Swimsuit edition

The most awaited issue of Sports Illustrated magazine has hit the newsstands in the United States and I know of many who are hoping to see some copies from their favorite magazine dealer here.

The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition is a collectible and I’m sure the local magazine dealers have been getting inquiries about copies of such.

Don’t ask me where you can score a copy since I don’t have any idea who is selling the magazine in Cebu. 

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Although I haven’t been following the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) for a few years now, the recent walkout of Talk N Text in game 4 of their series against Ginebra caught my attention.

While I would not dispute the claim of coach Chot Reyes that his team has been getting the short end of the stick with regards to officiating since I wasn’t there and didn’t see the game until my attention was called by one of the guys watching the small TV set at the office, I don’t agree that walking out is the solution.

The crowd will be the first to complain if they see any bias in officiating. It was only the first quarter of the game and I’m sure if the bias was obvious, the audience would be booing the calls and even the officials of the PBA would notice.

It is unfortunate that such incident became another black mark on the PBA, which despite its ups and downs has continued to be the premiere sporting league in the country.

The record fines slapped on TnT shall serve as a lesson for other coaches and teams not to do the same.

I have seen several walk outs during games as a sportswriter for almost 21 years now and most of the time, it never felt good to be watching such.

Several years ago, the coach of a team that I was supporting, walked out of a football game. The coach said that the officials were biased against the opponent, but some of the players did not feel the same way.

The coach prevailed and I left the field feeling very bad about what happened. I know for a fact that fights are not necessarily won by facing the opponent and walking away often is a better option.

But sports, although may be a lesser violent form of fighting, is governed by rules and the score after the final whistle or buzzer decides who is the better team.

If you think that you’ve been cheated, file a protest. The resolution of protests in sports events do not take as long as election protests here in our country.

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We had our first meeting for the 12th View Invitational at Alta Vista Golf and Country Club yesterday and it was decided that this year’s event be held on May 27 to 30.

You can start plotting your schedule now so you can join this member-guest event.

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MILESTONES: Happy birthday greetings go to my mistah and companymate Freddie de la Cruz, who turns a year older today. The same goes to Arthur Cang, Bernadette Beduya, and Manila Bulletin’s Malou Mozo.

Advance greetings go to Brett Aleonar and my former neighbor Cesar Fernandez, who are both celebrating tomorrow.

More power to all of you!