2016 Cebu Marathon
ESCAPE! No thanks to cable TV but thanks to online live-streaming, I was able to catch the last two OTs of yesterday’s ultra-thrilling win by Golden State. Without Klay Thomson and minus Harrison Barnes, the hobbled defending champions scored more points than Boston in the first, second and third quarters. But, in the final 12 minutes, the Warriors were outscored by the Celtics. This tied the game. First OT. Second OT. Until finally, thanks to 14-of-14 shots from the free throw line and 38 total points from the reigning MVP, Steph Curry, it was another victory for the team from California.
Twenty four-oh! Are these guys ever going to lose? This streak isn’t just about the NBA or basketball or sports. It’s entertainment. And this team is the planet’s “Greatest Show on Earth;” where millions worldwide are tuned-in following the Warriors as they fire 3-point bombs like Curry’s 29-footer from the top of the arc with 46.8 seconds left in yesterday’s game.
One more road game awaits the Warriors (against the Milwaukee Bucks, who carry a dismal 9-15 record) then it’s back home for a five-game stretch where their record at the Oracle Arena, dating back to last season, is near-perfect. Here’s the scary part for the remaining week or so: Thomson and Barnes are returning and the Warriors are complete.
CEBU MARATHON. The Cebu Marathon gets running exactly four weeks from today; that’s on Jan. 10, 2016. Three distances are offered to participants: 5K, 21K and the full marathon. For the past few months, registration has been ongoing at the Ayala Center Cebu (Active Zone) and online, via www.cebumarathon.net. The deadline for registration is seven days from today (Dec. 20). For those who have yet to enlist in Cebu’s premier race, do so right away.
What’s new for 2016? One, the start and finish area. While still located at the Cebu I.T. Park, it will have a new area. Runners will no longer need to traverse a few turns before raising their hands at the finish line. The new location will be right along the main thoroughfare — the same spot where the inaugural 2008 Sinulog Half-Marathon was staged.
Two: new singlets, new finishers’ shirts, new medals. This time, the medal will be a shining and proud-looking Lapu-Lapu that will grace the hard-earned hardware.
Next month, as we know, is Sinulog month. And so the Cebu Marathon will be filled with all things Sinulog: buntings that will cover the sky, music that will reverberate and rattle the heart, nonstop parties, lechon-eating.
The 14 Hydration Stations that are scattered along the route will help achieve this Sinulog atmosphere. The partners include Motorace (thanks to Jonel Borromeo), Cebu Grand Hotel (Carlo Suarez), Primary Homes (Stephen and Wally Liu), Aeolus Tires (Gerard Tan and Steve Ferraren), Filinvest, Cebu Parklane Intl. Hotel (Cenelyn Manguilimotan and Ian Dale Tan), Holiday Gym and Spa (Veron Enriquez), Captain A’s, Barangay Lahug (OIC brgy. captain Ging-Ging Muana) and Thirsty Juices and Shakes.
I repeat: The deadline is Dec. 20. Visit the Active Zone of Ayala Center Center to register.
UFC 194. I’m sure my neighbor Atty. Jingo Quijano will talk more about this clash but let me just say this: Few bouts have generated as much anticipation as today’s. The reason is the loud, big mouth of Conor McGregor. He speaks in that nice-sounding Irish accent and insults Jose Aldo. The fight before the main fight is also one to be watched. It’s my favorite Chris Weidman (the man who embarrassed Anderson Silva twice) against Luke Rockhold.
I hope McGregor wins. And though he’s a boast whose trash-talking rivals that of Floyd Mayweather Jr., he’s terrific for the sport. He’s flamboyant. He’s the type of character that elevates MMA to the highest levels of entertainment. McGregor said yesterday: “I’m sick of talking about Jose. I visualize and I look at his face, his features, and I know that the soft parts of his face won’t be able to take my shots.”