Sports Collectibles

The real NBA season has started and the favorites have made sure they are the teams to beat. They have made a statement in their first playoff dates with some twists to the emerging drama.

First up is the number 7 seed LA Lakers. In going against the number 2 seed Phoenix, the team play that the Lakers were looking for was evident. Role players unexpectedly contributed, stepped up and gave a nice balanced attack.

In its first playoff game without Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant was passively subdued and happily played like one of the guys and through three quarters, took only ten shots. Midway through the fourth quarter, all Laker starters outscored the man who won this year's NBA scoring title. The bizarre thing about it was that it almost worked.

Kobe seemed content allowing teammates to find their game. Luke Walton had a career playoff-high 19 points, Lamar Odom had 21 points and a career playoff-high 14 rebounds, Kwame Brown is blossoming and had 14 points and 6 rebounds. The Laker leader himself had a quiet 22 points.

Phil Jackson's gameplan was to bring the game inside and amazingly, Kobe followed the instructions. He passed and passed and when he was finally needed to shoot and dominate the game, Kobe just couldn't find his range.

Kobe averaged 42.5 points per game this season against Phoenix but the only game the Lakers won over the Suns the past two years was last week, with Steve Nash and Raja Bell resting injuries.

Expect today's game to be interesting and whatever the outcome's gonna be, Kobe will morph back to his usual take-charge mode.

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Ever heard of Anderson Varejao? This 6-10, 23 y.o. Brazilian international plays a reserve role for the Cleveland Cavaliers. With bounce-off-the-wall intensity, hair gone wild in a headband, which shampoo companies would gladly try their products on, is making coach Mike Brown happy with his defensive presence and fearless approach.

Opponents are unnerved with his irritating and grinding brand of basketball. His hustle and willingness to get hurt has earned him the nickname of "Wild Thing". Varejao is not offensively gifted but he has good hands that we rarely see him flub one of LeBron's deceptive passes. Missing the first 32 games of the season due to a dislocated shoulder probably hampered his scoring ability.

The Cavs, with LeBron, Eric Snow, Larry Hughes, Drew Gooden and Donyell Marshall are known for skill and finesse. Varejao supplies the tenacity and grit and gets on opposing players' faces like a rabid rottweiler. He battles for rebounds, takes hard charges, happily fouls opponents and keep plays active by using his long arms and lanky frame to tap loose balls to teammates.

And he doesn't back down. When Rasheed Wallace introduced his elbow to Zydrunas Ilgauskas' nose and bloodying it in the process last February 26, Varejao was the only Cavs teammate to physically challenge Wallace.

In his first 1 minute, 42 seconds of playoff action last Sunday, the high-energy Varejao collared 3 rebounds, converted a free throw, committed a foul and drew two fouls from Wizards star Gilbert Arenas. He played for 24 quality minutes.

But the Cavs should not be complacent. Yes, the Wizards lost game one, 86-97. But last year, also looking outclassed by the Bulls in the first round by losing two games, they eventually regrouped and won four in a row.

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The Augustinian sisters have put up a college in Liloan. Formerly known as Holy Child School, it is now La Consolacion College. It offers Bachelors in Elementary and Secondary Education with majors in English, Science and Social Sciences.

La Consolacion College is Liloan's only Catholic school committed to give the best Catholic education to its students. Be one of the pioneers of the college. Contact 564-2866 for details or visit the guidance counselor.

The very motherly and amiable school directress, Sr. Cora, would be very glad to accommodate interested parties.

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