Nokia RP U-18 thumps Japan

SANA’A, Yemen—The Nokia RP U-18 team bounced back from two stinging
wins to bamboozle Japan, 75,57, on Sunday to boost further its bid for
the eight-team quarterfinals of the 21st FIBA Asia U18 Championship at
the 22nd May Arena here.
The Filipinos, backed by Nokia Philippines and TAO Corporation, tore
the game wide open by outscoring the Japanese, 25-8, in the midway
through the game to nail a 2-2 record and hand the Japanese their very
first loss in the tournament with a 3-1 record. China still lords it
over the Group F standings with an impeccable 3-0 mark as the
Philippines now carry a 2-2 record.
The Philippines was scheduled to battle winless Iraq at 4 pm (Manila
time) yesterday to cement its position as the third placing team in
the group, ahead of Yemen (2-1), The top four teams will get into the
knockout quarterfinals against the four qualifiers from Group E.
With a lock at the top three slots in the other group at Korea (3-1),
Iran (3-1) and Lebanon (2-1), while the last slot is still a tossup
among Kazakshtan and Chinese-Taipei.
Kiefer Ravena topscored for the Philippines with 18 points while
Raphael Banal chipped in with 14, nine of those coming from rainbow
country as the team shot 45 percent from there ( 9 of 20 tries) while
hitting 31 of 58 shots from the field.
“It was good those shots went in early in the game,” Philippines coach
Eric Altamirano said. “I’m proud the way boys began with speed,
especially after two tiring games (against China and Yemen, both of
which Philippines lost).”
“What made me really pleased was the way we kept our intensity,” he said.
The Filipinos were hanging to a 32-25 lead in the first five minutes
of the second quarter when Ravena scored back-to-back baskets on the
paint to start a run, which was capped by Von Pessumal’s three-pointer
for 16-point lead at half time.
With Ravena, Jeth Rosario and Cris Toloma scoring at will, the
Philippines widened its lead a 55-33, the highest in the game.
Seiya Ando scored a game-high 22 points for Japan.
“I liked the way we dominated the game, considering that it was really
close last time around,” said Altamirano, whose team only defeated the
same Japan team, 64-59, in the last year’s FIBA Asia U16 Championship
at Johor Bahru.
The tournament dangles three tickets to the 2011 FIBA U19 World
Championship to be played in Latvia next year.(pr)

Nokia D-League national finals starts on Friday

Everything is set for the Nokia National Basketball Training Center
(NBTC) D-League National Finals starting on Friday (May 28, 2010) at the
San Juan Gym (at the back of the San Juan Municipal Hall) in San Juan
City.
The provincial crown will contested by Smart Cagayan de Oro, B-MEG
Expert Cebu, Trace College Laguna and Smart Olongapo Volunteers in
this tournament backed by Nokia Philippines and TAO Corporation with
recognition by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP).
The NCR crown, on the other hand, will be up for grabs among B-MEG
Integra Manila, Smart Manila, Magnolia Chocolait-Paranaque and Xavier
San Juan in the event also backed by Smart Communications, San Miguel
Pure Foods Company and Burlington.
Today’s games will start at 1 pm while the opening ceremonies will be
at 2:30 pm. On Saturday, the games will start at 8:30 am while the
actual finale for the provincial and NCR teams will open at 1 pm on
Sunday. Admission is free on all these days.
“We invite all basketball aficionados to witness the exciting national
finals of the Nokia NBTC D-League. This will showcase the fruits of
these teams’ labor for the past few months,” said program director
Eric Altamirano.
Expected to grace the finals are officials of the SBP along with Nokia
Philippines led by general manager Benoit Nalin and TAO Corporation
headed by Jun Sy.