Stephen Curry leaves Daniel Padilla speechless, basketball fans roaring at MOA arena in 1-day Manila visit

By: Paolo Manuel C. Fule

Reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Stephen Curry left the Philippines wanting for more of him, and indeed, he said this will not be his last trip to the country as he finished his one-day only trip to Manila for his Under Armour promotional tour on September 5, Saturday.

He capped the day with a media question and answer at Raffles hotel in Makati followed by an exhibition game with selected high school cagers at the Mall of Asia Arena in the afternoon. Philippine actor and teen heartthrob Daniel Padilla had a meet-and-greet with him in a VIP lounge at Raffles Makati. “That might have been the first time, I’m guessing, he was speechless”, said Curry in the media press conference. It was reported recently that Stephen Curry surprisingly  followed Daniel Padilla on Twitter because the actor posted his collection of the champion layers’ signature shoes and merchandise.

Asked by this reporter if there is pressure going into the regular season being the efending champion and reigning MVP, the baby-faced Curry said “We feel like we’re still the team to beat. It’s going to be a different challenge for us. We’ve never defended an NBA championship before so it will be a new experience for us. All eyes are on our team and every other team is trying to knock us off our throne, so we have to be even better than we were last year to get back to the top.”

Wardell Stephen “Steph” Curry II or popularly known as Stephen Curry was born on March 14, 1988. He is an American professional basketball player who plays for the Golden State Warriors of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Standing 6’ 3” tall, Curry plays the point guard position and is considered by some to be the one of the greatest shooters in NBA history.  The 2015 NBA Most Valuable Player and a two-time NBA All-Star, is the son of former NBA player Dell Curry. In this year’s NBA finals, Curry carried his team into the championship, something that the Golden State Warriors franchise hasn’t repeated since 1975.

Enderun Titan cager Ajay ‘Iron Man’ Khatri takes flight on engine of greatness

By: Paolo Manuel C. Fule

The Philippines is a country known for world-class sports figures like boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, kegler Paeng Nepomuceno, runner Lydia De Vega, the magician Efren “Bata” Reyes, and Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire. These athletes are products of hard work and training that they developed when they were still young. Such is the case of this upcoming basketball star from Enderun Colleges.

Born Ajay Sta. Teresa Khatri on April 16, 1997, in Pasay to Kumar Khatri and Estela Khatri, this 6-foot-1 Filipino-Indian high school student athlete who played as small forward/power forward for the Far Eastern University Baby Tamaraws. He now takes his talents to Enderun Colleges Titans. Headed by coach Pipo Noundou, Enderun Colleges Titans join several collegiate tournaments including the Men’s National Collegiate Athletic Association (MNCAA).

Aside from being a student and a player, he is also fond of modeling and into male pageants wherein he won in the Philippine Youth Ambassador 2015. He was recently invited to be one of the guests in the morning show  Good Morning Boss! featuring other winners in the Philippine Youth Ambassadors giving back to the community TV special on PTV 4.

In the hard court, he registered his career high of 35 points in the PSAP basketball tournament. His pre-game rituals include listening to music and focusing on his games. If given the chance to play one-on-one with an NBA player, he would choose Kyrie Irving of Cleveland Cavaliers because he likes Kyrie’s basketball skills and toughness on the court. His favorite shot includes fake spin and jump shot. Aside from basketball, Ajay is also into swimming, a sport that requires good physique and healthy living. His favorite movie is ‘Coach Carter’ while when it comes to music, he prefers pop sounds. He usually eats protein, less on carbohydrates diet and whole body exercise to stay fit and healthy in playing a physical game such as basketball.

“I learned to play the game the hard way. I got teased a lot because they told me that I was too small and skinny, I might get hurt. So I practiced every night until I got the chance to showcase my skills in small leagues”. Asked how he manages to balance his game and studies, “I prioritize my schedule and organize it carefully to attend classes even though I have practice”, quipped the beaming cager from FEU. His favorite NBA star is Kyrie Irving, and his ambition in life is to be a successful PBA star in the near future. “My speed and shooting are my strengths while I think I still need to develop my physical game and play with more toughness in the court. My goal is simple. I’ll just give 100% and hope for the best”, added Ajay.

With unmatched perseverance and the will to excel in every game that he is in, Ajay can be in the same room as the players in the PBA dug out when it comes to discussion of the best players in the league. That will be in the near future but for the time being, determination and faith in God is his armor in each battle he is at.

• Photo courtesy of http://www.playmag.ph

Email the author at paolomanuelfule@yahoo.com or text 09184059751.

Red Lions, Heavy Bombers quash foes in NCAA cage opener

By: Paolo Manuel C. Fule

Six-peat seeking San Beda Red Lions and last year’s Final Four finalist Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers routed their respective rivals in the opening game of the 91^st National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) at the Mall of Asia Arena, June 27 Saturday.

Sans San Beda big man Ola Adeogun and sharp-shooting guard Baser Amer due to injuries, the San Beda squad still managed to pound the host school Mapua Cardinals with a 102-89 victory. Art dela Cruz led all scorers with 27 points, 17 rebounds and 6 assists while Mapua’s Josan Nimes had 23 points, 7 rebounds and 2 assists. Mapua’s Allwell Oraeme also had a good game on the defensive end with 13 points and 16 rebounds, but was haunted with foul troubles in the later part of the second half.        

In the second game of the opener, JRU Heavy Bombers thumped last year’s NCAA finalist Arellano University Chiefs with a 78-61 victory.

Both teams struggled offensively with a 40-28   at the end of the first half, and Arellano with a measly 12-of-39 field goal shooting clip.  JRU finished with 30-of-77 or 39% field goal shooting, while AU had 32 % from 24-of-76 or 32% field goal shooting.

JRU’s Abdoul Poutouochi led all scorers with 23 points, 11 rebounds and 1 block while AU’s Michael Salado scored a team best 15 points. Two-time NCAA MVP and Mapua Alumnus Alvin Patrimonio graced the event and took the stage for his message to the athletes before the start of the opening games.

The Scores:

SBC (102) Dela Cruz 27, Tankou 18, Tongco 18, Koga 16, Solera 11, Sara 6, Mocon 2, Presbitero 2, Sedillo 2, Cabanag 0, Soberano 0, Reyes 0, Bonsubre 0.

MIT (89) Nimes 23, Stevens 13, Oraeme 13, Menina 12, Serrano 10, Villasenor 8, Que 3, Raflores 3, Brana 2, Dela Rosa 2, Biteng 0, Nieles 0, Aguirre 0, Layug 0.

JRU (78) Poutouochi 23, Teodoro 11, AbdulWahab 9, Lasquety 8, Sanchez 7, Dela Paz 6, Grospe 6, Pontejos 4, Cruz 2, Aurin 2, Astilla 0, Balagtas 0, Dela Virgen 0.

AU (61)   Salado 15, Jolts 11, Enriquez 10, Cadavis 8, Bangga 5, Gumaru 5, Jalalon 4, Nicholls 3, Meca 0, Ongolo 0, Ortega 0, De Guzman 0, Zamora 0, Tano 0.

Email the author at paolomanuelfule@yahoo.com or text 09184059751.

Lebron is power, Steph is brilliance: A classic matchup for an NBA finale

By: Paolo Manuel C. Fule

Lebron James will return again in the NBA finals for the sixth time in his career, five straight years in a span of 8 seasons. While the Warriors, who had been dominant in the regular season (67-15) with stellar performances by Stephen Curry, the reigning Most Valuable Player of the league this season, will have their first taste of the NBA finals arena after 40 long years.

In the West, the Golden State Warriors and Stephen Curry are nothing but spectacular night in and night out, whether it is on the road or inside the loudest arena in the world today- the Oracle arena. In the Golden State Warrior’s series against the New Orleans Pelicans, Stephen Curry averaged 33.75 points per game, while their team has an average of 109 points per game. Against the grit-and-grind pack of the Memphis Grizzlies, the Dubs averaged 97.83 PPG while Curry has his playoffs series low 24.5 PPG. With the Houston Rockets in their last four games, GSW averaged 110 PPG while Curry cooks 32.5 PPG.

On the east side, Lebron James, four-time NBA regular season MVP, 2-time finals MVP, and five straight NBA finals attendee, is truly a force of nature to reckon with by the young and neophyte finals team of Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors. James and the Cavs dispatched the number 7 seed Boson Celtics in the first round, stopped the rampaging Derrick Rose and the Chicago Bulls four games to two in the East semis, and then swept the East number 1 seed Atlanta Hawks in the Conference Finals.

The Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers are 2-2 when they met this season, with each winning on its home floor. Lebron James sat out in Golden State’s 112-94 win on Jan. 9 in Oakland, while King James scored a season-high 42 points in the Cavs’ 110-99 win in Cleveland on Feb. 26.

Some facts about this year’s finals: This will be the first time since the NBA’s inaugural season (1946-1947, then known as the BAA) that two first-year coaches will face each other in the finals. LeBron James will appear in his fifth consecutive NBA Finals. He’s the only non-member of the 1950-60s Boston Celtics to play in five straight finals. Stephen Curry will have faced every other All-NBA First Team member in this postseason (Anthony Davis, Marc Gasol, James Harden, and now Lebron James). He is the first player to do this in league history. None of the Warriors’ players have been to the finals. The 1991 Chicago Bulls are the last team to win without a player with finals experience.

Here are some of the predictions of NBA basketball fanatics:

Cleveland Cavaliers. Lebron James is at his best. — Adriane Paul Manipol, PMMS student.

Kyrie Irving is my idol and I choose Cavs.— Ajay Khatri, basketball player at Enderun Colleges, Taguig

I think the Golden State Warriors will win the finals.– Tristan Josh Mapanao, basketball player at UPHSD Molino campus.

I was right on my first prediction…. Cavs vs GS -,finals, my next prediction would be Cavs winning 4-3…– Garret Consignado, Plaridel National High School teacher and basketball coach.

Even though I’m a fan of Curry. I think Cavs will win the crown. James isn’t alone, they are also loaded with gunners especially Smith and Shumpert. Warriors will have a very hard time defending Lebron.–Tom Joel Paliangayan. Sports Writer from Liceo de San Pedro

I am going with my hometown Golden State. Stephen Curry is also amazing this season–Lorenz Gerard Viajar, basketball player at University of the East Manila

email the author at paolomanuelfule@yahoo.com or text 09184059751

Austin Rivers runs through it: Doc’s son steals show in Clippers win

By: Paolo Manuel C. Fule

Chris Paul returned, Blake Griffin had another double-double night, JJ Redick had the game best 31 points, but it was Austin Rivers who wrote the story for the Clippers’ emphatic win against the Rockets, 124-99.

At Staples Center where we watch history unfolds as the first NBA player to play for his father, a rare player-coach tandem in NBA history. Austin Rivers scored 12 points at the end of the first half, and coming off the bench substituting for point guard Chris Paul, the son of LA Clippers coach Doc Rivers electrified the crowd in the third quarter with a blast from the three point line and an impressive and-1. The crowd even rose to its feet at some point of the third canto, with chants of Rivers’ name. He finished with 25 points off the bench on a 10-13 field goal shooting.

In game 1 of their best-of-seven series against the Houston Rockets, Austin Rivers fired 17 points, while in game 2, he chipped in 10 points. Chris Paul even told coach Doc Rivers, “This is one time you can be a dad and not just coach.”

 

Austin James Rivers was born on August 1, 1992. He was drafted with the 10th pick in the NBA draft by the New Orleans Hornets (now Pelicans), playing three seasons there before being traded to the Clippers. On January 16, 2015, Rivers became the first player in NBA history to play for his father, coach Doc Rivers of the Los Angeles Clippers.

If he plays with this kind of grit and aggressiveness on the court, and with the guidance of his father, he definitely has the potential to curve a niche in the sports’ pantheon of greatness. Well, the playoffs can really be a good start.

email the author at paolomanuelfule@yahoo.com or text 09184059751

Filipino-Indian Ajay Khatri: Model, player and student rolled into one

By: Paolo Manuel C. Fule

His 6-foot-1 height and pretty boy looks can turn the head of any girl on his way, but this Senior High School student from Far Eastern University has more to offer than his boy-next-door  image.

Born Ajay Sta. Teresa Khatri on April 16, 1997, in Pasay to Kumar Khatri and Estela Khatri, this 6-foot-1 Filipino-Indian high school student athlete is currently as small forward/power forward for the Far Eastern University Baby Tamaraws. Aside from being a student and a player, he is also fond of modeling and into male pagents wherein he won in the Philippine Youth Ambassador 2015. He was recently invited to be one of the guests in the morning show Good Morning Boss! featuring other winners in the Philippine Youth Ambassadors giving back to the community TV special on PTV 4.

In the hard court, he registered his career high of 35 points in the PSAP basketball tournament. His pre-game rituals include listening to music and focusing on his games. If given the chance to play one-on-one with an NBA player, he would choose Kyrie Irving of Cleveand Cavaliers because he likes Kyrie’s basketball skills and toughness on the court. His favorite shot includes fake spin and jump shot.

He usually eats protein, less on carbohydrates diet and whole body exercise to stay fit and healthy in playing a physical game such as basketball.

Asked how he manages to balance his game and studies, “I prioritize my schedule and organize it carefully to attend classes even though I have practice”, quipped the beaming cager from FEU. His favorite NBA star is Kyrie Irving, and his ambition in life is to be a successful PBA star in the near future.

With unmatched perseverance and the will to excel in every game that he is in, Ajay can be in the same room as the players in the PBA dug out when it comes to discussion of the best players in the league. That will be in the near future but for the time being, determination and faith in God is his armor in each battle he is at.

* Photo courtesy of Zee Clare Photography

Email the author at paolomanuelfule@yahoo.com or text 09184059751.

FEU’s Fil-Indian Ajay ‘Iron man’ Khatri on brink of basketball stardom

By: Paolo Manuel C. Fule

With boy-next-door looks and a physique fit for a future basketball star, the FEU universe is likely to see another future basketball superstar who can follow the footsteps of Arwind Santos, RR Garcia and Terence Romeo.

Born Ajay Sta. Teresa Khatri on April 16, 1997, in Pasay City to Kumar Khatri and Estela Khatri, this 6-foot-1 Filipino-Indian high school baller is currently playing as small forward/power forward for the Far Eastern University Baby Tamaraws. He registered his career high of 35 points in the PSAP basketball tournament. His pre-game rituals include listening to music and focusing on his games. If given the chance to play one-on-one with an NBA player, he would choose Kyrie Irving of Cleveand Cavaliers because he likes Kyrie’s basketball skills and toughness on the court. His favorite shot includes fake spin and jump shot.

He usually eats protein, less on carbohydrates diet and whole body exercise to stay fit and healthy in playing a physical game such as basketball. Asked how he manages to balance his game and studies, “I prioritize my schedule and organize it carefully to attend classes even though I have practice”, quipped the beaming cager from FEU. His favorite NBA star is Kyrie Irving, and his ambition in life is to be a successful PBA star in the near future.

With unmatched perseverance and the will to excel in every game that he is in, Ajay can be in the same room as the players in the PBA dug out when it comes to discussion of the best players in the league. That will be in the near future. But for the time being, determination and faith in God is his armor in each battle he is at.

Email the author at paolomanuelfule@yahoo.com