NBA winners list

Once again, we were deluged by entries for our latest content. Over 1,500 entries flooded The Star office from all over the country.

Entries came from San Fernando in La Union, Baguio City, Marilao, San Jose del Monte and Plaridel in Bulacan, Sta. Barbara in Pangasinan, Taytay, Bacoor, Sta. Rosa in Laguna, Naga City, Tubod in Iligan, Puerto Princesa, Bacolod, Imus, Lipa, Batangas City, Iriga City, San Nicolas in Ilocos Norte, Pililia in Rizal, Tarlac City and Gerona in Tarlac, Cebu City, Cagayan de Oro, Iloilo City, San Jose in Antique, Cauayan in Isabela, Antipolo and Makati, Mandaluyong, Pasay, Manila, Quezon City, Novaliches, Cainta, Caloocan, Malabon and Valenzuela in Metro Manila, among others.

We chose 15 winners in all to take home an NBA ‘Loot Bag’ each. The contents of each bag vary and may include baller IDs, wristbands, caps, towels, rain jackets, water bottles, socks and pillows–all brandishing NBA team logos. The bags are either marked the San Antonio Spurs (No. 21 for Tim Duncan) or the Houston Rockets (No. 1 for Tracy McGrady). The loot bags were given by NBA Asia exclusively for Star readers.

We split the winners into three groups.

The first group answered our ‘Sunday’ questions which were (1) Who is the Los Angeles Lakers coach this season and (2) Who were the two NBA veterans signed by San Antonio to join the Spurs during the offseason’ The correct answers are (1) Phil Jackson and (2) Michael Finley and Nick Van Exel.

The ‘Sunday’ winners are Eulogio Dimacali, 71, retired government employee of Pasay City; Restituto Rodriguez, 49, executive consultant of Gerona, Tarlac; Matias Santander, 33, head guard, Mandaluyong City; Seminiano Bustillos, 38, Cocolife insurance underwriter of Cainta and Jan Therese Cortez, 15, fourth year student, Paranaque Science High School.

All five wrote essays on why they love the NBA, in 100 words or less.

Here’s Santander’s essay: ‘I love the NBA not just because it’s the NBA, the most popular basketball (league) in the world. Not just (because) it showcases players’ extraordinary talents and skills, not just because it shows exciting and unbelievable plays. But also because it is a show that promotes unity, peace and camaraderie in the world. Whatever is your race or your religion, you’re welcome in the NBA. This is a must show for everyone.’

The second group answered our ‘Tuesday’ questions which were (1) Who was the Denver Nuggets leading scorer last season and (2) Who steered the Detroit Pistons to the 2003-04 NBA title and is now the New York Knicks coach’ The correct answers are (1) Carmelo Anthony and (2) Larry Brown.

The ‘Tuesday’ winners are Edgar Domingo, 48, retired, Baguio City; Julia Francisco, 45, employee, Imus, Cavite; Ranny Ignacio, 30, bank appraiser, Makati; Mark Tiongson, 14, second year, Lourdes High School of Quezon City and Abdul Reynante Bandaying, 40, taxi driver, Tandang Sora, Quezon City.

All five wrote essays on why they love the NBA, in 100 words or less.

Here’s Ignacio’s essay: ‘I don’t like the NBA, I love it. I love the NBA because it teaches me a higher learning on how to play fair in the greatest game called life. The NBA encourages me to have determination to shoot (for) my goal, take some physical defense on those people trying to take me down, abide by the rules and penalties that the referee might impose on me and assists me to help others attain their goals and be the best of whomever they are. The NBA teaches me to be a role player and checks on my spelling that there is no letter ‘i’ in the word "team." And to top it all, the NBA imparts that a team must have a good coach to have synergy, one motion, one goal and one team. God is our coach.’

The third group answered our ‘Wednesday’ questions which were (1) Who was the NBA Finals MVP last season and (2) Who was the PBA veteran hired by San Antonio as an assistant coach and shooting doctor this year’ The correct answers are (1) Tim Duncan and (2) Chip Engelland.

The ‘Wednesday’ winners are Danilo Molina, 51, resident manager, Las Palmas Hotel, Malate; Velmor Angelo Arradaza, 27, Mr. Donut baker, Quezon City; Josefina Familiar, 35, housewife, Sta. Rosa, Laguna; Neil Quimbo, 44, Avesco supervisor, Barangay Bahay Toro, Quezon City and Ofelia Bismonte, 53, secretary, Maypajo, Caloocan City.

All five wrote essays on why they love the NBA, in 100 words or less.

Here’s Arradaza’s essay: ‘I love the NBA because it is a very great organization handled by intelligent and professional persons. I watch it almost everyday when my free time permits. What I like most is David Stern’s concept of globalization where they reach other countries like the Philippines to spread the NBA gospel. Also, their recruitment of non-American players to pave the way for other talents outside America to show their wares. My only wish is that one day, there is a Filipino basketball player in the NBA and I believe Pinoys can achieve that.’

All 15 winners may claim their prizes from Babes Angat on the fifth floor, ECJ Condominium, Arzobispo corner Real Streets, Intramuros, Metro Manila, starting today. Please call 527-6007 for directions.