LIGA PILIPINAS SET TO LAUNCH MAY 31:Pampanga rules northern phase of preseason tourney

After successfully staging its first pre-season tournaments this week, its all systems go for Launch Day of the country's newest regional basketball league – Liga Pilipinas – in Cebu City, Saturday.

The initial batch of 14 teams will be unveiled in the formal yet simple opening rites led by the Pampanga Buddies and Cebu Ninos, the North and South pre-season champions. Other teams include the Ilocos Snipers, Baguio Victory, Taguig Batang Global, Laguna Stallions, Iloilo Warriors, Misamis Oriental Meteors, Zamboanga Amores, Pagadian Explorers, Ozamiz Cota, Quezon team and two newly admitted members, Batangas Barakos and the Cavite Heroes.

A formal press conference will precede the launching. Expected to attend are key Liga officials led by Noli Eala, Liga Pilipinas CEO and President. Highlight of the press conference is the planned official announcement of a television partnership with the government network NBN-4.

Festive activities kick off Saturday's launch day for the fledgling organization starting off with a Team Owners Unity Basketball game at the Cebu Coliseum at 9 am followed by a VIP lunch to be hosted by Eala at the Crown Regency Hotel and Towers.

At 2 pm, the full Liga schedule will be announced to the teams after a short board meeting of Pinoy Basketbol Inc., mother company of Liga Pilipinas. The formal launch program begins at 6:30 pm at the Grand Ballroom, Casino Espanol de Cebu.

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Manny V. Pangilinan has been invited to deliver the keynote speech during the opening ceremonies.

"The fun and excitement of regional basketball is back. We are proud of the modest gains of Liga at this infancy stage. Now the real work begins," remarked Eala, who will be joined at the opening ceremonies by Liga officials Tac Padilla, Michelle Lhullier, Tito Palma, Jose Soberano, Misamis Oriental governor Oscar Moreno, and Tagaytay Mayor Bambol Tolentino.

Meanwhile, Pampanga routed Laguna, 80-59, to clinch the northern title of the Liga Pilipinas preseason tournament at the C.P. Tinga gym in Taguig.

Emerson Oreta had 17 points and Christian Luanzon added 16 as the Buddies broke out of tight first half to gain pivotal control in the third quarter, outscoring the Stallions, 23-16.

Ilocos Sur nipped host Taguig, 83-82, to take third place.

"Every small step we take is a step towards the realization of the dreams for regional basketball," said Eala. "The preseason was a giant step."

Liga basketball operations chief Butch Antonio described the pre-season games as a "dry run" for the upcoming maiden season of Liga Pilipinas.

"Not only were the teams given the opportunity to gauge their level of preparedness for our inaugural season, the preseason competition also gave Liga a chance to test our officials, referees and operating systems," Antonio said.

Scores:

PAMPANGA 80 – Oreta 17, Luanzon 16, Villamin 12, Bansil 12, Alcaraz 10, Evangelista 6, Viscarra 3, Flor 2, Legaspi 2, Liangco 0.

LAGUNA 59 – Cruz 22, Ebuen 10, Dedicatoria 6, Ricafrente 6, Musni 5, Raymundo 4, Valderama 3, Retaga 2, Angeles 1.

Quarters : 14-17; 39-34; 62-50; 80-59.

ILOCOS SUR 83 – Kalaw 13, Reyes M. 10, Solis 10, Catamora 7, Cabatu 7, Guiyab 7, Ico 6, Reyes U. 5, Yambao 5, Lopez 4, Mendoza 3, Balares 3, Basilides 3, Tiongson 0.

TAGUIG 82 – Marquez 25, Matias 15, Gatumbato 8, Latoreno 7, Bombeo 6, Rodriguez 6, Ortiguerra 5, Reguerra 5, Fajardo 3, Ripalda 2, Vijandre 0.

Quarters : 19-14; 44-37; 62-61; 83-82.

American Team to visit Davao del Norte

The Kansas City based American Buhay Sports basketball team will be arriving this weekend to do a series exhibition games against local squads in the province of Davao del Norte.

The visiting squad is scheduled to play against local teams in Tagum City, Panabo City and Carmen from June 01 to 05, 2008.

Pastor Gary Visitacion, sports director of Philippine Challenge, Inc. said that “the visiting squad from Kansas City, USA is excited and looking forward for the wonderful experience that they are going to have here in Mindanao”.

Leading the cast of players are Reagan Billings, 5’9, Shooting guard; Chase Billings, 6’1, Pointguard; Scott Henderson, 6’3, Center; Kevin Henderson, 6’2, Power Forward; Jordan Martin, 6’2, Small Forward; Jason Netherton, 6’2, Small Forward; Tom Nykamp, 6’2, Power Forward; Daniel Bucher, 6’2, Small Forward, David Clinton, 6’4, Power Forward and Joshua Manthe, 6’8, Center.

Visitacion added that “as part of their goodwill games, the team is here to learn the culture and share the love of Jesus Christ to the people of Davao del Norte. Our games are open to the public and free of charge. So everybody is invited to come and watch our games.”

The American Buhay Sports Basketball team is scheduled to arrive Manila this coming May 31, Saturday then they are expected to arrive Davao City on June 01, Sunday. Before they travel to Tagum City in the afternoon the team will be the guests at Grace Baptist Church of Pastor Sam Pascual at 10:30 am during their regular Sunday Service.(PR)

IBP Yellow vs. City game reset

The IBP Yellow vs. City Government of Davao game in the 2008 Integrated Bar of the Philippines-Mayor Rodrigo Duterte Cup Basketball League was moved to May 28 at 6 p.m.

Organizers announced on Wednesday that only three games are scheduled on Saturday, May 24, at the IBP Hall of Justice covered court.

IBP Coca Cola collides with Panabo Hall of Justice at 1:20 p.m., IBP White goes up against IBP Orange at 2:45 pm. and ABS-CBN Davao against COMELEC Region XI at 4 p.m.

The tournament is presented by Mayor Duterte and sanctioned by the BAP-SBP XI.

2008 Futures 3 on 3 Baller Battle Davao City on June 28 to 29

Futures 3on3 Baller Battle Davao City

1. Schedule of Games:
1. Eliminations: Saturday, 28 June 2008 @

Venue to Be Adviced

b. Finals: Sunday, 29 June 2008 @

Gaisano South City Mall Sky Gym

2. Four (4) Divisions:

a. Boys: Mini (Born ’97 & younger)

Midgets (Born ’94 & younger)

Juniors (Born ’91 & younger)

b. Girls: Juniors (Born ’91 & younger)

3. Team Composition :

a. Minimum 3 players, maximum of 4 Players per Team

4. Requirements to Join:
1. Submit Completed Entry Form with Documents (Copy of NSO Birth Certificate/Waiver/Parents Consent);
2. Submit Two (2) empty boxes of Primovit Multivitamin Capsules

+ Ph600.00 per Team

c. REGISTRATION – City Sports Division Office, Davao City Hall

5. Participants will Receive:
1. Futures Baller Battle Playing Shirt + Giveaways from Sponsors
2. Minimum of 3 Games Per Team

6. Prizes for Winners:
1. Cash Prizes of PhP7,500 for Champions, PhP5,000 for

2^nd Place

2. Gift Items from And1
3. Trophies to Champions & 2^nd Place Teams, Medals to Players

7. DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION: Friday, Thursday, 15 May 2008

For more information: Call Tournament Coordinator Rico Biliran (0920) 607-9207, or email rico_biliran@yahoo.com,futuresbasketball@gmail.com

Batang Alaska posts 3rd win

Batang Alaska-Caloocan posted its third consecutive victory in the Burlington-Batang PBA Summer League without a sweat – literally – with Batang Purefoods-Pasay a no-show in their scheduled date at the Marikina Sports Center.

The effortless victory kept the Batang Aces unbeaten in the 10-team tournament and could complete a sweep of their elimination round campaign in Group A with an all important victory against Batang Sta. Lucia-Marikina on on Friday.

Batang Purefoods-Pasay fell to 0-3 after the league's screening committee forfieted the two games it won over Batang Sta. Lucia-Marikina and Batang Ginebra-Antiplo for fielding ineligible players.

In the wake of mounting protest from several teams, the league's screening committee, headed by Ramil Cruz, conducted a probe and found out that Batang Purefoods-Pasay had included two overaged players in its rosters. The tournament is confined to kids 9-12 years old.

Batang Barangay Ginebra-Antipolo dumped Batang Sta. Lucia-Marikina, 104-61, in the other Group A match also scheduled yesterday. Both teams are tied at 2-1.

The Batang Kings closed out their elimination round campaign also on Wednesday against Batang Air 21-Cainta (0-2)

In case Batang Alaska-Caloocan, Batang Sta. Lucia-Marikina and Batang Barangay Ginebra-Antipolo wind up tied at 3-1 (win-loss) records, the two teams with the better quotient will advance to the semis.

The scores:

Batang Ginebra- Antipolo 104 – Buerano 26, De Leon 21, Lina A.11, Lina B.10, Lee 8, Borje 7, Laman 6, Dometita 4, Magno 4, Bertiz 3, Delgado 2, Altamirano 2, Carpiso 0, Eleria 0, Zapanta 0.

Batang Sta. Lucia-Marikina 61 – Andres 13, Bacalla 10, Cruz 8, Tuazon 8, Villanueva 7, Viquera 6, Legazpi 3, Osma 2, Jimenes 2, Ong 2, Lopez 0, De Vera 0, Santos 0, Salimas 0.

Quarters: 15-9; 44-29; 67-45; 104-61

Executives dominate 15th Season

The City Executives shrugged off a slow start in the first half to take Game 5, 91-76 and finish the Executive-Legislative Basketball Tournament-15^th Season, four games to one, against the Legislators, recently, at the Davao City Recreation Center.

The Legislators took the early lead, 49-42, but the Executives gained momentum at the start of the third quarter and outscored their rivals more in the fourth canto, 30-15 when city sports coordinator Christopher “Bong” Go dropped five three-point shots out of his 25 total points.

Jilliard de Guzman led the Legislators with 34 points but his teammates could not contribute the needed big points to extend the series.

The scores:

Executives (91)- B.Go 25, Escoton 20, Gadiano 15, Escorido 12, Alquizar 10, Sta.Ana 4, Labor 3, Rivera 2.

Legislators (76)- de Guzman 34, Plarisan 11, Casado 11, Araneta 7, Casan 6, Yamit 4, Villaver 4.

Ravena leads Batang TNT

Thirdy Ravena scored 20 points -- all in the third quarter – as Batang Talk N Text-Quezon City rolled to its third consecutive win in the Burlington-Batang PBA Summer League yesterday with a 137-32 blowout over Batang Coca-Cola Taguig at the Marikina Sport Center.

Aaron Black, son of former PBA import and coach Norman Black, had 15 points, Jay Javelosa had 14 and Mathew Nieto added 13 for the Batang Phone Pals, who secured their place in the finals of the annual event for kids 9-12 years old. Michael Nieto and Jolo Mendoza scored 12 apiece and Miggy Aytona 11.

Only six of 14 players managed to scored for the Batang Tigers, who remained winless in Group B.Macmac Lovendino sshowed the way for Taguig with 17 points.

In the days other game, Batang Welcoat-San Pedro stunned Batang Magnolia-Makati, 102-98.

Clinton Monzones poured a game-high 48 points in the second half as the Batang Dragons rallied from a 16-point deficit at halftime to tie the batang Beverage Masters at 1-1 (win-loss) record also in Group B.

The scores:

First Game

Welcoat-San Pedro 102 – Monzones 48, Amil R. 28, Quilanita 12, Hatulan 12, Salandanan 2, Calalo 0, Degrato 0, Bautista 0, Amil 0, Sarid 0, Bacsa 0, Javier 0, Ramos 0.

Magnolia-Makati 98 – Alba 24, Sorreda 16, Calonzo 10, Rom 8, Sario 8, Canque 6, Sario 4, Yspina 4, Sines 4, Navea 4, Brendia 4, Ulit 2, Navarro 2, Usi 2, Caparas 0.

Quarters: 13-28; 34-50; 62-84; 102-98

Second Game

TNT-QC 137 – Ravena 20, Black 15, Javelosa 14, Nieto Mat 13, Nieto Mi. 12, Mendoza 12, Aytona 11, Gregorio 8, Ferrer 6, Paras 6, German 6, Dy 5, Gamboa 4, Acot 3, Veloso 2

Coca-Cola-Taguig 32 – Lovendino 17, Santos 6, Lukuman 4, Famis 2, Lucas 2, Capistrano 1, Cruz 0, Ordonez 0, Rante 0, Yumping 0, Salvador 0, Velasco 0, Victoria 0, Rosario 0.

Quarters: 40-8; 81-13; 117-17; 137-32