9/30/2009

CHARITY HOOPS DOUBLEHEADER SLATED ON MONDAY

from pba.ph

A doubleheader featuring the best and brightest local amateur and pro hoop stars entitled “Pinoy Basketball: Kakampi N’yo” will raise funds for the victims of Typhoon Ondoy this coming Monday, October 5 at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City.

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) headed by president Manny V. Pangilinan, is spearheading the move backed by all of its principal stakeholders – namely the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), the Philippine Basketball League (PBL), the Liga Pilipinas, the Universities Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) and National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA).

The game will be presented by the SBP and the PLDT/SMART Foundation in cooperation with the Araneta Center, which is making the Big Dome available for this endeavor for free.

The first game at 5 PM will feature a combined UAAP-NCAA selection against a team composed of PBL and Liga stalwarts while the second game at 7:15 pm pits the SMART Gilas National Developmental Team against the PBA-backed Powerade-Team Pilipinas.

Ticket prices are P200 for patron, P100 for lower box and P50 for Upper A section while entrance to the Upper B and general admission sections will be made open to the public in exchange for donations in the form of footwear which will then be given to the victims of the most recent calamity that had affected so many of our countrymen, some of whom even lost their lives. Among those who perished was Tony Chua, the former PBA chairman and Barako Bull team manager/board representative in whose memory the winning team’s trophy shall be awarded.

9/28/2009

Help our Kababayans out there by donating to Red Cross


Using our mobile phones, we can donate to the Red Cross by typing in RED amount and send to 2899 (Globe) and 4483 (Smart). The Service only accepts 5, 25, 50, and 100 amounts. Please let's do our share to the community. Below is an example of the format.

ex. RED 50 send to 2899 or 4483 (depending on your mobile provider)

9/25/2009

Letran Deals San Sebastian their First Loss This Season


It was just a matter of time. The Letran Knights, led by their two Smart Gilas staltwarts, RJ Jazul and Rey Guevarra as the patented full court press defense of the Knights was used to stop the San Sebastian Golden Stags 80-63, as the Knights improve to 12-5 and deals a blow to an automatic ticket to the Finals for the Stags as they go 15-1.

The game started with 2 technical fouls with 8 minutes left into the first canto, as both teams accounted for 9 technical fouls in the first half, as the rivalry of the Knights and the Stags gets a revival as both teams implied tough defense in the first half with a low scoring game of 30-25, in favor of Letran.

Letran started to breakout in the third, as they have pushed the lead as far as 12 points but Calvin Abueva made sure that did not happen, as he led the Stags comeback and keeping the game in striking distance as the Stags trailed by 9, 53-44 heading into the fourth.

By then, fatigue and frustation showed into the Stags as Letran showed their experience and pulled away in the fourth and frustrated San Sebastian hotshot Jimbo Aquino. The Stags felt the pressure and physicality as they shot poorly from the free throw line.

With the Stags losing, this means the spot for the number 1 of the standings is still open, as they face two opponents who would want to get on top of the eliminations, Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers on September 28 and San Beda Red Lions on the last game of the eliminations on October 7. Both of these teams are at 14-2 and this means that the rankings in the Final Four is still not settled.

9/24/2009

The UAAP Finals Matchup


It has been three games of Final Four basketball. Four teams fought for two spots, and now the positions are settled, as the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles takes on the University of the East Red Warriors for the 2009 UAAP Basketball supremacy.

The earlier matchup was pretty much spot-on, as Ateneo took only one game as they beat the UST Tigers to get into the Finals while UE punches their ticket to the Finals after two hard fought games against the FEU Tamaraws.

Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles vs University of the East Red Warriors

One is out there to prove its domination, while the other is to prove to remove the stigma of being chokers and to win it all. The Blue Eagles heads into the finals having an 11 game winning streak, while the Red Warriors heads with an 8 game winning streak.

The Fatigue Factor: The UE Red Warrioirs fought two close games with the FEU Tamaraws as coach Lawrence Chongson used a very tight rotation of using around 7-8 players, as the Ateneo Blue Eagles drubbed the Tigers as coach Norman Black used a more balanced rotation of his players. The Ateneo Blue Eagles gets a 1-week rest to prepare for the Finals while the UE Red Warriors gets a two days break to prepare for the Finals. Obviously, this is in favor of Ateneo as UE just finished a tough battle heading into the Finals.

Heading into the match-up of the teams, the Blue Eagles will be spearheaded by Eric Salamat and last year's MVP Rabeh Al-Hussaini. This time, it looks like Salamat will be the leader of this Ateneo team, as Al-Hussaini at times loses his composure and complains a lot to the referees.

Coach Norman Black would like to have an inside-outside game for the Blue Eagles as Rabeh and Nonoy Baclao mans the paint while Eric Salamat creates for his teammates and make sure Jai Reyes, Ryan Buenafe, Eman Monfort and Kirk Long to his those three's. The Blue Eagles needs to make sure Rabeh asserts himself on his inside and perimeter game and not let the defense frustrate him.

On defense, the Blue Eagles must keep Paul Lee in check, as they have done so this season against the Red Warriors. Salamat will be keeping his San Sebastian buddy on the perimeter while on the inside, Al-Hussaini and Baclao mans the paint and wait for Lee to prevent him from scoring bunches inside and creating for his teammates. The Blue Eagles must also keep Val Acuna in check at the perimeter to prevent the Red Warriors outside game from exploding.

Meanwhile the Red Warriors will now ask for Paul Lee to step up his game against the Blue Eagles as he and his UE teammates prove that they are capable of winning it all this time around. Backing Lee will be Elmer Espiritu and Pari Llagas

Coach Lawrence Chongson will still let his players go on the flow of the offense, but this time, with the toughest defensive team in the league and the defending Champions their facing, it will not be east for UE hotshot Paul Lee to breakdown the defense and create opportunities for the Red Warriors. Elmer Espiritu must keep doing what he does best by getting second chance points and hitting crucial mid-range jump shots, as Llagas must assert himself inside the paint. The others must also step up as guys like Val Acuna and Rudy Lingganay hit those outside shots.

On defense, Llagas and Espiritu must keep the composure they did against the Tamaraws on the Blue Eagles and make sure to get those defensive boards and prevent the Eagles from getting second chance points. Meanwhile Lee must prevent his buddy Salamat on creating shots for his teammates and the Red Warriors must shut down their outside shooters. The Red Warriors could also take the opportunity to frustrate Al-Hussaini and use Rabeh's hot-headedness to their advantage.

Prediction: UE will take this one, but this will go down the wire in three games.

9/22/2009

Bizarre Moments in the PBA this Decade


The decade is now ending, and we'll take a look back on some of the bizarre moments in the PBA from 2000-09.

1. Chot Reyes calls a timeout for a shooting clinic - This one happened in the 2006-07 Philippine Cup Finals, when Chot Reyes, who was coaching the San Miguel Beermen was furious that his players are missing free throws, and decided to call a timeout and dictated his players to practice their free throws during the timeout!

2. Yeng Guiao elbows Dondon Hontiveros - During the 2006-07 Philippine Cup Semis, Hontiveros, who hit a three in front of the bench of the Red Bull Barako was running to get back in defense when Guiao, coach of Red Bull back then give Dondon some with his elbow and this triggered exchanges of furious words from SMB Assistant Coach Pido Jarencio and Guiao. Here is the video link to the incident.

3. Mark Caguioa announces to run naked - Ginebra star guard Mark Caguioa announces in Philippine Television that if Ginebra does not make it to the Finals, he will run naked along the roads of Roxas Boulevard. Caguioa said that it was just a joke that should not be taken seriously. Ginebra subsequently lost to Red Bull during its quarterfinals encounter after having a big lead and well, it was just a joke.

4. Yeng Guiao instructs his players to walkout - Another incident regarding Guiao. This is still from the same SMB-Red Bull series in 2006-07, and this time, Guiao, not happy with officiating decided to take matters into his hands, this is by taking all of his players out of the playing court. Subsequently, after the long wait, the game was restored and Red Bull, along with Guiao was fined worth half a million pesos.

5. Eala overturns Talk n' Text Game 1 Finals victory to Ginebra - Asi Taulava, who was just recently cleared by the Department of Justice that he is indeed a Filipino Citizen, played as they take on the Kings during the first game of the 2004-05 Philippine Cup Finals. Ginebra decided to file a protest since Taulava was still suspended and not allowed to play during that time. Noli Eala overturns the decision and Taulava was never allowed to play in the entire series.

if you have your bizarre moments to share this decade, share it here!

9/21/2009

Stags Re-writes History as they beat the Chiefs to go 15-0 in the NCAA Eliminations


The San Sebastian Golden Stags drubbed the Arellano University Chiefs 100-66 as Ian Sangalang led the Stags with 28 markers as the Stags writes history for a 15-0 record, the longest winning streak in the NCAA which also puts Rookie Head Coach Ato Agustin with the best start as a coach ever in the NCAA.

The Stags just dominated the game. not giving the Chiefs a single chance of making a comeback as Calvin Abueva added 12 points and 8 rebounds while giving a suffocating full-court press defense against the Chiefs as the Stags aim to get away from the rest of the pack and get that perfect sweep in the Eliminations to get an automatic Finals berth, but this will not be easy as they will face on the the Letran Knights, the JRU Heavy Bombers and the SBC Red Lions in their last 3 games of the Eliminations.

Meanwhile in the first game, the Mapua Institute of Technology Cardinals beats the Emilio Aguinaldo Generals 87-69 to improve to 4-12 as the Generals fell to 5-12 record.

Games on Wednesday will be the Angeles University Foundation Great Danes taking on the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers at 2pm as the College of Saint Benilde Blazers take on the San Beda Red Lions at 4pm. The Heavy Bombers and the Red Lions aim to win as both teams fight for that 2nd place and that twice-to-beat advantage heading into the Final Four.

9/19/2009

Paul Lee leads the Red Warriors' 2nd ever UAAP Final Four win

Paul Lee waxed hot in the last 5 minutes of the game on his way to 26 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists as the University of the East Red Warriors beat the Far Eastern University Tamaraws.

Val Acuna started the three point barrage of the Red Warriors as he scored 11 of his 17 points in the 1st quarter. Parry Llagas asserted himself inside as he posted 19 points and 12 rebounds to help the Red Warriors get their 2nd ever Final Four win in the UAAP since the format was started in 1994.

Meanwhile, Aldrech Ramos and RR Garcia went on to score 12 points and 16 points respectively, as Paul Sanga tried to carry the Tamaraws with his outside shooting en route to scoring career-high 22 markers.

It was a close fought game until the 5 minute mark of the 4th, where Lee started his shooting barrage and the Tamaraws were never able to recover again as they were overshadowed these past few days with their former superstar guard and Smart Gilas co-captain Mark Barroca controversy regarding game fixing allegations.

The Red Warriors will face the Tamaraws again on Thursday as to see who advances to the UAAP Finals to face either the Ateneo Blue Eagles or the UST Growling Tigers, as the Blue Eagles and the Tigers start their Final Four encounter tomorrow, at the Araneta Coliseum.

9/18/2009

The NCAA Pre Final Four : Who says the NCAA is not as good as the UAAP? II


The UAAP Final Four starts this Saturday, and while the NCAA's season is still running, the Final Four teams of the NCAA is now settled, San Sebastian Stags, Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers, San Beda Red Lions, and the Letran Knights are in the Final Four. Although it seems the Final Four teams are now clinched, it does not mean the remaining games of the NCAA have no bearings and pretty much boring games, in fact it is the opposite, especially with the four teams in the Final Four and the Arellano University Chiefs, the most successful of the three guest teams this season. Let's have an outlook at each team's remaining games and see their chances in the Final Four.

1. San Sebastian College-Recoletos Golden Stags - If there were no guest teams this season and this was a usual conventional season of the NCAA, the Stags would have been in the Finals already with their 14-0 card. The Stags were not seen to be this big, but Rookie coach Ato Agustin was able to form this team and build on the last season's good campaign to revive the Stags' winning tradition. Although they are set on going 18-0, it will not be easy, as the face the top 5 teams in the last 4 games. They are set to take on Arellano, Letran, Jose Rizal and San Beda in the final game of the season. This is no easy task if the Stags wants a ticket at an outright Finals berth but if the Stags will be able to write history, this is something that could never happen again in a long time for Philippine Basketball, especially with a Rookie Head Coach in Ato Agustin.

2. Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers - After beating the Red Lions to regain the number 2 slot, the chances of securing the number two slot seems bright for JRU, as they warm up against the Angeles University Foundation Great Danes to prepare for the big matchup against the undefeated Stags, which will be crucial to both teams placing in the standings for the Final Four. This is a big game for JRU if they wish to maintain a top two spot this season, they must get this one against the San Sebastian Golden Stags. The Bombers will end the Eliminations against the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals, as they have this big chance of securing the number two slot with a lighter schedule than the Red Lions.

3. San Beda Red Lions - Losing to the Heavy Bombers does not help their campaign this season, especially on getting that crucial second spot for the twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four. The Lions have a chance to get back on winning track as they face the College of Saint Benilde Blazers, but then things will start to get rough as they next face the Colegio de San Juan Letran Knights, and the San Sebastian Golden Stags. The Red Lions' schedule is tougher than the Heavy Bombers but this will be a test of their character as a team heading into the Final Four as they aim to get that number two spot.

4. Colegio de San Juan Letran Knights - Well well well, the Chiefs have shot themselves in the foot, and this means the Letran Knights have clinched the Final Four slot. Now, the Knights has a very very slim chance for the number 2 slot if the Heavy Bombers or the Red Lions lose their three remaining games, which is very unlikely as these two teams are fighting to win games to get that number 2 seed themselves. The Knights face off two of their biggest rivals, the Golden Stags and the Red Lions to end their season and to prepare for their Final Four encounter.

5. Arellano University Chiefs - I take back what I said on the first article, they did not show any heart and passion on the game against the Mapua Cardinals as they ended their Final Four chances by losing to the Cardinals badly, 74-59. What seems to be a successful first apperance is now starting to become a disappointment, as the Chiefs are now on a 4 game losing skid and this streak might extend to 5 as they face on the San Sebastian Stags next. They can still duke it out on the last two games against the University of Perpetual Help Altas and the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals to end the season on a winning note.

The NCAA Pre-Final Four : Who says the NCAA is not as good as the UAAP?


The UAAP Final Four starts this Saturday, and while the NCAA's season is still running, the Final Four teams of the NCAA is pretty much settled, while guest team Arellano University Chiefs are keeping their hopes alive, San Sebastian Stags, Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers, San Beda Red Lions, and the Letran Knights are in most likely in the Final Four. Although it seems pretty much settled, it does not mean the remaining games of the NCAA have no bearings and pretty much boring games, in fact it is the opposite, especially with the five teams in contention for the Final Four. Let's have an outlook at each team's remaining games and see their chances in the Final Four.

1. San Sebastian College-Recoletos Golden Stags - If there were no guest teams this season and this was a usual conventional season of the NCAA, the Stags would have been in the Finals already with their 14-0 card. The Stags were not seen to be this big, but Rookie coach Ato Agustin was able to form this team and build on the last season's good campaign to revive the Stags' winning tradition. Although they are set on going 18-0, it will not be easy, as the face the top 5 teams in the last 4 games. They are set to take on Arellano, Letran, Jose Rizal and San Beda in the final game of the season. This is no easy task if the Stags wants a ticket at an outright Finals berth but if the Stags will be able to write history, this is something that could never happen again in a long time for Philippine Basketball, especially with a Rookie Head Coach in Ato Agustin.

2. Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers - After beating the Red Lions to regain the number 2 slot, the chances of securing the number two slot seems bright for JRU, as they warm up against the Angeles University Foundation Great Danes to prepare for the big matchup against the undefeated Stags, which will be crucial to both teams placing in the standings for the Final Four. This is a big game for JRU if they wish to maintain a top two spot this season, they must get this one against the San Sebastian Golden Stags. The Bombers will end the Eliminations against the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals, as they have this big chance of securing the number two slot with a lighter schedule than the Red Lions.

3. San Beda Red Lions - Losing to the Heavy Bombers does not help their campaign this season, especially on getting that crucial second spot for the twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four. The Lions have a chance to get back on winning track as they face the College of Saint Benilde Blazers, but then things will start to get rough as they next face the Colegio de San Juan Letran Knights, and the San Sebastian Golden Stags. The Red Lions' schedule is tougher than the Heavy Bombers but this will be a test of their character as a team heading into the Final Four as they aim to get that number two spot.

4. Colegio de San Juan Letran Knights - They pretty much have secured the number 4 slot, but it will still not be easy as their last two remaining games will be against the top 3 of the league, the San Sebastian Golden Stags and San Beda Red Lions. The Knights will be hoping that the Golden Stags will finish off the Arellano University Chiefs to secure their Final Four slot, as the chiefs will be having a pretty much light schedule. So unless an upset happens and the Knights and Chiefs will battle for a playoff spot, it is likely that the Knights will be at the number 4 slot come the end of the Elimination round.

5. Arellano University Chiefs - The guest team of the NCAA this season is making sure that their appearance in the last Philippine Collegiate Championship top 8 is no fluke, by having a 7-7 record and still having a slim chance at making the Final Four while wishing for Letran to lose its final two games, the Chiefs pretty much have a chance at it, as they start off against the Mapua Institute of Technology Cardinals, and then the crucial game against the San Sebastian Golden Stags, and in case of an upset and they beat the Stags, they pretty much have a light schedule as they face the University of Perpetual Help Altas and the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals to top off a successful first season appearance in the NCAA.

9/17/2009

The UAAP Final Four Matchup


It's been two rounds of basketball, 14 games involving 8 teams, and now only four remains after all the drama, upsets and jubilance, the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles, Far Eastern University Tamaraws, University of the East Red Warriors, and the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers will square it out for the battle for the 2009 UAAP Basketball supremacy.

The ADMU Blue Eagles and the FEU Tamaraws have a twice to beat advantage against the UST Growling Tigers and the UE Red Warriors respectively. However, with the on-court drama and even off the court, this is starting to heat up between the participants and it is time to breakdown the matchup of the Final Four teams.

Ateneo De Manila University Blue Eagles vs. University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers

A reminiscent of the 2006 Championship. Similarly to the 2006 Championship, the Tigers are fighting for survival as the Blue Eagles have a twice-to-beat advantage. The Tigers have never lost a do-or-die game under coach Pido Jarencio's tenure with the team, but the Tigers are not looking so well heading into Sunday, as they have lost 3 straight games to finish the Eliminations at 6-8, as the Blue Eagles dominated the Elimination round with a 13-1 slate.

As the defending champions, the Blue Eagles will be spearheaded by Eric Salamat and last year's MVP and Smart Gilas member, Rabeh Al-Hussaini. Unlike in 2008 where they had Chris Tiu stepping up in the crucial moments, the Eagles will be expecting Salamat to carry them this time around, as his scoring and defense will surely of big help to the Eagles' cause. Meanwhile, Coach Norman Black will want Rabeh to be dominating the paint with Nonoy Baclao against the thin frontline of the Tigers. While it is expected that Salamat and Rabeh will carry the scoring load, it is crucial for the Blue Eagles' shooters Jai Reyes, Eman Monfort and Kirk Long to hit the long three's, while Baclao and Al-Hussaini needs to assert their presence inside and take advantage of their height to keep the Tigers out of their game, especially Ababou, Mirza and Teng. It will be best for Ateneo to slow the tempo down and not be tempted to the Tigers' running game, as the Blue Eagles does not want to give Ababou, Mirza and Teng a spark on their offense and running game.

Meanwhile, the Tigers will be led by the Smart Gilas member and MVP candidate Dylan Ababou, Khasim Mirza and the uprising rookie Jeric Teng. As for the Tigers, Pido Jarencio needs to make sure Ababou, Mirza and Teng gets it going on offense, while the team must double its effort on defense, particularly on Al-Hussaini and Salamat while closing out the shooters of Ateneo to have themselves a chance. It is also crucial for Chris Camus to avoid foul trouble, as the Tigers' frontline is not as deep compared to the Blue Eagles. The Tigers also has to make sure they get the defensive boards and not let the twin towers of Ateneo to score on putbacks and second chance points, and by getting rebounds, this could ignite a fastbreak opportunity to spark their offensive game. For the Tigers to have a better chance of defeating the Blue Eagles, Jeric Fortuna and Camus must play their hearts out, and Fortuna needs to make smart decisions on the court and hit the threes, as Camus needs to assert himself inside to make Al-Hussaini and Baclao feel that this will not be a walk in the park inside.

Prediction: Blue Eagles beats the Tigers on first try.

Far Eastern University Tamaraws vs University of the East Red Warriors

When I said earlier that even off the court, there is drama, I mean this. Mark Barroca goes out of FEU campaign this season and will focus on Smart Gilas and his studies instead due to game-fixing allegations on him. Looks like Barroca did not like the accusation, and decided to quit altogether in the middle of the season, which means this puts a dent on the Tamaraws' campaign after they finished the eliminations with a 11-3 record and opens up a chance for the Red Warriors to get a Finals slot this season, who ended with a 10-4 slate.

Now that the Tamaraws' will not be expecting Smart Gilas co-captain Mark Barroca's services, expect Glen Capacio's players to shift their offense with RR Garcia and Aldrech Ramos. Garcia needs to create plays for his teammates and himself to keep the Tamaraws' offense flowing, and the defense will be kept in check with the presence of Reil Cervantes and Ramos inside. JR Cawaling needs to step up his offensive game and Paul Sanga needs to hit those three point shots while Ramos should keep his game by moving without the ball and scoring on putbacks or pick n' rolls and Reil Cervantes must assert himself inside. For the Tamaraws', their chances now depends on Garcia, and partly on Jens Knuttel to step-up on playmaking duties, and while the Tamaraws' might be shocked that Barroca just quitted, this could be Garcia's chance to shine on the biggest stage of the season.

Meanwhile, Barroca's absence means the chances of the Red Warriors looks as good as ever. The free-flowing offense of coach Lawrance Chongson is starting to bloom, as evidenced by beating the Tamaraws' in their second meeting and by having a 6-game winning streak heading into the Final Four. Paul Lee, Pari Llagas and Elmer Espiritu will surely carry the Red Warriors offense. Lee needs to maintain on doing good decisions on the court while being more consistent on his scoring, as Llagas, like Cervantes needs to assert himself inside the court, and Espiritu's job will be similar to Ramos, by moving off the ball and aiming for those offensive rebounds and get second chance points. The battle of the frontline of the two teams will be interesting as Llagas-Espiritu and Cervantes-Ramos plays similar roles. Val Acuna needs to make sure that he uses the opportunity Paul Lee will be creating for him and score in bunches. The Red Warriors also has to make sure to stop RR Garcia, as most likely be the focal point of the Tamaraws' offense now that Barroca is out of the Tamaraws' lineup. This will be a battle of who wants to win more as teams are pretty similar in talent, although the favor now shifts slightly to UE after the Barroca debacle.

Prediction: UE will take this one, but this will go down the wire.

9/01/2009

James Yap Interview on China, FIBA Asia 2009


Well, since I am still taking my time to post something on this blog, will post one of the more popular players in Philippine Basketball being interviewed during the FIBA Asia 2009 in Tianjin, China, James "Hotdog... You know hotdog?" Yap

Click the url below to see the interview.

http://sports.qq.com/a/20090812/000432.htm

This is quite late but.. better late than never!