The Killer Instinct

-The Killer Instinct-
2-13-09// 11:47pm
What does it mean to be hungry? What does it matter how prepared your X’s and O’s are if you don’t have the desire to win, to play to win and play to NOT LOSE ? Theres a big difference in playing to win and playing not to lose. A big difference. One notable time I got a taste of hunger was this past summer, when my Bantam squad edged out a much older team from Union, NJ in our last game of the Kalahi Summer League.

But today was different. My bro’s JV team faced St. Peters for the first time. Last season, they went 3-0 vs. the Staten Island schools, one win short of a sweep, in which the only school left was St. Peters. I lived what I feared the most when encountering this power house from Staten Island. I wasn’t worried about how the teams would matchup athletically or strategically, I was really worried about who would want it more. My bro’s team wasn’t really a team that played off emotion, more of a team that played not to lose. Playing just to play. They survived a frustrating season of just playing, just enough to squeeze into the city playoffs.

I feared St. Peters would show up, looking for blood. I feared St. Peters would lure my bro’s team into their game tempo. Ironic, it was my bro’s team that came out with fire, to end the first quarter with an 8 point margin over the other Eagles. It was looking to be a very good game. But the back of my mind pictured the St. Peters team from last year, when they played CBA in the Freshman Championship of the Holiday Invitational they hosted.

It was a pack of wolves. Every single play, every possesion on both ends, it was more than basketball. I felt the anger watching in the bleachers, and i felt every player’s ounce of desire to win, which was all anchored by their PG, Vernon, whom I’ve come to call the Afro Phenom. His teammates fed off his intensity. That’s what makes every loss painful, and every victory sweet, when you play with desire. Playing with pure heart.

2nd quarter. All St. Peters did was pick up their intensity. It was like the score at the end of the 1st quarter was their wake up call. I watched them and their body language pick up the pace on both ends of the court. They’d adjust and be patient to everything, but at the same time look to put the game away as early as possible. I’d watch their lead slowly grow as they’d get 2 for 1 and 3 for 1 on baskets.

My bro’s team was very well coached, they were prepared with plays for both ends of the basketball and had all the mechanics to be a contender. But what lacked all season had finally caught up to them. That was the lack of heart. I felt it. It was painful to watch. I honestly wanted to leave. I saw St. Peters players beat my bro’s teammates to the spot, have that extra step to stay ahead. At one point, I said to EJ at the table, “Take Penny’s drive to win and 10x it by 12. That’s how St. Peters is every single time they step out onto the court.” Because that’s what I felt. From the collapse in the 2nd quarter to when my brother’s coach put up the white flag. I felt like they were just playing, like it was just another game they could let slip.


Staten Island has a very blessed program in St. Peter’s basketball. Their strive for excellence on the court carries on through their performances, win or lose. Transforming a group of average ball players into a powerful, cohesive unit. I believe their performance today vs. St. Edmunds depicted their program. They showed their basketball IQ and most importantly, their heart. That’s what determined the game. St. Peters simply wanted it more. Because rest assure, St. Edmunds could have definitely given them a better game and I believe St. Peters has seen them play better basketball at their own tournament when they went up against CBA the past 2 years. It comes down to who wants it more.

What does it mean to be hungry? To always push to be ahead. To push to make a difference. A difference to give you an advantage. The advantage to win. To be hungry, you must play to win. Where every possesion counts. Playing hungry, is when your mind no longer has control of your body. Playing hungry is when your body does what your heart wants it to do for that extra sprint, that extra push. That comes from the heart.

You cant teach hunger. You can only build it within you. When it becomes natural to you, it becomes your Killer Instinct.

2-14-09// 12:52 AM

robbyRise TV eps TEN

gotta update sometime right ?



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on another note, i ran into this nike Commercial from youtube, you might recognize it. Its a commercial about the "life-long journey of pro football players LaDainian Tomlinson and Troy Polamalu as their destinies collide in an NFL football game." [youtube description well said]. I saw this and first thing that came to mind were some of the best NABA ballers i've seen in the past, (Marlon Sim, Palacios Bros, Peter Pan, Norman Penola, Kevin Ramos, Jenno Almasol, etc etc) and imagining them squaring off against their American or Canadian rivals, the rivals they only get to face once a year for those "Filipino basketball domination" bragging rights. Lets remember one thing, only in NABA can you find out where the best young pinoy ballers are.

Atlantic Ave. Reality Check ...

Couple months ago i was going home from work and when i got off the 3 Train to transfer to the B train, there was music going on. I heard the sound of trumpets and trombones as well as a drumset going off. But i felt the vibe walking down the steps. It was really nice. The tune made me feel at home, i felt like such a NYer. I then see a crowd around a group of men jamming, about 7 musicians playing strictly brass instruments and a drummer. All i remember was dazing off to the song the were playing. It made me remember where i was from, where i was born and raised. It made me really love my home for some reason. It was cool. I wanted to buy one of their CD's but i didnt have the money. I thought to myself, "Better luck next time". That next time actually came, just last week i ran into those dudes AGAIN . Same station, same time when i was comin home from work/practice. I had money in my wallet, money i was SUPPOSE to use to buy my math textbook. But i'm robbyRise, i dont buy textbooks. I purchased 2 of their CD's listening once again to another magical tune they were jamming out . Here's a video of this group called "Hypnotic Brass Ensemble". This isnt on atlantic avenue but this was the song i first heard them play. 2 CD's well worth my money. For those of you who dont know i used to be a musician.


the video explains it all.

War ...

You ever have those games where you felt like it was gunna be war ? Listen to this track i fcukin LOVE from the contender, the instrumental would get ANY athlete hype before a big game, especially RIVALRY games:



My bro's JV team is playing Bishop Ford today. I'm more hype about the SEPH Freshman team. Get this, the last SEPH freshman team to beat Bishop Ford was the Frosh team of MY FRESHMAN YEAR! Thats about 5-6 years ago. SMH right ? Nah, ths year's Frosh might have a chance and could break the losing streak to the Falcons. knock on wood.

Also when i'm over at Ford, i'll be having a chat with my coaching mentor, Coach John "Zues". So we'll see.

I just wanted to spit somethin on here before i got ready to bus my bro and some of his teammates to Ford. hopefully i'll b back on to post somthin later this week...

PS. robbyRise eps NINE is up on facebook. and SIPAG clinic starts up this sunday -__-

Bad to Good ?

SEPH JV loses to bum-squad Regis, and then my BMCC Lady Panthers drop a nonconference game to Orange County Community. But wait, the Knicks beat Boston ? smh . what is this world coming to, for real.

Rough week comin up. Three game stretch for my Panthers. My bro has some tough league games this week as well. Alot of the HS ballers i'm mentoring have HS games this week as well.

January is the HEART of HS basketball season. Games left and right. Good luck to everyone this week ! hope you guys come out on the winning end.

heres a throwback REMIX track to get you guys hyped feel me ! LOL.


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Forgot to mention, i'll be posting up my video blogs on here as well. LOL obviously, blog --> Video Blog ? dughhhh. LOL keep in touch folks.

NABA 2008: Where Amazing Happend

Blogging Consistency

SLACKED with the blogging only because its been the video blogs i've been using to blog.  I'll post those vids soon. But as of 2009, i'll probably blog every week to everyother week the best i could depending how lazy/tired i am on that Monday or Sunday. 

if youve been missing out on robbyRise tv u could always check out my facebook !  as i type this i struggle to keep my eyes open going through the day with like 4-5 hours of sleep since i had to run to the city in the morning. 

But i'll mention i'd like to work on a robbyRise scrapbook on coaching. Like the plays and stuff i'd like to use for any teams i coach. A scrapbook that would include detailed breakdowns and all that .

so yeah, hopefully by the end of the week i'll update you on what happens. nahh means. peace brah.