“We’re all just playing our own game. I don’t see it as a rivalry. We’re just trying to play our best.” –Michelle Wie
Please wake me up before I am tempted to suspect the National Basketball Association (NBA) finals have become a veritable replica of the ridiculous World Wrestling Federation (WWF).
When the Cleveland Cavaliers played the Golden State Warriors last year for the third consecutive time in the best-of-seven series, it marked the first “threematch” in league history – it was premature to downgrade their mind-boggling repeat rivalry to the WWF.
But if we, once again, use mathematics, this year’s series marks the first “fourmatch.”
The teams playing in the finals will be the same as the three previous years (2015, 2016, and 2017) for the fourth year in a row.
Like in their finals face-off, both the Warriors and the Cavs are borrowing each other’s title.
The Golden State Warriors won their first NBA championship whipping the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2015. The Cavaliers turned it around the following season in 2016 and won their first championship by trouncing the Warriors.
Golden State reclaimed the title last year.
Who will the fountain bless this year?
We will know when Game 1 on the finals takes place on May 31 (US time), hosted by Warriors. They go on to hose Game 2 on June 3.
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Incumbent politicians who interfered in the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections knew they violated the law, but feigned innocence because they needed to make sure their bets won; nevermind if they were denounced for “politicking” and “influence peddling” by critics, as long as their candidates were elected.
If they aspire for higher office in 2019, these politicians would be hypocrites to deny they needed to secure major SK slots in the provincial and city legislatures. These youth representatives wield marvelous power and influence among the barangay-based electorate, like the barangay captain; some are more credible than their senior peers.
Politicians who invested heavily on SK chairs are like engaged in planting rice; come harvest season, they will be grinning from ear to ear.
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Many bright and outstanding leaders in the country began their journey in public service through the SK federation. Not who rose the ranks were swallowed by the corrupt system, as feared by critics who agitated for abolition of SK.
There were a few who succumbed to the glitter of glory and gold, and scandalously blasted their way to public coffers, but there were also gifted and morally upright SK-trained public servants who became distinguished mayors, governors, and representatives. I would not be surprised if, one day, we will have a candidate who challenges the likes of Manny Pacquiao, Sarah Duterte, or Tito Sotto for president.
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We congratulate Barangay Our Lourdes SK Chair Leila Luntao, in Iloilo City’s Jaro district, Iloilo City, for being elected SK Federation president on May 29.
There were allegations claiming her candidacy was backed by powerful politicians, led by Iloilo City lone district Rep. Jerry P. Treñas, according to Iloilo City Councilor Plaridel Nava.
The responsibility of persuading the “Doubting Thomases” otherwise falls on her shoulders.
In fairness to her, Luntao, who has impressive credentials, credited her efforts and diligence for the win. She reportedly launched a stellar and no-nonsense campaign from one district to another and earned 93 votes; outslicking her rivals Antoinette Gallos of Barangay Ingore, who received 75 votes, and Niel Omisol of Barangay Bantud who picked up six./WDJ