Wednesday, October 22, 2008

JAWO TALKS ABOUT THE RP TEAM

Leave it to Robert S. Jaworski, the living legend of Philippine basketball, to break the ice as only he can, comment on a burning issue as only he dares, and leave listeners chewing on bits and pieces of information as only he is wont to.

Answering an invitation from PBA commissioner Renauld 'Sonny' Barrios to become part of an advisory group requested by national coach Yeng Guiao, Jaworski was in his elements Monday night at EDSA Shangri-La just after the landmark meeting.

Asked what he and Guiao talked about initially, Jaworski deadpanned: "Tinanong ako ni Yeng kung puwede raw akong maglaro. E sabi ko…"

When the sportswriters broke up in laughter, Jaworski smoothed in: "Tatawa-tawa kayo, e di hawakan nyo muscle ko."

Looking fit and in shape, and striking in light yellow jacket and green collared shirt, the man known as the 'Big J' thanked Guiao for the invitation, calling it "an honor" to be asked to "contribute in our own little way some positive experience, additional knowledge, and insights from past tournaments."

Jaworski, who led the first PBA-backed national team to a silver medal finish in the 1990 Beijing Asian Games, was joined by 1984 RP-Hiroshima Games coach Norman Black, 2002 RP-Busan Games mentor Jong Uichico, and 2007 RP-Tokushima Olympic qualifier coach Chot Reyes.

An emergency that arose kept Tim Cone, the 1998 RP-Bangkok Asian Games mentor, from being with the council of national coaches which Guiao sought preparatory to forming the RP team for the FIBA-Asia World Championship qualifier in September 2009.

"I understand that we'll be asked to drop by the practice from time to time, and also to list down our so-called Dream Team for Yeng's consideration," Jaworski said.

"We'll probably look at it together and maybe come up with a team that everybody believes is the right group."

Jaworski, whose charismatic persona and aggressive brand of play stirred fan adulation like no other basketball player in the country, said he might attend PBA games every now and then to scout candidates for his list.

"That's not a bad idea," he said. "But I want you to know that I've been present in the games, mentally and in my soul."

Jaworski was apparently alluding to the Ginebra-Air21 Fiesta Conference Finals last season where Express governor Lito Alvarez revealed Jaworski had played a role in as a behind-the-scenes coaching consultant.

"I know what's going on. I saw those game. Gusto ko ngang pumunta non kaya lang wala kasi akong upuan e...dahil punong-puno."

Two recent issues – the planned acquisition of a naturalized 7-footer for the national team and the unconfirmed hiring of foreign national coach – drew passionate reaction from Jaworski.

Instead of naturalizing a foreigner which would "always involve a question of law," Jaworski suggested that a search be made for a tall player with Filipino lineage that would make him eligible to "vote and play basketball" under the Dual Citizen Law.

"We have so many overseas Filipino workers. Spread the word around for a 20-, 25-, 30-year old half-Filipino player who didn't qualify, say, for the German national team. Then have him come over."

Jaworski also is not keen on the hiring of a foreign coach to handle the national team.

"It's a little way off. Honestly, I hope you don't mind, I don't have anything against foreign coaches, but we have to have some degree of pride at the right time," he said.

"What if you have a foreign coach and the national team wins? What do you achieve? 'Champion kami!' Who's your coach? 'A Scaramooch.'"

A two-month seminar where the foreign mentor can pass on his "best attributes and best messages" to local coaches who already have international experience, Jaworski believed, "can produce very, very good results."

Stories about him making a comeback in the PBA as coach of the Air21 Express, Jaworski said, will have to be left as stories – for now.

"They (Express owner Bert Lina and his family) are good friends, wonderful people," the former Ginebra playing-coach said. "But it's just that at this time of my life, there are a couple of small things that I'm putting together and so… But I'm not closing the door to anything."

Is preparing for the 2010 national elections one of the small things he is putting together?

"If there's going to be honest-to-goodness electoral reforms and I can pull off my athletes and sports people together, I will venture," Jaworski said.

"But at the moment, lest we see that, I do my humble things like this one – being invited and coming over to see what help I could extend to the sport that has been my life."

GUIAO TO RETAIN SEVEN PLAYERS THAT PLAYED IN TOKUSHIMA

National coach Yeng Guiao's last statement in Monday night's council of coaches meeting at EDSA Shangri-La turned out to be the most revealing.

"At least 60 to 70 percent of that RP-Tokushima team will be retained. Mga apat o lima na lang ang idagdag," said Guiao at the close of his first consultation session with former mentors of PBA-backed RP teams.

Present was Robert Jaworski, coach of the first all-pro squad that came in second to China in the Beijing Asian Games in 1990.

Also in attendance were Norman Black, the 1994 RP-Hiroshima mentor, Jong Uichico, who handled the 2002 RP-Busan selection, and Chot Reyes, who formed the 2007 RP-Tokushima Olympic qualifier squad from which Guiao will be picking seven or eight players for the 2009 FIBA-Asia World Championship qualifier in Guangzhou, China.

Based on the length of exposure and the statistical contribution they had in last year's qualifying tournament for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, hugging the inside track should be Kelly Williams of Sta. Lucia Realty, Asi Taulava of Coca-Cola, Mick Pennisi of San Miguel Beer, Jayjay Helterbrand and Mark Caguioa of Ginebra, Jimmy Alapag of Talk 'N Text, Gabe Norwood of Rain or Shine, and Kerby Raymundo of Purefoods.

That would leave four slots – maybe three if 6-10 Japeth Aguilar of Western Kentucky, son of former Northern Consolidated center Peter Aguilar, makes it from the United States – from the Magic 12.

Jockeying for position could be James Yap of Purefoods, Willie Miller and Sonny Thoss of Alaska, Cyrus Baguio of Red Bull, Arwind Santos of Air21, Ryan Reyes of Sta. Lucia, and Jay-R Reyes of Rain or Shine.

"Very fruitful and enlightening," said Guiao of the landmark session. "I I'm asking their help in the formulation of the final lineup, I want them to critic the lineup that I'm going to show them before it is announced to the public."

A 15-man lineup is expected to be released in two weeks time, with practice to commence on Nov. 17 at the Ynares Sports Coliseum in Pasig.

Given the uncertainty of Guiao's initial plan to acquire a 7-foot foreign player for naturalization, no significant step was taken towards that direction during the conference arranged by PBA commissioner Renauld 'Sonny' Barrios.

"There might be some legal obstacle, but I don't think we should stop entertaining that idea," Guiao said. "However, I'm also ready to accept the fact that it might not be in this team."

Given the "one-shot-deal" nature of coaching a national team in the country, Guiao said, gathering former RP coaches for a pow-wow is the best option available.

"The way they can help me actually is for them to tell me what their mistakes were, and I will try not to repeat them," Guiao said.

"I'm going to step into their shoes and they're going to step into mine and we'll consolidate all that knowledge and experience. Certainly I will make mistakes, but hopefully fewer."

With the possibility of the tournament getting brought up one month ahead of the September schedule because of Ramadan, the Muslim religious observance which features sunrise-to-sunset fasting, Guiao said extra efforts will be needed to cover for lost training time.

"My estimate is the the team to play at least 20 games internationally, in Qatar, the Jones Cup, and in Europe, before the tournament," he said.

But if the schedule is adjusted, then we may just have to drop the Europe stint and concentrate on the Jones Cup and Qatar. Another possibility is to invite foreign teams for a mini-tournament here like they did before."

“SMART-PILIPINAS TEAM DEPARTS FOR ASIAN BEACH GAMES IN BALI”

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, Inc.



The Smart-Pilipinas 3 on 3 team competing in the first ever beach basketball of the 1st Asian Beach Games in Bali, Indonesia departs tonight for the island paradise with high hopes of garnering a medal for the Philippine delegation. The delegation will be led by SBP Executive Director Noli Eala, SBP Youth Commission Chairman Nic Jorge, Head Coach Britt Reroma and bannered by 4 up and coming young players of the Youth pool including 3 players who were part of the RP Youth team that competed recently in the Asian Jr. Men’s Championship in Tehran, Iran. They are Joseph Tolentino, Samuel Marata, Papot Paredes and Arthur De La Cruz.

The Smart-Pilipinas National team which is backed by Smart Sports, Cebu Pacific and Nike and sanctioned by the SBP, POC and PSC will leave on board Cebu Pacific flight 5J 759 via Jakarta onward to Bali, Indonesia where a majority of the RP delegation is already competing in other water and beach events.

“We are very confident the boys will play well and hopefully land a podium finish,” Eala stated. “It’s a big honor for the SBP to be included in this historic event and we will try our best to make the country proud of our young team,” he added.

The Beach basketball event is a 3 on 3 tourney using FIBA 33 rules. The setting will be outdoor on a makeshift half court situated in one of the competition areas along the Bali coastline. The Smart-Pilipinas team debuts against Thailand on Friday afternoon before playing favourite Japan on Saturday in the single round prelimaries of Group B. Group A is composed of Singapore, India, Malaysia and host Indonesia. Top teams of each group will advance to the finals on Sunday where the teams are assured of a silver medal.

“All the teams are big, young and tough. But we’ve prepared hard at sa awa ng Diyos at dasal natin lahat aabot ang mga bata sa finals”, Jorge said.

Monday, October 20, 2008

PBA tv rating, gates up

As Wall Street continues to reel from the global financial crisis, the Philippine Basketball Association recorded big gains in terms television rating as well as at the turnstile.

According to a survey conducted by AGB AC Nielsen, the first five gamedays of the 2008-09 KFC PBA Philippine Cup enjoyed an average rating of 5.48 under the watch of its new network partner Solar Sports. This represents an increase of 63 percent compared to the ratings generated by the first five gamedays of the same conference last year.

More significantly, the latest rating marks the highest the PBA has recorded in the last four years when the games were still covered by ABC 5.

Starting with the 2008-09 season, Asia's first play-for-pay league is now being produced by Solar Sports, which holds the rights to the games over a period of three years. The PBA games are being aired on C/S 9 (free TV) and Basketball TV (cable).

"It's heart-warming and inspiring considering the financial crisis confronting the country and the world," said league commissioner Renauld "Sonny" Barrios, reacting to the AGB AC Nielsen report. "It goes to show that the PBA is still the nation's No.1 sports entertainment."

He added: "I would like to assure the fans that their continued support gives us all the more reason to serve them better and try to make the games even more exciting."

Viewership of Barangay Ginebra's first game of the season against defending champion Sta. Lucia Realty, according to the survey, drew a rating of 7.2, surpassing the ratings of the 2007 Philippine Cup Finals between the Realtors and the Purefoods TJ Giants, except for the deciding seventh game. Game 7 of that titular series recorded a high 12.98 TV rating.

The Ginebra – Sta. Lucia tiff likewise approximated the TV ratings of the Fiesta Conference Finals between the eventual champion Kings and the Air21 Express.

Apparently, the league is also doing good at the gates.

According to Barrios, the first eight games of the season have attracted 47,048 live viewers or an average of 6,721.1 per playdate.

The PBA Wednesday, Friday and Sunday doubleheaders are being played alternately at the Araneta Coliseum, the Cuneta Astrodome and the Ynares Center in Antipolo while Thursday games are being held at so-called "non-traditional" venues such as the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City and the Olivarez College Gym in Paranaque.

Collegiate Champions League update

Collegiate Champions League update
by gameface.ph (10/1908)

The University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers, the Lyceum of the Philippines Pirates, Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals and St. Claire College Saints survived the grueling “Wild Card” phase of the SMART-PLDT-KFC 2008 Philippine Collegiate Championship games recently completed at the Makati Coliseum.

The cast of teams in the zonal championship are the following:

Zone 1 – St. Louis University, Champion-Ilocos/Baguio; University of Luzon, Champion-Pangasinan/Pampanga; Mapua Cardinals, NCAA fourth placer; Arellano University Chiefs, Fr. Martin Cup; Lyceum University-Batangas, NCAA-South runner-up; and University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers, Wild Card Qualifier.

Zone 2 – University of Nueva Caceres Greyhounds, Champion-Quezon/Bicol; Don Bosco College-Mandaluyong, Champion-NCAA-South; University of the East Warriors, UAAP fourth placer; and Lyceum of the Philippines Pirates, Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals and St. Claire College Saints, Wild Card Qualifiers.

Zone 3 – BIT International College Cruisers, Champion-Bohol/Dumaguete; AMA Computers Titans, Champion-Ormoc/Tacloban; University of San Jose Recoletos Jaguars, CESAFI runner-up; Letran College, NCAA third placer; University of Cebu Webmasters, Wild Card Qualifier; and Bacolod/Iloilo Champion (ongoing regional finals at Bacolod).

Zone 4 – Xavier University Crusaders, Champion-Cagayan de Oro; University of Mindanao Wildcats, Champion-Davao/GenSan; Ateneo de Zamboanga, Champion-Zamboanga provinces; Far Eastern University

Tamaraws, UAAP third placer; University of San Carlos Warriors, CESAFI third placer; and Capitol University Stallions, Wild Card Qualifier.
For more details about the biggest collegiate basketball event for the year presented by SMART, PLDT, FilOil Flying V and KFC visit the official website, www.CollegiateChampionsLeague.net and www.gameface.ph, internet media partner of PCCL.

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WPBL tryout draws 125 players
by philippinebasketballleague.org (10/1908)

If the number is use as an indication, then the Women’s Philippine Basketball League (WPBL) – back after almost a decade of absence – will be a lot more fun and exciting this year.

A total of 125 aspirants – some of them coming as far as Cebu – showed up during the open tryout held yesterday at the Jose Rizal University gym in Mandaluyong City which is a clear manifestation that women’s basketball is still alive and kicking in the country.

PBL officials, led by Commissioner Chino Trinidad, Deputy Commissioner Tommy Ong, Executive Director Butch Maniego and chairman Mikee Romero of Harbour Centre were very satisfied with the turnout of the one-day tryout supervised by Joey Guanio and Jigs Mendoza.

“The number of participants is a good indication of what to expect in the coming tournament. If only we have 20 teams for the coming tournament then we can accommodate them all,” said Romero, the man responsible for the revival of the event. “Halos lahat nagpakita ng galling para makasama sa WPBL.”

“With this number of aspirants, we have a bright future ahead when it comes to women’s basketball. It’s really my dream to win both the men’s and women’s divisions in the SEA Games,” added Romero.

Also present were Patrick “Pato” Gregorio of Smart Sports under the company of telecommunication mogul Manny V. Pangilinan, Haydee Ong of Nutri-C under the company of Jun Sy of Nokia, Pat Aquino of Ever Bilena, Chito Narvasa and Tanny Gonzales of Muscle Tape-Lyceum and representatives from Discovery Suite, Pharex, Bacchus Energy Drink and Oracle Residence.

Trinidad and Romero will announce today the final composition of the tournament today.

“We see at least 10 teams competiting in the coming tournament. But I hope our other regular members will take part in the next conference,” said Trinidad.

Maniego said the drafting of the players will be held either on Tuesday or Wednesday.

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

“SBP BOLSTERS YOUTH BASKETBALL PROGRAM”

After its very successful Nokia-Tao National Basketball Training Center for the elite youth, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) is strengthening its grassroots youth programs through 3 forthcoming tournaments which the national sports association for basketball is pursuing.

Spearheaded by its Youth Commission, the SBP is sending a delegation to the 1st Asian Beach Games in Bali, Indonesia to compete in the Beach Basketball event from October 22-26, 2008. The Smart-Pilipinas 3 on 3 team will be composed of 4 up and coming young players of the Youth pool including 3 players who were part of the RP Youth team that competed recently in the Asian Jr. Men’s Championship in Tehran, Iran. They are Joseph Tolentino, Samuel Marata, Papot Paredes and Arthur De La Cruz. The delegation will be led by SBP Executive Director Noli Eala, SBP Youth Commission Chairman Nic Jorge, Team Manager and Smart Marketing Head Danilo Mojica and Head Coach Britt Reroma.

The Smart-Pilipinas National team, which is in the group of Japan and Thailand, is hoping to provide the Philippine delegation with a medal in the newly introduced biennial event. “The SBP is honored to be part of this historic inaugural event. The boys have prepared hard and we are hopeful we will perform well,” Jorge said.

Aside from its participation in the Beach Games, the SBP is busy preparing to stage two major youth tourneys in 2009. These are the National Junior Championship slated to be held in Baguio City from January 11-18, 2009 and the National 33 Open Championship to be held in the summer of 2009.

The NJC will feature 20 of the best high school teams of the country vying for the national inter secondary crown. The top 20 teams will be taken from the various regions of the SBP through provincial and regional eliminations. The NJC will be the first national tournament directly managed and organized by the SBP through its Regional Directors and Area Heads.

On the other hand, the National 33 Open Championship will pit the best 3 on 3 teams all over the Philippines in various age group categories playing for the first time under FIBA 33 rules. The winners of the Open will be automatically included in the pool that will represent the Philippines in the Youth Olympic Games in Singapore in 2010.

“These programs are a manifestation of the SBP’s commitment under MVP to long term youth development. The youth sector is a priority area of the SBP. It is our hope that by providing the youth more opportunities for competitive tournaments, we can bolster the future of Philippine basketball for international competitions, “ Eala stated.

Free RRD Basketball Clinic goes to far-flung Brgy.Lumiad

Basketball clinicians goes to far-flung Brgy.Lumiad in Paquibato District for the Mayor RRD Basketball Clinic on Thursday, October 16, until Friday, October 17.

Former Philippine Basketball Association and Metropolitan Basketball Association player Cadel Mosqueda and veteran clinician Alberto Malinao will teach young boys and girls the basics of shooting, dribbling and passing for the next two days including simple plays and drills.

Aside from the basics, the team from the Sports Development Division-City Mayor's Office will also inculcate upon the participants the importance of engaging in sports activities at an early age and how this will develop strong bodies and minds.

The clinics have benefitted hundreds of boys and girls in Davao City as a component of the Duterte Basketball League which is also ongoing.

Christopher "Bong" Go, the mayor's executive assistant, said that the clinics are one way of keeping the youth into sports and encourage them to stay in sports activities.

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Saint Louie University Bags Region 1 Collegiate Title

Saint Louie University Bags Region 1 Collegiate Title
by gameface.ph (10/07/08)

Saint Louie University, champion of the Baguio collegiate league, captured the Region 1 championship of the SMART-PLDT 2008 Philippine Collegiate Championship games by edging out the other Baguio City qualifier, Cordillera Career Development Center, 93 to 86, in the finals held last Monday, October 6, at the University of Northern Philippines gym, Vigan City.

The two teams arranged an all-Baguio finals with Saint Louie U beating the Vigan champion, University of Northern Phils., 77 to 69. CCDC, on the other hand, defeated the Mariano Marcos State University, 80 to 64.

Saint Louie University brought home the regional champion cup and the certificate of award for athletic items courtesy of Sonak Sports, distributor of Molten, official ball of PCCL.

The team also earned a seat into the Zonal competitions and will join the NCAA fourth placer, Mapua Cardinals, the NCAA-South runner-up, Lyceum of the Philippines University - Batangas, the Region 2 champion and two wild card entries. The top two in the zonal championships will join the elite group in the FilOil Flying V “Sweet 16” Final Challenge in Manila.

Apart from Saint Louie U, the other regional champions are: University of Nueva Caceres Greyhounds (Region 3- Naga/Quezon); BIT International College Cruisers (Region 5- Bohol/Dumaguete); AMA Computer Learning Center Titans (Region 6-Tacloban/Ormoc); Xavier University (Region 7-Cag. De Oro/Mis. Oriental) and Ateneo de Zamboanga Blue Eagles (Region 9-Zamboanga provinces)

The other regional championships to be played this week are the Region 2 (Pangasinan/Pampanga), October 9 & 10 at Divine World Academy gym, Dagupan City and Region 8 (Davao/GenSan), October 9 & 10 at the Gaisano gym, Davao City.

For more details about the biggest collegiate basketball event for the year sponsored by SMART and PLDT, visit the official website, www.CollegiateChampionsLeague.net.

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Ateneo de Zamboanga Blue Eagles Region 9 Champion
by gameface.ph (10/06/08)

Ateneo de Zamboanga Blue Eagles, the Zamboanga City collegiate champion, captured the Region 9 championship of the SMART-PLDT 2008 Philippine Collegiate Championship games by beating the Dipolog Medical Center College Lifesavers, 72 to 48, in the finals held during the weekend at the Zamboanga City coliseum.

The Blue Eagles arranged the final meeting with the DMC Lifesavers by beating in succession the Saint Vincent College of Dipolog (86-75), the Kabasalan Institute of Technology from Sibugay (98-84) and the Universidad de Zamboanga-Zamboanga City (84-70).

DMC Lifesavers on the other hand defeated the Universidad de Zamboanga-Sibugay, 83-63, the Universidad de Zamboanga-Zamboanga City, 86-82 and the Saint Vincent College of Dipolog, 68-61 before losing on a onesided championship game to the Ateneo de Zamboanga Blue Eagles.

The Blue Eagles of Zamboanga City received the regional champion cup and the certificate of award for athletic items courtesy of Sonak Sports, distributor of Molten, official ball of PCCL.

The Blue Eagles also earned a seat into the Zonal competitions and will join the UAAP third placer, Far Eastern University Tamaraws, Xavier University (Region 7 champion), the CESAFI third placer, the Region 8 champion and a wild card entry. The top two in the zonal championships will join the elite group in the FilOil Flying V “Sweet 16” Final Challenge in Manila.

Rey Gamboa, Philippine Collegiate Champions League chairman, announced that the other regional championship games to be played this week are the Region 1 (Ilocos/Baguio), October 5 & 6 at University of Northern Phils. Gym, Vigan City, the Region 2 (Pangasinan/Pampanga), October 9 & 10 at Divine World Academy gym, Dagupan City and Region 8 (Davao/GenSan), October 9 & 10 at the Gaisano gym, Davao City.

www.CollegiateChampionsLeague.net
For more details about the biggest collegiate basketball event for the year sponsored by SMART and PLDT, visit the official website, www.CollegiateChampionsLeague.net.

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AMA Titans Capture Region 6 Championship
by gameface.ph (10/02/08)

AMA Computer Learning Center Titans, the Ormoc collegiate league champion, captured the Region 6 championship of the SMART-PLDT 2008 Philippine Collegiate Championship games by beating the Eastern Visayas State University Hawks, 76 to 72, in the finals held at the Ormoc City Superdome.

The Titans crushed the Saint Paul Business School Angels of Tacloban, 88 to 57, to arrange the finals meeting with Eastern Visayas State University Hawks that edged the Western Leyte College Mustangs, 66-60.

PCCL National Tournament Director, Coach Joe Lipa, awarded to the AMA Titans the regional champion cup and the certificate of award for athletic items courtesy of Sonak Sports, distributor of Molten, official ball of PCCL.

The AMA Titans also earned a seat into the Zonal competitions and will join the NCAA third placer, Letran Knights, BIT International College Cruisers (Region 5 champion), the CESAFI runner-up, the Region 4 champion and a wild card entry. The top two in the zonal championships will join the elite group in the FilOil Flying V “Sweet 16” Final Challenge in Manila.

In Cebu, the University of Visayas Green Lancers are defending their CESAFI crown against the University of San Jose Recoletos Jaguars in a best of five series starting this weekend. The CESAFI champion automatically earns a seat in the elite “Sweet 16” Final Challenge while the runner-up and third placer will go through the zonal phase.
For more details about the biggest collegiate basketball event for the year sponsored by SMART and PLDT, visit the official website, www.CollegiateChampionsLeague.net

Champion's League Regionals Finals on Thursday

Davao Region's top four squads will square off on Thursday, 1:30 p.m., in the 2008 Champion's League Regional Finals at the Gaisano South Sky gym.

Entered are University of Mindanao and Jose Maria College from Davao City and Gen.Santos City's Ramon Magsaysay Memorial College and Holy Trinity College.

The second game is scheduled at 3 p.m.


The winner of the regional level eliminations will advance to the Mindanao Finals on November 11 to 15 either in Cagayan de Oro City or Davao City. The Mindanao champion will qualify to the Sweet Sixteen where at stake is the slot to represent the Philippines to the Universiade in July 2009 in Serbia.

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Next RRD basketball clinic in Matina Biao

The next swing of the 2008 Mayor RRD Basketball Clinic is on October 11 to 12 at the Matina Biao gym.

Young boys and girls interested to join the free sessions are requested to come early to the gym for the registration and for the orientation that will be handled by former PBA and MBA player Cadel Mosqueda and veteran clinician Alberto Malinao of the Sports Development Division.

Mosqueda and Malinao will also lead in the exercises as well as on the drills and basic plays.

The clinic, which started in May 2003, aims to introduce the youth the basics of the country’s No.1 sport and for them to enjoy the benefits of engaging in sports at an early age.

FBL '08 starts Nov.15

The Futures Basketball League (FBL) 2008 gets going on November 15 in
Davao City, according to organizer NiƱo Sinco.

He said that Holy Trinity College of Gen.Santos City, last year's
second placers in the junior's division, is expected again to see
action against the other Davao City-based schools.

Holy Child School of Davao, Stella Maris Academy of Davao, Daniel R.
Aguinaldo National High, Nikkei Jin Kai School, Ateneo de Davao, Holy
Cross of Davao, Assumption College of Davao, Magallanes Elementary
School, Davao Central College, St.Peter's College of Toril, University
of the Immaculate Conception and Emar Learning Center are among the
teams expected to field squads in the boy's mini, midgets, juniors and
girl's juniors divisions of the tournament backed by Primovit,
Purefoods, Gatorade and Philips.

For more information, contact (0920)6079207.

Serbian coach Toroman


Serbian coach Rajko Toroman, left, speaks with sportswriters during a press conference arranged by Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director Noli Eala, right, and Smart Sports executive Patrick Gregorio Wednesday night. Toroman, who led the Iranian team to the FIBA-Asia Olympic qualifier title in Tokushima, Japan last year, is being eyed to head the SBP's basketball development program.