play.

Tiu, who was having a bad shooting day as he was not fully 100% owing to a nagging quadriceps injury, found a way to get to the free throw line where he could add points from the stripe.

The Pilipinas captain hit four free throws to keep even with the Indonesians as they sent the game into extra time and another four free throws with two crucial steals in the overtime period to seal a hard-fought 112-107 win that gave the Philippines fifth place.

“I fill in wherever the team needs me whether it’s a short pep talk or to guide my teammates or even serve as voice to our head coach (Serbian Rajko Toroman).”

In one team practice at the Blue Eagle Gym a week before the team’s departure for Jakarta, Indonesia where the Smart Gilas team was to participate in its maiden international tourney the 20th FIBA Asia Champions Challenge Cup, teammate Rey Guevarra was having difficulty with the play that Toroman designed for the team.

Tiu who was on the sidelines taking a break offered a simple sentence of advice for the Letran Knights’ slam-dunking star. “Rey, pag-cut mo tignan mo yung gwardiya kasi baka pasahan ka niya ng bola.”

Guevarra nodded and the next time the play was run, he caught the pass, faked a move inside before kicking it out to an open teammate. He gave Tiu a low-five to signify his appreciation.

After the gut-wrenching win versus Indonesia, it was Tiu’s turn to show his appreciation. As the Smart Gilas squad clasped hands center court and turned to wave to the crowd, the captain smiled and waved at the supporters at the Britama Sports Arena where the FIBA tournament. “This is the first step,” he beamed as he gave a thumbs up.

Source: Click here.

chris..daphne..and tere

I just wanna write about them for the fact that that I am really amazed at how celebs are able to keep their blogs active and how they write enthusiastically about their life’s experiences. How I wish I can write like them. Hanggang read lang talaga ako.(am I not writing now?hehe)I just feel writing about them today since visiting their blogs are already part of my routine after arriving at the office and before opening up my files for work. I am really inspired by them, the way they write, the way they express their feelings on certain things/issues, and just reading their rants would always make me smile except of course if things are not doing right then I’d really sympathize with them too. And for the record, though I don’t know anything about blogging, I really created my own account in blogger just to be able to follow them and be updated with their activities. Though sad to say, there may be times that it will take days or months in which you really can’t hear from them. But who am I to complain? Let me just enumerate to you some of celeb’s blogs which I have found amusing. You may be doubtful if these are really their real accounts. Better read them and see for yourself.

The first one that I’m going to write about is this blog, +AMDG+. Seems familiar? Yes, Chris Tiu it is. Just known him this season of the UAAP. I really took time watching their game to see this guy. And yes, I really had a crush on him upon seeing him the first time (on TV) :D That’s when I began “googling” about this guy and found out that he’s really worth the woos and admiration of gals like me. He is not just an athlete but a leader and an honor student too. Anyway, just visit his blog to get to know him besides seeing him in hard courts. And by the way, he is currently a part of the Hapee Team in PBL and the RP Team-Batang Gilas.

The next one that I’m going to feature is Ms. Daphne Oseña-Paez’s blog (pls correct me if the apostrophe is not in the right place). I just found her blog amusing because of what she does and what has she achieved in her life right now. If her name does not seem familiar to you, she’s one of the chick gals which hosted ABS-CBN’s F show before together with Angel Aquino and Cher. She’s now happily married with 3angels (the last one’s still coming up). Congrats Ms. Daphne! Anyway, I really love reading her entries especially when she talks about her “own-made charms” and her love for arts. I also admire her being active in dealing with her different roles in life – being a mother, a wife, a TV Show Host (Urban Zone in which she is the producer) and a businesswoman, managing her own linen business (Linen’s Direct) which can be found in Our Home boutiques nationwide at SM Malls. (hindi halatang updated ako noh?) All I can say is that she’s really one gorgeous momma :)

The third one would be Anna Theresa Licaros’ blog, the Bb. Pilipinas Universe ’07 and was awarded as Miss Photogenic during the Ms. Universe Pageant held in Mexico. I am just a fan of her blog because of the way she writes things-really enthusiastic at nakakadala, promise! And she’s a family person too that’s why I kinda relate to her. Too bad she’s a big fan of Green Archers, dun lang ako di nakaka-relate, Blue Eagle fan kasi me..hehe. Though Tere does not update her lj site too often, maybe because of her studies(she’s currently a law student pala of UP Dilliman), I still love reading her entries over and over again, yes Ms. Tere, I love your entries way back from the beginning that’s why I’m kinda happy for you and your Niks. -do I sound like a stalker?nah, I just love to read stuffs..:D

I guess I’m gonna stop right here muna so that I can still have more time to think of more celeb blogs to feature. Maybe, the next on my list would be about Senator Pia’s blog, John “Sweet” Lapus', and Sir Jim Paredes'. Happy reading!

To be continued…

a vid of Chris Tiu..

just wanna share this link I got from YouTube. This guy really never fails to amaze me and his millions of fan as well..Just found this soooo cute. Can't help myself but post it..:D



Enjoy watching!

Hapee ends Pharex’s Cinderella run

Hapee Toothpaste ended Pharex's Cinderella run with an 84-81 victory plus the last semis berth in the PBL PG-Flex Linoleum Cup Tuesday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

The charities made by both Chris Tiu and Fil-Am Josh Vanlandingham in the last 11.5 seconds preserved the heroics of big man Jervy Cruz, who finished with a double-double, 19 points and 10 rebounds.

With the win, Hapee Toothpaste Complete Protectors joined six-peat campaigner Harbour Centre Batang Pier, Magnolia Purewater, and Bacchus in the Final Four.

Aside from clinching an outright semis berth, the Batang Pier also earned the right to choose its Final Four opponent. They chose the Complete Protectors, whom they defeated in three finals duels, including the last two conferences.

Though Tiu finished only with seven points, he earned accolades from his team, especially coach Gee Abanilla.

“I think Chris Tiu gave us great help but we should give credit also to other players, especially our big guys like si Jervy. Hindi pa nagagamay si Chris sa sistema pero he has a big basketball IQ,” said Abanilla.

Tiu, who practiced with the team only last Monday, also had four rebounds and the same number of assists in 28 minutes of action.

“Definitely tuloy-tuloy na ang pagbabalik ni Chris. He is committed to play until the end of the conference,” added Abanilla.

Magnolia, the other team which advanced automatically in the semis, collides with Bacchus in the other semis duel.

Pharex Generix came into the game the clear favorites, having won their fives games, including Game 1 of their quarterfinal series against the Complete Protectors, 76-61, on Saturday.

More articles on PBL here...

Merry Christmas!

Hello everyone! This would be my first time to write a personal entry so just bear with me. I'm not really into this thing but just wanna try my luck :) Christmas is only a few hours away and I bet everybody are now busy taking care of things for noche buena. I just hope and pray that everyone will be happy and gay especially this time of the year wherein we commemorate the birth of the Child Jesus. Have a Joyous and Meaningful Christmas! Thanks Chris for the update! I am now greatly inspired :)

Chris reads to kids..

What a Man!