Texters clobber Express in Davao showdown, Phoenix fit to play in PBA

Texters clobber Express in Davao showdown

TALK 'N Text relied on the hot hands of speedy guard Jimmy Alapag and the all-game long brilliance of import Paul Harris to crush Air21, 124-110, in their PBA Commissiner's Cup showdown before a huge crowd at the Holy Cross of Davao College (HCDC) Gym Saturday night.

Harris fired 28 points and Alapag added 24, including six connections from the three-point country as the Tropang Texters registered their second straight win after losing their opening game in the conference to Smart Gilas.

Three others scored in double figures for Talk 'N Text, with Ryan Reyes hitting 16, Ranidel de Ocampo firing 14 and Larry Fonacier finishing with 10.

With the victory, Talk 'N Text spoiled the debut of Dondon Hontiveros and three others who played their first game with the Express after being traded from San Miguel Beer.

Hontiveros displayed his deadly outside shots to finish with 24 points, but the Texters simply beat them in a running game.

Aside from Hontiveros, others who were shipped from SMB to Air21 following a blockbuster trade days earlier were Dorian Peña, Danny Seigle and Paul Artadi. All the new Express recruits performed well for their new team.

The trade likewise sent Rabeh Al-Hussaini, Nonoy Baclao and Rey Gueverra to the Beermenn.

The Texters used a killng running game to jump to an early lead and never looked back as the Express had difficulty finding their range.
Still, the Express made it exciting for the crown as they managed to cut the lead several times specially after Hontiveros started connecting from the outside late in the first quarter.

The PBA game in Davao City for the first time in several years and which draw a sizeable crowd was supported by Phoneix Petroleum of Dennis Uy. (CRAM)

Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on March 07, 2011.





Phoenix fit to play in PBA


THERE'S a big chance for Phoenix Petroleum to gain entry into the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) and become the second oil company in the country to join the premier professional league after Shell.

PBA Commissioner Chito Salud said Phoenix possesses all the requirements needed to be admitted into the PBA but would rather wait for the PBA Board to convene and come out with a decision on the firm's application.

Salud said they have to evaluate if the team applying has the financial capabilities to field and manage a team and to determine how dedicated it is to play in the league.

"I think Phoenix has these," Salud said of the Davao City-based firm moments after the Phoenix-PBA On Tour game between Talk 'N Text and Air21 won by the Tropang Texters at the Holy Cross of Davao Colleges (HCDC) Gym Saturday night.

Phoenix Petroleum president and CEO Dennis Uy earlier confirmed that his company had indeed applied for inclusion into the PBA.

Uy said he had already talked with the management of Barako Bull, the team whose franchise Phoenix is acquiring to get into the PBA.

Reports said Phoenix is close to purchasing the Barako franchise for an undisclosed amount. After its acquisition of the Barako franchise, all Phoenix has to get is the approval of the PBA Board.

"It's now up to the PBA Board. I don't want to speculate. We just have to wait," Uy said.

Salud confirmed that the board is indeed convening this month to discuss the Phoenix application.

PBA media bureau chief Willy Marcial earlier said the board will meet on March 15 with the the oil company's application on top of the agenda.
"By March 15 we will know the decision of the board," Marcial said.

Phoenix Petroleum is a big ally of the PBA, having supported the league's road games for years now, including the Air21-Talk 'N Text Davao showdown Saturday.

Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on March 07, 2011.

PBA-Phoenix Fuels on Tour: Air21 vs. TNT on March 5 at HCDC gym

BACLAO, HUSSAINI READY TO RUMBLE

Air21 coach Yeng Guiao is convinced their celebrated top draft picks
would make an impact right in their rookie year and help the team hit
big strides in the coming 36th PBA season.

Guiao said Nonoy Baclao, Rabeh Al-Hussaini and Rey Guevarra have been
doing so well in practice, raising the energy and confidence of the
team.

The veteran Air21 bench tactician brims with confidence the Express
would give the other teams a run for their money with Baclao,
Al-Hussaini and Guevarra playing key roles right in their rookie year
in the pros.

“Based on what I see in practice, these guys will play like veterans
not as rookies,” said Guiao.

“I intend to give them the minutes and I don’t think our veterans
would be offended. I believe they would accept the reality that we
need help from these young guys,” Guiao added.

Guiao expects Al-Hussaini to establish himself as among the league’s
top big men, Baclao to carve his niche as a do-it-all forward and
Guevarra to boost their offensive power from the wing.

“Al-Hussaini really plays like a veteran and I haven’t seen the
negative things said of him. Sabi nila matigas ang ulo, uncoachable,
masama ugali. So far, wala naman syang pinapakita na ganon,” said
Guiao.

“Nonoy is the epitome of a role player. Not high profile but he would
do the dirty work. He’s not a big time scorer but will score when
needed. He’s on the ball every time,” said Guiao of the top draft
pick.

“Guevarra is athletic. He’s superior physically at No. 2 spot. He has
the height to play the No. 3 position. Kulang lang sa yabang. Mahiyain
at kailangan i-develop ang confidence,” said Guiao of their third
draft selection.

With these three players complementing the Air21 veterans, Guiao is
optimistic they can improve on their ninth place finish in last year’s
Philippine Cup.(pr)

ARBOLEDA SUSPENSION LIFTED,WILL REJOIN AIR 21 ON SATURDAY

Wynne Arboleda will rejoin Air21 on Saturday when the slumping Express play the B-Meg Derby Ace Llamados in Panabo City, Davao del Norte.

It will be the first official game for the veteran playmaker since PBA Commissioner Sonny Barrios suspended him without pay for the rest of the season for going after a fan during the Air21-Smart Gilas game last October 16,2009.

Barrios cut the suspension short after Arboleda, a member of the 2006-07 Second Mythical selection, showed “sincere efforts and genuine desire to project a positive and wholesome image to the public, particularly the youth.”

“We also take note of your repeated expression of contriteness over the incident and the use of time under suspension in a positive and proactive manner instead of simply being ‘unproductive’ during your suspension,” Barrios told Arboleda in a letter announcing the lifting of his suspension.

Arboleda appealed his case to the commissioner last March. Included in his appeal was an endorsement letter signed by the team captains of the league’s 10 ball clubs. He was then given a month to submit documentation of his involvement in a number of community activities.

The wily Air21 sentinel complied and his appeal was granted.

However, although he had lifted the suspension, Barrios fined Arboleda 10 percent of the gross of his monthly salary from May 15 to August 15, 2010 – the period remaining in the suspension penalty had it been served in full.

Arboleda’s return is indeed a welcome development for coach Yeng Guiao and the Express, who are on a seven-game losing streak and languishing in the cellar of 10-team standings with a 1-8 record. 

Air21 vs. Alaska images

PBA IMAGE 1 - Willie Miller protecting the ball from Doug Kramer

PBA IMAGE 2 - Sonny Thoss with a nice fake on Air21 new import Jason Forte.

PBA IMAGE 3 - Diamon Simsom goes for the reverse shot over Doug Kramer.

PBA IMAGE 4 - Ronnie Matias fouls Alaska's import Diamon Simsom on a fastbreak play

PBA IMAGE 5 - Willie Miller penetrates the defense of Beau Belga

PBA IMAGE 6 - Ronjay Buenafe shoots over Tony Dela Cruz bit Diamon Simson was at his back to block his shot

SMB vs Air21 Images

PBA IMAGE 1 - Keena Young puts up a shot over Gabe Freeman.
PBA IMAGE 2 - Mick "The Slick" Pinnisi got slicked by the hard nosed defense of Air21's Beau Belga.
PBA IMAGE 3 - Egay Billiones goes hard to the hoop against Denok Miranda while Mick Pennisi comes in to block from his side.
PBA IMAGE 4 - Gabe Freeman comes up flying for the ball while Doug Kramer got nothing to do but to hold him and commited a foul.
PBA IMAGE 5 - Alex Cabagnot driving over Ramsy Williams and tries to dish the ball but Wesley Gonzales reads his movement.