2019 NBA Finals 2nd Round

By the end of April 2019, the 1st round of 2019 playoffs has already been cleared. 1, 2, 3 and 4 ranked teams in both East and West My picks to emerge from the match-ups are as follows: 

East:

(1) Bucks versus (4) Celtics: Two green clad teams that are evenly matched and qualified to represent the East at the NBA Finals. Bucks in 7

(2) Raptors versus (6) Sixers: The last playoffs match-up between these two teams was in 2001 (Iverson vs Carter). Kawhi's long term presence in Toronto is dependent on the Raptors playoff performance. Sixers has to validate the completeness of the process by making it deep in the playoffs. Raptors in 7. 

West:

(1) Warriors versus (4) Rockets: Rockets almost eliminated the Warriors last year. Warriors will try to build the case a dynasty by winning it all this year and possibly, keep KD. The true WCF on a West semis match-up. Warriors in 6.

(2) Nuggets versus (3) Blazers: Blazers are tired of 1st round exits while Nuggets are not expected to be here more so, being the #2 team in the West. Blazers in 6. 

2019 NBA Playoffs 1st Round

In keeping up with tradition since 2007 of writing commentaries about NBA playoffs (circa Kobe and Lakers versus Big 3's and Celtics days), here is the quite late post about the NBA Playoffs, the 2019 edition. To recap, the first round ended this way:

East:
(1) Milwaukee Bucks obliterating (8) Detroit Pistons at 4-0: Antetokounmpo show why he is a leading MVP favorite. Blake Griffin playing gutsy despite an injury but ended up short.

(2) Toronto Raptors destroying (7) Orlando Magic at 4-1: Kawhi Leonard with the strong help from Pascal Siakam dominated the series. Magic was lucky to get one win with a buzzer beater from DJ Augustin in Game 1

(3) Philadelphia 76ers deflating (6) Brooklyn Nets at 4-1: It was a gutsy performance by D'Angelo Russel and young, up and comer Nets against a star studded Sixers. Talent trumps gutsiness.

(4) Boston Celtics steamrolling (5) at 4-0: Indiana Pacers. Perceived as the closest series pre-playoffs, Celtics have shown what they are built for. With superstar in Pacers line-up, Celtics showed dominance throughout the series.

West: 
(1) Golden State Warriors struggled to beat (8) LA Clippers at 4-2. The mighty Warriors struggled to beat the spirited Clippers in a game of grit of grind. It takes great performances from KD to finally take out the Clippers

(2) Denver Nuggets takes out (7) San Antonio Spurs at 4-7. The traditional power Spurs has been beaten by the young, up and comer Nuggets in a highly entertaining, grueling 7 game series.

(3) Portland Trailblazers knocks out (6) Oklahoma City Thunder at 4-1: In a what was foreseen a very close series as both teams banner 2 all-stars each with a decent support crew. But it's Dame Time! The buzzer beater in Game 5 to close the series is will be played in future playoff video promotions in the years to come.

(4) Houston Rockets passes through (5) Utah Jazz at 4-1: James Harden is simply unstoppable in most of the series except Game 3 where he posted the worst shooting percentage by a starter in playoffs history. A complete Rockets team is scary.

Second Round Match-Ups:
East:
(1) Bucks versus (4) Celtics: A dogfight for a 1st round rematch last year
(2) Raptors versus (3) Sixers: A traditional East power versus a team that completed the process

West:
(1) Warriors versus (4) Rockets: The real Western Conference finals
(2) Nuggets versus (3) Blazers: Two first round whipping teams making progress this year

Earthquake everywhere

We were on jeepney going to Tarlac City public market on late April afternoon when we notice a commotion among the crowd in the sidewalks. My initial thought was that somebody is fighting against somebody and has called the attention of the people. Until somebody rode the jeep and has murmured "lakas ng lindol". Since we are on a moving vehicle, we missed that frightened feeling on being shook up by an earthquake.

It was an intensity 6.2 earthquake with Castillejos, Zambales as its epicenter. The shake was strongly felt in Central Luzon and Metro Manila. Moments later, postings such as tensed urban workers, shaking buildings, condo pools massively dripping and people running away from beach have emerged and dominated social media. But it was Porac, Pampanga that took the nation's attention with the destruction of Chunzon Supermarket and burying many of people under its ground. 

The following day, another earthquake with an intensity of 5.2 hit Eastern Samar. It brought back the memories of 2013 when Bohol got hit by a devastating earthquake and the tidal wave brought by Typhoon Yolanda on the very same region. And on for the 3rd consecutive day, a weaker earthquake but still can be felt earthquake was experienced in Mindanao. No casualties for both the Visayas and Mindanao earthquakes reported compared to the one in Luzon (particularly Pampanga). 

My normal reaction is review my family' emergency plan when another earthquake hits. It is fortunate that our house is just in front of an open ground, a grassy farm with no nearby vulnerable structures. Apart from that, the classic "duck, cover and hold under the table" is part of the plan in case running towards the farm is not possible. The Red Cross has shared tips on preparedness before, during and after an earthquake: 

Before:

• Assembling emergency preparedness kit
• Creating household evacuation plan
• Keeping emergency numbers of fire department, rescue, EMS, police, medical personnel
• Check household from falling objects
• Purchase battery operated radio and flashlight including battery supplies

During:

• Drop, cover and hold
• Stay indoors until shaking stop before exiting home
• If you smell gas, get out the house and move away as fast as possible
• If outdoor, go a clear spot and drop to the ground
• Try to get away as far as possible from buildings
• If you are in mountains or near unstable slopes, be alert of falling rocks and debris
• If in a vehicle, pull a stop to a clear location and wait for the shaking to stop

After:

• Check yourself for injuries and get first aid help if possible before trying to help others
• After an earthquake, expect and prepare for another aftershocks, landslides or even tsunamis.
• If you are at home, look quickly for damage in and around home and get everyone out if it is unsafe.
• Listen to a portable radio for updated emergency information and instructions
• Pay attention to you and how your loved ones handle stress
• Clean up spilled medications, bleach, gasoline and other flamable liquids immediately
• When cleaning home, wear protective gears when cleaning home

Nobody wants an earthquake or any calamity for that matter. But since this Acts of God are natural and would come unexpectedly most of the time, being prepared and informed mitigates potential damages and lost. Lastly, do not panic otherwise, all preparation will be thrown out of the window.