sprained ankle lang daw

Anong nangyari sa kanya?

-----

Ilan na ba games na nalaro ng Pinas? Lately, I haven't been watching much.

We lost to China

China 77
RP 74

Final

------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.pba.ph/content/view/1714/59/

CHINA ESCAPES WITH CLOSE WIN OVER SMC-RP
Turnovers, free-throw misses spoil Nationals’ bid to bring down Great Wall
www.pba.ph
July 13, 2007

The nightmare of Busan came back to haunt San Miguel-Pilipinas on Friday the 13th .

Jimmy Alapag missed two free throws with 8.4 seconds remaining with the game on the line Friday night, blowing the rarest of opportunities to send the Great Wall crumbling as China hung on for a 77-74 victory in the Smart 4-National Manila Invitational Championship at the Araneta Coliseum.


Chinese guard Bian Qiang was fouled by Asi Taulava with 4.5 seconds to go, hitting two free throws to stretch a 75-74 edge to three, and Kelly Williams missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer, sealing the Nationals' doom.

The Nationals enjoyed a 62-52 lead after three quarters and were ahead 74-70 with 2:13 left before being held scoreless by China the rest of the way.

The unbeaten Chinese take on Lebanon Saturday and SMC-Pilipinas meets Syria, needing a victory to reach the final and arrange a rematch with the Mainlanders for the championship.

"I'm not one for excuses. I had a chance to knock two down but I didn't," said Alapag of the missed charities that were reminiscent of the two muffed foul shots of Olsen Racela during the Busan Asian Games semifinal against South Korea in 2002.

Racela's misses left the Philippines with a two-point lead with time running down. But South Korean shooter Lee Sang-Min buried a 3-point dagger at the buzzer, leaving a deep wound that continued to ache even after five years.

"My coach and my teammates are supporting me and I'll be back and be better," said Alapag, a career 76 percent free throw shooter with the Talk 'N Text Phone Pals.

National coach Chot Reyes saw a flicker of optimism shining through the gloom and the loss.

"We've played Iran and Jordan in the Jones Cup and China tonight. Now we know we can beat them in Tokushima," said Reyes, who labeled the bracket which sent SMC-RP in that hellish company in the FIBA-Asia Men's Championship the "Group of Death."

Reyes said he hopes the Nationals would be "mentally prepared" to beat China next time.

"There's still this myth that China is unbeatable. Now we know that no longer is the case," he said.

Adiljan, China's head coach, differed slightly from Reyes' assessment.

"With the Philippines' speed and teamwork, they are much better than Jordan and Iran," said Adiljan through an interpreter, smiling when the Nationals' chances against China were brought up.

The Chinese are set to play Qatar and Jordan upon their return to Beijing after the Manila Invitationals.

Reyes defended yet another futile effort by the Nationals to close out a won game.

"We're playing our 11th game in 12 days while China (which didn't see action in the Jones Cup) is on its second," he said. "That's why we weren't able to finish it."

Yi Li, a reed-thin but deceptively strong 6-7 forward, led China with 17 points while Wang Bo, a 6-6 forward, added 13 of his 15 points in the fourth quarter.

Mark Caguioa had 25 points for SMC-RP, but no other National had more than nine, with their 20 errors giving China 21 turnover points.

In the game pitting two potential quarterfinal opponents for SMC-RP in the forthcoming FIBA-Asia Men's Championship, Fadih El Khatib, one of Asia's premier players, shook off a nagging injury suffered during the 29th William Jones Cup, to score 30 points and power Lebanon to a 95-60 rout of Syria.

El Khatib missed 4 of 5 three-point shots. But he was 10 for 16 inside the 3-point arc, 7 of 8 from the free throw line, and had seven rebounds, eight assists and two steals, an all-star performance that was lacking in the Lebanese' Thursday loss to SMC-RP at The Arena in San Juan.

Syria absorbed its second straight loss in the tournament backed by Nike, Gatorade, Victory Liner, Omega Pain Killer, Casino Alcohol, Burlington, Bayview Hotel, Molten and GNC.

The scores:

First game --

LEBANON 95 – El Khatib 30, Fahed 20, Beshara 12, Vogel 12, Mahmmoud 9,
Abdel Nour 6, Balaa 4, Fakhreddine 2, Mneimneh 0, Samaha 0, Turk 0.

SYRIA 60 – Alsaman 19, Abd Allah 9, Yakoub 8, Hadad 6, Farhat 5,
Madanly 5, Correa 4, Hasaballah 4, Kasballi 0, Labes 0, Alkatib 0,
Karkouli 0.

Quarterscores: 21-21; 53-33; 82-49; 95-60

Second game --

SMC-RP 77 – Yi 17, Wang B. 15, Zhang K. 9, Wang 8, Li 8, Zhang Q. 7,
Han 6, Bian 5, Wu 2, Chen 0, Gu 0, Yang 0.

CHINA 74 – Caguioa 25, Alapag 9, Hontiveros 8, Taulava 6, De Ocampo 5,
Pennisi 5, Norwood 5, Williams 5, Menk 4, Dela Cruz 2, Ritualo 0.

Quarterscores: 20-18; 37-37; 52-62; 77-74

SABAW team B lang nang china yan..

Philippines 92 - 79 Syria

:cheer:

^^Yeheey... Kaya pala natin......

SABAW team B lang nang china yan..

Team B twice won over Team A recently.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/sports/view_article.php?article_id=76657

RP overcomes Syria, 92-79
By Musong R. Castillo
Inquirer
07/14/2007

Games Saturday
(Araneta Coliseum)
2:30 p.m. – China vs Syria
4:30 p.m. – Lebanon vs SMC-RP Team

REDEMPTION came swift and as promised.

Wily guard Jimmy Alapag, just a night after helping doom SMC-Pilipinas, redeemed himself bigtime, leading the Nationals to a 92-79 victory over Syria last night and into the Finals of the Smart 4-Nation Invitational at The Arena in San Juan.

A 28-point, seven-assist performance that came a night after he said that he would be better helped key the Filipinos’ comeback from 10 points down in the first half.

The sad part of this win, though, is that the Philippines will not be able to cross paths with China, at least not for the next two weeks, or until the Fiba-Asia is played in Tokushima, Japan later this month.

China, whose 77-74 victory over the Philippines on Friday night was aided in great deal by two Alapag muffs from the charity stripe, bowed out of the title race after being upset by Lebanon, 71-77, in the first game.

That left the Filipinos, the Lebanese and the Chinese tied with 2-1 slates after the short elimination round and China was booted out because of an inferior quotient.

The Filipinos now face the Lebanese in the title game scheduled at 4:30 p.m. at the Araneta Coliseum Sunday, while China battles the winless Syrians in the game for the crumbs at 2:30.

Ren-Ren Ritualo and Gabe Norwood had 14 each for the Nationals, while Dondon Hontiveros and Kelly Williams chipped in with 13 and 11, respectively.

Alapag had three of the Philippines’ 10 conversions from beyond the three-point arc, all of them coming in the first half which boosted the Nationals to a 51-44 lead.

It looked like easy going for the Filipinos from there until the Syrians crept to within 78-81 entering the final four minutes. But Kerby Raymundo touched off a 10-0 tear with a nifty move underneath as the Filipinos put the game to bed with less than a minute left.

The Scores:

First Game

LEBANON 77 – El Khatib 26, Mahmmoud 17, Abdel Nour 10, Vogel 9, Turk 7, Balaa 2, Beshara 2, Fahed 2, Samaha 0.
CHINA 71 – Li 22, Wang Y. 11, Gu 9, Chen 8, Yi 7, Bian 6, Zhang 4, Wang B. 2, Yang 2, Wu 0, Han 0.

Quarters: 13-18; 34-34; 59-53; 77-71

Second Game

SMC-RP 92 – Alapag 28, Ritualo 14, Norwood 14, Hontiveros 13, Williams 11, Pennisi 6, Raymundo 4, Taulava 2, Dela Cruz 0, Menk 0, De Ocampo 0.
SYRIA 79 – Madanly 29, Correa 22, Farhat 12, Yakoub 6, Kasballi 5, Hadad 3, Labes 2, Abd Allah 0, Alsaman 0, Karkoukli 0.

Quarters: 20-22; 51-44; 77-66; 92-79

Team B twice won over Team A recently.

di nga? andun ba si yao and the bucks pick??

di nga? andun ba si yao and the bucks pick??


Yup, you read me right. China's Team B beat Team A in a pair of exhibition matches in Beijing last month. Team A was without Yao Ming, Sun Yue and Yi Jianlian but with Wang Zhizhi, Li Nan, Mo Ke, Wang Shipeng and the rest of the Team A roster.

Philippines 92 - 79 Syria

:cheer:

I saw the whole game and it was awesome! Ang galing talaga ni Alapag. :cheers:

I think ganun ung game ng Pinas with Japan ang Lebanon sa Jones Cup kung hindi nila napabayaan ung game..

We won the Manila Invitational!

PHI 87 - 81 LIB

Yes I saw the game this afternoon. Great win! Congratulations! :cheer:

Mythical 5 included both Jimmy Alapag and Kelly Williams. Jimmy Alapag was voted the MVP of the tournament. Congratulations! :applause:

GO TEAM PILIPINAS!

We won the Manila Invitational!

PHI 87 - 81 LIB

Here is another reason to be hopeful for the Philippine basketball program. Mark my word.... Gian Chiu will be a future NT member.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=84520

Pinoy giant to US NCAA Division III
by Bill Velasco
July 15, 2007
The Philippine Star

After months of mulling over his choices with his parents, Filipino basketball center Gian Chiu will be playing for Oberlin College, a US NCAA Division III school. Chiu, the 6’10” former Ateneo de Manila Blue Eaglet, graduated in the top five of his class at Desert Christian High School in Palm Springs, California.

It was a long, circuitous road for Chiu, who has been following his own internal compass. Intent on increasing his learning, Gian – who at 14 and 6’7” had already trained with the San Miguel Beermen – joined a local basketball camp, knowing that, if he made the Mythical Team, he would be sent to China.

In China, he was spotted by a coach of the Golden State Warriors, who found it easier to communicate with Gian, who spoke very fluent English and was intent on finding a school where he could pursue both his studies and basketball.

“A few weeks later, we were surprised when we got a phone call from Desert Christian,” recalls Gian’s mother, Mary Ann. “We were asking ourselves if this was it. It turned out to be a dream come true.”

Gian made an immediate impact on the Desert Christian Conquerors in his two years there. Before he arrived, The Conquerors were a woeful one win, eleven loss squad. In league play this season, they went 13 and one, with Gian averaging a hefty 16.6 points and 11.7 rebounds. More importantly, Gian was an A+ student, carrying a 4.65 grade point average.

“My parents always told me that, when you have something to do, do it right away,” said Chiu, who has already advanced some of his first-year college subjects (all A’s). “So when I have a project, I finish it as soon as possible, then I can do anything else I want, and just spend the rest of the time refining it, if I have to.”

Gian was heavily recruited, but settled for the Oberlin Yeoman, which is known to many people as a music and arts school in the North Coast Athletic Conference, for two reasons. First, newly appointed head coach Isaiah Cavao promised to build the team around the 18-year old center. Four seniors graduated (two of them honored as All-NCAA selection members). But the team’s tallest player last year was only 6’5”. But that wasn’t what appealed to Gian the most.

“My main reason for picking Oberlin is that 98 percent of its graduates get their first choice of medical school,” Chiu told The STAR. “I really want to have the opportunity to go to Johns Hopkins.”

When he was in grade school, Gian decided he wanted to be a doctor to help people. He’s already decided on internal medicine and diagnostics as his specialization. So far, his aptittude for his studies has matched his great height.

“He’s a model student and a dedicated athlete,” says Kirk Collier, who trained Gian when he was younger. “Whatever he decides to do with his life, I wouldn’t bet against him.”

True enough, Chiu runs cross-country to stay in shape in the off-season (they aren’t allowed to touch a basketball at all), and has even tried American football. He realizes that he’s at the start of the new trend in basketball, where the best big men are no longer the slow, bulky centers of old, but the leaner, more athletic types who are stronger than they look, like number one NBA draft pick Greg Oden.

This writer asked Gian what he would do if an NBA team knocked on his door midway through college. Given the fact that he can also play both forward spots, this is a distinct possibility.

“If that possibility comes up, then maybe I can play for a few years save up enough to put myself through medical school,” Gian admits. “And if other schools talk to me, I’ll take it one year at a time. I’d also love to play for the national team, as long as it doesn’t disrupt my studies at this point.”

So far, so good. Each year seems to have gotten better for the young player, who has the luxury of choosing a future between becoming an imposing Filipino presence in the NBA, or becoming one in the medical profession.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/sports/view_article.php?article_id=76793

SMC-Pilipinas wins Smart 4-Nation Invitational
By Musong R. Castillo
Inquirer
07/15/2007

THOUGH enormous this may seem, Chot Reyes does not see the need to celebrate.

SMC-Pilipinas steamrolled its way past Lebanon in the fourth quarter Sunday night to win the Smart 4-Nation Invitational, the country's second title in its lead-up to the Big Dance two weeks from now in Tokushima, Japan.

Five-foot-8 point guard Jimmy Alapag was big and Mark Caguioa turned a sloppy start into a furious finish to lead the Filipinos in a relentless seige when it mattered before a huge, boisterous crowd at the Araneta Coliseum.

Coming off the bench, Alapag scored 16 of his 23 points in the second quarter and kept the Filipinos in the game, and Caguioa, after missing his first nine shots, hit six of his last 10 to total 13 in the fourth that kept the Lebanese at bay.

“It's nice to win, of course,” Reyes, who also steered Team Philippines to a sweep of the Southeast Asian Basketball Association championship in Thailand in May, later told scribes. “But let's reserve the celebrations for later, in August, in Japan.”

The Filipinos wriggled out of the 61-61 game early in the fourth with a 13-4 tear where Kerby Raymundo, who played his best game in the series to finish with 10 points, joining Alapag and Caguioa in tearing the Lebanese defense apart.

Caguioa had six points, Raymundo four and Alapag a triple in that deciding run for 74-65, before Caguioa killed all hopes of a Lebanon comeback with two straight teardrop conversions underneath for 78-68 with 2:58 left.

“The important thing here is that we now know that we can close out games,” Reyes added. “And it is nice to have achieved this [championship] without being 100%. We found ways to win even if we played our 13th game in 14 days.

“From March 12 [when the first batch of RP Team members was named] to today, the difference is like night and day,” he added. “This team is evolving well. We have the game to compete in Japan. Can we win it? I don't know.

“It's going to be a confluence of breaks, good fortune and good play and with a little bit of luck, yes I think we can win it (the championship).”

It was the Filipinos' second victory in the tournament against the Lebanese, whom they edged, 88-83, in the inaugurals.

Team Philippines' only loss came at the hands of China, which escaped with a 77-74 victory aided by two crucial Alapag misses from the stripe in the endgame on Friday.

Alapag won the MVP award and also occupied the point guard slot in the Mythical Team, where he was joined by Fade El Khatib of Lebanon and Kelly Williams of the Philippines at forward, Michael Madanly of Syria in the other guard spot and Joe Vogel of Lebanon at center.

El Khatib, a massive, eagle-eyed forward, paced the Lebanese with 31 points, while Vogel shot 27 and plucked down 12 rebounds before fouling out with under two minutes left.

Asi Taulava, despite shooting only four points in 32 minutes, did a great job defending the middle for the Filipinos. He grabbed a night-high 14 rebounds and more than held his own against the taller Lebanese frontline.

Syria, meanwhile, saved its best for last, thwarting the Chinese, 90-85, in the battle for third place earlier.

Madanly, a hulking point guard, had 32 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists for the Syrians, who did not win a game in the eliminations but showed the Chinese who's boss in the game for the crumbs.

The Syrians led by as many as 21 points in the first half before holding off
the Chinese in the final period behind Madanly, who spearheaded Syria past the Philippines in two victories in the Fiba-Asia Champions Cup in Tehran two months ago.

Top Chinese gunners Bo Wang and Li Yi hit just a combined 20 points in the loss. China was led by starting guard Qiang Bian's 16 points.

All told, China, the most feared nation in the region, ended its four-day stint here holding an empty bag in terms of achievement though the Chinese gained valuable scouting knowledge in watching the Filipinos.

The event was also backed by Nike, Gatorade, Victory Liner, Casino Rubbing Alcohol and Omega Pain Killer.

The Scores:

SMC-Pilipinas 87 – Alapag 23, Caguioa 19, Williams 15, Raymundo 10, Ritualo 7, Norwood 7, Taulava 4, Menk 2, Pennisi 0, Hontiveros 0.

Lebanon 81 – El Khatib 31, Vogel 27, Mahmmoud 15, Fahed 4, Beshara 2, Balaa 2, Turk 0, Abdel Nour 0.

Quarters: 15-14, 36-35, 59-all, 87-81

lol we have a fighting chance at the olympic asia qualifiers!!! hurah! was the chinese team at the manila invitationals the same team going to the olympic qualifiers?

yup the same team.. China team B.. they're sending their team A to another tournament.. they don't need to qualify as they are already in as the host.

lol we have a fighting chance at the olympic asia qualifiers!!! hurah! was the chinese team at the manila invitationals the same team going to the olympic qualifiers?

yun lang first half nung finals against Lebanon parehong naka puti yung dalawang team.... hahahahaha ("j)

yun lang first half nung finals against Lebanon parehong naka puti yung dalawang team.... hahahahaha ("j)

Sorry @kiko but I am not gonna laugh at that RP booboo. You know why? In a FIBA sanctioned tournament, it would have meant an automatic disqualification for the team wearing the wrong uniform. The RP team wore the wrong uniform in that RP-Lebanon game so Lebanon should have been automatically declared as champions if this were not an invitational tourney. No appeals. Nada.

http://www.malaya.com.ph/jul17/spor1.htm

Reyes Still Can't Figure Out Final RP 5 Roster

BY NOLI CORTEZ
IT’S easy to see why coach Chot Reyes is being likened to a general going to battle without a real, concrete stock of his armory.

Eleven days before the San Miguel-Pilipinas Team competes in the FIBA-Asia Men’s championship in Tokushima, Japan, Reyes is still finding it hard to come up with his final 12-man roster, his choices being clouded by various reasons.

Of late, Reyes sounded like he really wants Danny Seigle and James Yap to be included in the team but couldn’t say so just yet, in part because there are no clear indications the two can recover from their injuries before the tourney gets going.

Fil-Ams Gabe Norwood and Kelly Williams also appear to have a lock on the team, but they have yet to get their hands on Philippine passports. In the Jones Cup in Chinese-Taipei, Williams used his American passport. Norwood, on the other hand, is still in the process of certifying his Filipino lineage.

"We’re still in the same situation now as we were a couple of days ago," Reyes said after the Nationals ruled the Smart 4-National Manila Invitationals Sunday night.

"At this point, it’s very hard to announce the line-up," he said. "We’d like to announce it, and even the players are requesting (that we announce it). But I simply cannot do that because there are many variables."

Of the four, Williams looks to have the clearest shot at fixing his problem. The Sta. Lucia Realty forward who won the PBA Rookie of the Year honors last Friday had already applied for a Philippine passport and is only awaiting its release, according to Reyes.

Seigle, whom Reyes said could be the country’s best closer, especially in close games, still has to fully recover from a hamstring injury while Yap is still recuperating from a twisted left ankle in the Jones Cup.

"We need to play games with Seigle in the line-up," said Reyes. "Hindi pa nga naglalaro together si Seigle at si Williams, si Seigle at si (Eric) Menk."
Norwood’s case seems to be the biggest concern.

"There is still no confirmation of Norwood’s papers," Reyes said.

The 6-foot-6 George Mason U stalwart must acquire clearance from the Department of Justice and then obtain a Philippine passport to be able to play in Japan.

If not, Anthony dela Cruz, who is also recuperating from injury, will have a big hole to fill.

Reyes has described Norwood as a do-it-all guy, a player who can create situations while being a big contributor on both ends of the floor.

"Norwood gives us many dimensions," said Reyes. "He’s an extra point guard, a big point guard, an extra defender, a wingman. Whatever you need him to be he’s ready to do it."

What makes matters more difficult for Reyes is the fact that Mark Caguioa and Jay-Jay Helterbrand have also suffered injuries. Helterbrand strained his left calf muscle while Caguioa is suffering from knee tendonitis, the reason why the Ginebra guard played only two games in the Manila Invitationals.

One of the players assured of getting a slot in the team is Jimmy Alapag, the team’s smallest man who more than proved his worth by winning the Most Valuable Player award in the Invitationals, beating the likes of Fadi El Khatib and Joseph Vogel of runner-up Lebanon and Michael Madanly of third placer Syria.

Dondon Hontiveros, Purefoods’ Kerby Raymundo, Asi Taulava and Mick Pennisi are considered a cinch to make it to the team bidding to top the July 28-Aug. 5 tilt in Japan where a spot in next year’s Beijing Olympics is up for grabs.

Problems aside, Reyes has been elated by the tremendous leap the team has made from a disorganized lot last March into the Invitational champion. He has termed the difference as "night and day."

He believes, however, that luck should also be factored in.

"I think we have the game to compete in Japan," he said. "But can we win it? I don’t know. Winning championships is a confluence of good play and good fortune. At least hopefully 50 percent of that situation will be taken cared of.

"Ang feeling ko, pagdating sa August, pag sinamahan ng konting swerte, may pag-asa tayo."

The nationals will leave for Japan Wednesday next week.

Reyes said he and the coaching staff, which includes former RP team coach Jong Uichico, are focusing on SMC-Pilipinas’ first three games in the opening round in Japan, where the Nationals are bracketed in the "Group of Death" with China, Iran and Jordan.

The nationals had met all three teams the weeks past. First were the Iranians in the FIBA-Asia Champions Cup in Tehran in a tune-up game last April, the Jordanians in the Jones Cup in Taipei and the Chinese last Friday in the Invitationals.

The nationals dropped all three games, but gained valuable lessons against their opponents, according to Reyes, in particular the team’s ability to contain
defend-the-ball screens, rebounding and a little more refinement in execution. In the Jones Cup, the Nationals beat the Iranians.

"Hopefully those will be addressed in the last week or two of practice. When we leave we want to arrive in Japan and have two practices that are just really run-throughs. But we should be really at the top of our game when we get there," he said.

RP 5 lacks teamwork, says Chinese coach (http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=sports1_july17_2007)

Sorry to burst the bubble of the national basketball team, but in the eyes of Chinese basketball coach Adiljan, Filipinos can’t go far in Asian basketball if they continue to play individually.

Adiljan, himself a former star player of China’s national team, said that Filipinos lack the most important element in team sports—teamwork.

Speaking through an interpreter in an interview with Standard Today, Adiljan said that Filipino players are skillful and very strong, but they have to go through years of training and sacrifices to learn the art of playing as a team.

“Filipinos are born to play basketball. No doubt, in Asia, the Philippines is a strong team. But you play individually, focusing on one-on-one plays, just like in the NBA. That is good for entertainment, but you can never win a basketball game, particularly against China if you can’t have teamwork,” said Adiljan, a member of the Chinese team that won numerous international titles, including the 1991 Asian Games in Beijing.

The 77-74 victory of Adiljan’s young Chinese squad over the Philippines in the just-concluded Four-Nation Manila Invitational Basketball Championships, ironically, won by the Filipinos when they beat Lebanon in the finals, is a clear indication that the RP Team is not yet ready for the Great Wall.

Adiljan proudly said that today, beating China is the standard criteria in the Asian level.

“If you beat China, you now pass the Asian level,” said Adiljan, who also wondered why coach Chot Reyes was quoted as saying after the game against the Chinese, that “China is beatable.”

“That is not the Chinese national team. My team is composed of players 19 years old and under. They are part of the training pool, but Filipinos failed to raise the level of their game. Yes, the Filipinos won the title, but we beat your team and that is a strong signal that RP Team needs more sacrifice and training,” he said.

The Philippines is bracketed with China in what Reyes described as the “Group of Death” in the Fiba Olympic qualifying tournament set July 23 to Aug. 2 in Tokoshima, Japan. Other members of the group are Jordan and Iran.

He also confessed that his most unforgettable experience as a player was when he went up against the Filipinos, most notably Living Legend Robert Jaworski.

“I had a tough but great experience with Filipino players. I don’t remember their names, only Jaworski, but I can recognize their face when I meet them,” he said.

Adiljan, who brought the entire Chinese Team to a dinner hosted by his close friend—athletics chief Go Teng Kok—at the China Palace Restaurant in Binondo, stressed that Korea and Japan and the Middle East countries such as Jordan, Qatar and Iran have developed immensely through the years.

Those teams, he added, have tall and hefty players, who can give the Filipinos lots of headache in the coming Fiba tournament.

“RP Team can’t win against these teams on individual effort. One-on-one play is fitted for the Americans, since they can score easily and burn the hoops with spectacular dunks. That’s another level,” he said.

After a two-year ban from Fiba, the Philippines, composed of Philippine Basketball Association players, is gearing up for the Tokoshima event as the first step in its dream of regaining its lofty status in Asia and make it again to the Olympics, specifically next year’s Beijing Games.

But Adiljan has a piece of unsolicited advice to Filipino basketball leaders and coach Reyes.

“As a coach, I never speak against my counterpart’s style and system. I respect them. But there is one thing on my mind. Filipino players had been out from international basketball for almost two years, and I don’t think the RP Team is ready to play against China and the Middle East teams yet.

“You have to focus on scouting first, then tap your best players for training not only for one year, but many years. Only after that can the Philippines be ready to face the challenge in Asian basketball,” said Adiljan.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/sports/view_article.php?article_id=77245

RP five’s final lineup known on eve of FIBA Asia caging
By Francis Ochoa
Inquirer
07/18/2007

MANILA, Philippines -- Coach Chot Reyes hasn’t set for himself a deadline when he will name the 12 basketball players who will take a shot at an Olympic slot in the FIBA-Asia Championship that starts July 27 in Tokushima, Japan.

And neither is the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) pushing him to do so.

SBP executive director Patrick Gregorio told Tuesday’s PSA Forum at Shakey’s-UN Avenue that the final lineup may be named the day before hostilities kick off in the tournament.

The event serves as the Asian qualifier for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Reyes said he plans to take the current 15-man team to Japan and make the cut there.

“There are too many things to consider before making the final cut,” said Reyes Tuesday at the Japan Embassy, where he and the other members of the team went to secure their visas.

The 15-man roster is made up of Asi Taulava, Danny Seigle, Mark Caguioa, Jimmy Alapag, Dondon Hontiveros, Kerby Raymundo, Jayjay Helterbrand, Mick Pennisi, Kelly Williams, Gabe Norwood, Erik Menk, Renren Ritualo, James Yap, Tony dela Cruz and KG Canaleta.

Reports have it that only the far end of the RP bench is left to be filled, but Reyes refused to name who among the players are shoo-ins. The team is set to play Qatar this weekend before flying to Japan on the 25th.

“We have until July 27 to name the final lineup,” said Gregorio.

“We’re still in the same situation as a couple of days ago,” Reyes said. “It’s hard to announce the lineup because of many variables.”

Reyes said Williams and Norwood still have to get their Philippine passports.

“We still have to see if [Kelly and Gabe] get their passports before making any decisions,” said the national coach.

Gregorio and Norwood, who accompanied the team to the Japanese Embassy, left to proceed to the Department of Foreign Affairs building to work on the papers.

^^ They should see to it that Williams and Norwood get their passports readied. They'd be a great loss to the team.

BTW, Norwood is like a male version of Alicia Keys. Wala lang. :D

http://www.pba.ph/content/view/1727/59/

Kuwait No Problem for SMC-RP, Pinoys Ready for FIBA-Asia Joust
www.pba.ph
[FONT=Arial]July 22, 2007

Lebanon? Syria? Kuwait? Questions regarding these Middle Eastern teams will be dealt with in due time.

Right now, only one squad from that desert wind-swept region matters: Iran.

Even Jordan, which San Miguel-Team Pilipinas faces after Iran and defending champion China in the preliminary round of the FIBA-Asia Men's Championship in Tokushima, Japan next week, will have to await its turn.

The Nationals had put away Syria and Lebanon and its star player Fadih El Khatib in topping the Smart 4-Nation Manila Invitational Championship a week ago.

And Saturday night at the Caruncho Sports Center in Pasig, SMC-Team Pilipinas handed the Kuwaiti national team a consecutive loss, 100-65, following an 84-68 beating at the Sta. Lucia East Mall gym Friday.

With all pre-war strategies mapped out, and the troops armed and ready for battle, the generals of the Philippine team tasked with sending the country back to the Olympic Games basketball competition after the last one left in 1972 in Munich now buckle down to work on how to get past the Iranians on July 28.

The Chinese, possibly reinforced by Team A players after the way they were embarrassed by the Lebanese and the Syrians during the Manila Invitational, come up next for the PBA-backed squad on the 29th, followed by the burly Jordanians, who beat the Nationals in the 29th William Jones Cup tournament, on the 30th.

If SMC-Team Pilipinas survives the so-called "Group of Death" and advances to the quarterfinal round, then, Lebanon, Syria and Kuwait, assuming they move on from their respective groups, may have to be taken care of.

Judging from the way the Nationals carried themselves in their last tune-up game, Kuwait, if it comes up later, shouldn't be much of a problem for RP coach Chot Reyes and his staff.

Gabe Norwood led the Nationals, who took a 55-21 lead at the half, with 13 points.

Asi Taulava and James Yap had 12 points each, Danny Seigle 11, Mick Pennisi 10, Jayjay Helterbrand 9, Kelly Williams 7, Tony de la Cruz 6, Renren Ritualo 6, Eric Menk 4, Dondon Hontiveros 4, Jimmy Alapag 3, Mark Caguioa 2, Ranidel De Ocampo 1, and Kerby Raymundo 0.

Prior to its departure on July 25, SMC-RP takes a break Sunday, returns to practice Monday morning at the Moro Lorenzo Sports Center and then attends afternoon mass at the San Miguel building.

The team meets at Sportskamp at The Fort on Wednesday morning before proceeding to the Centennial Terminal for the afternoon flight to Tokushima.

Coach Reyes Tracks Route to Olympics
By Joaquin Henson

National coach Chot Reyes said yesterday he expects the Philippines to figure in a triple-tie in Group A of the preliminary eliminations at the FIBA-Asia Olympic qualifiers in Tokushima on July 28-Aug. 5.

It’ll be a rocky road to the finals but Reyes intimated the job is doable.

There are 16 teams vying for honors in the FIBA-Asia Championships, a biennial event. China is seeded into the 12-nation Olympic competitions as the host country, meaning if it wins in Tokushima, the second placer qualifies for Beijing. If China fails to top the qualifiers, the champion will gain the ticket to the Olympics.

The teams are divided into four groups. China, Jordan, Iran and the Philippines comprise Group A. Lebanon, Japan, United Arab Emirates and Kuwait (replacing Saudi Arabia) are in Group B. Qatar, Kazakhstan, India and Indonesia compose Group C. South Korea, Syria, Chinese-Taipei and Hong Kong make up Group D.

In the preliminary eliminations, Reyes predicted the national squad to finish second to either China or Jordan. The expectation is the team will advance to the quarterfinals where records start from scratch and the eight survivors are split into two groups of four.

If the Philippines ends up second in Group A, it will move to Group 2 in the quarterfinals with the Group B winner, Group C runner-up and Group D winner. The Group A topnotcher joins the Group B runner-up, Group C winner and Group D runner-up in Group 1 of the quarterfinals.

Reyes picked Lebanon and Japan to advance from Group B, Qatar and Kazakhstan from Group C and South Korea and Syria from Group D, in that 1-2 order.

“Our group is too close to call,” said Reyes. “It’s hard to discount Jordan which could be the toughest in our bracket. Actually, I think we will figure in a triple tie in our group and advance as the second qualifier to the quarterfinals.”

The triple tie could be for first or second place where either China or Jordan finishes unbeaten at 3-0 and the others post 1-2 records or the Philippines, China and Jordan wind up at 2-1 and Iran, 0-3. In either scenario, Reyes said the national squad would take second via the quotient system.

In the event Jordan tops Group A and the Philippines places second, here is how Reyes said the quarterfinals brackets could look like: Group 1 – Jordan, Japan, Qatar, Syria and Group 2 – Philippines, Lebanon, Kazakhstan, South Korea.

The top two finishers of each group in the quarterfinals move up to the four-team crossover semifinals where the Group 1 winner faces the Group 2 runner-up and the Group 2 winner meets the Group 1 runner-up.

Reyes saw the Philippines finishing second in Group 2 to either South Korea or Lebanon. He said advancing to the semifinals from Group 1 will be Jordan (if not China) and Qatar. That would bring the Philippines into a knockout game against Jordan (if not China) and South Korea or Lebanon against Qatar in the semifinal pairings. The winners of the semifinals then dispute the championship in the finals. If plans don’t miscarry, the Philippines should play Qatar for the title and qualify for the Olympics.

“Of course, anything can happen,” said Reyes. “Key players could get injured and suddenly, fortunes change. But that’s how I initially assess how our road to the finals will be. It’s wishful thinking but something to aspire for.”

Which two teams will survive the first round in Group A depends on whether or not China is reinforced with more players from its 22-man national pool. If China uses the squad that finished last in the recent Manila Invitationals, it could be eliminated in the preliminaries with Jordan and the Philippines gaining safe passage into the quarterfinals.

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/07242007/sports01.html

Suspense Grips
BusinessMirror
July 24, 2007

THE suspense is gripping and everybody is dying to know.

But the final composition of the San Miguel-Pilipinas team that will do battle in the FIBA-Asia Men’s Championship in Tokushima, Japan this weekend is a secret as closely guarded as the identity of the would-be Asian qualifier to the Beijing Olympics in August next year.

National coach Chot Reyes said he will submit the final lineup on July 27 during the FIBA-Asia Managers Meeting, a day before the Philippines was to meet Iran at the start of the preliminary round.

Defending champion China is up next on July 29 and Jordan on the July 30, with the Nationals needing at least two wins to gain a strong chance of moving on to the quarterfinal round.

It’s likely Reyes already has the names of the players he wants down pat but is keeping them close to his chest in the event of unforeseen last-minute injuries and technical problems.

The Nationals practiced yesterday morning at the Moro Lorenzo Sports Center and are scheduled for one more scrimmage today and tomorrow prior to their departure, and then two more when they arrive in Tokushima.

Philippine passports, at this point, also have yet to be issued to Sta. Lucia Realty’s Kelly Williams and George Mason University standout Gabe Norwood, two key figures in the RP squad.

The players are not allowing the suspense to get the better of their expectations.

“It’s an exciting time for us as players, the coaching staff, the PBA, and especially the Philippines,” said point guard Jimmy Alapag of the Talk ’N Text Phone Pals.

“We got a great opportunity. Hopefully, we’ll reap the fruits of our labor in the last four, five months. We’re just excited to get to Japan.”

“The team is looking good. We just need to sharpen up just a little bit before our first game,” said Asi Taulava of the Phone Pals.

“After winning the Manila Invitational, it feels good. Malaking kumpiyansa bago kami pumunta ng Japan,” said Mark Caguioa of the Ginebra Kings, adding the enormity of their task hasn’t hit him yet.

“Hindi ko rin kasi iniisip. Mape-pressure ka lang lalo eh. You’re representing the country so that’s already a big pressure for you, so I’m not really thinking too much about that.”

San Miguel’s Danny Seigle, who rejoined his teammates during the Kuwait tuneup games after missing three weeks of training due to a pulled hamstring and an ankle sprain, said his injuries are healing fast.

“It feels pretty good and it no longer bothers me that much,” said Seigle, who sat out the Busan Asian Games in 2002 because of a torn Achilles tendon. “Of course I have to work off a little bit of rust, but I’ll be prepared mentally and physically come game time.”

Even the recent additions, Eric Menk of Ginebra, the Realtors’ Williams and James Yap of Purefoods, have put behind their individual ambitions to be part of the overall effort to send a Philippine team back to the Olympic Games basketball competition after 35 years.

“Of course, everyone would like to know as soon as we can, but we understand that it’s kinda out of hands,” said Menk. “What’s best for the team is what’s best for our chances. We just have to be patient.”

“Regardless of what happens, we’ll gonna work as hard as we can, all 15 of us, up to the last day,” said Williams. “We’re all on the same page. It’s not an individual effort but a team effort where everyone will put in 120 percent for the team.”

“Lahat naman dito deserving. Maraming player ang gustong masama rito at ngayong napili kami, achievement na rin ito,” said Yap. “Kahit di ako makuha, okay lang dahil na-experience mo rin naman ’yung praktis ng RP team. Wala naman talagang mawawala sa’yo. Pag nanalo ’yung RP team, para na rin sa’ting lahat ’yon.”

The Nationals leave tomorrow afternoon aboard a Philippine Airlines flight that will take them direct to Tokushima.

Road to Beijing begins

IT’S time to see if the Philippines still has a place in the basketball firmament or if Filipinos have been deluding themselves all these years that we got game.

The Jones Cup and four-Nations Invitationals were nice, but the Promised Land is in Beijing. And the road there officially begins in Tokushima.

The FIBA-Asia Championship is held every two years and this competition is the premier Asian basketball event for men’s national teams. And the souped-up San Miguel-Team Pilipinas is all pumped up.

The Philippines is bracketed in a tough group and will be facing higher seeded teams. Included in the group is current FIBA-Asia Champion China, ranked No. 11 in the world. Lebanon, silver medalist in the 2001 and 2005 competitions and pegged the 25th best team in the world, will once more be led by Fadi El-Khatib.

Meanwhile, Frederick Femi Onica’s stratospheric Islamic Republic of Iran squad, ranked No. 37, will be a tough unit to deal with despite their not being expected to move on in the competition.

As host of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, China gets an automatic slot in the Olympics. In the event China places second, third, fourth or worse, they will still quality alongside the champion of the tournament. The finalist and third placer then qualify for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Qualifier.

The current FIBA-Asia champions are the Yao Ming-led China who retained their title in the recent 2005 FIBA-Asia Championship that took place in Doha, Qatar. China defeated Lebanon in the final with Qatar beating Korea for the bronze medal.

Basketball TV, the brother channel of Solar Sports, will be televising San Miguel-Team Pilipinas’ games. (With Rick Olivares)

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/07242007/images/sports-wallpaper.jpg

NIKE Philippines joins numerous Filipinos who believe in Team Pilipinas’s capability to perform to expectations in the forthcoming Fiba-Asia Olympic qualifying tournament in Tokushima, Japan.

Among the believers are Philippine Basketball Association commissioner Noli Eala, Basketball Association of the Philippines-Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director Patrick Gregorio, former Nationals Alvin Patrimonio, Jeffrey Cariaso and Olsen Racela, RP Youth and De La Salle head coach Franz Pumaren, Team Pilipinas assistant coach and Ateneo head coach Norman Black, former Olympian Akiko Thomson, TV personalities Reema Chanco and Jinno Rufino, entertainers Francis Magalona and Michael V., sportscaster and triathlete Tricia Chiongbian, supermodel Tweetie de Leon and trendsetter Tim Yap.

Through its limited edition “Believer” T-shirt, Nike hopes to encourage more people to show their support, according to Nike Philippines country marketing manager Melissa Crucillo.

The must-have Nike Tee bears the word “Believer” in front, and an image of Team Pilipinas at the back. They are available at Nike retail outlets nationwide for P895 at select Nike stores. Also available in select Nike stores are replica Team Pilipinas Jackets at P1,995, as well as replica Team Pilipinas jerseys and shorts at P1,545 each.

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/07252007/sports01.html

San Miguel-RP embarks on Tokushima mission
BusinessMirror
July 25, 2007

MANILA—Spurred on by a nation where a Summer Games appearance was a lofty dream once, and where the politics of hatred finds momentary solace when a local athlete’s pursuit of worldwide sporting excellence takes center stage, San Miguel-Team Pilipinas, the modern-day version of Jason and the Argonauts, leaves this afternoon for Tokushima, Japan, to vie for the Golden Fleece—an Olympic berth in the FIBA-Asia Men’s Championship.

No less than the FIBA-Asia title, or a runner-up finish to defending champion China and nobody else, will be acceptable to national coach Chot Reyes, who brought together within a five-month period, and against an array of adversities, 15 men, all but one of them Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) stars, who will wage war with the best of Asia for the chance to represent the continent to the Beijing Olympiad in August next year.

Of the 15—Asi Taulava, Jimmy Alapag and Renren Ritualo of Talk ’N Text; Tony de la Cruz of Alaska; Mark Caguioa, Jayjay Helterbrand and Eric Menk of Ginebra; Dondon Hontiveros and Danny Seigle of San Miguel Beer; Ranidel de Ocampo of Air21; Kerby Raymundo and James Yap of Purefoods; Kelly Williams of Sta. Lucia Realty; Mick Pennisi of Red Bull; and Gabe Norwood of George Mason U who secured his Philippine passport late Monday evening after getting clearance from the Justice department earlier—three will be dropped before the Managers Meeting on July 27 to make way for the Final 12.

The trimmed-down Nationals then embark on their quest by taking on Iran on July 28, China on July 29, and Jordan on July 30 in the preliminary round.

“We’ve done everything humanely possible to prepare for Japan,” said Reyes, who talked as though he trained not players but gladiators for combat in the Roman Colosseum.

“It now boils down to execution, desire and pride. And prayers from the Filipino nation.”

PBA commissioner Noli Eala recalled the sacrifices the national team undertook from Day One.

“For nearly 147 days, the PBA-backed San Miguel-Pilipinas national team labored and sacrificed for one solitary chance of a lifetime in search of our Olympic dream,” Eala said.

“Today, with our collective sweat and hard work as our capital, and our faith in the Almighty as our guide, we embark on a mission undaunted by the enormity of the task ahead.

“This is a quest to bring honor, pride and respect to 82 million basketball-loving Pinoys. With each game, we carry their dreams and their hopes, and we ask the whole nation to pray for our team.”

PBA chairman Ricky Vargas urged the Nationals to pour their hearts out in the fulfillment of their commitment.

“It is not committing to do your best that is hard, you have already done that,” Vargas said. “It is living up to that commitment that is difficult. So live it up to the fullest by achieving the task ahead of you.

“We are proud of what you have become as a team. The impossible is possible. Let’s go to the Olympics!”

San Miguel-RP team manager Robert Non said the tournament is as much about redemption and respect as anything else.

“This is it, the culmination of our sacrifices and hard work for the past two years,” Non said. “Now it is time for us to pray and support the San Miguel-Pilipinas team as our national players carry our dreams of redemption in international basketball.

“It’s not only the championship that matters, but more importantly bringing back respect for us Filipinos.”

The Nationals attend one last practice at Sportskamp in The Fort Wednesday morning before proceeding to the Centennial Terminal for the 2:30 p.m. Philippine Airlines flight to Tokushima.

A two-hour bus ride will take them to the Tokushima Prince Hotel at about 9 p.m.

Sana'y magtagumpay tayo!!! Mabuhay Team Pilipinas!

RP five leaves for dream mission
By Nelson Beltran
Philippine Star
July 25, 2007

The SMC-Philippine quintet leaves for Tokushima, Japan today, ready to do battle against the best in the region in the FIBA-Asia men’s basketball championships in its pursuit of a dream stint in next year’s Olympic Games.

The Nationals are hopeful they could put to good use lessons learned in a grueling five-month training that included stints in the US, Iran, Thailand, Belgrade and Taipei as they seek to regain the title in the Asian championship – the region’s Olympic qualifier – which the country last won in Malaysia in 1985.

Coach Chot Reyes and the Nationals work out for the last time at the Moro Lorenzo Sports Center this morning before heading to the airport for their 3 p.m. PAL flight to Osaka from where they would take a two-and-half-hour drive to Tokushima.

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas top officials led by president Manny V. Pangilinan and board members PBA chair Ricky Vargas and PBA commissioner Noli Eala depart tomorrow. Michel Lhuillier and Yayoy Alcoseba, SBP officials from Cebu, will leave Friday.

The Nationals open their campaign in the 16-nation, nine-day tournament – formerly known as ABC Championship – against Iran Saturday. Defending champion China is up next for the RP team on Sunday then Jordan Monday.

The Filipinos need to finish first or second in this tough bracket, described by coach Reyes as “Group of Death,” to reach the quarterfinal round.

The Chinese were the gold medalists while the Iranians and Jordanians both losing semifinalists in the last Asian Games in Doha, Qatar last year.

But Reyes believed the Philippines has a good chance of beating these highly formidable teams.

“This team has come too far to be denied the chance to play in the Olympics,” said Reyes on the eve of their departure.

“We have made a great deal of preparation. All we need now is a stroke of good fortune in Japan,” he added.

Reyes is looking to dominate the backcourt battle to make up for their lack of ceiling. He was also relieved Fil-Am guard-forward Gabe Norwood was cleared to play for the Nationals.

Norwood, a George Mason U product, is expected to play a key role since he’s a versatile player who can play point, off-guard, wingman and even power forward.

Others likely to stand at the forefront of the RP team’s bid are Danny Seigle, Mark Caguioa, Jimmy Alapag, Jayjay Helterbrand and Dondon Hontiveros.

If Asi Taulava, Eric Menk, Kerby Raymundo and Kelly Williams are able to hold down the big men of the opposition, then they have made big contribution to the team. They would be facing seven-footers from the casts of the Chinese, the Iranians and the Jordanians.

Reyes will name his final 12 on the eve of the Iran match.

ano na nangyari kay Williams?? tagal na sa Pinas nyan.. wala pa pala passport.. kala ko ba hindi nila pinapayagan sa PBA draft pag walang Philippine passport??

In the eye of the storm
SPORTING CHANCE By Joaquin M. Henson
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
National coach Chot Reyes leaves this afternoon on a Philippine Airlines flight with his band of 15 warriors for the FIBA-Asia Championships starting Saturday in Tokushima in quest of a qualifying ticket to the Beijing Olympics.

Every player has sacrificed for flag and country to play in the 16-nation joust where the Philippines is bracketed with China, Jordan and Iran in the first round of eliminations.

But none in the gritty contingent has sacrificed more than Reyes.

For Reyes, leading the charge is a mission that he could never refuse – no matter the risk, no matter the cost, no matter the pain. The chance of representing the country in the Olympics comes rarely because only 12 nations qualify to participate and China is Asia’s perennial entry.

But next year, China as the host country is guaranteed a slot, allowing one more berth for Asia. If China tops the FIBA-Asia Championships, the runner-up will play in Beijing. If China fails to win, the champion goes to the Olympics.

It will be more difficult for the Philippines to aspire for a ticket in the 2012 London Olympics because Asia is allocated only a single spot for basketball.

That’s why Reyes has dedicated himself, body and soul, to the crusade for the Beijing Olympics. The Philippines hasn’t played Olympic basketball since the 1972 Munich Games so Reyes is looking to end a long 36-year drought.

Not too many fans know that Reyes will once more miss celebrating his birthday with family this year, for the sake of Philippine basketball. He turns 44 on Aug. 1, right smack in the middle of the Tokushima campaign. It’s almost become a tradition for Reyes to turn a new leaf with his family far away. The last two years, he was abroad coaching the Philippine team when his birthday came.

But for Reyes, that’s par for the course. He’ll make it up with wife Cherry and their four boys, Josh, 24, Moses, 20, Ice, 16 and Rookie, 12 when he gets home. It’s a sacrifice that he’d gladly do all over again and again for the country.

When his son Ice made his Ateneo juniors debut in the UAAP a few weeks ago, Reyes was absent from the stands. It broke his heart that he couldn’t watch Ice score the first basket of the game, his first as a Blue Eaglet in the UAAP. Reyes was in Taipei for the Jones Cup.

Reyes will be the first to tell you that if you want to win in basketball, you’ve got to sacrifice. There’s no other way. It’s a lot of hard work but the discipline will eventually pay off. If you’re a player, it means spending extra hours – on your own – to polish your stroke or work on that dribble or strengthening your body in the gym. That’s time away from loved ones but time well-spent as an investment for the future.

Another sacrifice that Reyes has made is putting his PBA career on hold.

Reyes broke into the pros as Alaska coach Tim Cone’s assistant in 1990. Then, he was appointed Purefoods head coach in 1993. Reyes moved to Sta. Lucia Realty in 1997, joined the MBA the next year as coach and later, executive director and returned to the PBA at the Pop Cola helm in 2000. Reyes continued to call the shots for the Pop Cola franchise after it metamorphosed into Coca-Cola and wound up on the San Miguel Beer bench.

The call to coach the national team meant Reyes taking a leave from San Miguel and creating a cloud of uncertainty as to his PBA career path once the Olympic quest ends, successfully or otherwise.

Worse, Reyes is open to public disdain as national coach. That’s the hazard of the trade. When the Philippines lost buzzer-beaters to Lebanon and Japan in the recent Jones Cup, a broadsheet published an editorial screaming for his resignation. The editorial was grossly unfair but Reyes took it as motivation, saying he’ll try to do better to silence his critics.

It’s a long, hard road to Beijing. In Tokushima, the Philippines will be up against teams that have been playing together for years, that are experienced in the ways of the international game, that are just as determined to go to the Olympics.

If there’s anyone who can get the job done, it’s Reyes. But win or lose, Reyes and his 15 cagers have already earned the respect of every Filipino for their selfless attitude. Now comes the hardest part – winning in Tokushima.

Let us all show our support for our Team. Our Team Pilipinas. Make us proud!

ZEN30A1kisM
Go, Go, Go Team Pilipinas!:banana:

Let your shout be heard by the RP National Basketball Team. Rally behind our Team by going to http://www.nikebasketball.com.ph/pnbt/

Just click SHOUT OUT and give your inspiring personal messages, prayers and shout outs for our Team. If they like your message, you stand to get a FREE Nike Team Pilipinas t-shirt. :)

Steve Francis to return to Rockets
Three-time All-Star picks former team over Heat, Mavs and Clippers


By JONATHAN FEIGEN
Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle

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Complete Rockets coverage Three seasons and three teams removed from the Rockets, Steve Francis will return to the team for which three times he was an All-Star.

Once known as "Franchise" as the cornerstone of the Rockets' planned post Hakeem Olajuwon rebuilding, Francis chose to return the Rockets on Thursday, passing on more lucrative offers from the Heat, Mavericks and Clippers.

"I think he sees this as a rebirth, as a restart of his career," Rockets general manager Daryl Morey said.

"Steve has a sense we're real close. We think he can be a big part of getting us there. I always thought it was a long shot. Credit to Steve, he chose what he thought was the best chance to win over options that were better financially.

"There was always a chance that Steve would choose Houston, until Steve told me today himself he was coming it felt like a long shot. Jeff Fried was doing a great job as an agent creating options. It came down to Steve focusing on what was the most important to him and that was winning."

The Rockets were limited to the portion of the mid-level exception remaining after acquiring forward Luis Scola last weeks, worth $2.4 million the first year. He will sign a two-year contract with the option to opt out after one season.

Francis played five seasons for the Rockets, averaging 19.3 points, 6.4 assists and 6.1 rebounds. He was traded in June, 2004 to the Orlando Magic along with Cuttino Mobley and Kelvin Cato in the deal to acquire Tracy McGrady. After one strong season with the Magic, he was dealt to the Knicks the next season and generally struggled to regain the form of his first years in the league, usually coming off the bench in the Knicks' crowded backcourt and battling knee troubles last season.

Francis is scheduled for a physical this afternoon, but has reported no problems with the knee since last season.

"It's a combination of a variety of factors including the fit with the team, a comfortableness with the organization and a familiarity with the surroundings," Fried said. "He has a home in Houston. In so many ways, it has remained his home, despite some interim stops, Orlando and New York.

"For Steve, it's coming home."

Dealt the Portland Trail Blazers after the season, he accepted a buyout of the last two seasons of his contract, worth roughly $30 million.

He had considered offers to reunite with Mobley, a friend and former teammate, and Sam Cassell, a friend and business partner, with the Clippers, and to play with each of the 2006 NBA Finals teams, the Mavericks and Heat.

"It's a chance to win," Morey said. "Both Yao (Ming) and Tracy really helped with the recruiting process and are excited about our chance to win with the additions in the off-season," Morey said. "We're feeling good we've addressed a lot of our goals."

The addition of Francis will likely trigger more changes. He would give the Rockets five point guards. Morey has said he is seeking to move John Lucas III. Several teams, the New Orleans Hornets in particular, have indicated interest, but Morey said nothing is imminent. With Francis on the roster, he could also seek to deal last season's starter, Rafer Alston.

"When you have a chance to add a talent like Steve who really fits what coach (Rick Adelman) is trying to do, you do it," Morey said. "Now we have a lot of talent on the roster. Coach and I have to figure out the best way to make it work. What our plans are is still to be determined. Because this was a bit of a long shot, we haven't spent a lot of time on what was the right next step in the coming weeks."

Team Pilipinas - We Believe (http://justliveasimplelife.blogspot.com/2007/07/team-pilipinas-we-believe.html)

Today the Philippine national basketball team, Team Pilipinas leaves for a dream quest: to win the 2007 FIBA-Asia Championship in Tokushima, Japan. The tournament is the qualifier for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

It is the life-long dream of my generation, and yours, and the generations before and after us to see the return of our national team to the Olympics and to compete with the best in the world...

Norwood beats buzzer, departs with RP cagers
Thursday, July 26, 2007

Fil-Am Gabe Norwood had to attend to a last-minute travel glitch that had him cutting short a workout to rush to the Japanese Embassy for further interview before joining the San Miguel-Pilipinas team as it left for the 24th FIBA-Asia Men’s Championship yesterday.

Norwood, a key figure in the national team’s bid to earn a berth in the Olympic Games in Beijing after 35 years, secured a clearance from the Justice department, obtained a Philippine passport from the Foreign Affairs Office late Monday and applied for an entry visa to Japan Tuesday.

Norwood was granted one yesterday morning, but only after assistant coach Aboy Castro pulled him out of team practice at the Sportskamp at The Fort and drove him to the Japanese Embassy to answer a few more questions.

The Nationals left for Japan at 2:30 p.m., taking a Philippine Airlines flight to Kansai International Airport in Osaka. They will take a two-hour bus ride from there to reach Tokushima.

“I wasn’t really sure I’d be able to join the team,” said Norwood at the Centennial Terminal. “I thought I had everything completed yesterday (Tuesday). I thought I was done. I sort of jumped into the car with coach Aboy and sped off to the embassy in the middle of practice,” he said.

Norwood said he was relieved his travel woes were behind him so “I can fully concentrate on helping the team get to Beijing. That’s my main focus.”

National coach Chot Reyes thanked the Japanese embassy for expediting the issuance of Norwood’s visa.

“At least we’re leaving the country with a full complement of 15 players,” Reyes said. “It somehow lessens the uncertainties because everybody knows the value of Norwood and the versatility that he gives to the team.”

SMC-RP takes on Iran, defending champion China and Jordan in the preliminary round of the FIBA-Asia, and could run smack into Japan and three more group qualifiers in the quarterfinal round.

http://www.fiba.com/images/v3_layo/eng/fe/07/fibaAsia/men/_original/logo_.gif

System of Competitions

Preliminary Round:

The sixteen (16) participating teams will be divided into four (4) groups (A, B, C and D) of four (4) teams each. Each team shall play
all the other teams within its own group.

The final standings will be established after the Preliminary Round.

A1 B1 C1 D1
A2 B2 C2 D2
A3 B3 C3 D3
A4 B4 C4 D4

The teams placed 1st and 2nd in each group will qualify for the Quarter-Final Round (Groups I and II) to play for 1st to 8th place.

The teams placed 3rd and 4th in each group will qualify for the Quarter-Final Round (Groups III and IV) to play for 9th to 16th place.

Quarter-Finals:

The groups will be formed as follows:

Group I: A1, B2, C1, D2

Group II: A2, B1, C2, D1

Group III: A3, B4, C3, D4

Group IV: A4, B3, C4, D3

Each team shall play all the other teams within its own group.

The final standings will be established after the Quarter-Finals.

I1 II1 III1 IV1
I2 II2 III2 IV2
I3 II3 III3 IV3
I4 II4 III4 IV4

The teams placed 1st and 2nd in Groups I and II will qualify for the Semi-Finals to play 1st to 4th place.

The teams placed 3rd and 4th in Groups I and II will qualify for the Semi-Finals to play for 5th to 8th place.

The teams placed 1st and 2nd in Groups III and IV will qualify for the Classification Round to play 9th to 12th place.

The teams placed 3rd and 4th in Groups III and IV will qualify for the Classification Round to play 13th to 16th place.

Semi Finals:

Classification Round:
Game 5 III 1 vs IV 1 (9th and 10th)
Game 6 III 2 vs IV 2 (11th and 12th)
Game 7 III 3 vs IV 3 (13th and 14th)
Game 8 III 4 vs IV 4 (15th and 16th)

Final Round:
Game 1 I 3 vs II 4
Game 2 II 3 vs I 4
Game 3 I 1 vs II 2
Game 4 II 1 vs I 2

Finals:

Final Round:

Game 9 Loser 1 vs Loser 2 (7th and 8th)
Game 10 Winner 1 vs Winner 2 (5th and 6th)
Game 11 Loser 3 vs Loser 4 (3rd and 4th)
Game 12 Winner 3 vs Winner 4 (1st and 2nd)

GO TEAM PILIPINAS!!!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/brickgcs/goodluckresized.jpg

Eto pala ang hayupak na referee kanya natalo ang GoldenState sa Utah eh! :bash: :bash: :bash:

What's next? 10 Q&A on the NBA's gambling scandal
By Chris Sheridan
ESPN.com
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=sheridan_chris&id=2948746

As we await the next chapter in the NBA gambling controversy, what we still don't know -- and what commissioner David Stern claims he still does not know -- is exactly which games alleged fixer Tim Donaghy might have compromised, and in what manner Donaghy might have affected the outcomes of those games.

That information is presumably known only by Donaghy, his attorney and some mobsters, although it might have been passed along to prosecutors if Donaghy already is cooperating with them.

ESPN.com spoke Wednesday with two high-profile attorneys -- one a former federal prosecutor now litigating NBA-related issues, the other a lawyer who worked closely with the NBA in the past. They offered insight into what's ahead for Donaghy, and when the details of Donaghy's transgressions might become public.

We'll use their guidance to maneuver through the first few items in the following list of the Top 10 questions moving forward in the Tim Donaghy scandal.

1. What's next?

The ball will get rolling again once Donaghy delivers himself to the feds, but The New York Times is reporting today that a surrender might not take place until next week.

2. What exactly happens when Donaghy surrenders?

If Donaghy has worked out a deal with the government, the feds likely will bring him in quietly, arrest him and process him (Donaghy likely would have to spend 4-5 hours in a cell while he waits to be fingerprinted and photographed and have his paperwork processed). After that he would go before a federal magistrate and plead guilty to a charge previously agreed to by his attorney and prosecutors. He would then be released on bail, and his sentencing put on hold.

3. Would the NBA games worked by Donaghy be mentioned in the criminal complaint?

Probably not. When defendants are cooperating with prosecutors, they typically plead guilty to charges contained in what's known as a "skeletal complaint." As its name suggests, a skeletal complaint contains very few details.

4. And what would happen to Donaghy after that?

His sentencing could be put off until he is finished cooperating with prosecutors, which might entail him testifying at a trial of the mobsters with which he is alleged to have been associated.

At Donaghy's sentencing, he would be required to make a statement to the court acknowledging exactly what he did to break the law. Donaghy might not be compelled to detail exactly which games might have been influenced, so the info conceivably could remain a mystery even after his sentencing (although the FBI's files on the investigation become public record once the agency declares it a closed case).

5. So it could be years before we know the exact games?

Perhaps so, unless Stern wants to make that information public. But Stern said Tuesday, "I do not know the number of games. I do not know which games." In that case, it becomes a question of whether and when the FBI is going to pass that information along to Stern.

6. But what's stopping Stern from sitting on that information once it is made known to him?

Nothing, really. But if the commissioner is going to fulfill his pledge to keep the public informed on the developments in this case, he owes it to the fans to tell them the truth. And until the public is told exactly which games might have been compromised, there will remain an element of mystery here that's just too big for many folks to get past.

So no matter what Stern does to reform the refereeing system, I believe a substantial number of people aren't going to listen to him make promises about the future until he reconciles exactly what happened in the past.

7. When might Stern know all the details?

It's impossible to say.

One of the only people who actually could answer every question Stern has is Donaghy himself, which brings up an interesting point: If Donaghy wants to curry favor with the judge who eventually will sentence him, it'll work in his favor if he's able to tell the court that he sat down with one of his victims (the NBA) and spilled his guts.

But Donaghy would not be permitted to speak to the NBA unless prosecutors allowed it.

8. How will Stern try to fix things?

He's going to have to find a way to restore the public's confidence in his referees, and to that end he spoke Tuesday of being "transparent" in going forward.

Here's one suggested solution: Make all the referees' postgame reports public by posting them on the Web.

Here's another: Lift the restrictions on referees speaking publicly. If there's a disputed call at the end of the game, let the sideline reporters interview the lead ref.

Stern has to find a way to humanize these guys, and the NBA has to share more of its referee data with the public.

9. What new policies or systems will they put in place?

The NBA will spend the rest of the summer thinking about that, but one thing seems clear: The league office is going to have to improve the way it communicates with and monitors the gambling industry, since those people -- not only the Nevada state regulators, but the guys who set the lines, too -- are the ones best trained to spot something suspicious.

10. Is the public going to turn away from the NBA because of this scandal?

By some measures, the general American public has been turning away since the end of the Bulls' dynasty, and this fiasco isn't going to help bring it back.

Perhaps the first thing the league needs to do is worry about restoring its integrity with the fans who have stuck around, because if those folks start abandoning the sport, the hardcore customer base begins to shrink. And the hardcore fans are the lifeblood of any professional sports league.

i co cover ba dito sa atin to (channel 5?)?? or sa basketball tv lang??

Menk, Williams, Yap to make final cast?
By Nelson Beltran
Friday, July 27, 2007

RP coach Chot Reyes is likely to choose Eric Menk, Kelly Williams and James Yap over Ranidel de Ocampo, Tony dela Cruz and Renren Ritualo when he names his final 12 in time for the opening rites of the 2007 FIBA-Asia championship in Tokushima, Japan tonight.

The opening ceremonies start at 6 p.m. at the Tokushima Prince Hotel Prince Hall but hostilities won’t start until tomorrow at the Tokushima Stadium.

The RP team lineup could well be Asi Taulava, Mick Pennisi, Danny Seigle, Jimmy Alapag, Jayjay Helterbrand, Mark Caguioa, Dondon Hontiveros, Kerby Raymundo, Gabe Norwood, Menk, Williams and Yap. Menk, Williams and Yap are late additions, joining the RP pool only at the end of their stints in the PBA Fiesta Cup. They were invited to play in the Jones Cup, the Manila Invitationals and the Kuwait series.

Menk and Williams are needed to beef up the RP team frontline while Yap could well boost the team’s offensive firepower.

The Nationals open their campaign in the Olympic qualifier against Iran tomorrow. Defending champion China is up next for the RP team on Monday then Jordan Tuesday.

The Filipinos need to finish first or second in this tough bracket, called by coach Reyes as “Group of Death,” to reach the quarterfinal round.

The task is daunting considering China, Iran and Jordan all made the semifinal round of the last Asian Games in Doha, Qatar.

The Chinese, the Iranians and the Jordanians all boast of a tall frontline with good shooters to boot.

Long-time national mainstay Adiljian calls the shots for the Chinese, Brazilian mentor Mario Palma for the Jordanians and Serbian Rajko Toroman for the Iranians.

The Qataris have an American coach in Edward Allen Andrist, and the Lebanese a Yugoslavian coach in Dragan Raca.

But Reyes said the Nationals have gotten the best preparation they could get and they’re now ready to do battle in Tokushima.

“It now all boils down to execution,” said Reyes before the team left the country Wednesday.

The Nationals must top the tourney or place second behind the Chinese to realize their dream of becoming the first Philippine team to qualify in the Olympics since the 1972 Munich Games.

Who will sit out?
SPORTING CHANCE By Joaquin M. Henson
Friday, July 27, 2007

At the managers’ meeting today, national coach Chot Reyes will reveal his choices for the 12-man cast representing the country at the FIBA-Asia Olympic qualifiers in Tokushima starting tomorrow.

It won’t be easy dropping three players from the 15-strong squad that left Manila for Japan last Wednesday. But there won’t be gnashing of teeth or head-banging on the wall. All 15 players knew from the start only a dozen will wear the national colors when the hostilities begin. They took their chances and were aware of the consequences.

Reyes has the tough task of advising the three who’ll sit out the games.

To be sure, the decision won’t mean the three are not quality players. Reyes’ primary consideration is balance. His lineup of 12 must reflect the kind of chemistry that’s needed to get the job done. They’re like pieces in a puzzle – they’ve got to fit together and show one picture.

Teamwork is essential in the international game. The US formula of relying on athletic individuals to win games is now a thing of the past. The Americans have learned their lesson the hard way. In the last Olympics and World Championships, the US could only finish third despite an all-star cast of NBA multi-millionaires.

The road to Tokushima has been long and rocky.

Reyes initially picked 11 players for the national team last February and took them to Carson City for training at the Joe Abunassar camp. In the roster were Jimmy Alapag, Jay-Jay Helterbrand, Mark Caguioa, RenRen Ritualo, Dondon Hontiveros, Asi Taulava, Ranidel de Ocampo, Mick Pennisi, Kerby Raymundo, Danny Seigle and Tony de la Cruz. They were excused by their mother teams from playing in the PBA Fiesta Conference.

Enrico Villanueva was added to the cast for the FIBA-Asia Champions Cup in Tehran where the national squad finished fourth behind Iran, Syria and Qatar.

Then came the SEABA Championships in Ratchaburi, Thailand. The top two finishers were assured of slots in the Tokushima qualifiers. Reyes brought in Niño Canaleta to replace the injured de la Cruz. The team swept its four assignments in style and booked a ticket to Tokushima.

Next in the schedule was the Belgrade series. Reyes left out Canaleta and welcomed Gabe Norwood, a Fil-Am from George Mason University, to complete the 12-man squad. Also taken off the list was Villanueva. Playing six games in six days took a toll on the players as Seigle, Hontiveros and de la Cruz came down with injuries.

Reyes made major adjustments for the Jones Cup. Canaleta was reactivated. And with their PBA mother teams eliminated, Barangay Ginebra’s Eric Menk, Sta. Lucia Realty’s Kelly Williams and Purefoods’ James Yap were tapped to join the team on a “tryout” basis. Seigle and de la Cruz skipped the nine-game tournament in Taipei, giving Reyes a chance to size up the new recruits. Reyes rotated 14 players in the joust where the Philippines placed third behind Jordan and Lebanon.

The scoring averages of the 14 players in the Jones Cup – Caguioa (15.8), Alapag (12.2), Hontiveros (10.1), Ritualo (7.5), Williams (7.1), Helterbrand (6.6), Norwood (6.6), Yap (6.4), Taulava (5.4), Raymundo (4.7), Pennisi (2.8), Menk (1.4), de Ocampo (1.2), Canaleta (0.0).

In the Manila Invitationals, which the Philippines topped, Reyes fielded 13 players. Canaleta was the first cut while Seigle and Yap sat out the pocket tournament with injuries. The scoring averages – Caguioa (22.0), Alapag (18.5), Williams (11.0), Ritualo (9.0), Norwood (8.8), Hontiveros (8.3), Raymundo (6.7), Taulava (4.3), Pennisi (3.5), de Ocampo (2.7), de la Cruz (2.7), Menk (2.0), Helterbrand (0.0).

Seigle and Yap rejoined the squad for the two-game Kuwait series.

The way I see it, the shoo-ins for the Tokushima roster are Alapag, Caguioa, Williams, Norwood, Hontiveros, Taulava and Seigle because of their consistency, stats and roles. That leaves Ritualo, Raymundo, Pennisi, de Ocampo, de la Cruz, Menk, Yap and Helterbrand on the bubble.

Raymundo is a versatile player who can play multiple positions and has ceiling. In the Manila Invitationals, he led all players in field goal percentage at .833. Pennisi, who has also height, is Taulava’s backup at center. His ability to step outside and hit the three is a major asset in the international game. Menk is a banger whose physical play will be useful in battling for rebounds and fortifying the interior defense. His offense is a bonus. Helterbrand is Alapag’s chief reliever and plays beautiful music with Caguioa. His quickness is invaluable.

Because of his recurring injury, de la Cruz may be left out of the cast. Reyes can’t afford to gamble on someone whose health condition is doubtful particularly as tournament rules will not allow a midstream replacement of an injured player. Besides, he’s basically a two-guard – a position that Caguioa and Norwood have locked up. Reyes has used de la Cruz as a point guard defender in the past. But in Tokushima, he may not crack the final 12.

If Menk and Pennisi are in, de Ocampo is out. Pennisi has de Ocampo’s range while Menk is a fiercer defender. The toughest choice is between Ritualo and Yap. Ritualo is a pure shooter who can light up in a snap. Yap has a wider arsenal and with his physique, is an underrated defender. In the end, it could be Yap over Ritualo.

So the likely casualties are de Ocampo, de la Cruz and Ritualo. Again, it doesn’t mean they’re inferior players. It only means Reyes has to keep a balance of roles and he’ll no doubt pick players to fit the mold of a team that can win in Tokushima.

omg... good luck team pinas!

i co cover ba dito sa atin to (channel 5?)?? or sa basketball tv lang??

Coverage of RP-Iran tomorrow will be via RPN 9 (Live 5:00pm) and Basketball TV (Replay 7:00 pm).

nakow.. labo pa naman nang 9 sa Destiny.. may schedule na ba ang telecast?? live ba ang games??

Coverage will be via RPN 9 and BTV.

FINAL CUT IN THE PHILIPPINE LINE-UP ANNOUNCED!

Final 12:

1. Jimmy Alapag - PG
2. Jayjay Helterbrand - PG
3. Renren Ritualo - SG
4. Gabe Norwood – PG/SG/SF
5. Mark Caguioa - SG
6. Dondon Hontiveros - SG/SF
7. Danny Seigle - SG/SF/PF
8. Kerby Raymundo - PF
9. Mick Pennissi - PF/C
10. Eric Menk – PF/C
11. Kelly Williams – SF/PF
12. Asi Taulava - C

Out:

1. James Yap - SG
2. Ranidel de Ocampo – SF/PF
3. Tony Dela Cruz – SG/SF

------------------------------------------------------------------------

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/53097/Coach-names-RP-team-members-in-FIBA-Asia

Coach names RP team members in FIBA-Asia


National coach Vincent"Chot" Reyes revealed on Friday the 12-man roster of the SMC-Team Pilipinas that will compete in the FIBA-Asia Men's Championship which will be held at the Tokushima Stadium in Japan.

According to a team statement, Team Pilipinas, which is vying to gain a slot in the Beijing Olympics next year, will be composed of Renren Ritualo, Eric Menk, Kelly Williams, Jimmy Alapag, Mark Caguioa, Jayjay Helterbrand, Paul Asi Taulava, Dondon Hontiveros, Danny Seigle, Mick Pennisi, Kerby Raymundo, and Gabe Norwood.

Still with the national team but not seeing action in the Japan sojourn are Ranidel de Ocampo, James Yap, and Tony dela Cruz.

The last time the Philippines was able to play in an Olympic basketball event was in the Munich Games held in 1972.

Aside from the Olympics slot, the Filipinos also aim to bring home the crown of the tournament it has dominated in the 1960s and early 70s. Known then as Asian Basketball Confederation (ABC) Championship, the Philippines won the title in 1960, 1963, 1967, 1973, and 1985.

Coach Reyes hopes that his wards will again dominate the Iranians whom they will meet on opening day on Saturday. Team Pilipinas defeated the Iranians 89-79 during the recent William Jones Cup in Taiwan.

After Iran, mentored by Serbian coach Rajko Toroman, the Nationals will face China on Sunday and Jordan on Monday in Group A of the event's eliminations. Jordan is being coached by Brazilian Mario Palma.

Group B is composed of Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, and host Japan. Group C is composed of Qatar, Kazakhstan, India and Indonesia while Korea, HongKong, Syria, and Chinese Taipei are in Group D.

The top two teams after the group eliminations will enter the single round quarterfinals of the tournament wherein the titlist and the first runnerup will earn a slot in the Beijing Olympics. - GMANews.TV

good luck team pilipinas !

i would have picked Yap vs. Ritualo.. mas maraming offensive moves si Yap.. si Ritualo may pagka buwaya pa..

i would have picked Yap vs. Ritualo.. mas maraming offensive moves si Yap.. si Ritualo may pagka buwaya pa..

Ren-ren is not buwaya because he has the license to shoot the 3's. He must do that for our national team. This is his primary role... no ifs or buts about it.

Ren-ren was the first local player in PBA history to have 4 games in a career with at least 8 3-pointers in each of those games. When Ren-ren played in the Global Hoops Summit in Las Vegas, Nevada with the NT, he drained 9 triples in a loss to Passive Lane Sports.

Remember Caidic? He will be our Caidic.

guys, cool down...you are talking against my cousin (Ritualo). :D
anyway...im not too nationalistic, but i do hope we can get back to those days when we dominate Basketball during the Asian games. I remember doing a sports article back in HS about this game bet CN and RP.

well, honestly, di ko alam kung pinsan ko nga yang si Renren. My profs back in college were asking kung magkamag-anak daw kami. Sa Green Archers pa dati. sabi ko ewan ko. we're from the same town, but hardly known each other. siguro malayong kamag-anak na. hehe...at least me kamag-anak na sikat. :D

guys, cool down...you are talking against my cousin (Ritualo). :D
anyway...im not too nationalistic, but i do hope we can get back to those days when we dominate Basketball during the Asian games. I remember doing a sports article back in HS about this game bet CN and RP.

well, honestly, di ko alam kung pinsan ko nga yang si Renren. My profs back in college were asking kung magkamag-anak daw kami. Sa Green Archers pa dati. sabi ko ewan ko. we're from the same town, but hardly known each other. siguro malayong kamag-anak na. hehe...at least me kamag-anak na sikat. :D

Ngek I am defending Ren-ren nga e. And we only have 2 posts (including mine) about him. No one is fighting here @tebs. Haha :D

Ritualo rin ba apelyido mo?

biro lang yun Terence. And yes, Ritualo apelyido ko. :) kaya baka pag nagmasters ako sa La Salle eh maging instant sikat ako. Hehehe...Patay na...

biro lang yun Terence. And yes, Ritualo apelyido ko. :) kaya baka pag nagmasters ako sa La Salle eh maging instant sikat ako. Hehehe...Patay na...

Ayaw mo ba nun? Chick magnet 'tol. Haha :lol: Sa GSB ba balak mo? I hope we'll cross paths in campus while I am still a student there.

Back to topic... I really have this feeling that Ritualo will show us why he made the final lineup in one of the games by shooting the lights out of the arena. Go Ren-ren! Go Team Pilipinas! :banana:

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/0727&282007/sports04.html

‘Team will live and die from the outside’

By Dennis Principe
BusinessMirror
July 26, 2007

IN talking with some of the country’s basketball connoisseurs, nearly all of them feel bright and breezy about our chances in the coming FIBA-Asia tournament in Tokushima, Japan.

But many-time national team coach Joe Lipa has one thing that makes him feel worried about our aim of seeing Filipino players bang bodies with the best basketball nations of all four corners of the earth in next year’s Olympics.

The way he assessed the team, Lipa said that the likelihood is Team Pilipinas may live and die with its outside shooting.

Lipa told BusinessMirror that although the current lineup is oozing with great individual talent, it would still boil down to whether the players can really perform as a team.

“We have the talent for our team to perform very well. We have good shooters and their foot speed and quickness are a big plus factor,” said Lipa.

Lipa said his main concern is if the squad will have an off-night come game time which may well be the biggest stumbling block for any team for that matter in tournaments whose schedules are tight.

“We are basically a perimeter team. We’ve got good shooters but I am very worried about our players having an off-night,” added Lipa. “The moment we shoot bad I think we will be having problems.”

Lipa though believes the team has at most 10 decent perimeter shooters and if two to three of them will play brilliant on any given night, chances are having an off-night will be diminished.

Lipa may be right after all since most of the team’s post defenders, in some ways, got the shock of their playing careers when pitted against their European counterparts during their Belgrade stint.

And in the recently concluded William Jones Cup in Taiwan, center Asi Taulava and convertible big man Mick Pennisi also had a reality check in international competition when they banged bodies with Iran’s import from the Dominican Republic, Joseph Garth.

Garth, a seven-foot-three, 330-lb behemoth had 39 points and 12 rebounds to lead the hosts’ Saba Battery Club win over RP Team, 101-88.

In that game, Taulava a 260-lb 6’9 behemoth was quoted as saying that “he never ever before had to hold off somebody with two hands.”

Pennisi, on the other hand, was taken aback by Garth’s superior inside presence.

“He hurt my [right] shoulder on his first spin against me,” said Pennisi, a known bruiser for Red Bull. “So the next time up, I gave him a hard slap and it’s my whole arm that stung. I go, ‘Oh, I’m sorry’ and he just brushes it off like a fly.”

Good thing for both players, Garth won’t be around for Iran in the Tokushima gig.

Lipa believes our first game against Iran tomorrow will, to a certain extent, give us the closest idea as to how our team will wind up in Tokushima.

The country is bracketed in Group A along with powerhouse China, Iran and Jordan.

“The result of our game against Iran will be a very important factor when it comes to their psychological preparations for the next two games,” added Lipa “Iran is always a tall team. Chances are they will hammer us inside.”

Lipa commented that Iran would also be a threat defensively as they have already learned how to double team inside the shaded lane.

“They will always have big guys and one or two good shooters,” said Lipa.

The colorful coach of the RP Youth squad in the 2004 Asian Under-20 Championships held in Tehran also gave him an idea on how basketball has developed in that country.

“I can’t remember their names but I saw at least two lanky young players who’s got decent skills and chances are they are now part of their national team,” said Lipa. “They have very good big men who stand 6-5 and 6-6 and their talents are at par with us.”

As for China and Jordan, Lipa is hopeful that reports will eventually be true that the Chinese will field their second team.

“If that is true, they will be fielding a young team. Then we will have a much better chance to succeed,” said Lipa.

China, being the host of next year’s Olympic Games, is already seeded in the Olympics. Should they win the Japan tournament, their championship rival will take the other slot.

“Jordan doesn’t have a tall team as Iran or China but their players are well-built and they play the conventional type of basketball. They like to bring the ball closer to the basket,” said Lipa.

Lipa steered an All-Filipino lineup to a bronze finish in the 1986 Seoul Asian Games.

Watch out for Iran five
By Rey Joble
People's Tonight


Iran, beaten by a hot-shooting Philippine team in the recent Jones Cup tournament will be an entirely different team in the Olympic qualifying tournament, far better than the one that showed up in the Taiwan joust.

Jaber Rouzbahani Darrehsari, the 7-5 center and Iran’s top big man, is expected to be back in action to pair up with fellow seven footers Moosa Nabipoor and Hame Ehadadi.

This means that the Filipinos’ debut in the Japan meet won’t be easy.

But the inclusion of Jaber is somewhat expected, according to RP-SMC coach Chot Reyes.

“When we first saw him play in the FIBA Asia Club Championship two years ago in Manila, we knew exactly that this guy will become the future of Iran’s basketball,” said Reyes. “Although he didn’t play in the Jones Cup tournament and our team defeated the Iranians, we believe that Jaber will play in the Olympic qualifier and that makes Iran a formidable squad. They’ve become a tall and aggressive team. We need to pounce on their weakness which is athleticism and speed.”

After its first scheduled match against Iran, the mighty Chinese sans NBA superstar Yao Ming, Wang Zhizhi, Sun Yue and Yi Jianlian, but beefed up by four additional national pool members will go up against the Philippines.

Yao has decided to skip both the Japan tourney and the Stankovic Cup to make him fully rested for the Beijing Olympics.

Wang, Sun and Yi are expected to beef up the Chinese squad in the Stankovic Cup slated July 28-Aug. 2 in Guangzhou and Macau.

Jordan, champion of the recent Jones Cup event, and the team that is highly-favored in the FIBA Asia event, will be the last team the Philippines will face in Group A described by Reyes as “Group of Death.”

But Iran shouldn’t be taken for granted.

Spotted by scouts in the NBA, Rouzbahani met Yao Ming in the FIBA Asia Championship two years ago and held him to only 15 points.

He weighs 260 pounds and boasts an 8-foot wingspan. He is 21 years old, a shot blocker with a soft-shooting touch who can dunk on his tippy-toes.

Other big men on the Iran squad include 6-10 Ali Doraghi, 6-10 Hamed Sohrabnajed, 6-8 Oshin Sahakian, 6-8 Pooya Tadjik and 6-8 Aidn Bahrami.

China, the reigning Asian powerhouse, is fielding in its Team B with the probable inclusion of 7-0 center Tang Zhengdong, 6-5 guard Gong Songlin, Zhu Fangyu and veteran 7-1 center Zhang Song Tao.

Already assured of a slot in the Beijing Olympics being host of the quadrennial meet, China opted to preserve its best in the Stankovic Cup and the world’s biggest sports spectacle.

“It wasn’t mentioned who exactly will be the replacements but definitely, not their NBA guys,” said Eala.

But Eala said China will play for pride in the Olympic qualifiers.

“With the lineup they played in the Invitationals, maybe even Jordan has a chance to beat China,” added Eala. “I’m sure China will find it unacceptable to be eliminated in the first round.”

The “B” team that played in the Invitationals featured four national pool players -- 6-2 Zhang Qingpeng, 6-4 Yang Ming, 6-7 Wang Yong and 6-6 Han Shuo but none averaged in double digits.

The leading scorers were 6-11 Yi Li (15.3), 6-11 Zhang Kai (12.0) and 6-10 Li Ke (10.5). Li, 27, played on the Chinese squad that took the gold medal at the Asian Games last year.

Jordan, a team being handled by Mario Leonel Palma, is more formidable.
After going through a rigid training in Portugal for 11 months, the team has improved tremendously.

Naturalized player Rasheim Wright is the most notable star on the squad. He averaged 17.3 points per game during the Jones Cup event and was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.

The reentry of point guard Sam Daghlas also boosted the line-up of Jordan as his leadership turned the once promising team into a perennial powerhouse in the Asian region, Dshamal Maitah Schoetz, who surprised the spectators in Taiwan with his huge performance under the basket and was a great help for the usual starters Zaid Al Khas and Ayman Dies, also improved a lot.

Other players to watch are Islam Abbas, Wissam Sous and Enver Soobzokov.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/sports/view_article.php?article_id=79154

RP Dozen starts Olympic quest
Yap, De Ocampo, Dela Cruz miss cut
By Francis Ochoa
Inquirer
07/28/2007

TOKUSHIMA, Japan—Commit these names to memory.

Asi Taulava. Mark Caguioa. Danny Seigle. Jimmy Alapag. Dondon Hontiveros. Kelly Williams. Gabe Norwood. Kerby Raymundo. Jayjay Helterbrand. Mick Pennisi. Erik Menk. Renren Ritualo.

Upon their shoulders rests the country’s Olympic dream.

And oh, add four more names: coach Chot Reyes, the basketball overlord who dared dream big, plus Ranidel de Ocampo, Tony dela Cruz and James Yap.

Everything starts Saturday for a group of pricey Philippine Basketball Association superstars as they open the country’s bid to nail a ticket to Beijing 2008 via the Fiba Asia men’s basketball championship.

The San Miguel-Philippines squad, as they are collectively known, takes on Iran at 6 p.m. (5 p.m in Manila) Saturday at the Tokushima municipal gymnasium here.

A victory over the vastly improved Middle Eastern squad gets half the job done as far as the first phase of the mission is concerned—getting to the quarterfinals.

Bracketed in what has been described as the Group of Death, a victory over the Iranians will put the Filipinos in a situation where they need just another win in their next two games to advance.

After Iran, San Miguel-RP faces a China squad that will be beefed up, at the most, by four China Team A standouts, and then a Jordan team still on a high after ruling the recent Jones Cup in Taiwan.

“At least now, we know how Iran plays and we don’t fear Jordan anymore,” said coach Reyes, who emerged from a practice with the nationals before heading off to the managers’ meeting where the team submitted its final roster.

De Ocampo, Dela Cruz and Yap missed the cut for the final roster but will stay on as practice players for the RP team.

De Ocampo became dispensable when Kelly Williams snagged a Philippine passport, enabling Sta. Lucia’s PBA Rookie of the Year to represent the country. Dela Cruz also slid to the reserved list after Norwood also acquired a passport.

Ritualo bumped off Yap from the list.

Yap, the 2006 PBA MVP, joined the team late, unlike Ritualo who has been with the squad for a long time and has snugly fit into a 12th-man role.

The preliminary round calls for a single round robin among the four teams in each of the four groups. The top two teams advance to the quarterfinals.

The winner of the tournament books a slot to the Olympics. If China wins the tournament, it tows the second placer along because the Chinese are already assured of a slot in the quadrennial games by virtue of their being hosts.

Group A Games:

1. Jordan-China: 78-65F
2. Philippines-Iran: Start of 1Q

RP Starters: Alapag, Hontiveros,Seigle, Williams, Taulava
Iran Starters: Amini, Davari, Sahakian, Nikkhah, Ehadadi

End of Q1:

Iran-19: Philippines-14

Caguioa: 5 Points, 4 TOs
Taulava: 6 Rebounds

FT Shooting: 44%
Team Shooting: 15%

Timeout: Philippines

Caguioa: 7 Points, 6 TOs
Taulava: 7 Rebounds

Iran-27: RP-19
5:18 Rem Q2

End of Q2:

Iran-30: RP-25

Caguioa: 7 Pts, 6 TOs
Seigle: 6 Pts
Hontiveros: 5 Pts
Alapag: 4 Pts, 5 Rebs
Taulava: 7 rebs

FT Shooting: 76%
Team Shooting: 18%

End of Q3:

Iran-51 : RP-36

RP Team Shooting; 13% :ohno:

Timeout: Iran

Iran-59 : RP-52

5:20 Rem Q4

Pennisi: 2 consecutive 3-pt shots
Alapag: 3-pt shot

Final:

Iran-75 : RP-69

Raymundo: 15 pts
Alapag: 12 pts; 6 rebs
Seigle: 8 pts; 5 rebs
Caguioa: 7 pts; 7 TOs

Team shooting: 23%

okay.. wala ng pagaasa... talo sa iran.. talo sa jordan... lalong lalo na talo sa china.

china lost by 12 points???

injured ba si taulava and alapag???

dapat pinili nila si Yap over Ritualo

dapat meron din silang statisticts gaya nang wrong calls per game... tsk tsk tsk

Iran was supposed to have been the easiest opponent for us in the Group of Death but we lost yesterday because we shot the ball very poorly. RP team’s collective shooting percentage from the floor yesterday was really horrible. At the start of this tournament, we knew the team will live or die with our shooting. Yesterday, we died with it. Now our backs are against the wall. Let’s all pray that we’ll win against China today and Jordan tomorrow. And hope that injuries to Alapag, Seigle and Taulava yesterday were not serious.

GO GO GO TEAM PILIPINAS!

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http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/sports/view_article.php?article_id=79297

Jittery RP five yields to Iran
By Francis Ochoa
Inquirer
07/29/2007

GAMES TODAY

(Asty Tokushima)
9 a.m.—HK vs Syria
11:15 a.m.—Indonesia vs Qatar
1:30 p.m.—Taipei vs Korea
3:45 p.m.—Japan vs Lebanon
6 p.m.—Philippines vs China
8:15 p.m.—Jordan vs Iran

(Tokushima Gym)
9 a.m.—India vs Kazakhstan
11:15 p.m.—Kuwait vs UAE

TOKUSHIMA, Japan—There are roughly 1,111 miles from here to Beijing. Don’t blame Team Philippines, though, if it feels that the distance has been stretched exponentially.

Iran put the San Miguel-RP squad through three quarters of hell and then held off a late charge by the Filipinos to hammer out a 75-69 victory Saturday at the start of the Fiba-Asia men’s basketball championship at the Asty Tokushima.

As hostilities in the so-called Group of Death kicked off, the Nationals put the emphasis on death as it is now faced with do-or-die situations in their next two games, starting with Sunday’s match against a Chinese team stripped of its myth of invincibility both by its own doing and by a fine-tuned Jordan basketball machine.

Jordan ripped China, 78-65, as Raheim Wright and Zaid Alkhas formed a potent 1-2 punch that complemented a defense that left the second-tier players from a country that should have been the overwhelming favorite in this Beijing Olympics qualifier winded and bewildered.

But not half as stunned as a Philippine team that didn’t know what hit it.

“For some reason, we could not shoot the ball well,” said national coach Chot Reyes. “We shot 20 percent from the field, Iran shot 40 percent. That, basically was the story.”

“We lost to the Philippines by 10 points in the Jones Cup and I think we learned our lesson there,” said Iran mentor Toroman Rijko, whose wards joined Jordan at 1-0 in the hunt for the two quarterfinal berths in their group.

The Philippines and China were at 0-1, although the Chinese do not have to perform well here as they are already seeded into the quadrennial meet by virtue of being the Olympic host.

The Iran defense shackled Mark Caguioa and Danny Seigle, the team’s top two scorers, to a combined four-of-23 performance.

With Mohammad Nikkhah taking the lead and with support from Aidin Nekkhah, Iran went on a 9-0 run to start the third period to erect a 39-25 lead. Surprisingly, Reyes did not even attempt to stop the bleeding with a timeout.

But that was not the only knock in the Filipinos game: They turned the ball over 17 times, bungled easy layups, dunks and jumpers and simply could not shake off the opening-game jitters that hounded their offense. They lost Seigle, Jimmy Alapag and Asi Taulava to injuries and watched Dondon Hontiveros get ejected and Caguioa and Gabe Norwood leave the court on fouls.

“We didn’t deserve to win,” Reyes said.

Not even when Mick Pennisi, Alapag and Kerby Raymundo sparked a fourth-quarter rally that fanned a flicker of hope for the Philippines. Trailing by 17 late in the third, the Nationals suddenly came alive as Pennisi and Alapag hit their triples, opening up the lane for a predatory Raymundo, who wound up leading the Philippines with 15 points.

His last points—two free throws—trimmed the deficit to just a point, 69-68, and the Philippines was just one stop from turning the game around when things suddenly came unhinged.

Greek referee N. Zavlanos whistled a technical on the bench for supposedly heckling and Mohammad Nikkhah sealed the deal with free throws that made it 71-68, 57 ticks left. San Miguel-RP moved to within two points, but Moosa Nabipoor scored on a dunk that had the walls collapsing on the Filipinos, 73-69, 24 ticks to play.

In other games, Chinese Taipei beat Syria, 90-66; Qatar crushed India, 106-49; while Kazakhstan routed Indonesia 107-53. Host Japan led by 36 at one point in the third period before finishing off the United Arab Emirates, 109-66.

The scores:

IRAN 75—M. Nikkhah 25, Davari 14, A. Nikkhah 12,Kamrany 10, Amini 5, Ehadadi 3, Nabipoor 2, Eslamieh 2, Doraghi 1, Sahakian 1.

SAN MIGUEL-RP 69—Raymundo 15, Alapag 12, Seigle 8, Caguioa 7, Taulava 6, Pennisi 6, Hontiveros 5, Norwood 4, Williams 3, Helterbrand 3, Ritualo 0, Menk 0.

Quarters: 19-14, 30-25, 51-36, 75-69

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http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Sports&p=49&type=2&sec=30

Iran halts RP five; Chot rues officiating
By Nelson Beltran
Sunday, July 29, 2007

TOKUSHIMA, Japan – The SMC-Philippine team was assessed a dubious bench technical foul at the height of its endgame siege against Iran, losing the momentum and eventually the match at the start of the FIBA-Asia men’s championship at ASTY Tokushima here last night.

The Nationals suffered a stinging 69-75 defeat that put them in a bind early in the Group of Death of the tourney serving as Asian qualifier for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

The RP squad, which struggled in the first three quarters of play, was down by only a point at 68-69 when called the questionable technical foul stymieing the team’s comeback bid.

Greek referee N. Zavianos called a technical as the RP team bench stood up when no call was made for what looked like a travelling violation committed by Iranian pointguard Mahdi Kamrany.

RP team coach Chot Reyes said he couldn’t believe Zavianos could make that call to decide the outcome of the game.

“We have nothing against Iran. They played well and they deserved to win. But we just wanted a fair share. The refs made an unbelievable call that spoiled a great match. I can’t go over it,” said Reyes.

Mohammad Nikkhah converted the two charities and the Iranians held on to the finish, sharing early Group A lead with Jordan which clobbered China, 78-65, earlier in the day.

Iran and Jordan fight for the solo lead while RP and China battle for survival in Day Two of the preliminary round today.

“One thing I like about this team is that it never quits fighting. We’re not gonna stop fighting. We just have to find a way how to battle these tough teams in our group,” said Reyes, remaining hopeful they can make it to the quarterfinal round.

Against the Iranians, the Filipinos went down fighting tooth and nail to the finish despite the early exit of key players Dondon Hontiveros, Mark Caguioa, Asi Taulava, Danny Seigle and Jimmy Alapag.

Hontiveros went out early on two fouls for unsportsmanlike behaviour, Caguioa on five regular fouls, Taulava and Seigle on sprained ankles and Alapag on cramps.

Nonetheless, the Nationals never gave up, rallying from a 17-point deficit as they got back into the game heading to the finish.

Alapag and Mick Pennisi strung up three straight triples, sparking a 19-6 run that had the Nationals coming within one at 62-63.

The two teams traded six points apiece, and the game had looked headed for a dramatic ending when Zavianos delivered a dagger through the RP team’s heart on his technical foul verdict with time down to 57.1 seconds.

“Unless you enter the playing court and you yell at his face, you don’t call a technical foul in a game like that,” rued Reyes.

Iran coach Rajko Toroman said they learned their lessons in their 10-point defeat to the Philippines in the Jones Cup that’s why they were able to get back at the Filipinos.

“We covered well, they’re outside shooters. We did that for 30 minutes until they finally hit their shots in the fourth quarter,” said Toroman.

Caguioa, the RP team’s top scorer in the Jones Cup, was held to seven points on 1-of-11 field-goal shooting.

The Nationals just couldn’t organize their offense in the face of the Iranians’ tough defense in the first half, committing numerous turnovers and hitting only 18 percent of their shots.

The RP squad was fortunate the Iranians couldn’t convert their foul shots, missing 15 of 21 attempts.

But Iran took control right at the start and enjoyed an 11-point spread at 27-16 on a six-to-nothing run by Kamrany, Mohammad Nikkah and Hamed Ehadadi midway through the second period.

The Nationals countered with nine unanswered points courtesy of Alapag, Seigle and Hontiveros as they closed in at 25-27.

Follow the games here LIVE! ->
http://netcasting.mbt.lt/fiba/jp/netcasting/

Here are the stats from the RP-Iran game yesterday:

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k120/fearno179/stat3.jpg

WE WON!!!

RP 79-CHINA 74! Believe it. :banana: :banana: :banana:

GO, GO, GO TEAM PILIPINAS!!!

It was shown on RPN9 Live earlier. You can watch the replay of the game on Basketball TV now.

Here is the RP-China scoreboard from http://netcasting.mbt.lt/fiba/jp/netcasting/:

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g227/tcc_0888/RP79_China74.jpg

we were touched by an angel.

anyway, what channel are you guys watching this?

okay.. wala ng pagaasa... talo sa iran.. talo sa jordan... lalong lalo na talo sa china.

I guess "That's why they play the game" .
Sometimes history, stats and match ups don't measure the heart of the athletes.

RP may lose to Jordan but so far we can be proud of the RP team for fighting hard and never giving up.

GO GO GO TEAM PILIPINAS!

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/sports/view_article.php?article_id=79424

RP five stuns China, keeps Olympic bid
By Francis Ochoa
Inquirer
07/30/2007

TOKUSHIMA, JAPAN -- Faced with a must-win situation against a team it had not beaten in 22 years and falling behind by 13 points midway through the third period, it was easy to pronounce the Philippine Olympic cage bid officially dead.

But Jimmy Alapag and a band of heroes emerged from a desperate situation and sparked a team running on nothing but heart as San Miguel-RP came from behind for a stirring 79-74 victory over China Sunday to keep its Beijing dreams afloat in the FIBA-Asia men's basketball championship at the Asty Tokushima.

It was the first victory for a Philippine squad against China since 1985 when Ron Jacobs engineered the fall of the Great Wall to give RP its last title in what was then known as the ABC tournament.

“We played 40 minutes of pure heart,” said National coach Chot Reyes. “No matter how many points we were down by, we never gave up hope.”

Mark Caguioa, who struggled in the worst way a star player could struggle in a crucial defeat to Iran, looked headed for a repeat performance three-and-a-half quarters into Sunday's survival match before hitting big baskets down the stretch, including a layup in the last 8.6 ticks that gave the Filipinos a 77-74 edge.

Kelly Williams then capped the comeback with a steal as China tried to set gunner Chen Cen up for a tying triple.

“This team can be down by five, 11 or 20 and it will never stop fighting,” Reyes added.

Alapag personified the spirit that came to fore when no amount of coaching or any other technical basketball stuff could help solve the way China was slowly pulling the plugs off the life-support system that was keeping the Filipinos' quarterfinal bid alive.

With time winding down in the third quarter, Alapag, who kept San Miguel-RP within striking deficit when China tried to rip the game wide open in the first half, quarterbacked the Nationals to within a point from 13 down entering the fourth period.

And when the final quarter came, San Miguel-RP played like a team hell-bent on accomplishing a mission, finding heroes from all over the court to wrest control of the game.

Jayjay Helterbrand, who briefly spelled Alapag early in the last quarter, gave the Philippines its first taste of the lead at 58-57 on a running jumper. When San Miguel-RP fell behind by two, Kerby Raymundo knocked in six points as the Philippines took the lead for good, 68-62, 5:24 remaining.

“The Philippine team showed a lot more experience in handling the crucial moments of the game,” said Chinese coach Adiljian, through an interpreter.

“Our young players played well but the Philippines simply played better,” added the ringleader of a vaunted mean red machine in the late ’80s and early ’90s that started China's domination of the Asian basketball scene and shredded many a Philippine national team.

There were still some tense moments in the stretch.

Bian Qang hit a triple to move China to within a point, 68-67, but Alapag, who wound up leading San Miguel-RP with 25 points, responded with a pressure-heavy trey that restored a four-point cushion. With 18 ticks remaining, Chen hit a triple that moved the Chinese to within a point again, but that was when Caguioa drove in to ice the game.

“We played for honor and respect and for the people back home who have pinned their hopes on us,” said Reyes, whose wards can virtually seal a quarterfinal seat when it takes on powerhouse Jordan Monday at 6 p.m.

Jordan was playing Iran at presstime.

China was virtually knocked out of contention for a quarterfinal slot after absorbing its second loss in as many games.

The scores:

SAN MIGUEL-RP 79 -- Alapag 25, Caguioa 16, Raymundo 12, Williams 11, Hontiveros 7, Taulava 4, Helterbrand 4, Pennisi 0, Norwood 0.

CHINA 74 -- Yi 14, B. Wang 14, Li 13, Bian 10, Zhang 9, Chen 6, Yang 3, Han 3, Y. Wang 2.

Quarters: 19-25, 38-49, 56-57, 79-74
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http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Sports&p=49&type=2&sec=30

RP 5 storms past China in big rally
By Nelson Beltran
Monday, July 30, 2007

TOKUSHIMA, Japan – The Philippines’ Olympic quest lived on last night as the Nationals, on sheer fighting heart, beat the Chinese quintet for the first time in 22 years.

With their Beijing mission looking headed for a Tokushima disaster, the Nationals fought with tremendous grit and guts, hacking out a stirring 79-74 come-from-behind victory over the Chinese to stay in contention for the FIBA-Asian championship quarterfinal round.

Egged on by a Filipino cheering crowd at Asty Tokushima, the Nationals gallantly fought back from a 13-point deficit in the third quarter and beat out the Chinese at the finish, thus keeping their hopes for a return stint in the Olympics after a wait of over three decades.

The Nationals fashioned out the epic victory over the Chinese with Danny Seigle out on injury and Asi Taulava playing on one healthy foot.

With the odds stacked against them, Jimmy Alapag, Mark Caguioa, Kerby Raymundo and Kelly Williams rose to the occasion and bailed the Nationals out. The four combined for all but 15 of the team’s total output.

“It was all about playing 40 minutes of pure heart,” said RP team coach Chot Reyes as they survived what could have been outright relegation to the consolation round.

“I challenged the boys to play tonight the way we played the last six minutes of our game against Iran. Obviously, they responded,” Reyes added.

Alapag, the goat in the RP team’s close defeat versus the same Chinese team in the recent Manila Invitationals, stood tall last night as he scored a game-high 25 points that went with five rebounds and three assists in 27 minutes of action.

Caguioa added 16 points, including a barreling drive with time down to eight seconds, giving the Philippines a 77-74 cushion.

Williams had a solid all-around game which he capped with a steal on a lob pass by Ke Li to Chen Chen with 3.6 seconds to go as the Nationals all but sealed the country’s first win over China since the Ron Jacobs-mentored RP 5 beat the Chinese for the 1985 ABC championship.

“It’s a matter of honor and respect for the Philippines, not particularly in beating China, but performing well in Asia. We’re driven by quest for respect,” said Reyes.

“We might be giving few inches and pounds, being the smallest in our group, but I think our heart is second to none. We’re a team that never loses hope, and we intend to show another example of that tomorrow (Monday) against Jordan,” Reyes also said.

As in their game against Iran, the Nationals were off to a jittery start and trailed by double-digit deficits right in the opening quarter.

They used trapping defense to get into the game, coming within three at 27-30 on a five-point binge by Caguioa.

Settling down, the Chinese, however, came through with another key run to get their biggest lead at 41-27.

Earlier in the day, host Japan, Qatar and Kazakhstan each scored a second straight win to gain entry into the quarterfinals.

Japan upended Lebanon, 77-67, to gain solo lead in Group B while Qatar repulsed Indonesia, 86-45, and Kazakhstan trounced India, 97-74, as they held sway in Group C.

Unied Arab Emirates rebounded from a loss to Japan Saturday with a 69-68 squeaker over Kuwait to stay in the fight for the quarters in Group B.

Iran won over Jordan 60-54 last night after our game against China so here are the win-loss records of teams in the "Group of Death" now:

Iran 2-0
RP 1-1
Jordan 1-1
China 0-2

No more tie-breaking quotient system needed. RP needs to win tonight against Jordan to go to the next round. No ifs or buts about it. We lose, we are out.

To all true believers out there, we will win over Jordan! GO, GO, GO TEAM PILIPINAS!

I guess "That's why they play the game" .
Sometimes history, stats and match ups don't measure the heart of the athletes.

RP may lose to Jordan but so far we can be proud of the RP team for fighting hard and never giving up.

GO GO GO TEAM PILIPINAS!

I thought Yao was playing :D neat!

@tcchua: What channel are you watching this!??!

channel 9 here in Pinas..

Go RP team.. we believe!

Thanks... After that match with China...

I BELIEVE! :D

BTW, I've always believed... you shoulda seen me when they broadcasted the William Jones Cup... I was so loud...

I thought Yao was playing :D neat! @tcchua: What channel are you watching this!??!

@diz, Yao is with their other team playing in the Stankovic Cup.

What is your location pala? I follow the games live on local channel RPN 9 (c/o Solar Sports). I watch it again on a delayed basis on Basketball TV (affiliate cable station of Solar Sports; seen on channel 34 on Skycable).

If you are not in RP, you can follow the live scoring through the following link --> http://netcasting.mbt.lt/fiba/jp/netcasting/

By the way @diz, I see that your belief in the team has changed to a positive one which is good. I hope win or lose tonight, you will continue supporting our Team Pilipinas. After all, the formation of this team is a giant step in the right direction for us after several years of neglect by the old BAP.

GO, GO, GO TEAM PILIPINAS!

i wonder kung bakit hindi ginagamit ni Chot si Menk and Ren ren?? sa game kahapon vs. China.. eh pagod na pagod na yung ibang players, pero di man lang binigyan nang playing time si RenRen at Menk.. eh si Caguioa nung 1 to 3 quarters.. tira lang nang tira di naman napasok.. sana pinagbigyan kahit sandali si Ren Ren..

i wonder kung bakit hindi ginagamit ni Chot si Menk and Ren ren?? sa game kahapon vs. China.. eh pagod na pagod na yung ibang players, pero di man lang binigyan nang playing time si RenRen at Menk.. eh si Caguioa nung 1 to 3 quarters.. tira lang nang tira di naman napasok.. sana pinagbigyan kahit sandali si Ren Ren..

We don't know what is in Chot's mind but for the game against China, Chot only used a 9-player rotation. I am not sure about Danny and Eric if they are nursing injuries again but Ren-ren was not injured so that is a puzzler. However, we have to note that pulling out players and putting in new legs regularly is usually more detrimental than good for any team. Besides, he needed Mark to get hot not only for the game against China for all our future games. Chot is thinking ahead. Remember that Mark shot 1 of 11 in the first game against Iran and was cold again in the early part of the game against China but Chot kept Mark in the game. I personally wanted Chot to get Mark out of there but obviously Chot kept him in for a reason.

Taulava was still hurting from that slight sprained from the game vs. Iran.. kitang kita naman ang bagal ni Asi.. dapat binigyan man lang nya nang playing time si Menk..

I hope he uses them tonight for Jordan..

@tcchua: Heck... I still support our national football team. :colgate: I tend to get excited when I see the Philippine Flag in international competitions.

Taulava was still hurting from that slight sprained from the game vs. Iran.. kitang kita naman ang bagal ni Asi.. dapat binigyan man lang nya nang playing time si Menk..

I hope he uses them tonight for Jordan..

Asi is really irreplaceable in the team so he will play even if hobbled. Having said that, Mick was effective in the game against China as the chief sub of Asi so he will surely be used again tonight against Jordan. The real problem with Eric is his height. He is wide-bodied and all but is smaller compared to both Asi and Mick so he'll continue to be the 3rd choice for Chot IMO. Well, let's see.

@tcchua: Heck... I still support our national football team. :colgate: I tend to get excited when I see the Philippine Flag in international competitions.

Football?

what's your take on Norwood?? I think he isn't just ready for this kind of tournament.. I think Arwind Santos could have done better..

Asi is really irreplaceable in the team so he will play even if hobbled. Having said that, Mick was effective in the game against China as the chief sub of Asi so he will surely be used again tonight against Jordan. The real problem with Eric is his height. He is wide-bodied and all but is smaller compared to both Asi and Mick so he'll continue to be the 3rd choice for Chot IMO. Well, let's see.

what's your take on Norwood?? I think he isn't just ready for this kind of tournament.. I think Arwind Santos could have done better..

I'll stick with Gabe. I think he is a surprisingly great find from the US who can play multiple positions (the 1, 2 and 3) and Chot loves that. Although young and only 19, Gabe has done a pretty good job so far since he joined the team. Everyone loves him. If he doesn't show his true worth in this particular tourney, he will still be an asset for our future RP teams.

Football?

soccer football.

can't believe we won over CN who has not caged a win so far.
me pag-asa pa tayo. mukha pang sidelines muna si Ren-ren. Baka nadala si coach Reyes sa performance niya sa game with Iran.

Watch RP-Jordan live on Basketball TV now (Skycable channel 34).

Replay on RPN 9 at 7pm later.


Go, GO, GO TEAM PILIPINAS!!! Go for the win!!!

i wonder kung bakit hindi ginagamit ni Chot si Menk and Ren ren?? sa game kahapon vs. China.. eh pagod na pagod na yung ibang players, pero di man lang binigyan nang playing time si RenRen at Menk.. eh si Caguioa nung 1 to 3 quarters.. tira lang nang tira di naman napasok.. sana pinagbigyan kahit sandali si Ren Ren..


mas okay si yap sa depensa compared kay ritualo
... na injured pa si seigle

any update??

Watch RP-Jordan live on Basketball TV now (Skycable channel 34).

Replay on RPN 9 at 7pm later.


Go, GO, GO TEAM PILIPINAS!!! Go for the win!!!

pag nanalo tayo.. eto ang draw..

1. Pilipinas
2. Japan
3. Kazakhstan
4. Korea

medyo madali dali.. sana manalo tayo sa Jordan!

Nakakainis. Hindi na ako nakakanood. :( Anyway, ano na ang standing ng Pinas?

pag nanalo tayo.. eto ang draw..

1. Pilipinas
2. Japan
3. Kazakhstan
4. Korea

medyo madali dali.. sana manalo tayo sa Jordan!

??? kasama natin ay china,jordan at iran???

huhuhu..:( we lost the game between jordan..that's what i heard, can anyone confirm about it? ;(

^^ true. 76-84

tsk tsk.

bad...tsk tsk. ok. di naman ganong malayo eh.

:(

We lost the game tonight with a final score of 76-84. We were leading for most of this game but lost it in the 4Q. Our destiny was in our hands but we lost the game in the final round so to speak.

With that loss, the following are the final standings in our Group A ("Group of Death"):

Iran (3-0)
Jordan (2-1)
RP (1-2)
China (0-3)

Now even though we may deserve to also go through to the next round, only the top 2 teams from all the groupings will pass. The top 2 in our group - Iran and Jordan join the next round. China, the defending champions of this tournament the past few years will go home without a win. Our very own Team Pilipinas will come home too with a solitary win against China. This was truly the Group of Death.



Thank you TEAM PILIPINAS!

Even though you didn't make it, we are very proud of you.

You all made us true BELIEVERS in the Pinoy again!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
oooppps hey read this...

"The teams placed 3rd and 4th in each group will qualify for the Quarter-Final Round (Groups III and IV) to play for 9th to 16th place."

RP and China will not come home yet! They'll be fighting for 9th place. RP will battle Syria tomorrow!!!

http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fe/07/fibaAsia/men/news/lateNews/p/newsid/21036/FE_news_lateNews_arti.html

Jordan reign where Philippines falter
July 30, 2007

TOKUSHIMA - Jordan adapted the wait-and-watch policy to almost perfection as they outthought, outwitted and eventually outscored a charged up, but error-prone, Philippines 84-76 in the make-or-break Group 'A' encounter on Monday.

"I think we defended rather well in the third and final quarter," said Jordan coach Mario Palma.

"Also I think we were helped by some of their wayward shooting. I was a little shocked to see those shots, but I'm not complaining," the Portuguese added.

Philippines began rather confidently, with the speedy Mark Anthony Caguioa and the tall Pauliasi Taulava controlling the proceedings. The scoreboard was ticking at regular intervals, the defense seemed to hold itself and much to the joy of their fans Philippines seemed to be on a roll.

All that changed like the clichéd bolt from the blue, as Jordan, slowly but surely took charge. Rasheim Wright, who had been pushed into the oblivion by the Filipino rampage, started to call the shots. Sam Daghles and Zaid Alkhas moved, and succeeded, with customary cohesion and Jordan were truly back, and in style.

Where Jordan kept improving, Philippines' graph went on a nose-dive. A couple of fortuituous long rangers - some of them by Jim Alapag from almost near the center-line raised Philippines' hopes, but by then Jordan had wrapped the game under their control.

"I think we lost it when we went ahead 18-13 at the end of the first quarter. Better off to trail and bounce back than go ahead and get complacent," said Philippines coach Vincent 'Chot' Reyes.

Scores
Jordan 84 (Rasheim Wright 24, Sam Daghles 22, Zaid Alkhas 16)

Philippines 76 (Pauliasi Talava 14, Jim Alapag 10).

Quarters: 13-18, 35-33, 54-51, 84-76

Stats

Jordan FG 43.5% (27/62), 2pts 52.9% (18/34), 3pts 32.1% (9/28), FT 67.7% (21/31), rebs 42, ast 13

Philippines FG 49.3% (33/67), 2pts 58.1% (25/43), 3pts 33.3% (8/24), FT 28.6% (2/7), rebs 28, ast 11

I am quoting a post from another forum by a guy named left_straight:

"Don't be too down, guys! These are just baby steps toward regaining our standing in Asian basketball! I hope our basketball leaders realize that the only way to break this loss an get over the hump is more frequent international exposure! We were hoping for a favorable result but reality is we were forced to form a national team with lots of cramming and lesser time to jell.

Don't treat our players harshly. This was unfair for them from the start. Imagine if you were in their place. Just consider if you were in their shoes. Let's put their situation in our lives: For example, if you were required to make a major presentation and were never allowed to rehearse it, only for a very short time for preparation, will you think you will do better than your rivals who had years to prepare? I think you won't do so well either.

The FIBA suspension really hurt our preparations, but despite that our team still fought tooth and nail and was even able to defeat China. In my eyes, they exceeded REALISTIC expectations. Being bracketed with the "Group of Death" and giving EACH team a hard time and even snatching a win is commendable.

Now if the PBA stays on course and be dedicated in sending a national team not only every 4 years, we have nowhere to go but up. We'll infuse good rebounders (http://forum.philboxing.com/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=50158&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&sid=f88c3b4664e3180b50540ecf3d72b908&start=7545#) with size on our team, and we can be even better. Asi just got to get some help down low. I'm optimistic that if the basketball bodies continue their commitment for International exposure for our true Philippine national team, we'll be able to beat these countries.

And for the naysayers who continue to criticize our National Team, well, you are not true basketball fans. Even the greatest players and teams tasted failure. In every walk of life, you have to struggle to get what you want. Even the greatest doctors were once lowly interns who toiled for countless hours to each their dreams. There are people I know with physical impediments, but didn't allow these to overcome them with despair. They became even more successful than their non-handicapped counterparts. It's not handed to you on a silver platter. You gotta work for it, AND EXPECT FAILURES along the way. Learn from it and move on... and continue to reach for our dream. To paraphrase Will Smith from the movie Pursuit of Happiness: If you have a dream, reach for it! PERIOD!

It's now up to our basketball governing body and the PBA. Do they still want to dream? Because fans who truly love basketball will never stop dreaming naysayers and cynics notwithstanding. The dream is not over. It is up to all of us, especially the basketball authorities to act on this dream. GO PHILIPPINES!"

I say Amen to that.

oooppps hey read this...

"The teams placed 3rd and 4th in each group will qualify for the Quarter-Final Round (Groups III and IV) to play for 9th to 16th place."

RP and China will not come home yet! They'll be fighting for 9th place. RP will battle Syria tomorrow!!!

Syria tomorrow then India on Aug 1 and Kuwait on Aug 2. Tuloy ang Laban!

Garnett traded to Celtics
Source: Associated Press, Updated 3 hours ago
http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/7075382?MSNHPHMA

BOSTON - Kevin Garnett is leaving Minnesota after the Boston Celtics agreed to acquire the All-Star forward in a multiplayer trade with the Timberwolves, a Celtics official told The Associated Press on Monday.

Among the players who could be headed to Minnesota are forward Al Jefferson, guard Sebastian Telfair, swingman Gerald Green and center Theo Ratliff, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal had not been completed as of yet. The official also said the Timberwolves would get at least one draft choice.

The teams still had some things to clarify with the players' contracts, but the official said that would not keep the Celtics from acquiring Garnett, although there could be a change in the players ticketed for the Timberwolves.

There was a chance that a conference call announcing the trade — the possibility of which was first reported by FOXSports.com's Jeff Goodman late Sunday — would be held Monday, the official said.

Garnett, 31, has spent all of his 12 NBA seasons with Minnesota. He would get an extension of his contract, which has one year plus an option year remaining, the official said.

The Celtics had tried to get Garnett late last month, but his agent said he didn't want to go to Boston.

Since then, Boston acquired seven-time All-Star guard Ray Allen from Seattle in a draft day deal. Already with Paul Pierce, the Celtics would become instant contenders in the mediocre Atlantic Division with Garnett, even without promising forward Jefferson.

The Celtics obtained Allen and the 35th pick of the draft for guards Delonte West and Wally Szczerbiak, and forward Jeff Green of Georgetown, whom they drafted with the fifth pick.

The Celtics have won just three playoff series during Pierce's nine years with them. They still have an NBA-record 16 championships, but none since 1986.

"They have no excuses, this team out there," Danny Ainge, the executive director of basketball operations, said after Allen was acquired.

Pierce, 29, led the Celtics in scoring last season but played only 47 games because of injury.

Allen, who turns 32 next month, averaged a career-high 26.4 points last season, his 11th, but underwent surgery to remove bone spurs on both ankles that required him to wear protective boots. He is expected to be ready for training camp.

I am quoting a post from another forum by a guy named left_straight:

"Don't be too down, guys! These are just baby steps toward regaining our standing in Asian basketball! I hope our basketball leaders realize that the only way to break this loss an get over the hump is more frequent international exposure! We were hoping for a favorable result but reality is we were forced to form a national team with lots of cramming and lesser time to jell.

Don't treat our players harshly. This was unfair for them from the start. Imagine if you were in their place. Just consider if you were in their shoes. Let's put their situation in our lives: For example, if you were required to make a major presentation and were never allowed to rehearse it, only for a very short time for preparation, will you think you will do better than your rivals who had years to prepare? I think you won't do so well either.

The FIBA suspension really hurt our preparations, but despite that our team still fought tooth and nail and was even able to defeat China. In my eyes, they exceeded REALISTIC expectations. Being bracketed with the "Group of Death" and giving EACH team a hard time and even snatching a win is commendable.

Now if the PBA stays on course and be dedicated in sending a national team not only every 4 years, we have nowhere to go but up. We'll infuse good rebounders (http://forum.philboxing.com/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=50158&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&sid=f88c3b4664e3180b50540ecf3d72b908&start=7545#) with size on our team, and we can be even better. Asi just got to get some help down low. I'm optimistic that if the basketball bodies continue their commitment for International exposure for our true Philippine national team, we'll be able to beat these countries.

And for the naysayers who continue to criticize our National Team, well, you are not true basketball fans. Even the greatest players and teams tasted failure. In every walk of life, you have to struggle to get what you want. Even the greatest doctors were once lowly interns who toiled for countless hours to each their dreams. There are people I know with physical impediments, but didn't allow these to overcome them with despair. They became even more successful than their non-handicapped counterparts. It's not handed to you on a silver platter. You gotta work for it, AND EXPECT FAILURES along the way. Learn from it and move on... and continue to reach for our dream. To paraphrase Will Smith from the movie Pursuit of Happiness: If you have a dream, reach for it! PERIOD!

It's now up to our basketball governing body and the PBA. Do they still want to dream? Because fans who truly love basketball will never stop dreaming naysayers and cynics notwithstanding. The dream is not over. It is up to all of us, especially the basketball authorities to act on this dream. GO PHILIPPINES!"

I say Amen to that.


Totally Agree!

The rest of the worl knows how to play good basketball now!
Look at Team USA - even last year when they had a more organized effort. They still placed 3rd. I think for Team Philippines - This is a good starting point.
They were highly competative.

Give them some more time to gel and maybe tweek the line up some more and maybe a little bit more luck we can reach our goals.

oooppps hey read this...

"The teams placed 3rd and 4th in each group will qualify for the Quarter-Final Round (Groups III and IV) to play for 9th to 16th place."

RP and China will not come home yet! They'll be fighting for 9th place. RP will battle Syria tomorrow!!!

:banana: :banana: :banana:

yung ibang groups tambakan ang score sa group natin puro dikitan ang laban.... ayos...

ASTIG ANG MGA TEAM SA GROUP OF DEATH di dapat mahiya sa pagkatalo..

umm sino sino po ang nakalusot sa second round bukod sa jordan and iran??? salamat...

lakas... kaso wala silang bench support for the three AllStar..

RP 107 - Syria 100, OT :banana:

http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fe/07/fibaAsia/men/news/lateNews/p/eventid/3969/langid/1/langlc/en/newsid/21055/roundid/3969/FE_news_lateNews_arti.html

Philippines Win in OT
July 31, 2007

Tokushima - Philippines showed immense character, first to get back to the court from a depressing overnight, and then to fight back to beat Syria 107-100, in overtime, in Group III of the Quarterfinal round on Tuesday.

Locked 89-all at the end of regulation, Philippines held their own, played well within themselves to deliver when it mattered. Point guard Jim Alapag was his usual fluent self top scoring for his side - five assists adding value to the 32 points - as the Filipinos ensured they don't let go of the initiative.

Micheal Madanly and Mohammad Alsaman had given Syria the initiative, the former top scoring the game with 33 points, but the other crumbled under pressure.

Scores

Philippines 107 (Jim Alapag 32, Mark Anthony Caguioa 16)

Syria 100 (Micheal Madanly 33, Mohammad Alsaman 27)

Quarters: 18-24, 35-38, 65-65, 89-89.

RP TEAM BEGINS REDEMPTION WITH OVERTIME WIN OVER SYRIA
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 31 Jul 2007

The Philippines began its quest for redemption in their opening game in the battle to top the consolation round of the FIBA Asia Men’s Basketball Championship in Tokushima with a hard-fought overtime victory over a tough Syrian team which the Filipinos had earlier beaten in the four-nation Manila Invitational recently.

Point guard Jimmy Alapag who has carried the nationals on his tiny frame with unbelievable gallantry and an injured Asi Taulava who played through the pain helped jumpstart the road to salvage some pride after their desperate bid to qualify for the 2008 Beijing Olympics fell apart. The heartbreaking loss to Iran and a fourth quarter collapse that saw the nationals lose to Jordan, winners of the recent Jones Cup, ended the dream but the team refused to give up and engaged the much taller and bigger Syrians in a shootout in Tokushima.

Alapag who led the nationals in scoring with 32 big points got some solid support from big man Taulava who looks small when ranged against the giants of the other teams, put together 15 points and 17 rebounds for a double-double while Danny Seigle who is recovering from an ankle injury played his best game so far to add 15.

But the consolation win was not without its troubles as Mark Caguioa who scored 15 points was pulled out with a hyper-extended shoulder with 2:28 left in regulation and the nationals trailing 84-86. Kelly Williams also had to be benched after seeing action for a mere seven minutes because of a hamstring injury.

It was small consolation for the RP team and the coaching staff led by Chot Reyes when the Syrian coach Samer Jayaly said “your team deserves to be in the final four” which was a follow up to the Jordanian coach’s blasting of the format as “ridiculous” saying “The Group of Death” which bracketed China, Jordan, Iran and the Philippines together deprived two of the four top teams of advancing while favoring several weaker teams.

Reyes said the Syrian game was the “kind of games that are tough to play. I don’t think we are emotionally ready to play this game after the loss. I doubt if our players had much sleep last night. I told the players we signed up to take in the whole experience, both pleasant and unpleasant. Obviously this is the unpleasant part but part of the representation of our national team is to go through it all the way.”

The nationals trailed early because of erratic play in the first half but quickly found their rhythm in the second half to battle the Syrians all the way. With 32 seconds remaining in regulation Alapag scored on a driving layup but the Syrians tied the game on split free throws by Michael Madanly on a foul by Kerby Raymundo with 14 seconds to play and when Dondon Hontiveros missed on a setup triple the game went into overtime. But the Filipinos behind five straight points by Seigle and a crisp 10-0 run ably anchored by Alapag settled the issue and somewhat eased the pain of the nationals.

Kikodj: Eto sa pagkakaalam ko.. Japan, SoKor, Taipei*grrrr.. bakit sila nakapasok? huhuh*, Qatar.. nalimutan ko na yung 2..

^^ Yup wala nang bench ang Celtics after this trade. Panay scrubs ang natira kanya mahihirapan pa din sila lalo na kung may ma-injure sa big three.

Even though we won't play basketball in next year's olympics... I still hope we can snatch our very first gold medal.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Sports&p=49&type=2&sec=30&aid=20070730205

Don’t blame Chot
By Joaquin M. Henson
Philippine Star
July 31, 2007

I realize it’s water under the bridge but for the record, coach Chot Reyes wasn’t to blame for the technical foul that the Philippine team was slapped by Greek referee Nikolaos Zavlanos with 57 seconds left and Iran ahead by a point in last Saturday’s FIBA-Asia Group A game in Tokushima.

Under FIBA rules, the penalty for a technical foul is two free throws and possession.

Zavlanos’ call was a knockout punch. Not only did the 49-year-old Greek arbiter kill the Philippines’ momentum, he also allowed Iran to escape what could’ve been a heartbreaking defeat. The Philippines never recovered from the blow below the belt and lost by six.

From Tokushima, Reyes sent this text – ”It (technical foul) was assessed to me as a bench technical because players stood up and yelled travel, not due to anything I did. Hope you can correct it as I’ve gotten a lot of hate messages blaming me for the technical.”

Zavlanos had previously warned the Philippine bench for histrionics. He whistled a foul on Jay-Jay Helterbrand with a second left on Iran’s shot clock, bailing out guard Mahdi Kamrany, and Reyes reacted by crumpling down to his knees.

If there’s anyone to blame for the game-deciding technical foul, it’s Zavlanos who’s been a FIBA referee since 1993. He should be censured for it and suspended.

No way should a referee decide the outcome of a game. Zavlanos’ call ruined a potentially dramatic finish. He gave the win to Iran on a silver platter and robbed the Philippines of the chance to pull off a win in the final minute.

There’s a lesson to be learned from the painful experience.

In the PBA, players and referees are familiar with each other. They know their tolerance limits. In Tokushima, the Filipino cagers are almost like strangers to the FIBA referees and vice-versa. There’s little time to get acquainted and the exercise of self-control is essential on the players’ side because it’s wishful thinking to hope for the referees to be tolerant.

FIBA referees – who come from different countries – don’t like to be told what to call and what not to call. The problem is because of their attitude, the incompetent ones get away with murder and nobody can tell them off.
FIBA rules are very different from PBA rules.

For instance, in the PBA, the penalty for a technical foul is only a free throw. In FIBA games, it’s two free throws and ball possession. That’s a huge difference.

Against Iran, Dondon Hontiveros picked up two unsportsmanlike fouls, resulting in his ejection. In FIBA, an unsportsmanlike foul is different from a technical or a disqualifying foul.

An unsportsmanlike foul presumes unnecessary contact and the penalty is two free throws and possession, like a technical foul which is mainly called for excessive complaining or trash talking. A disqualifying foul is flagrant in nature and the penalty is automatic ejection, two free throws and possession.

A coach is ejected after two direct technical fouls or a combination of three direct and indirect technical fouls. An indirect technical foul is when the bench is cited as what happened to Reyes in the Iran game.

There are many other rule differences.

First, a player is not permitted to call a timeout in FIBA, unlike in the PBA. That’s why Helterbrand was called for a five-second inbounds violation against Iran as he couldn’t call a timeout with the ball in his hands.

Another is ball interference above the rim. In FIBA, once the ball hits the hoop, players are allowed to touch it even if still over the ring, ruling out offensive or defensive goaltending. In the PBA, the ball is untouchable if it’s above the rim.

A third difference is in FIBA, the basket counts when a player releases the ball to shoot and commits an offensive foul after. In the PBA, the basket is nullified by the offensive foul.

Other differences include the foul limit before penalty (four in FIBA and five in the PBA), foul limit for disqualification (five in FIBA and six in the PBA), technical and offensive fouls to count as team and personal fouls in FIBA, 10-minute quarters in FIBA and 12 in the PBA and the trapezoidal shaded lane in FIBA compared to the rectangular frame in the PBA.

Habits are hard to break and PBA players, used to different rules, are finding it difficult to adjust to the FIBA game.

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http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Sports&p=49&type=2&sec=30&aid=20070730203

Sidelights: Jordan coach labels grouping ‘big joke’
By Nelson Beltran
Philippine Star
July 31, 2007
TOKUSHIMA, Japan – To Jordan coach Mario Palma, FIBA-Asia’s system of bracketing “is a big joke.” Palma said he still can’t understand why three of the top four teams in last year’s Asian Games plus the Philippines, which has always been a top contender with its professional players, allowed to slug it out in one group.

“So what you see is the four teams in this group playing with so much pressure while top seeded teams in the other brackets winning by more than 50 points,” rued Palma.

“Because of the pressure, players in our group are getting hurt. The top two teams in the other group easily advanced to the quarterfinals with the luxury of keeping their top players fresh,” Palma added. He cited two players in his team now injured. He’s also aware that Danny Seigle, Asi Taulava and Jimmy Alapag got hurt in the SMC-RP team’s first game against Iran.

“Now Jordan and the Philippines are playing in a knockout game. But the loser in this game is capable of winning the championship,” said Palma on the eve of the match.

China topped the Doha Asia Games with Iran coming in third and Jordan fourth. Yet, they found themselves in one group with Philippines in the elimination round of the FIBA-Asia men’s championship here. “It’s a joke.

But I can’t do anything. I’m just a coach, I’m not a politician,” Palma said.
Posted as seeded teams in the four groups are China, Lebanon, Qatar and South Korea – the top four finishers in the 2005 FIBA-Asia championship in Qatar. The rest of the teams, except host Japan, drew their brackets. After the second round of the draw, Japan chose to join Lebanon and Kuwait in Group B.

The Philippines was drawn second to last, being the second team with the lowest world ranking here. Unfortunately, the Philippines found itself in the Group of Death with China, Iran and Jordan while Indonesia, the lowest-ranked squad, joined Qatar, Kazakhstan and India in Group C.

FIBA-Asia used to employ the inverted “S” bracketing system where the No. 1 and No. 8 teams in the previous championship are put together in one group, No. 2 and No. 7 in another group, No. 3 and No. 6 in their own bracket and No. 4 and No. 5 in the last group.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=86586

Pinoys squeak past Syrians in OT, 107-100
July 31, 2007

The San Miguel-Pilipinas team managed to squeeze past Syria in overtime, 107-100, in the consolation round of the 24th FIBA Asia Men's Championship on Tuesday despite the emotional baggage over losing a chance to play in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Jimmy Alapag led the RP team by scoring 32 points via 7-of-12 shooting from the floor and 15-of-16 showing from the foul line.

Also part of the charge were Danny Seigle, Dondon Hontiveros and big man Asi Taulava, who helped the Filipinos take the distance in the extra period.

Taulava, who played despite a sprained ankle, churned out 15 points and grabbed 17 rebounds. Seigle also dished out a great performance with 15 points, including five straight to start the overtime period and a crucial 10-0 blast for a 99-89 RP lead.

"These are the kind of games that are tough to play. I don't think we were emotionally ready to play this game after the loss. I doubt if any of our players had much sleep last night," said RP team coach Chot Reyes.

"I told the players that when we signed up and committed to play for the national team, we signed up to take in the whole experience, both pleasant and the unpleasant."

Mark Caguioa had 15 points for the RP team but was taken out with 2:28 left in the game regulation when he hyper-extended his shoulder, joining Kelly Williams on the sideline, who earlier suffered a pull hamstring injury after playing for seven minutes as a starter.

"We're just fortunate enough to find that energy to finish the game today," Reyes added.

"I know psychologically and physically your team is very tired. We tried to take our chance, but we're not just lucky," said Samer Kayaly, coach of the Syrian team.

The Syrian mentor added that: "Your team deserves to be in the Final 4."

The Filipinos struggled in the first half but found their rhythm in the last two quarters and readily engaged the Syrians in a close game.

Alapag’s lay-up regained the lead for the RP team, 89-88, with 32 ticks left, only for Syria to tie the game at 89 on a split free throw by Micheal Madanly.

The Filipinos had a chance of winning the game in regulation, but Hontiveros missed a three-pointer to pave the way for overtime.

The scores

SMC-RP 107 - Alapag 32, Caguioa 16, Seigle 15, Taulava 15, Hontiveros 11, Ritualo 6, Raymundo 5, Menk 5, Norwood 2, Williams 0, Helterbrand 0.

SYRIA 100 - Madanly 33, Alsaman 27, Yakoub 16, Alkatib 12, Hasaballah 7, Abdallah 5, Labes 0.

Quarterscores: 18-24; 38-35; 65-65; 89-89 (reg); 107-100 (OT)
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http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=86580

Korea, Iran win in Asian cage tourney
July 31, 2007
Agence France Presse

TOKUSHIMA, Japan - Two-time champions South Korea defeated Jordan 70-65 in their first match of the second stage at the Asian men's basketball championship on Tuesday.

South Korea's 2.23-meter Ha Seung-Jin shone in the game, scoring 21 points and winning 12 rebounds to help his side take back the title they last won in 1997.

The Koreans, who also took the title in 1969, led the table with a 1-0 record in the four-team Group Two second stage, which also includes Japan and Kazakhstan.

Iran won an earlier Group One game despite the best efforts of two-time silver medalists Taiwan.

Taiwan took the lead three times, but Iran regained the lead each time for a 76-64 victory.

Mohammad Nikkhah scored 22 points for Iran, while Hamed Ehdadi took 17 points and Javad Davari 13.

The top two teams from Group One and Two will reach the knock-out semi-finals, vying for only one ticket for the Beijing Olympics next year.

The two best finishers, other than Olympic hosts China and the winners, will be eligible for the final Olympic qualifying round next in July next year.

In the playoffs for ninth to 16th place, the Philippines downed Syria 107-100, while Kuwait outclassed India 72-68.

Four-time defending champions China saved some face by posting their first win beating Hong Kong 93-69, and Indonesia edged past the United Arab Emirates 83-81.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/sports/view_article.php?article_id=79862
Alapag rescues lethargic RP five in win over Syria
By Francis Ochoa
Inquirer
08/01/2007

TOKUSHIMA, JAPAN -- Jimmy Alapag put dignity back into the fight for leftovers, wearing the same game face he has worn in a heart-ripping tournament so he could give the people back home something to smile about.

“I feel like I had my heart ripped out of me,” said Alapag, who cried in the locker room Monday night after the loss to Jordan that slapped the
Philippines out of a well-chronicled stint of Olympic daydreaming.

“But, you know, when you have the chance to put a smile on at least one person’s face back home, you have to grab it. You have to continue fighting.”

And fight Alapag did.

He produced the points and the plays when San Miguel-RP couldn’t seem to shake off a heartache-induced lethargy early in the game, then hit cushion free throws in overtime as the Filipinos scraped past Syria, 107-100, Tuesday morning in the FIBA-Asia men’s basketball championship at the Asty Tokushima.

Danny Seigle bunched seven points and Dondon Hontiveros knocked in a couple of three-pointers in a 10-1 overtime run to key the win for San Miguel-RP.

But it was Alapag’s game-high 32 points and five assists, and his
unwavering insistence that his teammates continue playing, that really worked wonders for the Filipinos.

“I just kept telling the guys to keep on fighting,” said Alapag. “It’s a credit to the guys that they didn’t give up.”

Mostly, they didn’t because Alapag wouldn’t allow them to.

In a crucial play in the fourth quarter, Mark Caguioa rushed a fastbreak and committed a traveling violation in the process. Alapag just didn’t let Caguioa hear about it. He also came down hard on Asi Taulava, who insisted on initiating the transition offense when Alapag asked for the ball to slow things down.

And when the 6-foot-9 Taulava bowed his head and tapped his chest in the universal basketball gesture that means “my bad, I’m sorry,” it showed just who Alapag, his 5-foot-8 teammate at the Talk ‘N Text squad in the Philippine Basketball Association, is in this team.

“He’s got so many bruises, you can’t even begin to count them,” Chot Reyes, the national coach, said of his diminutive sparkplug. “But he’s the team’s leader. On and off the court, he keeps this team together and leads the players.”

Against Syria, a game played just a little over 12-hours after the hope-crushing 84-76 defeat to Jordan, there was only crumbs -- a 9th-place finish -- to fight for.

“To be quite honest with you, it’s hard getting up to play at nine in the morning after losing and coming so close to get out of our group,” Alapag said almost in a whisper as he trudged through the hallway leading to the RP locker room.

“Especially if you think that there’s nothing left for us to play for.”

It hardly looked like Alapag had nothing to play for.

When Syria’s Michael Mandaly threatened to demolish the Philippines single-handedly in the third quarter after punishing San Miguel-RP’s defense with 19 first-half points, Alapag came up strong with gutsy drives to the baskets and pop-up jumpers to help the Philippines knot the count at 65 going into the fourth.

“There still is something to play for, and that’s everyone back home who still cares about us winning or losing,” he said. “And as long as somebody back home cares about us winning, we have to continue digging deep and trying to win the remaining games here.”

The scores:

SAN MIGUEL-RP 107 -- Alapag 32, Caguioa 16, Seigle 15, Taulava 15, Hontiveros 11, Ritualo 6, Raymundo 5, Menk 5, Norwood 2, Wiliams 0, Helterbrand 0.

SYRIA 100 -- Adanly 33, Alsaman 27, Yakoub 16, Alkatib 12, Hasaballah 7, Abdallah 5, Charif 0, Labes 0.

Quarters: 18-24, 35-38, 65-65, 89-89, 107-100

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/sports/view_article.php?article_id=79861

‘Like Chot, everyone’s bleeding,’ says Pangilinan
By Francis Ochoa
Inquirer
8/01/2007

TOKUSHIMA, JAPAN -- Outside a tropical-themed restaurant in front of a yacht-lined canal, two rows of torches cradled bright yellow flames dancing in the soft late evening breeze.

Inside, an entire delegation mourned hosed-out embers.

“Like [national coach] Chot [Reyes] said, we’re bleeding,” said Manny V. Pangilinan, restating an all-encompassing line that assessed the state of the San Miguel-RP squad that blew its Olympic hopes after an 84-76 defeat to Jordan Monday night in the FIBA-Asia men’s basketball championship.

The PLDT-Smart chief and the president of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas managed a straight smile in a late-night chat with journalists. But Pangilinan, a highly successful businessman who admits not taking losses lightly, did not hold back the sigh and the words that betrayed what he felt.

“Honestly, [I’m] very depressed,” he admitted.

“Minsan nga talaga, nakakawalang gana (Sometimes you just want to give up).

“Nawawalan ka ng pag-asa, di ba? (You just lose hope, right?),” he continued. “[It’s like, ‘Oh my God, will we ever make it?’ You find yourself asking that question. Tao ka lang (You’re just human).”

“There’s still tomorrow,” he said. “We just have to do better. It’s not the end of the world for Philippine basketball.”

But even spelling out the road map toward that tomorrow, it wasn’t enough for Pangilinan to liven up an atmosphere inside the restaurant, especially after the huddle among team officials and players who nursed the dream of a cameo stint in next year’s Beijing Olympics.

“It’s hard, because we wanted this so badly. Not just for ourselves, but for what we stood for,” said Reyes. And as he tried to speak in front of a bowed bunch of players, his voice broke and he cried.

And the sobbing that started in the locker room spilled over to the after-dinner talk. Pangilinan, Reyes, Asi Taulava, Renren Ritualo, Kerby Raymundo, SBP executive director Patrick Gregorio and PBA chair Ricky Vargas openly shed tears. It was hard to tell from the bowed heads who else wept.

“Maybe it was better we lost this early,” Pangilinan said. “Sometimes, you learn more from defeat than you do with winning. With winning, sometimes you think, magaling ka na (you’re already good). Maybe this was a strategic loss.

“Grabe yung improvement ng ibang Asian teams (Other Asian teams have improved really well). We weren’t able to keep pace.

“Let’s learn from this,” he added. “We have to analyze what we need to do.”

Pangilinan says all eyes will be on the 2009 FIBA Asia, which is the qualifier for the 2010 Turkey World Championship. Unlike the Olympics, which only guarantees one Asian slot through the FIBA Asia, the World Championship gives Asia three slots.

Opening talks with FIBA secretary general Patrick Baumann in Geneva over the possibility of hosting the 2009 qualifiers is a huge first step toward that goal. For one, it gives the host country the option to choose the group it falls in.

In this edition of the FIBA Asia, the Philippines fell into the so-called Group of Death with China, Iran and Jordan, three of the top four teams in Asia currently.

“[If not for the group], Philippines should be in final four,” said Syrian coach Samer Kayaly.

Jordan’s Brazilian coach Mario Palma offered the same analysis, saying even the loser of the Jordan-RP knockout match “can go on to win the championship.”

“After the loss to Jordan, we thought, maybe the [morale] was low or maybe Philippines is tired,” Kayaly added, after Syria dropped a 107-100 overtime decision to the Filipinos. “We tried to use this to win but we were not lucky. Philippines is [a] really good team.”

Pangilinan wants it to be good enough to at least fight for a slot in the 2012 London Olympics. And maybe roster changes, including the possibility of fielding a naturalized player, is one option to consider.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/sports/view_article.php?article_id=79859

Chot Reyes: I take responsibility for our failure
By Francis Ochoa
Inquirer
08/01/2007

TOKUSHIMA, JAPAN -- With old ghosts hanging over San Miguel-RP and the pain of a recent loss still lingering, no one could speak definitely about the future of the squad.

“That’s something for the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) and the PBA (Philippine Basketball Association) to decide,” said national coach Chot Reyes after his team’s 107-100 victory over Syria at the start of the lower classification round of the FIBA Asia championship.

The Philippines, playing for, at best, ninth place, continues to rue the missed chances that laid to waste its dream of qualifying for the Beijing Olympics.

“We play the kind of game we are capable of playing when we faced Iran,” said guard Jimmy Alapag.

That setback, where the Philippines fell behind early, came to within one and then watch the reversal slip away on a technical foul slapped on the bench and a defensive lapse, forced San Miguel-RP to a couple of do-or-die games to keep the dream flickering.

After a gallant stand against China, the dream was extinguished by a loss to Jordan.

“I take responsibility for our failure,” said Reyes in an apologetic tone. He left his fate -- and that of the team’s -- to the SBP.

“I signed up to be the national coach until the FIBA Asia 2007,” Reyes said. “What happens next is up to our national federation.”

That’s the lingering question even among foreign journalists here. Will an all-pro squad continue to represent the Philippines in major international meets?

The team, though, is raring to stay together.

“I am willing to go through this again with this same bunch of players,” said Reyes.

“This is really the first time in a long while that we are playing in a major international tournament,” said Alapag. “Hopefully, we will be able to continue playing internationally so we can improve and get better as years go on.”

RP 104 - INDIA 69, F

LIB 1-0
IRI 1-0
TPE 0-1
QAT 0-1

KAZ 1-0
KOR 1-0
JOR 0-1
JAP 0-1

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/sports/view_article.php?article_id=80094

Norwood hot as RP cagers dump India
By Francis Ochoa
Inquirer
08/02/2007

TOKUSHIMA, JAPAN -- Gabe Norwood would have preferred all of these -- aerial acrobatics, free throw accuracy, leech-like defense, efficient rebounding and foxy playmaking -- to have come together when the stakes were much higher.

But, hey, if it’s respect that’s all there is to fight for, then fight he will to get it. For himself, and for the place where his “heart is.”

The 6-foot-5 swingman served as the main crutch of an undermanned and hurting San Miguel-RP squad that still pulled off a 106-69 rout of India in the classification round of the FIBA Asia men’s basketball championship Wednesday at the Tokushima Municipal Gym.

In his best performance yet, Norwood had 23 points, making seven of 24 shots from the field and a perfect nine-of-nine from the stripe in a 35-minute stint as the Philippines braced for a possible rematch for top consolation honors with dethroned champion China.

“His value is beyond his statistics,” said RP coach Chot Reyes of Norwood, who is being groomed as cornerstone of the country’s bid in future international meets.

“His value is his versatility. He can play [four positions] and the work he does on the floor, his defense, his playmaking, those don’t show up in his numbers.”

The former George Mason U standout, who was with the team when it made the US NCAA Final Four as heavy underdogs, scored a three-point play late in the third to give San Miguel RP a 26-point lead.

He had six points early in the fourth as the Philippines took a couple of 37-point margins, the last at 97-60, and ended the game spectacularly, completing another three-point play and going for a highlight reel alley-oop off a feed by Dondon Hontiveros to ice scoring.

“We had so many guys hurt coming into the game and I just decided to be aggressive,” Norwood said.

San Miguel-RP missed three players Wednesday and the row behind the Filipinos’ bench, normally reserved for those, who failed to make the cut began to look like an orthopedic wing: Mark Caguioa was there, nursing an overextended shoulder, Jimmy Alapag sat it out because of a stiff neck and Kelly Williams was absent because of a hurting hamstring.

The Chinese, beaten by the Filipinos in their preliminary round meeting, also cruised to a 102-47 pasting of Indonesia as the two winningest teams in the history of the FIBA Asia men’s championships prepare to lock horns for crumbs or more specifically for ninth place.

It will be actually the end of a best-of-three for both countries. China, playing with its second team, won the first meeting during the Smart Manila Four-Nation invitational tournament hosted by the country before the Philippines got even here with a 79-74 win.

“I hope we can get another win against China,” said Reyes, who added that “it’s hard playing these games because we should have been playing for higher stakes right now.”

Norwood agreed.

“It’s been difficult [since getting eliminated],” he explained. “We anticipated going out of our group so now, it’s hard getting up at nine to go out and play. But we have a job to do so we have to continue bonding together to get things done.”

The Filipinos beat Syria, 107-100, at the start of consolation play Tuesday, while China overpowered Hong Kong, 93-69.

The willowy 22-year-old Norwood also added five rebounds and four assists against India while Danny Seigle, looking fitter than in the past two days when he had a bruised ankle, also had 23 markers. Renren Ritualo added 18.

“We know our quest for the Olympics has been downgraded to a quest for respect,” Reyes said. “And the quest for respect is not short term. It is not going to be an overnight thing.”

The scores:

SAN MIGUEL RP 104 -- Norwood 23, Seigle 23, Ritualo 18, Hontiveros 14, Taulava 14, Raymundo 6, Pennisi 3, Menk 3, Helterbrand 0.

INDIA 69 -- Kadam 12, Raj 11, Krishnasami 9, Rai 7, Yadav 7, J. Singh 7, D. Sing 6, Mukkanniyil 5, Udin 5, Muraleekrishna 0, Padavetiyil 0.

Quarters: 25-18, 47-41, 82-55, 104-69

------------------------------------------------------
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/sports/view_article.php?article_id=80099

Eala: PBA must ‘stay the course’
By Francis Ochoa
Inquirer
08/02/2007

TOKUSHIMA, Japan -- In an effort to make sense or reason out of the country’s failed Olympic bid, PBA commissioner Noli Eala said Wednesday the country’s professional league must “stay the course” if it is to utilize wisely the lessons picked up from the disappointing San Miguel-RP campaign in the FIBA Asia men’s basketball championship.

“I think the PBA has -- to quote [FIBA secretary general] Patrick Baumann -- to stay the course,” Eala said in a briefing with journalists Wednesday morning after San Miguel-RP ripped India in a classification round match, 104-69.

“It’s the only way to put some sense and some reason for what has happened here.”

Eala refused to quote specifics on what’s next for the pricey basketball program that became a central component of the league pending a meeting with the Philippine Basketball Association board, but he said “there are three things that come to my mind immediately which I will take back to the PBA board.

“First, do we continue to support the national team and therefore [keep] competing internationally?” began Eala. “No.2, do we keep together this team or [form] a pool of players that we can use for future competitions?

And third, do we adopt FIBA rules [in the PBA] so as to make the adjustment not only of our team but also of our coaches easier and simpler?

“I think those are three summit decisions that we have to discuss with the PBA board, our team owners, our coaches, and also our players,” he added. “I think these are league-changing decisions but as you know, I’ve never had any problems making very big decisions.”

National coach Chot Reyes reiterated after the game against India that he was leaving the fate of the team and the program up to the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas and the PBA.

Eala said he was inclined to have the league right smack in the middle of the national basketball program despite the failure to tab an Olympic slot in Beijing next year -- the main purpose of the formation of this current crop of national players.

“I don’t think my inclinations are hidden,” Eala said. “From Day One, when I became a commissioner I took it upon myself, as part of my presentation to the board, that the PBA has to be involved in the international basketball scene, at least representing the country. I [will] recommend to the board that we should [continue to] accept this role.”

The annual PBA board meeting is set in Macau early September.

RP 89 - Kuwait 58, F

a bit OT..

SC orders disbarment of PBA commissioner
By Mike Frialde
Thursday, August 2, 2007

The Supreme Court yesterday ordered the disbarment of Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner and sportscaster Emmanuel “Noli” Eala for gross immorality after he was found to have carried an adulterous relationship with a married woman.

In an 18-page per curiam decision, the Court annulled and set aside Resolution XVII-2006-06 passed on Jan. 28, 2006 by the Board of Governors of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) dismissing the disbarment case against Eala for lack of merit, and instead disbarred him for gross immoral conduct, violation of his oath of office, and in violation of Canons 1 and 7 of Rule 1.01 (A lawyer shall not engage in unlawful, dishonest, immoral or deceitful conduct) of the Code of Professional Responsibility.

The Court found out that Eala, a married man, carried an extra-marital affair with Irene Moje, a married woman, prior to the judicial declaration that her marriage was null and void.

He “showed disrespect for an institution held sacred by the law” and “betrayed his unfitness to be a lawyer,” reads part of the decision.

In ordering Eala’s disbarment, the Court acted on the petition filed by Joselano Guevarra on March 4, 2002 before the IBP Committee on Bar Discipline against the PBA commissioner for “grossly immoral conduct and unmitigated violation of the lawyer’s oath.”

In his complaint, Guevarra said he first met Eala in January 2000 when his then fiancée Irene introduced the respondent (Eala) to him as her friend.

Guevarra learned that Eala was married to Marianne Tantoco with whom he had three children.

After his marriage to Irene on Oct. 7, 2000, Joselano noticed that from January to March 2001, Irene had been receiving cellphone calls as well as messages from Eala, some of which read “I love you,” “I miss you,” or “Meet you at Megamall.”

Joselano also noticed that Irene habitually went home very late at night or early in the morning of the following day, and sometimes did not go home from work.

When he asked where she went, Irene would usually reply having slept at her parents’ house in Binangonan, Rizal or she was busy with her work.

In February or March 2001, Joselano saw Irene and Eala together on two occasions. On the second occasion, he confronted them. Irene abandoned their conjugal house after that incident.

On April 22, 2001, Joselano gatecrashed Irene’s birthday celebration and saw her and Eala celebrating with her family and friends. After that incident, Irene took all her personal belongings, pieces of furniture and her share of household appliances from their conjugal house.

Joselano later found in the master’s bedroom of their conjugal house, a folded social card bearing the words “I Love You” on its face. When he unfolded the card, he found a handwritten letter dated Oct. 7, 2000, the day he married Irene.

In the letter, which was addressed to Irene, “Noli”, who signed the letter, expressed his “eternal love” for her even if she is about to be married.

“I hope that you have experienced true happiness with me. I have done everything humanly possible to love you. And today, as you make your vows… I will make my own to YOU!” read the letter in part.

Joselano reportedly saw Eala and Irene’s car constantly parked at 71-B 11th Street, New Manila. He later learned that it was Irene’s house.

Joselano also learned later that Irene was pregnant.

In his answer, Eala admitted having sent the “I Love You” card but denied flaunting an adulterous relationship with Irene.

The Court added that Eala also never denied being the father of Irene’s baby girl who was born on Feb. 14, 2002.

RP will meet China again in the battle for 9th place in FIBA-Asia. Our 2 Group of Death groupmates Iran and Jordan are doing well and are expected to go to the Final 4.

---------------------------------------------------------------
PHI/KUW - Philippines win Group G

TOKUSHIMA - Philippines kept their promise of playing hard beating Kuwait 89-58 to take the top place in Group G of the Quarterfinal round on Thursday.

Gabriel Norwood spent the longest time on court and justified it top scoring with 18 points.

Scores

Philippines 89 (Gabriel Norwood 18, Florendo Ritualo 13)

Kuwait 58 (Saqer Hasan 14)

Quarters: 23-10, 46-20, 73-47, 89-58

--------------------------------------------------------------

CHN/UAE - China top Group H

Tokushima - Chinese coach Adijiang gave a feel of the court to all his players. And all of them contributed at least one point in the completing the 100 they scored against United Arab Emirates' 55 in Group IV of the Quarterfinal round on Thursday.

Chen Chen sunk seven three pointers in a game-high total of 25 points for China.

Scores

China 100 (Chen Chen 25, Gu Liye 19, Yi Li 13)

UAE 55 (Ayoub Albalooshi 17, Rashed Alzaabi 11)

Quarters: 33-13, 54-28, 82-45, 100-55

http://www.pba.ph/content/view/1743/59/

ALAPAG, WILLIAMS BACK IN ACTION AS TEAM PILIPINAS ROUTS KUWAIT
Nationals forge rematch vs. China Saturday for ninth place
02 August 2007

Game Saturday
(ASTY Tokushima Gym)
11:15 a.m. – SMC-RP vs. China

TOKUSHIMA, Japan. -- San Miguel-Team Pilipinas completed a three-game sweep of its consolation round group Thursday, breezing past Kuwait, 89-58, to arrange a return match with dethroned champion China for ninth place Saturday in the 24th FIBA-Asia Championship at the ASTY Tokushima gym.

Kelly Williams and Jimmy Alapag returned to the active roster to play 24 and 14 minutes, respectively, and came up with significant numbers, signaling their readiness for the battle ahead.

Mark Caguioa, who hyper-extended his right shoulder in the game with Jordan Monday, sat out the game, however, and is unlikely to suit up for the return bout with the Chinese, who bowed to the Nationals, 79-74, Sunday.

"I would love to go after them again," said national coach Chot Reyes, referring to the upcoming encounter with China, the two teams' last game in the tournament where they shared the same fate.

Both teams had the material to make it all the way to the final, but ran into trouble with tough Middle Eastern opponents questionably bracketed with them in the preliminary round and are now reduced to playing for the spoils instead of the title.

The rankings should prove meaningless in this case unless the organizing FIBA-Asia abandons an experimental grouping practice where only the top four finishers are distributed to each of the four groups and the rest of the 16 spots are filled via the drawing of lots.

The "S-format" was used in previous FIBA-Asia tournaments.

The quirk of the draw brought together in one bracket China, Iran, Jordan – three of the top four Asian Games finishers – and the PBA-backed Philippine team, a coincidence which was also loudly questioned by Mario Palma, Jordan's Brazilian mentor, and now by Al Khadra Fahmi, the Kuwait head coach.

The Nationals had beaten Kuwait twice before in tune-up matches at the Sta. Lucia East Mall and the Caruncho Sports Center before the two teams flew to Tokushima, and they lost no time imposing their will again.

SMC-RP opened a 23-10 lead in the first quarter and never looked back, storming to a 34-point advantage in the fourth quarter for their second straight hassle-free triumph.

Fil-Am Gabe Norwood, sporting a new Mohawk haircut done by Williams according to teammate Asi Taulava, had 18 points on a 7-of-9 shooting from the field, with five rebounds and five assists, reprising his 23-point performance against India Wednesday.

"Norwood put us in this position and we're looking forward to meeting China and beating them again," Reyes said. "We're saving our best for last."

Ren-Ren Ritualo added 13 points with three triples and Eric Menk had 10 points. Williams grabbed a game-high 13 rebounds, while Alapag issued three assists.

Taulava joined Reyes in the post-game interview and entertained the press with his geniality and good humor.

"We're bored. That's how bored we are," he said when asked how Norwood and Williams found time to do their hair.

Pointed out that he seemed to be in a good mood, Taulava, the team's self-appointed comic, said: "This is my job, to keep everybody smiling.”

Turning serious, Taulava said the game with China would be fiercely fought "even if the stakes are not too high."

The 6-9 Talk 'N Text center, who has been shrugging off an ankle sprain, expressed disappointment for SMC-RP's failure to advance beyond the preliminary round, but added he was "happy" that the two other teams in their bracket are doing well in the quarterfinals.

"It only shows how tough our group was," he said.

It was at this juncture that the Kuwait coach made his sentiment known.

"The grouping was not fair," said Fahmi, a gentle-faced man with white hair and a soft smile, adding the losers after the preliminary "should have been allowed to go home. The players don't want to practice anymore, they don't want to play anymore. When you're eliminated, then you're eliminated."

Fahmi also insinuated the drawing of lots for the grouping, done two weeks before the tournament, might not have been done aboveboard.

"I don't believe in the draw," he said.

In completed quarterfinal matches Wednesday, Lebanon ripped Chinese-Taipei, 95-64, for its second straight win; Iran roared to its fifth consecutive victory from the preliminary by turning back Qatar, 95-87; Jordan stunned Kazakhstan, 82-73; and South Korea denied Japan, 93-83, pushing the host to the brink of elimination.

Consolation games saw Syria dumping Kuwait, 109-69; dethroned champion China routing Indonesia, 102-47; and Hong Kong crushing United Arab Emirates, 87-64.

The tournament takes a break Friday.

The scores:

SMC-RP 89 – Norwood 18, Ritualo 13, Menk 10, Alapag 9, Helterbrand 9, Hontiveros 7, Williams 7, Seigle 6, Taulava 6, Pennisi 4, Raymundo 0.

Kuwait 58 – Hasan 14, Ashkanani 8, Altabakh 7, Mubarak 6, Almutairi 5, Alrabah F. 5, Alrabah Rashid 4, Alkhabbaz 3, Alrabah Rashed 2, Albrahim 2, Mohammad 2.

Quarterscores: 23-10; 46-20; 73-47; 89-58

awwwwwww, i havnt been on for like a week and i find out pinas didnt make it! =|

oh well, they played well, from what i read!

GO TEAM!

One last game RP-China at 10am (Manila time) today, August 4.

GO, GO, GO TEAM PILIPINAS!!!


----------------------------------------------------
NATIONALS GEAR UP FOR WAR FOR 9TH PLACE vs. CHINA
Hurting Alapag rarin’ to suit up but Caguioa out with injured shoulder
www.pba.ph
August 3, 2007

TOKUSHIMA, Japan. – San Miguel-Pilipinas and dethroned champion China, the two most dominant forces in Asia on different decades, clash for 9th place Saturday in the 24th FIBA-Asia Championship at the ASTY Tokushima Gym.

Both teams had their final practice Friday, the Philippines first from 10-11 a.m., followed by China, from 11-12 noon. The Chinese walked into the playing venue just as the Nationals were stepping off the court. Neither team acknowledged the other, providing a hint of how they would be approaching the third and last of their virtual three-game series this year.
The two countries’ previous two meetings had virtually the same final scores.

The Mainlanders got the measure of the PBA-backed national team during the 4-Nation Manila Invitational Championship last month, winning their elimination round meeting 77-74. But the Nationals got back at the Chinese when it matter more – the FIBA-Asia,
coming back from 12 points down in their preliminary round showdown to win 79-74 and send the "Great Wall" on its knees for the first time in 22 years.

"This campaign has gone from being a quest for an Olympic berth to a quest for respect," said national coach Chot Reyes after the win over Kuwait. "And the way we play China would be a big part of that quest for respect."

Reyes added: "We're saving our best for last."

Jimmy Alapag, the lion-hearted point guard of SMC-RP, had his stiff neck rubbed with oil by a team masseur just before practice, and he spoke for the whole team.

"It was a lot worse the last two days," he said. "But our masseur has fixed it up real good so I could play one more game…one more big game. I'll be fine, we'll be fine, when China comes along,"

One won't be, however,

Mark Caguioa, who hyper-extended his right shoulder during the Syria game, will sit out the rubber match with the Chinese.

"As much as I want to play, I can't risk aggravating my injury," he said during practice. "I can't even raise my arm above my shoulders without experiencing so much pain."

Game time is set at 10:15 a.m.

While the Philippines and China, which swept their respective consolation round games, are battling for the spoils this morning, Iran – which topped the controversial Group A, where three of the top four finishers from the 2006 Doha Asian Games were lumped together, along with SMC-RP – and three other semifinal qualifiers will be getting ready for the crossover matches later in the afternoon.

Lebanon takes on South Korea at 5 p.m., while Iran battles Kazakhstan at 7:15 p.m.

Lebanon, behind the 22 points of Fadi El Khatib and the 19 of 6-11 Joseph Vogel, routed Iran, 82-60, to top Group I of the quarterfinal Friday.

Kazakhstan, on the other hand, crashed into the Final 4 by edging South Korea, 75-73, and by the grace of host Japan, which denied Jordan outright entry with a 71-68 win.

The Jordanians, coached by the belligerent Brazilian Mario Palma, had no excuse this time after trailing, 21-7, at the end of the first quarter, falling behind by as many as 20 points before scrambling in the last 10 minutes to close the gap.

Matches for meaningless rankings are set Saturday between Syria against Indonesia for 11th place, Jordan versus Qatar and Japan versus Taipei for the 5th to 8th spots, India against the United Arab Emirates for 15th, and Kuwait versus Hong Kong for 13th.

The championship is Sunday at 7:15 p.m.

We won!:banana: :banana: :banana:

2 free throws by Williams with 2 secs left!!!

RP 78-China 76!!!

http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/194/32742249bn5.jpg
http://www.fiba.com/images/web/Events/07/fibaAsia/men/photZone/evenGall/20070804/phi_chn/phi/_original/0408_PHI_ALAPAG_JIM.jpg
http://www.fiba.com/images/web/Events/07/fibaAsia/men/photZone/evenGall/20070804/phi_chn/phi/_original/0408_PHI_WILLIAMS_KELY.jpg
http://www.fiba.com/images/web/Events/07/fibaAsia/men/photZone/evenGall/20070804/phi_chn/phi/_original/0408_PHI_HONTIVEROS_DONALDO.jpg
http://www.fiba.com/images/web/Events/07/fibaAsia/men/photZone/evenGall/20070804/phi_chn/phi/_original/0408_PHI_HELTERBRAND_ANTHONY.jpg
http://www.fiba.com/images/web/Events/07/fibaAsia/men/photZone/evenGall/20070804/phi_chn/chn/_original/0408_CHN_MING_YANG.jpg
http://www.fiba.com/images/web/Events/07/fibaAsia/men/photZone/evenGall/20070804/phi_chn/chn/_original/0408_CHN_BO_WANG.jpg

I watched the game live in Tokushima City today. Ang galing ni Andy Siegle! And Gabe Norwood showed some amazing dunking during warm ups. I can also see myself in two of the pictures above.

I watched the game live in Tokushima City today. Ang galing ni Andy Siegle! And Gabe Norwood showed some amazing dunking during warm ups. I can also see myself in two of the pictures above.

Haha talaga? I didn't know you were based in Japan. Can you point yourself out in those pics? :)

Leb 76-Kor 74, F

Lebanon is going to the championship game tomorrow against the winner of the Iran-Kazakhstan game later.

pwede bang mag protesta sa FiBA??? joke....("j)

(Note: I wrote the following commentaries in another forum)

To all those people (especially the press) who will continue to say that RP beat China's Team "B" in this tournament... let me say this:

Other national teams who have beaten the RP team black and blue in previous FIBA-Asia tournaments (or other tournaments for that matter) never said mga PBL, MBA, former PBA players lang mga yan so walang kuwenta yung mga panalo nila sa atin noon. Is that what other countries thought when they won over all those RP teams of the past?

Remember that the players that we sent to these tourneys represented RP. So for the rest of the world, a win against RP was a win for them against RP. They didn't care if our ball boys, cheerleaders, team mascots or masseuse represented RP. If the players wore the RP national colors on their uniforms, they are THE RP team.

When we look back at FIBA-Asia history for example, do you see from what leagues players of past RP teams came from? Do you see "RP-Harbour Center" in the final tallies? Do you know if Shanghai Sharks represented China during a past tournament? Do you see if college players or high school amateurs represented Korea?

Will they say at the end of this FIBA-Asia tournament that 9th place went to RP Team "A"? 10th place China Team "B"? NO.

For God's sake, let us not keep saying that we only beat China's Team "B". We beat China period and be happy with it.

--------------------------------------------------------

Who labeled the Chinese team as China Team “B” in the first place?

Now that Team “B” did not pass the eliminations you would think that the Chinese may use the lame excuse na “Ok that was not our Team “A”. They only beat our Team “B”.” But no they didn’t (except for their coach… haha). The team has received a humiliating tongue-lashing from their officials and the press because the team many of you insist on calling as Team “B” represented China. In the Chinese culture, public shame is the worse thing that can happen to anyone. Some people will even commit suicide because of it.

Tayong mga Pinoy naman will say “Eh ano ngayon Team “B” lang yan tinalo natin.” Why? Because we only beat Team “B” we will collectively bury our heads in the sand?

C’mon guys. Stop all this argument about China Team “A” and Team “B”. As I said earlier, RP beat China period. The Chinese feel that way so why can’t every Pinoy look at it the same way too?

pwede bang mag protesta sa FiBA??? joke....("j)

Mag-file ka ng protest against the FIBA for the way the groupings were done? Eh by playing the first game against Iran, we threw that option out the window. Kung hindi sana sasama ako sa iyo.LOL :lol:

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/sports/view_article.php?article_id=80638

RP trips China anew, tops consolation pool
By Francis Ochoa
Inquirer
08/05/2007

TOKUSHIMA, Japan—Kelly Williams sank two free throws with 2.7 seconds left as San Miguel-RP hammered out a nail-biting 78-76 triumph over China Saturday to clinch ninth place in the Fiba Asia men’s basketball championship at the Asty Tokushima.

Williams, who was fouled as he soared for a layup on a feed by Jimmy Alapag, broke a 76-76 tie Chinese sniper Chen Chen forged with a triple and the streak of bad luck that hounded the Filipinos here ended when Wang Yong missed an open three-point shot at the buzzer.

Danny Seigle also shared the spotlight with Williams, scoring 20 points—12 in the first period alone—and making a pivotal basket in the stretch to give the Philippines a 76-73 cushion with 59 ticks remaining in the game.

“We did want to end the tournament on a good note,” said Seigle, who missed a sure ticket to the national team that played in the Busan, South Korea Asian Games after suffering a cruel torn achilles tendon just days before the squad was to depart for the event.

What followed after Chen tied the game with still 48 seconds left was a series of good breaks for the Filipinos, which offset a couple of crucial non-calls that gave China the opportunity to put the game away.

Asi Taulava’s shot in the ensuing play was tapped out of the basket off the glass by Chen, and no goal-tending violation was whistled. A foul was later slapped on Dondon Hontiveros, putting forward Li Ke, who torched the Filipinos in the final period, on the line.

Li, who was a surprise in a game that saw Taulava—notorious for rim-bending bricks from the stripe—miss just once out of eight attempts, flubbed the two freebies to keep the score knotted with 34 ticks remaining.

Alapag went for a hard drive and was bumped by two defenders on the next play. Again, no whistle. Again, San Miguel-Philippines committed a foul that put Wu Qian on the line. Again, Wu missed both freebies.

“Poetic justice,” said national coach Chot Reyes, whose boys lost in their first meeting with the Chinese in a special four-nation tournament in Manila just before this championship when Alapag blew two charities in the dying seconds.

“I think [with the win], we gained some measure of respect from the other 16 participating teams,” said team manager Robert Non. “This team showed that it is worth supporting and San Miguel will always be ready to support the national team.”

“Nobody can boast of having beaten China twice in this tournament,” said PBA commissioner Noli Eala, adding that the victory helped salve the wounds that Seigle said will remain open and raw up until a week after all this is over.

The Filipinos, who took an early 75-69 decision from Iran, beat the Chinese, represented by their B team, in their first meeting here, 79-74, but a loss to Jordan the next day relegated them to the consolation round pool.

NOTES: Legendary China point guard Adiljian, who is the head coach of the Chinese in this tournament, said through an interpreter that he is not sad with the Chinese finish in the tournament. China, the defending champion, ranked 10th after the loss Saturday. “I know very well the growth and the improvement of Asian basketball and I came into the tournament expecting this result,” Adiljian said. China was hoping to get two or three players from this team and elevate them to Team A, but it looks as if only willowy 6-foot-8 forward Yi Li has a shot at making the first squad... The Philippines ended the tournament with a 5-2 record. It is the country’s best finish since a seventh-place by RP in the 1991 tournament held in Kobe, Japan.

The scores:

SAN MIGUEL-RP 78—Seigle 20, Williams 14, Hontiveros 13, Taulava 13, Alapag 8, Raymundo 6, Norwood 2, Helterbrand 2, Menk 0, Ritualo 0, Pennisi 0.

CHINA 76—Zhang 16, Li 13, Yi 8, M. Yang 8, Han 7, Y. Wang 6, C. Chen 5, Wu 5, B. Wang 4, Gu 4, Bian 0.

Quarters: 19-22, 36-38, 59-61, 78-76

---------------------------------------------------
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Sports&p=49&type=2&sec=30&aid=20070804187

RP five repeats over China

By Nelson Beltran
Sunday, August 5, 2007 TOKUSHIMA, Japan – For San Miguel-Team Pilipinas, no consolation is bigger than this.

The RP quintet bucked tremendous odds, bad breaks and unfavorable calls as they repeated over the Chinese, hacking out a gripping 78-76 win to finish ninth in the 2007 FIBA-Asia men’s championship at Asty Tokushima here yesterday.

Kelly Williams canned in two charities with time down to 2.7 seconds and the team watched Yong Wang miss a potential game-winning three-point attempt at the buzzer as the Nationals squeaked past the Chinese, ending their stint here on a good note.

Sweeping four games in the classification round after narrowly missing the quarterfinals, the RP team matched the country’s ninth-place finish in 1997 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

“This is a modest gift but I hope the Filipino people will accept this. If they’re here, they can see how we fought despite the odds. Injuries and all, the boys came through, beating China one more time,” said coach Chot Reyes.

“This is a great way to end the tourney. I think no other team can boast beating China twice in one tourney. I’m proud of the team. We’ve shown that we can compete with anybody. Hopefully, the next time around, we’ll be playing for more than ninth place,” said delegation head Noli Eala.

“The team is worth supporting. They did their best. What we have achieved here is some measure of respect. This is our (the PBA’s) first time in FIBA-Asia and we’ve done the first part of our journey to the championship.

Hopefully, the next national team will nurture the respect we’ve gained here leading to winning the championship,” said team manager Robert Non.

The RP team finished with a decent 5-2 win-loss record overall with two victories over China, one each against Syria, India and Kuwait and close defeats to Iran and Jordan.

“Come to think of it, we can finish tied for second in terms of cumulative win-loss record. Pwedeng sabihin madali ang ibang nakalaban namin sa consolation round, pero yung pumasok sa quarterfinals, magaan ang pinagdaanan sa elimination round,” said Reyes.

“To me, when we leave Tokushima, we’ve already achieved a part of what we’re here for. Maybe, with a little stroke of luck and a friendly whistle, we would have been in the finals,” said Eala.

Just the right whistle actually didn’t come the RP team’s way at the finish. A clear goal-tending and backing violations by the Chinese were let go by the referees putting the Nationals on pins and needles in the closing seconds.

But the Nationals did get some good breaks with the Chinese bungling six free throws in the last 1:22 of play – four with the count tied at 76-all in the last 34 seconds.

Taking possession in the last 15 seconds, the Nationals went to Williams who drove strong to the basket and gained a trip to the line on a foul by Ke Li. The Sta. Lucia Fil-Am forward coolly made both charities as the Nationals took the lead and held on to the finish to hand the young Chinese team another heart-rending defeat.

Actually, the Chinese still managed to take a decent attempt to salvage the game but Wang’s open three-point attempt rimmed out at the buzzer.

“I do not know how he even got open,” said assistant coach Jong Uichico, temporarily haunted by his sad Busan experience.

It was a fierce battle from the start with no team leading by more than six points.

Down by five at 64-69, the Nationals worked on a decisive 10-2 run to surge ahead at 74-71 entering the homestretch.

Kor 80 - Kaz 76, F

Korea wins the bronze, gets 3rd place.

IRI 74- LEB 69, F

Iran gets gold, is the champion.

:wtf: Whose arguing? :jk:

Anyway, what you said is true. We beat China period. Doesn't matter whether or not Yao was there, the players that were on the roaster represented China.

:wtf: Whose arguing? :jk:

Anyway, what you said is true. We beat China period. Doesn't matter whether or not Yao was there, the players that were on the roaster represented China.

Hehe don't worry @diz no one is fighting in this thread. The arguing is in other forums not in the SSC. I wrote that addressed to them. :)

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Sports&p=49&type=2&sec=30

RP loss a humbling experience – Chot
By Nelson Beltran
Monday, August 6, 2007 TOKUSHIMA – They came, they saw and they’re going home with an unfulfilled dream.

It was a Beijing Olympic aspiration, nurtured for five months with all-out support, gone with the Tokushima wind just in three games here.

To coach Chot Reyes, it was gone in 32 minutes.

“You can put everything that happened in 32 minutes. I don’t know how long the FIBA draw went but maybe it’s a 10-minute exercise. Then count the first 20 minutes and the last two minutes of the Iran game. It all boiled down to that,” said Reyes.

“We had the bad luck in the draw. We started very sluggishly and very tight against Iran then we caught some bad breaks in the last two minutes. I think we can summarize into that the whole experience,” Reyes added.
Reyes, however, said it was a humbling experience that they should accept and reflect on.

He stressed he’s taking full responsibility for the loss. But asked to analyze what had happened, Reyes thought they faced tremendous pressure playing their first major international competition.

“When we started the program, we planned to play the 2005 FIBA-Asia, hopefully qualify for the 2006 World Championship and then play in the 2007 FIBA-Asia. In the original plan, this should have been our third big international competition. The first two didn’t materialize and we’re thrust in a situation where this is our first major international competition and we’re not ready,” said Reyes.

“I’m not only referring to the players but even me personally as a coach. I think the fact that we’re thrust into our first big international competition really told heavily. We saw that in the first 20 minutes of the Iran game, how tight we were. I think pressure is the word to use that we’re not able to execute,” Reyes added.

“Still we came within a call or two of turning it around. After that it was too hard. The loss to Iran, the tough win over China, injuries to Asi (Taulava), Kelly (Williams) and Kerby (Raymundo). It was just too hard to ask for a win against Jordan. I guess that what explained the loss.”

With full support from San Miguel Corp., the Nationals got the best preparation for the Tokushima joust. But the breaks just didn’t go their way.

And it all started in the draw. Even the foreign coaches of Jordan and Iran never stopped questioning the result of the draw that had them bracketed with the Philippines and China in the Group of Death.

The Nationals went on to beat the Chinese for top placing in the consolation round. Iran was to play Lebanon for the crown while Jordan had a crack at fifth place.

“That’s why all the more nakakapanghinayang. But looking back at what happened to Jordan. Who knows we can pass the group pero hindi rin aabot sa semis, dahil sa hirap talaga ng pinagdaanan sa group plays pa lang,” said Reyes.

“Noong kami ni coach Tim (Cone in the 1998 Bangkok Asiad), may Malaysia in the elims and Uzbekistan in the quarters. Then si Jong (Uichico in 2002 Busan Asiad) naman, may UAE. We had ‘gimme’ games. There were situations that you can afford to play a bad game and still make it through.

Here, we couldn’t afford that bad start against Iran,” Reyes added.
Reyes, however, is hopeful dreams of a return to the Olympic Games one day should continue to be nurtured.

“It’s been a hell of experience, very painful. But if have to do it all over again, I wouldn’t hesitate. I’ll do it again in a heartbeat if given the chance. Except huwag sana ma-suspend uli ang Pilipinas. It’s beyond my control,” he said.

Reyes is not against suggestions that we follow the program of most of the Middle Eastern teams – hire naturalized player and a foreign coach.

“Can we benefit from foreign coaches? Yes. I think it’s not a coincidence that the two teams fighting for the championship here are under foreign coaches,” said Reyes.

------------------------------------------------------------
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/sports/view_article.php?article_id=80795

Chot rues result of Filipinos’ 5-month buildup
Gone in 32 minutes
By Francis Ochoa
Inquirer
08/06/2007

TOKUSHIMA, JAPAN -- When the dust had settled enough for national coach Chot Reyes to have a clear look at the FIBA Asia men’s basketball championship, what he saw was a five-month training program that was decided in about 30 minutes.

“I don’t know how long the FIBA Asia draw went but, maybe, it was a 10-minute exercise,” said the San Miguel-RP head mentor. “Plus that first 20 minutes of the Iran game. We can encapsulize everything that happened here in those 30 minutes.”

Okay, so maybe Iran blew past the Philippines really in the third period, outscoring the Filipinos, 21-11, to take a 51-35 lead into the fourth quarter.

But what Reyes meant was that Iran did not have the finest of starts to a game. It’s just that the RP team couldn’t do anything to take advantage. And when the second half came, the Filipinos still couldn’t shake off the jitters.

And getting behind by 15 going into the final period is not the best way to survive the so-called Group of Death.

Jordan made it past the Group of Death and into the quarterfinals, but almost a week after advancing, Jordan coach Mario Palma was still hitting FIBA officials for allowing such a group to be formed.

So yes, 30 minutes. That, Reyes said, is how short it took to undo what it took five months to create.

“Actually it’s 32 minutes,” Reyes corrected himself. “You can put everything that happened into those 32 minutes.”

The additional two minutes refers to the final moments of the Iran match when, at the height of a rally that had the Nationals coming within a point twice, a Greek referee whistled the RP bench for a technical foul.

Strangely, Mark Caguioa did not even mention it: “We just played like a different team.”

Because maybe, there’s more to the loss than just one bad call. Or 32 minutes of bad breaks. Like, for instance, as Reyes admitted, the fact that the country is still trying to rebuild a basketball image turned to rubble by in-fighting.

Now, Reyes is hoping that the program continues so that RP basketball can develop.

Reyes, who owned up to the failure, even suggested that a foreign coach might be very well in order for the national team.

“I don’t think it’s coincidence that a lot of the teams that are doing well in this tournament have foreign coaches,” said Reyes.

Of the eight quarterfinalists, half stuck it out with local coaches. And none of them --Japan, South Korea, Chinese Taipei and Kazakhstan -- made it to the finals. Iran and Lebanon slugged it out for the championship.

Kind of a let down that Golden State lost the Kevin Garnett race and traded Richardson to boot. So far they have signed draftees Wright, Perovic, and Belinelli, free agent Croshere, and (resigned) Barnes. This is not enough talent which is why I'm looking forward to what they will eventually do with their $10M trade exception. I hope they are still able to make a good trade (a Point Guard or Power Forward) to help the team be even more competitive in the highly competitive Western Conference. Otherwise they might end up being a lottery team once more.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/sports/view_article.php?article_id=80990

We’re sorry: An open letter from RP five
By Francis Ochoa
Inquirer
08/07/2007

TOKUSHIMA, JAPAN -- When the smiles were a little bit wider, and the laughter a little bit more genuine than when the wound of an Olympic failure was fresh, players of the San Miguel-RP team that finished in ninth place realized Saturday night just who they were accountable for.

The Filipino basketball fan.

Not only was it the hopes of their countrymen they were fighting for, but the salaries they earn from the PBA, the ones that help them maintain cushy lifestyles, all come from consumer cash.

And so, just before leaving a Japanese countryside that will be forever known in their hearts as the graveyard of dreams, the players drafted a virtual open letter—one recorded in video—to their countrymen.

And naturally, it opened this way:

Dear Filipino basketball fan,

“Sorry,” said Asi Taulava. “We know we disappointed the country. We’re sorry things didn’t work out the way they were supposed to be.”

“I hope you understand we came up a little short,” said Jimmy Alapag.

“We just want to say sorry that we came up short,” said Jayjay Helterbrand.

“I wish the outcome was different,” said Danny Seigle.

The apologies, of course, were for finishing No. 1 in the consolation round pool of the Olympic-qualifying tournament. The whole country had hoped that the team would bag the title and book a slot for a cameo appearance in the Beijing 2008 edition of the Games.

“Ginawa po namin ang lahat, pero di natin inabot ang ating minimithi na Olympic dream (We did everything we could but we failed to reach the Olympic dream that we really aspired for),” said Kerby Raymundo.

“We’re very disappointed but we tried our best,” said Mick Pennisi.

Though no one offered excuses, the players’ open letter did offer a peek at the bright side.

“I hope our play here in Tokushima has made everybody proud,” said Alapag. “I think we earned our respect through the Asian countries in basketball. Hopefully this is just the first step.”

“Even though we lost, we still had a record of five (wins) and two (losses),” said Mark Caguioa.

“I hope you guys had a glimpse of what’s coming for the national team,” said Kelly Williams.

“We did the best we could to make you guys proud,” said Erik Menk.

Not that they’re expecting any sympathy in return.

“Kahit di natin nakuha yung spot natin sa Olympics, nandun pa rin kayo (Even if we didn’t get the Olympic spot, you were always there),” said Dondon Hontiveros.

“Nandiyan pa rin kayo, kahit manalo, matalo (You’re still there, even if we win or lose),” said Renren Ritualo.

“Maraming salamat sa pag-suporta niyo sa RP team, sa last five months na sakripisyo (Thanks for supporting the RP team during the last five months of sacrifice),” said Ranidel De Ocampo.

“We may not have been blessed, but we still appreciate your support,” said James Yap.

And then in the ashes of defeat, they dug up hope for the future.

“The journey isn’t over, it’s just the start,” said Gabe Norwood.

“The Philippines will make the Oympics soon,” said Tony dela Cruz.

Of course, what would an open letter be without:

“We love you guys very much,” said Helterbrand.

Signed, the Philippine national team.

And for the traditional p.s.: “I just wish the younger guys the best of luck and remember that they’re representing the country and not just their individual selves,” said Taulava.

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/08072007/sports01.html
Mind Games
BASKETBALL IS A PASSION. BUT AFTER THE FALL IN TOKUSHIMA, GREGORIO WANTS TO MAKE THE NATIONAL SPORT MORE ABOUT HEAD THAN HEART
By Dominic Menor
Business Mirror
August 7, 2007

TOKUSHIMA—It’s like selling a jacket in the Sahara.

But of course, it’s long been proven that basketball can still thrive even in a vertically challenged country like the Philippines.

So after yet another devastating loss for an RP team in international competition, the next job of Patrick Gregorio, secretary-general of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP), is to strengthen diplomatic ties within the international basketball community, to start building a winning program and to maintain it, to constantly be on the good side of corporate sponsors, and, above all, manage expectations of 80 million people, whose hopes for basketball glory are waning at an alarming rate.

Putting up a jacket enterprise in the desert is beginning to sound more feasible.

“I’ve heard comments from friends who say ‘we’ve always done it this way ’,” Gregorio, who wants to clarify he is only “on leave” as chief marketing officer of Microtel, says.

“But I’m stubborn, I say it’s time we try it this way.”

Easier said than done? It wouldn’t be on Gregorio’s lap if it was easy in the first place.

Coming from a tourism person, what should be the right approach to become more familiar with the FIBA surroundings?

It’s our role to take the lead in doing this. The players, the coaches will strategize to win but the federation will now try to win the hearts and compassion of people outside the court. It’s about mutual respect. If we can reach out and say we’re happy to be back in FIBA and support its projects and promote its ideals, then that’s a good start. Simply put, it is PR work. And that’s our background, that’s been my life the past 20 years. PR work equates to international relations.

Generally, we want to avoid corroding any further the Philippines’ relationship with the FIBA. What kind of measures will the federation take to help nurture that relationship?

We anticipated this—you know, how to improve the relations. The past few weeks I’ve processed that already and definitely with the support of the whole federation, we’ll put up strict guidelines and measures whenever we send teams abroad whether men’s, juniors’ or women’s.

I’m not hesitant to admit this is a good eye-opener. I had ideas before we left, but I didn’t have the basis for them. But after this experience, we know better. It didn’t take us long enough to understand. Basically, what I want to say is the role of the federation is to reach out to the local stakeholders and the international community that we are all one.

What are your thoughts on the tournament (the FIBA-Asia Championships)?

As far as the game is concerned, we did not get the breaks. It started with the draw, then we didn’t get the calls from the referees. But one thing is for sure, it never entered my mind that anybody cheated us. It would be unfair to say that. Maybe it’s just not part of our destiny to win this one.

We did our best. We trained hard. We spent money with the support of San Miguel, Mr. Pangilinan and PLDT. We just didn’t get the breaks. But we’ve only just begun. The best is yet to come, and this time, we will address the issues and use the existing opportunities that are available to make us more competitive.

Most of the time, people describe your background [as a tourism guy] as similar to your job as secretary-general. But what are the differences, and how have you adjusted to those differences?

Now, everybody is looking at us. Because it’s a national sport, it’s the passion of Filipinos, you will now have critics and detractors. I don’t mind. It’s part of it. Let me put it this way, in the next couple of months, as secretary-general of the SBP with the support of Mr. Pangilinan and the board of trustees, we will manage the federation in a creative way, out of the box, following the guidelines of FIBA. It’s implementing and strengthening by putting in management expertise, and for us to be successful we should not be afraid to fail or to try new things.

I’ve heard comments from friends who say “we’ve always done it this way.” But I’m stubborn, I say it’s time we try it this way. I’m not afraid to make mistakes because you achieve a higher level of success. [I]Kaysa ’yung tumaya ka piso, nanalo ka piso. So that’s my mindset. As I’ve said, we know what we need to do. The next question is, will we do it? And why do we ask these questions? Because we’re concerned of the repercussions. Everybody is watching. It’s managing expectations. It’s assuring everybody that everything will be okay, because there’s no way to go but up.

Why should corporations still believe in the Philippine basketball?

Because it’s a national sport, it’s a way of life. If I’m the CEO of a corporation, or the chief marketing officer, what is my objective? It is for you the consumer to be close to my product, my brand to become a superbrand. And how do we define superbrands?

When you have choices where to eat because you are hungry. Tumingin ka around you, logo pa lang like McDonald’s or Jolibee alam mo na du’n tayo pupunta. Or when you say ’yung endearment, ’yung attachment. Kodakan tayo? Or ****-Xerox nga ’to?

These are superbrands, ganu’n din ang basketball. When you can watch it three or four times a week. You open the TV, and you see a basketball game. As a brand, you want to be part of your market’s way of life. The challenge now is to become a superbrand, you have to be seen as a winner. The biggest challenge lies in people who will always be passionate when they feel victorious, because you can’t be passionate kung palagi kang talo.

That challenge is now the problem we have to solve.

Obviously the financial pie is this “big,” why do you think there’s an imbalance?

Because of the love of basketball, nothing else. I think the older generations have made the sport popular as it is now. We started when we were winning, so nandu’n na ’yung attachment. Then we had the first professional league in Asia . But it’s not enough. We have to sustain that, so we have to start winning again.

Obviously, people were disappointed that the team fell short. From where you sit, how painful was it?

It was painful because I did not only fail, pero ’yung mga taong umasa, we failed them.

’Yung initial reaction na ang daming umasa, nanalangin, at nalungkot. ’Yun ang masakit. Du’n mo mari-realize na parte talaga ng buhay ng Pilipino, basketball. But I’d rather push the pain up here [points to head], and analyze how we can improve, how we can win. The desire to win emanates from the heart, but it’s just desire. When you fail, you start using your head.

This is just in.. NOLI EALA RESIGNED AS COMMISSIONER OF PBA.. It happened at around 3:00 P.M. August 7, 2007.

Noli Eala quits as PBA commissioner
08/07/2007 | 05:09 PM

Noli Eala has resigned from his post as commissioner of the Philippine Basketball Association, barely a week after the Supreme Court disbarred him for having had sexual relations with a married woman, according to report aired by DZMM on Tuesday.

Player agent Danny Espiritu, a friend of Eala's, said he was saddened on learning of Eala's resignation. But in a live phone interview aired on Tuesday over PTV's Teledyaryo, he admired Eala's voluntary resignation.

"That's the best move... rather than waiting for the [PBA] board of governors to decide his fate," Espiritu said.

Last August 1, the Supreme Court disbarred Eala whom it found to have "immorally" maintained sexual relations with a married woman.

In a nine-page per curiam decision, the high tribunal set aside a resolution of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines board of governors dismissing a disbament case against Eala.

Instead, magistrates found that Eala, a married man himself, "showed disrespect for an institution held sacred by the law" and "betrayed his unfitness to be a lawyer."

Eala admitted having a relationship with Irene Moje, then the wife of complainant Joselano Guevarra, but had insisted that it was "low profile and known only to members of their respective families."

He also admitted personal knowledge about the certificate of live birth of his daughter with Moje.

The SC ruled that it was "sufficiently prove[n] that there was indeed an illicit relationship between respondent and Irene which resulted in the birth of the child."

It noted that Eala never denied having an adulterous relationship with Moje. What Eala only said, the SC said, was that he never flaunted their affair.

"Without doubt, the adulterous relationship between respondent and Irene has been sufficiently proven by more than clearly preponderant evidence," the high bench said. - GMANews.TV

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/54807/Noli-Eala-quits-as-PBA-commissioner

:dj:

yup.. dapat lang

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/sports/view_article.php?article_id=80996

Gentle Gabe knows where his heart is
By Francis Ochoa
Inquirer
8/07/2007

TOKUSHIMA, JAPAN -- If Gabe Norwood felt at home with the Philippine team that finished ninth in the FIBA Asia Championship, it was for a reason that isn’t too difficult to comprehend.

Norwood was home.

And there were two reasons to it.

In basketball terms, Norwood found something familiar about the San Miguel-RP squad. The team was an underdog hoping to survive a dog-eat-dog, 16-nation tournament offering the ultimate price: A slot in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

“Being an underdog is something I got used to in college,” Norwood said.
The willowy 6-foot-5 playmaker was the starting guard of George Mason University two years ago, when the school made one of the most improbable runs in US NCAA history. A no-name in the Sweet 16, George Mason reached the Final Four until its Cinderella run was halted by eventual champion Florida.

“Still, playing there taught me that anybody can beat anybody,” Norwood said. “I honestly felt that way coming into the tournament.”

And then there’s the other reason why Norwood felt so at home with the Philippine team. Because there was never a moment in his life that he felt detached from the country.

“I’m a very grounded person,” said the 22-year-old swingman. “My parents taught me well the importance of family and of knowing where you’re from.”
How grounded is he? Instead of wearing a cloak of self-importance after having made it to a US NCAA Final Four game, the one thing Norwood, who led the State College Area High School in Pennsylvannia to the state title, is quick to point out about his college career was that: “I was not heavily recruited. George Mason was the only Division I school that offered me a scholarship.”

Norwood helped add ceiling to a wing rotation that often got dwarfed in the tournament. And even as a RP team rookie, he had memorable big games that veterans would pay to have. Norwood had 18 points, five rebounds and five assists, showcasing his all-around talent in an 89-58 rout of Kuwait. He also had 23 points and five rebounds and four assists in a 104-69 dismantling of India.

And a lot of the things he does doesn’t even reflect in the stat sheet.
Everything he does for a passion because of one reason.

“Every game has been an opportunity to take the court for the country,” Norwood said.

He never even had to worry about the questions he might have to face as a Fil-Am reinforcing the RP squad. In fact, while basketball officials were sweating nervously trying to process his papers in time to make him eligible to play for the country, Norwood was relaxed.

“I know I am Filipino,” Norwood said. “Even if the documents didn’t clear me, that would only be a piece of paper saying I’m not. But I know I am and I am proud to have the right to represent the country.”

He dreams of making it to the NBA, although not this year.

“There are many invitations to try out in Europe and in the States and my agent and I will discuss them,” Norwood said. “But I let him know where my heart is.”

His heart is home.

This is just in.. NOLI EALA RESIGNED AS COMMISSIONER OF PBA.. It happened at around 3:00 P.M. August 7, 2007.

Noli Eala quits as PBA commissioner
08/07/2007 | 05:09 PM

Noli Eala has resigned from his post as commissioner of the Philippine Basketball Association, barely a week after the Supreme Court disbarred him for having had sexual relations with a married woman, according to report aired by DZMM on Tuesday.

Player agent Danny Espiritu, a friend of Eala's, said he was saddened on learning of Eala's resignation. But in a live phone interview aired on Tuesday over PTV's Teledyaryo, he admired Eala's voluntary resignation.

"That's the best move... rather than waiting for the [PBA] board of governors to decide his fate," Espiritu said.

Last August 1, the Supreme Court disbarred Eala whom it found to have "immorally" maintained sexual relations with a married woman.

In a nine-page per curiam decision, the high tribunal set aside a resolution of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines board of governors dismissing a disbament case against Eala.

Instead, magistrates found that Eala, a married man himself, "showed disrespect for an institution held sacred by the law" and "betrayed his unfitness to be a lawyer."

Eala admitted having a relationship with Irene Moje, then the wife of complainant Joselano Guevarra, but had insisted that it was "low profile and known only to members of their respective families."

He also admitted personal knowledge about the certificate of live birth of his daughter with Moje.

The SC ruled that it was "sufficiently prove[n] that there was indeed an illicit relationship between respondent and Irene which resulted in the birth of the child."

It noted that Eala never denied having an adulterous relationship with Moje. What Eala only said, the SC said, was that he never flaunted their affair.

"Without doubt, the adulterous relationship between respondent and Irene has been sufficiently proven by more than clearly preponderant evidence," the high bench said. - GMANews.TV

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/54807/Noli-Eala-quits-as-PBA-commissioner



Noli Eala's resignation is sad news but he did what was expected of him in order to shield the organization (PBA) he headed. It was a good thing his disbarment case did not distract our campaign in the recent FIBA-Asia games and the announcement of his resignation came after the tournament.

To Noli: Thank you for skillfully steering the PBA to new heights the last few years. Thank you for strengthening the PBA's commitment to help the Philippines attain a higher goal of going to the Olympics and not just the Asian Games. Thank you too for helping the Philippines get out of the 2-year FIBA ban imposed on the country as a result of the old BAP's ineptitude!

Danny Siegle after the win over China for ninth place.

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f7/bkatoots/FIBA%20Tokushima/Basketball07052.jpg

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/sports/view_article.php?article_id=80996

Gentle Gabe knows where his heart is
By Francis Ochoa
Inquirer
8/07/2007

TOKUSHIMA, JAPAN -- If Gabe Norwood felt at home with the Philippine team that finished ninth in the FIBA Asia Championship, it was for a reason that isn’t too difficult to comprehend.

Norwood was home.

And there were two reasons to it.

In basketball terms, Norwood found something familiar about the San Miguel-RP squad. The team was an underdog hoping to survive a dog-eat-dog, 16-nation tournament offering the ultimate price: A slot in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

“Being an underdog is something I got used to in college,” Norwood said.
The willowy 6-foot-5 playmaker was the starting guard of George Mason University two years ago, when the school made one of the most improbable runs in US NCAA history. A no-name in the Sweet 16, George Mason reached the Final Four until its Cinderella run was halted by eventual champion Florida.

“Still, playing there taught me that anybody can beat anybody,” Norwood said. “I honestly felt that way coming into the tournament.”

And then there’s the other reason why Norwood felt so at home with the Philippine team. Because there was never a moment in his life that he felt detached from the country.

“I’m a very grounded person,” said the 22-year-old swingman. “My parents taught me well the importance of family and of knowing where you’re from.”
How grounded is he? Instead of wearing a cloak of self-importance after having made it to a US NCAA Final Four game, the one thing Norwood, who led the State College Area High School in Pennsylvannia to the state title, is quick to point out about his college career was that: “I was not heavily recruited. George Mason was the only Division I school that offered me a scholarship.”

Norwood helped add ceiling to a wing rotation that often got dwarfed in the tournament. And even as a RP team rookie, he had memorable big games that veterans would pay to have. Norwood had 18 points, five rebounds and five assists, showcasing his all-around talent in an 89-58 rout of Kuwait. He also had 23 points and five rebounds and four assists in a 104-69 dismantling of India.

And a lot of the things he does doesn’t even reflect in the stat sheet.
Everything he does for a passion because of one reason.

“Every game has been an opportunity to take the court for the country,” Norwood said.

He never even had to worry about the questions he might have to face as a Fil-Am reinforcing the RP squad. In fact, while basketball officials were sweating nervously trying to process his papers in time to make him eligible to play for the country, Norwood was relaxed.

“I know I am Filipino,” Norwood said. “Even if the documents didn’t clear me, that would only be a piece of paper saying I’m not. But I know I am and I am proud to have the right to represent the country.”

He dreams of making it to the NBA, although not this year.

“There are many invitations to try out in Europe and in the States and my agent and I will discuss them,” Norwood said. “But I let him know where my heart is.”

His heart is home.

^^ :lol:
Norwood a Filipino? His grandmother was filipino... that makes him what, 1/8th?

japan nga me player na sakuragi e.... anime yun a??

You're nephew?

Danny Siegle after the win over China for ninth place.

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f7/bkatoots/FIBA%20Tokushima/Basketball07052.jpg

*sobs in the corner*

theres always 2012 :D !

Garnett, Pierce, Allen. Who else you'd say?

-----------------------------------------------------------

Celtics trying to lure Reggie Miller out of retirement
August 8, 2007
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=Asx_fhVn_peALpm1z.qnHJ.LvLYF?slug=txcelticsmiller&prov=st&type=lgns

Can Kevin Garnett have company in Beantown?

Reggie Miller is considering a return to the NBA, according to a report Wednesday on ESPN.com.

Miller, the all-time leader in 3-pointers and one of the best clutch shooters in NBA history, has been retired since the end of the 2004-05 season. He has been working as a television analyst for TNT.

According to the report, Miller, who turns 42 years old on August 24, has been approached about coming out of retirement to join the revamped roster of the Boston Celtics.

The report said Miller was asked by Celtics executive director Danny Ainge and coach Doc Rivers about joining the team in a reserve role, playing about 15 minutes a game.

According to the report, Miller is calling friends and peers, seeking their advice and listening to their feedback before he makes his decision.

Miller spent all 18 of his seasons with the Indiana Pacers, never having won a championship. But perhaps appealing to him may be the idea of having a chance to win a title with the Celtics.

The once-proud Celtics, who won their 16th title over two decades ago in 1986, have revamped their roster this offseason, acquiring Garnett and Ray Allen, a pair of perennial All-Stars. Garnett and Allen join talented forward Paul Pierce, giving the Celtics a legitimate chance to compete for a title in the weak Eastern Conference.

A five-time All-Star, Miller is 13th on NBA's all-time scoring list with 25,279 points. He holds the record for 3-pointers made with 2,560 and is seventh all-time in games played with 1,323.

In 1994, Miller started to build his reputation as a clutch player, when he scored 25 of his playoff career-high 39 points in the fourth quarter in Game Five of the Eastern Conference finals against the New York Knicks. The following season in the conference semifinals against the Knicks, he scored eight straight points in final 8.9 seconds to rally the Pacers to a victory.

But Miller's most memorable playoff effort may have come in Game Four of the 1998 conference finals, when he was not called for pushing off on Michael Jordan before stepping back and nailing a 3-pointer to give the Pacers a 96-94 victory over the Chicago Bulls.

In 2000, Miller helped lead the Pacers to their only appearance in the NBA Finals.

aba aba.. kaya pa kaya ni Miller?? parang makakalas na buto nyan..

^^ Yup wala nang bench ang Celtics after this trade. Panay scrubs ang natira kanya mahihirapan pa din sila lalo na kung may ma-injure sa big three.

kung ganoon tulad lang rin sa Timberwolves 2 to 3 players lang tapos wala na...... ummm what's the deal w/ Kevin in Boston?

Eto pala ang hayupak na referee kanya natalo ang GoldenState sa Utah eh! :bash: :bash: :bash:

What's next? 10 Q&A on the NBA's gambling scandal
By Chris Sheridan
ESPN.com
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=sheridan_chris&id=2948746

As we await the next chapter in the NBA gambling controversy, what we still don't know -- and what commissioner David Stern claims he still does not know -- is exactly which games alleged fixer Tim Donaghy might have compromised, and in what manner Donaghy might have affected the outcomes of those games.

That information is presumably known only by Donaghy, his attorney and some mobsters, although it might have been passed along to prosecutors if Donaghy already is cooperating with them.

ESPN.com spoke Wednesday with two high-profile attorneys -- one a former federal prosecutor now litigating NBA-related issues, the other a lawyer who worked closely with the NBA in the past. They offered insight into what's ahead for Donaghy, and when the details of Donaghy's transgressions might become public.

We'll use their guidance to maneuver through the first few items in the following list of the Top 10 questions moving forward in the Tim Donaghy scandal.

1. What's next?

The ball will get rolling again once Donaghy delivers himself to the feds, but The New York Times is reporting today that a surrender might not take place until next week.

2. What exactly happens when Donaghy surrenders?

If Donaghy has worked out a deal with the government, the feds likely will bring him in quietly, arrest him and process him (Donaghy likely would have to spend 4-5 hours in a cell while he waits to be fingerprinted and photographed and have his paperwork processed). After that he would go before a federal magistrate and plead guilty to a charge previously agreed to by his attorney and prosecutors. He would then be released on bail, and his sentencing put on hold.

3. Would the NBA games worked by Donaghy be mentioned in the criminal complaint?

Probably not. When defendants are cooperating with prosecutors, they typically plead guilty to charges contained in what's known as a "skeletal complaint." As its name suggests, a skeletal complaint contains very few details.

4. And what would happen to Donaghy after that?

His sentencing could be put off until he is finished cooperating with prosecutors, which might entail him testifying at a trial of the mobsters with which he is alleged to have been associated.

At Donaghy's sentencing, he would be required to make a statement to the court acknowledging exactly what he did to break the law. Donaghy might not be compelled to detail exactly which games might have been influenced, so the info conceivably could remain a mystery even after his sentencing (although the FBI's files on the investigation become public record once the agency declares it a closed case).

5. So it could be years before we know the exact games?

Perhaps so, unless Stern wants to make that information public. But Stern said Tuesday, "I do not know the number of games. I do not know which games." In that case, it becomes a question of whether and when the FBI is going to pass that information along to Stern.

6. But what's stopping Stern from sitting on that information once it is made known to him?

Nothing, really. But if the commissioner is going to fulfill his pledge to keep the public informed on the developments in this case, he owes it to the fans to tell them the truth. And until the public is told exactly which games might have been compromised, there will remain an element of mystery here that's just too big for many folks to get past.

So no matter what Stern does to reform the refereeing system, I believe a substantial number of people aren't going to listen to him make promises about the future until he reconciles exactly what happened in the past.

7. When might Stern know all the details?

It's impossible to say.

One of the only people who actually could answer every question Stern has is Donaghy himself, which brings up an interesting point: If Donaghy wants to curry favor with the judge who eventually will sentence him, it'll work in his favor if he's able to tell the court that he sat down with one of his victims (the NBA) and spilled his guts.

But Donaghy would not be permitted to speak to the NBA unless prosecutors allowed it.

8. How will Stern try to fix things?

He's going to have to find a way to restore the public's confidence in his referees, and to that end he spoke Tuesday of being "transparent" in going forward.

Here's one suggested solution: Make all the referees' postgame reports public by posting them on the Web.

Here's another: Lift the restrictions on referees speaking publicly. If there's a disputed call at the end of the game, let the sideline reporters interview the lead ref.

Stern has to find a way to humanize these guys, and the NBA has to share more of its referee data with the public.

9. What new policies or systems will they put in place?

The NBA will spend the rest of the summer thinking about that, but one thing seems clear: The league office is going to have to improve the way it communicates with and monitors the gambling industry, since those people -- not only the Nevada state regulators, but the guys who set the lines, too -- are the ones best trained to spot something suspicious.

10. Is the public going to turn away from the NBA because of this scandal?

By some measures, the general American public has been turning away since the end of the Bulls' dynasty, and this fiasco isn't going to help bring it back.

Perhaps the first thing the league needs to do is worry about restoring its integrity with the fans who have stuck around, because if those folks start abandoning the sport, the hardcore customer base begins to shrink. And the hardcore fans are the lifeblood of any professional sports league.

ok na rin dito sino yung player na huli ng score shaving ?

Mods, please change thread title to "The Philippine Basketball Thread". Kindly remove the phrase "(RP Teams' Olympic Quest)". Thanks!!!


http://businessmirror.com.ph/08232007/sports03.html

SEAG Nationals See Action in Brunei
By Dennis Principe
Business Mirror
August 23, 2007

PHILIPPINE Basketball League (PBL) commissioner Chino Trinidad challenged members of the national team to prove they are deserving of their berths on the squad that will be sent to the 24th Southeast Asian Games in Thailand in December.

Trinidad yesterday dropped by the Greenmeadows Gym to watch the Harbour Centre-backed national squad play an exhibition match against Philippine Basketball Association crowd favorite Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings.

The Nationals won, 77-68.

With the Gin Kings leading 64-60 with less than five minutes remaining, Christian Coronel buried a three-pointer that ignited the Nationals’ strong finishing kick. The RP squad outscored the Gin Kings, 18-4, in that stretch.

“Nakita ko ’yung improvement sa pag-ikot ng bola at mga movements nila. Pero siyempre humihingi pa tayo ng mas matinding effort from them because this not about their individual careers. Para sa bayan ang laban natin dito,” said Trinidad.

The RP Team will leave today for Brunei to compete in the seventh Brunei Cup scheduled from August 25 to September 2.

The Nationals will compete against another PBA squad Sta. Lucia Realtors, Jordan All-Stars, LG Sakers, Darwin Airport Resort All Star and Singapore Slingers in Brunei.

Named to the team that will fly to Brunei are Coronel, Joshua Urbiztondo, Jason Castro, Jeffrey Chan, Eric de la Cuesta, Robert Sanz, Beau Belga, Dennis Daa, Chad Alonzo, Jerwin Gaco, Lawrence Bonus, Nestor David and former pros Allan Salansang and Ato Morano.

Filipino-American Gabriel Norwood, who played for the RP team that competed in the FIBA-Asia tournament in Japan, is begging off from the tournament but will be available for the SEA Games.

Trinidad said nothing is final as far as the lineup to be sent for the SEA Games is concerned.

“Tuloy tuloy pa din ang process sa pagpili ng mga players. Siyempre ’yung mga players na may dedication at handang mag-sakripisyo ang dapat ipadala natin sa SEA Games,” said Trinidad.

Trinidad is hopeful that the Brunei stint will give them an idea on who among the players really deserve a spot in the final lineup for the SEA Games.

“Dito magkakasubukan kasi sinabihan kami na kumuha ng import. Sabi ko naman bakit pa, mas maganda bumuo tayo ng team natin talaga,” said Trinidad.

Although he loves to give his inputs for the current national team, Trinidad has high regard for the coaching staff led by Junel Baculi.

“We leave all the decision to the coaching staff. Kung sino’ng tingin nila na deserving sa team suportado namin,” said Trinidad.

Mods, please change thread title to "The Philippine Basketball Thread". Kindly remove the phrase "(RP Teams' Olympic Quest)". Thanks!!!

Done! :okay:

Done! :okay:

Thanks!

what PBA team are you??? PureFoods ako Since Patrimonio days pa...

http://www.bruneicup.com/

Sta. Lucia Realtors 89 Singapore Slingers 79
Written by Rano Iskandar
Sunday, 26 August 2007

Rod Grizzard and Co. couldn't overcome a resilient Philippines basketball team as Singapore Slingers went off to a bad start with a 89-79 loss to Sta. Lucia Realtors. Things were smooth sailing for Australian NBL team as they raced to 12-2 early in the first quarter. However, they suffered some basket drought in the next seven minutes as Sta. Lucia Realtors slowly clawed back and finished the first quarter with a 22-13 lead, inspired by Dennis "The Menace" Espino. It was a class act by Anthony Johnson of Sta. Lucia Realtors as he made up for his misstime effort on the postman dunk with a customary dunk late in the first quarter.

However, it was a different story in the second quarter. Singapore Slingers came back fighting and reduced the gap to only just one point by half (39-40). Mike Helms showed why he was Slingers' MVP last season in the Australian National Basketball League. He scored vital baskets to bring Slingers back into the game.

The third quarter was a close affair. Nelbert Omolon and Anthony Johnson of Sta. Lucia Realtors combined well and scored most of Realtors' points. Rod Grizzard, a former NBA player from the Washington Wizards, had key steals and Fitzgerald failed to level the scores, after a missed jump shot, to end the third quarter (62-64).

It was a quarter to be forgotten by Benjamine Knight of Singapore Slingers. Despite contributing key plays and scoring, he was the first victim of being fouled out. Omolon produced the biggest cheer of the night when Omolon blocked Knight's field goal attempt. Johnson and Omolon combined brilliantly and Singapore Slingers simply had no answer. Knight was fouled out with three minutes remaining. He finished with 16 points.

Singapore Slingers were left with a daunting task of scoring five points in less than a minute. However, their tactics to foul Ryan Reyes proved worthless as he successfully converted four free throws and added to Slingers' misery when he stole possession and scored to make it a 89-79 victory over Singapore Slingers.

Teodorico Fernandez was delighted with Sta. Lucia Realtors. When asked about the difference between both sides, he pointed out the aggression in their defence. He was quite surprised to have beating a top side by 10 points and he regards Singapore Slingers as a very strong team. He had faith in his import player, Anthony Johnson, but also gave credit to his players such as Mendoza, Omolon, Aquino and all his players for playing well last night. Their next match will be against Darwin Airport Resort All-Stars and Fernandez is aware of the potential threat of Darwin Airport Resort All-Stars. The match will be at 3:30pm Sunday, 26th August.

Top scorers:

Sta. Lucia Realtors: Anthony Johnson 22 points, Nelbert Omolon 18 points, Ryan Reyes 14 points
Singapore Slingers: Rod Grizzard 16 points, Ben Knight 16 points, Mike Helms 13 points

http://www.bruneicup.com/

Darwin All-Stars 82 Sta. Lucia Realtors 67
Written by Rano Iskandar
Sunday, 26 August 2007

The trio of Tom Garlepp, Michael Jones and David Donaldson destroyed Sta Lucia Realtors at the second day of the 7th Brunei Cup. Darwin All-Stars picked their first win of the tournament after coming off a loss against LG Sakers last Saturday. It was Sta. Lucia Realtors' first loss of the tournament despite a 24 point game effort by their import player Anthony Johnson whom has been their star player for the past two games.

Before the end of the first half, Teodorico Fernandez was upset with the referee Fujigaki Yu for some bad calls which weren't being entertained. However, it was evident that Darwin Airport Resort All-Stars were the better side and Don Sheppard, the head coach of DAR All-Stars, was true to his words when he claimed that his team is stronger than last year's.

Marcus Ch'ng, the captain of Darwin Airport Resort All-Stars, was influential in most of Darwin All-Stars' attack and he scored 8 points. Zane Meehl had a quiet game to his standard (7 points) but Mike Jones was in superb form with a high percentage field goal and he finished with 16 points, 8 rebounds and 3 steals.

As for Sta. Lucia Realtors, they relied too much on Anthony Johnson to score. At one stage, they only scored 1 point in seven minutes, much to the credit of Darwin All-Stars stubborn defence. The Philippine club scored a disappointing 23 points in the first half. That became the turning point of the game as Darwin All-Stars wrapped up the victory with ease despite a late surge. Darwin All-Stars once led as much as 21 points in the third period.

What Don Sheppard said: We had a good practice session in the morning and it paid off. The defence is getting better and excellent. I told my players at half time to just maintain the lead. Tom Garlepp was good, Mike Jones played very well and Marcus Ch'ng set up most of the plays as expected. He has a minor sore knee but Marcus is always a fighter. He will be playing all matches definitely.

http://www.bruneicup.com/

RP National Team 89 Jordan All-Stars 79
Written by Rano Iskandar
Sunday, 26 August 2007

RP Team, a crowd favourite, lived up to their expectations as they overpowered Jordan All-Stars in their first game of the 7th Brunie Cup. The Middle East team were simply no match for the agility of the RP Team. Jordan All-Stars committed several turnovers in which RP Team capitalised.

In the first half, it ended 33-48 to RP Team. Alan Salangsang was RP Team's key player, scoring outside the arc on a number of occasion. Ian Coronel was also pivotal to RP Team's offense with his steals and key assists. Jordan All-Stars relied on their experience players - Ali Jamal and Abdullah Abuqqura - who both scored 37 points between them. Jordan All-Stars did experience a good spell but it was shortlived. RP Team carried their momentum and drew away from their opponents.

It was a similar gameplay in the second half with RP Team keeping Jordan All-Stars on the back foot. As RP team created many scoring opportunities, their defence was tough to crack. Robert Sanz had a better second half and finished with 14 points. He had one key steal which led to a 3 point shot. Jordan All-Stars had a 7-0 run in the third quarter, showing signs of a comeback, but RP team stepped up the tempo. Salangsang lifted the spirit further with a 2 point jump shot right on the buzzer to signal the end of the third quarter (47-68).

The final quarter was Jordan All-Stars and it was the best scoring quarter as they scored 32 points. But the damage was done earlier on. Lawrence Bonus had a quiet night (2 blocks and 2 steal) but he brought the crowd to a standing ovation as he slam dunk his only basket of the game to end the game. Despite the late surge, RP Team beat Jordan All-Stars 89-79.

Top Scorers:

RP Team: Alan Salangsang 22 points, Robert Sanz 14 points
Jordan All-Stars:Abdallah Abuqqura 19 points, Ali Jamal Ali Zaghab 18 points.

What Edmundo Baculi (coach of RP team) said: It was the speed and the shooting that was the difference. We're not tall so we compensate with our speed. Even though we won, it's not over yet and our aim is to reach top four. We were able to outrun our opponents. For improvement, if we could increase our heights, it will be an advantage *jokes* We will focus more on defense to make up for our lack of height. I'm happy with our captain (Alan Salangsang) who was our top scorer but also credit to the other players.

What Haitham Qahtan Luttfi (assistant coach of Jordan All-Stars) said: I'm disappointed with the match today. It's a new group and a new experience because it's our first competitive match. We have trained almost three months, coming into the Brunei Cup. Everything worked well in practice but our execution during the game was poor. I know for sure our team can perform better than this. The players are not themselves and they need to overcome their mistakes. We had too many turnovers in the game. Because it's our first official game, the young lads were under pressure.

http://www.bruneicup.com/

LG Sakers outclass RP Team
Written by Rano Iskandar
Tuesday, 28 August 2007

The second game of the night was a close match-up between LG Sakers and RP Harbour Centre National Team. However, it was the Koreans who were sharper in the shooting department. The Korean imports Odartey Blankson and Calvin Warner were outstanding with a combined score of 53 points. RP Team simply couldn't match the sheer class of LG Sakers.

In the first half, both teams were in good form. RP Team was trailing for most of the match and only had a momentum lead with Jason Castro scored a three point play to make it 40-37 lead. That play brought the crowd on their feet. However, the Filipinos found it difficult to close down the Korean imports. RP Team also committed unnecessary fouls and allowed the LG Sakers to shoot from the free throw line.

There was a minor scuffle between both teams after Cho Sang-Hyun of LG Sakers claimed to be elbowed on his torso by a RP Team player. The match officials handled the situation well and the game continued with the momentum shifting to the Koreans. Warner scored five straight points to end the half 51-42 to the LG Sakers.

The half-time talk didn't give RP Team much boost. Alan Salangsang, RP Team's captain, had a relatively quiet game and he only notched 10 points last night. Blankson scored a magnificient reverse basket, an indication for LG Sakers' confidence. The Koreans used their speed to good use and tore RP Team's defence apart. By end of the third quarter, the Koreans ahd a 20 point cushion.

Warner stepped up late in the final quarter and he slam dunk his way to make the scoreline at 91-66. He also became the first player to break the century mark of the tournament. Castro and Gaco were RP Team's main scorers. The game ended with 15 point victory for LG Sakers despite RP Team playing their best quarter of the game.

Final score: LG Sakers 102 RP Harbour Centre National Team 87

Top scorers:
LG Sakers: Calvin Warner 32 points, Odartey Blankson 21 points, Song Chang Moo 14 points.
RP Team: Jason Castro 19 points, Jerwin Gaco 12 points.


What Edmundo Baculi said: We were outmatched and outclassed and their imports (Blankson and Warner) made most of the points. Like I said before, we can be successful even if we lose. It's our first loss but we'll do better. It's good that we are competing in an international level. Of course, a win would be a bonus. As Salangsang, he didn't score many points probably because he was being scouted by the Koreans. His shots didn't connect. Anyway, I don't want to give excuses. We lost to a better team.

When will RP produce another Loyzaga? (http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/sports/view_article.php?article_id=85085)

MANILA, Philippines -- There is no question that Carlos “Caloy” Loyzaga is the greatest Filipino basketball player in history, but little else is known about how he started his checkered career.

Loyzaga, who marks his 77th birth anniversary on Wednesday, was born on Aug. 29. 1930 to a family with a penchant for sports in San Jose, Mindoro. There, the Loyzaga boys organized a basketball team, with the tall and gangling Caloy at the helm.

Already showing signs of greatness and towering at 6-foot-3 (a rarity among local players at that time), the young Loyzaga moved from sandlot basketball in Mindoro to the big time in Manila by joining the star-studded Sta. Mesa Aces in 1942.

Among his teammates were Pablo and Vicente Cuna, Ramon Lopez, former chair of the Letran College Sports Hall of Fame; Vicente Ayllon of Insular Life, brothers Bobby and Al Tuason and Dick Taylor of radio broadcast fame. Their coach was Jose “Pepe” Lansang, who also became famous as a topnotch referee.

After finishing his elementary education at the P. Burgos elementary school in Sta. Mesa and high school at the National University in 1948, Loyzaga wanted to enroll at Letran, but he backed out at the last minute when the coach gave him a cold shoulder. He was about to enroll at the University of Santo Thomas but this did not materialize when former Olympian Fely Fajardo, then the San Beda College coach, spotted Loyzaga and took him to Mendiola where he polished his style.

* * *

In his prime, Loyzaga was called the “Big Difference” because his absence from his team could mean defeat and he could turn defeat into victory with his presence.

In the NCAA cage wars for the coveted Zamora Trophy in the 1950s, San Beda lost its title bid when Loyzaga did not see action due to scholastic reasons. But when Loyzaga returned to play for the Red Lions, San Beda retired the Zamora Trophy by winning the championships three times in 1951, 1952 and 1955.

Excelling as a shooter, rebounder and center, Loyzaga led the powerhouse Yco Painters team to several Manila Industrial Commercial Athletic Association (MICAA) championships and a record 10 straight victories in the National Open.

* * *

In 1954, Loyzaga spearheaded the Philippine team that finished third in the Second World Basketball Championship in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He capped that memorable year by landing a berth in the tournament’s Mythical Selection.

He made his Olympic debut in Helsinki in 1952 and saw action in the 1956 Melbourne Games. He missed the trip to the Rome Olympics in 1960 due to a wrist injury he suffered while playing softball.

In the Asian Games, Loyzaga sparked the Philippines to four consecutive championships (1951 New Delhi, 1954 Manila, 1958 Tokyo and 1962 Jakarta). He was also the team captain of the winning RP squad to the ABC championship (now FIBA Asia) in the 1960 Manila and 1963 Taipei tournaments. As a coach, he piloted the Philippine quintet to the 1967 ABC crown and to 13th place in the 1968 Mexico Olympics.

A former Manila councilor, Loyzaga is now based in Australia. He is married to the former Vicky Cuerva with whom he has four children: Chito, Joey, Teresa and Bing.

Kobe Bryant to visit Philippines in September (http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-08/29/content_6624413.htm)

Kobe Bryant, the U.S. basketball superstar of the Los Angeles Lakers, is expected to descend on the Philippine capital of Manila on September 5, local media reported Wednesday.

During his one-day visit, Kobe Bryant will take part in a latest Nike shoe launch and share skills with young Filipino basketball players, the Manila-based GMA TV said.

"Kobe Bryant serves as a basketball icon, inspiration and role model to a lot of our young Filipino athletes and we are proud to bring him closer to his fans," said Melissa Crucillo, Nike Philippines country marketing manager.

After Manila visit, Kobe will fly to Taipei, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing, as part of the Kobe Bryant's Supernatural Asia Tour 2007, the report said.

The Filipinos have an undying passion for basketball. Street ball games are played in nearly every district in the urban and rural areas alike. Some roads are dotted with so many makeshift courts that sometimes the traffic is blocked.

Local television also air basketball games on a more than regular basis that NBA superstars become no strangers to average Filipino.

http://www.bruneicup.com/

Sta. Lucia Realtors 75 LG Sakers 66
Written by Rano Iskandar
Tuesday, 28 August 2007

Sta. Lucia bounced back from defeat and beat LG Sakers in a pulsating match which gave LG Sakers (2-1) their first loss of the tournament. The result meant that four teams are now level on 5 points a piece with Jordan All-Stars yet to register their first win of the tournament. The Philippines team led from start to the finish though the Koreans came back fighting late in the game.

In terms of field goal percentage, both teams were on par. It was the Realtors' three point range shots that made the difference. The Philippine team had 11 successful three pointers (5 from Paolo Mendoza and 5 from Anthony Johnson) compared to LG Sakers' 6. Cho Sang Hyun of LG Sakers who is known for his 3-point range, had a disappointing night with only 4 points and failed to register a 3 point shot throughout the game.

Calvin Warner and Odartey Blankson, LG Sakers' import players, who combined 53 points against RP Harbour Centre National Team, only had 16 points between them. Realtors' defense played excellent in containing the Korean imports. By half-time, Sta. Lucia Realtors led LG Sakers 26-43.

LG Sakers found back their rhythm in the second half and they managed to close the gap to 8 points. However, Realtors continued to pile in three pointers and distanced themselves from LG Sakers through Paolo Gonzalez and Anthony Johnson. The Realtors' import Johnson scored a tournament high 35 points and finished with a high 14 rebounds.

Top scorers:

Sta Lucia Realtors: Anthony Johnson 35 points, Paolo Gonzalez 17
LG Sakers: Lee Hyun Min 14 points, Calvin Warner 10 points, Park Jihyon 10 points.

Tanong lang... Sa tingin nyo, may posibilidad ba na maibalik ang MBA sa Pilipinas? I was a fan. :(

www.bruneicup.com

Singapore Slingers 93 RP National Team 72
Written by Rano Iskandar
Thursday, 30 August 2007

Singapore Slingers maintained their good form and crushed RP Harbour Centre with a comprehensive victory (93-72). The victory meant that RP Harbour Centre is on the verge of being eliminated from Brunei Cup 2007. The crowd was surprisingly well-balanced, favouring both sides. The result put Singapore Slingers in contention for 2nd spot in the standings and they are likely to face LG Sakers if all goes according to plan.

Ben Knight and Chris Cameron dominated the first half. Their height and presence made it difficult for RP Harbour Centre to win rebounds. But it was John Fitzgerald who was on sizzling form in the first five minutes. He had a couple of rebounds and a key steal as he was mostly involved in Slingers 14-5 run. However, there was a controversial decision by the Taiwanese referee Chan Tai Sheng who ejected Blagov Janev of Singapore Slingers and Allan Salangsang of RP Harbour Centre in the first quarter for misconduct.

RP Harbour Centre then had to make quick changes and introduced Dennis Daa into the game and it turned out to be effective. He score 8 of his 16 points late in the first quarter. Rod Grizzard also had some key moments, scoring a three point play and perfected a three free throw opportunity. Hayden Allen of Slingers sank in a 3 pointer right on the buzzer to end the first quarter (30-22).

The second quarter belonged to Chris Cameron as he was dominant on the boards. He ended up with 16 points and 12 rebounds for Singapore Slingers. The NBL team then scored quick points through McDonald, Fitzgerald and Cameroon and slowly their lead began to increase. RP Harbour Centre were made to paid for their multiple unconverted opportunities. Hayden Allen, once more, closed the second quarter with a basket to give Singapore Slingers a 54-39 lead at the break.

RP Harbour Centre National Team improved slightly after the break. Jason Castro, who was outshadowed in the first half, was instrumental in RP Harbour Centre's comeback. He scored 6 straight points of his 18 points in less than a minute to signal their revival. But Grizzard seemed to have a telepathic partnership with Allen who scored two baskets off Grizzard's assist. The quarter was marred by turnovers before Renato Morano pumped in two successive 3-pointers to make it 58-69. Dennis Daa then scored two free throws as the quarter ended 72-62 in favour of Singapore Slingers.

With a 10 point cushion, there was hope for the Filipino team. However, it turned out to be their worst quarter of the game, scoring only 10 points to Slingers' 21. RP Harbour Centre couldn't register a basket until the fourth minute while Grizzard, McDonald and Knight poured in more points to distant the gap. With five minutes left, there was no hope left. The departure of Salangsang their captain had caused some damage to their gameplay and the inspiring performance of Jason Castro, who finished with 18 points, wasn't enough to lift RP Harbour Centre.

Despite Mike Helms' absence (groin injury) from the match, Singapore Slingers had the depth to compete till the end. All their players deserved credit for an all-rounder performance. They were also excellent from the free throw line, converting 31 out of 34 free throws, the highest percentage (91%) in the tournament so far.

Singapore Slingers will take on LG Sakers to determine 2nd and 3rd placing (7pm) while RP Harbour Centre National Team will take on Darwin Airport Resort All-Stars (5pm) today to determine the final spot of the semi-finals.

Final score: Singapore Slingers 93 RP Harbour Centre National Team 72

Top scorer:
Singapore Slingers: Hayden Allen 19 points, Shane McDonald 17 points, Ben Knight 16 points
RP Harbour Centre National Team: Jason Castro 18 points, Dennis Daa 16 points.

Tanong lang... Sa tingin nyo, may posibilidad ba na maibalik ang MBA sa Pilipinas? I was a fan. :(

The Metropolitan Basketball Association was a good concept ala the NBA) and it was backed by ABS-CBN for awhile. The league sadly lost money so they pulled the plug. They would need big sponsors and a major broadcast network to resurrect the league. Not to mention a host of talented and popular players to keep the league competitive and viable.

Sino dito nakapanood ng NCAA San Beda Vs. Letran sa Araneta? I was there!

The Metropolitan Basketball Association was a good concept ala the NBA) and it was backed by ABS-CBN for awhile. The league sadly lost money so they pulled the plug. They would need big sponsors and a major broadcast network to resurrect the league. Not to mention a host of talented and popular players to keep the league competitive and viable.

what happened to the players? they shouldve merged with PBA

howd we lose to singapore?

howd we lose to singapore?

The Singapore Slingers contrary to its name did not come from Singapore. It is in fact the first Asian-based club in the Australian National Basketball League (NBL) and joined that league at the start of the 2006-07 season. The head coach is former West Sydney Razorbacks coach Gordie McLeod and they play at the Singapore Indoor Stadium (SIS).

what happened to the players? they shouldve merged with PBA

The players from the defunct MBA went to different leagues including the PBA (Adducul) and PBL (Compton.. now in the PBA).

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/sports/view_article.php?article_id=86476

Koreans nip Realtors for Brunei Cup
LG Sakers 76, Sta. Lucia Realtors 72

Inquirer
09/04/2007
BRUNEI -- The LG Sakers of Korea pulled out a vengeful 76-72 win over the Sta. Lucia Realtors Sunday to win the seventh Brunei Cup basketball tournament at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex here.

The Realtors were down by only two at 72-74 and on the attack when Anthony Johnson was slapped with an offensive foul, time down to 32 seconds to the dismay of the big Filipino crowd.

The Koreans scored on the next play to clinch the championship while avenging their 75-66 loss to the Filipinos in the eliminations.

“It was a dubious call that ensured the victory for the Koreans,” rued Sta. Lucia Realty team manager Buddy Encarnado.

The Realtors settled for second-place in the annual Brunei invitational tourney ruled the past two years by the RP training team under coach Chot Reyes.

The Realtors, who are girding for the coming Philippine Basketball Association season, finally felt the absence of main man Kelly Williams, who’s on vacation in the United States after seeing action with the RP team in the recent FIBA-Asia meet in Japan.

Johnson paced Sta. Lucia with 24 points. Nelbert Omolon added 13, Paolo Mendoza 12 and Marlou Aquino 10.

The Realtors found the Koreans a lot tougher in their rematch, taking the lead for the first time only at 67-64 midway through the fourth quarter.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/sports/view_article.php?article_id=86489

Calling cagers with Filipino roots
By June Navarro
Inquirer
09/04/2007
MANILA, Philippines -- The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas hopes to intensify soon its search for foreign cagers with Filipino roots in the United States and Canada.

Eric Altamirano, head of the SBP’s National Basketball Training Center, said training centers in North America will be set up to tap the players who are national team materials.

Altamirano said he is in touch with scouts based in Central and Northern America.

NBTC looks for promising young players aged 14-19 across the country.
Training satellites will be established for the ambitious five-year program designed to identify, train and develop future members of the RP men’s and women’s basketball teams.

“Once we have set up these regional training centers, we will explore the field in the United States and Canada,” said Altamirano.

Altamirano has been tapped by BAP-SBP executive director Patrick Gregorio to head the NBTC along with four-time PBA MVP Ramon Fernandez and Welcoat Paints assistant coach Alex Compton.

ask lang will aljamal play for the San Beda in the NCAA final 4 game against Mapua!! (yahooo)

This is OT but Kobe is in the Philippines so I am posting it here too:

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=Agv3xx5RXq2MWAMyurWmfsm8vLYF?slug=ap-kobestour&prov=ap&type=lgns

Bryant welcomed into Manila fold at start of Asian tour
By PAUL ALEXANDER, Associated Press

MANILA, Philippines (AP) -- More than 7,000 miles from home, fans were chanting his name, and Kobe Bryant was loving it.

No controversy. No tough questions.

In the basketball-loving Philippines, no one was going to ruffle a charismatic icon visiting to promote the sport, encourage kids to pursue their dreams and maybe sell a few pairs of his new line of shoes. "I love Manila," a beaming Bryant told a crowd that started gathering at 6 a.m. outside a store in Manila, nine hours before he appeared. "The energy here is off the charts."

Bryant, fresh off a gold medal at the FIBA Americas championship, kicked off his five-stop Asian tour Wednesday.

A lot has happened to Bryant since his first trip to Manila a decade ago -- three NBA titles with the Los Angeles Lakers and a rape case that was eventually dismissed but left many wondering about his image.

The Manila public provided an answer. He was even touted as a role model for children, a tag that he didn't try to avoid.

"The important thing to remember when people talk about role models, they assume role models are perfect," Bryant said. "Nobody's perfect."

The key, he said, is not to repeat mistakes and to try to give back to the community.

Bryant was still basking in the success of the U.S. basketball team, which drew favorable comparisons with the first two NBA teams at the Olympics.

"When you have an opportunity to play for your country, it's even more special," he said. "The whole country gets behind you."

Bryant said he has taken off 20 pounds since the end of the NBA season, partly by watching his diet for the first time.

"My primary focus this summer was defense," he said. "I had to guard smaller, quicker players. I wanted to get back some of the agility I had in 2000" without losing strength.

What has he been eating?

"Grass," Bryant joked, before saying he had to give up fast food and some of his decadent favorites -- apple pie with ice cream, chocolate cake and sugar cookies.

"I can feel the results already," he said.

The Nike store, in Manila's Fort Bonifacio area, was festooned with a poster promoting Bryant's new shoe, the Kobe II.

At about $150, the shoes represent about six weeks' pay for the average Filipino. But the mostly middle- to upper-class crowd waved his jerseys and raised the old model shoe when he came out of the store. Arms went up as one, cell phones snapping photos.

Construction workers at two adjacent buildings stopped what they were doing and gathered on the roofs or clung to scaffolding as supervisors tried to get them back on the job.

Bryant, who later gave a basketball clinic, laughed as the crowd chanted his name, then "MVP." He appeared most touched when schoolchildren gave him a framed collection of crayon drawings they had done of him.

"Keep your dreams alive," Bryant said. "Keep going after it."
----------------------------------------------------------------

Here are some pics of Kobe's visit to Bonifacio High Street from his website www.kb24.com: (http://www.kb24.com:)

http://store.kb24.com/auction/manila1.jpg

http://store.kb24.com/auction/manila10.jpg

http://store.kb24.com/auction/manila2.jpg

http://store.kb24.com/auction/manila4.jpg

http://store.kb24.com/auction/manila5.jpg

http://store.kb24.com/auction/manila8.jpg

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=Agv3xx5RXq2MWAMyurWmfsm8vLYF?slug=ap-kobestour&prov=ap&type=lgns

Bryant welcomed into Manila fold at start of Asian tour
By PAUL ALEXANDER, Associated Press

MANILA, Philippines (AP) -- More than 7,000 miles from home, fans were chanting his name, and Kobe Bryant was loving it.

No controversy. No tough questions.

In the basketball-loving Philippines, no one was going to ruffle a charismatic icon visiting to promote the sport, encourage kids to pursue their dreams and maybe sell a few pairs of his new line of shoes. "I love Manila," a beaming Bryant told a crowd that started gathering at 6 a.m. outside a store in Manila, nine hours before he appeared. "The energy here is off the charts."

Bryant, fresh off a gold medal at the FIBA Americas championship, kicked off his five-stop Asian tour Wednesday.

A lot has happened to Bryant since his first trip to Manila a decade ago -- three NBA titles with the Los Angeles Lakers and a rape case that was eventually dismissed but left many wondering about his image.

The Manila public provided an answer. He was even touted as a role model for children, a tag that he didn't try to avoid.

"The important thing to remember when people talk about role models, they assume role models are perfect," Bryant said. "Nobody's perfect."

The key, he said, is not to repeat mistakes and to try to give back to the community.

Bryant was still basking in the success of the U.S. basketball team, which drew favorable comparisons with the first two NBA teams at the Olympics.

"When you have an opportunity to play for your country, it's even more special," he said. "The whole country gets behind you."

Bryant said he has taken off 20 pounds since the end of the NBA season, partly by watching his diet for the first time.

"My primary focus this summer was defense," he said. "I had to guard smaller, quicker players. I wanted to get back some of the agility I had in 2000" without losing strength.

What has he been eating?

"Grass," Bryant joked, before saying he had to give up fast food and some of his decadent favorites -- apple pie with ice cream, chocolate cake and sugar cookies.

"I can feel the results already," he said.

The Nike store, in Manila's Fort Bonifacio area, was festooned with a poster promoting Bryant's new shoe, the Kobe II.

At about $150, the shoes represent about six weeks' pay for the average Filipino. But the mostly middle- to upper-class crowd waved his jerseys and raised the old model shoe when he came out of the store. Arms went up as one, cell phones snapping photos.

Construction workers at two adjacent buildings stopped what they were doing and gathered on the roofs or clung to scaffolding as supervisors tried to get them back on the job.

Bryant, who later gave a basketball clinic, laughed as the crowd chanted his name, then "MVP." He appeared most touched when schoolchildren gave him a framed collection of crayon drawings they had done of him.

"Keep your dreams alive," Bryant said. "Keep going after it."
----------------------------------------------------------------

Here are some pics of Kobe's visit to Bonifacio High Street from his website www.kb24.com: (http://www.kb24.com/)

http://store.kb24.com/auction/manila1.jpg

http://store.kb24.com/auction/manila10.jpg

http://store.kb24.com/auction/manila2.jpg

http://store.kb24.com/auction/manila4.jpg

http://store.kb24.com/auction/manila5.jpg

http://store.kb24.com/auction/manila8.jpg

^^ Nice to see those kids enjoying some time with Kobe...

Shaq is getting a divorce? :D

yup... post the article nasa Yahoo headline....("j)

Mostly upper-middle class crowd only.

ask lang will aljamal play for the San Beda in the NCAA final 4 game against Mapua!! (yahooo)

Nope. Bench boy parin. Next game ayos na. Ano team mo? :)

Those pics were taken outside the Nike store in BGC.

Hope someone uploaded videos from his appearance in Philsport... he made some exhibition dunks there... saw this in the news.

Nope. Bench boy parin. Next game ayos na. Ano team mo? :)


Mapua ako.... ("j) under dog!

^^ Hey Kobe!... I have a phobia seeing you in parking lots... might spill something once more huh...:lol:

Nice showing at the Olympic qualifying --- goes to show how competitive you are --- but you lack support in LA (why not try Chicago or NY instead)...

^ Animo San Beda! Beat Mapua! :clown:

what PBA team are you??? PureFoods ako Since Patrimonio days pa...

Parehas pala tayo pare... may complete file ako ng scoreboard magazine na nandoon si CAP.

Kobe in Manila...

QExA0aKpM0Q

@Lito noong nag punta siya sa mapua tinapik namin si CAP sa batok hahahaha

tapos nakita ko din si mang Hubalde... lakas B.O. hehehehe

@Allan dude Bedan ka tol??? Lakas EKWE

^ :) Yup. Lakas talaga ni Ekwe. Nag improve na rin free throws nya. Mejo mainitin nga lang lagi ang ulo nun pag asa court.

Nood ka ng NCAA. Exciting ngayong season 83. Inaabangan namin yung next rumble with Letran. HEHEHE

@kikodj... mabuti hindi nagalit si CAP... baka naman ang pagtapik mo eh parang pagdapo lang ng langaw..(joke)

Ex-Ateneo cager debuts for US Div. I five Nov. 22
By Jasmine W. Payo
Inquirer
Last updated 04:05am (Mla time) 09/07/2007

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/sports/view_article.php?article_id=87180
MANILA, Philippines -- Japeth Aguilar, the first Philippine-born player to sign up with a US NCAA Division I squad, will debut with the Western Kentucky University Hilltoppers in a nationally televised game.

Aguilar -- the former Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles center who sat it out for a year due to a US NCAA transfer rule -- will see action when the Hilltoppers battle Gonzaga in the 2007 Carrs/Safeway Great Alaska Shootout.

The 30th annual Shootout is one of the NCAA’s premier early-season events and will be aired on ESPN U on Nov. 22.

The 6-foot-9 Aguilar already made an impression when he ruled the university’s slam dunk contest last October.

The 20-year-old Pampanga native led in blocks during his sophomore year in the UAAP before taking a crack at the US collegiate cage scene.

Aguilar, who posted a career-high seven blocks with Ateneo, helped power the Blue Eagles to a Final Four stint in the 2005 UAAP men’s basketball tournament.

The son of former PBA cager Peter Aguilar has two years of eligibility left in the US NCAA. His father, a 6-foot-6 center-forward, played for five seasons, starting in 1989, for five teams -- Añejo, Alaska, Seven-Up , Sta. Lucia Realty and Shell.


Ano ang nakita nila sa kanya at napunta sa Divsion 1 NCAA? Magaling ba siya nung nasa UAAP? Sana mas marami pang bigyan ng pagkakataon na maglaro sa US.

Ano ang nakita nila sa kanya at napunta sa Divsion 1 NCAA? Magaling ba siya nung nasa UAAP? Sana mas marami pang bigyan ng pagkakataon na maglaro sa US.

Japeth is a good player. A great shot blocker. He deserves to play in Div I. Another Pinoy to watch out for in the US is ex-Eaglet Gian Chiu. Both are shoo-ins for future national teams.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/sports/view_article.php?article_id=50109

Former Eaglet now soars in ‘Desert High’
By Beth Celis
Inquirer
Feb 18, 2007

I’m sure some of you, basketball fanatics, who follow the UAAP Juniors games remember Gian Chiu who used to play for the Ateneo Eaglets.

I don’t know how tall Gian was back then, but he is now described as “a hair over 6’7 tall and weighs 225 lbs.” It was Henry Abes of Gameface who gave me the piece on Gian, which he culled from the website.

Gian Chiu, he said, is the biggest hit at the Desert Christian High School in Bermuda Dunes today, both on and off the court.

Chiu leads the Desert Christian Conquerors in scoring, blocks and rebounds and is part of Desert Christian’s top-ranked academic team that will head to national competition in Washington DC this Spring.

***

On his first year at La Quinta, Chiu did not immediately see action and had to await his turn on account of a CIF rule that the school had to follow.

At Desert Christian, he immediately made waves, impressing his coach Don Curci.

“Last year our team was 1-11 (win-loss), now we’re 10-3 and Gian is a big part of that. He averages 15.2 ppg and 11.3 rpg,” said Curci.

“He’s been a good addition to the student body both athletically and academically. He’s a gentle giant but his main forte is his smarts. He’s a straight A student, very organized and is always on top of things.”

Gian, who has been raised by his parents to excel both in academics and athletics, is currently ranked No. 3 in class.

His long term goal is to become a doctor.

“I like the science field and look at it as an opportunity to use my talent and ability to help others. I just find it interesting and see it as a challenge,” Chiu said.

***

Curci foresees Gian achieving both his athletic and academic goals.

“Basketball practice begins around 5 p.m., but when the school bell rings at the end of the day, Chiu doesn’t hang around the lockers or take off with friends for fast food and fun. Chiu’s usually buried in his books in an outside cafeteria-style table,” Curci said.

Chiu helped his three other teammates as part of Desert Christian’s academic team win top honors at Coachella Valley Academic Worldquest hosted by World Affairs Council of the Desert, earning a trip to Washington DC for the national tournament.

As the smallest school that competed, they were able to take home the biggest prize.

kung ganoon tulad lang rin sa Timberwolves 2 to 3 players lang tapos wala na...... ummm what's the deal w/ Kevin in Boston? ^^ I think Boston went for it because their conference is pretty weak and can easily be considered one of the top 4 teams in the East. Aside from their big 3, they also got James Posey (from the Heat) so their first 5 will be very good but after that - very suspect bench. Reggie Miller decided not to unretire so there is still no significant bench signing at this time. Paano na lang sila if there is injury among their first 5 considering there is more than 80 games per seaon? And even then, I don't think the Celtics can beat the top West teams (Suns, Spurs, etc.) if they ever reach the finals.

they can if they have the bench support... umm parang simmilar siguro sila sa Denver Nuggets... merong kulang..

@ Lito dude sapakin kami nun... hahahaha

@ Allan_dude yun nga game plan ko kung ako coach ng mapua e... pipikunin namin si EKWE... ("j)

TRIVIA lang Japeth Aguilar was a mapua high varsity player... pinirate ng ateneo and ateneo got the credit.... hehehehehe... sainyo na yon... hehehehe

^^ I think Boston went for it because their conference is pretty weak and can easily be considered one of the top 4 teams in the East. Aside from their big 3, they also got James Posey (from the Heat) so their first 5 will be very good but after that - very suspect bench. Reggie Miller decided not to unretire so there is still no significant bench signing at this time. Paano na lang sila if there is injury among their first 5 considering there is more than 80 games per seaon? And even then, I don't think the Celtics can beat the top West teams (Suns, Spurs, etc.) if they ever reach the finals.

They will be good this year. But they won't be winning the big championship. I think in a year or so, however, that they will be unstoppable. Once they get a chance to hit the next free-agent market and make a bunch of trades, they'll build a real contender.

Phil Jackson Basketball Hall of Famer
Wade Wins Community Assist Award
Heat Nominate Riley For Hall Of Fame
Bulls’ Deng A Star In Europe
Former Cavs Owner Ted Stepien Dies
Heat To Attend Allan Houston Workout
Oden to Undergo Exploratory Knee Surgery <------- sabaw!!
Lithuania Recovers From Slow Start to Top France <-------- parker talo

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/sports/view_article.php?article_id=88834

SBP interested in Serbian coach
By Beth Celis
Inquirer
09/16/2007

MANILA, Philippines -- The 59-year old Serbian coach gave it to Patrick Gregorio straight: “If you want to get back on the Asian basketball map, you have to have at least one 7-foot player in the team.”

And since he is aware that we don’t grow basketball players that tall in the Philippines, Vlade Djurovic said we will need to naturalize, the way we did 20 years ago in the case of Jeff Moore, Dennis Still and Chip Engelland, none of whom even came close to 7 feet.

With the trio, we won the Fiba-Asia Men’s championship, then known as the Asian Basketball Conference, and the 1986 Jones Cup.

* * *

“Vlade said the most important positions in a basketball team are those of center and point guard. He said we have many good point guards but no good center. Compared to the other Asians, he rated the Filipino basketball player as “good”, but not excellent, not even very good,” said the BAP-SBP project director, who has been tasked by chair Manny V. Pangilinan to study and evaluate European basketball philosophy which has proven so effective in recent years.

“We’ve tried the American and Asian philosophies, but these didn’t work for us. Maybe the European philosophy will.”

Just exactly what is the European philosophy? I asked Pato.

* * *

“It’s continuous passing. Pass. Pass. Pass. You don’t allow the ball to stay in your hands longer than a few seconds. You should see his drills. A cager must be able to manage four balls at one time,”

Pato said 80 participants from the PBA, the PBL and the collegiate leagues from all over the Philippines attended the two-day clinic conducted by Djurovic at the Fort in Taguig.

“To my recollection, it was the first time we had a basketball clinic conducted by a European. He had many ideas which were new to us.”

Yes, the SBP is considering hiring Djurovic long term, to teach basketball on the grassroots level and even perhaps to coach the national team.

Gregorio said that Djurovic, for his part, felt it would be a great honor if he succeeds in helping the Philippines find itself back in the world basketball map.

“He said he’s getting old and that might be a legacy he can leave to both Serbia and the Philippines. Do you know that he didn’t charge us a single centavo for his clinic? He even paid for his own air fare.”

* * *

I forgot to ask if basketball and boxing scholar Teddy Reynoso was a University of the East alumnus. He must be.

After the UE-DLSU game last Thursday, I got this text message from Teddy: ” UE won this game, sweeping both rounds of the UAAP. Don’t you think the Warriors should be automatically declared champion? What’s the incentive for a sweep anyway? An automatic finals slot where they could lose everything they worked so hard for if they get beaten twice by the opponent. That’s crazy if you ask me!”

More than a decade ago, that’s exactly the way it was done. UST was the last team to be automatically declared champion after sweeping the first and second round of the UAAP back in l993.

That feat was not duplicated until this season.

Cagers lose cool on new rule; Giants win
By Nelson Beltran
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Purefoods Tender Juicy toughened up to make a big turnaround in the fourth quarter, hacking out a 96-89 victory over Sta. Lucia Realty last night in a rugged match marred by nine technical fouls and two player ejections.

The good Wednesday crowd at the Araneta Coliseum witnessed a game which on several occasions looked like a wrestling contest, a result of a major change in the officiating applied in the 2007 Smart PBA Philippine Cup.

Hard fouls came aplenty with Purefoods’ Peter June Simon and Sta. Lucia’s Norman Gonzales thrown out of the contest for flagrant infractions.

“Ang pikon talo in this kind of officiating. But the officials want this and I’m fully supporting it. We just have to adjust with it,” said Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio.

“Obviously, the team that will be able to adjust early will mean success in this conference. The difference is heaven and earth in the appreciation of calls from last conference to this conference,” Gregorio added.

James Yap had a taste of this kind of officiating with the RP team in the Jones Cup but himself blew his top in a collision with Gonzales.

“First time kong mapikon, but who wouldn’t when you’re purposely hit,” said Yap.

“It’s also the first time June Simon got mad and got tossed out of court,” said Gregorio.

The Giants gave some and took some along the way as they made a big romp in the final quarter.

Veterans Marc Pingris and Roger Yap came alive in the payoff period giving the team tremendous boost for the come-from-behind victory.

James Yap scored a game-high 29 points, including 17 in the opening period, with Roger Yap adding 16 and Pingris chipping in 14 in the game where Purefoods trailed by as many as 16 early on.

Down by 10, 66-76, at the end of the third, the Giants opened the final period with an 18-4 romp to surge ahead to stay at 84-80.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/sports/view_article.php?article_id=95158

After nightmare, Eala bounces back with new ‘Liga’
By Francis Ochoa
Inquirer
10/18/2007

MANILA, Philippines -- For more than a decade, he had been part of what he was currently watching on television one particular Sunday afternoon inside his den.
Understandably, the tuning-in did not come easy.

“Well, frankly, it was difficult to watch the [PBA] opening at home,” said former Philippine Basketball Association commissioner Noli Eala, in a chat with the Philippine Daily Inquirer Tuesday. “For the last 13 years, I’ve been part of the opening ceremonies as either a broadcaster or a commissioner.”

Getting up, in fact, from the nightmare that saw him lose the commissionership of the PBA after steering the league to newfound heights, was a lot easier.

“I had very good support from family and good friends,” said the 39-year-old former lawyer, in his first public interview since quitting the PBA after getting controversially disbarred by the Supreme Court on the grounds of immorality.

“Some people stood by me when the whole world seemed to have abandoned me, and that made it a lot easier,” he added. “I learned a lot of lessons in life.”

New lessons, old lessons. He hopes to parlay both into a second successful foray into basketball.

“My heart will always be in basketball,” he explained.

But for a while, it wasn’t quite so. Dressed in a light blue long-sleeved shirt and black pants for a press conference for the Liga Pilipinas, a regional basketball meet he hopes to guide through an expectedly turbulent infancy stage starting next year, Eala said he walled himself inside a shell, unreachable by anything basketball.

“I thought I should not be involved in basketball or any sport for that matter,” he said. Midway through August -- at about the time the PBA was scheduled to hold its rookie draft, it’s first official event post-Eala -- he left for Cebu to spend time with his family and tinker with the family business.

Basketball, though, refused to leave him alone.

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director Patrick Gregorio had this idea of putting up a solid regional basketball program that did not have to start from scratch. Aware that there were two existing leagues -- the Mindanao Visayas Basketball Association and the National Basketball Conference -- that preached regional basketball, Gregorio knew he had a backbone.

All he needed was someone to use that backbone and turn it into a truly national program, something like putting up a national broadband network without ZTE-like problems. He asked officials of the league, who happened to be in Cebu, to talk to a former basketball personality who happened to be there healing his wounds.

“It was not easy to say yes,” Eala said softly, almost inaudibly. “It took a couple of months before I agreed.”

“At the back of my mind, there was the fear that people would perceive this move as my way of sour-graping,” he explained. “But then, I told myself, ang importante, malinis ang kunsensiya and ang (what’s important is, the conscience and the) intentions, pure.”

So he said yes. Although his role in the league has yet to be defined -- NBC’s Tac Padilla, a legendary shooter and an Olympian, however referred to Eala as the league’s guiding force -- Eala said he wants to help in any way to get things going.

“I’ve mapped out a four-year growth chart,” he said. “I’m hoping by the second or third year, we will be on the go and by the fourth year, the trend will be irreversible.”

It is a familiar refrain. Eala’s legacy in the PBA will perhaps be instilling a marketing savvy never before experienced by the pro league. And his eyes, dull and pained at separate intervals during the afternoon chat, would brighten up when asked to talk about the growth of Liga Pilipinas.

“I’m looking at the Euro league as a model,” he said.

This was the commissioner in him talking already. Two days after watching the PBA opening from his television, he was ready to take on this latest challenge in his career.

“I think I’m at peace with what happened to me already,” Eala said. “Regardless of what people think, this is not just me trying to prove that I deserve to be the PBA commissioner. This is not me sour-graping. I’ve never said anything bad about the PBA regardless of what happened.”

“This is simply me, moving on and refusing to let down the people who depend on me and have faith in me.”

Watching the PBA opening was hard. Dealing with the memories was difficult too. But moving on with a life that still holds a lot of promise? It was as simple as getting up from his cozy chair one Sunday afternoon and turning the television off.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/sports/view_article.php?article_id=101215

RP 5 not taking it easy before SEAG
Despite sweep of Singapore tune-up matches
By Roy Luarca
Inquirer
11/16/2007

SINGAPORE -- There will be no let-up in the Philippine-Harbour Centre team’s final push for the Southeast Asian Games men’s basketball crown.

Due to fly home Friday after a successful training stint here, the Nationals need not even unpack their bags as they are due to be quartered for at least 10 days before embarking on their mission to retain their crown in Thailand next month.

Harbour Centre team owner Mikee Romero approved the recommendation of the coaching staff headed by Junel Baculi Thursday following the Nationals’ breezy 115-55 victory over the Singapore selection at the Singapore Basketball Centre.

Though satisfied with his wards’ performance, Baculi said the Nationals still need to have that special kind of bonding before leaving for Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, on Dec. 3.

To achieve this, the Nationals will have two days of team building in Tagaytay City before being kept under one roof in the final phase of their SEAG preparations.

Romero asked the Nationals for a little more sacrifice.

“You have to believe in us (RP team management), you have to believe in your coaches and you have to believe in yourselves,” Romero told the Nationals during a dinner hosted by businessman Paul Monozca. “If you can do that, positive things will happen.”

Erick Arejola, the RP team coordinator, said they are already looking for a suitable place for the Nationals, who highlighted their four-game sweep here with a 100-93 come-from-behind victory over the Singapore Slingers Tuesday.

The Nationals also dumped the Singapore national team, 90-42, on Sunday and the United States Navy selection, 105-92, on Monday.

Meanwhile, assistant coaches Louie Alas and Beaujing Acot arrived Thursday from nearby Johor Baru, where they watched the Malaysia national team subdue the National Basketball Conference-Spring Oil selection, 87-75, in the Johor International Invitational tournament.

According to Alas, the Malaysians are basically the same team that placed third in the 2003 SEAG in Vietnam and remain beatable.

“They (Malaysians) shoot well and their big men can play small,” said Alas, who steered the national team to the 1999 Brunei SEAG title. “Still, I am optimistic that we could beat them again especially if we play the same way we did against the Slingers.”

Alas noted that the Malaysians are mainly a nine-man rotation, though they beat the NBC selection sans one of their stars -- 6-foot-6 Lee Wei -- who studies at China’s Fujian University.

It's about time!!! :banana:

http://sports.inquirer.net/inquirersports/inquirersports/view/20071227-108941/UAAP-NCAA_merger_eyed

UAAP-NCAA merger eyed
By June Navarro
Philippine Daily Inquirer
12/27/2007

MANILA, Philippines—One league to unite them all.

A grand plan to merge the UAAP and the NCAA into one big athletic package next year has taken shape after the concept drew a favorable response from next year’s host of the country’s top two collegiate leagues.

BAP-Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director Patrick Gregorio is spearheading the proposed merger after holding exploratory talks with top officials of the University of the Philippines and NCAA school Mapua.

UP, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary beginning next month, will host the 2008 UAAP season while Mapua will be the host school of the NCAA.

“We want something exciting, dramatic and uniquely radical for the UP centennial,” said Gregorio, an alumnus of the State-owned university, yesterday.

If he succeeds in bringing the UAAP and NCAA schools under one roof, the tournament will be known as the UAAP-NCAA Centennial Cup.

Gregorio said he would present a concept paper on the UAAP-NCAA merger early next month to UP president Emerlinda Roman, UP chancellor Sergio Cao and Mapua president Rey Vea, who also happens to be a member of the UP alumni association.

If he gets the nod of the UAAP board and NCAA management committee, Gregorio said an ad hoc committee, whose chief task is to oversee the affairs and interests of the UAAP-NCAA merger, will be formed.

“This is a mega event that has never happened before and it will definitely prove beneficial for the schools,” said Gregorio, who has the full backing of BAP-SBP president Manny V. Pangilinan.

“This is probably one legacy the SBP will leave under the term of Mr. Pangilinan,” added Gregorio.

Gregorio has already asked Philippine Basketball Association operations chief Rickie Santos to draw up a variety of league formats from which the officials of both league will choose from for the initial tournament.

Besides UP, Ateneo, De La Salle, University of Santo Tomas, University of the East, National University, Adamson and Far Eastern University form the UAAP.

The NCAA has San Beda College, San Sebastian College, Letran, Mapua, Jose Rizal, Perpetual and Philippine Christian University under its wings.

“Imagine these schools fighting it out for one prestigious trophy,” said Gregorio. “As long as the intention is sincere, I know it can be done.”

La Salle is the defending UAAP champion while San Beda is the reigning NCAA titlist.

I thought it was the other NCAA. lol

Why don't they keep both leagues and have a final showdown at the end of the season. Much like in professional football and baseball here in the US wherein there is the National League and the American League and then at the end of the season whoever is the champion of their respective leagues will battle it out for the Super Bowl (football) or the World Series (baseball).

It's about time!!! :banana:

http://sports.inquirer.net/inquirersports/inquirersports/view/20071227-108941/UAAP-NCAA_merger_eyed

UAAP-NCAA merger eyed
By June Navarro
Philippine Daily Inquirer
12/27/2007

MANILA, Philippines—One league to unite them all.

A grand plan to merge the UAAP and the NCAA into one big athletic package next year has taken shape after the concept drew a favorable response from next year’s host of the country’s top two collegiate leagues.

BAP-Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director Patrick Gregorio is spearheading the proposed merger after holding exploratory talks with top officials of the University of the Philippines and NCAA school Mapua.

UP, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary beginning next month, will host the 2008 UAAP season while Mapua will be the host school of the NCAA.

“We want something exciting, dramatic and uniquely radical for the UP centennial,” said Gregorio, an alumnus of the State-owned university, yesterday.

If he succeeds in bringing the UAAP and NCAA schools under one roof, the tournament will be known as the UAAP-NCAA Centennial Cup.

Gregorio said he would present a concept paper on the UAAP-NCAA merger early next month to UP president Emerlinda Roman, UP chancellor Sergio Cao and Mapua president Rey Vea, who also happens to be a member of the UP alumni association.

If he gets the nod of the UAAP board and NCAA management committee, Gregorio said an ad hoc committee, whose chief task is to oversee the affairs and interests of the UAAP-NCAA merger, will be formed.

“This is a mega event that has never happened before and it will definitely prove beneficial for the schools,” said Gregorio, who has the full backing of BAP-SBP president Manny V. Pangilinan.

“This is probably one legacy the SBP will leave under the term of Mr. Pangilinan,” added Gregorio.

Gregorio has already asked Philippine Basketball Association operations chief Rickie Santos to draw up a variety of league formats from which the officials of both league will choose from for the initial tournament.

Besides UP, Ateneo, De La Salle, University of Santo Tomas, University of the East, National University, Adamson and Far Eastern University form the UAAP.

The NCAA has San Beda College, San Sebastian College, Letran, Mapua, Jose Rizal, Perpetual and Philippine Christian University under its wings.

“Imagine these schools fighting it out for one prestigious trophy,” said Gregorio. “As long as the intention is sincere, I know it can be done.”

La Salle is the defending UAAP champion while San Beda is the reigning NCAA titlist.

Great news!!! I'm looking forward to this. :)

Why don't they keep both leagues and have a final showdown at the end of the season. Much like in professional football and baseball here in the US wherein there is the National League and the American League and then at the end of the season whoever is the champion of their respective leagues will battle it out for the Super Bowl (football) or the World Series (baseball).

For me, I still prefer that the 2 leagues - UAAP and NCAA - merge themselves and create a new super league with a different name. It's not gonna be different if they keep both leagues as you suggested and just have a final showdown at the end of the season. They already have some annual charity tournament and a Champions Cup (short tourney between the champions of the UAAP, NCAA, and others) for that.

Obviously, a lot of things need to be done for this merger to happen like synchronizing the academic calendars of the member schools and fixing the logistics and tournament set-up, etc. It's gonna be nice if they format the super league like that of MLB (American vs National League), NFL (NFC vs AFC) or the NBA (Eastern vs West Conference).

Ray Parks
The future of RP Basketball

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The thought of a De La Salle University - Manila vs. De La Salle - College of Saint Benilde match exites me!

GREEN VS. GREEN.... La Sallian vs. La Sallian! woohoo.

There's such thing as that? That'd be green vs apple green. Hehe...

The best part of the DLSU VS DLS-CSB match is the singing of the Alma Mater song in Unison! tradition will be tradition!

oh, so pareho sila ng hymn? are you from DLSU @ Col Burger?

oh, so pareho sila ng hymn? are you from DLSU @ Col Burger?

Yup, all La Sallian schools in the Philippines sing the same Alma Mater song.

Im from Saint Benilde.

i see. kaya pala green ang signature mo. hehe...so you know ren ren ritualo? haha...

i see. kaya pala green ang signature mo. hehe...so you know ren ren ritualo? haha...

Nope. I do not know him Personally. the La Sallian Community during my time in CSB was already big.

there are 13K La Salle Students and around 5k Benilde students. hahaha

More on the proposed merger....

http://sports.inquirer.net/inquirersports/inquirersports/view/20071228-109118/Pumaren_Lim_keen_on_UAAP-NCAA_caging_merger

Pumaren, Lim keen on UAAP-NCAA caging merger
By June Navarro
Philippine Daily Inquirer
12/28/2007

San Beda’s Sam Ekwe has been lording it over at the paint without respect for the other team. And nobody could break the rhythm of La Salle’s JV Casio when his three-pointers find their target. La Salle coach Franz Pumaren and San Beda mentor Frankie Lim both think a game featuring Casio’s shooting and the dominating inside presence of Ekwe could be a dream encounter in the 2008 UAAP-NCAA Centennial Cup.

Both champion coaches yesterday gave their nod to an ambitious plan that could unite all the schools from the UAAP and the NCAA under one mammoth collegiate league starting next year.

“It’s a welcome development for collegiate basketball,” said Pumaren, whose Green Archers captured this year’s UAAP men’s basketball varsity crown. “I think it will benefit both the UAAP and the NCAA.”

Lim, who has steered the Red Lions to a second straight NCAA seniors basketball title, shared the optimism and enthusiasm of Pumaren.

“That will be huge,” said Lim. “But if you ask me, it would be best if they put up one collegiate league and make it a yearly endeavor.”

Envisioned by BAP-Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director Patrick Gregorio, the Centennial Cup is being planned to coincide with next year’s UAAP hosting by the University of the Philippines on the school’s 100th anniversary.

There’s one concern, though, that Pumaren and Lim want addressed. Both believe the format should benefit all the member schools.

Lim said the Centennial Cup organizers should rate the teams and put them in a division or bracket where they could flourish. Pumaren is batting for a format that would suit the calendar of both leagues.

“There are a lot of ways to skin the cat,” said Lim. “They could put up a bracket for strong teams or a Division II for weaker teams.”

Pumaren said: “They should sit down and create a format that would appeal to both institutions. But generally, it (the merger) is a very good idea.”

Gregorio will present a concept paper on the proposed UAAP-NCAA merger early next month to UP president Emerlinda Roman, UP chancellor Sergio Cao and NCAA host Mapua, through its president Rey Vea.

After getting the nod of the UAAP board and NCAA management committee, Gregorio said an ad hoc committee, whose chief task is to oversee the affairs and interests of the UAAP-NCAA merger, will be formed.

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/01032008/sports01.html

Still Chot
REYES STAYS ON AS R.P. MEN’S HEAD COACH
By Joel Orellana
BusinessMirror
January 3, 2008

CHOT Reyeswill remain the head coach of the men’s national basketball team.

And whatever course the federation will pursue to put the country back on the world map of basketball, BAP-Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (BAP-SBP) executive director Patrick Gregorio said that Reyes will be the man in charge.

“There are no changes in the men’s basketball team. Chot is still the coach and in fact he has helped the SBP in its coaches licensing program in the country,” said Gregorio.

Under Reyes, the Philippines finished ninth in the last Fiba-Asia Championship in Tokushima, Japan in August, denying the country an opportunity to play anew in the Olympics.

Reyes then distanced himself from the team and concentrated on a few SBP programs that included the training and licensing of local coaches. He was a nominee for the commissionership of the Philippine Basketball Association but he withdrew at the last minute with the hope of continuing his stint with the RP team.

With Gregorio reaffirming Reyes
that his job is secured, the multitiled mentor said he felt “honored” to be given another opportunity to handle the squad whose next target is to qualify for the 2010 Fiba World Championship in Turkey.

But the nearest international competition for the men’s team is the Fiba-Asia Champions Cup for men in May in the United Arab Emirates. Gregorio added that the SBP is also looking at the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, China.

The RP cagers were not able to play in the 2006 Asian Games because it was still suspended by the world-governing Fiba. Its last stint in the Asiad was in 2002 where the Jong Uichico-mentored finished fourth in Busan, South Korea.

Reyes said that if the country wants to join these tournaments, it is “time to sit and talk” and finalize the plans.

After winning the gold medal in the Southeast Asian Games, basketball patron Dr. Mikee Romero said that his group is more than willing to form a team and train it for the Asian Games.

Under the mandate of the SBP, the PBA is in charge of elite tournaments like the Asian Games. But with the PBA board naming a new commissioner on January 10, it is not yet known whether the league will hold on to its commitment to the quadrennial Games.

Gregorio has said that he wanted to have a parallel program that will involve simultaneously the youth team, the Philippine Basketball League and the PBA in order to have formidable squads in future international tournaments.

“Let’s see who has the potential in the Youth team and in the SEAG team na puwedeng isabak sa Asian Games,” said Gregorio. “Marami ang may potential sa Youth team, and the PBL and the PBA will always be there to help us.”

The Youth team under coach Franz Pumaren will get its baptism of fire as it is set to compete in the Seaba Juniors Championship in May in Malaysia and if it qualifies, it will eye the title for the first time in the Asian Youth Championship since 1982.

Iran will host the Asian Youth Championship in September.

“Lahat naman gustong tumulong para sa ikagaganda ng basketball sa Pilipinas. Gusto lang nating magkaroon ng continuity ang mga programa natin,” Gregorio said.

And here's a good article on the proposed UAAP-NCAA merger :okay::

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/01032008/sports08.html

Super league
Tessa Jazmines
BusinessMirror
January 3, 2008

Question: Why a UAAP-NCAA merger league in 2008?

Answer: Why not?

It’s been just over a week since BAP-Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director Patrick “Pato” Gregorio first dangled to sports media the idea of a unified UAAP-NCAA collegiate league next July, and already the sports scene has been abuzz with discussions and speculations.

The idea is exciting. Different. Out of the box. And it’s the sort of New Year mental jogger that begs for attention. Deep thought. Distillation.

From what I hear—and have read—there are two schools of thought about it. One school is cautious, wary and skeptical that it will push through—or should push through—at all. The other school is avid, gung-ho and titillated. That’s human nature, I suppose. One group of scientists develops the jet engine. Another from the same branch invents the safety belt.

Call it what you may. A super league, a UAAP-NCAA merger, a unified collegiate body. But this is how it started.

Pato—a 2005 TOYM awardee whose mind does twirls, somersaults and loop-de-loops even while he is asleep—was thinking one day of how to mark the UP Centennial differently this year, basketball-wise, apart from UP putting together a viable team under a centennial coach that would make a difference for his alma mater.

A UP alumnus, and a former junior varsity player, it was only natural for Pato to be thinking—initially—of how he could contribute to his university on this very important milestone. But Pato’s thoughts eventually spiraled into something more grand for basketball, less self-serving for just UP.

Knowing that the University of the Philippines was a founder of both the NCAA and the UAAP, his mind went: why not “go back to the future” of Philippine collegiate basketball by merging history and opening up new possibilities on the year of the UP Centennial?

Why not go back to where it all started? And since what was started then, is no longer what’s prevailing now, why don’t we work toward a set-up that would bring back the two together, excite the players and member-schools, and delight basketball fanatics as well?

In Pato’s words: “Why not an Ateneo-San Beda rivalry all over again? Or De La Salle vs. Mapua as it used to be? Why not official games between the schools of both collegiate leagues—not just for exhibition—but for real competition. We could call it the Centennial Cup,” he mused.

Sounded crisp to me the moment he rattled the idea off my ear via cell phone, which crackled with excitement at its very mention. My raw, initial thought was, wouldn’t other UAAP or NCAA schools mind that UP was spearheading it on its centennial? Wasn’t that a tad too self-absorbed?

But no. Pato quickly drew the grand design. UP after all, was part of both leagues—in fact, a key initiator of both. It made sense for this national university to again initiate a move that would give back something to the basketball world—not just to the UAAP or the NCAA, but to collegiate basketball as a whole. UP would unite, if only just a year, the two leagues that have spawned the best exponents of the game and that entertained generations of basketball fans for more than eight decades.

If something happens after that, then let it be, Pato said.

Let’s review how both the NCAA and the UAAP began. According to Wikipedia, the NCAA was founded in 1924 on the initiative of Dr. Regino R. Ylanan, a physical education professor of UP, and had as original members besides UP, Ateneo de Manila, De La Salle College, Institute of Accounts, National University (NU), San Beda College (SBC), University of Manila and University of Santo Tomas (UST).

The UAAP was founded 14 years later (1938) by UP, FEU, NU and UST.

But when the NCAA board decided to incorporate in 1930, UP, the only public institution among the member-schools, protested, saying the move would lead to commercialization. NU and UST sided with UP and formed “The Big Three”, which held triangular meets between them. In 1936, UP and UST withdrew permanently from the NCAA and continued with their own league and were later joined by FEU. In 1938, UP, FEU, NU and UST formed the University Athletic Association of the Philippines, “a rival intercollegiate league.”

That was how they began. Now, with Pato’s super plan that has been welcomed enthusiastically by school officials of both UAAP and NCAA schools, there is a chance for the two leagues to get back together and provide a strong basketball backbone for the nation.

SBP president Manny Pangilinan himself has conferred his full blessings on the vision, throwing his energy behind it and hailing it as an idea whose time has come. The combined league would have no want of sponsors or supporters. The viewing public would have first-class basketball entertainment, no question about it.

Most important, according to Pato, the move would elevate the level of collegiate basketball—which is an objective of the SBP. The pipe dream is to make it to the Universiade in Belgrade in 2009—a collegiate basketball tournament that’s said to be “bigger than the Olympics”. We haven’t been participating in it because our local collegiate ball has no unified, clear-cut program.

With this new league, the Universiade becomes a strong possibility. In fact, the possibilities are endless.

Now, even swimming wants to unite its NCAA and UAAP components. And that’s a whole new ball game.

Bilib na ako sa Blazers... 15 out of 16 games -- hehehe

http://www.nba.com/media/blazers/kassi.jpg

^^nakakainis na nga eh.. they've reached 2 OT.. but bulls let it slip away.. :(

http://sports.inquirer.net/breakingnews/breakingnews/view_article.php?article_id=111003

UAAP rejects proposed NCAA merger
By Jasmine W. Payo
Philippine Daily Inquirer
01/08/2008

MANILA, Philippines -- The UAAP board on Monday shot down the proposal to merge the varsity league with its counterpart from the NCAA.

School officials reached the decision in Monday’s board meeting after receiving a concept paper from the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas to unite the UAAP and the NCAA into one league.

“Everybody unanimously said no,” declared UAAP president Fr. Ermito de Sagon of host University of Santo Tomas.

“We do not want the UAAP to be merged with any league because we want to maintain our identity, tradition and history.”

But SBP executive director Patrick Gregorio, who floated the idea of an unprecedented UAAP-NCAA union about two weeks ago, stressed that the basketball federation never pushed for a total merger of the two leagues.

“We agree that we have to protect the tradition of both the NCAA and the UAAP; the word ‘merger’ never came from SBP,” said Gregorio. “As a matter of fact, in our letter, we proposed a soft working title, ‘Let’s play together in 2008?’”

The concept paper sent to the UAAP and the NCAA Monday used the words “fusion,” “combination” and “unification.”

One of the main concerns the UAAP board raised was the inevitably longer tournament schedule.

“That will be very problematic for our athletes,” said De Sagon.

Union will alienate other sports

“For the UAAP board, we see them more as students than as athletes. We’ll be putting so much basketball in their schedule. They will be playing just like the pros. There’s no problem with the pros because that’s really their life, day in and day out. But we’re dealing with students and their schedule is such that they have to spend more time in the classroom than on the basketball court.”

Officials added that the proposed union will alienate the other varsity sports.

“The UAAP and the NCAA are not just about basketball,” said De Sagon.

“You don’t just merge the two leagues in basketball and leave out the other sporting events.”

Despite the rebuff, Gregorio said the BAP-SBP will continue to extend its invitation for a “special meeting” among officials of the two leagues on Thursday at the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. office.

“We support the concerns of the UAAP; it’s simply a matter of sitting down and discussing it thoroughly,” said Gregorio.

“We have no intention of merging both the NCAA and the UAAP. It’s an invitation to play together, before or after the season. We respect the idea that there should be a UAAP champion and an NCAA champion. Contracts will also be respected.”

Member confirms Gregorio plan

A board member confirmed that Gregorio broached the idea of the two leagues playing against each other last year to highlight the centennial celebration of University of the Philippines, next season’s host school.

“But there was never any talk of a merger,” Dr. Sergio Cao, UP chancellor, said.

The NCAA is not averse to playing with the UAAP, however.

“The NCAA is willing to sit down and discuss the possibility of playing with the UAAP in the 2008 basketball season,” said NCAA management committee member Henry Atayde of the College of St. Benilde. “But issues must be settled at the end of the month because that’s our deadline.”

In a previous interview, BAP-SBP president Manny V. Pangilinan said the UAAP-NCAA union is just the initial step of a basketball program that aims to streamline the collegiate leagues nationwide.

“We are open to proposals of playing for a truly national championship because we have actually been doing that already,” said De Sagon. “And besides, we are also available to lending our players from other sports, not just basketball.”

De Sagon added: “Even if they use their power as the SBP board, the UAAP will not just give in to that just because it’s basketball. There’s no law that can prohibit us from playing basketball in this country. If they don’t recognize our league, we’ll just play because it’s just a school league.”

Still, the BAP-SBP said it has no plans of junking the proposal.

“We’ll continue to reach out to the distinguished members of the UAAP,” said Gregorio. “From Day 1, we know that there will be many issues and concerns.”

http://sports.inquirer.net/breakingnews/breakingnews/view/20080111-111819/Natl-collegiate-cage-tournament-hatched

Nat'l collegiate cage tournament hatched
By Jasmine W. Payo
Philippine Daily Inquirer
01/11/2008

MANILA, Philippines--THE BAP-Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas laid the groundwork Friday for the formation of the 2008 National Collegiate Championship, which will gather the top 16 varsity teams in the country this November, following the botched plan to unify the UAAP and the NCAA.

The November tournament will be a strengthened version of the Champions League, which will be dissolved to give way to the post-season competition that pits the best collegiate squads in the country, including representatives from the Visayas and Mindanao.

"We're planning it, subject to the concurrence of all leagues," said BAP-SBP president Patrick Gregorio. "Hopefully we clarified that there's no merger, that this is what we want."

The tournament champion will represent the Philippines in the 2009 University Games in Serbia.

"It will be the first time the Philippines will send a representative because we never had a national collegiate champion," said Gregorio.

The plan was hatched when BAP-SBP president Manny V. Pangilinan and Gregorio met several officials of the UAAP and the NCAA Friday at the Makati Shangri-La.

Gregorio said BAP-SBP will formally present the proposal to all concerned schools starting this month.

Those who attended came in their individual capacity and not as representatives of the UAAP or the NCAA.

UAAP commissioner Ed Cordero attended the gathering along with league members Junjun Capistrano of Ateneo, Br. Bernie Oca, FSC, of La Salle and Hercules Callanta the University of the Philippines.

Also present were NCAA management committee chair Paul Supan of host Jose Rizal University, Mapua's Ding Lozano and St. Benilde's Henry Atayde.

BAP-SBP appointed former PBA chair Rey Gamboa as project director of the nationwide tournament and veteran coach Joe Lipa as his deputy.

LA Tenorio....sikat pala 'tong kamag-anak ko
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t226/cosmosnegros/23841190_LA_Tenorio_02.jpg

I just heard about this filipino guy playing in D1-NCAA for WKU Hilltoppers... Japeth Aguilar. Which i would guess you all know already.

Hes been inactive since early november last year, after the second game, because of an injury on his right foot. He applied for a medical redshirt but it was not granted by the NCAA because he was a foreign recruit they say... fans have said that he showed promise (defense - had 3 block in game 2) but obviously the injury has been a big letdown. only about 10 games left in the regular season. (also, he won a dunk contest amongs WKU teamates)

anyways, i dug up some photos earlier from the season:

here are the best IMO. Box Art cover-esque for a video game!!! hehe

http://www.hilltopperhaven.com/galleries/07-08/kennesaw/images/japeth2.jpg

http://www.hilltopperhaven.com/galleries/07-08/kennesaw/images/japeth3.jpg

http://www.hilltopperhaven.com/galleries/07-08/kennesaw/images/japeth.jpg


The rest:
http://k43.pbase.com/o3/35/283435/1/88718312.sYfGXpdJ.5FFE4406.jpg

http://i.pbase.com/o3/35/283435/1/88718318.OjNYxRli.5FFE4413.jpg

http://i.pbase.com/o3/35/283435/1/88718279.tEIzMnha.5FFE4351.jpg

http://k53.pbase.com/o3/35/283435/1/88718280.wNH43LTU.5FFE4353.jpg

http://i.pbase.com/o3/35/283435/1/88718303.uczToBU9.5FFE4399.jpg

http://i.pbase.com/o3/35/283435/1/88718333.DEGCC7uG.5FFE4434.jpg

http://k43.pbase.com/o3/35/283435/1/88718342.FIt18yi3.5FFE4444.jpg

http://k41.pbase.com/o3/35/283435/1/88718356.xy7wTg3Q.5FFE4456.jpg

and here he is injured with a cast on his foot and couldn't play...:ohno: :ohno: :ohno:

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x287/GearX_2007/another/another%202/japethpilayso6.jpg

and here he is injured with a cast on his foot and couldn't play...:ohno: :ohno: :ohno:

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x287/GearX_2007/another/another%202/japethpilayso6.jpg

that sucks man... this is his only year of eligibility to play. No medical redshirt :bash: i wonder where he'll go after this?

btw is he only 20? most NCAA players graduate at about 22

shaq traded

And Pao Gasol to the LA Lakers. Damn... those Lakers will be good. My prediction is they get to the western conference finals this year. Will it be retro-80s? Boston vs. LA? That would be great, although I dislike both teams.

Golden State Warriors signed free agent Chris Webber. He started playing tonight against the Chi-town Bulls. Bulls won. Damn.

And the Cavs lost to Chinaman. Damn!

^^ chinaman ? how about Shaq re traded to LA ?

^^Yao. Back in Lakers? I thought he was going to the Suns. Well, I don't think he's not that good anymore. He's old. Retirement is just looming about the corner.

^ Shaq got traded to the Suns...for Marion.;) I dont really like the trade as the Suns are a fast offensive team. Shaq is slow and getting old. I would prefer if they traded Marion for Jermaine O'Neal. I understand they need a big defensive man and Jermaine would fit better than Shaq.

^^Yeah, and I don't think trading Marion and Banks for Shaq isn't worth it. You're right, Jermaine would've been a better choice. It's just that the Pacers are not willing to let him go, I guess.

^^ maybe the Suns organization desperately need a championship maybe putting Shaq will lead them to the finals bec playoff time they lack strentght in the center position .

^^Haha, good luck sa kanila. Shaq is prone to under-performance. Hahaha. Yeah I guess they desperately need a center.

Shaq's trade was ballsy. But interesting. I'd like to see how this plays out. I think everyone's negative reactions toward Shaq could fuel him. He's gotta focus on getting healthier (and less heftier) first before we can decide if he can give the Suns their coveted championship ring.

maybe trade shaq again for future draft picks...hahaha kung ako yung suns... hehehe joke

i agree with you sir Just... the Diesel's tank is almost empty... kerr bubu??

@ Begel.. Lakers and Celts?? baka hornets pa nga manalo sa west e...("j)
Dallas and SanAntonio are still lurking around.. but the Suns will fade (hahaha joke)
i'll agree with the east side..

only the playoffs will tell if shaq will deliver. haha.
i'm rooting for the underdog, so I'm rooting for the Diesel hehe

Meanwhile, Lebron James still has no help! Give that man a point guard!

That man deserves Jason Kidd. Someone call the Nets.

Jason Kidd is headed to Dallas and it's almost a final deal.

Jason Kidd trade hits snag
BY JULIAN GARCIA
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

Thursday, February 14th 2008, 4:00 AM


Keivom/News

Jason Kidd
TORONTO - Jason Kidd was all set Thursday to get what he's been waiting for - a trade to a contending team. Now, he may have to wait another day, at least.

The Nets and Mavericks agreed to a deal Wednesday night that would have sent the All-Star point guard to Dallas, but one of the players the Nets were to get back - forward Devean George - invoked a rare and complicated clause in his contract that gives him the right to refuse a trade.

Still, since George is only making $2.3 million this season, his refusal to come to New Jersey is not expected to kill the deal. As of last night, the Nets, who had been preparing to set up a conference call to announce the deal, said the trade was "on hold."

In the initial agreement, the Nets would have sent Kidd to Dallas along with forward Malik Allen and swingman Antoine Wright. In addition to George, the Nets were set to get back 24-year-old Devin Harris as well as forwards DeSagana Diop and Jerry Stackhouse, D-League guard Maurice Ager, two future first-round draft picks and $3 million. The Nets will buy out Stackhouse's contract so he can re-sign with Dallas soon after, sources said.

Harris has sat out the last nine games with a bruised left ankle but George and Diop played in the Mavs' 96-76 win over Portland last night. If George had accepted a trade, he would have had to give up his "Bird rights," named after Larry Bird. George has this veto power over a trade because he is in his second year and on his second contract with the Mavericks. Losing the "Bird rights" could limit the length of his next contract or the amount of money the Nets could spend to re-sign him. "To give that up is not an easy thing to do," George's agent, Mark Bartelstein, said last night. "Right now he plays for the Mavericks and that's where his focus is."

Kidd, Allen and Wright sat out the Nets' 109-91 loss to the Raptors, watching the game from the locker room. Afterward, Kidd said he didn't know any details of the proposed trade or of the snag that is holding it up.

He did sound like he was optimistic the deal will be finalized, eventually.

"I had a great time here in New Jersey," Kidd said. "I mean, the things we accomplished as a franchise, it's been great."

Kidd was drafted by the Mavericks in 1994 and traded to Phoenix two years later. On July 18, 2001, the Nets pulled of a deal that dramatically changed the fortunes of their long-struggling franchise, acquiring Kidd and Chris Dudley for Stephon Marbury, Johnny Newman and Soumaila Samake.

Though the Nets had made the playoffs just four times in the previous 10 years, Kidd immediately guaranteed that he would help them return to the playoffs. Less than a year later, the Nets made it to the NBA Finals for the first time.

Even though the Nets were swept by the Lakers, they were on the NBA map for the first time. They made it to the Finals again the next season, losing to the Spurs in six games, and have made the playoffs every year since.

The Nets currently are tied with the 76ers for seventh place in the Eastern Conference but in serious jeopardy of having their playoff streak snapped, as they are on the brink of losing their best player. "We are going to need a lot of people, everyone in there, to really enlist and commit because we are going to find a way," Lawrence Frank said after the loss. "We want to play past the regular season and play in the postseason, so we have a lot to do."

Kidd was hoping to be traded around the deadline last season, but a proposed deal that would have made him a Laker fell through when L.A. refused to part with young center Andrew Bynum.

Things really started unraveling earlier this season. First, before a game in Utah, Kidd accused his team of mentally "letting go of the rope." Less than three weeks later, Kidd sat out a game against the Knicks, claiming to have a migraine headache. However, sources said Kidd was really protesting the team's refusal to extend his contract.

On Jan.27, the day the Nets lost their ninth straight game to fall to 18-26, Kidd told reporters that he was happy in New Jersey and was willing to battle through the team's struggles. But the next day, he announced that he had had enough, saying, "Sometimes, when you ride a wave, you get to the end and that's all there is. That's where we are."

all-star na..

PBA Finals

2-0, in favor of Sta. Lucia

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x287/GearX_2007/another/sports/eman1.jpg

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x287/GearX_2007/another/sports/eman2.jpg

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x287/GearX_2007/another/sports/eman3.jpg

Left to right:

Samigue Eman - 6'9" age:25 (PBA)
Christopher Eman - 6'6" age:20 (University of Mindanao)
Spencer John Eman - 6'7" age:18
Fernando Eman - 6'5" age: 21 (University of Mindanao)

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x287/GearX_2007/another/sports/eman1.jpg

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x287/GearX_2007/another/sports/eman2.jpg

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x287/GearX_2007/another/sports/eman3.jpg

Left to right:

Samigue Eman - 6'9" age:25 (PBA)
Christopher Eman - 6'6" age:20 (University of Mindanao)
Spencer John Eman - 6'7" age:18
Fernando Eman - 6'5" age: 21 (University of Mindanao)

ang tatangkad ng mga Emans ano kaya formula niyan?

http://sports.inquirer.net/inquirersports/inquirersports/view/20080220-119991/RP-Youth-five-dreams-big

RP Youth five dreams big
By Jasmine W. Payo
Philippine Daily Inquirer
02/20/2008

MANILA, Philippines -- These days, it’s hardly any Filipino kid’s basketball dream.
Yet the Nokia-Philippine Youth Team believes there’s still hope in restoring the glory of playing for flag and country.

“During our time, the goal of young basketball players is to play for the national team,” said RP youth team coach Franz Pumaren. “Now, kids aspire to play in the UAAP, the NCAA or in the PBA. But we hope to bring back the pride of wearing the national colors.”

On Tuesday, in colorful dramatic rites that resembled a glamorous pep talk-cum-sendoff, the new breed of cagers whose main task is to serve as the country’s future Olympic entry was unveiled.

Showered in confetti and basking in the glow of multicolored spotlights, the young kids were introduced not just as the future of Philippine basketball, but the last hope to reclaim the glory in representing the country.

Pumaren, who suited up for the country from 1981 to 1986, went as far as comparing them to the current marquee name in the political arena.

“For the past days, we’ve been admiring and adoring a certain individual,” said Pumaren. “In fact, some of the people label him as a hero. But I want to make an appeal. If you think Jun Lozada is a hero, let’s treat these kids as the real heroes of Philippine basketball. Everyone of these kids, there’s a Jun Lozada in them.”

But there’s more politics involved in the current squad than just parallels. The P76-million funding shelled out by Nokia and Tao Corporation for the three-year program is written on a memorandum of agreement that has an exit clause -- that the sponsors can pull out anytime they want.

And, knowledgeable sources said, that pull-out may depend on the April elections of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP), the sport’s national federation, in April.

On court, though, the young men hoping to set an example are team captain Frank Golla Jr. of Ateneo de Manila University, La Salle Zobel’s Jed Manguera, University of the Philippines’ Mark Lopez, Joseph Tolentino and Samuel Joseph Marata, Far Eastern University’s Ryan Roose Garcia, National University’s Jovet Mendoza and Joseph Terso, College of St. Benilde’s Mark Joel de Guzman, Jose Rizal University’s Jerome Ramos, Xavier’s Jeric Allen Teng and Gabriel Banal, Tarlac State University’s Jaypee Mendoza, Ilolilo Central High School’s Jhon Sumido and Jairold Flores and Sacred Heart-Cagayan de Oro’s Philip Paredes.

Assisting Pumaren are younger brother Dindo of University of the East, Ateneo’s Sandy Arespacochaga and De La Salle University’s Jack Santiago.

In the coming months, the Nokia-RP Youth Team will see action in the Philippine Basketball League as a guest squad and train in the Abunassar Impact Basketball Camp in Carson City, California, before debuting in the Southeast Asian Basketball Association youth tournament in Kuala Lumpur on May 1.

wow ang lalakí nila :cheers:

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x287/GearX_2007/another/sports/eman2.jpg

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x287/GearX_2007/another/sports/eman3.jpg

Left to right:

Samigue Eman - 6'9" age:25 (PBA)
Christopher Eman - 6'6" age:20 (University of Mindanao)
Spencer John Eman - 6'7" age:18
Fernando Eman - 6'5" age: 21 (University of Mindanao)

ang tatangkad ng mga Emans ano kaya formula niyan?

drinkg more proteins lang po!!!!! :lol:

drinkg more proteins lang po!!!!! :lol:

nasa t-shirt ng isa.....:cheers: