Rousing Start

After being branded as a disorganized host of this year’s Games a week before the start of hostilities, the Philippines is off to a good start. As I write this column, the Philippines is leading the medal standings with 21 golds, 11 silvers and 7 bronzes.  We are more than halfway of our total haul of 29 gold medals in the 1917 Kuala Lumpur Games.  A few issues back, I wrote a column “We could be champs” citing homecourt advantage and the determination of the athletes to win at home, despite the trouble brewing among our officials.  Well, we suspect there are anomalous expenses by the organizing committee but let’s forget that for a while and concentrate on the Games besides, President Digong said an investigation will be conducted after the event.  Let’s hang em’ later.  Now back to the Games, months before the opening, I already picked some sure gold winners.  Triathlon is one.  Well, just as I predicted, John Rambo Chicano won our first gold medal when he ruled the event in Subic.  Cebuano Kim Remolino got the silver while Kim Mangrobang ruled the distaff side.  Other first day winners included Agatha Wong in wushu, Carlos Yulo in gymnastics, our team in arnis, dancesport, sepak takraw, 3x3 basketball and billiards to mention a few.  At the rate we’re going, I’m sticking to my forecast (naa ra bay bagyo name Tisoy threatening the Games), the Philippines would be champions again.  The last time we reigned as kings of the SEA Games was in 2005.

Wrong House

A thief found out too late that he was in the wrong house with a wrong would-be-victim.  Willie Murphy, an 82-year old woman who was living alone in Rochester, New York was getting ready for bed when a man knocked on her door and said he needed an ambulance.  She called the police but didn’t open the door. The intruder was able to break-in but was clobbered by Murphy with a table who also poured shampoo on his face while beating him with a broom.  Police arrived and the thief was whisked to the hospital in the ambulance she called.  But who’s Willie Murphy? Well, Murphy is an award–winning bodybuilder who works out almost daily at Rochester’s Maplewood YMCA.  In 2014 she won the World Natural Power- lifting Federation Lifter of the Year.  Murphy can still deadlift 223 pounds and can do one-handed pull-ups and one handed push-ups.  “So akyat bahay gangs, ayaw kumpyansa sa mga gurang”.

Embiid Zero

Unbelievable but true.  For the first time in his career Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid was held scoreless by the tenacious defense of  defending champion Toronto  Raptors. Embiid shot 0 for 11, missing all of his 3 foul shots although he managed  to grab 13 rebounds.  Marc Gasol, a former Defensive Player of the Year, scored just  three  points  but stuck to Embiid like a leech.  Embiid said it was one  of his cold nights with the Raptors packing the paint.  Sixers guard Ben Simmons said “No one is Superman and it happened tonight  to  Joel”.

Did you know? Cassius Clay

When Cassius Clay got back to his hometown Louisville after winning a gold medal from the Rome Olympics in 1960, a parade was held in his honor. But discrimination or segregation was really bad that even though Clay was a national hero, he was denied entry to a local restaurant.  Legend has it that Clay got so mad, he threw his gold medal into the Ohio River.

Billy Mays

A Sioux Indian who grew on a reservation in South Dakota was the only American ever to win Olympic gold in the 10,000meter run in 1964.  Even after he excelled in cross-country and became an All-American, he was still discriminated.  There were times when Mays was asked to step out during group photo of runners.

NOTES: Condolence to our breakfast buddy Ted Cavan for the demise of his wife Gloria.  May she rest in peace.”Hasta La Vista Glor”.