Jose Paolo Ariola of the Regional Trial Court, Branch 42, Hall of Justice, Bacolod City, reacting to the question "To naturalize or not":
"Playing for flag and country is a matter of national pride. What is at stake is allegiance and patriotism. There is no substitute for a victory won on our own merits without any extra-national intervention. Should we lose, then our consolation will be that we gave it our best shot."
Andrew Escuela of Quezon City:
"My 9-year-old son Ryan is an avid PBA fan. He regularly reads the sports page of your paper especially your column. He has compiled the points statistics of individual PBA players for three years now. However, he was disappointed when the out-of-town game between Alaska and Tanduay was hardly mentioned in any paper.
"My son asked me to write this letter and request you to publish in your column the boxscores of that game."
Alaska beat Tanduay, 96-92, in overtime in the Governors Cup game in Cebu last Oct. 6. The individual scores were for Alaska – Peek 20, Riley 18, Santos 15, Allado 14, Duremdes 13, Ticzon 7, Arigo 5, Wallkvist 4, Gahol 0, Ordonio 0 and for Tanduay – Bell 31, Hontiveros 18, Menk 18, Cantonjos 7, Cariaso 6, Pumaren 6, Locsin 2, Balingit 2, Realubit 2, and Webb 0.
Teodoro Reynoso of Bulacan, Bulacan:
"We must not expect too much from the addition of talented Fil-Ams to the soon-to-be-formed national team to spell the big difference in the coming Asian Games. The likes of Still and Moore may have inspired awe and fear in the hearts of the Chinese and Sokors back in the ’80s but this may no longer be the case now, owing to the fact that China, Korea, Japan, and even countries in the Mid-East have grown used to playing against high-caliber Caucasian and blacks in international tournaments. That’s what more frequent exposure to top-flight international competitions can do that importing foreign, usually American, reinforcements in the PBA, has consistently failed to do to raise the quality of local basketball."
Hermie Rivera of Newark, California, reacting to my suggestion of a peace pipe as a Christmas present for former world boxing champion Luisito Espinosa:
"Why are you heaping the blame on poor Luisito insofar as the ills bestowed by DePedro, Cepeda, Koizumi, Nazario, Mondejar, Hall, etc. are concerned?
"He’s not after Boots (Aniel) by the way. Where did you get this info? He is after these crooks that have done nothing except to ignore his pleas. Kasalanan ba niya ito? Bakit naman kung upakan mo ay ganoon na lang. Ano ba ang atraso niya sa iyo? Dahil nag-counter siya kay Sydney (Hall) tungkol sa pagkaka-abandon ni Loko sa kanyang kaso sa immigration? Aba, kumita ito ng $20,000 already. Yung ang inawas sa premyo ng America Presents. Pagkatapos, magba-blackmail siya. Huwag naman, boss.
"At saka, bakit pagdating doon sa ibang dinedemanda kaparis ni Nazario at Mondejar at walang imik? Hey, let’s call a spade a spade, pare. Marami na rin tayong pinagsamahan. Pwede ba natin ituwid itong gusot?"
Hermie, my good pal, please don’t overreact. I’m doing my share to keep Louie in the limelight despite his long inactivity. As for my suggesting a peace pipe, what’s wrong with that? Louie’s too confrontational – even to those who may be able to help him extend his career.
I have no quarrel with Louie. I hope he succeeds in his latest comeback. Don’t include me in his growing hate list. As for his squabble with Hall, there are two sides to every story – I’m sure Hall has a story to tell, too. And Boots, who has sacrificed so much for the Espinosas – it’s not fair to drag her name in accusations against Hall. I’m glad she’s not in Louie’s hit list.
So dear Hermie, there’s no quarrel between us. The real culprit is DePedro – let’s zero in on him and leave out the others who aren’t really answerable to the former Governor’s misdeed, like Koizumi, Nazario and Mondejar. Let’s keep cool, partner. And let’s stay focused.
Kris Bautista of 15 Maimpok St., Sikatuna Village, Quezon City:
"I am an avid fan of the PBA and have always been a fan of San Miguel, since the time of PBA greats Ricardo Brown, Ramon Fernandez, Samboy Lim, Hector Calma and Allan Caidic.
"I would like to suggest some pointers for coach Jong Uichico. Why not execute fastbreaks? Imagine Olsen running the break with Danny S., Danny I, or Nick running in the wings? San Miguel would be a much deadlier team if it could run the halfcourt plays as well as the fastbreak plays. When low post plays are always executed, in my humble opinion, it does not promote the concept of teamwork among players because the same player or limited players will shoot the ball. Even the Lakers with Shaq don’t always execute a low post play. Why not run double screens, pick-and-roll, and backdoors?"
I’m sure coach Uichico will keep your advice in mind for next season.
Dr. Joseph Gomez of 24 Malta Village, Dagupan City:
"The win of the PBA against the ABC All-Stars last year proved that the Philippines has the potential to become Asian champion. We now have young, tall, strong and fast players who are at par with the Chinese and South Koreans. If the PBA maintains this team and lets it compete in international tournaments in the offseason, we will have a very good chance of winning the gold in the Asian Games."
Other letters came from Kingky Martinez, Glenn Remoreras, Jane de Torres, Carl Bugarin (inquiring about Homer Sayson), Marlon Bernabe, John Chua, Paul Upham, Rene Molina, Jose Antonio Gomez, Rico Xeres, Jess Carpena, Eldorado (Bingbong) Semana, Jon-Jon Ocampo, Ben Sangalang, Honorio Ybera, Dr. Huberto Avedillo, Mark Tan, Jomier of Makati, Ramon Ybiernas, Cesar Tan, Froilan Mencias, M. J. Banaga, Dante Acuna, Jet Custodio, Edward Malabag, Arnold Joaquin, Ruffy Cabugawan, Boks Esteban of Vancouver, Jun Dayo, and many, many more.
It may take several months before your letters are acknowledged but rest assured, they are all read. Without your support, dear readers, this column wouldn’t continue to exist. Thanks. This one’s for you.