JAPETH AGUILAR FEATURE
JUNE 27,2009
Japeth Aguilar, the 6-foot-9 son of former Northern Consolidated center Peter Aguilar, arrived from Chicago without fanfare yesterday, speaking briefly with national coach Yeng Guiao on the phone and making an appearance during the Motolite-PBA Fiesta Cup semifinals before quietly leaving at halftime of Game 5 of the Ginebra-Rain or Shine series.
The 22-year-old former Ateneo sophomore was welcomed as he walked into the playing court by ex-Blue Eagle teammate JC Intal, now with the Barangay Ginebra Kings, early in the Burger King-San Miguel Beer game.
Wearing a plain white t-shirt that seems to hang loosely on his 210-pound frame, Aguilar was later presented by PBA commissioner Renauld ‘Sonny’ Barrios with a blue Powerade Team Pilipinas jacket inside the press room.
He expressed excitement at the prospect of joining RP team practice starting tomorrow at The New Arena in San Juan.
“It’s a team built from major talent in the league and I’m excited to join them,” he told sportswriters during an impromptu press conference.
Guaranteed to be the No. 1 pick in the August PBA Rookie Draft if he decides to turn pro, Aguilar said he remains torn between pursuing his dreams of making it to the NBA, joining the PBA or suiting up for the Smart-Gilas RP team.
“I’m still weighing my options,” Aguilar said. “But my first priority for now is to help coach Yeng’s national team.”
The stress fractured on his right foot that hampered his performance in the US NCAA last year is fully healed, said Aguilar, who nonetheless will be enrolled in a state-of-the-art gym to keep him in shape.
He was originally scheduled to join much earlier the RP team training for the 25th FIBA Asia Men’s Championship in Tianjin China in August.
But Guiao gave him a free pass on learning that Aguilar, a fellow Pampango from Sasmuan, has been invited to the National Basketball Development League camp in Los Angeles which kept him from being a part of the squad that swept the 8th SEABA Men’s Championship in Medan, Indonesia three weeks ago.
“Maganda naman po ang naging performance ko doon,” he said. “Nabanggit nga raw po ako sa ESPN as the most promising for scouts.”
Aguilar, who is engaged to an American girl from Washington, completed his Interdisciplinary Studies at Western Kentucky, and he plans to spend much of his time away from RP team practice catching up with his younger sister Micah, a management graduate at Assumption, and with relatives from both sides of his parents.
His father, Peter, who held the fort for Ron Jacobs’ national squad in the ‘80s, played for five teams in the PBA – Añejo Rum, Alaska, Seven-Up, Sta. Lucia Realty and Shell – from 1989 to 1993, a path the young Aguilar could eventually follow.
Asked what his favorite NBA team is, Japeth replied: “Lakers,” making it natural for him to idolize LA superstar Kobe Bryant.
And what about his favorite PBA player? Does he have any?
“Meron…papa ko,” the young Aguilar said.
A chip off the old block, Japeth Aguilar is, even this early.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Execs take huge 3 - 0 lead vs. Legislators
Execs take huge 3 - 0 lead vs. Legislators
City Hall Executives broke away in the third period to beat the Legislators, 112 - 98 and take a commanding 3 - 0 series lead in the 19th Executive-Legislative 2009 season best of seven series Friday night at the Davao City Recreation Center.
Christopher "Bong" Go, Mayor Rodrigo Duterte's executive assistant, hit three straight triple from different angles midway of the third canto that sparked a 13 - 0 run en route to a come from behind Game 3 victory.
The sweet-shooting Go, who was out of target in the first half, found his rhythm in the final half, canning 28 of his game total 37 points.
The Executives were trailing most of the first twenty minutes of play before Go, who was held scoreless in the opening period, redeemed himself and found his shooting touch for a barrage of three-pointers.
Roy Bangkas chipped in 19 points for the Executives.
The Legislative played well but they had a hard time to contain the Executives in both ends of the floor.
Jilliard de Guzman led the Legislators with 28 points.
Loloy Casado had 22 markers for Legislative which will try to bounce back in Game 4 and extend the series.
The Legislators took a 56 - 54b lead at the half.
But the Executives went into scoring spree in the third period to take a 86 - 68 edge going to the final canto.
City Hall Executives broke away in the third period to beat the Legislators, 112 - 98 and take a commanding 3 - 0 series lead in the 19th Executive-Legislative 2009 season best of seven series Friday night at the Davao City Recreation Center.
Christopher "Bong" Go, Mayor Rodrigo Duterte's executive assistant, hit three straight triple from different angles midway of the third canto that sparked a 13 - 0 run en route to a come from behind Game 3 victory.
The sweet-shooting Go, who was out of target in the first half, found his rhythm in the final half, canning 28 of his game total 37 points.
The Executives were trailing most of the first twenty minutes of play before Go, who was held scoreless in the opening period, redeemed himself and found his shooting touch for a barrage of three-pointers.
Roy Bangkas chipped in 19 points for the Executives.
The Legislative played well but they had a hard time to contain the Executives in both ends of the floor.
Jilliard de Guzman led the Legislators with 28 points.
Loloy Casado had 22 markers for Legislative which will try to bounce back in Game 4 and extend the series.
The Legislators took a 56 - 54b lead at the half.
But the Executives went into scoring spree in the third period to take a 86 - 68 edge going to the final canto.
Agdao retains DBL title
DBL Finals
Agdao retanins title
Agdao District did it again.
The defending champion routed Calinan District, 100 - 94 in the rubber match Game 3 to win its second straight title in the Duterte Basketball League (DBL) Friday afternoon at the Davao City Police Office covered court.
Agdao banked on the heroics of Dela Peña brothers, Ryan and Gerson, to become the first team to win a back to back title in the league presented by Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.
Ryan and Gerson, who shared the coveted Most Valuable Player award, lived up to their billing rallying Agdao with 46 combined points.
Ryan scatteted with 29 while Gerson had 17, including crucial baskets in the pay off period.
" We did it. We did it again, " said team manager Nicanor Ortiz, Barangay Administrator of Leon Garcia that represented Agdao District.
In a press briefing prior to the start of the best of three finals, Ortiz said "We will do everything to keep the crown".
Agdao pocketed P40, 000 while Calinan received P30, 000.
Vice Mayor Sara Duterte awarded the prizes to the winners in a short and simple awarding rites after the winner-take-all match.
Calinan fought hard but just fell short to take away the title from Agdao that closed out the series with remarkble performance in the do or die encounter.
Lara Aguilar scored 20 points for Calinan which staged a huge come back from a double digit deficit in the final canto to bring the game close with second more to play.
But several turnover down the stretch fade away its chances to cop its first title on its finals debut.
Raul Dega chipped in 24 points for Agdao.
Tugbok District clinched the third place honor and got P20, 000. Placing fourth was Talomo District which pocketed P14, 000.
Agdao retanins title
Agdao District did it again.
The defending champion routed Calinan District, 100 - 94 in the rubber match Game 3 to win its second straight title in the Duterte Basketball League (DBL) Friday afternoon at the Davao City Police Office covered court.
Agdao banked on the heroics of Dela Peña brothers, Ryan and Gerson, to become the first team to win a back to back title in the league presented by Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.
Ryan and Gerson, who shared the coveted Most Valuable Player award, lived up to their billing rallying Agdao with 46 combined points.
Ryan scatteted with 29 while Gerson had 17, including crucial baskets in the pay off period.
" We did it. We did it again, " said team manager Nicanor Ortiz, Barangay Administrator of Leon Garcia that represented Agdao District.
In a press briefing prior to the start of the best of three finals, Ortiz said "We will do everything to keep the crown".
Agdao pocketed P40, 000 while Calinan received P30, 000.
Vice Mayor Sara Duterte awarded the prizes to the winners in a short and simple awarding rites after the winner-take-all match.
Calinan fought hard but just fell short to take away the title from Agdao that closed out the series with remarkble performance in the do or die encounter.
Lara Aguilar scored 20 points for Calinan which staged a huge come back from a double digit deficit in the final canto to bring the game close with second more to play.
But several turnover down the stretch fade away its chances to cop its first title on its finals debut.
Raul Dega chipped in 24 points for Agdao.
Tugbok District clinched the third place honor and got P20, 000. Placing fourth was Talomo District which pocketed P14, 000.
Friday, June 26, 2009
RRD-Inday Sara cage clinic goes back to Paquibato District
RRD-Inday Sara cage clinic goes back to Paquibato District
The 2009 Mayor Rody and Inday Sara Duterte Basketball Clinic gets going on June 27 and 28 at the Barangay Paňalum in Paquibato District.
Former Philippine Basketball Association and Metropolitan Basketball Association player Cadel Mosqueda and veteran coach Alberto Malinao will spearhead the group of clinicians from the Sports Development Division of the City Mayors Office.
They will teach young boys and girls the basics of shooting, dribbling and passing and simple plays and drills.
" The basics of dribbling and shooting that include the proper shooting form will be tackled in the first day while the fundamentals of passing and other drills will be discussed on the final day," SDD-CMO said in a statement.
Some 100 participants are expected to take part in the two-day clinic that does not only help develop skills in basketball, but also personality development.
Mayor Rody and Vice Mayor Sara wants the children in the locality to actively engage into sports at an early age, believing the value of sports to make difference in young lives and an effective tool to combat negative influences and behaviors.
"We recognized the importance of the young ones to be in sports and encourage them to stay in sports activities, " SDD-CMO added.
The clinic, a component of the Duterte Basketball League (DBL) that organized tournaments for Christians, Muslims and Lumads in the city, is conducted to give the youth an avenue to engage in sports at an early age.
Last month, a total of 98 young basketball enthusiasts have joined the clinic in Barangay Mabuhay also in Paquibato District.
The clinics have benefitted thousands of boys and girls from 184 barangays in Davao City since 2003.
The 2009 Mayor Rody and Inday Sara Duterte Basketball Clinic gets going on June 27 and 28 at the Barangay Paňalum in Paquibato District.
Former Philippine Basketball Association and Metropolitan Basketball Association player Cadel Mosqueda and veteran coach Alberto Malinao will spearhead the group of clinicians from the Sports Development Division of the City Mayors Office.
They will teach young boys and girls the basics of shooting, dribbling and passing and simple plays and drills.
" The basics of dribbling and shooting that include the proper shooting form will be tackled in the first day while the fundamentals of passing and other drills will be discussed on the final day," SDD-CMO said in a statement.
Some 100 participants are expected to take part in the two-day clinic that does not only help develop skills in basketball, but also personality development.
Mayor Rody and Vice Mayor Sara wants the children in the locality to actively engage into sports at an early age, believing the value of sports to make difference in young lives and an effective tool to combat negative influences and behaviors.
"We recognized the importance of the young ones to be in sports and encourage them to stay in sports activities, " SDD-CMO added.
The clinic, a component of the Duterte Basketball League (DBL) that organized tournaments for Christians, Muslims and Lumads in the city, is conducted to give the youth an avenue to engage in sports at an early age.
Last month, a total of 98 young basketball enthusiasts have joined the clinic in Barangay Mabuhay also in Paquibato District.
The clinics have benefitted thousands of boys and girls from 184 barangays in Davao City since 2003.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Agdao, Calinan do or die Game 3 on Friday
DBL Finals
Agdao, Calinan do or die Game 3 on Friday
The deciding Game 3 between Agdao District and Calinan District on Friday (June 26) is expected to be a war as both teams go all for the marbles for the 4th Duterte Basketball League (DBL) title.
Defending champ Agdao and Calinan collide in the deciding match of their best of three title showdown at 3:00 p.m. at the Davao City Police Office covered court.
Supporters of both barangay teams are expected to fill up the venue to rafters in the winner-take-all match in hand.
Calinan forged a rubber match game following a 91-89 victory in Game 2 last Sunday. Agdao won Game 1, 99 - 94.
"We won Game 2 and now we have a chance to snatch the title from Agdao in Game 3. We will do it, " Calinan district team manager Barangay councilor Jaime Macatual said.
But he and the entire team members knew it was tough closing out Agdao,which won the title last year with the same line up and had a sterling campaign this year.
Calinan, which is determined to end its three years title drought on its first finals appearance, is expected to maintain its game plan by employing tough defense to the offense oriented Agdao squad.
Armed with vast experience, Agdao know exactly what to expect in situation like this.
"We will do everything to keep the crown, " said Agdao team manager Nicanor Ortiz, Barangay Leon Garcia administrator.
MVP candidates Dela Pena brothers, Gerson and Rya, are expected to come out big for Agdao which is bent on getting a back to back title.
Calinan will put its hands full on Game 2 hero Roselio Alconcor who shone in the series.
Alconcor hit the winning basket with 5.2 seconds left in Game 2 that kept Calinan's title bid alive.
Expected also to deliver the goods for Calinan are Michael Cayanong, Ruben Mariaga and Dodoy Tocmo.
Agdao, Calinan do or die Game 3 on Friday
The deciding Game 3 between Agdao District and Calinan District on Friday (June 26) is expected to be a war as both teams go all for the marbles for the 4th Duterte Basketball League (DBL) title.
Defending champ Agdao and Calinan collide in the deciding match of their best of three title showdown at 3:00 p.m. at the Davao City Police Office covered court.
Supporters of both barangay teams are expected to fill up the venue to rafters in the winner-take-all match in hand.
Calinan forged a rubber match game following a 91-89 victory in Game 2 last Sunday. Agdao won Game 1, 99 - 94.
"We won Game 2 and now we have a chance to snatch the title from Agdao in Game 3. We will do it, " Calinan district team manager Barangay councilor Jaime Macatual said.
But he and the entire team members knew it was tough closing out Agdao,which won the title last year with the same line up and had a sterling campaign this year.
Calinan, which is determined to end its three years title drought on its first finals appearance, is expected to maintain its game plan by employing tough defense to the offense oriented Agdao squad.
Armed with vast experience, Agdao know exactly what to expect in situation like this.
"We will do everything to keep the crown, " said Agdao team manager Nicanor Ortiz, Barangay Leon Garcia administrator.
MVP candidates Dela Pena brothers, Gerson and Rya, are expected to come out big for Agdao which is bent on getting a back to back title.
Calinan will put its hands full on Game 2 hero Roselio Alconcor who shone in the series.
Alconcor hit the winning basket with 5.2 seconds left in Game 2 that kept Calinan's title bid alive.
Expected also to deliver the goods for Calinan are Michael Cayanong, Ruben Mariaga and Dodoy Tocmo.
JAPETH FLIES IN TOMORROW
Japeth Aguilar, the 6-foot-10 son of former Northern Consolidated center Peter Aguilar, is flying in tomorrow from Chicago, bringing with him a glowing reputation that preceded by months his arrival to be an integral part of Yeng Guiao’s Powerade Team Pilipinas.
No red carpet will be rolled out for Aguilar, who played for Ateneo before hooking up with Western Kentucky in the US NCAA, when he checks in via Korean Air from Seoul at around 11 p.m.
But the door will swing open when he steps into The New Arena in San Juan Monday evening to finally join Asi Taulava and Co. in practice for two important international tournaments – the W. Jones Cup in Taipei from July 18-28 and the FIBA Asia World Championship qualifier in Tianjin, China from Aug. 6-16.
“He can add to the solution of a perennial problem for the RP team – the lack of size and quickness in the 4 and 5 positions,” said Guiao, the national coach.
“Also, the urgent need for a naturalized player will be minimized somewhat with his presence.”
Barring any injury, Guiao believes Aguilar can be the next best homegrown big man in the country for years to come.
“Basically because of his physical attributes, he can dominate,” Guiao said. “We’re just hoping he can stay healthy and contribute to the cause of the national team.”
Guiao has labeled the Jones Cup the “real test” due to the presence of countries like Iran, Jordan, South Korea, Japan, Lebanon and Kazakhstan in the field, and he has called the 25th FIBA Asia Men’s Championship the “real thing” for its overall worth.
The top three finishers in Tianjin will qualify to the 16th World Basketball Championship in Istanbul, Turkey in August 2010.
In last week’s FIBA draw at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Tianjin, Powerade-RP was bracketed in Group A with long-time Asian Games rivals South Korea and Japan, plus Sri Lanka, reviving hopes for a return to the global stage after more than two decades.
Injuries and illness have saddled the RP team’s preparation prior and during the 8th SEABA Men’s Championship in Medan, Indonesia where the Nationals swept the opposition by an average of 38 points.
Forward Kelly Williams was diagnosed with a blood disorder, point guard Jayjay Helterbrand went down with a pulled hamstring and center Sonny Thoss banged up his knee.
Williams stayed behind while Helterbrand and Thoss joined the Medan trip although neither saw action in the games where they later got bench company when playmaker Ryan Reyes pulled his hamstring in the opening match against Malaysia.
Aguilar’s arrival should be welcome relief for Guiao, especially with Williams probably out of it all as he recovers and Reyes still a question mark.
PBA commissioner Renauld ‘Sonny’ Barrios said the league will shoulder Aguilar’s expenses while an aunt will be with him when he scouts for a housing unit in the Makati area.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Guiao, PBA, SBP hail FIBA draw
From the Group of Death to the Group of Hope.
Now it’s up for Powerade-Team Pilipinas to turn an intangible gift into something more concrete – like a Top 3 finish in the FIBA World Basketball qualifier in Tianjin, China in August.
The Philippines, South Korea and Japan – Asia’s gleaming basketball superpowers in the early days before China cast a Great Wall of a shadow over the region in the ‘80s – will be reunited in Group A of the 25th FIBA-Asia Men’s Championship set Aug. 6-16.
Fearful of falling into another “Group of Death” as in the FIBA-Asia Olympic qualifier in Tokushima two years ago where the RP team was stacked against China, Jordan and Iran, Powerade Team-Pilipinas coach Yeng Guiao, along with PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios and Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas vice chairman Ricky Vargas, exhaled with relief on hearing the news yesterday afternoon.
“I think we have a good chance of making it to the next round,” said Guiao at halftime of the San Miguel-Burger King PBA-Motolite Fiesta Cup semifinal opener at the Araneta Coliseum. “We hope this is a change of fortune from the Group of Death.”
The Philippines, then coached by Chot Reyes, beat China in the preliminary round but dropped heartbreakers to eventual champion Iran and Jordan, winding up 9th in the classification round.
Getting a smile from the FIBA-Asia draw held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, and a lift from the revised tournament format, the Nationals found themselves bracketed with their old Asian Games rivals plus newcomer Sri Lanka.
In Group B are Iran, Chinese-Taipei, Kuwait and Uzbekistan. Group C has Kazakhstan, Qatar, China and India, while Lebanon, Jordan, United Arab Emirates and Indonesia, runnerup to Powerade-RP in the SEABA Men’s Championship in Medan, are in Group D.
“This is the best hope we can have,” said Vargas. “We got a chance to get to the quarters. This is a lucky break.”
Though he conceded Korea and Japan “are no pushovers,” Guiao expressed excitement over the bright prospects of finishing in the Top 3 in Tianjin and qualifying to the 16th FIBA World Championship in Istanbul, Turkey next year.
“I’m looking forward to calling team practice early,” Guiao said. “Medyo ginanahan tayo.”
Barrios bared that Japeth Aguilar, the 6-foot-10 son of former Northern Consolidated player Peter Aguilar, is arriving June 26 to join the Nationals in their preparation for the W. Jones Cup tournament in Taipei next month.
Japan, Korea, Lebanon, Iran and Kazakhstan are among the countries using the Jones Cup as springboard to Tianjin.
“We were blessed with a competitive grouping, but we must still be able to turn opportunity into success,” said Powerade-RP team manager JB Baylon, who attended the draw with SBP executive director Noli Eala.
The format calls for the best three teams from Groups A and B, with carry-over records, to meet in the expanded six-game preliminaries. The same system will be employed for members of Groups C and D.
The top four teams from the two groups (A/B and C/D) then meet in a 1 vs. 4, 2 vs. 3 reverse quarterfinals, with the winners moving to the cross-over semifinals.
China, as host, earned the luxury of choosing its bracket and apparently joined Group C after seeing a clearer path toward the semifinals since it would be facing relatively weaker opponents in the quarterfinals.
SANTOS STILL LEADS BPS RACE,MAKES BID FOR MVP TROPHY
BURGER King stalwart Arwind Santos and Barangay Ginebra’s JayJay Helterbrand are expected to make a strong case for the season’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) plum after consistently staying among the top contenders for the Philippine Basketball Association’s most coveted individual trophy.
Santos and Helterbrand are running third and fourth respectively, in the MVP race, but are projected to overtake earlier leaders Asi Taulava (Coca-Cola) and Kelly Williams (Sta. Lucia) for the top two spots after the Whoppers and Kings made it to the semifinals of the season-ending Fiesta Cup.
The 6-foot-3 Santos earned an average statistical points (sps) of 30.0, while Helterbrand is not far behind at 29.7 sps.
Incidentally, the former Far Eastern University King Tamaraw is still showing the way in the heated duel for the Best Player of the Conference (BPC) plum with an average of 32.6 sps.
Taulava has assumed the no.1 ranking from the injured Williams in the MVP derby with a league-best 32.14 sps at the end of the quarterfinal phase, although the 6-foot-9 Coca-Cola big man and captain of the Powerade Team Pilipinas will no longer improve on his numbers with the ouster of the Tigers during the wildcard stage.
The 6-foot-4, high-flying Williams has tumbled out of the top spot he held going into the playoffs, averaging 32.07 sps to land at no. 2.
High-scoring Talk `N Text guard Mac Cardona occupies the fifth spot (28.9 sps), but could also be surpassed by San Miguel’s Dondon Hontiveros, who is at no. 6 (28.4).
The rest of the top 10 contenders include Alaska’s Willie Miller at seventh (28.2 sps), Tropang Texter Jimmy Alapag at eight (28.1), Purefoods Kerby Raymundo at ninth (28.0 sps) and San Miguel’s Jay Washington at no. 10 (27.96).
The Rain or Shine duo of Gabe Norwood and Sol Mercado are in a solid 1-2 position in the fight for the Rookie of the Year trophy.
Norwood is on top with 26.4 sps while Mercado’s 23.4 sps is good for no. 2.
Crowding out Santos for the BPC award are second running Taulava (31.7 sps), Hontiveros (28.7sps), last year’s winner Helterbrand (28sps)
and Alapag (27.9 sps).
Anthony Johnson’s bid for the Best Import award may go down the drain following Sta. Lucia’s ouster.
The do-it-all Realtors reinforcement has totalled 52.2 sps to lead the rest of the imports.
At second is Barangay Ginebra’s David Noel (48.3 sps), followed by Rashad Bell of Talk `N Text (48.0 sps), San Miguel’s Gabe Freeman (47.3 sps) and Jai Lewis of Rain or Shine (46.5 sps).
Santos and Helterbrand are running third and fourth respectively, in the MVP race, but are projected to overtake earlier leaders Asi Taulava (Coca-Cola) and Kelly Williams (Sta. Lucia) for the top two spots after the Whoppers and Kings made it to the semifinals of the season-ending Fiesta Cup.
The 6-foot-3 Santos earned an average statistical points (sps) of 30.0, while Helterbrand is not far behind at 29.7 sps.
Incidentally, the former Far Eastern University King Tamaraw is still showing the way in the heated duel for the Best Player of the Conference (BPC) plum with an average of 32.6 sps.
Taulava has assumed the no.1 ranking from the injured Williams in the MVP derby with a league-best 32.14 sps at the end of the quarterfinal phase, although the 6-foot-9 Coca-Cola big man and captain of the Powerade Team Pilipinas will no longer improve on his numbers with the ouster of the Tigers during the wildcard stage.
The 6-foot-4, high-flying Williams has tumbled out of the top spot he held going into the playoffs, averaging 32.07 sps to land at no. 2.
High-scoring Talk `N Text guard Mac Cardona occupies the fifth spot (28.9 sps), but could also be surpassed by San Miguel’s Dondon Hontiveros, who is at no. 6 (28.4).
The rest of the top 10 contenders include Alaska’s Willie Miller at seventh (28.2 sps), Tropang Texter Jimmy Alapag at eight (28.1), Purefoods Kerby Raymundo at ninth (28.0 sps) and San Miguel’s Jay Washington at no. 10 (27.96).
The Rain or Shine duo of Gabe Norwood and Sol Mercado are in a solid 1-2 position in the fight for the Rookie of the Year trophy.
Norwood is on top with 26.4 sps while Mercado’s 23.4 sps is good for no. 2.
Crowding out Santos for the BPC award are second running Taulava (31.7 sps), Hontiveros (28.7sps), last year’s winner Helterbrand (28sps)
and Alapag (27.9 sps).
Anthony Johnson’s bid for the Best Import award may go down the drain following Sta. Lucia’s ouster.
The do-it-all Realtors reinforcement has totalled 52.2 sps to lead the rest of the imports.
At second is Barangay Ginebra’s David Noel (48.3 sps), followed by Rashad Bell of Talk `N Text (48.0 sps), San Miguel’s Gabe Freeman (47.3 sps) and Jai Lewis of Rain or Shine (46.5 sps).
Go, Execs beat Lawyers in tune up game
Christopher “Bong” Go and the City Hall Executives beat Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), 115 – 105 in a tune up game Friday night at the Davao City Recreation Center.
The sweet-shooting Go, who was hitting three-pointers from all angles, scattered 32 big points, accounting six shots from behind the arc.
Go’s third triple that capped a 10-0 run midway of the second period gave the Executives their first lead of the ballgame and never looked back for the victory.
Ryan Escuredo chipped in 20 points for the Executives who was thrilling since the opening buzzer until Go hit a three-pointer at the top for a 40 – 39 advantage at the 3:18 mark of the second canto.
The Executives went to scoring spree in the third quarter that ballooned the gap to 22, 86 – 64 going to the pay off period.
But the lawyers staged a huge come back in the final canto behind heroics of Adrian Paguican who scored 15 of his total 24 to bring back the game on the line.
Paguican’s triple put the count at 103- 104 with 2:34 left.
Ryan Alquizar, who had 14 points, made a three point play on the ensuing possession to back up the lead to 4, 107 – 103 and the Executives pulled away for good.
Dante Baguio scored 20 markers for IBP which was up 29 – 17 after the opening period, credited to the excellent quarterbacking of Emilio “Nonot” Dayanghirang.
The Executives had 47 – 43 lead at halftime.
The sweet-shooting Go, who was hitting three-pointers from all angles, scattered 32 big points, accounting six shots from behind the arc.
Go’s third triple that capped a 10-0 run midway of the second period gave the Executives their first lead of the ballgame and never looked back for the victory.
Ryan Escuredo chipped in 20 points for the Executives who was thrilling since the opening buzzer until Go hit a three-pointer at the top for a 40 – 39 advantage at the 3:18 mark of the second canto.
The Executives went to scoring spree in the third quarter that ballooned the gap to 22, 86 – 64 going to the pay off period.
But the lawyers staged a huge come back in the final canto behind heroics of Adrian Paguican who scored 15 of his total 24 to bring back the game on the line.
Paguican’s triple put the count at 103- 104 with 2:34 left.
Ryan Alquizar, who had 14 points, made a three point play on the ensuing possession to back up the lead to 4, 107 – 103 and the Executives pulled away for good.
Dante Baguio scored 20 markers for IBP which was up 29 – 17 after the opening period, credited to the excellent quarterbacking of Emilio “Nonot” Dayanghirang.
The Executives had 47 – 43 lead at halftime.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Agdao, Calinan begin title showdown on Saturday
DBL Finals
Agdao, Calinan begin title showdown on Saturday
Defending champion Agdao District is seeking for a back to back title. Formidable challenger Calinan District is bound to end its three years title drought.
And, lets get ready to rumble.
Agdao and Calinan turn up the heat on Saturday when they clash in Game 1 of the 4th Duterte Basketball League (DBL) best of three championship showdown.
Fans of both squads who have been supportive all season long are expected to troop at the Davao City Police covered court for the 1 p.m. titular showdown.
"We will do everything to keep the crown, " said Agdao team manager Nicanor Ortiz, Barangay Leon Garcia administrator told sports journalist.
Agdao is banking on its excellent team work that was the big factor on its championship last year and remarkable campaign this year.
"Our players, mostly trisikad driver, played together since the start of the league four years ago and that gave us advantage. Our team has established great chemistry, "Ortiz added.
But Calinan team manager Barangay councilor Jaime Macatual said they have prepared a game plan that he believe would enable them to snatch the crown.
"We need more stamina to keep up with their fast game. But our team is ready for them," he said
Basketball veteran coaches, who are following the league, believe that its the experience of Agdao playing in the finals is the clear edge of the defending champions.
" Armed with vast experience, they know exactly what to expect in situation like this, " they said.
Agdao will put its hands full on Dela Pena brothers, Gerson and Ryan, who made wonders for the defending champions.
On Calinan's end, no doubt that it would be veteran Michael Cayanong, Ruben Mariaga and Dodoy Tocmo are the players to watch.
Game 2 is on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. at the same venue after the battle for third place that pit Talomo and Tugbok.
Agdao, Calinan begin title showdown on Saturday
Defending champion Agdao District is seeking for a back to back title. Formidable challenger Calinan District is bound to end its three years title drought.
And, lets get ready to rumble.
Agdao and Calinan turn up the heat on Saturday when they clash in Game 1 of the 4th Duterte Basketball League (DBL) best of three championship showdown.
Fans of both squads who have been supportive all season long are expected to troop at the Davao City Police covered court for the 1 p.m. titular showdown.
"We will do everything to keep the crown, " said Agdao team manager Nicanor Ortiz, Barangay Leon Garcia administrator told sports journalist.
Agdao is banking on its excellent team work that was the big factor on its championship last year and remarkable campaign this year.
"Our players, mostly trisikad driver, played together since the start of the league four years ago and that gave us advantage. Our team has established great chemistry, "Ortiz added.
But Calinan team manager Barangay councilor Jaime Macatual said they have prepared a game plan that he believe would enable them to snatch the crown.
"We need more stamina to keep up with their fast game. But our team is ready for them," he said
Basketball veteran coaches, who are following the league, believe that its the experience of Agdao playing in the finals is the clear edge of the defending champions.
" Armed with vast experience, they know exactly what to expect in situation like this, " they said.
Agdao will put its hands full on Dela Pena brothers, Gerson and Ryan, who made wonders for the defending champions.
On Calinan's end, no doubt that it would be veteran Michael Cayanong, Ruben Mariaga and Dodoy Tocmo are the players to watch.
Game 2 is on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. at the same venue after the battle for third place that pit Talomo and Tugbok.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Agdao, Calinan forge DBL title duel
Title favorites Agdao District and Calinan District defeated their respective foes in the semifinals to forge a title showdown in the season 2009 of the Duterte Basketball League (DBL) Saturday at the Davao City Police Office covered court.
Agdao barged its way to the finals after besting Tugbok District, 112 – 102 while Calinan booked its own ticket with a 87 – 82 win over Talomo District in the pressure-packed cross-over semifinals.
The championship round is a best of three series with Game 1 set on Saturday.
Dela Pena brothers lived up to their billing carrying the offensive chores for Agdao which pulled away in the pay off period en route to victory.
Gerson and Ryan Dela Pena combined for 60 points scattering 35 and 25 points respectively.
Calinan banked on its second half onslaught to win the game and make it to championship round.
After trailing throughout the first twenty minutes of play, Calinan came out strong in the third period outscoring Talomo, 32 – 19 for a 68 – 60 lead going to the final quarter.
Talomo was up by five, 31 – 26 at the half.
Agdao barged its way to the finals after besting Tugbok District, 112 – 102 while Calinan booked its own ticket with a 87 – 82 win over Talomo District in the pressure-packed cross-over semifinals.
The championship round is a best of three series with Game 1 set on Saturday.
Dela Pena brothers lived up to their billing carrying the offensive chores for Agdao which pulled away in the pay off period en route to victory.
Gerson and Ryan Dela Pena combined for 60 points scattering 35 and 25 points respectively.
Calinan banked on its second half onslaught to win the game and make it to championship round.
After trailing throughout the first twenty minutes of play, Calinan came out strong in the third period outscoring Talomo, 32 – 19 for a 68 – 60 lead going to the final quarter.
Talomo was up by five, 31 – 26 at the half.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Powerade-RP sweeps SEABA
Powerade-RP sweeps SEABA
MEDAN – Having conquered the 8th Southeast Asian Basketball Association Men’s Championship, Powerade-Team Pilipinas now confronts two contrasting realities and national coach Yeng Guiao faces one of the most difficult choices in his life.
The Queen’s Freddie Mercury took over from where Nat King Cole left off Tuesday night, belting out the anthemic “We Are The Champions” as Powerade-Team Pilipinas ditched a languid first quarter waltz to rock host Indonesia, 98-68, in the SEABA final at the Angkasapura Lanud Basketball Hall.
“It’s time for the real test and the real thing,” announced Guaio after the game. The win made official the entry of the Philippines and Indonesia as Southeast Asia’s representatives to the FIBA-Asia World Championship qualifier in Tianjin, China in August, and set up the Nationals for what coach Yeng Guiao calls the “real test” and the “real thing.”
Fashioned before a raucous hometown crowd that savored every minute of a riveting first quarter, the victory continued for another SEABA staging the country’s basketball dominance in the region.
The Nationals were held to a 22-all tie in the opening quarter but came out rumbling in the second half – after spending a few minutes with their mercurial mentor in the dugout – applying heavy backcourt pressure in stretching a 46-32 lead at the intermission to 91-54 on a three-point shot by Mick Pennisi with 4:20 left.
“We had our share of nervous moments not just in the championship game but the whole tournament,” said Guiao. “It really was a major experience, not just for the team but for me personally.”
Overwhelmed 103-64 in their elimination round meeting Sunday, Indonesia achieved a measure of respect by standing toe-to-toe with their pro rivals for the first 15 minutes of the final game. They hung on tenaciously, 31-30, with quickness and aggressiveness, five three-point shots and Team RP’s own atrocious outside shooting (4 of 19 from beyond the arc) before unraveling.
The hosts eventually surrendered to the inevitable as Powerade-RP turned serious, going on a 33-11 tear that bridged the third and fourth quarters and posting a 37-point spread. “We couldn’t match their speed in the second half, and we couldn’t handle their pressure on the ball,” said Indonesian coach Raoul Miguel Hidanoto.
Cyrus Baguio and James Yap each had 14 points while Asi Taulava added 11 with 10 rebounds. Jared Dillinger added nine rebounds as Team RP dominated the boards, 65-43. The Nationals didn’t have their way with the Indons early as they did before, but they came together at the appropriate moment before a bad start could turn worse.
Treated to classic hits from one of the ‘50s greatest crooners in their game with Singapore Monday, the Nationals put on their dancing shoes this time and took to the victory stands to the hard-pounding universal sports anthem by the late vocalist of the rock group Queen.
Guiao, who would soon need to cut a 15-man lineup to 12, left much of the celebration during the award ceremony to his players, sitting on one side of the court away from the bedlam going over the game stats with assistant coach Gee Abanilla. “Offensively, our three-point shooting is way below our expectations,” he said.
“We have good shooters in this team but for one reason or another, we’ve not been shooting that well, even during the All-Stars series.” Team RP shot 23.9 percent from rainbow territory in its first three games to the opposition’s combined 31.8 percent.
Their substandard sniping, Guiao said, is something the coaching staff will be working on when practice resumes on June 16, a day before Powerade-RP team manager and Coca-Cola governor JB Baylon flies to Tianjin to attend the draw for groupings to the 25th FIBA-Asia Men’s Championship set Aug. 6-18.
“I’m sure we’ll be encountering a lot of zone defenses in China,” Guiao said. With the “first big step” toward the World Championship qualifier over and done with, the Nationals proceed to embark on the next – the Jones Cup next month in Taipei.
“The Jones Cup is the real test; the FIBA Asia is the real thing,” Guiao said during dinner hosted hosted by Baylon at the Marriott Hotel. “This tournament (SEABA) is just a confidence builder, a way to see the character of these guys. Now we move on to tougher things.”
Scores:
POWERADE-TP 98 – Baguio 14, Yap 14, Taulava 11, Miller 10, Santos 10, Dillinger 8, Raymundo 8, De Ocampo 8, Norwood 8, Pennisi 7.
INDONESIA 68 – Sudiadnyana 14, Wuysang 11, Purwanto 11, Sigar 7, Thoyib 6, Poedjakusuma 5, Agustinus 5, Suro 4, Budianto 3, Fitzgerald 2, Wibawa 0, Sumargo 0. Quarters: 22-22, 46-32, 77-49, 98-68.
MEDAN – Having conquered the 8th Southeast Asian Basketball Association Men’s Championship, Powerade-Team Pilipinas now confronts two contrasting realities and national coach Yeng Guiao faces one of the most difficult choices in his life.
The Queen’s Freddie Mercury took over from where Nat King Cole left off Tuesday night, belting out the anthemic “We Are The Champions” as Powerade-Team Pilipinas ditched a languid first quarter waltz to rock host Indonesia, 98-68, in the SEABA final at the Angkasapura Lanud Basketball Hall.
“It’s time for the real test and the real thing,” announced Guaio after the game. The win made official the entry of the Philippines and Indonesia as Southeast Asia’s representatives to the FIBA-Asia World Championship qualifier in Tianjin, China in August, and set up the Nationals for what coach Yeng Guiao calls the “real test” and the “real thing.”
Fashioned before a raucous hometown crowd that savored every minute of a riveting first quarter, the victory continued for another SEABA staging the country’s basketball dominance in the region.
The Nationals were held to a 22-all tie in the opening quarter but came out rumbling in the second half – after spending a few minutes with their mercurial mentor in the dugout – applying heavy backcourt pressure in stretching a 46-32 lead at the intermission to 91-54 on a three-point shot by Mick Pennisi with 4:20 left.
“We had our share of nervous moments not just in the championship game but the whole tournament,” said Guiao. “It really was a major experience, not just for the team but for me personally.”
Overwhelmed 103-64 in their elimination round meeting Sunday, Indonesia achieved a measure of respect by standing toe-to-toe with their pro rivals for the first 15 minutes of the final game. They hung on tenaciously, 31-30, with quickness and aggressiveness, five three-point shots and Team RP’s own atrocious outside shooting (4 of 19 from beyond the arc) before unraveling.
The hosts eventually surrendered to the inevitable as Powerade-RP turned serious, going on a 33-11 tear that bridged the third and fourth quarters and posting a 37-point spread. “We couldn’t match their speed in the second half, and we couldn’t handle their pressure on the ball,” said Indonesian coach Raoul Miguel Hidanoto.
Cyrus Baguio and James Yap each had 14 points while Asi Taulava added 11 with 10 rebounds. Jared Dillinger added nine rebounds as Team RP dominated the boards, 65-43. The Nationals didn’t have their way with the Indons early as they did before, but they came together at the appropriate moment before a bad start could turn worse.
Treated to classic hits from one of the ‘50s greatest crooners in their game with Singapore Monday, the Nationals put on their dancing shoes this time and took to the victory stands to the hard-pounding universal sports anthem by the late vocalist of the rock group Queen.
Guiao, who would soon need to cut a 15-man lineup to 12, left much of the celebration during the award ceremony to his players, sitting on one side of the court away from the bedlam going over the game stats with assistant coach Gee Abanilla. “Offensively, our three-point shooting is way below our expectations,” he said.
“We have good shooters in this team but for one reason or another, we’ve not been shooting that well, even during the All-Stars series.” Team RP shot 23.9 percent from rainbow territory in its first three games to the opposition’s combined 31.8 percent.
Their substandard sniping, Guiao said, is something the coaching staff will be working on when practice resumes on June 16, a day before Powerade-RP team manager and Coca-Cola governor JB Baylon flies to Tianjin to attend the draw for groupings to the 25th FIBA-Asia Men’s Championship set Aug. 6-18.
“I’m sure we’ll be encountering a lot of zone defenses in China,” Guiao said. With the “first big step” toward the World Championship qualifier over and done with, the Nationals proceed to embark on the next – the Jones Cup next month in Taipei.
“The Jones Cup is the real test; the FIBA Asia is the real thing,” Guiao said during dinner hosted hosted by Baylon at the Marriott Hotel. “This tournament (SEABA) is just a confidence builder, a way to see the character of these guys. Now we move on to tougher things.”
Scores:
POWERADE-TP 98 – Baguio 14, Yap 14, Taulava 11, Miller 10, Santos 10, Dillinger 8, Raymundo 8, De Ocampo 8, Norwood 8, Pennisi 7.
INDONESIA 68 – Sudiadnyana 14, Wuysang 11, Purwanto 11, Sigar 7, Thoyib 6, Poedjakusuma 5, Agustinus 5, Suro 4, Budianto 3, Fitzgerald 2, Wibawa 0, Sumargo 0. Quarters: 22-22, 46-32, 77-49, 98-68.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Powerade-RP faces Indons in SEABA championship
Powerade-RP faces Indons in SEABA championship
MEDAN – Nat King Cole may again be singing in the background, but Powerade-Team Pilipinas will be dancing to rock ‘n roll music all championship game long.
The Nationals battle host Indonesia in a rematch Tuesday night, hoping to silence the raucous hometown crowd early in the final of the 8th Southeast Asian Basketball Association Men’s Championship at the Angkasapura Lanud Basketball Hall.
With the legendary crooner’s unmistakable velvety voice filling the venue Monday, the Philippines ripped Singapore, 117-69, to sweep the elimination and claim the first berth to the FIBA-Asia World Championship qualifier in August.
On the instructions of coach Yeng Guiao, the Nationals shifted into fast break overdrive right away, running down the Singaporeans behind Cyrus Baguio, virtually untouchable in going 10 of 14 from the field and 8 of 9 from the free throw line for 28 points – a tournament high. Ranidel de Ocampo slashed for 17 points with 10 rebounds, and team captain Asi Taulava, in his best performance so far, muscled his way to 14 points with 13 rebounds. “Our emphasis is to really ingrain the fast break concept on the guys, whether we’re playing a strong, big team or a small team that’s also quick like Singapore,” said Guiao.
“The important thing for me is to be consistent with the running game.” In the do-or-die second game, the Indons forced Malaysia into 24 turnovers in scraping a 74-67 victory, gaining a title showdown with the PBA-backed RP team at 7 p.m. and securing the second spot to the 25th FIBA-Asia Men’s Championship in Tianjin, China.
Both the Philippines and Indonesia made it to the 24th FIBA Asia Olympic qualifier two years ago in Tokushima, Japan after topping the 7th SEABA elimination in Ratchaburi, Thailand, and their return reaffirmed their dominance in the region.
Though nothing much is at stake except the placing and the bragging rights, neither team entertains the thought of leaving this capital of North Sumatra province with its head bowed. Indonesia, comprised mainly of the No. 2 club team in the country, absorbed a 103-64 beating from the Nationals Sunday and is not likely to aim for an upset as much as respect from its opponent, a galaxy of professional superstars.
Powerade-RP, on the other hand, would want nothing more than to put behind the SEABA as quickly as possible in order to attend to more pressing matters – the Jones Cup in Taipei next month and the World Championship qualifier four weeks later.
Singapore, led by a Joseph Yeo look-alike point guard named Wong Wei Long who gave Willie Miller and Gabe Norwood fits, was out of it early, falling behind 33-14 after the first quarter, 58-25 at the half, and 93-45 at three-quarter’s end. With the jeering pro-Indonesian crowd not yet in full force during the Singapore match, the atmosphere in the arena was light, courtesy of some silky ballroom tunes.
And though it offered little of the electrifying slam-dunk sideshow that marked the RP-Indonesia game the night before, Day 3 of competition will be remembered for the unconventional music played during the pre-game shootaround, as well as in the timeout and halftime breaks. Long used to warming up to hard-pounding, ear-splitting Top 20 music or classic rock beats, the Nationals were pleasantly surprised to hear the silky voice of one of the ‘50s greatest balladeers wafting out of the public address speakers, someone vaguely familiar to only two or three of them.
As it turned out, Col. Lee Kak Kuan, the 69-year-old SEABA commissioner and trusted colleague of FIBA-Asia secretary-general Dato Yeoh Choo Hock, brought with him a CD of the “Unforgettable” and “Mona Lisa” singer and had it played.
“The music they were playing here was too loud for me, too noisy,” said Col. Lee, who assigns referees in FIBA-Asia tournaments. “This one’s better, see? Nice for dancing, right?” RP assistant coach Roehl Nadurata apparently agreed.
Nadurata, himself from that golden era, grabbed PBA media bureau chief Willy Marcial by the hand and the two improvised a quick waltz just before the buzzer, delighting PBA commissioner Renauld 'Sonny' Barrios and team manager JB Baylon.
Scores: POWERADE-RP 117 – Baguio 28, De Ocampo 17, Santos 16, Taulava 14, Raymundo 10, Yap 9, Norwood 7, Dillinger 6, Pennisi 6, Miller 4.
SINGAPORE 69 – Oh 11, Wong 10, Wong 10, Khoo 10, Hong 8, Lin 5, Matialakan 4, Lim 2, Tan 1, Lo 0, Teo 0. Quarters: 33-14, 58-27, 93-49, 117-69
MEDAN – Nat King Cole may again be singing in the background, but Powerade-Team Pilipinas will be dancing to rock ‘n roll music all championship game long.
The Nationals battle host Indonesia in a rematch Tuesday night, hoping to silence the raucous hometown crowd early in the final of the 8th Southeast Asian Basketball Association Men’s Championship at the Angkasapura Lanud Basketball Hall.
With the legendary crooner’s unmistakable velvety voice filling the venue Monday, the Philippines ripped Singapore, 117-69, to sweep the elimination and claim the first berth to the FIBA-Asia World Championship qualifier in August.
On the instructions of coach Yeng Guiao, the Nationals shifted into fast break overdrive right away, running down the Singaporeans behind Cyrus Baguio, virtually untouchable in going 10 of 14 from the field and 8 of 9 from the free throw line for 28 points – a tournament high. Ranidel de Ocampo slashed for 17 points with 10 rebounds, and team captain Asi Taulava, in his best performance so far, muscled his way to 14 points with 13 rebounds. “Our emphasis is to really ingrain the fast break concept on the guys, whether we’re playing a strong, big team or a small team that’s also quick like Singapore,” said Guiao.
“The important thing for me is to be consistent with the running game.” In the do-or-die second game, the Indons forced Malaysia into 24 turnovers in scraping a 74-67 victory, gaining a title showdown with the PBA-backed RP team at 7 p.m. and securing the second spot to the 25th FIBA-Asia Men’s Championship in Tianjin, China.
Both the Philippines and Indonesia made it to the 24th FIBA Asia Olympic qualifier two years ago in Tokushima, Japan after topping the 7th SEABA elimination in Ratchaburi, Thailand, and their return reaffirmed their dominance in the region.
Though nothing much is at stake except the placing and the bragging rights, neither team entertains the thought of leaving this capital of North Sumatra province with its head bowed. Indonesia, comprised mainly of the No. 2 club team in the country, absorbed a 103-64 beating from the Nationals Sunday and is not likely to aim for an upset as much as respect from its opponent, a galaxy of professional superstars.
Powerade-RP, on the other hand, would want nothing more than to put behind the SEABA as quickly as possible in order to attend to more pressing matters – the Jones Cup in Taipei next month and the World Championship qualifier four weeks later.
Singapore, led by a Joseph Yeo look-alike point guard named Wong Wei Long who gave Willie Miller and Gabe Norwood fits, was out of it early, falling behind 33-14 after the first quarter, 58-25 at the half, and 93-45 at three-quarter’s end. With the jeering pro-Indonesian crowd not yet in full force during the Singapore match, the atmosphere in the arena was light, courtesy of some silky ballroom tunes.
And though it offered little of the electrifying slam-dunk sideshow that marked the RP-Indonesia game the night before, Day 3 of competition will be remembered for the unconventional music played during the pre-game shootaround, as well as in the timeout and halftime breaks. Long used to warming up to hard-pounding, ear-splitting Top 20 music or classic rock beats, the Nationals were pleasantly surprised to hear the silky voice of one of the ‘50s greatest balladeers wafting out of the public address speakers, someone vaguely familiar to only two or three of them.
As it turned out, Col. Lee Kak Kuan, the 69-year-old SEABA commissioner and trusted colleague of FIBA-Asia secretary-general Dato Yeoh Choo Hock, brought with him a CD of the “Unforgettable” and “Mona Lisa” singer and had it played.
“The music they were playing here was too loud for me, too noisy,” said Col. Lee, who assigns referees in FIBA-Asia tournaments. “This one’s better, see? Nice for dancing, right?” RP assistant coach Roehl Nadurata apparently agreed.
Nadurata, himself from that golden era, grabbed PBA media bureau chief Willy Marcial by the hand and the two improvised a quick waltz just before the buzzer, delighting PBA commissioner Renauld 'Sonny' Barrios and team manager JB Baylon.
Scores: POWERADE-RP 117 – Baguio 28, De Ocampo 17, Santos 16, Taulava 14, Raymundo 10, Yap 9, Norwood 7, Dillinger 6, Pennisi 6, Miller 4.
SINGAPORE 69 – Oh 11, Wong 10, Wong 10, Khoo 10, Hong 8, Lin 5, Matialakan 4, Lim 2, Tan 1, Lo 0, Teo 0. Quarters: 33-14, 58-27, 93-49, 117-69
Executives take 2 - 0 lead over Legislative
The Executives banked on their second quarter surge to score an 117 - 102 come from behind victory over the Legislative and grabbed a 2 - 0 lead in their best of seven series of the Executive-Legislative 19th season Friday night at the Davao City Recreation Center.
Christopher" Bong" Go, Mayor Rodrigo Duterte's executive assistant, scored 10 of his total 30 points in the pivotal second period where the Executives staged a mighty run for good.
Highlighted with sweet-shooting Go's two triples, the Executives outscored the Legislators, 32 - 19 to take a 57 - 47 lead at halftime and never looked back.
Ryan Alquizar, Eugene Labor and Roy Bangkas chipped in 19, 14 and 13 markers respectively to help the Executives move closer to another title.
The Legislative came out hot early taking a 28 - 25 advantage after the opening canto.
But the Exectuives strong showing in both ends of the floor took the balance and rhytm out of the Councilors Diosdado Mahipus and Dante Apostol led Legislative.
Vincent Plarisan scored 27 points for the Legislative which failed to recover after being downed and absorbed their second straight loss in the series.
Go continued to sizzle hot in the third period, adding 15 points on his remarkable output in the first twenty minutes of play.
Christopher" Bong" Go, Mayor Rodrigo Duterte's executive assistant, scored 10 of his total 30 points in the pivotal second period where the Executives staged a mighty run for good.
Highlighted with sweet-shooting Go's two triples, the Executives outscored the Legislators, 32 - 19 to take a 57 - 47 lead at halftime and never looked back.
Ryan Alquizar, Eugene Labor and Roy Bangkas chipped in 19, 14 and 13 markers respectively to help the Executives move closer to another title.
The Legislative came out hot early taking a 28 - 25 advantage after the opening canto.
But the Exectuives strong showing in both ends of the floor took the balance and rhytm out of the Councilors Diosdado Mahipus and Dante Apostol led Legislative.
Vincent Plarisan scored 27 points for the Legislative which failed to recover after being downed and absorbed their second straight loss in the series.
Go continued to sizzle hot in the third period, adding 15 points on his remarkable output in the first twenty minutes of play.
Powerade-RP whips Indons
Powerade-RP whips Indons
MEDAN – The torrential jeers from the boisterous hometown crowd and the steady chanting of In-do-ne-sia! rained down on Powerade-Team Pilipinas from the onset late Sunday.
Then James Yap and the rest of the national team decided they had enough of the local abuse heaped on them.
Yap poured 13 of his game-high 21 points in the first half, drilling in three consecutive triples in one breathtaking run in the second quarter as Powerade-RP clobbered host Indonesia, 103-64, for its second straight win in the 8th Southeast Asian Basketball Association Men’s Championship at the Angkasapura Lanud Basketball Hall.
The PBA-backed national team, bound for the 25th FIBA World Championship qualifier in Tianjin, China in August, was to play winless Singapore Monday night with the intention of moving into the final game Tuesday against the winner of the Indonesia-Malaysia encounter later that evening.
The Nationals blasted the Malaysians, 100-73, Saturday, a game where the Nationals lost point guard Ryan Reyes to a pulled hamstring muscle on his left thigh.
Reyes joined injured teammates Jayjay Helterbrand and Sonny Thoss in serving as utility personnel during the pre-game shootaround, and they sat together at the far-end corner of the bench whopping when the Nationals started ripping the Indons apart.
A different version from the one the Chot Reyes-mentored RP team pummeled in Ratchaburi, Thailand two years ago, took a 5-2 lead as Powerade-RP went blank on its next six possessions after Asi Taulava broke the ice.
But the Nationals got going with an 11-0 run to silence the packed spectators, and the closest the Indons came to an upset was 13-11 before Yap turned hot.
As expected, the opposition got a boost not only from their compatriots.
Yap picked up two quick fouls eight minutes into the game, and Jared Dillinger got whistled for three halfway through the second quarter.
With less than a minute left in the half, Yap was called for his third personal, but not after the Purefoods hotshot had drained three consecutive triples to give the Philippines its first 20-point lead, 42-22.
Indonesia picked up just four fouls in the first 20 minutes.
Just about everybody got into the act from there, with Gabe Norwood and Arwind Santos throwing down vicious dunks one after the other and Willie Miller and slasher Cyrus Baguio turning the Indonesian shaded lane into a freeway.
In the trenches, Kerby Raymundo grabbed 10 rebounds, Mick Pennisi 9 with 2 blocked shots, Ranidel de Ocampo 8, and Dillinger and Taulava 5 each.
The lead was 75-45 after three quarters and 97-56 – a whopping 41 points – by the time the slam-dunk exhibition had reached its peak.
“I feel a lot better. I’m actually relieved,” said national coach Yeng Guiao. “I knew we could play better than we did against Malaysia.
“It was, after all, our first game since the All-Stars plus it’s a new environment. But once they got used to the conditions here, they became what we want them to be – a fast-breaking team with hustling defense. They just pushed themselves."
Meanwhile, PBA commissioner Renauld 'Sonny' Barrios arrived from Manila in time for the second half of the RP-Indonesia game, joining the Nationals at the locker room and taking a seat beside team manager JB Baylon.
Scores:
POWERADE-RP 103 – Yap 21, Santos 18, Miller 12, Norwood 11, Taulava 10, Baguio 8, Raymundo 8, Dillinger 7, Pennisi 5, De Ocampo 3.
INDONESIA 64 – Sumargo 11, Suro 10, Wuysang 9, Poedjakusuma 9, Agustinus 9, Sudiadnyana 6, Wibawa 5, Sigar 2, Thoyib 2, Purwanto 1, Fitzgerald 0, Budianto 0.
Quarters: 20-14, 46-25, 75-45, 103-64
LIFE GOES ON FOR KINGS WITHOUT CAGUIOA
THERE won’t be a Mark Caguioa suiting up for Barangay Ginebra in the Final Four of the Motolite-PBA Fiesta Cup.
Make that up to the best-of-seven Finals should the defending champion Kings reached that far in the season-ending tournament.
Coach Jong Uichico bared the high-scoring guard will be out for the remainder of the season as he continues to rehabilitate from his knee injury.
Uichico said the team already left Caguioa out of its official lineup going into the semifinals.
May 30 was the cut-off date for all teams to submit their final rosters to the PBA office.
“We finally decided not to put him in the lineup,” said the soft-spoken mentor. “He can play, but hindi talaga 100 percent.”
Caguioa has not played a single game for the league’s crowd darling this season owing to a knee injury, a condition that also cost him a slot in the Powerade Team Pilipinas of coach Yeng Guiao.
The prolific Ginebra stalwart has since undergone knee operation and rehabilitation in the U.S. since early this year, with a hope of him joining the team midway into the Fiesta Cup.
But Uichico said at this point, Caguioa is still 80-90 percent healed from the injury.
“Maganda `yung improvement niya from February until April, that’s why we’re hoping he could make a comeback by May. But somehow, nitong mga nakaraang araw medyo bumagal `yung recovery niya.
“So we deemed it more proper not to let him play na lang. Huwag na lang muna madaliin dahil sayang lang kung ma-injured siya uli.”
The Ginebra coach said he’s in constant talk with Caguioa and even with his therapist.
“Right now, we’re trying to get him over here para ditto na siya mag-continue ng rehabilitation,” Uichico added.
Without their top leading scorer last season, Uichico said the Kings have lost one major offensive option, a big factor the team will be missing in their title retention bid.
“Mark is always good for 15 points or more on any given night. He’s always a scoring threat for our opponents,” Uichico admitted.
But even without Caguioa, life goes on for the Kings, who clinched an outright semifinals berth two weeks ago by beating the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in a playoff, 114-71.
The Kings won seven of their last eight games in the eliminations to turn things around following a slow start that saw them struggle with a 1-5 record.
“We’ve survived at this point without him (Caguioa). So we’re keeping our fingers crossed that we’ll be able to go farther now that we’re fully aware Mark is not going to play for us,” said Uichico.
Ginebra will be meeting the winner of the quarterfinals series between Rain or Shine and Purefoods in the semis.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Williams leads MVP derby
Sta. Lucia Realty do-it-all forward Kelly Williams may already be out for the rest of the season but he has piled up much statistical points making him among the top contenders for the season's Most Valuable Player award.
Though down with a blood disorder, Williams is in the running for the coveted individual award, giving him a chance at becoming only the fourth PBA player ever to win the MVP honors in two successive seasons.
Should he get it, Williams would join Bogs Adornado (1975-76), Alvin Patrimonio (1993-94) and Danny Ildefonso (2000-01) in an elite cast.
The energetic 6-foot-4 Fil-Am still leads all players in the statistical points race although he's been out since the resumption of the Motolite PBA Fiesta Conference after the All-Star Week where he suffered his health problem.
Through the Fiesta Conference wildcard round, Williams has a league-leading average of 32.2 SPs with Asi Taulava (32.1) closely behind, followed by Arwind Santos (30.6), Jayjay Helterbrand (29.5) and Mark Cardona (29.4).
Making up the next five are Kerby Raymundo (28.67), Philippine Cup Best Player Willie Miller (28.66), Jay Washington (28.6), Dondon Hontiveros (28.4) and Jimmy Alapag (28.2).
Taulava, Cardona, Miller and Alapag have no more chance to improve their stats as their teams have taken the exit in the season.
Rain or Shine teammates Gabe Norwood and Sol Mercado are running one-and-two in the race for the Rookie of the Year award.
Norwood is on top with 26 SPs a game, followed by Mercado (23.6) then Jared Dillinger (21.9), Bonbon Custodio (20.2), Larry Rodriguez (16.8), Jeff Chan (15.8), Beau Belga (14.0), Tyrone Tang (13.5), Rob Reyes (11.0) and Kelvin Gregorio (10.4).
Among the rookies, Norwood, Solomon and Dillinger are those in the top 30 overall, making them contenders for the Mythical First and Second Teams.
Jason Castro is not eligible for the Rookie of the Year award since he has played pro ball with the Singapore Slingers. The former PCU Dolphin is at No. 23 in the stats race, ahead of Talk n Text teammate Dillinger at No. 28.
The league honors the season's top achievers during the Leo Awards set before Game Four of the coming Fiesta Conference finals.
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