Manny Pacquiao: Champion of His People

Manny Pacquiao’s drive for a fourth world title in a fourth weightc class culminated with a ninth round TKO of former WBC lightweight champion, David Diaz. He looked faster and sharper with his punches and even though Diaz was game for most of the match he eventually succumbed to the irresistible force which is Manny Pacquiao.

Pacquiao isn’t just your average boxing champion, he is a nation’s icon. Truly a peoples’ champion. He apologizes for bad performances and strives to satisfy his fans with a KO every match. For that we are truly grateful. He unites his homeland the Philippines which is filled with turmoil. But every time he straps on the gloves, the people unite and crime is nearly non-existant on fight night. Streets shut down, parties are held, and people crowd into wherever they can to catch a glimpse of their national hero. Even Filipinos in the states and other countries gather around television sets to adore and admire Manny Pacquiao because let’s face it, not a lot of Filipinos are doing great things in the world. In a sport and industry dominated by other ethnicities, Pacquiao is the Filipino engine that could, and to this point is the Filipino engine that IS doing everything he sought out to do.

So cheers to Manny Pacquiao for giving Filipinos all across the world something to be proud about other than our delicious food and beautiful women!

Boston C’s Party

Sports fans in Boston and the New England area have a reason to be happy with their Celtics defeating the Los Angeles Lakers in six games to win the NBA Championship. After the devastating loss in the Super Bowl by the New England Patriots, fans in Boston have been pining for another championship. They’re such lucky fans. They get the Red Sox, Patriots, and Celtics. All three of those teams have played for a championship.

Anyways back to the matter at hand. The three-headed monster of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen helped their team beat a Laker team with the best player in the NBA in Kobe Bryant. But as past teams have proved, it’s not about have the best player, but the best team. The Celtics showed that in their team defense and team rebounding, two categories where they outmatched the Lakers. However this result was hardly foreseen a year ago. Paul Pierce was disgusted in the team’s makeup, GM Danny Ainge was on the hot seat for not making roster moves and for not landing the first pick in the draft, and coach Doc Rivers was surely on his way out. Then some guys named Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett were acquired and the teams attitude and fortunes changed immediately.

They soared to the best record in the NBA and was guaranteed homecourt throughout the playoffs. And they needed it. The first two rounds went the distance with the Celtics winning each game 7 at home against the Hawks and Cavaliers. That made them tougher because critics started to question the teams heart and chemistry. Could a team with just oNe regular season together make it deep into the playoffs? And they answered with a resounding YES.

Celtic fans can now cheer for a more modern team and a 17th championship banner. Stars Allen, Pierce, and Garnett have all worked hard in their careers to reach the pinnacle and now they’ve achieved it. If it all ended today, they’d all be assured of a championship ring. The future is unsure though. Will the veterans want do it all again to defend their title or do they want to end their careers on top? But today and for the next few weeks, it’s party time in Beantown!