U.S. 2008 Olympic Basketball Squad

Here the complete list of US players who will be playing in the Beijing, China Olympics on August 8-24 as announced in front of press last June 23, 2008 at Colorado Springs, Colo by Jerry Colangelo. These players have been together for 3 years during summer and played the 2006 and 2007 FIBA cup. They are also confident that they can grab the gold medal and redeem their selves from what happened in 2004 Olympics.

Colangelo said, “The 12 players selected have incredible talent, and more importantly, we think this team has excellent leadership; great versatility and balance; and very good chemistry which are critical parts in building a great team.I believe this team is a team all Americans can and will be proud of,”. For me Colangelo was right and this lineup is stunning, it has all the players a team must have. Just think of Lebron James and Kobe Bryant playing together. WOW! I can’t wait for August 8 and watch these players play against the best basketball team in the world.

Players
Carmelo Anthony (Denver Nuggets)                         Mike Krzyzewski (Head Coach)
Carlos Boozer (Utah Jazz)                                          Jim Boeheim (Assistant Coach)
Chris Bosh (Toronto Raptors)                                     Mike D’Antoni (Assistant Coach)
Kobe Bryant (LA Lakers)                                             Nate McMillan (Assistant Coach)
Dwight Howard (Orlando Magic)                               Jerry Colangelo (Managing Director)
Lebron James (Cleaveland Cavaliers)
Jason Kidd (Dallas Mavericks)
Chris Paul (New Orleans Hornets)
Tayshaun Prince (Detroit Piston)
Michael Redd (Milwaukee Bucks)
Dwayne Wade (Miami Heat)
Deron Williams (Utah Jazz)

WNBA: Candace Parker Dunks

Candace Parker is the second female basketball player who have ever dunk in a game in WNBA. It was Sunday night at Los Angeles California, Staples Center when the LA Sparks defeated the Indiana Fever with the score of 77-63. Parker made a one hand dunk from a fast break play and setting the record in WNBA history. She is now joining in the list with Lisa Leslie, the first woman who had dunk in a game.

Parker, who had previously won the slam dunk contest when participating against the males in the 2004 McDonald’s Slam Dunk competition, was given a rousing applause after her momentous accomplishment in the game.

Kidnap crisis ends: Ces Drilon and company were freed

It was 11:00 pm Tuesday night as confirmed by Philippine National Police Director General Avelino Razon that the ABS-CBN reporter Ces Drilon, cameraman Jimmy Encarnacion and Mindanao State University professor Octavio Dinampo were released by the hostage takers. It was 9 days since the the group was held hostage by the Abu Sayyaf.

Drilon, Encarnacion and Dinampo were with another ABS-CBN cameraman, Angelo Valderama, when they were kidnapped in Maimbung, Sulu, on June 8 while they were on the way to interview a top commander of the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group. Days before the release the hostage takers demanded a 15 million as ransom and set a deadline but it was revoked and canceled. Thanks to the negotiators the Abu Sayyaf agreed to release the hostages. The negotiators namely: Sen. Loren Legarda, Mayor Alvarez Isnaji and his son.

“Ces Drilon and company are in good condition but they will immediately be given medical attention and appropriate nutrition. A plan for airlift o Zamboanga, and a reunion with family are also being considered,” said Razon. ABS-CBN also are so thankful for the answers of their prayers.

photo: http://english.aljazeera.net/

R. Kelly acquitted in Child Pornography Case

After six years since the case was charged, R. Kelly was acquitted in the child pornography case Friday after less than a day of deliberations. R. Kelly who was charged in 2002, dabbed tears from his face with a handkerchief and hugged each of his four attorneys right after the verdict was read. If he was proven guilty, he might spend 15 years in prison.

“All I heard (from Kelly) while those 14 verdicts were being read was ‘Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, Jesus,’” said Sam Adam Jr., one of his attorneys.

Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition BIG winner: EJAY FALCON

Another BIG winner was added to the list of “Kuya” and from Pola, Oriental Mindoro native Ejay Falcon was named the “Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition Plus Big Winner” Saturday at the Araneta Coliseum. Just watching the second to the last episode, there is a segment where they review the BIG 4 before and during inside the house of “Kuya”, I was convinced, I’ve picked Ejay and for me he was the most deserving winner. He has changed a lot compared to others and his life was not that easy outside the house of “Kuya”. Domingo finished second, Fil-Chinese Uysiuseng placed third, and Dumaguete-born Gonzalez rounded up the top four.

Falcon, who will join the roster of ABS-CBN talents, takes home the grand prize of P1 million, a business franchise and a house and lot, among others.