Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Ambassador Basketball League - Round 4


AMBASSADOR BASKETBALL LEAGUE
THIRD ROUND
MAY 1 at HILTON HOTEL BASKETBALL COURT
First Game: Black Mambas vs Pink Lagooners
Result:                                                                                             Total
1st Half:  Black: 8                              2nd Half: Black: 9               17
                 Blue:  9                                             Blue:    3               12

Second Game: Yellow vs White
1st Half: Yellow:  20                         2nd Half: Yellow: 22          42
               White:   9                                           White:    8            17

AMBASSADOR BASKETBALL LEAGUE
FOURTH ROUND
MAY 8 at HILTON HOTEL BASKETBALL COURT
‘Twas a very glorious morning. Since it rained during the night, the weather was cool. The Hilton Hotel Sports area looked so verdant and idyllic – the sort of something like ‘…the hills are aaaalllliivve with the sound of music…’
That’s probably why Teofie didn’t want to waste the morning just idling – she’s playing badminton (ahemm if I didn’t know…she’s just trying to lose a little bit of flab – that’s what you get from eating lechon during Jr & Lyn’s wedding!)
The Yellow and the Black Teams were already getting ready for the ‘battle’ ahead. Willy and Gilbert were busy with the ‘needy-looking’ sound system, plugging to the post, testing, testing…PRESTO… all set…Got to start on time – provision says up to 12:00 noon only!
8:00 am, 8:30am, 9:00am – whoa – sumting wong?
Hhrrrrmmmppphh – paging ref Efren, paging ref Efren..
Awww, sorry – Amba task him for something special – help in the preparation of the church for a special function of the Ambassador’s pet project – Couples-for-Christ. The Ambassador is not only keen on the mundane and temporal welfare of the Pinoys – it’s like this: ‘a sound mind in a sound body with a purified spirit…’
So ‘excusez-moi’ for Ref Efren.
Got to think fast – who’ll be the referee? Gilbert will play. Jay R will play. Tchussss, Teofie even brought sandwiches and fruit juice for the players and the spectators. Nah, we can’t let this pass us by. Hmmmmm a bright idea- why not call the Blue Team and say time for them to play and IF they don’t come NOW NOW they’ll lose? Bright idea indeed!
‘Hi Jay R, better get up now. Your game’s up!’ Hi Renz, come now. Time to play.’ ‘Hi Gel, wake upppppp!’
Goodness, everyone’s having a ‘hang-over’ - imagine watching live ‘Manny Pacquiao vs Mosley’ at 3:00 am? Can’t drag ‘meself ‘out of the bed.
Finally, finally – here comes Jay R closely followed by Renz…Yehhehehehey…
GAME!
Black vs Yellow – SCORE? Haaaayyyy – what to do? The Yellow Team is a well-organized and well-coordinated team. Jay R finished the spaces for all his wonderful shots.

First Game: Black Mambas vs The Philippine Embassy Team (Yellow)
Result:                                                                                             Total
1st Half:  Black:   6                            2nd Half: Black:    10          16
               Yellow:  9                                          Yellow:  24         33

Second Game: Blue vs White
Pink Lagooners – winner by default

BUT the biggest WINNER is …DAAAAA PIIIIIINNNNNNKKKK LAAAGOOOOOONNNEEEEERRRRRSSSSSS!
That’s supposed to be the 2nd game. The White Team was not able to make it.
And after 10 minutes Gel arrived, Renz fired the shot – SCORE!

What tree is this? With coconut-like fruits? Whoa - it's a calabash tree.  Angie and Brenda must be the caretakers.
Warm up ... pep talk...
Head or tails...Black Mambas - first ball
Ref Jay Ar whistles No 6 Jay R raised his hand...
...on the outsssideee is Erwin a distraction for Nelson and Jay R while Tirso looks on as Gilbert leaps for the shot...
The Black Mambas with the Philippine Embassy Team: a lay-out for Jay R's perfect shot!
...another desperate attempt by Gilbert as Jay R readies for the grab...
...Erwin charging but the ball fell right in the hands of Tirso...
...and the happiest of them all....THE PINK LAGOONERS - DA WINNAH - by default....that's Jay R, Renz and Gel with confirmation from Jay R the referee...
...Erwin and JayR and Stan confirming the result. The Philippine embassy Team with Fely Ramos
The very gallant teams after the game: tired and hungry but happy...


...with the spectators...

Chairman Willy and the Black Mambas ...(kahit man lang sa retrato, manalo!




...a real sense of camaraderie...