Explosive frontline keys Ateneo victory

THE Ateneo de Davao University Blue Knights relied on their explosive frontline to outplay John Paul II College, 87-81, in the Liga Dabaw First Conference basketball tournament before a big crowd at the Davao City Recreation Center Sunday night.

Six-foot-five Joseph Conrad Fernando, Ateneo's shooting center, scored a game-high 22 points and forward Eric Matthew Cabigas added 18 as the Blue Knights booked their first win in the collegiate division in two outings.

Fernando also made four three-pointers and had five blocks for Ateneo, which fell behind early but came back strong starting in the second quarter.

Cabigas was equally impressive for the Ateneo dribblers, with most of his output coming from undergoal stabs and perimeter jumpers. Richard Madelo added 13 for Ateneo.

Harly Garcia scored 14 points to lead John Paul.

The Blue Knights held a slim 22-21 lead after the opening period, but John Paul controlled the tempo in the second to seize a 38-37 advantage at the half.

Fernando and Cabigas then joined hands to lead the Ateneo attack in the third canto. With Madelo also igniting for his team, Ateneo took back the lead and was 69-57 up going into the payoff period.

In the main game, Montaña Pawnshop demolished Sanman, 102-84, in a commercial division showdown that was all over in the first half.

Tata Fernandez led Montaña with 28 points while Mike Maniego added 20, including five three-point shots.

In a sectoral contest played much ealier, ABS-CBN beat Coca-Cola, 104-100, in overtime.

Among those in attendance during the Sunday games were Liga Dabaw secretary general William "Butch" Ramirez and Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) Region 11 director Regino "Boy" Cua. (Charles Raymond A. Maxey)

Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on January 25, 2011.

Liga Dabaw latest results, team standings

LIGA DABAW
SUPPORTED BY SBP REGIONAL DIRECTOR REGINO "BOY" CUA AND BLUEJAZ RESORT & WATER PARK

GAME RESULTS and BOX SCORES

January 19

DAVAO CITY RECREATION CENTER

Coca – Cola – 78

Naron- 15, Noble – 14, Lecias – 12, Hidalgo – 11, Rabia – 6

Sereno – 6, Palanca – 5, Logan – 4, Guitguiten – 3, Alanunay – 2

City Government Ball Boys – 72

Go – 21, Mosqueda – 11, Brigoli – 10, Labor – 8, Gadiano – 7

Melodias – 7, Aleman – 6, Montalban – 2

January 22

City Treasurers Office – 95

Miranda – 24, Taguiang – 20, Alfeche – 12, Paloma – 8 , Abayon – 7

Muana – 7, Ambohot – 6, DIstancia – 4, Rivera – 4, Troyo – 2,

Abinon – 2, Merquita – 2

Clergy – 66

Simbajon – 24, Autdia – 9, Ribac – 7, Lanuza – 7 , Legaspi – 5,

Mejias – 4, Saniel -3, Menez – 3, Maglana – 2, Nacario – 2

RMC – 98

Ydulzura – 24, Tismo – 23, Ibuos – 16, Abao – 15, Estrellante – 6

Redobla – 4, Awitin – 3, Oralde – 3, Ragay – 2, Neri – 2

EMAR – 94

Peros- 28, Pansacala – 17, Pardillo – 14, Bitoy – 12, Sanayan – 10

Campo – 8, Enabacan – 3, Deloria – 2

LTO -  110

Flores – 18, Ilangga – 15, Taping – 13, Linaza – 13, Diaz – 12,

Amatosa – 9, Braga – 7, Aquino – 7, De Guzman – 5, Alojipan – 5,

Fang – 4, Zozobrado – 2

GMA – 91

Morata – 21, Lulab – 18, Corilla – 10, Manzo – 9, Orlanes – 6,

Manzo – 4, Coronel – 4, Morata – 4, Digamon – 3, Jerios – 2,

Palma Gil – 2, Huntong -2, Tipan – 2, Morata -2

VMO – 92

Atablanco – 20, Bantilan – 18, Delica – 14, Torregosa – 12, Bangkas – 7,

Braga – 6, Uganap – 6, Pastor – 5, Mondigo – 4,

Goldstar – 84

Pacheco – 24, Cagoco – 12, Cabigas – 10, Pinto -10, Cachuela -10,

Japson – 6, Galacgac – 5, , Losentes – 3, Ochate – 2, Cutin -2

January 23

ABS – CBN – 104

Dagpin – 33, Tumaroy – 23, Simbulas – 18, Tumaroy – 11, Nalzaro – 8,

Dunato – 6, Rentucan – 4, Sanchez – 1

Coca – Cola – 100

Catre – 20, Yape – 18, Hidalgo – 17, Rabia – 16, Lecias – 7,

Noble – 7, Guitguiten – 5, Coyoca – 2, Alanunay – 2, Mendez – 2,

Serenio – 2, Palanca – 2

City Government Ball Boys – 118

Venus – 35, Go – 33, Brigoli – 14, Mosqueda – 11, Montalban – 9,

Gadiano – 8, Duremdes – 4, Aleman – 4

BDO – 80

Betinol – 29, Soriano – 13, Dalisay – 12, Temporal – 11, Rosal – 9,
Cabug-os – 2, Quilisadio – 1

Ateneo – 87

Fernando – 22, Cabigas – 18, Madelo – 13, Hiquial – 9, Serapio – 7

Gadia – 7, Pepito – 5, Sepe -4, Otarra – 2,

John Paul – 81

Garcia – 14, Rumarate – 12, Canete – 12, Apolinario -10, Sumampong -9,

Cruz – 8, Dalanan – 7, Patulot – 5, Maceda – 2, Alag – 2

Montana – 102

Fernandez – 28, Manigo -20, Colina – 20, Pateno – 7, Dawal – 6,

Lamocha – 6, Casanillo – 6, Ayson – 3, Jawod – 2, Quibod – 2,

Montero – 2

SANMAN – 84

Aninao – 18, Hermosisima – 17, Gonzaga – 15, Daja -14, Berami – 14,

Farochilen – 9, Bonleon – 7, Cabanog – 2, Mendoza – 2

LIGA DABAW TEAM STANDINGS

COLLEGIATE DIVISION

BRACKET – A	WINS	LOSSES
Jose Maria College	I
University of Mindanao	I
Ateneo de Davao University	I	I
John Paul College	I	I
Davao Central College		I
Holy Cross of Davao College		I

BRACKET – B	WINS	LOSSES
AGRO Industrial Foundation College	I
University of Immaculate Conception	I
Rizal Memorial College	I
MATS College of Technology		I
San Pedro College		I
EMAR		I

LIGA DABAW TEAM STANDINGS

COMMERCIAL DIVISION

TEAMS	WINS	LOSSES
Montana	I
Goldstar	I	I
SANMAN	I	I
Vice Mayos’ Office	I	I
CM Farm		I
Virus

LIGA DABAW TEAM STANDINGS

SECTORAL DIVISION

BRACKET – A	WINS	LOSSES
ABC	I
ABS – CBN	I	I
Coca – Cola	I	I
BDO	I	I
City Government Ball Boys	I	I
The Scribes		I
Goldstar

BRACKET – B	WINS	LOSSES
LTO	II
IBP	I
Treasurers	I
Liaisons		I
Clergy		I
GMA		II
KBP

VMO cagers survive Goldstar

THE Vice Mayor's Office (VMO) survived a spirited rally by Goldstar Hardware to fashion out a thrilling 92-84 victory in the Liga Dabaw First Conference basketball tournament Saturday night at the Davao City Recreation Center.

Speedy guard Arturo Atablanco bailed his team out of trouble by making big plays down the stretch as the VMO dribblers posted their first win in two outings in the league's commercial division.

Atablanco hit a three-pointer, made one crucial steal and went 6-of-6 from the three throw line to preserve the win after Goldstar rallied to close the gap in the closing minutes of the game.

Atablanco finished with 18 points, the same output of Rodel Bantilan, who scored 12 of his 18 in the first half when VMO took command.

Mico Pacheco top-scored with 24 points for Goldstar, which absorbed its first defeat after winning over CM Farms for a 1-1 slate.

It was a big rebound for VMO after losing heavily in its opening game to Sanman.

VMO led at 81-72 with only three minutes remaining, but Pacheco and Justin Cachuela joined hands as Goldstar trimmed the lead at 77-81, highlighted by a Cachuela 3-point play.

Just as Goldstar was inching closer, Atablanco buried a triple to keep the opposing team at bay, then made a crucial steal under the basket as VMO preserved the lead and was never threatened again. Atablanco capped his late-game heroics by making six pressure-packed free throws.

VMO took the half at 50-37 but Goldstar cut the deficit several times in the third quarter courtesy of Pacheco, who scored 10 points in the period, including back-to-back hits from the rainbow country. The third quarter ended with VMO up by eight, 67-59. (Charles Raymond A. Maxey)

Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on January 24, 2011.

Liga Dabaw results, schedule

LIGA DABAW RESULTS

Davao City Recreation Center

January 8

SECTORAL DIVISION

BDO Caltex -86

Betinol -24, Soriano -19, Dalisay -13, Temporal -13, Rosal -12

Amores -3, Tumadiang -2

ABS-CBN – 83

Abais -20, Dagpin -18, Tumaroy E. -14, Simbulas -12, Sanchez -9,

Nalzaro -7, Bersamin -3, Tumaroy P. -0, Angchay -0

COLLEGIATE DIVISION

UM -82

Adormeo -29, Fernandez -14, Rivera -10, Plata -8, Remolar -7

Plenos -4, Apurada -4, Cosal -4, De dios -2

Ateneo – 77

Fernando -25, Sepe -11, Cabigas -10, Hiquial -9, Pepito -8

Madelo -7, Gadia -3, Sencio -2, Serapio -2

January 9

IBP Davao – 102

Dioso -27, Carpio -13, Lao – 13 Ongkingco -11, Baguio -8

Paguican -7, Casquejo -5, Ceballos -5, Al -ag -5, Dayanghirang -3

Ceniza -2, Ciudadano -2, Caharian -1

GMA – Tipan -43, Morata -23, Manzo -Jerios -4, Canada -3

Coronel -2, Orlanes -1

COMMERCIAL DIVISION

SANMAN -115

Gonzaga -23,  Cabanog -16, Farochillen -13, Abillero -13, Reyes -10

Torres -10, Clar -8, Bonleon -7, Sanano -6, Daja -6, Decena -3

VMO – 73

Bantillan -15, Torregoza-14, Delica -14, Go -10, Uganap -8,

Bragga -4, Atablanco -3, Bonleon -3, Mondigo -2 

January 15

ABC – 98
Apostol -19, Yap – 18, Cagampang 14, Orilla – 9, Galido – 8
Colaste – 7, Olan Olan -6, Labro – 6, Canada – 6, Camarillo – 4
Torejas -3, Gumahin -2

The Scribes – 71

Quilaquil – 16, Banluta – 14, Encila – 13, Tan F. – 11, Develos – 8
Lazo – 6, Gonzaga – 3

LTO – 103
Flores – 15, Linaza – 14, Jopson – 12, Amatosa – 10, Ilangga – 9,
Ardenio -8, De Guzman – 8, Abanes – 8, Taping – 7, Alojipan – 6
Aquino – 6

Liaisons – 83
Lat – 22, Polloso – 20, Sularte – 12, Diaz – 11, Bragas – 9, Abao – 6
Palagan – 2, Beltran – 1

Jose Maria College – 98
Casanillo -22, Adalid – 21, Bulac – 15, Montero – 12, Repuerzo – 12,
Nayal – 6, De Guzman – 4, Guibay – 4, Dayap – 2

HCDC – 85
Ochate – 21, Pinto – 18, Josol – 16, Lacida – 7, Espiritu – 6,
Bordas – 5, Villagonzalo – 5, Manlangit – 4, Cantorne – 3,

AGRO – 92
Ruiz – 20, Estrellante – 12, Tano – 11, Galacgac – 8, Andres – 7
Dagangon – 7, Basmayor – 6, Aninao – 5, Bangga – 5, Pelantes – 5
Pacaldo – 4, Garcia – 2

1:30 pm     ABC   –     98    vs.    The Scribes     -    71
3:00 pm     LTO    -    103   vs.    Liaisons          -    83
4:30 pm    JMC    -     98    vs.    HCDC            -    85

January 16

John Paul – 78
Garcia – 18, Canete – 15, Maceda – 12, Patulot – 8, Alag – 8,
Apolinario – 7, Dalanan – 7, VIllafuerte – 3

DCC – 77
Canada – 19, Guillen -12, Camposos – 11, Carcosia – 8, Ungay – 7,
Bugas – 6, Mamacang – 4, Daro – 4

UIC – 75
Amantiad – 32, Talbin – 10, Ramirez – 8, Obdencia – 8, Osorio – 5,
Veloso – 4, Dignadice – 3, Baetiong – 3, Peroy – 2,

SPC – 74
Ampong – 23, Tonel – 18, Sy – 6, Saldivar -6, Real – 6,
Zapanta – 6, Veneracion – 5, Ang – 4, Bulseco – 1

Goldstar – 93
Pinto – 20, Pacheco – 14, Galacgac – 13, Losentes – 13, Cabigas – 10,
Cahcuela – 8, Cagoco – 7, Tech – 3, Japson – 2, Ochate – 2, Angalan – 2

CM Farm – 78
Custodio – 20, Awitin – 14, Fernando – 9, Bonifacio – 8, Astudillo – 8,
Adormeo – 6, Rubi – 6, Madelo – 3, Gonzales -3, Callora – 2, Paraguya -2

3:00 – 4:30 pm     UIC            -    75    vs.    SPC    -    74
4:30 – 6:00 pm     John Paul    -    78    vs.    DCC    -    77
6:00 – 7:30 pm    Goldstar        -    93    vs.   CM Farm – 78

LIGA DABAW 

January 19

6:30 pm    DACHEA        vs.    Coca – Cola

January 22

1:30 pm    Clergy               vs.    Treasurers
3:00 pm    LTO                 vs.    GMA
4:30 pm    EMAR              vs.    RMC
6:00 pm    Goldstar             vs. VMO

January 23
10:00 am    HCDC         vs. DCC
11:30 am    IBP              vs.    KBP
1:30 pm    ABS-CBN     vs.    Coca – Cola
3:00 pm    DACHEA       vs.    BDO
4:30 pm    Ateneo            vs.    John Paul
6:00 pm    SANMAN      vs.    Montana

Texters draw first blood in Philippine Cup finale

Jimmy Alapag sets up the play while guarded by Alex Cabagnot.

VICTORIAS, Negros Occidental – The series opener belonged to the team that fought tenaciously all
night.

Talk n Text played tough throughout, outfighting San Miguel Beer in the crunch for a 91-82 win in
Game One of their PBA Philippine Cup best-of-seven showdown at the Victorias City Sports and
Amusement Center here Saturday night.

“All it means is a one-zero lead,” said Talk n Text coach Chot Reyes, stressing the battle has
just begun.

“It’s far from over. We have to be ready to play as many games necessary,” Reyes added.

Game Two is Wednesday at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.

Saving its best for last, the Texters opened with a nine-to-nothing run in the payoff period and
completed a stirring come-from-behind win in the series opener watched by a sellout crowd in the
venue located in the heart of Negros.

Ryan Reyes churned out a remarkable game dedicated to young brother Allan Raymond who died in a car
accident in the United States only last Wednesday.

Jay Washington, meanwhile, suffered cramps in the second half and the Beermen crumbled down with
their top forward on the bench.

“Iyak ng iyak yan (Reyes) on our way here (Negros). But he still dished out a solid game and what
he showed is so inspiring,” said the Talk n Text coach.

“Nagkatalo sa fourth quarter. We lost our poise and composure,” rued SMB coach Ato Agustin.

The Tropang Texters played catch-up basketball most of the first three quarters before pouring all
they’d got in the payoff period to gain the head start in the series.

It was a team effort, enabling Talk n Text to overcome two nine-point deficits in the second
period.

Reyes, driven by a desire to put a good game for his departed brother, logged 13 points, four
rebounds, four assists and two steals in 26 minutes of action.

“We don’t know what his plans are. But whatever it is, we’ll support him,” said Reyes,
adding his player can rush to the US to pay his brother the last respect.

Jason Castro and Harvey Carey played well off the bench as they’ve been doing all tournament
long, putting in 16 and 12 points, respectively.

Jarred Dillinger, Ranidel de Ocampo and Jimmy Alapag were also on top of their game as the Texters
beat the Beermen in a game marred by hard fouls early on.

Players had to be restrained early with game officials summoning team skippers Olsen Racela and
Alapag at center court midway through the second period.

A man on a mission, Washington worked so hard early that he appeared a spent force by the half.

Cramping, Washington was only able to play nine minutes in the second half.

He sat out the entire third period, being attended to by the SMB physical therapist on the bench.


Nonetheless, the do-it-all SMB forward led the team with 14 points.

Washington headed to the bench for good with still 1:38 left to play and his team down by eight at
80-88.

A passing error by Alex Cabagnot on Dondon Hontiveros on the ensuing play all but settled the
outcome of the game.

San Miguel opened two nine-point spreads in the second quarter but Talk n Text came through with a
9-2 closing run to narrow the gap to two, 44-46, at halftime.

Castro made eight points in the first half, including a twisting layup off Washington at the
buzzer.

Ali Peek had his own buzzer-beater to close the third period ending at 68-67 with SMB still on top.

As expected, the two teams engaged in bruising actions from the start.

It was a nip-and-tuck battle in the first 18 minutes with no team leading by more than four. (SB)

The scores:

Talk n Text 91 – Castro 16, Reyes 13, Carey 12, Dillinger 10, Alapag 9, De Ocampo 9, Peek 7,
Williams 7, Fonacier 4, Aban 4.

San Miguel 82 – Washington 14, Santos 13, Seigle 13, Hontiveros 9, Cabagnot 9, Ildefonso 6,
Artadi 6, Yeo 4, Miranda 4, Pennisi 2, Pena 2, Salvacion 0.
Quarterscores: 19-20, 44-46, 67-68, 91-82.(PBA REPORT)

Alex Cabagnot in a tight defense by Kelly Williams and Jimmy Alapag.

Kelly Williams closely guards Jay Washington and Danny Ildefonso, Ranidel De Ocampo and Ryan Reyes get ready for the rebound.

Emar cagers to clash with RMC

EMAR Learning Center will collide with the Rizal Memorial College (RMC) on Saturday in the Liga Dabaw First Conference basketball tournament at the Davao City Recreation Center.

The Emar-RMC duel in the collegiate division is scheduled at 4:30 p.m.

Virus meets PhilHealth in the day's final game, a sectoral encounter starting at 6 p.m.

Two earlier matches are also scheduled Saturday.

Clergy battles City Treasurer's Office at 1:30 p.m. and Land Transportation Office faces GMA at 3 p.m. in a pair of sectoral matches.

On Sunday, Jan. 23, Liga Dabaw resumes with six games on top.

Squaring off in the main match will be Sanman and Montaña Pawnshop, which joined the three-division league at the last minute.

Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on January 20, 2011.

Resort owner joins Liga Dabaw

LIGA Dabaw got another big boost with the support thrown by resort owner Jazmin Middleton.

Middleton, who owns Bluejaz Beach Resort and Water Park in the Island Garden City of Samal, was formally accepted by Liga Dabaw secretary general William "Butch" Ramirez as the latest member of the Board of Trustees last Jan. 13 during the birthday party of her American husband Richard held at the Bluejaz's Pavillion.

"It's a great honor for me and my family to be a part of Liga Dabaw because we also love sports," Mrs. Middleton said.

Middleton also turned over a P50,000 check in support of Liga Dabaw, which opened its First Conference last Jan. 8 at the Davao City Recreation Center.

Aside from giving financial support to the tournament, Jazmin Middleton also had sponsored the uniforms of the ABS-CBN Davao, one of the participating teams in the Sectoral Division of Liga Dabaw.

ABS-CBN Davao was represented by news manager Ad Roel Alcober, team representative Andy Rara and broadcaster Allan Abais.

Also present durng the affair was the Scribes Davao basketball team composed of the officials and members of the Davao Sportswriters Association (DSA) and the Sports Communicators Organization of the Phils. (SCOOP) Davao led by their presidents Charles Maxey and Lito delos Reyes, respectively.

James Infiesto and Pocholo Elegino, both representing the Davao City Mayor's Sports Development Division Office, were also present.

Liga Dabaw, which has three separate divisions in the commercial, sectoral and collegiate teams, is led by its chairman Dr. Guillermo Torres Jr. of the University of Mindanao, while the vice chairman and vice president is lawyer Mans Carpio, husband of Mayor Inday Sara Duterte.

The Liga Dabaw First Conference is also sponsored and sanctioned by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) under Mindanao Area B Director Regino "Boy" Cua.[PR]

Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on January 17, 2011.

Liga Dabaw tips off

Liga Dabaw tips off
By Charles Raymond A. Maxey

LIGA Dabaw, a sports project conceived not only to stage the game closest to the Filipino's heart but also an undertaking with a social commitment, tips off Saturday afternoon at the Davao City Recreation Center.

A brief but momentous opening ceremony will precede the formal opening of the league aimed to give basketball a major boost in this part of the land, with Davao City's stakeholders joining hands for a significant endeavor for the people to savor.


Businessman and sportsman Guillermo P. Torres Jr. of the University of Mindanao (UM) is at the forefront of the big undertaking as Liga Dabaw president and chair of its Board of Trustees composed of prominent personalities whose passion for the sport is immeasurable.



Liga Dabaw secretary general William "Butch" Ramirez said they are not staging an ordinary tournament, but rather a special one for the league will also cater to the city's poor children in need of government help.

"Liga Dabaw is not only a league of basketball among collegiate, sectoral and commercial teams, but a sports activity with a social commitment focused on the destitute children and street kids. Giving them education and allows sports as vehicle to break the cycle of poverty," Ramirez said.

Torres and Ramirez met with the stakeholders and other members of the Board during a fellowship dinner Thursday night at the Royal Mandaya Hotel.

Some of those present were vice chair lawyer Manases R. Carpio, husband of Davao City Mayor Inday Sara-Duterte, treasurer Juan V. Ramirez, Councilor Jose Louie Villafuerte, Christopher "Bong" Go of the Office of the Vice Mayor, lawyer Jessie Marvin Melodias of the General Services Office and Samahang Basketbol on Pilipinas Region 11 derictor Regino "Boy" Cua and lawyer Ruben Abarquez.

Liga Dabaw also received as much-needed boost after Cua turned over to Torres a P50,000 check as SBP-Davao's support to the league.

A total of seven teams will be playing in the Collegiate Division, while 12 squads are competing in the Collegiate Division. In the Sectoral Division, some 13 teams are participating.

SBP chair Manny V. Pangilinan and his executive director Noli Eala have been invited to grace today's opening rites as guest speaker and special guest, respectively. Davao City Vice Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte is also expected to give an inspirational talk.

Torres will do the welcome remarks while Ramirez will introduce the participating teams and give a brief background of how Liga Dabaw came to be.

Today's opening rites, which will start at 1:30 p.m., will start with a prayer to be led by Archbishop Fernando R. Capalla.

"Sports is the best school of life. For me, every boy and girl must have an opportunity to go through an education. Only so we will be able to have a generation fit for the future, a generation able to cope with the many challenges of our lives," Ramirez said.

Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on January 08, 2011.

Gallent remains optimistic

Chot Reyes is three-time Coach of the Year awardee with five
championships to his credit but neophyte PBA coach Jorge Gallent is
convinced he can compete with him.

Gallent is raring to battle, hopeful of keeping B-MEG Derby Ace on
course for a possible back-to-back PBA Philippine Cup championships.

Observers say Reyes’ rich experience could be a big factor for Talk n
Text in this long best-of-seven semifinal series.

Gallent, however, is undaunted.

“I think I have had enough experience playing and winning six
championships in the PBL. Siguro kung isa o dalawa lang baka kulang.
But I think six is enough to compete even in a higher level,” said
Gallent.

“I have the experience in the amateurs. I guess I just have to bring
it up in the PBA,” added Gallent, victorious in each of six
tournaments he coached Harbour Centre in the PBL.

Overall, the Llamados are in the running for an unprecedented sixth
all-Filipino crown while Gallent is on track for a Cinderella finish.

If they defy the odds and finish all the way on top, Gallent becomes
the latest coach to emerge triumphant right in his first tournament in
the pro league, joining in the elite list that inludes Narciso
Bernardo, Chot Reyes, Eric Altamirano, Ryan Gregorio and Joel Banal.

Gallent, however, isn’t looking beyond Reyes and his Tropang Texters.
Beaten in Game One, Gallent and his troops go for an equalizer in Game
Two at 5 p.m. Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum.

On the same day, San Miguel Beer and Barangay Ginebra start their own
best-of-seven semis duel.

Gallent is upbeat despite injuries to key players and their Game One
defeat. “We had a chance to win in the end (in Game One). It showed we
can beat Talk n Text,” said Gallent.

“We just have to play our game, play our roles and stop their key
player. We do that and we have a good chance to win,” Gallent added.(pr)

Arwind, Devance, Carey still in the hunt

What initially loomed as a duel for the Rain or Shine-PBA Philippine
Cup Elims/Quarters Top Performer Award between Alaska’s Joe Devance
and Talk ‘N Text’s Harvey Carey has turned into a three-way fight,
with a resurgent Arwind Santos of San Miguel Beer joining the fray.

Devance, the Aces’ 3-point shooting forward, and Carey, the Tropang
Texters’ hard-driving frontliner, appeared to have a lock on the
award, presented for the second time by the PBA Press Corps to the
best performing player in the All-Filipino Conference prior to the
best-of-seven semifinals.

But Devance, whose Aces fell to the Barangay Ginebra Kings in the
best-of-three quarterfinals, took a slide in his average statistical
points after the series, allowing Santos to reel in the early leader.

Talk ‘N Text and San Miguel skipped the quarters after clinching
outright Final Four berths for finishing No. 1 and No. 2 in the
classification stage of the elimination round.

Santos averaged 34.7 statistical points (SPs) after 15 games, Devance
finished with 34.5 in 17 matches, and Carey with 34.4 in 15 outings. A
second SMB player, Jay Washington, is in fourth with 34.1 average SPs.

Prior to his injury early this season, Ranidel de Ocampo, Talk ‘N
Text’s comebacking forward, was the runaway choice last season. But
the proximity to each other of the current pacesetters has made the
race much more heated than before.

The PBAPC also casts its vote for Best Player of the Conference and
the Most Valuable Player, and chooses the Finals MVP at the end of
each conference.

The award will be presented on Jan. 5 at the Araneta Coliseum by PBA
Commissioner Chito Salud, PBA vice chairman Mert Mondragon of Rain or
Shine, and the PBAPC.(pr)

FINAL BLUE PRINT OF PBA D-LEAGUE READY

Is the formation of a PBA Development League as inevitable as it is imperative?

Indications point to both conclusions.

On Jan. 25, PBA Commissioner Chito Salud will present to the PBA Board
of Governors a blueprint of a farm league inspired by the NBA D-League
and which seeks to serve as a stepping board for collegiate players
eyeing careers on the professional stage.

At least three companies – San Miguel Beer through alternate governor
Robert Non, Meralco through governor Ramon Segismundo and Maynilad
through former chairman Ricky Vargas – have signified their intention
to field teams.

The D-League will be open to other interested ballclubs not belonging
to the PBA, the Office of the Commissioner said.

“The PBA is not just about being the country’s top sports
entertainment league,” Salud said. “Our constitution mandates us to be
involved in the development of Philippine basketball and to encourage
greater participation in the game by opening new areas of
competition.”

With its passage with the governors all but guaranteed, the D-League
is looking at a February or March launch. No name has yet been
mentioned as a possible tournament director.

A non-PBA company, Healthwell Nutraceuaticals, reportedly has also
sent word of its interest to join.

Just recently, PBA chairman Rene Pardo said the D-League has been
approved in principle with Salud tasked to refine the mechanics for
their formal approval.


“The consensus was that we need a jump-off league for amateurs looking
to go up to the PBA,” said Pardo. “The board made some inputs for the
commissioner to consider.”(PR)