22
Philippine Showbiz Today
October 22 - January
November
8 - 21,
7, 2017
2019
LeBron’s and Tiger’s birthday wishes
Did you know that NBA su-
perstar and LeBron James and
golfing great Tiger Woods were
born on the same date?
Both were born December
30, which happened to be Sun-
day last week when James turned
34 and Wood 11 years older. Le-
bron came into being in 1984 in
Akron. Ohio, while Tiger in 1975
in Cypress, California.
Both, obviously, celebrated
this important date of their co-
ming to earth, albeit separately.
Having won 14 major cham-
pionships in his career, Tiger looks
to be contented and couldn’t ask
for more. Ditto for LeBron, who
has so far romped off with four
NBA MVP awards since turning
pro in 2003 and three champio-
nships, among other.
So what would’ve the two of
the most decorated athletes in
the world wished for when they
blew their birthday cakes on that
very memorable day?
With his well-documented
back problems seemingly hea-
led, Woods could’ve been praying
for an injury-free 2019. His heal-
th condition, sure, had steadily
improved in 2018 but the now
44-year-old par buster should,
definitely, be worrying of taking
anything for granted having en-
dured years in the wilderness with
his physical struggles.
Staying fit, therefore, must
be top of Woods’ wish list if only
to satisfy his thirst for at least a
15th major this year.
Twice last year, Woods was
in contention to end his long wait
for a 15th major but failed to get
over the line at The Open and the
US PGA Championship.
Time is running out on him
to surpass or at least tie Jack Nic-
klaus’ record of 18 majors but,
after a 2018 that delivered plenty
of promise, he can afford to have
hope of cutting the gap in 2019.
Woods last topped the world
rankings in May 2014. Now
ranked 13th, a return to the top of
PBA Season 44 to be
entertaining, physical
- Ricky Vargas
Expect a more energetic and
entertaining PBA when the league
opens its 44th season this wee-
kend.
According to league chair-
man Ricky Vargas, they would
now allow players to be more ani-
mated and give them added res-
ponsibility to entertain the crowd.
One of the steps that will be
implemented this season, Vargas
disclosed, is for officiating to be
more lenient to players who have
the penchant for trash talking op-
posing players but in a waggish
manner.
“Pwede na yung kantiyawan.
Dati, mangantiyaw ka o mag-sen-
yas ka, before that foul ka na o
you get a penalty for it. Taas mo
lang kamay mo, naka-tres ka, yun
pwede na yun,” revealed Vargas.
“But of course we will control it
para walang pikunan. So the pla-
yers themselves will be the ones
to entertain the fans.”
PBA Commissioner Willie
Marcial is also supportive of Var-
gas’ ideas and chances are these
will be immediately implemented
this season.
“Ok sa akin kasi mas magan-
da talaga na makita natin yung
mga players na may emosyon.
Huwag lang talaga yung taun-
ting. Dati kasi kada galaw halos,
technical. Although noon pa din,
hinahabaan na natin pasensya
and control na din sa technical
(fouls),” said Marcial.
“Wala lang dirty tricks o per-
sonal attacks because dun magi-
ging strict talagang tayo. Never
natin papayagan yun,” added
Marcial.
Vargas also wants to see
more physicality in all the games
as he believes such can also add
value to the entertainment aspect
of the PBA.
“Yung larong Pilipino kasi it’s
a little rougher than how we play
it. It’s a little tougher, faster, it’s a
lot of movement,” said Vargas.
One of the most successful
times of the PBA was during the
tenure of the late great commis-
sioner Rudy Salud who imple-
mented the “No Harm, No Foul”
officiating philosophy.
Observers then believe that
type of officiating was a major
contributor to the league’s huge
success at that time.●
- Dennis Principe, MB Sports
the ladder looks reachable anew
but with the sprinkling of fresh,
younger and more consistent gol-
fers ahead of him, the road, too,
appears tough.
If Woods stays healthy and
starts collecting stringing perfor-
mances together, it is not out of
the question he could find him-
self at the top of the game once
more.
For LeBron, well, a doable
fourth MVP appears to still wet his
appetite, especially since hasn’t
won one since his last in 2013
when he still was wearing the Mia-
mi Heat jersey with bosom pal
Dwyane Wade as partner.
Kevin Durant, Stephen Cu-
rry, Russell Westbrook and James
Harden all having won the award
since he last did.
If James can inspire a young
Lakers team to one of the top
seeds in the Western Conference,
he will have an extremely good
case to win his fourth MVP prize.
But like in his Miami days,
he needs an equally superstar as
running mate to achieve his goal.
Although they have an exci-
ting young core comprised of the
likes of Lonzo Ball, Brandon In-
gram and Kyle Kuzma, the Lakers
lack the firepower to be true con-
tenders in the West and James
would surely love to find a supers-
tar dancing mate.
Current Warrior Kevin Durant
and Raptor Kawhi Leonard are
both set for free agency in 2019,
while Anthony Davis could be the
target of a blockbuster trade.
LeBron cemented his lega-
cy in Cleveland by leading them
back from a 3-1 Finals deficit to
the Warriors to win the 2016 NBA
title, and would do the same in
Los Angeles by bringing the Larry
O’Brien trophy back to one of the
league’s most storied franchises.
While It seems unlikely that
James will be able to achieve that
feat in 2K9 season, but he has pu-
lled off the seemingly impossible
feat before so why not try again.●
Pacquiao Photo Album
Four rounds of mitts with Freddie Roach and Buboy Fernandez in training session at the Wild Card Gym in L.A.
Manny Pacquiao signs autographs and poses for photos after
Former Los Angeles Laker Michael Cooper
his morning workout at the Pan Pacific Park in Los Angeles on visits Manny Pacquiao at his Los Angeles
January 5. Fans flocked the parking area of Pan Pacific Park
residence on January 6.
and lined up waiting for their turn hoping to have their items
autographed and photos taken.
Photos by Wendell Alinea/MP Promotions
Manny Pacquiao attended the NBA Filipino Heritage Night featuring
a game between the Los Angeles Clippers and Charlotte Hornets,
with (L-R) Clippers Head Coach Doc Rivers, players Tobias Harris
and Patrick Beverley.
Photos courtesy of LA Clippers Media