Octane Infinity 53, Coordination Optional 61

In the second game of a double-header of the night, the Octane Infinity played against Coordination Optional last Monday, September 8, 2008 at the Pearl Courts in Portland, OR.

The Octane Infinity had a very low scoring first half with 18 points, shooting was a dismal 7-of-34 from the field and finding themselves 10 points down. Coordination Optional extended their lead in the second half, but with Mike R. finding three straight buckets, the Octane Infinity cut the lead to one with minutes to spare. However, Coordination Optional converted some unbelievable three point shots, holding off the Octane Infinity, 61-53.

“Once again, as in our previous game with Coordinational Optional, the referees swallowed their whistles on a lot of fouls,” remarked Edwin Tanedo.

Mike R. led the Octane Infinity in scoring with 15 points while Edwin Tanedo and Jonas Reyes contributed 10 points each.

Boxscore

No.	Pos	Player	2PT	3PT	FT	REB	AST	TO	STL	BLK	PF	PTS
7	SG/SF	Mike R.	3-8	3-11	0-0	4	1	6	1	0		15
21	PG/SG	Jonas Reyes	3-6	2-5	0-0	2	0	0	3	0		10
26	PG/SG	Edwin Tanedo	1-4	2-7	2-2	4	0	0	0	0		10
30	PF/C	Chris Turman	2-11	1-5	0-0	7	0	0	2	0		7
40	PF	Marcus Berger	0-1	0-0	0-0	5	0	0	0	0		0
44	SF	Scott Nelson	1-2	0-0	0-0	6	0	0	1	0		2
51	PF/C	David Camp	2-11	0-0	1-4	6	0	0	2	0		5
53	SF/PF	John Le	2-4	0-1	0-1	7	0	1	3	0		4
13	PG/SG	Adam Crane	DNP
Totals			14-57	8-29	3-7	41	1	7	12	0		53

Credits

Statistician: Lisa Sander
Photographer: Amy Reyes
Writer: Jonas Reyes, Edwin Tanedo

Octane Infinity 61, East County Express 55

The Octane Infinity played in a new venue as part of their season opener last Monday, September 8, 2008 as they faced the East County Express at the Pearl Courts in Portland, OR. It was the Octane Infinity’s first game of a double-header for the night.

By the end of the first half, the Octane Infinity exploded to a 39-23 lead over the East County Express. The East County Express were able to rally in the second half, cutting the lead to seven with five minutes to go. But Mike R. dished out two key assists to David Camp, sealing the victory over the East County Express, 61-55.

“I love it. David even got credit for his three he attempted in the first game,” expressed John Le. “I really enjoyed playing on that court. I’m guessing Mike did too – he was on FIRE!”

Mike R. led the Octane Infinity in scoring with 22 points on 8-of-16 shooting, including a game high of six three-pointers, six rebounds, and two steals. Chris Turman also had an efficient game with 8-of-15 shooting, scoring 16 points, grabbing 10 rebounds, and snatching two steals.

The Octane Infinity will be without the services of speedster guard Adam Crane this season after he sustained a knee injury in the previous game.

Boxscore

No.	Pos	Player	2PT	3PT	FT	REB	AST	TO	STL	BLK	PF	PTS
7	SG/SF	Mike R.	2-4	6-12	0-0	6	2	0	2	1		22
21	PG/SG	Jonas Reyes	0-4	3-5	0-0	7	2	2	3	0		9
26	PG/SG	Edwin Tanedo	1-5	0-2	0-0	6	0	5	2	0		2
30	PF/C	Chris Turman	8-14	0-1	0-0	10	2	2	2	1		16
40	PF	Marcus Berger	1-4	0-0	0-0	3	2	2	0	1		2
44	SF	Scott Nelson	0-1	0-0	0-0	0	0	1	0	0		0
51	PF/C	David Camp	4-7	0-1	2-4	8	1	1	1	1		8
53	SF/PF	John Le	0-2	0-0	2-2	0	0	2	1	0		2
13	PG/SG	Adam Crane	DNP
Totals			21-64	6-26	2-4	40	6	14	8	2		61

Credits

Statistician: Lisa Sander
Photographer: Amy Reyes
Writer: Jonas Reyes

Running in Circles

Edwin, who has a good ear for odd events, mentioned the open track meet. I met up with him, Lisa, and John. I immediately liked the sprawling spectacle, the kids everywhere, teeming, ready to run races, yes, but also just run madly around in the sun.

Edwin and I signed up for the predict-a-mile. Really, this was an event about pacing, about knowing your speed and sticking to it. Competition doesn’t figure in. But my stakes were different: I hadn’t run a timed mile since the 8th Grade. I wanted a “respectable” time: 6-6:15 is pretty fast, 7 is slow. 6:45 seemed about right, a tad on the cautious side.

I wanted to go at a fast clip, yet have a bit left over for the last 200 meters. I found it surprisingly easy to find a comfortable pace, one that was fairly fast yet still allowed me to think and make small adjustments to my speed. The last 100 went well, not quite finishing at a sprint but pretty quick. My time turned out to be 5:56. I was surprised, delighted…

Edwin wanted to do the 800; I was on the fence about it. Though I did run it in middle school, I never had much success. I couldn’t come up with the right formula-fast yet able to finish strong. Too much like a stamina sprint. This event was structured as a race (without kids). My approach, I decided in the minutes beforehand, was to go at a fast pace at the get-go, maybe I could sustain it the full distance.

The first lap was awesome. I found myself midway through the first turn without anyone in front of me. Strange, like being suddenly untethered–weightless and wondering when gravity will reel you in. I felt a bit euphoric. Near the 200 mark was a small boy with a raised palm. With a tinge of self-reproof (shouldn’t I be saving my energy?), I high-fived him.

As the first lap ended, I knew I was in trouble. I heard the time, 1:15, for me a respectable 400 time. All thought was drowned out in the effort to finish the race. Three people passed me in the next 150 meters. After the third one, who looked to be 1/3 of my age, I tried to keep on his pace. I did not fall any further back and finished with a time of 2:38. I gasped for air afterwards, pain and lightness in my lungs-an old feeling, back for a brief while.

Credits

Writer: Adam Crane

Tanedoes it Again

It shouldn’t be a surprise anymore that Edwin Tanedo took home the Crunch belt from the winner-take-all game at Cedar Mill Ballys in Portland, OR, last Saturday, July 5, 2008. John Le was one free throw away from the title, but the ball just refused to cooperate. Tanedo then took over and sealed the game by making his free throws.

Credits

Writer: Jonas Reyes
Photographer: Jonas Reyes

Mike Makes 18

Looking back, I wish I could have made a two-pointer instead of a three.  That way I could have a secured my place in Crunch history with 19 consecutive free throws.  I think I will be alone in that upper echelon for a long time.

The first eight were easy.  The middle seven were tough as I knew what I was about to achieve in front of Edwin’s envious eyes.  The last three free throws were some of the cleanest I have made and I smiled on each of them.

Instead of the red line being the starting place, I should start the Unlimited Free Throw Crunch game at the line and see if I can make 21 in a row crumpling Edwin into a heap of tears.

With Edwin’s three month vacation coming up, he can work on his free throws which seem to damn him most every Crunch game. Maybe Shaq could work with him to at least get him to that level.

Credits

Writer: Mike R.

Berger King

In a winner-takes-all game, Marcus Berger clinched the Crunch title with a running jumper off the backboard last Saturday, June 7, 2008, at the Cedar Mill Ballys in Portland, OR. The win came with the assistance of Jonas Reyes, who combined points with Berger. The win marked the first Crunch title for Berger.

Credits

Writer: Jonas Reyes
Photographer: Edwin Tanedo

Tanedo Takes True Title

Edwin Tanedo may have walked into the Cedar Mill Ballys in Portland, OR, last Saturday, May 31, 2008, with a fake Crunch Champion belt, but when all was said and done, he walked out with the real one.

Rene Barzaga won the first game. Tanedo won the next. John Le won the third. Tanedo won the fourth to clinch the title.

Is there such a thing as a one-man dynasty?

Credits

Writer: Jonas Reyes
Photographer: Jonas Reyes

Tanedo Taunts With Mystery Belt

Have y’all heard of Ghengis Khan? Or the Borg Collective? Or the Invincible Armada of 1588? In all of these cases, YES, you have. 

They are feared. They are winners. They are indestructible. They are all about perfection. And that is me. And my championship Crunch belt. 

Don’t be fooled by imitators like the ‘belt’ that John proudly displays. Look at mine and you just might hurt your eyes from all the glint of the gold. My gold. My belt. My championship. 

Can’t wait til Saturday. Bring it!

Credits

Writer: Edwin Tanedo

No Threat to Le

This one was the most difficult championship to win.

It was so difficult getting past the defensive pressure, especially from Mike and Edwin; they were so relentless. I got swarmed by them constantly when I cleared the ball each time at the three-point line. I had to dig deep and find moves to the basket that would get me easy buckets, but they made sure it would not be easy for me.

Rene was a worthy champion and I’m sure he’ll emerge as champ once again very soon. As for Edwin and Mike… better luck next time.

Credits

Writer: John Le
Photographer: Jonas Reyes

Barzaga Bags Belt

Crunch Champ Edwin Tanedo had his chance to retain the belt this week with a clutch free throw to close out the winner-take-all game at the at the Cedar Mill Ballys in Portland, OR, last Saturday, April 26, 2008.

But it was not meant to be. Maybe it was the pressure. Maybe it was the trash talking. Either way, the ball refused to go into the hoop.

And in the wings awaited Rene Barzaga to swoop right in to take the title. He won with a combination of outside shots, drives to the basket, and free throws.

The win marks the first time for Barzaga to win the title.

Credits

Writer: Jonas Reyes
Photographer: Jonas Reyes