Ricardo "Ric Ric" Marata

I just got back from my vacation, and was shocked to see the news that Former PBA player Ric Ric Marata was dead. Although I had a few memory of Ric Ric as a player since i was still an elementary student at that time or high school, although he was not the superstar for the team he played he was a key player because of his tenacity and of course his shooting prowess ( he had an awkward looking jump shot if i recall correctly).

Marata, 45 died early Saturday morning (2:30 a.m.) in New York. The real cause of death has yet to be determined.

Marata's nephew, Ginebra's high leaping swingman Cyrus Baguio, is among the second generation of Marata players. His other nephew is La Salle Green Archer Samuel Joseph Marata.

FOODS TO FLATTEN YOUR BELLY

When your into sports, it is also nice to know your foods to help your body become into tiptop shape. Here are some certain foods and styles of eating that can help you flatten your belly.

1. Give me a C. Research says that food rich in Vitamin C, such as citrus, cantaloupe and red pepper, reduces fat absorption. You can meet your daily Vitamin C intake of 75 milligrams by snacking on an orange or a cup of strawberries.

2. Tea up. Women with the highest consumption of catechins, the plant based antioxidants in tea that may boost fat burn, put on fewer pounds than those who drank less tea. The green or white varieties contain the most catechins.

3. Peel it off. Banana, which contains 422 mg of potassium, controls the amount of puff producing sodium in your system. Snack on a banana and you'll banish bloat fast.

4. Go low. A meal of low glycemic index foods, which the body digests slowly, makes you feelfuller. These includes oatmeal's, vegetables and some fruits like grapefruits and blueberries.

5. Stroll away your sweet craving. Can't resist chocolates? A little dark chocolate is fine, but if you've already hit your limit, it's time to lace up your sneakers! a 15 minute walk is reported to reduce yearning of sweets during and even after the walk.

6. Ditch high fructose corn syrup. Research suggests that high fructose corn syrup causes a surge in blood sugar and messes up your hunger and satiety signals, leaving you less satisfied and causing you to eat more. The extra calories you eat get deposited as fat. So next time you shop, scan labels and trade packaged foods with high fructose corn syrup for ones with healthy fats and fiber.

7. Snap your snack. Take a photo of everything you eat for five days and chances are, you will consume fewer snacks and less likely yo go back for seconds.

MOST PLAYOFF GAME APPEARANCES (INDIVIDUAL)

If youre a basketball fan, you should know this one, call him whatever you want, but for me his Mr. Big Shot himself Robert Horry. He has made 244 appearances playing for the Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonion Spurs from 1992 to 2008.