Pinoy Trio at the NBA

by RMP

For a sports journalist, to be able to cover the NBA Finals is a dream come true. For these three, the dream is within reach.



Veteran sports writer Eddie Alinea, his protégé Noli Cruz and sports writer/PR expert Robbie Pangilinan are the country’s official media representatives who will cover the finals. Cruz said, “Being tasked to cover the finals is flattering and fun at the same time especially because I am going with my mentor Eddie Alinea and partner in crime Robbie Pangilinan.” Alinea, being a seasoned sports scribe, has covered several finals though not on an official status. He says it is a great privilege while Pangilinan feels excited to meet other NBA sports writers.



Both Alinea and Pangilinan are rooting for the LA Lakers while Cruz is putting his bets on the Cleveland Cavaliers, saying that the Cavs will go all the way this season. He hopes to get a chance to interview LeBron James of the Cavs, who he thinks is the best player this season. Alinea, on the other hand, is eyeing to talk to his best player Kobe Bryant while Pangilinan will go for Lamar Odom and Pau Gasol.



When asked what is the first thing they will do when they arrive there, Cruz said he will touch the court of the Game 1 host and Pangilinan will try to find the best seat in the media pressbox. Alinea jokingly remarked that he will take photos with lovely ladies.



Michael Jordan remains to be Cruz’s best NBA player whereas Alinea thinks Shaquille O’Neal is the greatest. Pangilinan chose LeBron James as his best player. The LA Lakers during Abdul Jabar’s time is Alinea’s best team and Cruz went for the 1996 Chicago Bulls for its 72-10 in the regular season and 15-3 in the playoffs. Pangilinan thinks the Boston Celtics is the best.

“Big Daddy”

By Robbie Pangilinan

He is the self-confessed “bad boy” of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), having been involved in several controversies and scandals. He has been called “unmanageable” and labeled “brutally frank”, but Alex Crisano has a soft side—one that only three special people are privileged to see and experience.

This side of the intimidating 6’7” cager is known as “fatherhood” and the three persons who enjoy this are his three children—Alex Louis Jr., Aliyah Marie and Joey Vincent.

The big daddy is proud and happy that his kids have inherited his height and are all talented in their own ways. Alex, Aliyah and Vinny are studying in different schools in the US and are not able to see and spend time with their dad often. But Alex loves the three more than anything and he misses them every minute.

The PBA star brings his training in sports to disciplining his children. He acts like a coach to the three, always encouraging and motivating them to be the best but also making sure to point out their mistakes and weaknesses.

He helps them become better persons by offering his advice when they need it. Though Alex, Aliyah and Vinny are still quite young—10, 8 and 6 years old—their father is keen in teaching them good values. He gives them rewards when they do something good and reprimands them for the bad deeds they do. “I take away the things they love to do like watching TV and playing video games. More importantly, I make sure that they understand what wrong they have done,” Alex shares.

The tattooed big guy with eight-pack abs looks daunting but surprisingly, his most memorable experiences are the sleepless nights he had when his darling children are still babies. And up until now, Daddy Alex likes cuddling the three and giving them all the love that he can give. Despite his many achievements in sports, Alex considers parenthood as the biggest milestone in his life and being the father of Alex, Aliyah and Vinny as the greatest role he will ever play.

Being a responsible father, Alex even earns extra for his family by doing rap gigs. His rap album titled “Bullet-Hate Proof” will be launched this year with Andrew E. as one of the producers.

There is nowhere else that Alex dreams of being in the future than with his three children—his inspiration, the ones that keep him going and fighting everyday. Though the three are far away from him, Alex says, “I will always be here for them and I’ll be watching their back at all times.” #

Alex Crisano Profile

by Robbie Pangilinan

Popular PBA cager Alex Crisano is also known as d entertainer not only for his superb basketball moves that fascinates viewers but because of his diverse talents that keeps everyone amused.

Crisano can sing, dance, and rap besides handling the ball faultlessly. Last Sunday, Crisano once again showcased his talent when he appeared at P.O.5 (Party On 5), TV5’s new interactive musical-variety show. He joined the singing segment and even did a ballroom dance number, to everyone’s enthrallment. Alex hopes to join the TV5 family as a regular talent.

The 33-year-old Crisano has spent 10 years in the PBA with Ginebra and Red Bull. He started playing b-ball at 6 and has since liked the physical aspect of the sport. At 6’7”, he can also take anyone down in boxing or mixed martial arts—two sports he would also like to get into if given the chance. The Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP) offered him to join the national team as a heavyweight boxer but Alex wanted to stay in basketball then.

The quite controversial basketball star is keeping a low profile nowadays but is always open for any new opportunity that may come his way. Confessing of being a “bad boy” in the past and figuring in several scandals, Crisano has admitted he made mistakes but have learned from them. “Who does not make mistakes? That’s how it is in life.

You make mistakes and you learn from those mistakes in order to come out as a better person,” he adds.

Unafraid to try anything fresh, Alex underwent body sculpting that gave his already buffed body perfectly chiseled abs, shoulders, chest and sides.


Behind the seemingly daunting appearance with eight-pack abs and tattooed back and arms, Crisano has a soft side that many people fail to see. He is a loving father to his three children who are all in the US. In the future, he wants to be with his family back in the States. Despite his many achievements in sports, Alex still thinks that parenthood is the biggest milestone in his life and being the father of Alex, Aliyah and Vinny is still the greatest role he will ever play.

Along with being a responsible father, Alex is also trying to earn extra income by doing rap gigs. The soft-hearted giant also helps a foundation for streetchildren.
Alex says, “I want people to see the other side of me.

I also have a softer side.”
At the end of the day, Crisano just wants people to remember him as the underdog who has changed many lives, including his own. #