Can You Name This Plant? (8th of hopefully many)

Here's another one.

Can You Name This Plant? (7th of hopefully many)

Here's another one.

Can You Name This Plant? (6th of hopefully many)

Here's another one.

Can You Name This Plant? (5th of hopefully many)

Here's another one.

Star and Ginebra are tied at 2-2 in the 2017 PBA All-Filipino Semis

It's amazing how a few days ago, people were talking about the Star Hotshots sweeping the Barangay Ginebra. And rightly so, since during the first two games, the guards of Star were waxing hot. And if Star wants to win this series, they have to get back to basics.

Never mind the wrong calls of the officials. In my opinion, there were some calls that should have gone Ginebra's way, and there are some calls that should have gone Star's way. But if players and coaches keep dwelling on the non-calls even when the game has already progressed, it destroys team and player morale.

If Star wants to know the reason it is losing, here's a piece of my mind:

• They have lost their three-point shooting. And this favors Tim Cone. Coach Cone had a hard time when he was against team's that relied on the three in the past. Coach Cone favors two point exchanges. I don't know why Mark Barroca, Paul Lee, Justin Melton and Alain Maliksi suddenly are throwing bricks. Jio Jalalon has yet to prove that he can score beyond the arc.  But the four guards should get back their shooting form. And Marc Pingris and Raffy Revis can work better if they have more space down below since the defense is trying to guard their shooters. And if you want to get to the Finals, and you end up facing SMB, you'll have a hard time keeping up if you can't match their three point shooters with your own.
• Stop using Mark Barroca and Paul Lee as defensive stoppers. They are the play makers of Star, so they have to be fresh. Use Jalalon, Dela Rosa, Melton, Simon and other players off the bench for defense.
• Maliksi should learn to be a better defensive player. If you keep throwing up three-point bricks, then at least show some defensive hussle and make things happen on the court despite your scoring absence.
• Raffy Revis should really learn to rebound using two hands. Those one handed rebounds keep getting deflected to the opponent.
• Mark Pingris should loosen up. Playing too tight and with a temper affects your team. I know you are the leader of the Hotshots, but if your teammates see that you're not enjoying the game, they won't enjoy the game either. The series is tied. You guys are not down. You can still win this game. And stop guarding Sol Mercado during crunch time. You are the last line of defense. The reason why Aguilar was getting those alley-op plays was because you weren't in the shaded area. Put Jalalon, Maliksi, or Dela Rosa on any guard that thinks they can slash into the paint.
• Coach Victolero, stay calm and composed. If you team sees that you're rattled just because of a travelling violation non-call, they'll be rattled and play tense.
• Star team, please enjoy the game again. You have great new teammates in Paul Lee and Jio Jalalon. Use these guys' strengths. Lee is better shooting from the outside, and occasionally slasing. Jalalon should either slash, post, or shoot from mid-range until the time he has proven that he has a three-point shot. The semis isn't the time to experiment. Go back to your strengths.

This is just my two cents worth.

I'm enjoying this series because Coach Cone coached Star in the past and led it to a grand-slam. Now that Coach Cone is with Ginebra, I think the true test that one has learned lasting lessons from a mentor is if one can beat the mentor. And if Star wins, I think Coach Cone would be proud deep inside, since he taught that Star core how to win. With the exception of James Yap, that Star core is still in tack. And I think they still have a couple of championship runs within them.

Powerless TV Series 2017

Warning: Possible spoilers

If there was a DC Comics show for girls, this would be it. Basically a show about a product development team that works for Batman. Think Community thrust into the DC Comic world. I'd probably give it one season at the most.

Training Day TV Series 2017

Warning: Possible spoilers

The only thing I will say about this show is the following: Having a baboon listen to daft punk music is an effective means of torture. That scene had me laughing so hard. Still, Lethal Weapon beats this TV show so far. Perhaps Die Hard should be converted into a TV series to try to take away some of Lethal Weapon's market share.

Riverdale TV Series 2017

Warning: Possible spoilers

Riverdale isn't the town it used to be when you were young, reading Archie Comics. In an effort to make the show current, the writers and producers have made a lot of changes. Archie is now a wanna be music composer who has an affair with Miss Grundy. And Miss Grundy is younger. Jughead is now a depressed loner narrator. Mr. Weatherbee is now black and thin. Josie of the pussycats is black, too. Reggie is Asian. Moose is gay. Veronica is poorer. Mr. Lodge is a con artist. And Archie's dad is Luke Perry of Beverly hills 90210 fame.

It's like they crossed How To Get Away With Murder with a high school show like Parker Lewis Can't Lose. The latter would probably have been my idea of what an Archie Comic TV series would be like.

Midge, Mr. Flutesnoot, Hotdog, Pops, Sabrina, and Chuck have yet to make an appearance.

I guess we all have to grow up at some point. And coming up with a rendition similar to Glee where you feel good and have positivity is rare these days. But if the point of a TV series is escaping from everyday reality, then I guess Riverdale feels more like the news.

Betty Cooper seems to be the only authentic character that stays true to the originals. It's like Flash went and thrust Betty into an alternate reality Earth 2.

It ain't authentic but it sure is interesting.