I have watched two MVPs carry their respective teams to victory today.

And both showed two different leadership styles.

I am talking about Lebron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers. Both came straight from high school before entering the NBA. Both are scoring leaders in their own right.

Lebron James, the naillbiting phenom who is probably the best all-around two guard literally carried his team to 97-96 victory against the prolific scorer Gilbert Arenas-led Washington Wizards. He scored his 50^th 30 plus game amidst the stingy and double teaming defense. His team was down by one point with 23.4 seconds to go when he struggled to put up a shot, first eluding his guard then pump faking an off the glass shot against the shot-blocking Michael Ruffin. This is after all the criticisms that Lebron was incapable of taking charge in late game and nerve wracking situations. The Cavaliers capped the win by withstanding a trifecta attempt by Gilbert Arenas that went pfft in the dying seconds. Now the Cavaliers are up 2-1 in the first round of the NBA playoffs.

In another game, the oft-misunderstood Kobe Bryant helped eke out a win against the high octane offense Steve Nash-led Phoenix Suns. Bryant this year’s scoring leader who is perceived as a cocky, ballhog and selfish player, did what was unexpected of him- trust his teammates. This probably caught the opposing team off guard as they expected an 81 points scoring Bryant. Instead, they faced a Magic Johnson-like team leader who trusted his team and help will the team to wins. It wasn’t a usual scoring night but he did show his multi-faceted game of assists, rebounds and steals.

Lebron James and Kobe Bryant. Two MVPs in their own right. Two leaders. One for taking the responsibility and the strong will to win for the betterment of the team. The other for being a trusting and encouraging team leader who shunned one-upmanship and had no qualms doing the "dirty work" all in the name of the team and the win.

They may not emerge as NBA season MVPs or even win the NBA crown but both earned a lot of people’s respect (like mine) unlike the heckler who ruined a graduation ceremony.

Kudos (again) to my kumpare Rob Erfe Mejia for emerging as Regional Champion for the Production Division and Area 2 Circuit Match Champion in the 7^th Panelco Cup, Level 2 PPSA Sanctioned Match and Area 2 Circuit Match #6 (Regional Championships)

The 7^th Panelco Cup was held last April 22-23, 2006 at the PNP Firing Range, Lingayen. The competition was hosted by the Hundred Islands Practical Shooting Association (HIPSA)

In the team competition, Team DPSA (Dagupan Practical Shooting Association) bested other teams and garnered the Overall Champion trophy. Team Baguio came in second and Team Pangasinan ended up in third place.

Rob is one of the top shooters and an officer of the DPSA (Dagupan Practical Shooting Association)

The prestigious shootfest held last April 8, and 9, 2006 is part of the Dapupan Bangus Festival 2006 activities.

Next trophy to bring home is the Glock Invitational Shoot*ng Competition, a Level III, PPSA (Philippine Practical Shooting Association) sanctioned match. This will be held at the CPRA (Cebu P*stol and R*fle Association) Firing Range, Mactan, Cebu on June 1-3, 2006. Right Rob?

Email me at sfbrvistro@gmail.com in case you would like to sponsor him on his way to glory in Cebu.

For almost 15 years now, I have been a part of a basketball group that meets weekly on the hardcourt. The group is comprised of 20 something to 30 something years old men of different backgrounds and personalities. The group is composed of young businessmen, a politician, OFWs, a teacher (that’s me), employees, salesmen, a law graduate, physical therapists, nurses, managers, and students. The degree of familiarity and developed friendship has not diminished the level of competitiveness among us.

We learn a lot of things in life outside the classroom. I have found a significant learning place in the basketball court. Throughout the years, basketball has taught me lessons that can’t be found in books or classrooms. These lessons learned are even multi-disciplinary. Physical fitness, Physics, Leadership, Team Building, Group Dynamics, Personality Development, and Values Education.

I am, in basketball standards, small. I stand just about 5.5 feet and am thinly built. I am not a skywalking, speedy or a sweet shooting player. But I take pride in my perimeter sniping, passing skills and defense. Definitely a late bloomer, it was in high school that I have fully appreciated playing ball and hoops. During class breaks, after classes, under the sweltering sun, and even in leather shoes. I became part of the varsity in high school only because 1. I was a senior and 2. We have a small school population. In college, I was a member of the inter-block championship team as a second stringer and a strategist. In many places, basketball pick-up games introduced me to a lot of new people and eventual friends. I played in the backyard of a neighbor, wooden gymnasiums, in classier exclusive subdivisions in Manila, premier school gyms, in Brunei, and even in a court made up of sand.

I also learned more about life more than about the game itself not only as a player but also as a coach. I have coached kids in several barangay/community basketball leagues. I also experienced being a playing coach (more of the coaching than playing) for our subdivision team. My capping glory as a head coach is steering a small college in a fourth place finish in the 1998 MCAAD (Metro Colleges Athletic Association of Dagupan). We had the smallest line-up and probably the thinnest too. Yet we managed to reach the battle for third place which we lost to the Juan Castro (former MBA player)-led Lyceum Northwestern. The champion that time was University of Pangasinan. Well, I was not as successful as my idols coach Ron Jacobs, Baby Dalupan or Phil Jackson but to my players, that experience was golden!

Basketball has instilled in me the value of discipline and responsibility. Before one can become a team player, one should take the responsibility of the particular role to be played. It also has developed my patience, resilience and sportsmanship. I have honed my decision-making skills enabling me to adjust and cope with different situations.

Basketball has kept both my mind and body sharp. It also has enabled me to practice my leadership and team building skills. It brought that winning attitude but with the values of honesty and magnanimity in defeat. Yes, we learn a lot from the losses. Stand up and learn from each fall.

These basketball lessons are valuable in the game called life.

Saturday was billiards night. At least for my friend Kevin and I, who battled for iced cold beer in a 9-ball challenge. We haven’t played for quite some time so it was a battle royale ala Bata versus Bustamante (we wished). Race to three per set= one round of San Mig Light at Mario’s billiards at Gomez St., Dagupan City. Mang Mario is once upon a time, Dagupan’s top billiard hustler who defeated a lot of professional billiards players for money.

Kevin, a 2005 graduate is currently working in a certain call center in Makati. He described his work as a "cut and paste", "no call", and "just fixing orders" for a US telco with a client base in California. So easy and yet he earns more than his brother, a CPA who works in a bank in Makati.

Yes, the job of the year is working in a call center. Call centers abound in Metro Manila. In fact, some companies do not even require a college diploma as they even hire high school students who are at least average in English communication skills and adept in computer typing. Although this could mean extra income, this could have a negative effect to their pursuit of a college education. Others have given up their studies in favor of work. Is this boon or bane?

By the way, I lost the game 2 sets to 1. Blame it on the beer or the lack of it.