Category: Photography

Flashback Friday: Olympic Qualifying Trials (Basketball) at MOA Arena – July 2016

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Words and Photos by Winston Baltasar

In July of 2016, I shot the Olympic Qualifying Trials (Basketball) for Sports5. On the first day of the games, when Tristan Thompson of Canada (and the then NBA Champion Cleveland Cavaliers) posterized the Turkish center, I was there to capture the moment.
Tristan posted my photo on his Instagram page. It garnered tens of thousands of positive reactions on social media but I’m just happy to have been in the right place at the right time.img_9560

 

On a somber note, a few days before the games, a bomb exploded in Turkey’s airport. In the pre-game vs. Gilas Pilipinas, the Turkish team was a picture of sadness when their national anthem was played. Our thoughts went to the people who died and were gravely wounded in this tragedy.img_9504

After the Turkish National Anthem was played, it was time for Lupang Hinirang. The poignant sadness of the Turkish Team carried over to Gilas Pilipinas.img_9488

The games were highly entertaining, nevertheless. The Philippines is still Basketball Country after all. One of my favorite shots is of spitfire Terrence Romeo flashing past the much taller French player. Boris Diaw, of the San Antonio Spurs, in the background with his mouth open is a bonus.img_9570

But all good things must pass. After a week with some of the best basketball players in the world, France beat Canada to win the qualifying tournament, which got them a ticket to play in the 2016 Rio Olympics.

The photo below was difficult to shoot as there was a phalanx of photographers in between the French team and me, since I had just come from the press room to send photos to my editor. I had to crawl on my hands and knees between the legs of the photographers, carrying the heavy (but fantabulous) Canon 1DX Mark II camera and an equally heavy 70-200mm lens attached it.

I saw a window of opportunity between someone’s knees and someone else’s thigh when the colored confetti flew. Tony Parker turned towards my camera with a smile and the rest is history. 

Bonus are two more NBA players in the frame, Nic Batum and the ubiquitous Boris Diaw. 

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We welcome comments, questions, and suggestions. Follow us here for more of my photojournalist journey. 

 

 

The Magician Efren “Bata” Reyes defeats World Champion Wunderkind Wu Jian Qing – 30 Dec. 2011

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Efren “Bata” Reyes is called the Magician because of his amazing skill, especially with his trick shots. To see him live, as we did in 2011, was astounding.

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Bata was not expected to win against Wu, the young champion, but he played with confidence and aplomb.

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Bata led early but we wondered if he was tiring because Wu was catching up. Then Wu scratched to the delight of the hometown crowd.

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Despite the long match, Bata was still friendly with his fans. Truly an amazing gentleman.

img_2297 Efren after the game

I don’t often have my photo taken with celebrities but with Efren “Bata” Reyes, I was delighted to do so.

img_2295 Efren and I

 

PBA Governor’s Cup: NLEX wins over GlobalPort – 20170903

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“The NLEX Road Warriors strengthened their bid for a top four spot in the quarterfinals of the 2017 PBA Governors’ Cup with a 109-99 victory over the GlobalPort Batang Pier, Sunday night at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.”

Recap by Carlo Pamintuan / Photos by Winston Baltasar

Read more: http://sports.tv5.com.ph/basketball/pba/article/nlex-moves-closer-to-top-four-spot-with-win-over-pringle-less-globalport#ixzz4rxhX8XxS

Globalport’s Murphey Holloway guarded by NLEX’ Aaron Fuller
Juan MIguel T‭iongson is player of the game
Terrence Romeo beats Cyrus Baguio to the ball
Murphey Hollowey dominates the boards

http://sports.tv5.com.ph/basketball/pba/article/nlex-moves-closer-to-top-four-spot-with-win-over-pringle-less-globalport

UAAP Season 80 preview: The National University Bulldogs

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“It’s hard to imagine that only three years ago, the NU Bulldogs were kings of UAAP basketball. The proud champions; a team who relied on rock-solid defense and perfect offensive execution. They had an unforgettable run back in Season 77, claiming the title after 60 long years.”

Read more: http://sports.tv5.com.ph/basketball/collegehoops/article/uaap-season-80-preview-the-nu-bulldogs-relish-being-the-dark-horse#ixzz4rs31yxVJ

Write up by Yo Sarmenta / Photo by Winston Baltasar

NU will be playing UE in the season opener on Sat., Sep. 9 at 2pm in MOA Arena.

_S1A2807 NU's Alejandro and Salem

J-Jay Alejandro (#7) and Matt Salem (#11) are key holdovers from last season.

 

PBA Governor’s Cup: Ginebra San Miguel vs. Purefoods Star Hotshots – 20170903

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_S1A4139 Sol Mercado chases Allein Maliksi around a Marc Pingris screen“Barangay Ginebra survived a Manila Clasico nail-biter as they defeated the Star Hotshots in overtime, 105-101, on Sunday night at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.”

Read more: http://sports.tv5.com.ph/basketball/pba/article/ginebra-takes-manila-clasico-thriller-in-overtime#ixzz4rmcjUQCq

Recap by Charmie Lising / Photos by Winston Baltasar

It was a thriller! More photos coming up.

_S1A4039 Greg Slaughter with the rebound

Recession Café in Digital Walker, Eastwood Mall, Quezon City

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Recession Coffee, where you decide how much to pay for your coffee. 

Dark Matter = Coffee / obviously
 

While waiting for the wifey and her brother to finish watching their horror movie, I walked around the unfamiliar mall. I saw Digital Walker, purveyor of iPhones, iPads, and the requisite accessories. 

Nested within the store was Recession Coffee. Needing to wake up after the New Year festivities, I ordered my usual no-frills cup of brewed coffee. 

The counter lady asked me how much I wanted to pay, which took me aback. “What? I decide what to pay?” Are these people crazy, asking that of a Father of two who has spent a lot on gifts and holiday festivities?

Stalling for time while gathering my sleepy senses, I ask, “How large is the cup?” They point to a small paper cup. “Ok, 50 pesos,” I blurt out and hand them the bill. With a modicum of guilt, I put 20 pesos in the tip box. 
I sit down and see the sign, “Average P125.50” which means I have underpaid, tip and all. 

Nonplussed, I decide to take photos and blog about the experience. I am a professional photographer and long-time writer after all. 

Here’s hoping Recession Coffee sees this blog and feels that this is fair. Or maybe I hope they’ve forgotten all about the cheapskate that dropped by earlier today. 

The natives seem restless