Handy Fix Panabo leg on

The Panabo leg of the 1^st Handy Fix Super League National Barangay Championship kicks off on Saturday at the Barangay Katipunan Gym in Panabo City.

At 3 p.m., Brgy. Gredu takes on Brgy. Katipunan and Brgy. Little Panay battles Brgy. Maduao at 4:30 p.m. before Brgy. Gredu returns at 6p.m.to face New Pandan.

On Sunday, Little Panay meets Consolacion at 3:30 p.m.; Katipunan tests New Pandan at 5; and Maduao battles Consolacion at 6:30 p.m.; with the final set at 8:30 a.m. between Top 1A and Top 1B.

The champion will represent Panabo City in the Regional Finals along with the Digos City champion Cor Jesu College, representing Barangay Zone 2 Poblacion, and the top two teams from Davao City on Nov. 6 at the Davao City Recreation Center (formerly Almendras Gym) on Quimpo Blvd., Davao City.

Admission in the Panabo games is free, according to Magna Prime Distribution Corp. and Evangelista Aquatics & Sports Management, Inc. (EASMI), sponsor and organizer of the event backed by Handy Fix, Sapal Elastic Sealant, Max! Bond Super Glue, Max! Masking Tape, Max! Electrical Tape, Metal Guard, Red Brake Fluid, Maxweld, Buildrite Construction Chemicals, and Unilab.

Zone 2 Poblacion routed Brgy. Matas Poblacion Kiblawan, 106-79, as Ruel Casonete scored 21 points, Glard Tyron Tabaranza 20, and Syllouie Fouril Papio 14 points.(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. 

Panabo shades IBP White, 100-94 in RRD-IBP cagefest

Panabo Hall of Justice improved to two wins against five losses at the expense of IBP White, 100-94 in the main game of the 2008 Integrated Bar of the Philippines-Mayor Rodrigo Duterte Cup Basketball League, Saturday, at the IBP Hall of Justice covered court.

IBP White, a title contender, absorbed its second loss in seven games.

In the other games of the tournament presented by Mayor Duterte, the DCPO Officers Group leveled its count to 3-3 after winning over IBP Orange, 115-111, which dropped to 4-3 while IBP Coca-Cola stunned IBP Yellow, 116-115 for its fourth win against three losses. IBP Yellow suffered only its second setback in six games.

IBP Lavender won on the no-show of COMELEC Region XI for its second victory against five losses while the Election personnel chalked in its fourth loss against two victories.

Games will resume on Saturday, June 14.

The scores:

(First Game)

DCPO Officers Group (115)- Padua 40, Rosales 38, Lao 21, Apurada 12, Tamayo 4.

IBP Orange (111)- Castro 28, Morales 24, Al-ag 16, Doquilles 12, Gieran 11, Felizarta 10, Mongas 4, Mahipus 2, Dumaop 2, Madrazo 2.

(Second Game)

IBP Coca-Cola (116)- Torres 34, Hoybia 26, Caharian 19, Maurillo 18, Cunanan 12, Estrella 5, Villano 2.

IBP Yellow (115)- Menoria 32, Abule 18, Dayanghirang 17, Pupud 16, Balatero 15, Heje 12, Wabingga 5.

(Third Game)

IBP Lavender (20)

COMELEC Region XI (0)

(Fourth Game)

Panabo Hall of Justice (100)- Marasigan 27, Campomanes 26, Solis 15, Garcia 12, Almonares 8, Denaga 6, Padilla 5, Casalen 2, Rabina 2.

IBP White (94)- Escorido 30, Sarabia 23, Peloton 13, Ceniza 9, Gonzales 7, Carpio 4, Hatcha 4, Tampos 2, Ellima 2.

IBP Lavender tastes first win, City continues win run

IBP Lavender tasted its first win in six games while the City Government of Davao continued its winning run in the 2008 Integrated Bar of the Philippines-Mayor Rodrigo Duterte Cup Basketball League, Saturday, at the IBP Hall of Justice covered court.

IBP Lavender stopped the DCPO Officers Group,111-97 and handed its rivals its third loss in five games while Bong Go, who scattered 45 points, and the City dribblers beat Panabo Hall of Justice, 111-98 for their fifth straight victory.

After a slow start in the first quarter with only eight points, Go went to a shooting spree, tallying in double figures from second (10 points), third (14 points) and fourth (13 points) quarters. Panabo dropped to a 1-5 win-loss slate.

IBP White, on the other hand, escaped with an 83-81 triumph over COMELEC Region XI to tally its fifth win in six games and the Election cagers leveled their count to 3-3 win-loss card.

IBP Orange shut down ABS-CBN Davao, 84-78 for its fourth win against two losses while the Shrine Hills-based dribblers absorbed their fifth loss in seven outings.

The scores:

(First Game)

IBP Lavender (111)- Ongkingco 29, dela Victoria 18, Eyao 17, Maglangit 17, Valle 15, Javines 8, Tayabas 4, Engging 3.

DCPO Officers Group (97)- Rosales 38, Padua 31, Dalogdog 15, Apurada 12, Lao 9, Leonardo 2, Fermin 2.

(Second Game)

IBP White (83)- Rian 26, Car 16, Peloton 10, Randy 8, Sarabia 6, Hatcha 6, Ranon 4, Ellima 4, Lim 2, Saligumba 1.

COMELEC Region XI (81)- Mujal 21, Peros 20, Casquejo 20, Ibag 14, Aquino 4, Jison 2.

(Third Game)

City Government of Davao (111)- B.Go 45, Ordonez 17, Gadiano 16, Acojedo 16, Rivera 6, Sta.Ana 4, Labor 4, Lacorda 3.

Panabo Hall of Justice (98)- Campomanes 44, Almonares 14, Rabina 13, Padilla 11, Solis 8, Garcia 4, Marasigan 4.

(Fourth Game)

IBP Orange (84)- Morales 31, Al-ag 17, Felizarta 14, Doquiles 6, Gierrian 6, Castro 6.

ABS-CBN Davao (78)- Tumaroy 26, Rentucan 12, Quillano 11, Gatan 10, Alindao 10, Marino 5, Alanonay 4, Orig 2.

TnT vs. Coke on Saturday in Panabo

Game Saturday
(In Panabo, Davao del Norte)
4:30 p.m. – Talk n Text vs Coca-Cola

Saturday's opening game of the PBA-Smart Fiesta Cup is a surefire battle, pitting two teams with an old score to settle.

Coca-Cola and Talk n Text may have finished outside the Top Five in the recent Philippine Cup but they surely make an interesting pair to kick off the import-laced tourney set at 4:30 p.m. at the Panabo Multi-purpose, Tourism and Cultural Center in Davao del Norte.

The Pals, for one, are aching for vengeance against the Tigers who dealt them two heart-rending losses that eliminated TnT from the playoffs of the Philippine Cup.

Curiously, Talk n Text went on a nosedive after trading Asi Taulava to Coca-Cola in exchange for Ali Peek. The Fil-Tongan behemoth played a key role in the Tigers' two crucial wins against the Pals.

The poor showing of the Pals in the Fiesta Cup prompted the team management not to extend coach Derrick Pumaren's contract, paving the way for the entry of coach Chot Reyes.

Reyes said they have a job cut out for them against the Tigers.

"Coca-Cola has done a good job re-building. With two imports, all they need is three quality players and they're tough to beat," observed Reyes, who won two championships with Coca-Cola in 2002 and 2003.

"On paper, they should be in the Top Three," he added, impressed with Coca-Cola's lineup with the addition of Nic Belasco, who was during the in-between-conference break.

Aside from Taulava and Belasco, the Tigers will also be beef up by the 5-9 Calvin Cage and 6-foot- Jason Dixon.

For finishing ninth and 10^th respectively in the eliminations of last conference, Coca-Cola and Welcoat are allowed to field in two imports in the tourney – one with a ceiling of 6-foot-1 and another with unlimited height.

Talk n Text will be reinforced by Aaron McGee.

"Definitely, we've got stronger. But it remains to be seen what we can do. It's something we have to work for, something we have to sweat for," said Coca-Cola coach Binky Favis.

"Definitely, the talent we need is there. The challenge is how to use it. The great opportunity is there and I'm excited on what will unfold," Favis added.


The Pals had minor change in their lineup, acquiring free agent 6-foot-7 center Gilbert Lao.

Aside from Panabo, the league will also have stops in Tacloban on April 12 (Ginebra vs Sta. Lucia), Laoag on April 19 (Red Bull vs Alaska ), Lipa, Batangas on May 3 (Magnolia vs Red Bull ), Calape Bohol on May 10 (Purefoods vs Alaska), Cagayan de Oro on May 17 (TnT vs Sta. Lucia ), Zamboanga on May 24 (Ginebra vs Air 21), Palawan on May 31 (Magnolia vs TnT) and Lanao on June 7 (Purefoods vs Welcoat).

Panabo City to host PBA Fiesta Cup

Davao's Peter June Simon (center) plays for Purefoods.

James Yap (extreme right) closely guarded and Rommel Adducul (center) is ready to provide the screen.

Sta.Lucia Realty celebrates their victory in the PBA at the expense of Purefoods on March 2.

The Philippine Basketball Association is taking its act down south with an exciting match-up pitting the Coca-Cola Tigers and the Talk N Text Phone Pals on March 29 at the Panabo Multi-Purpose Tourism, Cultural and Sport Center in Davao del Norte.

Organized by the city's local government unit led by Mayor Jose Silvosa Sr., the lone game scheduled at 4:30 p.m. highlights the celebration of the 7th Araw ng Panabo City.

The Panabo stop is an official provincial game and serves as an appetizer of the import-laced 2008 PBA-Fiesta Cup, which will commence formally on March 30 at the Araneta Coliseum with a double-header featuring Welcoat against Air 21 at 4:30 p.m. and Red Bull against Barangay Ginebra at 6:50 p.m.

With a good three weeks remaining before the second conference gets going, most of the teams are still busy shopping around for prospective imports.

To date, only the Talk N Text Phone Pals have made an announcement on the identity of their import -- Aaron DeShon McGhee, a 6-foot-8, 250-pound power forward who starred for the Oklahoma University Sooner that reached the 2002 US NCAA Final Four.

Understandably, teams are taking time searching for reinforcement because this year's edition of the Fiesta Cup features imports with unlimited height. Not to mention, the handicapping system applies on Coca-Cola and Welcoat – two teams that finished 9^th and 10^th in the elimination round of the just concluded PBA Philippine Cup.

That means the Tigers and the Dragons are privilege to beef their teams with two imports (One of unlimited height and another not over 6-foot-1).

The last time the league adopted the open height limit for imports, TnT and the San Miguel arrange a final showdown with the Beermen, powered by Ardian "Ace" Custis, capturing the 2005 Fiesta Conference title.

The Alaska Aces are the defending champion of this year's Fiesta Cup.