Beast Wars: The Eastern Conference Finals Preview

The East teams are proof that the playoffs are way different compared to the regular season. Most importantly, this will be the time that teams have to prove something. It will be their opportunity to make a statement and show the world that they are strong and worthy to grab the trophy. With impressive playoff performances, both the guys of the Boston Celtics and the Orlando Magic are out to exactly instill respect and fear among their opponents. But the Question: who will emerge victorious?


ORLANDO MAGIC (2)

The Magic In: Four and four was what Dwight Howard and his team have delivered into the playoffs so far. After crushing Gerald Wallace and the Charlotte Bobcats, they put to shame the Atlanta Hawks through tough defense. The backcourt combination of Jameer Nelson and Vince Carter froze Joe Johnson and Jamal Crawford, the two top scorers of the Hawks, while Howard and Rashard Lewis took care of Josh Smith and Al Horford. But the Magic is not just about defense; it's about efficient inside and outside scoring as well. The Superman has always been a man of the paint, while Lewis and Carter can provide the treys given the opportunities. Making their shots would then entail a big win for them.

Still, the challenge remains. Can they go for another four wins, now that their opponent is not like the Bobcats and the Hawks? Everyone knows that this stronger Magic team would like to put it even against the Lakers, or possibly own Steve Nash's team. Whether they would battle the Lakers or the Magic, they still have to get past the Boston Celtics to actually be able to battle.

BOSTON CELTICS (3)

The Celtics In: Perhaps Bston's owning of the Cavaliers in six games would soon become a major turning point in the history of the NBA of this decade. The winning trio of Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and Paul Pierce, was able to defeat LeBron James and Shaquille O'Neal's squad, who was able to grab the top spot in the Eastern Conference. Those six games became possible also through the help of the supporting cast, which includes Kendrick Perkins, Glen Davis, Rasheed Wallace, and the significant Rajon Rondo, who delivered his best and got a triple-double during their game four win.

But certainly, Orlando is no Cleveland. While LeBron James was the only problem with the Cavaliers, the greens have to deal not only with Howard, but their excellent teamplay and playmaking. Add to that the nagging need to be consistent despite injuries and age wearing them down. Could they get up and do their best to get another four wins, prepared for any contingent plans just in case this series stretches?

What Could Be: As age and energy becomes a problem for the Boston trio, the youth and finesse of Dwight Howard and Jameer Nelson will wear them down and could even beat them to a pulp. Magic in 7.

Down The Wire: The Western Conference Finals Preview

Starting this Monday, NBA will turn from sports entertainment to a two-week soap opera. The games in the West wouldn't just be about games. In fact, it would be more of bringing together the stories of these teams and the emotions that come with them. Eventually, this fight between the Lakers and the Suns will get more and more intense as the series progress.



LOS ANGELES LAKERS (1)

The Lakers In: Could it be true that the Kobe Bryant of last year has been unleashed and is ready to once again lead the team to another championship? It is, perhaps. Bryant has regained his form despite his finger injury and a few more on the knee, ankle, and the back. He has been an efficient offensive weapon, scoring for more than 30 points on 35 shots or less. Add to that the strong effort of his assisting pilot, Pau Gasol, who, after the game-saving putback against the Thunder, exploded and learned to use his size and jump shooting ability against Utah's big men.

However, teamwork is composed of more than two players, and many of those in Purple and Gold have to really step up. Andrew Bynum, whose knee injury worsened and is now recovering, should learn to deal with pain and play defense. Efficiency and shot selections should be considered for Ron Artest and Shannon Brown, both of them having to go inside to score. Lamar Odom and Derek Fisher has to provide all the assistance that Kobe and Pau needed, most especially in clutch situations. With all these in check, maybe another championship ring won't be too far.

PHOENIX SUNS (3)

The Suns In: Even though that it is obvious that it's possible, everyone was taken aback when the Suns swept the playoff-experienced San Antonio Spurs in four straight games. And mind you, all four games are not just about run-and-gun. Credit must be given to the Suns first five for holding back the Spurs' big three - Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, and Tony Parker - and reducing their performance at minimum. Nash was able to create more scoring opportunities for Grant Hill and Jason Richardson, while Amare Stoudemire literally worked his way in and go over Duncan.

Surprisingly, it was the bench was able to provide additional firepower and helped seal the wins for good. Channing Frye, as always, was given the chances to hit shots from beyond the arc and also contributing to the help defense inside. And who would forget Goran Dragic and his four-point play? He was the one who stole game three away from the Spurs through outside scoring, stretching their defense and allowing the post players to penetrate. With these two and the rest of the backups playing alongside their stars, Phoenix could get a shot at owning the Lakers for the third time this decade.

What Could Be: Obviously, the Lakers will still have the natural advantage over the Suns: height. Pau and 'Drew could put a stop on all the Phoenix bigs, while the backcourt combination of Bryant and Artest could lock Nash, Hill, and Richardson down. Phoenix could win through open looks, but the Lakers most probably wouldn't allow that. Lakers in 6.

Exit Polls and Asking Why

To talk about election after having indelible ink on my right forefinger seems to be useless for others. However, I think that writing about it after the experience of choosing our leaders would help us to reflect upon what we have done this day, after all the lining up, waiting, marking, and inserting our ballots into the PCOS machine, waiting for the "Congratulations" image to appear on the LCD.

So, how did we choose at all? I believe that most of us, especially those who were yuppies like me, took our first (or second, for some) election seriously. We took our pick from top to bottom thinking of the future of a possibly new face of the Filipino society. We chose the people whom we think could bring change, who would learn to move on and work for progress, and would try to work out the mistakes already committed for several years, pushing for the moral and structural reorganization and reorientation that we look forward to.

For those who did not waste your right to vote and thought about things well, then congratulations. You have just taken one of the first small steps toward working for change. A good job, I would say, to you who grew patient enough to wait for hours in the line just to get a few minutes of voting, and a few more hours to wait for the PCOS machine to get to work again.

With this, I hope that the one vote that we have was worth it. I hope that we have looked at the bigger picture before shading the ovals. I hope that we were able to choose someone who knows to provide a direction for the country: a person who would be willing to sacrifice everything, including his very self, for the good of the Filipino people. I hope that we chose someone who is proud enough to lead and initiate, yet humble enough to accept that he also has to listen to those whom he serves. I hope that we chose someone who knows how to both instruct and learn, talk and listen, believe and doubt, question and answer, and, most importantly, lead and serve the best way possible.

On the practical side, I hope we never voted for someone just because our city will benefit for it, or because our family will land a job in the government, or because we can get away with anything that is illegal. I hope we never voted out of fame, influence, or comfort.

I hope that we have chosen the leader who can envision and bring us to what is beyond the horizon.

And from here onwards, it will be our responsibility as members of the Filipino society. Those guys have done mapping out the way they carry our responsibility, and it's about time to execute ours, and it will be possible only if we support them and stand out for them. Our candidate may or may not win, but what makes the difference (and what could make us genuinely democratic) would be our efforts to help our leader. If we learn to stand with him and against him, for him and not for him, for the good and the bad of him, then we can say that we really are Filipinos. Perhaps it is true that in our case, the downfall of our leader is a downfall of the voice of the masses as well, a failure to support and speak out for our leaders. In the end, I hope that we all carry this responsibility well, as genuine Filipino people who know what it means to be accountable to something or somebody.

In the next few days, even weeks, the numbers will decide. So all I ask of you now is to pray that everything will go on as planned, and to dispose ourselves towards openness, acceptance, and cooperation, which would help us develop strong relationships and intellectual dialogues with our present leaders.

Preparing for the Second Set: 2nd Round Playoff Previews

WESTERN CONFERENCE 1.Los Angeles Lakers (1) vs. Utah Jazz (5)

An NBA season never ends without a battle of two legendary coaches, and I am talking about Phil Jackson and Jerry Sloan here, who have met in various stages in the playoffs since '96. Having taken the long road to the next exit with six games apiece, the Lakers and the Jazz have to prove that they can still hold on.



The Lakers In: The six-game war with Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder was like that against Denver last year, with the Lakers finding their form late in the series and working as a complete team. Though the first round has been stamped all over by Kobe, it was through the help of the trifecta of big men: Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum, and Lamar Odom, who put power and experience over speed and youth. Using this strength together with a few adjustments on the backcourt, the Lakers might have this one easier than we think it is.

The Jazz In: Only a few ever thought that the Utah Jazz, without their main brick wall Andrei Kirilenko, could get past the pesky, Karl-less, Denver Nuggets led by Chauncey Billups and Carmelo Anthony. Their crucial wins could be credited to the leadership of their playmaker Deron Williams, creating scoring opportunities both inside the paint and beyond the arc. Add to that the effort to help out by Paul Millsap and the rest of the bench who carried the burden during crucial stretches. With all these, it seems that the Jazz could grab the ticket to the Western Conference Finals

What Could Be: Aren't we too tired of having Jerry Sloan and Phil Jackson around? Considering their styles and their personnel, this would be a quick battle. Lakers in 6.

2.Phoenix Suns (3) vs. San Antonio Spurs (7)

Having Phoenix and San Antonio around the playoffs kinda became stable during these last few years. Now with various upgrades and adjustments to accommodate their aging key players, we might have something exciting here.



The Suns In: A well-deserved victory against Portland in six games would be proof that Steve Nash, now at thirty-eight, still hasn't lost touch of playing team ball. The execution of the run-and-gun system has been second nature to everyone, even with reserves like Goran Dragic and Lou Amundson. Of course, we have to give the credit to Amare Stoudemire, for making the necessary baskets and constantly hitting on the glass. Overall, as long as the Suns get their fastbreak stretches done, they could win this one.

The Spurs In: Everybody loved the Spurs after thrashing Dallas in six very quick games. And I have to emphasize that it was their speed, despite their age, that helped them against the Mavs, which is generally a half-court team. In fact, the guards who took the effort to run back and forth were the ones responsible for this. Parker, Ginobili, and newcomer George Hill took care of the Dallas backcourt and scored the most crucial baskets, most especially in Game Six. And of course, Tim Duncan took care of the paint job and made sure that they get their inside scores.

What Could Be: This will be a tiring game and it could get longer than everyone expects it to be. But I believe that the "bin there, done that" attitude will prevail in times of pressure. Spurs in 7.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
3.Cleveland Cavaliers (1) vs. Boston Celtics (4)

The battle between the real Beasts of the East, I should say. Both of these teams have worked their way up with much aggression and intimidation on both sides of the court. Surely, this series would be more of a battle between emotions than that of skill.

The Cavs In: LeBron James swept the Bulls in five games, and that, I believe, is a sign of dominance and hunger for a championship. After getting his second-straight MVP honors, he now has to get the big trophy to become a real NBA icon. But the difference between '07 and '09 is the fact that he doesn't need to do this alone. He's got Shaq, Mo Williams, Antawn Jamison, and Zydrunas Ilgauskas by his side. As long as they play their team game, they could get over this quickly and go to the next stop.

The Celtics In: A healthier Garnett could spell out the entire difference in this year's playoffs. The Celtics have shown that they are still a powerful team after ripping out the Heat in five games, tiring out Dwyane Wade through tough D. Plus, they've got the guns both on inside and the outside. While KG and the rest of the bigs take care of the inside, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce can slide in and out and hit their own threes and pull-ups. The next team that they are up against now would be tougher than the first, so unless they tighten their guard and learn to find easy baskets for their top offensive guys, they have to pack their bags and enjoy the summer.



What Could Be: This is going to be a very tough battle, with a lot of whistles and hustle plays along. But in the end, LeBron James would not be denied. Cavs in 7.

4.Orlando Magic (2) vs. Atlanta Hawks (3)

One took the easy route, while the other had a rough ride. It seems that with the way both of these teams played in the first round, this will be an interesting match-up. Talk about being young and fresh… and able to go for the kill when needed.


The Magic In: Nothing like a good victory for Dwight Howard's squad, with a straight sweep against Gerald Wallace and the Bobcats. This is the Magic's statement that they will be back for the NBA Finals, and they've got new guys who could take over: Jason Williams, Matt Barnes, and Vince Carter, who could help the staple of Dwight Howard, Rashard Lewis, and Jameer Nelson throughout. Consistent efforts on the glass and attacking the basket might just be their key to victory.

The Hawks In: Tired but not out, as they say for the Hawks, who just had finished a tight seven-game bout with Brandon Jennings' Bucks. With the core of Atlanta still intact and ready to go, most especially Sixth Man awardee Jamal Crawford, the keys to victory would be allowing their team of shooters to find their spots, with their big men getting back on track with efforts on the board and in the paint. But what has been absent lately was their defense, and if only they could bring it out tightly, then they could close things out.

What Could Be: Hawks have the youth and the legs, but Howard could top them all, backed by his shooting buddies. Magic in 5.

Heartbreaks and Awakenings

The experience of heartbreak, I believe, is that of the most painful kind of incongruency and understanding, or the lack thereof. It is something that takes man by surprise and pierces his very being in a rather sharp and sudden way, even threatening to tear him apart and destroy him. And mind you, it never goes away without the harshest outcomes and consequences.

The heartbreak is a multi-faceted enigma that strikes all persons involved in various relationships. It comes along with a person sensing the loss of meaning, direction, and significance of a particular relationship, and one is compelled to do something about it. Most of the time, the only inevitable option is to learn to let go and accept the fact that things do not go our own way. It could happen that one's relationship used to be a source of joy and consolation, but as time goes by, it becomes bland, losing its purpose and meaning. Or it could be an acceptance of the fact that a particular relationship would not work both in the present and in the future. More possible, it could be a realization that relationships are not what one's needs are for the moment.

Whatever the reasons are, the bottom line is that a heartbreak strikes upon us, impinges upon a different kind of pain which goes deeper than the usual feelings of misery brought by simple failures and loneliness. This "existential pain" made man feel that there is a large part of himself, his very own existence, that was pulled apart from him. Everything looked like a bad investment, without any good return in it. The heartbreak is, indeed, a death of the self.

It has to be one of the most painful experience, perhaps next to those that rank next to one's own death, but I believe that as bad and painful as it might be, it is inevitably a part of life, a phase towards growing and being. I say that it is a moment of awakening into the fountain that gushes forth which is reality.

The heartbreak is a slap in the face which wakes us up to the bleak complexity of reality. It reminds us that there are no such thing as fairy tale endings, when everything goes well and ends happily ever after, according to our very own terms. It lets us realize that in this world, anything can happen, that this world is composed of a multitude of possibilities, including those that we were not able to think of or plan for.

In a sense, this picture of reality presented to us could become a moment of disappointment, but also a moment of wonder and excitement. It is natural for man to be disappointed with something that he cannot control. But then, I believe that eventually, he would find that this uncertainty would push him to look at what unfolds, to think about them and find out what it means for him.

It is only with the latter that the experience of heartbreak, the feeling of pain and brokenness, will become meaningful and significant. Instead of convincing us that the meaning of our love is a dead end, it instead opens us up not only to various things that could happen and choices that could be made, but also to different meanings of the events that happened in the context of our human existence. When one discovers these things, the pain and brokenness felt becomes more real, more important, more human. In his thinking, man now sees the experience of heartbreak not as a moment of despair, but a moment of exploration, of being available to the reality that unfolds, not being tied to his expectations and plans, but simply letting everything be. He sees it as a moment of greater openness to what is revealed, to what is given before him.

In fact, to a greater extent, the experience of heartbreak allows us to hope, to patiently wait and lean towards the light in this experience of darkness. It allows man to let go and move on, to ask time to take over and change everything, most especially the meaning of these things in his very own existence. The experience of a heartbreak eventually allows us to a greater love, something that is not tied to our own definitions and categories, but is completely about the other. It allows us to reach out to the other in a different yet more meaningful way. It lets us realize that we can love more than we expect ourselves to. It wakes us up to the fact that our loving, even though it comes in various forms and degrees, knows no boundaries, and this becomes true only if we allow it to penetrate our lives.

Indeed, the heartbreak, painful as it may seem, wakes us up. It becomes a moment of awakening not only to Being, but also to our capacity as humans, as beings who are called to love.