John Pages – Page 177 – Cebu Sports Blog by John Pages

Swiss? Spaniard? It’s called the French War

Roger Federer vs. Guillermo Canas? Rafael Nadal vs. Novak Djokovic? This will be an all-star semi-finals cast. If you recall, the last two times they met, Canas beat Federer. So this will be interesting. But the French Open is a Grand Slam event and, in the last three majors he’s played, Federer hasn’t lost. So, against Canas, he won’t lose. He’ll enter the finals. Nadal? Of course he’ll join the world no.1. Wow. Can you imagine another R and R finale? Here’s why this Sunday’s fight will be a classic…

King James Unscrews the Pistons of Detroit

At 22 years old, he doesn’t belong in the NBA Finals. Not yet. But he’s done it. Down 0-2 last week, they won the next two games at home in Cleveland. Then, LeBron James exploded in Detroit two days ago with 48 points–including 29 of his team’s last 30 points–to win Game 5. And now, just a few hours ago, I caught the last quarter when Cleveland destroyed the engines of Detroit to win Game 6 and enter the NBA Finals. What a win! The question now is: Who’s going to root for the Spurs?

SMART/Butch Bacani Tennis Camp: A Smashing Success

Over 174 participants joined. Children as young as five years old. Adults as old as above 53. Boys. Girls. Beginners. Intermediate. Advanced. Sally Mae Siso, the 13-year-old phenom, smiled and enjoyed. Mr. Benny Sala, an avid tennis player, smiled and enjoyed.

Steve Jobs vs. Bill Gates

Apart from Sports, my other passion is Tech. I’m no Computer Engineer, didn’t graduate from a Computer Science course, but I love reading and following technology. I own a Treo 680 and Treo 650, a Macbook, a Compaq laptop, I surf the Internet daily and read all news about Technology and Apple. And if you ask me–or any other guy who’s into tech–who the two greatest men are in this field, I’d answer, within a nanosecond, Bill Gates and Steve Jobs.

Vacation? After summer? Try Cagayan de Oro

I’ve talked about Boracay, posted write-ups, uploaded photos. To me, there’s no place in RP more beautiful than this island off the northern tip of Panay.

But there’s another spot–just as pretty, but more exhilarating–that I suggest you visit. From Cebu, it’s only a “sleep away” when you take Trans-Asia or Cebu Ferries. It’s the biggest city (together with Davao) south of Cebu. It has an SM mall, a LimKetKai mall, huge schools, millions of Bisaya-speaking neighbors, and, perfect for tourists who love adventure, it has WHITE-WATER RAFTING.

Dick and Rick Hoyt

One of the most inspiring stories I’ve read is the one of the father-and-son tandem of Dick and Rick Hoyt. Believe me, after reading their story and watching the video below, you’re sure to emerge either of the following: inspired, awakened, you’re wiping tears off your cheeks, you’re stirred off your chair, you want to hug your son or daughter or mom or dad, you’ll want to shout, “IT’S GREAT TO BE ALIVE!”First, read this article “Strongest Dad in the World,” written by one of the best American sportswriters, Rick Reilly (of Sports Illustrated). Then, watch this video…

Nadal blogs at the French Open

If you’re a fan of the two-time defending champion at Roland Garros–Rafael Nadal–or if you’d like to take a peek at what goes inside the daily schedule of one of the world’s most celebrated athletes, check this out…

More on this Paradise named Boracay…

Before our family vacationed in Boracay last week, my last visit to the island was in 2005. Then, I had three major complaints: First, the beach line was littered with garbage. Second, stray dogs ran amok and chased you everywhere. Third, “pump-boats” docked as they pleased, often right straight at you while you’re swimming on the beach.I’m happy to report good news: Boracay is cleaner, free of stray dogs, and the boats are no longer on the beach front.

White-Water Rafting in CDO

Last month, together with a few friends named Jourdan and Ronnie and Jingle and Steph, we got wet, our muscles ached, we starved for a few hours, swam, paddled, laughed, high-fived, and our hearts beat 168 times in 60 ticks as we did the one adventure that’s become more and more famous each year: Rafting in Cagayan de Oro. Enjoy this clip…

CDO Rafting from John Pages on Vimeo

Joke for the Day!

A 245-lb. man signed up for a weight loss program complete with a personal trainer. It included a run each morning at six. So when the doorbell rings the next morning, he’s ready. As he opens the door, he sees the most beautiful blonde he’s ever seen. Tall, well-endowed above a slim waist and long legs, she’s dressed in a pair of shorts that can barely contain her. She smiles and says, “If you can catch me, you can kiss me” and starts off at a fast run.

This continues each morning. After three frustrating weeks, the man gets in shape and can almost keep up with her. One day he’s barely able to touch her shorts but can’t hang on. Tomorrow will be the big day. He barely sleeps that night.

The next morning, the bell rings. He runs to the door and throws it open. There stands a huge burley woman, six-foot-five and 260 pounds. She’s muscled up like an ox and has a large wart amid her facial hair. She smiles and says, “I’m your new trainer. If I can catch you, I can kiss you!”