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The NBA has had 19 Finals reaching a sudden-death Game 7 since its creation in 1946. Of the 19 epic battles, fifteen were won by the home team. Only 4 visiting teams have survived the highly-partisan crowd ever. However, the last Game 7 which played out in 2016 was won by a visiting team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, who were led by Lebron James.

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Can The Pacers Survive the Thunder Onslaught with Tyrese Injured?

As the Indiana Pacers prepare for a pivotal Game 6 in their NBA playoff journey, the health status of ‘point god’ Tyrese Haliburton will play a crucial role in determining the outcome. Tyrese, arguably the most vital cog in the Pacers’ offensive and defensive schemes, is bothered by calf injury he suffered in Game 5, raising questions about his availability and effectiveness on the court. While…

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It's Back to Square 1!!!

The NBA Finals has been reduced to a best-of-three series as the Oklahoma City Thunder outlasted the Indiana Pacers 111-104, to even the series at 2 wins apiece. With their backs against the wall, the Thunder finally solved the Pacers’ endgame pressure, relying on the twin-tower formula that had sustained them well in the regular season. This time, there was no over-thinking the game for Thunder…

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Is Haliburton More Horry-fic Than Horry?

Holy smokes!!! Or should I say, holy Hali. For the 4th consecutive playoff series, Tyrese Haliburton has hit the game-winning or tying buzzer-beater, to eke out a 111-110 come-from-behind win for the Indiana Pacers in Game 1 of the NBA championship against a heavily-favored Oklahoma City Thunder. What a compelling thrill-of-a-win that was. Haliburton’s heroics reminds me of Robert Horry, the…

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This should be a helluva series. It will be the Pacers' speed versus the Thunder's all-around talent. It will be the veteran coaching of Rick Carlisle vs the new-kid smarts of Mark Daignealt. It will be the disciplined old school approach from the Pacers against the youthful exuberance and pace of the Thunder. It should be a wild, wily series. Who you got? My heart will cheer for the Pacers. But my head says it's gonna be the Thunder.

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The Loss of a Good Man: A Tribute to Pope Francis and the Power of Universal Faith

by: Vinod Sekhar I came across this beautiful piece through the kindness of my friend, Rene Odulio. The writer – surpisingly – is a Hindu man. Vinod Sekar has written one of THE most moving and beautiful tributes ever written for the late Pope Francis. I only met Pope Francis once. It was brief. Just a few moments in a crowded room filled with dignitaries and seekers, some out of duty, others…

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The Pacers Hail Haliburton's Heroics!!!

What a gripping postseason this has been for Indiana Pacers’ fans! They must be singing Hallelujahs these days, having witnessed 3 of the most spectacular come-from-behind wins ever, all in this year’s NBA playoffs, all by their Indiana Pacers. Here’s a rundown of the 3 heart-stopping miracle games. It’s Game 5 of the first round of the playoffs against the Milwaukee Bucks. The Bucks lead…

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Two things come to mind in this year’s playoffs. First, there is parity in the league. The top teams are more or less evenly matched. The top seeds in the regular season could be kicked out the door by lower seeded teams if they come unprepared.  And second, injuries could derail a team  if it hits at the crucial tail-end of the season. Injuries spelled the big difference for the Cavs, the Celtics and the Warriors this post-season. 

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Two former champs - the Nuggets and the Warriors - are banking on their veteran cage IQ to bring them to the next stage. The defending champs Celtics, on the other hand, have yet to show their championship flair. This is a golden opportunity for the upstarts in the playoffs to learn, albeit on the fly, if they are to compete for the bigger battles ahead. Indeed, the playoff duels are a different set of games. And it will take more than just raw talent, physical strength and youthful exuberance to make it to the top.

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For the Lakers, as well as for the myriad of fans around, there are many lessons to be learned from this episode. Remember, setbacks should be treated as stepping stones for a greater comeback. The Lakers will be excused for hanging their heads a bit for this miscue, but this should not be a reason to stay demoralized forever. They should stay motivated and keep pushing forward. They should address their player needs, and give more minutes, and more trust, on the players.

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The Gifted Child: A Funny Story About Baby Talk

Laughter is – as the saying goes – the best medicine. Hence, I’ve decided to include laughter periodically in my blog. I’ll be sending some short snippets every once in a while to bring out the laughter from among us. Please do share some of your jokes as well. Ever heard of the story of the gifted child? The story goes:  On only his 3rd month, the baby calls: “Mama”. Wow! At only 3 months, he…

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Discover Busuanga: A Hidden Paradise in the Philippines

Cradled in the azure embrace of the Western Philippine Seas, somewhere north of Palawan, lies a tranquil island barely touched by the rustle-bustle of modern life. The island of Busuanga is a serene haven that is home to 2 municipalities – Busuanga to the north and Coron to the south. The island boasts of numerous islets with powder-soft beaches that stretch endlessly, inviting gentle waves to…

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Are the LA Clippers For Real?

In the world of professional basketball, certain teams are considered perennial contenders -consistent playoff performers with a history that spells ‘almost there’. Yet, every so often, a team that has long hovered around the middle of the standings – or has been a perennial playoff participant – suddenly breaks through to become a serious championship contender. One such pleasant surprise in…

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My fearless forecast? I have the top-seed Cavs and the 2nd-seed Celts competing for the crown of the east, while the top-seed Thunder and the 3rd-seed Lakers eventually battle it out similarly in the west. For the Finals, I see the Celtics battling the Thunder for all the marbles.

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A Plea for Help for Our Brothers in Myanmar

(In 2013, I was with Habitat for Humanity when a killer quake hit my home province of Bohol. This was followed closely by the most devastating typhoon ever to hit the country – Super Typhoon Haiyan – devastating the entire Visayas provinces. This is why the post-earthquake relief and rehab work resonates deeply with me, for I have seen the pain and despair, as well as the guarded relief and joy…

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Come and Visit Siquijor!!!

When viral photos and videos of Ann Curtis frolicking the hidden treasures of Siquijor came out, I remembered the family’s short, yet memorable time in the island way back in 2019. Siquijor, the island once dreaded for its bad reputation as a place where sorcery and black magic thrived, is now having its coming-out party. Come and visit Siquijor, and experience a truly enchanting time. (Just…

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As a tribute to my alma mater, the Philippine Military Academy (PMA), allow me to repost an article on a unique event some 51 years ago, Reception Day, when the PMA Class of 78 first set foot on the Academy. On that memorable day, the new members of PMA 78 would cease being civilians and take a new journey toward becoming young military professionals imbued with 'Courage, Integrity and Loyalty'.