Guiao Believes ROS Will make Phl Cup Finals

Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao is convinced his team has what it takes to beat Powerade in their PBA Philippine Cup best-of-seven semifinal showdown beginning Jan. 4 at the Cuneta Astrodome.

“I feel really good the way we’re playing. I think we can take on Powerade in a seven-game series,” said Guiao.

Guiao and his Elasto Painters have good reasons to be optimistic, on top of these was their swashbuckling ride spiked by their two-game sweep of the Barangay Ginebra Kings in their quarterfinals match-up.

The Elasto Painters are indeed upbeat and confident but will not throw caution in the air.

“You have to respect what Powerade has achieved. They’re peaking at the right time and we have to address their strength at the point guard and the wing positions,” said Guiao, not foolish to take the Tigers lightly.

The veteran bench chieftain stressed the Tigers can be very dangerous if not handled well.

He’s well aware of what Gary David can do. What makes him comfortable is having at his disposal defensive stoppers to throw at the Powerade hotshot.

“We have tall and quick players to match up with David,” said Guiao, referring to 6-foot-4 Gabe Norwood, 6-foot-1 guards Ryan Arana and Jireh Ibañez.

The RoS wing defenders did a good job on David, holding him down to 14 points as the Elasto Painters tamed the Tigers, 96-93, in their elimination-round meeting last Oct. 9.

Guiao believes his team can fare as well in the other match-ups.

Overall, Guiao is comfortable with the thought that the Elasto Painters have evolved to a fighting unit that can make the finals.

“It’s gratifying to see the team transform and acquire the toughness to perform at this level. The guys have settled down to embracing our system the same way the old Red Bull team embraced our system and team philosophy. Everyone is equal and there are no superstars,” said Guiao.

Rookie Paul Lee, Jeff Chan, JR Quinahan and Norwood are among the team’s lead lights, all four being in the top 24 in the league's stats race.

Chan leads the team in scoring with 15.5 points a game, Lee paces the squad in assists (4.5) and in steals (0.9), Quinahan is tops in rebounds (6.4) and in blocks (1.3) while Norwood has solid all-around norms of 7.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 0.9 steal and 0.4 block.

The team also boasts of the inside presence of Beau Belga, Larry Rodriguez and Jervy Cruz and the backcourt contribution of TY Tang.(pr)

‘The Ninja’ strikes

WHAT makes Petron Blaze extra dangerous is the ability of most of its players to step up when the occasion calls for it.

Joseph Yeo reiterated that fact by scattering 27 points in leading the Boosters to a much-needed win, thus earning for himself the Accel-PBA Press Corps Player of the Week honors for the period Oct. 31 to Nov. 6.

The output, spiked by eight rebounds and four assists, helped Petron notch an 86-80 win over Alaska at the Hoops Dome in Lapu-Lapu City last Saturday.

Going into that game the Boosters have lost three straight and were without injured off-guard Chris Lutz, who has started in place of Dondon Hontiveros, in turn out for at least the conference because of a torn anterior cruciate ligament.

The man known as “The Ninja” did not disappoint as he scored 13 points right in the first quarter and 11 in the payoff period, including the insurance lay-in basket that gave the Boosters an 84-80 lead, time down to just 34 seconds.

“Talagang napakalaking bagay ang ginawa ni Joseph dahil butas na butas kami sa 2-position,” said Petron coach Ato Agustin. “Ipinakita niya na hindi sayang iyung pagtitiwala namin sa kanya.”

It was the highest output by the former De La Salle standout since moving over to the team formerly known as San Miguel Beer during the 2009-10 season.

It was also sort of unexpected since Yeo, drafted third overall by Coca-Cola in the 2006 draft and who has strutted his wares with Sta. Lucia Realty, was averaging just 7.2 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists per outing.

“Kaya naman tuwang-tuwa talaga kami dahil ang mga players naming tulad ni Joseph kapag kailangang kailangan nag-de-deliver,” noted Agustin.

The win improved Petron’s record to 4-3. More important, it seemed to have restored the bearing and confidence the team needs for that push going into the last half of its elimination round assignments.  

Based on his latest performance, Yeo is sure to be an integral part of that drive.(pr)

Chan sizzles for E-Painters

COMING into the current season, Jeffrei Chan set one goal, and that is to be consistent.

So far, Chan has been proving to be just that in helping Rain or Shine become a real force to contend with in the PBA Philippine Cup while earning the Accel-PBA Press Corps Player of the Week honors for the period Oct. 17 to 23.

Formerly known to be primarily an offensive threat, the 27-year-old southpaw has turned his game on both ends of the court several notches higher and it showed in the way he led the Elasto Painters in scoring back-to-back wins the past week and into the lead of the season-opening tourney.

“He’s been the most consistent for us,” noted Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao of the small forward who averaged 17.0 points, 2.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.0 steals and as many blocks in victories over Meralco and Alaska.

“People tend to look at his offense but his defense has improved a lot from last year. He’s also gotten to be a better passer. He’s been working hard in practice. Very deserving,” added Guiao.

The small forward picked at No. 17 overall by Red Bull in the 2008 Draft before landing in his new team two seasons ago said he just wanted to do his part.

“Gusto ko lang ma-i-angat ang laro ko at matulungan ang team,” said Chan. “Kaya nga after practice stay pa ako sa gym, mga 30 minutes up to an hour. Basta matapos lang ang routines ko.”

The hard work has indeed been paying off for the man who averaged just 7.6 ppg and shot 25.9 percent from the area he is most feared at – beyond the arc – last season.

Through five games, the former Far Eastern U standout has been averaging a team-leading 16 points to go with 3.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.4 steals.

In a cruising 89-84 win over Meralco last Wednesday, Chan made 14 points to share team scoring honors with Gabe Norwood.

He was at his fieriest yet against Alaska last Sunday, hitting his first five triples and going on to finish with 20 points in giving the E-Painters the hot start they needed in fashioning a 120-84 massacre.

Those triumphs pushed Rain or Shine into the top of the standings with a 4-1 win-loss slate and Chan said the tougher grind lies ahead.

“Ang immediate goal ng team is to make the semifinals at lahat kami of one mind para ma-realize namin iyon. Kaya wala pa ring pahinga at marami pang hard work na kailangan,” he stated.(pr)

Carey answers call for TNT

SOME players could be overlooked when they are all too willing to be in the background.

Not Harvey Carey.

Talk N Text’s do-it-all forward came up with an unforgettable game last Friday that not only lifted his undermanned team over a feared foe but also into a share of the lead in the PBA Philippine Cup.

In the process, the burly 6-foot-4 forward earned for himself the Accel-PBA Press Corps Player of the Week honors for the period Oct. 10 to 16.

Carey earned the second citation for the season handed out by the scribes who religiously cover the league when he scored 28 points and grabbed 14 rebounds in the Tropang Texters’107-98 win over Rain or Shine last Friday.

“Well-deserved,” said TNT coach Chot Reyes, noting how Carey continues to step up his game for the team still missing the services of Kelly Williams, Jimmy Alapag and Ranidel de Ocampo, who were given time off following their rigorous stint with the national squad.

“In the absence of our three national players Harv has assumed the leadership role for the team, not only spiritually but with his monster game as well. His numbers showed that he can be a go-to guy if necessary, yet doesn’t mind being a role player for the good of the team.”

The 28 points Carey scored were just two shy of his career-best established five seasons ago and included a triple that not only ended his string of missed treys at 29 since his rookie season in 2003, but also pushed the Texters ahead to stay right in the third period.

Not bad at all for a player, Reyes admitted, has no single play designed for him.  “It only meant he scraped and scratched for those,” the tactician pointed out.

In all, Carey jacked his conference averages to 19.5 points and 12.0 rebounds as TNT improved to a 2-0 record that drew it alongside Petron Blaze for the lead.

The Boosters have since vaulted back into the solo lead and the Texters’ three national players are expected back only on Oct. 20, a day after TNT tangles with Barako Bull.

Yet expect TNT to continue staying close to the top, what with Carey leading those holding the fort.(pr)

Player of the Week: Cabagnot biggest boost for Petron

THE PBA Philippine Cup may be stuffed with explosive newcomers, but trust some veterans to step up the most at the crunch.

Such was the case of Petron Blaze’s Alex Cabagnot, who did much more than just be a playmaker, lifting the Boosters to back-to-back wins and earning for himself the Accel-PBA Press Corps’ Player of the Week citation for the season-opening period Oct. 2 to 9.

The southpaw point guard consistently shone the brightest for the Governors Cup champion which continued to be undermanned, making the crucial points that pointed Petron to victories over B-MEG and Barako Bull and into the early lead.

“Ipinapakita talaga ni Alex ang pagiging beterano niya at ang poise niya napakalaking tulong sa team” said Petron head coach Ato Agustin of the man tabbed at No. 2 overall by Sta. Lucia Realty during the 2005 Rookie Draft and who has strutted his wares with Coca-Cola and Burger King before making it to the team then known as San Miguel Beer in 2010.

Arwind Santos continued to be a big force for the Boosters with two-game averages of 15.0 points and 16.5 rebounds and rookie teammate Chris Lutz has shown immense potential with norms of 18.0 points, 3.0 rebounds and as many steals.

Even Rain or Shine’s sensational rookie Paul Lee, 20.0, 5.0 rebounds and 5.5 assists in two games, and Talk N Text’s Japeth Aguilar, 27 points, eight rebounds, two steals in the Tropang Texters’ debut game, put up better numbers than Cabagnot’s norms of 14.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.0 blocked shot.

Yet the bulk of Cabagnot’s points came when both games were on the line, clear proof he is willing to take charge when the need arises.

It was Cabagnot’s three straight baskets from beyond the arc that sparked Petron’s decisive 18-4 breakaway from a 75-70 count against Barako Bull, powering the Boosters to a cruising 95-83 win last Friday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.

Just two days before, it was Cabagnot who chiefly bailed Petron out of danger by scoring seven of his team’s last nine points in a 73-69 opening victory over B-MEG at the Cuneta Astrodome.(pr)

PBA 37th Season Opening Photos

Spectacular, lively opening ceremony ushers 37th PBA Season

A spectacular and lively opening ceremony like no other ushers in the
37th season of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) that kicks
off on Saturday, Oct.1, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Set at 4 p.m., the two-hour affair will have for its highlight the
induction of the newest batch of the league’s Hall of Fame led by
four-time MVP Alvin Patrimonio and the charismatic Billy Ray Bates,
who’s currently in town to personally attend the celebration.

Patrimonio was the face of the Purefoods franchise that captivated the
hearts of many with its run of championships during the 90s, while
Bates was the force behind the historic 1983 Grand Slam of the great
Crispa Redmanizers and the first ever title of Ginebra and its playing
coach Robert Jaworski in 1986.

Bates will be reunited with two key figures of that dominant Crispa
squad during the course of the program – teammate and former MVP
Freddie Hubalde and his brilliant coach Tommy Manotoc, both of whom
are also part of the seven-man inductees to the `Hall’.

The rest of the honorees are late PBA commissioner Mariano Yenko,
former Mariwasa coach and national team mentor Valentin `Tito’ Eduque
and Vintage Enterprises CEO and president Carlos `Bobong’ Velez.

The program will not be without its regular production number and
entertainment values to be provided by the country’s top band
Rivermaya.

The ceremony sets in motion with the presentation of the league’s
newest tagline `Kampihan Na’ through a colorful production number
followed by an interesting audio visual presentation dubbed as `sphere
reveal.’

“The much awaited opening ceremony promises to be a powerfully
breathtaking visual spectacle that will set the stage for the pulse
pounding rivalries that are looming this season,” said PBA
commissioner Chito Salud.

The traditional entry of teams along with their charming muses is
again expected to be big hit among the crowd, after which the Hall of
Fame induction comes in.

Chairman Mamerto Mondragon of Rain or Shine will give his opening day
message before declaring the games open for the entire 37th season
starting off with the Philippine Cup.

Rain or Shine, featuring streak-shooting rookie Paul Lee, battles the
popular Barangay Ginebra in the lone opening match at 6:30 p.m.(PR)

PBA PRESS CORPS AWARDS SET

The PBA Press Corps, the group of sportswriters who regularly cover the PBA games, is all set to stage its annual awards on Sept. 30 at the Topaz Room of the Gateway Suites in Cubao, Quezon City.

The awarding of the Virgilio “Baby” Dalupan Trophy to the Coach of the Year and the Danny Floro Trophy to the Executive of the Year highlights the semi-formal affair set to start at 7 p.m.

Also to be feted are Mr. Quality Minutes, William ‘Bogs’ Adornado-Comeback Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, All-Rookie Selection, Referee of the Year, and Order of Merit winner.

Members of champion teams Talk n Text and Petron Blaze are tipped to get the lion's share of the awards in the affair presented by Talk ‘N Text, San Miguel Corporation and Powerade.

Coach Chot Reyes, who steered the Tropang Texters to a near grand slam, is the prime candidate for the Coach of the Year award.

Reyes, currently in Wuhan, China serving as assistant to coach Rajko Toroman in the 26th FIBA Asia Championship, previously won the coveted award in 1993, 2002, 2003 and 2009.

A major breakthrough for his team likewise makes Talk n Text team owner Manny V. Pangilinan the leading candidate for the Executive of the Year award.

Dave Floro, son of the late Crispa team owner, is expected to be on hand to personally award the Danny Floro Trophy to the winner.

PBA commissioner Chito Salud, board chairman Mert Mondragon and other PBA officials are also expected to grace the occasion where seasoned sportscasters Sev Sarmenta and Patricia Bermudez-Hizon serve as emcees.

Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio is the current holder of the permanent Dalupan Trophy.

If he fails to retain the Coach of the Year award, Gregorio turns over the permanent trophy to his would-be successor. The Coach of the Year winner also gets a replica of the permanent ware.

The other 2010 awardees were Alaska Milk owner Wilfred Uytengsu as Executive of the Year, Gabe Norwood as Defensive Player of the Year, KG Canaleta as Mr. Quality Minutes, Kelly Williams as Comeback Player of the Year, Manolito Quilinguen Referee of the Year and Rico Maierhofer, Josh Urbiztondo, Jervy Cruz, Ronnie Matias and Ogie Menor making up the All-Rookie Team.(pr)

Aces still a force even without Cone

FROM one ``Triangle’ to another.

While the presence of long-time coach Tim Cone will surely be missed
over at the Alaska bench, the system that has become the team’s bread
and butter the past 22 years – Triangle Offense – stays on as
long-time assistant Joel Banal takes over the coaching reins left
behind by the multi-titled American mentor.

Although Banal had one-time been a head coach in the Philippine
Basketball Association (PBA) himself, his association with Cone as a
trusted lieutenant has been well-known that both are always connected
with each other.

But following the departure of Cone, and his subsequent acceptance of
the B-Meg coaching job, both will now have to go their separate ways.

Banal however, said Cone’s influence within the Aces won’t diminish,
especially in relation with the Triangle Offense, a system that
produced 13 championships for the franchise and tied it with the
legendary Crispa Redmanizers as the second winningest team in the rich
history of Asia’s pioneering professional league.

“My style is a combination of structure and unstructured systems,”
said Banal, who won for Talk `N Text its first ever league
championship during the 2003 All-Filipino conference.

Even without Cone, the coach with the most number of games won in PBA
annals, the Aces still kept the core of the team that won the 2009
Fiesta Cup championship, players like L.A. Tenorio, Cyrus Baguio,
Sonny Thoss, Tony De La Cruz, Mark Borboran, Samigue Eman and Brandon
Cablay.

Only last year, they acquired big man Jay-R Reyes, Paolo Bugia, Wesley
Gonzales and Bonbon Custodio, and now rookie recruits Mac Baracael,
Eric Salamat, Julius Pasculados and Ariel Mepana.

Tenorio, the acknowledged heart and soul of the Aces, said in as much
as the team will miss the company of their former beloved mentor,
Banal is definitely an excellent choice as Cone’s replacement.

“With coach Joel, it’s practically the same system. He’s been coach
Tim’s assistant for many years so adjusting is not hard for us,” said
the former Ateneo star considered by many as among the top three point
guards in the league today.

Tenorio conceded that he’s where at his career right now due to Cone.

“It was he who molded me into the PBA player that I am right now,” he said.

But come the season-opening Philippine Cup which formally kicks off on
Oct. 2 at the Araneta Coliseum, there’s no question as to where and to
who his loyalty will be.

 “We want to get the (All-Filipino) crown. We want to show that we can
do it for coach Joel,” added the cerebral Alaska playmaker.

The Aces open the 37th season by testing outright the mettle of the
Barangay Ginebra Kings on Oct. 9, and then plunge into action against
their former coach and the Llamados in an interesting Oct. 12
encounter. (pr)

Assistant coaches take over Bolts, Tropang Texters

The Smart-PLDT Group is convinced they have able staff that will man
the fort while Talk n Text head coach Chot Reyes and Meralco chief
tactician Ryan Gregorio are with Smart Gilas-Pilipinas campaigning in
the Fiba Asia championship in Wuhan, China.

Reyes and Gregorio will be away for two weeks, and would be reunited
with their PBA teams with only a week to go before the opening of the
PBA Season 37 on Oct. 2 at the Araneta Coliseum.

Top bosses of the Pangilinan teams, however, insisted everything would
be well covered in the absence of Reyes and Gregorio.

“Their assistant coaches will be there to take over,” said Smart-PLDT
top executive Ricky Vargas referring to Nash Racela, Josh Reyes and
Jamike Jarin at Talk n Text and Ronnie Magsanoc, Boyet Fernandez,
Patrick Fran and Xavier Nunag at Meralco.

The Bolts have long been in training since they’re among the first
teams to take an early vacation last season.

The Tropang Texters, the team that had the longest 2010-2011 season,
re-open camp tomorrow when coach Reyes is already in Wuhan.
“We practiced four hours a day since I’ll be away for a long period of
time. We worked double time to establish the system we want to
implement,” said Gregorio.

“Ilang araw na lang tournament na pagbalik ko but, of course, we have
to prioritize the country,” Gregorio added.

Gregorio said Magsanoc would be the one in command in his absence.

Reyes should also not have a problem, leaving the rein at Talk n Text
to Racela, a longtime deputy.(pr)

SALUD WARNS SALARY CAP VIOLATORS

PBA Commissioner Chito Salud yesterday declared that he will not
hesitate to throw the book at erring teams if he established proof of
alleged salary cap violations.

“Should I find actionable cases of salary cap breach, I will not waste
time sanctioning the guilty parties. Violators be warned,” Salud
cautioned.

In the same breath, the PBA chieftain also reminded Alaska team owner
Wilfred Uytengsu to be careful with his allegations of salary cap
violations by some teams.

During a press conference last Thursday, the outspoken executive said
his team would leave the PBA if the league can’t control salary cap
violations.

“The matters that he brought up, particularly the alleged violations
of salary cap, are critical issues which must be discussed in
reasonable manner, primarily within the confines of the PBA board
room.

“To be clear, what Mr. Uytengsu advocates -- the upholding of the
rules of the league -- is also my advocacy. I believe that the vast
majority of our players and team officials abide by the rules, so it
is unfair to tar them with sweeping statements,” Salud said.

“Let’s call a spade, a spade. By its very nature, this is one issue
where proof is hard to come by and inuendos easy to make. But it does
not mean it does not happen.”
At present there are 15 players who are being paid the maximum salary
out of the 140 or so players with live contracts in the PBA.

Salud revealed they are being monitored by the Commissioner’s Office
along with other players who are being paid close to the maximum
salary.

He stressed that he has taken a pro-active position on the matter, but
with discretion on the issue by not being vocal about it to prevent a
trial by publicity.

“There are legitimate reasons for a player to move from one team to
another; better chance at a championship, better coach-player
chemistry, more playing time, etc. In short, it’s not just about the
money,” Salud stressed.

Salud stressed that he strictly examines player movement and decides
to look deeper into it if he finds reason to so.

He said it is not true that nothing can be done to address the issue.
“I can bring in external parties, if necessary, to allow for deeper
scrutiny.

“I will consult with all the team owners individually and harness
their collective experience and viewpoint on the matter to resolve
once and for all accusations of salary cap violations,” he said.(pr)

One banner season deserves another

HONG KONG – One banner season deserves another.
                The considerable gains attained by the Philippine
Basketball Association (PBA) last year has made new chairman Mamerto
Mondragon of Rain or Shine optimistic about the new playing calendar
of the league set to kick off on Oct. 2 at the Araneta Coliseum.
                Part of that optimism is matching, or even surpassing
the P90 million gross receipt posted by the league under Mondragon’s
predecessor, Rene Pardo of B-Meg.
                “It’s attainable,” said Mondragon, who has been
associated with the Rain or Shine franchise for a long time now.
                The soft-spoken league official said the backing of
the rest of the Board and commissioner Chito Salud makes the objective
realistic enough.
                “I’m still feeling my way around,”Mondragon said.
“Medyo nangangapa pa. Anyway, andiyan pa rin yung mga Governors, so
they are there to assist me”
                Pardo assured his successor of the Board’s all-out
support to the chairmanship of Mondragon, the way he was backed during
this term.
“I’m sure Atty. Mondragon is very able. And he will have the 100
percent support of everybody,” said the former PBA chairman.

The entry of a new  coveror in TV5, the retention of the three
conference format, and the significant increase in attendance are some
of the factors Mondragon cited that could help the league sustain the
success achieved last year.

                The entry of rookie players, especially those coming
from the Smart Gilas-Pilipinas team, is expected to give a breath of
fresh air to the league, according to the chairman, whose team
acquired streak-shooting guard Paul Lee of University of the East with
the no. 2 overall pick in the recent Rookie Draft.
                The unlimited height ceiling for imports in the second
conference as approved by the Board during its annual planning session
here, could also add new spice to the season, Mondragon added.
                “With some improvements, we strongly believe we have
another winner this coming season,” said the chairman.
                And then there’s TV5, which sealed a deal to be the
official coveror of the PBA for the next five years.
                “We (TV5) trust them, and nangako naman sila that they
will definitely try to make a difference,” the chairman pointed
out.(pr)

Guards hot commodity in PBA Annual Draft

JV Casio and Paul Lee.

With basically a guard loaded PBA Rookie  Draft, the names of both
Casio and Lee have emerged as the consensus top two picks in the
annual proceedings set on Sunday at the Robinsons Place Manila.

Casio specifically, has been on the radar of several teams owing
solely to his brilliant backcourt manning of Smart Gilas-Pilipinas.

Even Ato Agustin, coach of newly crowned Governors Cup champion
Petron, covets the services of the 5-foot-10 Casio or the 6-foot Lee.

“Ako JV (Casio) or (Paul) Lee. Yun, e kung aabot sa amin,” he said,
resigned to the fact that with the Boosters picking at no. 8, there is
no way will he ever get to tab either one of the two heady and hot
shooting point guards.

Junel Baculi, the comebacking mentor of Bakaro Bull (formerly Air21)
also has Casio and Lee high on his list, but would rather keep to his
chest whom the Energy Boosters will be selecting with the no. 3 pick

“With no dominant big man available, you can see who are the possible
top five picks,” said the coach with the booming voice, mentioning
aside from the two,  Smart Gilas stalwarts Marcio Lassiter, Chris Lutz
and Mac Baracael, but not necessarily in that order.

Bo Perasol, whose Powerade Tigers owned the top overall pick,
acknowledges Casio as a top bet for the slot. Like Baculi however,
he’d rather keep the suspense as well on Draft day.

“Well, there’s no question na malaki ang kakulangan namin sa guard
spot,” said Perasol. “So Casio is definitely a strong contender. He is
one of the best talents out there.”

Outside of the names rattled off by the three coaches, there may
proved to be aspirants who may end up to be this year’s Draft
`sleeper’ the way a Larry Fonacier did in 2005 or Rob Labagala or John
Wilson just a year ago.
Julius Pascualado, a native of Cebu but grew up in the U.S., already
got the attention of some coaches following his impressive showing in
the three-day Rookie Camp.

And then there’s the tried and tested amateurs in the likes of
national players Mark Barroca, Dylan Ababou and Jason Ballesteros,
shooting guard Eric Salamat of three-time UAAP men’s basketball
champion Ateneo,  James Martinez, a University of the East teammate of
Lee,  FEU’s Reil Cervantes, and Santo Tomas’ Allein Maliksi, the first
ever MVP of the PBA D-League.

Ballesteros, at 6-foot-6, is just one of the few legitimate center
available in the Draft.

“He can be a good prospect,” said Bong Ramos, an assistant of Baculi
with Barako Bull, of the former San Sebastian stalwart.  “He may not
score that much points, but the guy can rebound, block shots, and
intimidate inside.”

Meanwhile, John Marc Agustin scored 22 points as Alaska-Yellow
defeated Powerade- Blue, 87-70, at the close of the three-day rookie
camp at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

The scores:

Alaska-Yellow – Agustin 22, Acibar 12, Lee 10, Ababon 7, Cervantes 7,
Magbanua 5, Sorongon 4, Martinez 4, Cagoco 4, Resopa 4, Graebel 3,
Montaniel 3, Chamberlain.

Powerade 70 – Maliksi 13, Mepana 11, Bulawan 11, Concepcion 6, Pestano
5, Lapus 5, Sison 5, Medenilla 4, Pascualado 4, Ilad 3, Raymundo 2,
Salamat 1, Fernandez 0, Nabong 0, Cabonce 0.

Quarters: 25-20; 51-38; 67-54; 87-70.(pr)

“Hoops and Hopes”: A preview of 2011 PBA draft picks on AKTV on IBC

AKTV on IBC, now the new home of the PBA for the upcoming 37th season, will get basketball fans excited for the upcoming 2011 PBA Draft with two 1-hour specials called “Hoops and Hopes” airing on August 26 and 27 at 9pm.

 

Hoops and Hopes will give an in-depth preview and interviews with some of the future PBA stars hoping to make it big in the first professional basketball league in Asia.

 

Leading the list of hopefuls in the draft are players from the SMART-Gilas Men’s Basketball national team, including Mac Baracael, Mark Barroca, Marcio Lassiter, Dylan Ababou and JV Casio. Amateur standouts like James Martinez, Eric Salamat and Paul Lee are also hoping to make the cut.

 

A total of 36 aspirants are hoping to be selected by the 10 PBA teams and be included in the next basketball season’s roster of players.

 

The 2011 PBA draft will take place this Sunday, August 28, at Robinson’s Place Manila and will air on AKTV on IBC channel 13 starting at 7pm.(pr)

Player of the Week: Arwind Santos

FINISHING the threshing-out process in the PBA Governors Cup stronger than he started was Petron Blaze’s Arwind Santos, making him the unanimous choice as the Accel-PBA Press Corps’ Player of the Week for the period Aug. 1 to 7.

The 6-foot-4 Santos shone the brightest among the locals in the week that was, enabling the Boosters to notch back-to-back wins that helped propel them to the finals of the season-ending conference and perhaps redemption against Philippine Cup tormentor Talk N Text.

“Mahihirapan kaming marating ang kinalalagyan namin ngayon kung hindi sa napakalaking tulong ni Arwind,” said Petron coach Ato Agustin of the former shooting forward transplanted to the power forward slot due to key absences in the team.

“Masaya talaga ako para sa kanya dahil deserving talaga siya for the citation,” added Agustin.

Santos sure did deliver just when his team needed it most.

In victories over B-MEG and Talk N Text, the Angeles City native posted averages of 20.5 points, 14.5 rebounds, 1.5 blocked shots, an assist and a steal.

Those numbers were even more impressive than when he normed 14.0 points, 13.5 rebounds, 3.5 blocks and a steal in a similar two-game winning stretch that made him co-recipient, along with Tropang Texter guard Jayson Castro, of the honor on June 13-19.

All in all, Santos has been averaging 16.7 points, 14.5 rebounds, 11.1 assists, as many steals and 1.7 blocked shots going to the best-of-seven championship series.

He leads the import-spiced tournament in swatted shots, is tops among locals in rebounding and double-doubles (10) and fourth among locals in points production, making him one of the top prospects for the Best Player of the Conference award.

Santos just wants to focus on helping his team win the title over the same Talk N Text crew that beat them in six games during the Philippine Cup crown chase.

It should take a lot of doing since the Boosters are without the injured Rabeh Al-Hussaini, Jay Washington, Lordy Tugade and Joseph Yeo.

But Santos remains unfazed. “Mas gusto naming makabawi,” he said. “Sa ngayon iyon lang talaga ang focus namin.”(pr)

Player of the Week: Ronjay Buenafe

RONJAY Buenafe keeps validating his coach’s trust in him.
Buenafe proved this by coming up with a couple of
scintillating performances in the week that was, helping Rain or Shine fan its
Governors Cup quest and earning the Accel-PBA Press Corps’ Player of the Week
for the period July 25 to 31.
The former second round pick has cranked up his game a notch
in the semifinal round and proved that by playing a key role in the Elasto
Painters’ back-to-back wins that fueled their drive to at least a playoff berth
for a finals slot.
“Ronjay’s game has matured. He has more confidence in his
game. He has improved his shot selection and his defense,” said Rain or Shine
coach Yeng Guiao, instrumental in acquiring the 6-foot-2 shooting guard from
Air21 before the season.
“I have no regrets taking him in a trade that was the
subject of criticism and doubts. He works hard and can only get better,” added
Guiao.
The former Emilio Aguinaldo College standout, tabbed at No.
11 by Coca-Cola in the 2007 Rookie Draft, upheld Guiao’s belief by notching a
career-best-tying 30 points (anchored on 6-for-9 three-point shooting and a
perfect 4-for-4 from inside the arc) in a 102-86 repeat win over Petron Blaze
in Digos City last Saturday.
With that output and in the absence of available data, Buenafe
is perhaps the only player to score 30 points for all three teams he has so far
played with. He set his personal scoring standard first with the Tigers in 2008-09
and again with Burger King/Air21 the following season.
Buenafe did not show any inkling of what he was set for by
putting up 10 points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals, helping the
Painters beat league-leader Talk N Text, 96-81, last Wednesday.
Those numbers helped improve Buenafe’s averages in the semis
to 17.3 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.3 assists, up from his 11.5, 2.0 and 0.25
norms in the eight-game eliminations.
Also, those victories against its more highly-touted rivals jacked
Rain or Shine’s win-loss record to 6-5 and gave it two routes to realize a first-ever
championship stint.
If they win their last two assignments the Painters could play
off for the second finals slot by virtue of the four-of-five incentive. Or they
could make it outright against early finalist Talk N Text if no other team
notches eight wins.
For sure, Buenafe and his teammates are not giving up on
that hope.(pr)

Player of the Week: LA Tenorio

TO say LA Tenorio is the barometer for the Alaska Aces is not an overstatement,
for no less than coach Tim Cone declares it to be so.
“No doubt, LA is our leader on the floor,” said Cone of his heady playmaker who
led Alaska’s charge in back-to-back wins and into the semifinals of the PBA
Governors Cup, making him the unanimous choice as Accel-PBA Press Corps’ Player
of the Week for the period July 11 to 17.
Tenorio proved this by averaging 18.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists in
victories over Rain or Shine and Barangay Ginebra. Those numbers are marked
improvements to his first six games in the season-ending tourney, when he was
norming 11 points and 4.3 rebounds.
The 27-year-old simply explains the improvements to his game by saying new
acquisitions Jayr Reyes, Wesley Gonzales, Hans Thiele and Aris Dimaunahan have
fully incorporated themselves into the system.

“I think our team is starting to understand the system. In the first few games
inconsistent kami kasi nangangapa pa kami sa isa’t-isa. Now medyo nakukuha na
namin ang rhythm namin at hopefully tuloy-tuloy na,” said Tenorio.
The fact the right elbow injury that bothered him even before the tourney
started also helped.
“That affected my game din siguro. Malaking factor ‘yung nag-re-recover na
injury ko,” he stated.
That was first evidenced in the week before, when he notched 20 rebounds, six
rebounds and six assists in a win over Powerade, but fully unveiled in the match
against Rain or Shine last Wednesday.

Tenorio highlighted a 22-point, eight-rebound performance with two clutch
triples in the last 63 seconds of the third period that broke Alaska away from a
four-point game and into a cruising 88-83 triumph.
Import Jason Forte notched his first 20-20 game with 24 points and 20 rebounds
in a tighter 83-79 victory against Ginebra last Saturday but Tenorio was not too
far behind, his 15 points being the lone double-digit output by a local Ace.
Those victories gave the Aces a 5-3 win-loss record they will carry over into
the six-team, single round semis, where Cone expects Tenorio to continue
sparking his teammates to greater heights.
“He won’t be intimidated by anybody or any situation and that attitude rubs off
on his teammates, which, in turn, makes us strong mentally. His presence gives
us a chance to be an elite team in the PBA,” stated Cone.(pr)

Players of the Week: Gabe Norwood and Larry Rodriguez

GABE Norwood and Larry Rodriguez have consistently come up big of late for Rain
or Shine, fanning the Elasto Painters’ hopes of advancing past the PBA
Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals.
Other Rain or Shine players, like Doug Kramer, Beau Belga, Ryan Arana and Ronjay
Buenafe have also been sources of much-needed boost, but it is the Accel-PBA
Press Corps’ Co-Players of the Week for the period March 4 to 10 who have been
the most steady for coach Yeng Guiao.
“They have shown consistency in our last few games. They work without much
fanfare but contribute in a lot of departments, not just scoring,” noted the
grizzled tactician.
“Gabe has proven effective playing a lot of minutes at point guard. Larry is
undersized at the 4, but his big heart makes up for the lack of size,” added
Guiao.
Indeed, the Fil-Am guard and Manila-born power forward could be depended on to
deliver precisely what Guiao wants from any of his charges and their recent
figures in two games against Barangay Ginebra bear this out.
Starting as game orchestrator, Norwood has averaged 14.5 points, 8.5 rebounds
and 6.5 assists while Rodriguez repeatedly defied his taller and heftier
opponents at the frontline with 18.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists.
There is also efficiency. Norwood has shot 11-of-21 from the field, including
6-for-10 from three-point land, and Rodriguez 17-for-25
The two were at their steadiest in a 113-97 win over the Kings last Sunday, when
they combined for 28 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists and enabled the
Painters to bounce back from a 91-100 loss in the best-of-three series opener
just two days before.
"I appreciate the award, but we are looking at the big prize of getting to the
semifinals," said Norwood. "Everyone is playing well and accepting their roles."
That goal is within Rain or Shine's reach as momentum has now seemingly shifted
to its side going to the deciding match on Wednesday.
Should the Painters make it two in a row, they advance to the semifinals for
only the second time in franchise history.and it is practically a sure bet that
game’s prime barometer will be the performances of Norwood and Rodriguez.PR

PBA to celebrate `36th Anibersaya Week'

COMMEMORATING its 36 years of existence, the Philippine Basketball
Association (PBA) is giving away raffle items as highlight of its
week-long anniversary celebration.

Dubbed `36th Anibersaya Week’, the festivity will have Asia’s
pioneering pro league handing out various items for its countless,
loyal fans for the playing period April 10-17.

Gift cheques, dvd players, scholarship programs, radio and motorcycle
units are just some of the valuable giveaways to be offered by the
league which has been the country’s no. 1 sports entertainment since
first coming to fore on April 9, 1975 at the historic Araneta
Coliseum.

A double header featuring Mariwasa Noritake against Concepcion Carrier
in the curtain raiser, and Toyota opposite U-Tex in the main game and
witnessed by a crowd of 18,000, officially opened the PBA 36 years
ago, with Concepcion’s Joy Dionisio scoring the memorable first ever
basket in the history of the league.

The week-long celebration made possible by sponsors Norkis, My
Pinoy.TV, Ansons Emporium, Cash n’ Carry, Philstar.com. Sony, PBA
Greatest Games, and Informatics, kicks off on April 10 where a 1 dvd,
five gift cheques from Cash n’ Carry worth P350 and a Sony walkman
will be raffled off during Game 2 of the best-of-three quarterfinals
series.

On April 13, another dvd unit, five Cash n’ Carry gift cheques, and
Ipod-Shuffle will be at stake for PBA fans, while a motorcycle and
seven gift cheques from Puregold worth P400 each are going to be given
away on April 15.

A four-year full scholarship program at Informatics courtesy of the 10
participating teams – Air21, B-Meg Derby Ace, Barangay Ginebra, San
Miguel, Rain or Shine, Alaska, Talk n’ Text, Meralco, Powerade and
Barako Bull – a radio, and a Sony walkman cap the special items to be
raffled on the final day of celebration on April 17.PR