The 2004 Season
So, you ask, why is he giving us this review? BECAUSE I MISSED OUR BBALL BEC OF THIS DRIVEL!!!!
Because while I was inside Meralco watching this, my Boyz were in the DMZ fighting against that old (and older looking) familiar foe, Batch 82-83!
This was the semifinal game and the winner would go on to play for the finals. I repeat, THIS WOULD DETERMINE WHO WOULD PLAY FOR THE FINALS! The winner would get a chance to play the juggernaut of a team, the undefeated 89ers who cheat because their varsity player plays all the time and our varsity player only comes in when he runs out of Papaya soap in Iloilo. So let me repeat, the game yesterday would send the winner to the finals and the chance for the greatest upset in sports history since Buster Douglas sent Mike Tyson looking for his mouthpiece.
With only 7 men suiting up for the game(Roy, Gigo, Adib, Ariel, Cesar, Joel, Martin), our ’81 boys were winning on all fronts against the fully loaded 82-83 with a five point lead with 2 minutes to go. Oh, did I mention the winner would go to the finals?
And then it happened….Pinatubo!, Ozone!, Dona Paz!….disaster struck! Hit with foul trouble (which means aside from tragedy there must’ve been a conspiracy somewhere), there were only 4 men left to play for the last minutes!
Gallantly, our team did us proud by putting up a fight while 82-83 staged a comeback.
Final score 75-74. Winner goes to the Finals.
Who
won?...........................Well, let’s just say the rest of the team can
be watching Baby next week when the Finals get underway.
From: Imperial, John
To:
upis81@yahoogroups.com
Heading into last Saturday’s game agains ’92, the team’s record was 6-2. …………….“Whaaat?” , you say, “you lost the last two games?”. We actually look at it as building character, letting the best team in the league win and then giving a victory to the last place team. It’s actually a strategy the Australians call the Marshmallow technique. Now, the rest of the league is confused….Are we soft? Are we toasted? Are we good to swallow? Did you make sure to mention Gigo scored over 30 in both games?
Arriving in a few hours before the game was Dodo Samson coming from Davao like Kobe coming in from Colorado before a game. Although after a few runs up and down the court, we never saw him again.
After a round or two of good Muslim jokes before Adib arrived, the team proceeded to wear it’s brand new uniforms sponsored by the most important hero of them all, Ariel Magno. Tasty maroon with tribal letterings accented by a sporty white collar, the team looked elegant in their casual wear as they trotted up and down the court draped with their warmup Tee’s from Chicken Bacolod.
5 minutes to game time, the team huddled up for an inspirational talk by Ariel Magno (think Hoosiers and Gene Hackman’s speech before the final game) – “Mga ‘pre, if we win this we go 7-2”. Goosebumps, noh?
Arms drawn out, hands together….”Team!”
Batch ’92 suits up only 4 players…Forfeit…..Yahoo, we are winners once again!!!!
Batch ’81 got a scare 2 Sunday’s ago escaping with a narrow victory over Batch ’94. Stealing a page from our book, the youngsters started trapping, the team lost some composure (you know, like when your kids ask you about sex) and what was once an 18pt lead disappeared by crunch time. Clutch free throws by Adib saved the day and allowed us to continue to proudly beat our chests to the cries of the other team. Quote of the day courtesy of a Batch ’94 player on the receiving end of some hard nosed ’81 defense, “BASKETBOL LANG TO!!!”.
Yesterday, it was a total team effort that totally frustrated the ’93 team. Led by Ariel’s 4 3ptrs in the 1st half and another strong defensive effort by the team, ’81 led all the way. Because of a serious sprain from the previous week’s game, Roy turned strategist and devised different schemes to create turnovers resulting in an early 20point deficit that was never seriously threatened. The energy level was high, the spirits soaring and Cesar’s elbows were flying. And, special guest Dodo was on hand to provide a spark (again after hearing na may inuman daw after).
Which brings us to this Sun. Let’s see…6 games, 6-0. Next Sun 2:30pm, it’s Batch ’89, also undefeated and looking pretty strong. So forget Lakers-Pistons (@$#$%*!!), this is the game to see. What better way to celebrate Father’s day than to see a bunch of Fathers put a spanking on some misbehaving youth! Seriously, we need the cheers (and jeers!) from our batchmates to assist in putting the hurt on the boys of ’89. So, come one, come all and lets all share in the team’s success and blame each other if we lose!
Batch ’81 record to date:
Game6: Vs 1993 82-52(W)
Game5: Vs 1994 51-48(W)
Game4: Vs 1984 71-60(W)
Game3: Vs 1986 80-57(W)
Game2: Vs 1991 71-52(W)
Game1: Vs 1995 64-62(W)
It’s ESPN Sportcenter’s Fact or Fiction time….
FACT OR FICTION: Batch ’81 are the champions already.
That’s fact, folks. In line with Philippine Presidential politics, we are proclaiming ourselves Champions!
FACT OR FICTION: Batch ’81 is undefeated because it’s the oldest team with the most experience.
Fiction. Youth beats experience generally but hard work and dedication rules (developed working in Mr. Talosig’s Field of Dreams)! Also, the referees are being reminded that if they want to work in the PBA, Ariel, Sta. Lucia Team Manager, can help them.
FACT OR FICTION: 39,40,41…you’r not just the oldest team, that’s just old!
Fiction. Old happens when nag Ninong o Ninang kana sa kasal! Oooops, sorry kung may natanong na sa inyo!
FACT OR FICTION: Much ado about a small time league tournament..
Fiction. This is the big leagues! Even our stop watch is high tech (we’re talking Nokia 3310 here!).
FACT OR FICTION: Your team is jinxed.
Fiction. The jinx has been lifted. In fact we have found the winning lucky charm tandem in Paul Marquez and Rorie Pena…last game their encouragement and cheering carried the team which was missing some key players. And of course truly inspirational are the Gatorade and water they brought. Next time, may merienda pa raw!!! Additional cheering from Liz Francisco dela Cruz, Romy Rosales, Paul’s family provided an additional boost to the team last Sunday.
FACT OR FICTION: Jasmine Trias deserved to be booted.
Fiction. First they got Manny Pacquiao, then Jasmine…it’s looking more and more like a conspiracy! If we don’t win the next Miss Universe, it’s time to EDSA baby!
FACT OR FICTION: You guys must miss your high school days!
Fact. Something to say about the good old days…so next game (this Sun 2:30pm), next get together (June 5), be there or be square!
The victory was even more impressive with the absence of star player, Kobe Alampay who unlike the real McCoy, could not fly back for the game (oh ayan Gigo, siguro naman that warrants a nice pasalubong!)
To make up for the loss of offensive firepower, the team focused on its much vaunted trap defense creating numerous points of turnovers and led throughout (and that doesn’t imply Gigo doesn’t do defense, okay? Ooops, there goes the pasalubong!)
And there was Magno PI (Please? Inday) dusting off his old moves and scoring a game high 20pts. Damn, he even pulled out the Arnie Tuadles double pump layup off a 2 inch vertical leap!!
Next up, Batch ’84, Sunday, 2:30pm.
From: Imperial, John
So I come back from a vacation trip to find out the following:
· 71-52 is the final score as the boys of ’81 shut down batch ’91. Yeah, baby, a royal spanking for 30somethings just finding out the effects of too much partying while they were in their twenties.
· With their dedication to the trapping defense (heretofore to be referred as “the Roy not Ruy defense” for you chess aficionados ), opponents are baffled, perplexed, flummoxed, at a loss, or in text lingo, OFW.
· Atty Magno’s killer 3’s refer not to his deadly threesomes but deadly three point shooting.
· Quote of the day delivered by one of the ’91 players, “Ano ba ito, tinatambakan tayo ng mga matatanda!”
· And to refute that, we have our very own Jesus Altuna getting married over the weekend to someone who, according to an unnamed player (whose name rhymes with JeeGoh), “di pa pinapanganak nung nsa hi skool tayo”! Go Jesus, Batch ’81 rules!!!!
· There was ample cheering solely provided by Paul Marquez. Sorry, Rorie, the team has found a new lucky charm!
· Next game in 2 weeks….stay tuned.
Much like the Pistons finally beating the Celtics, the Bulls beating the Pistons, and unlike the Kings never beating the Lakers (Lakers!), the Batch ’81 team finally conquered its demons beating the team from Batch ’95, 64-62. This was the team that beat us twice last year eliminating the team from the 2003 tourney so the victory to start off the tournament was especially sweet. Showing new found discipline, character and intestinal fortitude brought about by surviving their respective midlife crises, the team demonstrated its championship mettle, leading from start to finish and withstanding a furious rally by the ’95 greyhounds.
The game got off to an auspicious start with the referee offering his words of wisdom with the following line to the team, “Maawa kayo sa mga bata, huwag niyo namang gulangan”. And with a certain Golds Gym trainor shouting “PUROS MGA IYAKIN” every 3minutes, there was palpable fear in the opponents. The team built a lead with a zone press instituted by playing Coach Roy to counteract the speed and agility of the twenty-somethings taking away some of the glory of the best years of their lives, HA! (sidebar - raise your hands if you think life is unfair we didn’t have ledge dancing, grinding music and thongs when we were their age…oh never mind, we did have f**ng Boy George!) .
So score one for ’81, exacting sweet revenge and on their way to their championship goal!
Ummm, Sir, can
we ask some questions?
I prefer Overlord but sure, ask away. Remember there are no stupid questions,
only stupid presidential candidates.
So who’s
playing?
Same folks from last year. Yesterday we had Gigo Alampay, Adib Tamano, Joel
Paz, Jun Linggao, Roy Buensuceso, Ariel Magno, John Imperial, Ceasar Callangan
plus Martin Rondain from Batch ‘82. Others expected to join in future games:
Neon Rosell, Edgar Cutiongco, and of course Dodo Samson, Varsity Player
Extraordinaire (but only if needed daw).
If a tree falls
in the forest and there’s no one around does it make a sound?
WTF!!!???
In other words,
who witnessed your “supposed” victory?
Aha, we had other batchmates who watched the game, enjoy the victory and
celebrate afterwards (of course, San Mig Light na ang mga ini-inom). Bobong,
Lian, Rina, Virna and sister were their cheering, and oh, Dodo was there also
to provide his usual moral support- “May inuman ba ito mamaya?”
So how come
Dodo didn’t play?
He’s still negotiating his terms and he left his size 13’s at home…those are
shoes, ok?
Ohhh, its a
year later, Chicken Bacolod continues it’s global expansion, you guys must be
sporting some spanking, new uniforms?
Ummm no! Will forward the comment to Adib.
Well, this year
we really want to send you money. Where can we send donations to the team?
Just send it to the batch treasurer marked “Boys of Company C (C for Cialis)”
Was Rorie at
the game?
No.........hmmm.
The 2003 Season
"We've dedicated the season to Jerome." - Adib Tamano (2-25-03)
|
What was the final record for the elimination round?
Final record was 6 wins and 3 losses. The UPIS Interbatch Basketball Tournament consists of 10 teams with the top 6 teams entering the elimination round. The '81 team enters the next round as a 5th seed. Next game is a knockout, revenge match against Batch '95, the last team that beat us because they were jealous of our nicer cars. The game will be on March 23, 2003 at 3pm at the UPIS
gym.
Okay, okay, but is it true Batch '81 is the oldest team in the league?
Correction, most mature. And we look closer to 35 than 40 according to our most avid supporters -
us.
Wow, how do you keep up with the younger greyhounds?
Not only do we keep up with them, we're one of the best fast breaking teams of the league. Why? Because of the years we played on the UPIS asphalt hardcourt wearing leather shoes. So save your money and tell your kids those $120 Nikes are unnecessary.
So who are the top scorers of the team?
Well, we prefer to look at the team as a well oiled machine with a sophisticated offense and tough, rugged defense. But since you asked, top scoring honors go to Gigo and Roy. Last game had them at 20pts each. Gigo claims his assists puts him over the top but alas, no stats on assists.
Who was the champion in previous years?
Who cares.
Do you realistically see the team as going all the way?
Ask again in 2 weeks. If we win on the 23rd, we go to the semis. Then the finals. "One Trophy to rule them all, One Trophy to find them, One Trophy to bring them all and in the Darkness bind them". Actually wala yatang trophy, certificate lang.
What!? You guys have no monicker?Well we've been the Band of Brothers, the Fellowship, the Gangs of New York. Good suggestion though.....we're leaning towards the Batch '81 Toros.
Don't you guys have anything better to do on Sunday afternoons?
No.
Damn, those are nice uniforms. Where can I get a replica jersey?
Once the tournament's over, we'll be auctioning them off as retro jerseys in Ebay.
How big are Cesar Callangan's biceps?
It's at least 25" and they're nicknamed "the Guns of Navarone". When flexed, they become part of the Hundred Islands.
What is this I hear about the "Rorie" effect?
Well it seemed unusual that we lost all the games Rorie watched and won those when she wasn't around. We did win the last game against '93 which she attended so you can say the jinx was broken (although she sat at the opponents bench). Now that's a true team player!
What about team support?
Lots of batchmates have come by to provide their support and cheers.....Bobong, Rorie, Eteng, Lulu, Rosanna, Lian, Joey Diaz, Obet, Tim Salcedo, Ocs and Isabel (do you ever see those two not together?)
Do you guys use Viagra?
Wrong FAQ. Go to the Batch '81 "I've fallen down and I can't get up" Support Group FAQ.
What about Minoxidil?
Wrong FAQ again!
Ok, I'm convinced about this worthy endeavor, where can I send my cash
contribution?
Send it c/o the batch treasurer marked "For the Boys"
|
With their backs against the wall, the gallant boys of '81 came up with a superior game to demolish batch 86's team by an impressive score of 74-44 and officially advance to the next round. The last game of the elimination round will be this coming Sunday and will determine seeding for the playoffs.
And since it's awards season, folks, lets hand out some notable achievements from the game:
Most number of layups - it's a tie between Gigo "AGILE not AGILA" Alampay and Roy
"Hangtime" Buensuceso.
Best Layup Miss then immediate Steal and Putback - Adib "the Sultan of Steals"
Tamano.
Best Use of Time while missing the game - Ariel "Wachadoing in Tagaytay?"
Magno.
Best Use of an Icepack after the game- Joel "Doctor Available" Paz.
Best Yao Ming impersonation - Edgar "Too Tall" Cutiongco.
Loudest Cheering - Bobong "AAAIIIIEEEEE!!!" Cutiongco.
Missing Saviour - Dodo "I-ready nyo uniform ko" Samson.
Best in Swimsuit ... este Uniform - No contest, Cesar "Mean Machine" Callangan.
And by the way, Rorie, we missed your support!
And yes, mas magaganda pa rin kotse naming sa kalaban.
|
Top Ten Reasons Batch '81 lost to Batch '95:
#10 Team was preoccupied with concerns about the upcoming War.
#9 Ever hear of Valentine's hangover?
#8 Hey, Neon was out, we only had 11 players!
#7 Team was distracted by the Batch '95 players who kept saying "sorry po" after committing fouls. Mga kabataan ngayon, masyadong
magalang!
#6 Team '95 said no to offers of jobs and free vacation trips if they let us win.
#5 When did jumping become so important in rebounding?
#4 Damn referees kept calling fouls on solid defensive tactics such as pushing, holding and tackling.
#3 Rorie watches Game4, we lose. Rorie watches Game 7, we lose. Coincidence? You be the judge.
#2 Leading by example.....don't we tell our kids, "Winning isn't everything, it's the sportsmanship that matters"
And the number 1 reason why Team '81 lost.........
#1 Grueling conditions....heat, humidity, bad shooting
Leave it to the Batch '81 sage, Ariel "Gandalf the White" Magno, to put things in perspective, "Yaan nyo, mas magaganda naman mga kotse
natin!"
|
In a game marked by physical play, the boys of '81 emerged victorious once
again. Even with superior numbers, batch '81 had a hard time putting away
the '89 team led by a former UAAP varsity player.
Enter the hero of the game, Ceasar "the Mean Machine" Callangan.....in
a critical 4th qtr rebound skirmish, Ceasar "accidentally" flexed his
quadriceps against the shin of batch89's best player forcing a temporary injury
substitution. Note: there is no truth to the immortal words screamed
by Jake as the play unfolded - "TINIRAAAAH!" There's also no
truth to the rumor that Ceasar has a poster of Tonya Harding in his room.
Thus, the momentum swung back to the brave heroes of '81 and the team started
establishing a lead. The team never looked back after that even when the
'89 team had their best player back. So with this victory, the team now has 4
wins against 2 losses.
| Subj: | Sports Update: UPIS Batch '81 demolishes team from Batch '94 |
| Date: | 1/27/2003 7:21:08 AM Pacific Standard Time |
| From: | john.imperial@intel.com |
| To: | Batch1981@aol.com |
Coming back from a heartbreaking loss to the defending champions (Batch
82/83), the boys of '81 came back in impressive fashion by defeating Batch '94
by a score of 84-66. Led by Gigo Alampay (30pts!) who was in a zone only
the likes of Kobe, Tmac and Iverson have seen, the team showed the Gen X,Y
and Z'ers why Tong Long was the better hangout than Starbucks.
The team played inspired ball throughout, sporting their new maroon uniforms
(see attached team photo) and dedicating the game to our batchmate, Jerome
Santos, and to the latest Gibb to go, Maurice.
So the team record is now 3-2 and Batch'81 continues to contend for playoff
qualification.
| Subj: | Sports Update: UPIS Batch '81 gets mixed results in doubleheader action |
| Date: | 12/23/2002 8:08:18 PM Pacific Standard Time |
| From: | john.imperial@intel.com |
| To: | Batch1981@aol.com |
Upon hearing about the dismantling of the Batch '96 team by the boys, este
men of Batch '81, the next opponent, Batch '91, decided not to show up thus
securing another victory for the Band of Brothers from 1981.
Another match was set up with a team from Batch '84-'85 whose opponent also
defaulted. Batch '81s opponent, rested and fresh and wearing real uniforms,
mounted a tremendous offensive resulting in a sizeable lead throughout the game.
However, in the final minutes, summoning up reserve strength and inner resolve,
an inspired effort led by Adib "Sultan of Steals" Tamano cut the lead
to 1. Unfortunately the rally wilted and the team succumbed to the effect
of too many Christmas parties.
Thus ends the 2002 effort by the gallant men of '81. Heading into 2003,
the team's record stands at 2(W)-1(L). After the game, the team vowed that
during the holidays, the loss would not be in anyone's mind as we once again
eat, drink, and be merry in excess and celebrate another year we get closer to
reaching 40 years old................Noooooooooo!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!
| Subj: | NEWS FLASH!!!! UPIS Batch '81 team beats Batch '96 |
| Date: | 12/15/02 7:42:00 PM Pacific Standard Time |
| From: | john.imperial@intel.com |
| To: | Batch1981@aol.com |
That's right, that's not a typo. In the UPIS Interbatch
Basketball Tournament, the alumni team from Batch '81 beat UPIS graduates of
1996 by a score of 86-78. Using a combination of teamwork, guile and hard
work (and some pangugulang), the team was able to overcome the youth and speed
of the other team who had players 15, I repeat, 15 years younger. To put
that in perspective, kung nakabuntis/nabuntis ka nung High School...............di
bale na lang.
Kudos to the team composed of Jigo Alampay, Adib Tamano, Edgar Cutiongco, Jun
Linggao, Roy Buensuceso, Ariel Magno, Neon Rosell, John Impeiral, Ceasar
Callangan, Toktik Villanueva. Next game for the undefeated Batch '81 team
is Jan 12, 2003. Will keep you posted on the progress of the team.
| Subj: | NEWS UPDATE: Allied forces continue to march to Baghdad (oh, and Batch '81 lost) |
| Date: | Monday, March 24, 2003 11:05 AM |
| From: | john.imperial@intel.com |
| To: | Batch1981@aol.com |
Part 2: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE UPIS BATCH '81 BASKETBALL TEAM
Ok, it's two weeks later, what happened?
Well, uhhhhhm, you see, this team, uhhhmmm, they were young and, uhhhmmm, they
were fast and they, uhhhmmm, jump more than 6 inches and you know, uhhhmm,
managed to score more than we did.
You lost to the team from Batch '95, didn't you lose to them already in the
elimination round?
See how good we are, it took them 2 games to knock us out.
That's why you needed Dodo Samson, Varsity Player Extraordinaire.
Actually, Dodo came and played and showed some serious veteran moves. Here's
the play-by-play: "Number 8 is just killing the good looking boys of
'81...He's got the ball again on the left side, does a little shake and
bake....crossover gets by his defender...he's met by Odod at the paint......goes
up for the leaning shot and oooooooohhhhh, HE GOES DOWN HARD!!!!!"
Did the "Rorie Factor" come into play?
We tried all kinds of things - she sat with the the other team, she closed her
eyes, she left the gym, she passed out cookies, she suited up to play, we still
lost.
So now you're admitting that youth will beat experience?
Only in matters of importance. But, we still can take pride in the ff:
we had the best uniforms, the latest shoes, better cars and the best cheering
from the best looking group of avid supporters. Batch '81 still rules - Veni,
Vidi, Viching Yawa.
So what will you do on Sunday afternoons now?
Looks like it's back to BeyBlading with the kids until November when the journey
begins anew. Or visit Joey Diaz at Hotel PdP.
So who do you think is going to win it all?
We're partial to Chicago, dahil musical daw, parang Grease.
Ok, season's over, I still want to send money, where can I send my cash
contribution?
Send it c/o the batch treasurer marked "Shock and Awe"
Hold on, hold on....where can I get a hold of Adib's shorts?
Ohhh, you mean uniform....Well you better hurry up, simultaneous auctions are
going on at pinoypics.com and at the6thHunk.com.
That's it!?! Bitin! Don't you have any words of wisdom to impart
to all of us
First of all...................that's all!
