Chris Pacana

November 23 is my birthday. One month and one day shy of Chris' birthday. Yes, we're born on same year, year of the Rooster. A month before my birthday, I had planned everything. Fate's on my side that time.

The Plan
Me and my online friends will be watching PBA game at the Araneta Coliseum on November 21. The scheduled game were Game 1: Coca-Cola Tigers vs Purefoods TJ Giants and Game 2: Barangay Ginebra Kings vs Sta. Lucia Realtors. It was perfect, for me at least. Two of my favorite teams would be playing, PF and BGK. Months ago, it was planned. Me, Thania, AM, and Hanna would be watching the game live. It would be special to have Hanna seated beside me. We have lot of things in common. We both love PF and BGK.

My Wish
As a fan, I had this wonderful wish, that Chris Pacana be hailed as the game's Best Player of the Game that night, that he may have double-double figures, 22 big points, 10 big rebounds, 5 steals, 3 assists, and 1 block shot. There, that'll be great. And it would be greater if Kerby Raymundo will be the BPG of Game 1. And definitely, after the game, I won't let the moment to pass me by without having a picture with Chris, with me wearing a shirt with his jersey number on.

The Reality
Too good to be true. Aside from the initial friends that would be beside me watching the game, Mark, Gwen, and Josephine will also be around. As early as Tuesday, we bought tickets, seven (7) tickets. But to my dismay, PBA just changed schedule. BGK's game was move on November 22 to be held at San Juan Arena. *sigh* I hate PBA. So we had to return the tickets and exchange it for November 22 game instead. Goodbye watching PF live. Well, it was not really a bad news since it allowed me to take a rest from my 8AM-8AM (Thursday - Friday) work. November 22. The date was nice. It was Chris' jersey number. But something went wrong. Hanna and Josephine won't be coming. I felt so sad. I even mentioned to Hanna that it won't be the same without her. And a sudden idea come to me, a worse one -- Chris, nursing an injury, might not show at all tonight's ballgame. And now I can be a fortune teller, there was really no CP#22 on November 22. It's not the usual me. The game was intense, someone from the SLR had been out of the playing court for a flagrant and a technical foul called on him. But I remained silent. I just can't cheer. All I can say was 'Nasaan si Chris?'. Everyone's cheering their hearts out. I had witnessed two (2) buzzer beaters. One was on the 2nd Quarter where JayJay Helterbrand chipped in a 3 pointer at the nick of time. The other one was Willie Wilson's basket, beating the buzzer on the 3rd Quarter. And yes, it was Sunday Salvacion's night. His 3 pointers kept the lead of BGK. SLR just can't get things right. The rebound always ends up to the hands of Billy Mamaril, Eric Menk, or Wilson. The team's great. Never say die attitude, that is. But am I happy? As the seconds are winding down on the pay-off period, I was still hoping that Chris might be there somewhere watching the game. But, no, there won't be CP#22 that night. Oh, sad birthday for me. Well, at least I got the consolation from Chris' teammates, ha ha. They won the ballgame.

The scores:

Ginebra 93 – Salvacion 22, Artadi 18, Tubid 17, Helterbrand 13, Wilson 8, Cabatu 7, Menk 4, Mamaril 2, Crisano 2, Escalona 0, Holper 0, Valenzuela 0.

Sta. Lucia 81 – Espino 19, Miranda 10, Yeo 9, Omolon 9, Williams 8, Gonzales 8, Aquino 7, Gregorio 5, Coronel 3, Mendoza 3.

Quarterscores: 24-15, 56-39, 74-65, 93-81

Yes, my friends got the chance to go to their practice once again. And still, I was not able to come. I'm still shy, and I really don't know why.

Chris, as what my friends told me, was not practicing at all. He's injured, hu hu hu

Chris, while writing a message for my birthday *wink wink*

It's BGK Calendar with Marian Rivera (I could have appreciated it more if it's Chris in the calendar, ha ha)

Chris Pacana and Grace

I'm so excited for the upcoming game of Barangay Ginebra Kings (BGK) against Talk N Text Tropang Texters (TNT). I don't know, but PBA has been one of the things that allows me to unload myself of the worries of the day. I just came from an overnight duty from our office due to a nationwide migration, so I lull myself to sleep this morning. Before the game starts, I opted to take a nap first, but I just can't sleep, probably because I fear that I won't be able to wake up right before the game starts. It was 4th Quarter of Game 1, San Miguel Beermen (SMB) against Coca Cola Tigers. I prefer to cheer for the Tigers. I like the way Alex Cabagnot plays. Sadly, they lose. Final score was 89-86.

Before the game started, I got the information that Chris Pacana is injured, and that he won't be able to play. My friend, who is at the Cuneta Astrodome that time, told me that Chris Pacana is not doing the usual warm up. *sigh*

It was Anthony Suntay for the court side report and he was mentioning the key players of BGK who are still nursing their injuries. Mark Caguioa, Raffy Reavis, and Junthy Valenzuela are among those players. Hence, BGK is still playing with a depleted line up. So, someone really has to step up each game. Game 1, it was Paul Artadi, Game 2 is JunJun Cabatu, Game 3 is Chris Pacana, Game 4 is Willie Wilson, Game 5 is Sunday Salvacion, Game 6 are Paul Artadi and JayJay Helterbrand, Game 7 is Eric Menk, and Game 8 are Chris Pacana and JayJay Helterbrand. Well, those players stepped up based from my observations.

It was overwhelming for me, as a Chris Pacana fan, when Suntay mentioned that in the last game of BGK against Coke, it was Pacana who stepped up, having a career high of 10 big rebounds for only 11 minutes of play. Well, it was a career high for this conference since he already had that 10 big rebounds back in Game 3 of the Finals Series last conference against Air 21 Express. He also has the remark that Chris Pacana is tremendous as far as Barangay Ginebra is concerned. But after having that remark, he then followed a report stating that he won't be able to play that night. Confirmed. My source was right. *crying*

Still, I chose to watch the game. Anyway, I'm cheering for Chris' team as well, the BGK. BGK had a pretty great start. And Ronald Tubid is the man of the Quarter. Sadly, a little incident happen, that probably break his almost perfect game. Since Chris is not playing, I am watching the game while surfing the net. Then suddenly I heard the commentators stating Pacana's name. But I failed to watch that moment when Chris checked in. My friends told me that it was just a situational substitution wherein his job was just to foul Jimmy Alapag. After the foul, he was then immediately replaced by Paul Artadi. I don't know what's going on Coach Jong Uichico's head. He could have used Macky Escalona instead, or someone else to do that job. It just makes Chris' statistics worse, making his rank in steals to slid down. Well, at least for my concern, and for those as well who chose him in their roster in pbfantasy. *grin*

BGK was able to control the ballgame and have a 20 big lead against TNT at the end of the first quarter. But, inch-by-inch, TNT managed to come back from that deficit. And the great rhythm of Tubid was broken by the officials as he was called for a back to back foul after a technical called against him and Alapag. So, it was 3 straight calls for him. Suddenly the fate turns around.

I just feel so down. Something's just not right. In the 4th quarter, the BGK is trying to get back through the efforts of Cabatu. But, the game just shows how important deep bench is. Everyone's out of gas. A sorry loss for the team. And why do I really feel this way? Don't have the energy. Felt so sleepy. Hmmmm, I remember before, when BGK had their 5 game losing skid, I don't feel so down. Now, its making sense. Watching BGK game, whether win or lose, feels great when Chris had shown how important he is to the team. But in this game against TNT, I seem to miss his defense, his excellent defense. It's so hard to watch the bench instead of the game, ha ha. Watching BGK game is just not the same without Chris. *down*

Chris, hope you get well really soon. Hope to see you play again against James Yap on Sunday.

Scores:

Talk n Text 103 -- Cardona 32, Allado 17, Dillinger 16, Alapag 15, Carey 11, Castro 7, De Ocampo 3, Ritualo 2, Reyes 0, Aljamal 0, Peek 0.

Brgy. Ginebra 90 -- Tubid 17, Cabatu 16, Helterbrand 15, Salvacion 13, Wilson 12, Mamaril 6, Menk 6, Escalona 4, Artadi 1, Pacana 0, Holper 0, Crisano 0.

Quarterscores: 16-36, 49-55, 82-67, 103-90.

November 08, 2008
Lucena City
Coke vs BGK (77-81)

It is the first out-of-town game of the Barangay Ginebra Kings (BGK) for this conference. Hoping that the 5 game losing skid would be broken this time around. What was happening to BGK is almost similar to what happened last conference. They started 0-5, then 2-7, then finally was able to make a Quarter Finals berth, and of course, winning the championship. It was because of the chemistry created by their import, Chris Alexander to the team. Now, I was believing that the 2-5 standing of BGK will be revived and game win streak will be up next. If before it was Alexander, now, it would be Mark 'The Spark' Caguioa, who until now is still nursing his injury in the states. I'm waiting for his return, and his promise -- I'm telling you, we'll go to the championship!

But, Caguioa isn't around yet. So, who could be the hero for tonight? Well, Coca Cola Tigers is a great team. I admire a couple of their players -- Alex Cabagnot and Ronjay Buenafe (my bet last season for Rookie of the Year (ROY)). Not to mention Asi Taulava, who I wished belong to the BGK roster. But, with the never say die spirit of BGK, we will win tonight's ball game.

What's new? 8-0 in favor of Coke. BGK almost always have the poor start. Seem to be living to the spirit of a hero. JayJay Helterbrand just can't get his rhythm in the 1st Quarter. He, I believe, has 0/3 in the 3 point arc. But guess who saved the day -- no other than CHRIS PACANA. Sweet revenge? Yeah, the sweetest, to his former team. Ü I was really laughing when Pacana and Willie Wilson are the ones who fought for the defensive rebound, causing Pacana to sit on the floor. Then in the succeeding play, in the offense, a missed shot was tipped in by Pacana. A whistle was blown by the officials. But, it was just an inadvertent whistle since the play was actually a foul of Wilson, again, against Pacana, ha ha. Letting me capture this sweet smile from Pacana.



Almost all of his basket came from offensive rebounds. He out powered the big men of Coke. Standing 6'1", he just became unstoppable in the minutes when he is badly needed. He was the one in-charge in defending John Arigo, one of Coke's star players.

Come 2nd Quarter, Helterbrand is beginning to feel his phase. Though missing his backcourt tandem, he felt that he should carry BGK in his broad shoulders. And he never failed the team. I remembered, in the game against Red Bull Barakos (RB), it was Pacana's night. In the game against Alaska Aces, it was Helterbrand's night. In the game against Rain or Shine, it was Eric Menk's night. If only they had their nights simultaneously, I believe, BGK would be leading the season's elimination round.

One of the most awaited match up then was between Taulava and Alex Crisano. They never disappointed the fans. Crisano had been a crowd favorite ever since he came in BGK line up. As what the commentators are telling, whether he turns the ball over or not, he just get the loudest cheer. Merely checking in for someone, he receives the loudest applause. Whenever they bumped under the basket, everyone's on their feet. But what's nice in their match up, was, they still manages to smile. And for them, it was, I think, for fun.

There it goes, 1st Half ended with 46-29 in favor of BGK. But, I still hold on to my feet. I remember last game of Coke against RB where they bounce back from a 2-digit deficit, having Cabagnot as the Best Player of the Game (BPG). And yes, the battle ain't over.

And just what I am so much afraid to happen, Coke manages to cut the lead to a single digit at the end of the 3rd Quarter 61-56, even without Arigo on the floor. Arigo earlier hurt his knees, making it swollen. I remember I am talking to television, saying, 'Cabagnot, not now', ha ha ha. I know he's good, but don't show how great you are during this game.

Coke had tied the ball game. They even had their lead in the pay off period. But with the hustle of Paul Artadi and Helterbrand they had had more touches of the leather. Menk as well gained the basket that is badly needed from him in the last 3 minutes of the quarter. You bet, Helterbrand had been the hero of the game. His nothing but net baskets in the dying seconds of 4th quarter breaks the heart of the Tigers. And finally, BGK breaks the spell (5 game losing skid) at Lucena City. And the BPG, no other than, Caguioa?



Just kidding! Helterbrand seemed to mimic Caguioa's looks. It was Pacana's 1st Quarter, Menk's 4th Quarter, and Helterbrand's night.

Scores:

Brgy. Ginebra 81 - Helterbrand 28, Tubid 8, Salvacion 8, Artadi 8, Pacana 8, Menk 6, Mamaril 4, Crisano 4, Escalona 4, Wilson 2, Cabatu 1, Holper 0.

Coca-Cola 77 - Belasco 22, Taulava 19, Cabagnot 13, Catli 9, Macapagal 6, Telan 4, Calimag 2, Arigo 0, Baguion 0, Dimaunahan 0.

Quarterscores: 21-18, 46-29, 61-56, 81-77

BGK vs Coke
81 - 77
November 08, 2008
Lucena City

BGK vs RoS
102 - 106
November 5, 2008
Araneta Coliseum

Whenever someone asks me who my favorite PBA player is, I proudly answer, 'Chris Pacana'. For some, who are not PBA fanatic, they would usually have the follow-up question, 'Who is Chris Pacana?'. And for some who are Barangay Ginebra Kings (BGK) fanatic, they would have the follow-up question, 'Why Chris Pacana?'. Hmmm, now I ask myself, 'Why Chris Pacana?'. Let me tell you the story on how I become Chris' #1 fan.

I believe it was 1996 when I first loved watching PBA. I cheered for Johnny 'The Flying A' Abarrientos then of Alaska MilkMen. Yes! I am one of the BGK haters then. I remember I always argue with BGK fans, ha ha. Johnny was hailed the Most Valuable Player at that time. And yes, I don't like Vince 'The Prince' Hizon. But, for some reasons, probably after the death of my father, I stopped watching PBA.

Then, I watched, not whole-heartedly, the championship between San Miguel Beermen (SMB) and BGK. I was amazed on how they rallied from 0-2 to 4-2 to win the championship. And, I find it fantastic as well on how JayJay 'The Fast' Helterbrand delivered the 2 crucial free throws to win the game. (See JayJay Helterbrand - Second Best? for the video). It was then that I become an avid BGK fan.

However, I still don't have the eagerness to watch. The next BGK game I've watched, I believe, was their WildCard game against Air21. It was January 18, 2007. BGK lost. Sad. But, I don't get frustrated, I'm not that PBA addict yet, ha ha.

Then, I found out from a classmate from my masteral class about making money out of blogging. So, I tried making one. The blog should be something catchy. It should be something that of great interest. Hence, I made my blog about basketball. After creating the blog, I need to advertise it. Thus, I put a comment on one of the news updates at PBA Online. But, making such advertisement ain't enough. I made myself a member of the site's forum where I came to know a lot of PBA fanatics. And since I am a BGK fan, my first post on the forum is on the BGK thread where I met Thania. Then, all else follows. We are now the BGK JAMSHIPS. I am now a certified Kabarangay.

In my first blog, most of my write-ups were about JayJay. I also had special write up about Mark 'The Furious' Caguioa. Why not? They are the star players of BGK. And it become easy advertising my blog since I write about them. I joined JayJay's yahoo groups. I even joined some other BGK fansites. And it was really overwhelming since I find it soooo easy searching for JayJay's pictures and videos. I remembered my dream then was just to have a picture with JayJay, ha ha. And yes, I envy those who already have one. I really wonder how come they got to have picture with JayJay after the ball game. But then, I didn't watch the ball game live. I usually just watch the game on TV5. I just had my early time out from the office (good that we have our flexi schedule), or I simply get updates from my BGK JAMSHIPS.

In one of BGK's game, I spotted Chris Pacana. He made a 3 pointer that time. Then, I asked myself, 'Who is Chris Pacana?'. I don't know, but HONESTLY, I got to admire him from that moment. Then, I really become interested on getting to know him. At first I thought he was a rookie, only to find out that he had played for the Coca Cola Tigers in 2006, sit out for one conference, and now playing in BGK. My eagerness to know him doesn't stop there. I began searching for articles about him, and of course, pictures. It really saddened me that I find it soooo hard searching for his photos. Exactly opposite of my search on JayJay's. Oh, I remember I found one from a BGK fansite. But then, I felt so bad about the comments. Someone was asking who Chris was, then one of the moderators answered that he doesn't know Chris, and that he doesn't care. *ouch ouch ouch* It was followed by another sarcastic comment by one of the moderators. *teary eyed* Know what? I NEVER visited that site again.

But that doesn't stop me from being his fan. I enjoyed watching the game with him playing on the court. Whether he turns the ball over or he makes a basket. I just love seeing him play. Months passed by. I've been mentioning him in my blog posts. I even quoted that he could be 'the next big thing in PBA point guards'. I become active in posting in his thread at PBA Online. It's as if I own the thread, ha ha.

It simply frustrates me that a lot of BGK fans had been, uhm, hating him. It nearly breaks my heart when someone would throw sarcastic remarks about him. I get so annoyed when someone pinpointed him as the cause of BGK's loss. I simply hate them. I just thought, when JayJay or MC would commit mistakes, I'm sure no one would condemn them. But, when its Chris, even the smallest mistake, they would surely make a big deal out of it, neglecting everything he did for the team. Well, thanks to those rude remarks, I got the courage, no, I got the inspiration to create my post entitled Chris Pacana. It feels good, I mean, it feels great. But of course, Chris' detractors would be blind and deaf about everything. They simply continue bullying my favorite PBA player, and it really makes me sad. Good that I find two or three co-Chris Pacana fanatics.

One of them told me that he, too, knew a lot who had been so cruel about Chris, especially when Chris became part of the BGK roster. He even told me that Chris' name wasn't even placed in their list. *ouch ouch ouch* Well, at first I would like to believe that missing Chris' name from the BGK roster was an honest mistake. But, seeing Junthy Valenzuela, who become a part of the BGK line up after Chris', appeared on their list makes me think twice. *hu hu hu, crying out loud* Just the same, I NEVER visited that site again. They're sooo mean.

One of my co-Chris Pacana fan sent me photos of Chris during his Coke days. And since I would want to share it with other Chris Pacana fans, I created a separate blog for Chris on August 25, 2008. And this is that blog. I'm so proud of this one. I searched for articles about Chris to know him more, specially about his basketball history. Those articles made me admire him more and more. I got inspired by Chris everytime I would be watching him, thus, I have my own posts. And what he showed in the finals series is really one hell of a job. Uhm, though scarce, I had trivias about him. I would really wanna fill this section. But sorry guys, I'm just a plain fan like you are. Chris and I are not connected with each other. Having an interview with him was just a dream for me. I created the Message Board section as well for Chris' fans to leave their message. Although, Chris isn't aware of this blog, not until the BGK Victory Party, I hoped that he could drop by and read your messages for him. After all, searching Chris Pacana on the web would return this blog's URL. Ü And of course, I fed up this blog with a lot of pictures and videos. Grab 'em if you wanted to. As one of my co-Chris Pacana fan had told me, it would be heartwarming knowing that someone would want to grab Chris' pictures. It only means that he, too, is a Chris Pacana fanatic.

Wait. My story ain't over. Having my BGK JAMSHIPS, they promised me that me and Chris would have a picture together. That was just a dream that I once knew, ha ha, feels like singing. It was September 26, 2008, one month after I created this blog, that I got the chance to see Chris in person. I was really hesitant at first. I even told them to just give my slot to other BGK JAMSHIPS. I don't know. I was just afraid that Chris might be snob, or that Chris might not appreciate this blog, or that Chris might be too lazy to hold on to my note, or... I was just scared about our first meeting. Cold feet, that is. Good that they insisted. Good that I come. The feeling was great. I cried. Yes, I did. I cried for joy. I never expected that Chris would be soooo nice. It was a dream come true. I could not ask for more. *more details to tell about this meeting later on*

So, that's it. Why Chris Pacana? Because he captured my admiration from the very first time I set my eyes on him. Because his haters inspires me. Because his mere basketball history is admirable. Because I admire his basketball skills. And most of all, because he is the nicest PBA player I ever knew, at least. *ha ha, I never intend to know other PBA player*

Again and again, I would be PROUD TO BE CHRIS' #1 FAN!