A Fitting Ending

When i first heard that it would be Petron(formerly San Miguel) who would square off with Talk and Text in the season ender finals, it was one simple thing that caught through my mind.

A sweep.

Not for Petron. I was pretty darn sure that Talk and Text would claim glory and cement itself as one of the elite franchise by winning a rare Grand Slam. I was so certain that the loaded lineup of TNT would simply negate the remaining offensive firepower of Petron.

Bilog ang bola. This is what we Filipinos used to say when it comes to the sport of basketball.

And Game one was a perfect reminder for the fans who doubted Petron could pull it through.

A game winning buzzer beater was all it takes for Petron to gain the confidence in this finals, knowing they could beat a fully loaded lineup of TNT despite missing 4 key players. Towards the finals, it was their own heart and willingness that pushed this team to greatness.

No Washington. No Rabeh. No Joseph Yeo and no Lordy Tugade. Yet, they were able to net one big fish with their scintillating defense.

Sure, Chot Reyes can blame the injuries of his key players. Well, if reality is still sleeping with him, Petron played just 10 men in the decisive Game 7. What makes it more deflating is that Petron missed 3 of their first 5 players, yet he has the nerve of saying "Fatigue and injuries are starting to take it's toll".

It was a pretty lame excuse for a lame coach such as Reyes.

Anthony Grundy showed the fans of SMB or Petron that there is an import or a wingman who can dominate games outside of Lamont Strothers. Strothers, who guided SMB to 5 championships during the early 2000, was a scoring machine and has that patented step back jumpshot that defenders find it impossible to defend.

Grundy? He's just a all around player.

Norming close to a triple double, Grundy knocked down shots after shots when it mattered most. He made the perfect plays/pass when his team needed it the most. Lastly, he churned out an all-around performance in the biggest game of his early PBA career.

Jimmy Alapag might won the most controversial MVP award in the history of the PBA but the so-called MVP cannot carry his team when it mattered most. He was co-finals MVP with Castro duting the Philippine and commissioners cup. But when Castro went down, the boyfriend of the flirt Manny Pangilinan was no where to be found.

Mighty mouse?! Come on... Chicken would be nice.

Petron is rebuilding, and what a perfect way to rebuild a team by winning a title prior to Philippine cup. Sure, TNT fans can say it was Grundy that made things possible for Petron. But the improved play of Miranda, Cabagnot and especially Santos is a clear sign that Petron is on the right direction.

With the perfect coach and the perfect code, SMB franchise will no longer wait that long to regain glory. This title was the fitting ending for a perfect ballclub that remain upbeat despite what storm or troubles might hit them.

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F*cked Up

Have you ever felt how you are being compared to someone who is better than you? Have you ever felt the humiliation once you're own father starts comparing you to his friend's son who has contributed more than you? Have you ever felt that deep-shit feeling that all you can say is that "Sorry, eto lang kaya ng anak mo".

Lately, I had. Now, I'm totally pissed off.

With this, all of your movements are monitored. Every mistakes you've done is like the end of the world. All your accomplishments meanwhile, goes unnoticed. For every thing that i enjoyed doing, there's a corresponding reaction. For every thing that helped me at least remove stress from my everyday busy work has a price and that is negative remarks. Things such as basketball,gym,night outs, these things that i must be allowed to do given my age yet i felt like a little child trying to ask for permission to do so.

Let's face the fact that I'm getting older. These stuffs are once suited for younger age. Besides, at my age, my goals are different compared before. Expanding business and my horizons as well are my primary concerns. But for the love of God, can't i take a break for just a single fucking day?!

Focus on business, this is what my father always tell me and this is what I'm currently doing yet for once, taking a rest is a sin. Watching basketball on a given night is a sin. Having a night-out for a single night a week is a sin, this is not even on a weekly basis. "Wala kwenta ginagawa mo. Mag hanap ka ng supplier sa gabi." This is the line that has been going through my head every time i do somethings that would release my tension.

Even God rested on the 7th day He created the Earth. Yet, I'm not God nor even religious and yet he expects me to work. Superman has his kryptonite and I'm not Superman. I get fucking tired too.

Which led me dating back September 2010 when I blogged I hoped I'm not a Chinese. Now, I'm reviving it all again. How I wished I was not born a Chinese, born as the only son which led to ultimate pressure. Fuck those Chinese beliefs that says Chinese son, especially only son must continue their family's legacy. I've lost a lot, thanks to these stupid traditions, yet here i am, doing everything just to make my family proud of me yet it's not enough.

Now, I'm tired.

To this son of my father's friend who thinks he is way better than anyone, i leave this one simple message. I'll be better than you. For a guy who kept on trying to pry clients away from us, believe me, I'll be way better than you. You're facing a very confident man and you've faced the wrong guy.

I've been the blacksheep of the family for the past 3 years. At first, i regret making those mistakes. Now? I can't blame myself for doing so. Frustrations and anger has finally lit up my emotional side knowing I've done a pretty solid job at our business. I know I've given my best yet the best isn't good enough. If adding 3 or more major client to the business in just a single year is not enough, than what is the definition of enough? I'm doing what a traditional Chinese son, yet my reward is criticism.

Fucked up, pissed off, what ever you want to call it. Michael Kent has enough.

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