UNKNOWN to many, Talk ‘N Text had one, almost invisible, weapon in winning the 2011 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup last Friday.
The Texters actually called him “Lucky Charm” even before the Finals started on Jan. 22.
That’s because Larry Fonacier, a.k.a. “Lucky Charm,” got aboard the TNT just before the season started – thanks mainly to Arben Santos.
It was a master stroke in that its hatching was even met with searing cynicism from no less than the TNT coach himself, Chot Reyes.
“Why would Alaska do such a thing?” said Chot Reyes then when Arben broached up the idea of Larry Fonacier finally landing on Chot’s laps.
Chot had a point.
It would, indeed, look silly if Alaska would ship out Larry Fonancier. Alaska had just won the PBA’s last title of the 2010 season. And Larry Fonacier played a key role in that historic Alaska victory.
But then, Arben, whose business acumen is legend in the shipping world, had a potion without antidote in his obra maestra called “Oplan Lucky Charm.”
“Trust me,” Arben said to Chot.
Next thing I see, I was face-to-face with Larry Fonacier over lunch at Wack Wack. Aside from Arben, “Lucky Charm” was also with Chot Reyes, his new coach.
“How Arben did it, I’m still in the dark up to now,” Chot had said to me.
But, honest, I was not surprised at all. Knowing Arben, nothing seems impossible with him.
Arben is one mate of mine (my wife’s cousin, actually) who’d unselfishly dunk buckets of bills if only to ensure that a player of his would land a team that would treat him nice and accord him the respect due an Ateneo Blue Eagle.
Larry “Lucky Charm” Fonacier is one such player.
That’s because Arben, like many if not practically all Ateneo alumni, is a dyed-in-the-wool Eagle protector.
Other Eagles that Arben virtually surrogates for in the PBA include Enrico Villanueva of Ginebra, Wesley Gonzales of Air 21 and LA Tenorio of, yes, Alaska.
And these Eagles have only glowing words for Arben.
Know why?
Arben doesn’t get any single centavo from any deals these Eagles might clinch with any PBA team. He’s way above any deal in the league, if you know what I mean.
To Arben, never will an Eagle become extinct, let alone become an endangered species.
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AFTER 63 years, the PAL Interclub golf on Feb. 16 to 26 in Cagayan de Oro will undergo a major facelift, handicapping-wise.
In a bid to balance out the playing field, organizers have decided to adjust handicaps of players.
As a result, rated players have now been dispersed to make the tournament, expectedly, even-steven in the men’s regular beginning Feb. 23 in the country’s longest running and most prestigious amateur golf team event.
It’s like the PBA of old under the eminent, former PBA Commissioner Rudy Salud, the man who didn’t allow behemoths Ramon Fernandez, Philip Cezar and Abet Guidaben play together in just one team.
Hurt most by the new rule is defending champion Canlubang, who lost World Amateur veteran Jessie Balasabas.
PAL president Jaime Bautista will hit the ceremonial drive on Feb. 16 in the event backed by platinum sponsors Boeing, RMN, Interactive Broadcast Media (DWWW) and Business Mirror.
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GUESS WHAT. Sienna Olazo, the super-energetic Araneta Coliseum VP for special events and promotions, has her hands full ensuring that the Trini Lopez Show on Feb. 10 at the Cubao Big Dome will be another smashing success. The good thing is, aside from Trini Lopez whose fans here have remained loyal after all these years, also performing are RJ & The Riots and the unsinkable Pilita Corrales, Asia’s first Queen of Songs and who to me will remain firmly perched on that throne forever. Trini’s “If I Had A Hammer” and “Lemon Tree” have shaped part of my music-teen life. See you there, fellers!
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
TNT's 'Lucky Charm' and PAL Interclub - Manila Standard Today
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