Will the real Pacman please stand up?
Manny Pacquiao’s basketball franchise went down to another heartbreaking defeat and with two losses in as many games, you get to start thinking if the real Pacman should be suiting up for his team or can Freddie Roach can help its cause.
But this is basketball and this team may not have the speed and marksmanship of its owner in a close 84-80 overtime loss to the home squad Montana Pawnshop on Monday night in the Mayor Rody-Vice Mayor Inday Sara 73rd Araw ng Dabaw Invitational basketball tournament.
Late in the night, Cebu’s M. Lhuillier turned back Team Bida of Laguna 91-75 to get back on track after an opening day loss and for the second playdate, fans filled the newly-refurbished Almendras Gym to the rafters reminiscent of the good old days.
Montana’s sweet-shooting wingman Henry Fernandez fired 8 of the Jewels’ last 10 points in regulation but it was Don Tadena’s putback that sent the game into overtime. Pacman’s Louie Medalla showed a lot of spunk in the fourth period, firing 11 of his 18 points, including a booming triple that could have won it for Pacman.
The story in overtime was about experience and that was essayed well by Montana’s veterans.
Speedy quarterback Michael Manigo broke Pacman’s swarming defense, regaled the crowd with several passes whipped from the blind side to Fernandez and Tadena as the Jewels survived the Warriors from Gen. Santos City who showed a lot of heart despite falling short of ammunition.
The second win shoved Montana by the doorstep to the finals as it remained the only unbeaten team in this tournament organized under the supervision of the City Sports Development Division and the Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas (SBP).
Laguna’s Team Bida, which stands for Batang Iwas Droga, led through the third canto but wilted under the heat of Lhuillier rifleman Stephen Padilla’s scorching triples. Padilla, a former PBA journeyman, fired 7 triples from way out of the amateur arc to lead the Cebuanos with 24 points. Crowd favorite Marlon Basco added 14 including a one-handed slam in the dying seconds while Mark Magsumbol, who celebrated his birthday a night before, and Ariel Mepana combined for 23.
The Drugbusters were paced by Robert Sanz with 15 while Leomar Losented added 13.
Both Lhuillier and Bida tote a 1-1 win-loss slate and will need a win to at least tie for a finals berth. Lhuillier has a +12 quotient after 2 games while Bida has -6. That means Bida has to beat Montana in the last day of eliminations and pray that Lhuillier lose to Pacman to earn a ticket to the finals. A win by Lhuillier coupled by a Bida loss will arrange a Montana-Lhuillier finals.
A 3-way tie is possible if Montana loses to Bida and Lhuillier wins over Pacman. In that case, the quotient system will be the decider. Montana thus far holds a +8 quotient.
With the three franchises mathematically still in contention, Pacman will be relegated to the role of playing spoiler. It may not help its cause but it will surely rock the standings. A call from the real Pacman straight from Vegas may yet prick the pride of the franchise to go for one last crack at victory.
Whatever, expect a fight from the Pacman Warriors. Afterall, they do not cower like James Clottey. (pr)
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Monday, March 15, 2010
Davao Jr. NBA Top Ten to give Cebuanos, Manilans a tough time
IMG_0590 - The Jr. NBA Davao Top 10 kids - Henry Asilum and Jefferson James Roxas of the Holy Child School of Davao, Miguel Competente of St. Paul College, Earl Nicole Hiso, Israel Dave Remolar and Carlo Lino Araguez of Stella Maris Academy of Davao, Miguel Paolo Gancio and Sean Patigue of the Ateneo de Davao, Al Rashid Indin of Daniel R Aguinaldo National High School and Troy Senen Macariñas of EMAR Davao City.
MG_0536 - Beautiful piece of action at the Jr. NBA Regional Selection Camp Davao.
Davao Jr. NBA Top Ten to give Cebuanos, Manilans a tough time
About 150 Davao kids joined the Jr. NBA Regional Selection Camp at the Ateneo de Davao campus on March 14. But in the end there could only be ten. The Jr. NBA Regional Selection Camp is the penultimate stage of the third consecutive Jr. NBA program presented by Hi-Smart Multivitamins.
Henry Asilum and Jefferson James Roxas of the Holy Child School of Davao, Miguel Competente of St. Paul College, Earl Nicole Hiso, Israel Dave Remolar and Carlo Lino Araguez of Stella Maris Academy of Davao, Miguel Paolo Gancio and Sean Patigue of the Ateneo de Davao, Al Rashid Indin of Daniel R Aguinaldo National High School and Troy Senen Macariñas of EMAR Davao City bested other worthy competition and will join the ten kids selected from the Cebu Regionals last March 7 in the Jr. NBA National Training Camp in Manila scheduled from April 16-18. Twenty more young basketball hopefuls will be chosen from Luzon and the National Capital Region on March 21.
PBA Legend and NBA-appointed Jr. NBA coach Ronnie Magsanoc said the ten were standouts from the very beginning. “The Davao kids were highly skilled, very disciplined and the best made it to the Top Ten,” he said. Magsanoc was joined by former PBA player and Jr. NBA Davao coach Cadel Mosqueda in running the Davao selection camp. Local coaches Eddie Salac and Ramon Pido assisted the two PBA legends in administering the drills, skills challenges and basketball clinics to the 12-14 year old participants.
“We want to show that Davao players are not behind their counterparts in Manila and Cebu. These boys will really give it their all in the Jr. NBA National Training Camp,” Mosqueda said proudly.
Respected local coach Eddie Salac added, “The Davao youngsters were attentive, disciplined, coachable and very talented. In the coming Jr. NBA National Training Camp, the Davao players will shine”.
The Jr. NBA participants’ standings in the camp were determined by their total scores in five skills stations: the Hi-Smart Layup Station, the Hi-Smart Dribbling Station, the Gatorade Shooting Station, the BTV Passing Station and the Mitsubishi Footwork Station. They were also given vitals checks, tests of speed, stamina, flexibility and vertical leaping ability. The Top 20 who registered the highest scores in the skills stations were the only camp participants who could join the scrimmage towards the end of the camp. The coaches chose the final Ten from their performance in the scrimmage.
The high point of the 2009-10 Jr. NBA Philippines Program presented by Hi Smart Multivitamins will be the National Training Camp in April which will be led by US NBA coach Frank Lopez and NBA Legend BJ Armstrong, three-point ace and three-time NBA champion. Forty National Training Camp finalists from Davao, Cebu and Manila will undergo intensive training for three days at the Jose Rizal University Gym in Mandaluyong City. They will compete for eight choice slots to be named the 2009-10 Jr. NBA Philippines All Star Team and they will be rewarded with an authentic NBA experience in October.
The Jr. NBA Philippines effort is presented by Hi-Smart Multivitamins with the support of Official Sports Drink Gatorade, Official Broadcast Partner Basketball TV, Official Automobile Partner Mitsubishi Motors, Official Mall Partner SM Supermalls, Official Supplier Spalding, and the Department of Education.
For more information about the Jr. NBA Philippines Program, go to the Jr. NBA event website www.nba.com/jrnba/philippines. Every stage of the program is completely free.
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About Hi-Smart Multivitamins and New Marketlink
Hi-Smart Multivitami\ns is marketed by New Marketlink Pharmaceutical Corporation, one of the leading national pharmaceutical companies in the Philippines. New Marketlink seeks to become the preferred marketing partner of a variety of international healthcare companies in providing Filipinos with specialized, high quality and value-for-money medicines and health products.
New Marketlink Pharmaceutical Corporation, fueled and propelled by the holding company, TAO Corporation, is poised to undertake bold moves to further establish the new company as a respected leader in the pharmaceutical industry and become a valuable component of TAO Corporation’s mission of building communities and people.
New Marketlink supports the Jr. NBA program by providing Hi-Smart Multivitamins products which assist in the physical and mental development of kids and teenagers who want to achieve their basketball dreams and to help them become a Jr. NBA S.T.A.R. on and off the court.
About the NBA
The NBA, founded in 1946, is a professional sports league and global business that features 30 teams in the United States and Canada. During the 2009-10 season, NBA games will reach 215 countries and territories in 41 languages. The league’s worldwide reach is also displayed in the 83 international players from 36 countries and territories on NBA rosters. NBA merchandise is sold in more than 100,000 stores in 100 countries on six continents. NBA.com averages more than 26 million page views per day, with more than 50 percent of the site’s visitors coming from outside of North America. Through NBA Cares, the league, its teams and players have donated more than $115 million to charity, provided more than one million hours of hands-on service to communities around the world, and created more than 440 places where kids and families can live, learn, or play.
# # #
Issued by NBA Asia, Limited. For more information, please contact:
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Laguna’s Bida stops Pacman, Montana edges M. Lhuillier
Manny Pacquiao’s Pacman Warriors failed to ride on the crest of their chief backer’s convincing win on Sunday and the home team Montana Pawnshop pulled off a big one before their ecstatic fans as Davao quenched its thirst for the big leagues with a newly-refurbished arena.
Contrasting fates as they turned out to be, still there was no missing the point. Basketball’s happy days are back.
Mayor Rodrigo Duterte formally opened the doors to the new-look Davao City Recreation Center (nee Almendras Gym) in an emotional ceremony marked by the recognition of the city’s sports heroes and the return of big-time tournaments in this basketball-crazy city. After giving his short but heart-tugging speech, the Mayor who will end his term on June, took a bow and the crowd stood up in appreciation.
And unlike the 51,000 paying fans over at the Dallas Cowboys Stadium, the capacity crowd that filled the DCRC did not go home frustrated. There was just a lot of making up to do in terms of basketball action. Mayor Duterte watched from the sidelines along with Councilor Mabel Sunga-Acosta and a host of barangay captains, and Purefoods assistant coach Ronnie Magsanoc.
Action was intense on the hardcourt as the Pacman Warriors were stopped to their toes in a game that almost turned ugly with a near-boxing match. But still, that’s part of basketball. Anyways, Pacman’s squad took it flush on the chin from Laguna’s Team Bida 87-77 for its first loss while the Jewels of Davao walked off proudly with a 91-87 conquest of M.Lhuillier Kwarta Padala.
That and more capped a grandiose opening of the Mayor Rody-Vice Mayor Inday Sara 73rd Araw ng Dabaw Invitational basketball tournament.
If defense was Manny Pacquiao’s main problem on the ring, Team Bida’s defense was also the headache for his Warriors. Former San Miguel Beerman Marlon Legaspi imposed his presence in the paint while Leomer Losentes and Glen Bolocon provided the spark for the Laguna franchise. Together, the troika conspired for 30 markers.
The Warriors were frustrated no end by the pesky defense of Bida even as Jhon Gonzaga caught fire with 16 and Louie Medalla had 13. At crucial stretches in the fourth period, they just could not turn their luck around.
In the nightcap, Montana Pawnshop pulled away from a tight first half with beanpole Fred Canlas scoring off nifty passes inside and then survived a big rally by M. Lhuillier in the final period. The 6-9 Canlas scored 10 points in the third quarter, six of them coming off and-one plays, as the Jewels erected a 61-45 lead, 4:06 left.
Ronald Lamocha, who took over at center when the red-hot Canlas was curiously benched in the fourth, and Donald Tadena preserved the win after the Cebuanos equalized in the fourth period with a scorching run keyed by Ian Saladaga and ex-pro Stephen Padilla. Montana was led by Lamocha with 17, veteran Michael Manigo had 16 and a slew of threading-the-needle feeds, while Canlas and Fernandez added 13 and 12, respectively.
The crowd erupted in frenzy just before the buzzer sounded to end the first half when Lhuillier’s Marlon Basco, another former PBA player, caught the ball on air after a missed jumper and then slammed it home with impunity.
By all indications, the happy days of basketball are here again. (pr)
Contrasting fates as they turned out to be, still there was no missing the point. Basketball’s happy days are back.
Mayor Rodrigo Duterte formally opened the doors to the new-look Davao City Recreation Center (nee Almendras Gym) in an emotional ceremony marked by the recognition of the city’s sports heroes and the return of big-time tournaments in this basketball-crazy city. After giving his short but heart-tugging speech, the Mayor who will end his term on June, took a bow and the crowd stood up in appreciation.
And unlike the 51,000 paying fans over at the Dallas Cowboys Stadium, the capacity crowd that filled the DCRC did not go home frustrated. There was just a lot of making up to do in terms of basketball action. Mayor Duterte watched from the sidelines along with Councilor Mabel Sunga-Acosta and a host of barangay captains, and Purefoods assistant coach Ronnie Magsanoc.
Action was intense on the hardcourt as the Pacman Warriors were stopped to their toes in a game that almost turned ugly with a near-boxing match. But still, that’s part of basketball. Anyways, Pacman’s squad took it flush on the chin from Laguna’s Team Bida 87-77 for its first loss while the Jewels of Davao walked off proudly with a 91-87 conquest of M.Lhuillier Kwarta Padala.
That and more capped a grandiose opening of the Mayor Rody-Vice Mayor Inday Sara 73rd Araw ng Dabaw Invitational basketball tournament.
If defense was Manny Pacquiao’s main problem on the ring, Team Bida’s defense was also the headache for his Warriors. Former San Miguel Beerman Marlon Legaspi imposed his presence in the paint while Leomer Losentes and Glen Bolocon provided the spark for the Laguna franchise. Together, the troika conspired for 30 markers.
The Warriors were frustrated no end by the pesky defense of Bida even as Jhon Gonzaga caught fire with 16 and Louie Medalla had 13. At crucial stretches in the fourth period, they just could not turn their luck around.
In the nightcap, Montana Pawnshop pulled away from a tight first half with beanpole Fred Canlas scoring off nifty passes inside and then survived a big rally by M. Lhuillier in the final period. The 6-9 Canlas scored 10 points in the third quarter, six of them coming off and-one plays, as the Jewels erected a 61-45 lead, 4:06 left.
Ronald Lamocha, who took over at center when the red-hot Canlas was curiously benched in the fourth, and Donald Tadena preserved the win after the Cebuanos equalized in the fourth period with a scorching run keyed by Ian Saladaga and ex-pro Stephen Padilla. Montana was led by Lamocha with 17, veteran Michael Manigo had 16 and a slew of threading-the-needle feeds, while Canlas and Fernandez added 13 and 12, respectively.
The crowd erupted in frenzy just before the buzzer sounded to end the first half when Lhuillier’s Marlon Basco, another former PBA player, caught the ball on air after a missed jumper and then slammed it home with impunity.
By all indications, the happy days of basketball are here again. (pr)
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Liga teams brace for tough battle
This doesn’t look like an excursion for the visiting teams of Liga Pilipinas. This loom like a war.
“Every team vowed to go all out to win this one, the teams committed to play all out,” said Bong Go, executive assistant to the Mayor and head of the sports committee of this year’s Araw ng Dabaw festivities.
All four squads—Cebu’s M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala, Gen. Santos City’s MP Pacman, Laguna’s Team Bida and hometeam Montana Pawnshop—bring to town their formidable line-ups and impressive records. These teams dispute the Mayor Rody-Inday Sara 73rd Araw ng Dabaw Invitational basketball tournament which gets going this Sunday at the Almendras Gym.
Although the teams’ final line-ups will not be known until Saturday when they check in on the eve of the tournament, it looks like the cast is all square at this point. Montana Pawnshop for sure will enjoy the hometown edge and a big crowd rooting for them, but even that is no assurance that the local franchise has the tactical edge.
Manny Pacquiao’s MP Pacman will be hoping to ride the crest of their chief backer’s glory most especially if the Filipino world pound-for-pound champ wins his fight also this Sunday against Joshua Clottey. That should rub intensity to the team whose pride will be put to a severe test.
The Cebuanos, as usual, are expected to flaunt their physical game which has been their trademark. Coach Yayoy Alcoseba’s charges could well enjoy the advantage in experience having been consistently taking part in various tournaments in and out of Cebu.
But focus will be on Team Bida. The Laguna-based franchise may yet fly in with an intriguing line-up formed out of a vast pool of basketball talent in Luzon.
Even then, no team enjoys a distinct advantage over the other and this should make the tournament more exciting. Gamedates will be from March 14 to 17 and will be free to the public courtesy of Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and Vice Mayor Inday Sara Duterte.
The tournament is organized by the CMO-Sports Development Division and sanctioned by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP)-Region XI. (pr)
“Every team vowed to go all out to win this one, the teams committed to play all out,” said Bong Go, executive assistant to the Mayor and head of the sports committee of this year’s Araw ng Dabaw festivities.
All four squads—Cebu’s M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala, Gen. Santos City’s MP Pacman, Laguna’s Team Bida and hometeam Montana Pawnshop—bring to town their formidable line-ups and impressive records. These teams dispute the Mayor Rody-Inday Sara 73rd Araw ng Dabaw Invitational basketball tournament which gets going this Sunday at the Almendras Gym.
Although the teams’ final line-ups will not be known until Saturday when they check in on the eve of the tournament, it looks like the cast is all square at this point. Montana Pawnshop for sure will enjoy the hometown edge and a big crowd rooting for them, but even that is no assurance that the local franchise has the tactical edge.
Manny Pacquiao’s MP Pacman will be hoping to ride the crest of their chief backer’s glory most especially if the Filipino world pound-for-pound champ wins his fight also this Sunday against Joshua Clottey. That should rub intensity to the team whose pride will be put to a severe test.
The Cebuanos, as usual, are expected to flaunt their physical game which has been their trademark. Coach Yayoy Alcoseba’s charges could well enjoy the advantage in experience having been consistently taking part in various tournaments in and out of Cebu.
But focus will be on Team Bida. The Laguna-based franchise may yet fly in with an intriguing line-up formed out of a vast pool of basketball talent in Luzon.
Even then, no team enjoys a distinct advantage over the other and this should make the tournament more exciting. Gamedates will be from March 14 to 17 and will be free to the public courtesy of Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and Vice Mayor Inday Sara Duterte.
The tournament is organized by the CMO-Sports Development Division and sanctioned by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP)-Region XI. (pr)
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Poll starts for All-Star starters
DAVAO CITY'S PETER JUNE SIMON (PBA photo)
VOTING for this year’s PBA All-Star game is now ongoing as fan balloting will determine the starters for both the North and South teams.
Puerto Princesa, Palawan is this year’s host of the mid-season spectacle to be held April 23-25.
The league reverts back to the North versus South format after temporarily giving way to the Powerade-RP Team’s training and preparation for the FIBA-Asia Men’s Basketball Championship campaign last year when the Nationals played three exhibition games against the North and South squads, respectively.
The last time the two rivals played in Bacolod two years ago, the South won in overtime, 163-158, with Peter June Simon adjudged as the Most Valuable Player.
The two teams are 4-4 in their head-to-head encounter.
PBA fans can vote their favorite players through the polling places to be found at the different playing venues, while online voting through www.pba.ph starts on Monday, March 1.
With fan voting determining the starting line ups, the rest of the all-star selection will be filled up by the different coaches of the 10 ball clubs.
PUREFOODS vs ALASKA Game 4 Images
PBA IMAGE 1 - James Yap with the KFC officials awarded as KFC PBA Best Player of the Conference
PBA IMAGE 2 - James Yap and Comm Sonny Barrios and with teamates as he receives the KFC PBA Best Player of the Conference
PBA IMAGE 3 - James Yap and Comm Sonny Barrios as he receives the KFC PBA Best Player of the Conference
PBA IMAGE 4 - LA Tenorio with Sonny Barrios and KFC Officials as he was awarded as the KFC Assist Player
PBA IMAGE 5 - LA Tenorio tries to create room for against Refi Reavis and Roger Yap
PBA IMAGE 6 - Willie Miller looks to have control of the ball against Don Allado
PBA IMAGE 7 - Sonny Toss gets sorrounded by Purefoods defense namely Rafi Reavis, Kerby Raymundo and Mar Pingris
PBA IMAGE 8 - Sonny Toss was blocked from behind by Marc Pingris
PBA IMAGE 9 - James Yap dribble drives against Willie MIller
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