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Pacific Rims: Beermen Ballin' In Flip-Flops And The Philippines' Unlikely Love Affair With Basketball (2010)

by Rafe Bartholomew(Favorite Author)

4.35 of 5 Votes: 3

ISBN

0451229991 (ISBN13: 9780451229991)

languge

English

genre

Nonfiction

publisher

New American Library

review 1: A brilliantly written tome about the Philippines' infatuation with basketball. Fulbright scholar and hoops junkie Rafe Bartholomew delves deep into his topic, seemingly leaving no stone unturned as he tries to get to the heart of a nation's obsession. From playing pick-up games with the locals to following a PBA team on its quest for a championship, Bartholomew's story of living three years in the Philippines had me longing for a return trip back to my motherland. I loved how he detailed the many people he encountered during his time abroad: this is stellar feature writing that would make David Halberstam (legendary author of "Breaks of the Game," chronicling the 1979-80 Portland Trailblazers) proud. Whether I was reading about Bartholomew tracking down former PBA stars or... more verifying rumors of politically incorrect basketball games, I was always engaged and entertained. This is a must-read for hoops fanatics; it's a testament to Bartholomew's skills that a basketball book with nary an NBA anecdote could be so captivating.
review 2: I started reading this just after I came back from a trip to the Philippines where I got to experience the basketball culture first hand - and Rafe paints an accurate picture of the country's affinity for the game. The way he shelved his American ideals and fully immersed himself into the Philippine lifestyle is also admirable, and as a Filipino, I commend him. After reading this, you will realize that the Philippines' love for basketball is like no other! less

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