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)
Showing posts with label Smart. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Smart. Show all posts
Monday, September 12, 2011
Saturday, February 20, 2010
PBA commish stands firm on decision
PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios stood firm on
his decision to sanction Talk n Text with a fine of P1.25 million for
its walkout, saying it’s not excessive contrary to the claim of the
Smart-PLDT ball club.
“In the light of history of fines, we
didn’t view it as excessive,” said Barrios in answer to one of the points
raised by Talk n Text in a letter Friday.
“With regards
officiating, we admitted there were games where the performance of the
referees was below par even in our own assessment. But it didn't give
undue disadvantage to Talk n Text alone. It was not biased and unfair to Talk n Text alone,” Barrios also said.
The league commissioner
said the PBA board has a plan to update penalty on walkout in the
aftermath of the incident that happened in Game Four of the Talk n
Text-Ginebra quarterfinals showdown.
“Half-a-million-peso fine
for a walkout is a 20-year-old amount,” said Barrios.
Meanwhile,
Barako Bull waived its rights on Alex Crisano and Adonis Sta. Maria as
it started its preparation for the Fiesta Conference Tuesday.
Barako Bull board representative Raffy Casyao said they’re back in training as they intend to continue their participation in the pro league.
“If we’re leaving, the Commissioner’s Office will be the first to know,” said Casyao, denying news report
(not in The STAR) that the ball club is being bought by Meralco.
Smart-PLDT top official Ricky Vargas also denied the news, saying it can’t be done even if Meralco wants it.
Vargas pointed out PLDT owns only 30
percent of Meralco which is a publicly-listed company.
his decision to sanction Talk n Text with a fine of P1.25 million for
its walkout, saying it’s not excessive contrary to the claim of the
Smart-PLDT ball club.
“In the light of history of fines, we
didn’t view it as excessive,” said Barrios in answer to one of the points
raised by Talk n Text in a letter Friday.
“With regards
officiating, we admitted there were games where the performance of the
referees was below par even in our own assessment. But it didn't give
undue disadvantage to Talk n Text alone. It was not biased and unfair to Talk n Text alone,” Barrios also said.
The league commissioner
said the PBA board has a plan to update penalty on walkout in the
aftermath of the incident that happened in Game Four of the Talk n
Text-Ginebra quarterfinals showdown.
“Half-a-million-peso fine
for a walkout is a 20-year-old amount,” said Barrios.
Meanwhile,
Barako Bull waived its rights on Alex Crisano and Adonis Sta. Maria as
it started its preparation for the Fiesta Conference Tuesday.
Barako Bull board representative Raffy Casyao said they’re back in training as they intend to continue their participation in the pro league.
“If we’re leaving, the Commissioner’s Office will be the first to know,” said Casyao, denying news report
(not in The STAR) that the ball club is being bought by Meralco.
Smart-PLDT top official Ricky Vargas also denied the news, saying it can’t be done even if Meralco wants it.
Vargas pointed out PLDT owns only 30
percent of Meralco which is a publicly-listed company.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Smart, Karis take Nokia NBTC inter-city crowns
Smart, Karis take Nokia NBTC inter-city crowns
Smart-Pampanga and Karis won the Pampanga and Lucena inter-city crowns of the Nokia National Basketball Training Center D-League (NBTC D-League) recently at the University of Assumption gym and the Bethel Gym, respectively.
Hector de los Santos, Dennis Villanueva and Mhekjan Magtoto had 12 points apiece as Smart Pampanga defeated Energen Pampanga for the Pampanga inter-city crown of this tournament backed by Nokia Philippines and TAO Corporation under the Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas headed by Manny Pangilinan and executive director Noli Eala.
John Manabat had a game-high 20 points for Energen while Jolo Agustin had 12 and Jerome Quiambao 10 in the tournament also supported by San Miguel Purefoods Company, Smart Communications and Burlington.
Star Hotdogs-Pampanga beat BMEG Integra Pampanga, 82-75, for third place. Jervian Torres led Star Hotdogs with 18 points.
Karis leaned on Philip Co’s 19 points and Charles Duco’s 15 as Karis walloped Smart-QPL to nail the Quezon inter-city title. Smart-QPL drew 13 points each from Errol Magbadlac and Edilberto Almonte.
The QPL team bested Lucena City for third place as Ralph Losloso and Ramon Suarez had 11 points each while Cer Alcala had 10. Darrel Villaruel had 21 points for Lucena City.
The Nokia NBTC D-League is aiming to develop topnotch players who could make it someday to different leagues in the country. These leagues are the UAAP, NCAA, Philippine Basketball League, Philippine Basketball Association and the Liga Pilipinas.
Aside from the competition, the players and the coaches receive training about basketball fundamentals and team play from the Nokia NBTC staff headed by Nokia RP U-18 coach Eric Altamirano who acts as director and Alex Compton who is training director.
Smart-Pampanga and Karis won the Pampanga and Lucena inter-city crowns of the Nokia National Basketball Training Center D-League (NBTC D-League) recently at the University of Assumption gym and the Bethel Gym, respectively.
Hector de los Santos, Dennis Villanueva and Mhekjan Magtoto had 12 points apiece as Smart Pampanga defeated Energen Pampanga for the Pampanga inter-city crown of this tournament backed by Nokia Philippines and TAO Corporation under the Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas headed by Manny Pangilinan and executive director Noli Eala.
John Manabat had a game-high 20 points for Energen while Jolo Agustin had 12 and Jerome Quiambao 10 in the tournament also supported by San Miguel Purefoods Company, Smart Communications and Burlington.
Star Hotdogs-Pampanga beat BMEG Integra Pampanga, 82-75, for third place. Jervian Torres led Star Hotdogs with 18 points.
Karis leaned on Philip Co’s 19 points and Charles Duco’s 15 as Karis walloped Smart-QPL to nail the Quezon inter-city title. Smart-QPL drew 13 points each from Errol Magbadlac and Edilberto Almonte.
The QPL team bested Lucena City for third place as Ralph Losloso and Ramon Suarez had 11 points each while Cer Alcala had 10. Darrel Villaruel had 21 points for Lucena City.
The Nokia NBTC D-League is aiming to develop topnotch players who could make it someday to different leagues in the country. These leagues are the UAAP, NCAA, Philippine Basketball League, Philippine Basketball Association and the Liga Pilipinas.
Aside from the competition, the players and the coaches receive training about basketball fundamentals and team play from the Nokia NBTC staff headed by Nokia RP U-18 coach Eric Altamirano who acts as director and Alex Compton who is training director.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
RP-Smart Gilas to take a month's breather
THE recent Dubai stint of the RP-Smart Gilas team is just the start of what will be a hectic schedule this year for the Asian Games bound national squad.
Returning from the oil-rich emirate two days ago where they placed third in the tough 21st Dubai International basketball tournament, the Nationals are going to take just a month's breather before plunging back into action by March when they travel to Australia to play a series of games with teams from the National Basketball League (NBL).
From Down Under, Serbia will be the Nationals next stop where they are scheduled to play some of the local club teams in an attempt to benchmark the squad's development exactly a year after traveling to the same European country for a series of tune up games as well.
By April, the team is off to the U.S. in Las Vegas and Canada in Vancouver to play the Canadian national team in a couple of exhibition games, followed by its campaign in the FIBA-Asia Champions Cup in Doha, Qatar in May.
The Nationals will be back in Manila on June, where arrangements to play the national teams of Iran, New Zealand and either Korea or Japan will be made, before capping their preparation for the Asiad by participating in the annual Jones Cup in Taipei (July), the Stankovic Cup in Lebanon (August) and back to the U.S to battle a select team from the NCAA.
Come November, the RP team is off for the Asiad in Guangzhou, China.
"This is definitely a hectic year for the Smart-Gilas team. In all, we expect to play around 80 international games," bared Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) executive director Noli Eala in the PSA Forum Tuesday at the Shakey's U.N. Avenue branch.
"All of these trips are fantastic exposures for our national team."
Handled by Serbian coach Rajko Toroman and headed by team captain Chris Tiu, both of whom also appeared in the session presented by Outlast Battery, PAGCOR, Accel and Shakey's, the RP squad however, would be competing without the benefit of American reinforcement Jamal Sampson, who may be on his way out with the team following a lackluster showing in the Dubai meet.
Toroman himself expressed disappointment with the way the injury-prone American, cousin of former Houston Rockets star Ralph Sampson, played with the team, stressing what the Smart-Gilas squad needs is a "guy who would play with passion, a guy who would play with intensity and someone who wants to play."
Eala added he was to meet with Sampson and national team manager Frankie Lim late yesterday to discuss the fate of the American.
"There's no doubt, Jamal has all the skills we need for a big man, someone who can get rebounds and defend against the big guys from the other teams.
But in fairness to Jamal, he already talked with me about his place in the team. And I think it would be mutually beneficial for everyone where we can all move forward," Eala said.
The SBP official admitted no other prospects are being eyed to take the place of the 6-foot-11 Sampson, although Tiu added the team is just a good big guy away from being at par with the best of Asia.
"We still need to beef up our big guys. Definitely we need a strong force in the middle to get rebounds and wreck havoc at the defensive end.
"But despite falling short in the end (of the Dubai tournament), the result was very fulfilling because we were able to prove that we can compete with the best in Asia," said the RP team captain.
Returning from the oil-rich emirate two days ago where they placed third in the tough 21st Dubai International basketball tournament, the Nationals are going to take just a month's breather before plunging back into action by March when they travel to Australia to play a series of games with teams from the National Basketball League (NBL).
From Down Under, Serbia will be the Nationals next stop where they are scheduled to play some of the local club teams in an attempt to benchmark the squad's development exactly a year after traveling to the same European country for a series of tune up games as well.
By April, the team is off to the U.S. in Las Vegas and Canada in Vancouver to play the Canadian national team in a couple of exhibition games, followed by its campaign in the FIBA-Asia Champions Cup in Doha, Qatar in May.
The Nationals will be back in Manila on June, where arrangements to play the national teams of Iran, New Zealand and either Korea or Japan will be made, before capping their preparation for the Asiad by participating in the annual Jones Cup in Taipei (July), the Stankovic Cup in Lebanon (August) and back to the U.S to battle a select team from the NCAA.
Come November, the RP team is off for the Asiad in Guangzhou, China.
"This is definitely a hectic year for the Smart-Gilas team. In all, we expect to play around 80 international games," bared Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) executive director Noli Eala in the PSA Forum Tuesday at the Shakey's U.N. Avenue branch.
"All of these trips are fantastic exposures for our national team."
Handled by Serbian coach Rajko Toroman and headed by team captain Chris Tiu, both of whom also appeared in the session presented by Outlast Battery, PAGCOR, Accel and Shakey's, the RP squad however, would be competing without the benefit of American reinforcement Jamal Sampson, who may be on his way out with the team following a lackluster showing in the Dubai meet.
Toroman himself expressed disappointment with the way the injury-prone American, cousin of former Houston Rockets star Ralph Sampson, played with the team, stressing what the Smart-Gilas squad needs is a "guy who would play with passion, a guy who would play with intensity and someone who wants to play."
Eala added he was to meet with Sampson and national team manager Frankie Lim late yesterday to discuss the fate of the American.
"There's no doubt, Jamal has all the skills we need for a big man, someone who can get rebounds and defend against the big guys from the other teams.
But in fairness to Jamal, he already talked with me about his place in the team. And I think it would be mutually beneficial for everyone where we can all move forward," Eala said.
The SBP official admitted no other prospects are being eyed to take the place of the 6-foot-11 Sampson, although Tiu added the team is just a good big guy away from being at par with the best of Asia.
"We still need to beef up our big guys. Definitely we need a strong force in the middle to get rebounds and wreck havoc at the defensive end.
"But despite falling short in the end (of the Dubai tournament), the result was very fulfilling because we were able to prove that we can compete with the best in Asia," said the RP team captain.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
NINOS BEAT HOST OILERS, ARRANGE LEG FINALS SHOWDOWN
NINOS BEAT HOST OILERS, ARRANGE LEG FINALS SHOWDOWN
LUCENA CITY – The M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Ninos continued their winning ways with a 95-77 drubbing of the host Quezon Red Oilers at the close of the preliminary rounds of the Smart Liga Pilipinas Conference III Quezon Province Leg Friday evening at the Quezon Convention Center.
The Ninos of Michel J. Lhuillier and Coach Raul “Yayoy” Alcoseba swept all their three games and earned a two-point bonus for doing so to hike their Tour Points total to a league-best 35, winning all 11 games thus far in the conference made possible by Smart, Accel, Molten, Calcium-Cee, Gatorade, Burlington and Air 21 and sanctioned by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.
Cebu is now on course for the rare "Liga Golden 60" or a sweep of all their four legs. "It is possible but we are not thinking of that yet. We just want to build our team's confidence and momentum for the Super Leg." said Coach Alcoseba.
The Red Oilers of Gov. Raffy Nantes and Coach Oliver Bunyi have yet to beat the Ninos since Liga Pilipinas was organized last year. The Red Oilers managed to tie the game twice at 2-2 and 4-4 and it was an all-Cebu show from thereon.
Power forward Ariel Mepana outscored the whole Quezon team in the first period as he tallied 11 points of his own against eight of Quezon. The Ninos ran away with the first period, 26-8.
It was the turn of guard Mark Ababon to wax hot in the second period, as he pumped in 10 points to tow the Ninos to a 39-12 advantage. A late run anchored on Ramsey Williams and Mark Magsumbol put the Red Oilers closer at halftime, 29-46.
By the third period, the outcome was settled as Bruce Dacia added 10 more points, followed by back-to-back triples by Stephen Padilla, another triple by Ababon and a basket by Ian Saladaga that gave the Ninos their biggest lead of the game, 75-42.
In the first game, the defending National Champion Misamis Oriental Meteors of Gov. Oscar Moreno and Coach Jun Noel kept the EKB-Apayao Rapids winless.
The Ninos and Red Oilers will dispute the leg championship while the Meteors and Rapids will tangle for Third Place.
Selected games from the Quezon Leg will be shown over Solar Sports next week from Wednesday to Saturday. Liga Pilipinas Classics are also shown every morning on Viva Prime Channel. The league’s official website is at www.ligapilipinas.net.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
RED OILERS STOP METEORS AS QUEZON LEG BEGINS
STANDINGS
Quezon Red Oilers 1-0
M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Ninos 1-0
EKB-Apayao Rapids 0-1
Misamis Oriental Meteors 0-1
Games Today (September 18) – Quezon Convention Center
4:00 PM EKB-Apayao Rapids vs. Misamis Oriental Meteors
6:00 PM Quezon Red Oilers vs. M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Ninos
RED OILERS STOP METEORS AS QUEZON LEG BEGINS
LUCENA CITY – The host Quezon Red Oilers tallied a big win over the visiting Misamis Oriental Meteors, 102-93, to kick off the Smart Liga Pilipinas Conference III Quezon Province Leg at the Quezon Convention Center Wednesday night.
Using a swarming defense, the host Red Oilers of Gov. Raffy Nantes controlled the game from start to finish enroute to a rousing defense of its own leg before a huge hometown crowd.
“We limited the production of their big men,” explained victorious coach Oliver Bunyi. “Hopefully, we can regain our form and start winning again.”
With key players Jorel Canizares, Ramsey Williams and Angelus Raymundo returning to the line-up after missing the Cebu City Leg last month, the Red Oilers displayed the form that made them reach all their four leg championship games last conference and the National Semifinals. It also marked the franchise’s first win this conference supported by Smart, Accel, Molten, Calcium-Cee, Air 21, Gatorade and Burlington and sanctioned by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP).
Canizares fired 18 points in 22 minutes of play to lead the Red Oilers. Williams dished out another all-around performance with 16 points, six rebounds, eight assists and four steals. Patrick Cabahug paced the Meteors of Gov. Oscar Moreno and Coach Jun Noel with 30 markers followed by Lyndon Gudez with 18.
Meanwhile, the M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Ninos stretched their undefeated run to nine games by rubbing out the EKB-Apayao Rapids, 96-90.
The Ninos of Michel J. Lhuillier and Coach Raul “Yayoy” Alcoseba dictated the tempo from the opening buzzer. However, the Rapids managed to trim the final deficit in the fourth canto.
Mark Ababon topped the Ninos with 17 points followed by last week’s MisOr Leg MVP Woodraw Enriquez with 13 points and nine assists. Ismael Junio, whose Liga career has seen stops in Batangas and Ilocos Sur, paced his new team with 16 points via four triples. Gerold Canson followed with 13 points, five rebounds and seven assists.
Selected games from the Quezon Province Leg will be shown next week on Solar Sports from Wednesday to Saturday. Liga Pilipinas Classics air daily over Viva Prime Channel. More information may be downloaded at www.ligapilipinas.net.
How They Scored:
First Game
CEBU (96) – Ababon 17, Enriquez 13, Padilla 12, Mepana 11, Dacia 11, Basco 8, Saladaga 7, Santos 5, Ybanez 5, Nailon 4, Malinao 3.
APAYAO (90) – Junio 16, Canson 13, Cabico 12, Vitug 10, Navarro 9, Orera 8, Canlas 7, Lujero 4, Tiongson 4, Lustestica 3, Bumanglad 2, Malabanan 2, Visquera 0, Martinez 0.
Second Game
QUEZON (102) – Canizares 18, Williams 16, Magsumbol 15, Raymundo 14, Pinera 9, Labagala 8, Palaganas 7, Suguitan 6, Cacha 6, Orias 2, Macanig 1.
MISAMIS ORIENTAL (93) – Cabahug 30, Gudez 18, Saldua 11, Kong 6, Moreno 6, Daja 5, Sanchez 4, Mamaclay 4, Tagupa 4, Butel 3, Barcellano 2, Pupos 0.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
METEORS OPEN TITLE RETENTION BID AT HOME
Games Today (September 9) – Arturo S. Lugod Memorial Sports and Cultural Center
4:00 PM M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Ninos vs. Cebu Landmaster-Mandaue
6:00 PM Misamis Oriental Meteors vs. MP Warriors of GenSan
METEORS OPEN TITLE RETENTION BID AT HOME
GINGOOG CITY – Reigning Liga Pilipinas National Champion Misamis Oriental Meteors finally begins the formal defense of their crown on friendly home grounds against three familiar foes today at the Arturo S. Lugod Memorial Sports and Cultural Center for Day One of the Smart Liga Pilipinas Conference III Misamis Oriental Leg.
Out to challenge the wards of Gov. Oscar S. Moreno and Coach Jun Noel are the M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Ninos, Cebu Landmaster-Mandaue and the MP Warriors of GenSan – who together with the Meteors were members of the Mindanao Visayas Basketball Association (MVBA) from 2006 to 2007. The MVBA merged with the National Basketball Conference (NBC) to give birth to Liga Pilipinas in 2008.
The Meteors take the floor at 6:00 PM against the unpredictable Warriors of boxing icon Manny Pacquiao. Coach Noel has retained eight members from the championship team – guards Ramil Tagupa, Lyndon Gudez, Mark Moreno, forwards Rocky Sanchez and Jerome Numeran and centers Mark Kong, Erian Daja and Philip Butel. The Meteors then reacquired shooter Patrick Cabahug, signed free agents Eder Saldua, Arden Guiyab and newcomers Neil Raneses, Melvin Mamaclay and Rocky Clavel.
Warriors Coach Ramon Pido hopes to better their team’s Third Place finish in the Cebu Leg three weeks ago. To do so, the Warriors need big games from centers Dondon Mendoza and Christian Cabatu and prolific guards Louie Medalla, Don Tadena, Apol Coronado, Jethrone Recustodio, Dennis Concha, Jomer Rubi and Bob Cozy Ilanga.
In the first game, Cebu Leg champion Ninos tackle cross-town rival Landmaster. The Ninos of Michel J. Lhuillier and Coach Raul “Yayoy” Alcoseba are the only undefeated team in the conference backed by Smart, Accel, Molten, Calcium-Cee, Gatorade, Air 21 and Burlington and sanctioned by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP).
The Ninos have 15 Liga Tour points from their four-game sweep of their home leg, currently good for Third Place in the overall rankings behind idle Pampanga Leg champion Trace-Laguna Stallions (19) and Taguig Leg champion Forward Taguig (18) and a point ahead of Fourth Placer Smart-Pampanga Buddies (14). Laguna, Taguig and Pampanga though have already completed two legs each.
The Ninos emerged as the most awarded franchise during the MVBA’s two-year run and have continued their success in Liga Pilipinas with seven leg championships. Coach Alcoseba has at his disposal a veteran-laden roster led by Cebu Leg MVP Bruce Dacia, Conference I MVP Marlon Basco, Stephen Padilla, Woodraw Enriquez and Abby Santos, rising stars Ian Saladaga, Mark Ababon and Jan Malinao, Ariel Mepana and Rino Berame and former Meteor Frank Nailon.
Landmaster of Joe Soberano and Coach Jun Tan made their Liga debut two weeks ago with a Third Place finish in the Taguig City Leg and are loaded with former members of the Ninos franchise – Danny Aying, Jercules Tangkay, Ronald Bucao, Jett Latonio, Enrico Llanto and Gerry Cavan. The frontline features Joel Solis, Francis Mercado, Mannie Gabas and Jayson Tiongson. Completing the team are John Paul Alcaraz and Jerome Cenita, who both emerged as reliable scorers during the Taguig Leg.
The Warriors and Landmaster are bunched at Fifth and Sixth Place with four points each. This leg will be crucial as it will be their only meeting. The Toyota-Bacolod Turbos are at solo Seventh Place with three points while the still winless Quezon Red Oilers and Zamboanga Uno Latinos share the cellar with only a point each.
Gingoog City will also host tomorrow’s games. The action moves to the Xavier University Gym in Cagayan de Oro City for Friday’s fixtures and Saturday’s leg championship game.
Selected games from the MisOr Leg will be shown over Solar Sports next week from Wednesday to Saturday. Also, Liga Pilipinas Classics airs daily over Viva Prime Channel. Additional information may be accessed at www.ligapilipinas.net.
4:00 PM M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Ninos vs. Cebu Landmaster-Mandaue
6:00 PM Misamis Oriental Meteors vs. MP Warriors of GenSan
METEORS OPEN TITLE RETENTION BID AT HOME
GINGOOG CITY – Reigning Liga Pilipinas National Champion Misamis Oriental Meteors finally begins the formal defense of their crown on friendly home grounds against three familiar foes today at the Arturo S. Lugod Memorial Sports and Cultural Center for Day One of the Smart Liga Pilipinas Conference III Misamis Oriental Leg.
Out to challenge the wards of Gov. Oscar S. Moreno and Coach Jun Noel are the M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Ninos, Cebu Landmaster-Mandaue and the MP Warriors of GenSan – who together with the Meteors were members of the Mindanao Visayas Basketball Association (MVBA) from 2006 to 2007. The MVBA merged with the National Basketball Conference (NBC) to give birth to Liga Pilipinas in 2008.
The Meteors take the floor at 6:00 PM against the unpredictable Warriors of boxing icon Manny Pacquiao. Coach Noel has retained eight members from the championship team – guards Ramil Tagupa, Lyndon Gudez, Mark Moreno, forwards Rocky Sanchez and Jerome Numeran and centers Mark Kong, Erian Daja and Philip Butel. The Meteors then reacquired shooter Patrick Cabahug, signed free agents Eder Saldua, Arden Guiyab and newcomers Neil Raneses, Melvin Mamaclay and Rocky Clavel.
Warriors Coach Ramon Pido hopes to better their team’s Third Place finish in the Cebu Leg three weeks ago. To do so, the Warriors need big games from centers Dondon Mendoza and Christian Cabatu and prolific guards Louie Medalla, Don Tadena, Apol Coronado, Jethrone Recustodio, Dennis Concha, Jomer Rubi and Bob Cozy Ilanga.
In the first game, Cebu Leg champion Ninos tackle cross-town rival Landmaster. The Ninos of Michel J. Lhuillier and Coach Raul “Yayoy” Alcoseba are the only undefeated team in the conference backed by Smart, Accel, Molten, Calcium-Cee, Gatorade, Air 21 and Burlington and sanctioned by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP).
The Ninos have 15 Liga Tour points from their four-game sweep of their home leg, currently good for Third Place in the overall rankings behind idle Pampanga Leg champion Trace-Laguna Stallions (19) and Taguig Leg champion Forward Taguig (18) and a point ahead of Fourth Placer Smart-Pampanga Buddies (14). Laguna, Taguig and Pampanga though have already completed two legs each.
The Ninos emerged as the most awarded franchise during the MVBA’s two-year run and have continued their success in Liga Pilipinas with seven leg championships. Coach Alcoseba has at his disposal a veteran-laden roster led by Cebu Leg MVP Bruce Dacia, Conference I MVP Marlon Basco, Stephen Padilla, Woodraw Enriquez and Abby Santos, rising stars Ian Saladaga, Mark Ababon and Jan Malinao, Ariel Mepana and Rino Berame and former Meteor Frank Nailon.
Landmaster of Joe Soberano and Coach Jun Tan made their Liga debut two weeks ago with a Third Place finish in the Taguig City Leg and are loaded with former members of the Ninos franchise – Danny Aying, Jercules Tangkay, Ronald Bucao, Jett Latonio, Enrico Llanto and Gerry Cavan. The frontline features Joel Solis, Francis Mercado, Mannie Gabas and Jayson Tiongson. Completing the team are John Paul Alcaraz and Jerome Cenita, who both emerged as reliable scorers during the Taguig Leg.
The Warriors and Landmaster are bunched at Fifth and Sixth Place with four points each. This leg will be crucial as it will be their only meeting. The Toyota-Bacolod Turbos are at solo Seventh Place with three points while the still winless Quezon Red Oilers and Zamboanga Uno Latinos share the cellar with only a point each.
Gingoog City will also host tomorrow’s games. The action moves to the Xavier University Gym in Cagayan de Oro City for Friday’s fixtures and Saturday’s leg championship game.
Selected games from the MisOr Leg will be shown over Solar Sports next week from Wednesday to Saturday. Also, Liga Pilipinas Classics airs daily over Viva Prime Channel. Additional information may be accessed at www.ligapilipinas.net.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
“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.
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.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Cebu completes Liga sweet
TAGUIG – M.L. Kwarta Padala-Cebu etched its name in the history books by masterfully ruling the maiden season of the 2008 Smart-Liga Pilipinas Finals Thursday, routing Harbour Centre-Taguig, 107-91, in Game Three at the C.P. Tinga gym here.
The Ninos, who dominated in Cebu the first two games of the best-of-five championship series sponsored by Rexona, Accel, Burlington, Molten, Metathione, Nature Spring, Pagcor Sports and Laptop Phoneshop, completed the sweep with a deadly combination of outside firepower and scorching fast break plays.
"This is history, that's why the boys are really inspired," said Cebu coach Yayoy Alcoseba, whose team is expected to mobbed by their followers back home. "This is for the Cebu fans and the Senor Sto. Nino."
Alcoseba said the Ninos had a brief anxious moments in the third quarter when the Batang Global went on a zone defense.
"But we were able to make the necessary adjustments," Alcoseba said.
Ron Capati led Cebu with 17 points and nine rebounds.
Both teams shot well, but Cebu dominated the boards, 40-29, the transition game, 17 points to nine.
The Batang Global came home hoping to extend the series and force a winner-take-all Game 5. Instead they were manhandled in their own backyard and in front of their hometown crowd.
Taguig sliced a 15-point deficit to 78-67 halfway in the fourth quarter, but Danny Aying and Stephen Padilla buried consecutive triples of their own to stop the Batang Global cold on their tracks.
Padilla had two three-point shots in a pivotal 12-2 run as Cebu turned a 6-5 deficit into a 17-8 lead in the first quarter.
Coming off the bench, Jayford Rodriguez then hit two free throws for the Ninos late in the period for a 22-12 advantage and the Taguig Global were not to come closer than five points the rest of the first half.
A Marvin Ortiguerra reverse layup moved Taguig within 36-31 with 1:42 remaining, but the Ninos had four points to wrap up the quarter, giving them the momentum they needed for the breakaway third quarter.
Cebu shot better from the field in the first half, and the Ninos' collected 12 points to the Batang Globals' three from beyond the three-point range.
Aying accounted for Cebu's third 3-pointer against the zone-playing Batang Global.
Two free throws by Bruce Dacia after Taguig was penalized for excessive complaining during the break gave Cebu an 11-point lead even before second half action resumed, with the Ninos padding the advantage to 48-33 four minutes into the quarter.
Taguig cut the deficit to 49-41, but the Ninos were not to be denied their place in history as the regional tournament's maiden champion.
Scores:
CEBU 107 – Capati 17, Aying 16, Padilla 13, Rodriguez 13, Dacia 11, Saladaga 10, Cavan 8, Tangkay 6, Ababon 5, Mepana 4, Enriquez 3, Berame 1, Bucao 0.
TAGUIG 91 – Rodriguez 21, Ortiguerra 16, Marquez 14, Gatumbato 9, Bautista 9, Matias 8, Aldave 6, Bombeo 3, Latoreno 3, Reguerra 2, Vejandre 0.
Quarters: 25-17; 40-31; 69-57; 107-91
The Ninos, who dominated in Cebu the first two games of the best-of-five championship series sponsored by Rexona, Accel, Burlington, Molten, Metathione, Nature Spring, Pagcor Sports and Laptop Phoneshop, completed the sweep with a deadly combination of outside firepower and scorching fast break plays.
"This is history, that's why the boys are really inspired," said Cebu coach Yayoy Alcoseba, whose team is expected to mobbed by their followers back home. "This is for the Cebu fans and the Senor Sto. Nino."
Alcoseba said the Ninos had a brief anxious moments in the third quarter when the Batang Global went on a zone defense.
"But we were able to make the necessary adjustments," Alcoseba said.
Ron Capati led Cebu with 17 points and nine rebounds.
Both teams shot well, but Cebu dominated the boards, 40-29, the transition game, 17 points to nine.
The Batang Global came home hoping to extend the series and force a winner-take-all Game 5. Instead they were manhandled in their own backyard and in front of their hometown crowd.
Taguig sliced a 15-point deficit to 78-67 halfway in the fourth quarter, but Danny Aying and Stephen Padilla buried consecutive triples of their own to stop the Batang Global cold on their tracks.
Padilla had two three-point shots in a pivotal 12-2 run as Cebu turned a 6-5 deficit into a 17-8 lead in the first quarter.
Coming off the bench, Jayford Rodriguez then hit two free throws for the Ninos late in the period for a 22-12 advantage and the Taguig Global were not to come closer than five points the rest of the first half.
A Marvin Ortiguerra reverse layup moved Taguig within 36-31 with 1:42 remaining, but the Ninos had four points to wrap up the quarter, giving them the momentum they needed for the breakaway third quarter.
Cebu shot better from the field in the first half, and the Ninos' collected 12 points to the Batang Globals' three from beyond the three-point range.
Aying accounted for Cebu's third 3-pointer against the zone-playing Batang Global.
Two free throws by Bruce Dacia after Taguig was penalized for excessive complaining during the break gave Cebu an 11-point lead even before second half action resumed, with the Ninos padding the advantage to 48-33 four minutes into the quarter.
Taguig cut the deficit to 49-41, but the Ninos were not to be denied their place in history as the regional tournament's maiden champion.
Scores:
CEBU 107 – Capati 17, Aying 16, Padilla 13, Rodriguez 13, Dacia 11, Saladaga 10, Cavan 8, Tangkay 6, Ababon 5, Mepana 4, Enriquez 3, Berame 1, Bucao 0.
TAGUIG 91 – Rodriguez 21, Ortiguerra 16, Marquez 14, Gatumbato 9, Bautista 9, Matias 8, Aldave 6, Bombeo 3, Latoreno 3, Reguerra 2, Vejandre 0.
Quarters: 25-17; 40-31; 69-57; 107-91
Thursday, July 24, 2008
National Hoops 3-on-3 Finals as PBA curtainraiser
Four teams -- split into two divisions -- will dispute the First National Hoops 3-on-3 basketball championship this afternoon at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
JARC and SHS-J will contest the Junior Varsity championship (13-15 years old) while PCU Dolphins will challenge Team Moley for the varsity title (16-19 years) of the event held under the auspices of National Hoops USA and supported by the Philippine Basketball Association.
Serving as appetizer for Game 3 of the 2008 Smart PBA Fiesta Conference semifinals, the National Hoops finale gets rolling at 3:30 p.m. starting with the junior varsity game. Each game will be played for 10 minutes.
"We're very excited to be holding the Finals in a championship atmosphere. We're very thankful to PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios and the entire PBA organization for their kindness and generosity to play host to this event. We truly appreciate the gesture," said Mike Waters, chief organizer of the National Hoops 3-on-3 tourney.
The JARC and PCU Dolphins teams topped their respective divisions after a grueling 52 games among Metro Manila contestants while SHS-J and Team Moley ruled the Cebu leg after 23 elimination games.
JARC and SHS-J will contest the Junior Varsity championship (13-15 years old) while PCU Dolphins will challenge Team Moley for the varsity title (16-19 years) of the event held under the auspices of National Hoops USA and supported by the Philippine Basketball Association.
Serving as appetizer for Game 3 of the 2008 Smart PBA Fiesta Conference semifinals, the National Hoops finale gets rolling at 3:30 p.m. starting with the junior varsity game. Each game will be played for 10 minutes.
"We're very excited to be holding the Finals in a championship atmosphere. We're very thankful to PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios and the entire PBA organization for their kindness and generosity to play host to this event. We truly appreciate the gesture," said Mike Waters, chief organizer of the National Hoops 3-on-3 tourney.
The JARC and PCU Dolphins teams topped their respective divisions after a grueling 52 games among Metro Manila contestants while SHS-J and Team Moley ruled the Cebu leg after 23 elimination games.
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