Don’t give up

In the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, Mamo Wolde of Ethopia finished last in the 10,000 meter run. In the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, Mamo was on his lap last of the 10,000 meters and was trailing three runners. Using every ounce of his strength, he increased his speed, gaining on the leaders but his efforts went to naught as he finished fourth and out of the podium. Instead of sulking, Mamo said “I’ll be back and going for gold in four years time”.  Mamo returned to his native Africa and back to his job as a member of the Ethiopian Imperial Bodyguard.  Mamo’s friend Abebe Bikila, back-to-back Olympic marathon champion, joined him during training.  He then advised Mamo to try the marathon.  Mamo said he tried the race before and failed to finish, “So try again until you do, never give up,” said Bikila.  Inspired by his friend, Mamo was in the starting line of the marathon in the 1968 Mexico Olympics.   Some athletes were affected by the 7,500 ft. above sea level altitude of Mexico.  In the halfway mark, Mamo broke away from the pack which included defending champion Bikila, who could not finish with a leg injury.  Despite his aching legs, Mamo summoned his remaining strength and finally entered the stadium to claim the crown.  Our very own Benjamin Silva-Netto, former PATAFA secretary general was the Philippines’ entry in Mexico.  Ben clocked 2:56:19 to place 49th.  My protege’ Herman Suizo, still holds the best record for a Filipino marathoner in the Olympics.  Suizo timed 2:25:18 in Barcelona in 1992.  Robert Jaworski and Jake Rojas led the Philippine team in the basketball event in Mexico. 

Dark Crystal ball

Unless king Lebron James and Anthony Davis of Los Angeles recover on time, the Lakers will have to kiss their championship dream goodbye. James was injured in a game with the Atlanta Hawks and was listed as “indefinite”.  James was hurt when he rolled his ankle under Solomon Hill.  Davis has already missed consecutive games with a right calf injury.  Also in the injured list is Mark Gasol.  In a game in New Orleans, former Laker Brandon Ingram castigated the Lakers, scoring 36 points to send Los Angeles to its third consecutive loss.  As I write this column, the Lakers are now in third position, trailing the Utah Jazz and the Phoenix Suns.  The Lakers could slide further with the Denver Nuggets (fourth place) breathing down their necks.  My crystal ball is getting dimmer. Latest report said Lebron will be out for a month and a half.  On the other hand, Blake Griffin scored his first dunk with Brooklyn as the Nets blasted the Washington Wizards.   Griffin who was traded to the Nets from Detroit scored 16 points to compliment the production of Kylie Irving and James Harden.

Hasta la Vista Elgin Baylor

The legendary Elgin Baylor of the Los Angeles Lakers, regarded as one of the greatest players in the NBA, has died at 86.  Although he reached eight NBA finals with the Lakers, he lost all of them to Bill Russell and the Celtics.  “Sa ato pa”, he never won a championship ring to crown his legacy.  One consolation however is that, he scored 61 points versus the Celtics in 1962, which to date remained  the highest scored by an individual in an NBA Finals game.   Rest in Peace! Elgin Baylor.

NOTES: The Houston Rockets finally ended a 20-game losing streak by beating the Toronto Raptors.  Houston we have a problem.