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

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, Inc.



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

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

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

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

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

“SBP BOLSTERS YOUTH BASKETBALL PROGRAM”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Serbian coach Toroman

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

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.