19 YEARS STRONG!

So yeah, another year ends in my journey. April 30 has come again on the calendar sheets, and I usher in a brand new year of this journey called LIFE.

As the title states, I'm already 19 years old starting today. Well, this April 30 was a bit different than in previous years. In the past couple of years, I threw parties for all my close PEEPS. However, this year I spent my whole day with my entire family. Since I'm saving my party money for the NBA game this October here in the Philippines. Because my team, the Houston Rockets will be playing in that game against the Indiana Pacers.

We went to SM North EDSA to have my birthday lunch at Shakey's. Well, I didn't ask for their birthday choir which they do on birthdays of people who dine on all their branches nationwide. Afterwards, we went buying a few clothing. Then before we went back home for the rest of the day. We bought some desserts like pastillas, brownies and ice cream to enjoy for the rest of the day. It's a shame though I wasn't able to take photos along the way since our camera has been lost and we can't find it along our home for the past month. Though I didn't get to spend it with other people in person, it was worth spending time with my family on my day. Add to that, I got a nice birthday win from the Houston Rockets as they won Game 4 against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Playoffs 105-103 to keep their season alive. I was watching the game until halftime, but I had to bail out since we had to go on that trip for lunch. At least, they got the win and no brooms were sweeping on my birthday.

I'll take this moment to thank those who remembered my birthday with all the greetings and best wishes on Facebook & Twitter, as well as those who texted my phone for their well wishes. You all have played a part in my life and I'm always thankful to each and every one of you. One thing that made my day is that I was greeted by my "crush" as well as a good old friend of mine. It truly made my day even special. Sorry I can't throw a party this year because like I said earlier, I'm saving for the game. I hope I can throw one next year as I finish the mission which is to graduate.

Of course, I'll thank my family for always being there for me in my life from the start until the very end. Finally, I thank God that I made it through another year of my life, and I'll always look up to you every step in my life. I'm hopeful that this year will be filled with a lot of blessings.

Danke! Merci! Thank You! Salamat!
19 years on, I still got a lot to prove.
K-Smoove

"Texas Sized Sweep" in Hollywood.

In a battle of two of the most decorated and battled tested teams in the Western Conference. The team from the Lone Star State dealt a sweep on the team wearing the purple and gold for the second time in three seasons. As the steady San Antonio Spurs knocked off a injury-riddled Los Angeles Lakers out of the playoffs in a sweep to advance to the second round.

 Photos ©NBA

The Lakers dealt with a lot of injury issues throughout their short playoff run this season as they lost the big star in Kobe Bryant to a knee injury prior to the start of the playoffs. But it wasn't only Vino who got the injury bug as almost every Laker player went through injuries throughout the season from Dwight Howard, Pau Gasol, Steve Nash, Steve Blake, Metta World Peace, Jodie Meeks to name some on a season where expectations on this star-studded lineup were very high and unfortunately, ends up on a massive tail-spin which will be remembered for many years to come. Last time the Lakers got swept in the playoffs was 2 years back when another Texas team, the Dallas Mavericks took them out in the second round on their way to the NBA championship. However the difference this year is that the Spurs swept the Lakers on the road. Unlike the Mavericks who swept the Lakers on their home floor.

The steady Spurs took out the Lakers by a margin of almost 19 points a game. Led by their veteran triumvirate of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili. The healthier Spurs took full advantage of the Lakers' injury woes. Including two huge road victories to wrap the series. The Spurs also enjoy a huge supporting cast featuring Kawhi Leonard, Danny Green, Tiago Splitter, Gary Neal, and Matt Bonner to name a few. Of course, directed by their long-time head coach Gregg Popovich. The Spurs are poised to put their six year Finals absence behind them and win it all as their Drive for Five continues.

The Spurs will face the winner of the series between the Denver Nuggets and the Golden State Warriors.

As for the Lakers, there are a ton of questions coming up for them in the off-season as Dwight Howard will be a free agent this season. As well as a ton of players on the trading block and who knows what may happen to head coach Mike D'Antoni during the off-season.

Now here are the scores from all games of the series:

GAME 1 @ San Antonio: Lakers 79-91 Spurs

Lakers leaders:
Points: Howard 20, Nash 16, Gasol 16
Rebounds: Gasol 16, Howard 15, World Peace 6
Assists: Gasol 6, Nash 3, Blake 3

Spurs leaders:
Points: Parker 18, Ginobili 18, Duncan 17
Rebounds: Leonard 11, Duncan 10, Bonner 5
Assists: Parker 8, Splitter 4, Ginobili 3

GAME 2 @ San Antonio: Lakers 91-102 Spurs

Lakers leaders:
Points: Howard 16, Blake 16, Gasol 13, World Peace 13
Rebounds: Howard 9, Gasol 9, Blake 6
Assists: Nash 6, Gasol 4

Spurs leaders: 
Points: Parker 28, Duncan 16, Leonard 16
Rebounds: Leonard 7, Duncan 5, Ginobili 5, Bonner 5
Assists: Parker 7, Ginobili 7

GAME 3 @ Los Angeles: Spurs 120-89 Lakers

Spurs leaders:
Points: Duncan 26, Parker 20, Blair 13
Rebounds: Duncan 9, Blair 7, Splitter 6
Assists: Parker 7, Green 4, Joseph 4

Lakers leaders:
Points: Howard 25, Morris 24, Goudelock 20
Rebounds: Gasol 13, Howard 11, Hill 5
Assists: Gasol 10, Morris 5

GAME 4 @ Los Angeles: Spurs 103-82 Lakers

Spurs leaders:
Points: Parker 23, Leonard 13, Blair 13
Rebounds: Leonard 7, Duncan 6, Green 5, Blair 5
Assists: Ginobili 6, Joseph 6, Parker 4

Lakers leaders:
Points: Gasol 16, Goudelock 14, Jamison 12
Rebounds: Gasol 8, Howard 8, Clark 6
Assists: Duhon 7, Morris 6, Gasol 5

Spurs win series 4-0

K-Smoove