Pro league to tackle sale of Sta. Lucia

(From Manila Standard)   

PHILIPPINE Basketball Association Chairman Rene Pardo said the sale of the Sta. Lucia Realty franchise to Meralco is likely to be formalized during the board of governors’ meeting on Aug. 10.

Pardo said it was sad to see the departure of former chairman and Sta. Lucia Realty governor Buddy Encarnado, who has been associated with the PBA for the past 18 years.

After months of speculation, the deal was finalized last Friday with the payment of the final installment by Meralco. The approval of the PBA board is likely to be a mere formality.

However, there was some good news for the PBA concerning another troubled franchise – Barako Bull, whose board representative lawyer Manny Mendoza informed the board that they plan to participate in the coming 2010-2011 season.

“We asked them outright what their plans were because it would be difficult if they suddenly leave,” said Pardo.

However, he disclosed that Commissioner Sonny Barrios had spoken to Barako Bull team owner George Chua and he had signified their intention to participate.

Pardo pointed out that the co-branding plan, which the PBA is formalizing, “would allow teams to accept a subsidiary or a non-competitive company,” which would be allowed to use their logo on the playing jerseys and help the team financially in exchange for the exposure.

The chairman said it was done in the on-going conference on an experimental basis, with Harbour Center of Mikee Romero teaming up with Barako Bull.

Chito: I’m here to make a difference

(From Manila Standard)

CHITO Loyzaga, like the rest of his siblings, grew up in the shadow of his father Caloy, one of the greatest Filipino basketball players that ever lived.

The elder Loyzaga, a former Olympian, was immortalized by sports historians and named as The Big Difference, for both his scoring and defensive prowess.

Chito went on to earn his own laurels, playing for National Collegiate Athletic Association champion team San Beda College and later in the Philippine Basketball Association, where he won a number of titles for Toyota, Great Taste and Ginebra.

Like his father before him, Chito suited up for the national team, and helped the RP squad win a silver medal in the 1990 Beijing Asian Games.

But Chito, now 52, said that he didn’t expect that he would play a totally different role when he was named as one of the new commissioners of the Philippine Sports Commission, along with former tennis head Buddy Andrada and baseball’s Jolly Gomez.

“This (role as PSC commissioner) is certainly a big challenge for me, a test of my character and capabilities. In truth, I wasn’t really expecting it (to happen), but since I really love sports and has been involved with it even after my playing days, I recognized the opportunity to be able to help national athletes realize their dreams.”

He added: “ I was a national athlete before, same with my father and brother Joey, and I know how it feels to represent the country and experience goosebumps when the Philippine flag is raised. I guess this is simple a way of giving back what I have gained from sports. You can say I was at the right place at the right time.”

After his playing days, Loyzaga had stints as a PBA team manager and commissioner of the now-defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association. He also helped organize baseball tournaments with a company he formed with the late Jun Bernardino, among others.

This is why when he accepted the PSC post, he had to make some sacrifices to fully focus on his new job.

“I had to divest myself from business so there would be no conflict of interest, and it has been a long time since I have been reporting to office on a daily basis. I expect to be very busy and to be on the go all the time even as our roles still have not been clearly defined as we had a late turn-over,” Loyzaga added.

It helps that his family, particularly his wife Toni, shares his deep love for sports. It also works to his advantage that his two older kids are now grown-ups and reside in Scotland and Australia.

Loyzaga, though, pointed out that he accepted the job as PSC Commissioner not for his personal interest.

“I am not here for any personal gain, this is not about me at all, but about the athletes. I know there will be a lot of expectations and I am ready to buckle down to work,” he said.

He didn’t have to say it in many words, but Chito wants to make a big difference, too, just like his father.

WITH JOB ON THE LINE, DANIELS LEADS TNT IN 83-62 ROUT OF ALASKA; SERIES NOW TIED 2-ALL

(From PBA)

Under the threat of being replaced, Shawn Daniels asserted himself in Game 4 as Talk ‘N Text bowled over Alaska, 83-62 Wednesday to even their PBA Fiesta Conference semifinal series at two games apiece at the Cuneta Astrodome.

The portly import scored 13 points to share scoring honors with teammate Jason Castro and grabbed 14 rebounds in a game that may decide his fate with the team.

“Now I am faced with a good problem,” said TNT coach Chot Reyes, who had told Daniels of his impending decision should the team suffered a second straight loss.

Reyes said Daniels’ deteriorating performance prompted him to take a drastic move for the good of the team.

“We know that Shawn is not a scorer. But he’s got to rebound and defend. It’s a big disadvantage for the locals if Diamon Simpson (Alaska import) will get away with double-doubles,” Reyes emphasized.

TNT’s standby import, Omar Shariff Sneed, arrived Wednesday evening and watched Game 4 at ringside beside team owner Manny Pangilinan.

“We’ll make a decision tomorrow (Thursday) after practice,” Reyes said, adding will consult with his coaching staff and some of his players before making a decision.

Game 5 of the best-of-seven series is set Friday at the Araneta Coliseum.

Apparently, the presence of Sneed became a challenge for Daniels who never gave Simpson a chance to roam around the lane.

With Simpson held in check, the Aces tried to look for other offensive sources but no one else clicked.

Mark Cardona collected 11 points and Jimmy Alapag added 10 and 11 assists for the Tropang Texters, who held off a second quarter charge by the Aces before ripping the game wide open in the third quarter.

Alaska’s total output was the lowest for the franchise in the last nine conferences.

Simpson took just nine attempts, made six and finished with a conference-low 12 points that went with his 12 rebounds.

The only other Ace who managed to score in double digit was back-up center Samigue Eman, with 11, his highest in an Alaska uniform. As a team Alaska shot just 35 percent (25 of 70) and committed 19 turnovers, nine more that TNT.

Alaska appeared to have gained momentum in the second quarter when it went on an 8-0 run that shoved the Aces ahead, 27-24.

But the Ranidel de Ocampo and Daniels quickly responded with successive baskets as TNT outscored Alaska, 22-5, over a seven minute stretch for a comfortable 46-33 advantage at halftime.

The Aces never recovered after that as Talk 'N Text even went on to lead by as many as 24 in the second half. (DBC)

The scores:

Talk N' Text 83 - Castro 13, Daniels 13, Cardona 11, Alapag 10, Yee 8, De Ocampo 8, Carey 8, Dillinger 5, Williams 5, Quinahan 2.

Alaska 62 - Simpson 12, Eman 11, Baguio 7, Dela Cruz 7, De Vance 6, Tenorio 6, Borboran 5, Thoss 5, Hugnatan 2, Fonacier 1, Robinson 0, Cariaso 0.

Quarterscores: 20-18, 46-33, 69-45, 83-62

BEERMEN SILENCE B-MEG'S GUNS ANEW, MOVE A WIN CLOSER TO FINALS

(From PBA)

Mighty San Miguel Beer is a game away from gaining a shot at back-to-back PBA Fiesta Conference championships.

The Beermen, the reigning champs with fresher legs, wore down the B-MEG Derby Ace Llamados, 83-75, to move in the doorstep of the finals Wednesday at the Cuneta Astrodome.

Cashing in heavily on their domination off the boards, the Beermen opened a 14-point spread, 75-61, midway through the final period and went on to get the pivotal 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven semifinal series.

The Beermen take the first of their three cracks at securing a final seat Friday at the Araneta Coliseum.

SMB coach Siot Tanquingcen said they would not take anything for granted, believing Derby Ace is capable of overcoming tough adversity.

Derby Ace coach Ryan Gregorio, meanwhile, vowed they wouldn’t stop fighting until the fighting is over.

For the record, the SMC-Purefoods Hormel franchise has successfully climbed out of two 0-2 and one 1-3 holes in best-of-seven series.

Gregorio, however, admitted they’re facing so enormous a task this time.

Game Four showed indications fatigue is taking its toll on Derby Ace.

“Yes, we can see Derby Ace is exhausted. Still, it wasn’t easy for us getting the win,” said Tanquingcen.

“We're manhandled in rebounding. It’s a familiar refrain, we’ll have a hard time against this team if we don’t get the rebounds,” said Gregorio.

The Beermen dominated the boards and scored heavily on second shots as they torched the Llamados in the final canto.

Gabe Freeman and Jay Washington both came through with double-double numbers and the whole SMB team snared 61 rebounds to Derby Aces’ 45.

The Llamados actually rallied to within four, 71-75, only to fade away again as they yielded crucial offensive rebounds.

Freeman had a monster performance, snaring 24 rebounds and putting in 22 points.

Tony Washam himself showed signs of slowing down, getting only 12 points and eight rebounds. (SB)

The scores:

San Miguel 83 - Freeman 22, Santos 12, Hontiveros 12, Washington 11, Yeo 7, Cabagnot 7, Ildefonso 7, Racela 3, Villanueva 2, Pena 0.

B-Meg Derby Ace 75 - Yap J. 18, Yap R. 15, Washam 12, Pingris 8, Maierhofer 6, Simon 6, Reavis 4, Canaleta 3, Artadi 2, Allado 1.

Quarters: 18-17, 36-34, 58-54, 83-75

Critical Game Four

(From Business World)

The semifinals of the ongoing Philippine Basketball Association Fiesta Conference hit the half-way mark today as the pairings engage in Game Four of their respective best-of-seven affairs; a critical juncture if ever there was one as it has the potential to make or break one team’s bid.

Going into the encounters the San Miguel Beermen and Alaska Aces carry a slight psychological advantage over the Derby Ace Llamados and Talk ’N Text Tropang Texters, respectively, as they are sporting a 2-1 series advantage. A victory by the Beermen and Aces propels them to solid footing as they move one step away from the magic number of 4 (victories) to advance to the finale. The Llamados and Texters emerging triumphant, however, changes the tone of both series.

But as the last two games in both brackets have taken the "unpredictable" route, calling the outcome of Game Four would be difficult to do.

Coming off an inspiring victory previously, the Beermen are on a high. Fashioning a come-from-behind triumph in Game Three they showed how flexible they are as a group in taking head-on whatever thrown their way. Key for San Miguel is its frontline which has outplayed its counterpart to date. Gabe Freeman (18.3 ppg, 18.6 rpg), Jay Washington (17.6 ppg, 7.6 rpg) and Arwind Santos (14 ppg, 5.6 rpg) have all been delivering in more ways than one to much success for their team. Focus and execution should be guarded upon though, as the team has also shown tendencies to lose grip at various stretches, opening opportunities for its opponent.

While by and large its frontcourt has been held in check by the Beermen, Derby Ace’s big men are still competing in all fairness. Import Tony Washam (26 ppg, 8.3 rpg) is still solid while Don Allado (8.3 ppg, 9.3 rpg) is surprisingly holding his own. But outside of the two, nobody from the team’s biggies has shown up on a consistent basis like they did in the earlier rounds. Luckily guard James Yap (19.6 ppg) is holding up his strong play up to this point to somehow cushion the team.

Consistency

If there is anything that is keeping Alaska humming in its series it is the fact that it is getting more consistency from its wards compared to its foe, most especially from its starters which have accounted for 70% of the team’s offensive output in the games that have been played. Most impressive has been import Diamon Simpson who is churning out stud-like numbers of 25 points and 16.6 rebounds in the series. A concern for the Aces, however, is the continued good performance of their bench to negate the depth advantage that Talk ’N Text has. Reserves Reynel Hugnatan (10 ppg), Larry Fonacier (8 ppg) and Tony Dela Cruz (5.3 ppg) have been chipping their fair share especially in their victories, but may need to add up some more as the series goes deep.

Talk ’N Text, for its part, has been blowing hot and cold, affecting its ability to put up a solid fight in the series. Of its players, it is only Ranidel De Ocampo (17 ppg, 6 rpg) and Harvey Carey (10.6 ppg, 8.3 rpg) who have been the most steady game in and game out. The rest have had their moments so far in the series but have not really put their stamp to it. Even import Shawn Daniels (9.3 ppg, 9.3 rpg) is performing "subpar" considering what is at stake. But the thing about the Texters is that they are an explosive lot, and when they do click all at the same time (and Game Four could very well be it) the possibilities are immense; making it hard to discount them altogether even if they are currently down.

Hitting an all-important point in the competition, today’s Game Four has an added significance to it. It could well be the series here, for all we know.

Leaders air common strategy

(From Business Mirror)

Alaska and San Miguel Beer will be working to increase the pressure on their rivals and inch closer toward a possible championship showdown in the Philippine Basketball Association Fiesta Conference.

The two teams regained control of their respective semifinal match-ups with down-the-wire victories on Sunday, which Alaska coach Tim Cone described as “very crucial.”

A 90-86 win gave Alaska a 2-1 lead over Talk ’N Text in the best-of-seven series. That allowed the Aces to relax in practice on Monday and Tuesday.

“We’re hoping the extra day break has refreshed us and we go into Game Four on even terms with TNT,” said Cone of their 5 o’clock encounter with the Tropang Texters on Wednesday at the Astrodome.

The Alaska coach is expecting TNT to come back strong in Game Four as it did in Game Two, so he is keeping his fingers crossed the Aces would be able to fan a streak.

“Usually, the team who can win back-to-back in a series wins it,” Cone said.

With import Diamon Simpson asserting his dominance over counterpart Shawn Daniels and LA Tenorio taking charge when the going gets tough, Cone has a reason to be optimistic.

Cone has won 12 championships for Alaska and his last one came in 2007 in the same conference also at the expense of TNT, then coached by Joel Banal, who is now one of his assistants.

Momentum may be on Alaska’s side but Chot Reyes, coach of the top-seeded Texters, is confident his chargers will rise to the challenge and tie the series.

All they have to do, he said, is to contain Simpson and match Alaska’s aggressiveness.

“We lost Game Three because Simpson is thoroughly dominating Daniels and they [Aces] took 34 free throws to our 13. If we’re able to solve at least one of these then we’ll have a chance in Game Four,” Reyes said.

For San Miguel Beer coach Siot Tanquingcen, their ability to play tough defense will be key to winning Game Four against B-Meg Derby Ace.

Making his ninth semifinal appearance, Tanquingcen said he expects their 7:30 p.m. encounter against the Llamados to be as close as Game Three which they won, 74-70.

“Nothing will be given to you in this series. You will have to work for it,” Tanquingcen said.

The Llamados remain upbeat despite Sunday’s loss but will have to improve on their shooting to be able to compete against the Beermen, according to B-Meg Derby Ace coach Ryan Gregorio.

“Our offense [in Game Three] was pathetic. We only scored 70 points after exploding with 95 points in Game Two. We know for a fact that we couldn’t win against SMB if we don’t score in the high 90s,” Gregorio said.

He gave his troops a break on Monday to enable them to recharge.

“We have no legs last Sunday, something that worries me because I have a short rotation which means that my players play longer minutes.” Gregorio said.

Marata, Lanete named as week's top collegiate cagers

(From GMA News)

Two players who came from basketball-oriented families unleashed their firepower and towed their respective teams to victories in the UAAP and NCAA men’s basketball tournaments.

Samuel Joseph Marata, nephew of the late Ric-Ric Marata, and Garvo Lanete, younger brother of PBA guard Chico Lanete, were the hands down choice for Players of the Week by the scribes covering the country’s premier collegiate games.

The younger Marata tore a page from his uncle’s gun-slinging ways in the Philippine Basketball Association as he kept his La Salle Archers on target to shoot down archrival and two-time defending champion Ateneo Eagles, 66-63, in their teams’ first encounter in the UAAP this season.

Samuel connected on all his four three-point attempts, including two inside the final minute, as the Archers completed a dramatic come-from-behind victory.

With Marata hitting the lights out, La Salle was able to snap a six-game losing skein against Ateneo dating back 2008.

"I think it was him," said Marata, referring to his uncle regarded as one of the best shooters in the history of local basketball. "Maybe, he guided those shots, that's why it went in."

Lanete, on the other hamd, emerged as the new main gunner of San Beda.

Lanete affirmed the role as his team’s top gun and propelled his squad to four straight victories.

The Lions’ sizzling performance catapulted them on top of the standings alongside defending champion San Sebastian Stags.

Against San Beda’s 77-60 win over fierce rival Letran, Lanete best typified the role of go-to-guy. He knocked in 22 points, highlighted by three triples, as the Lions pulled away and didn’t look back.

His impressive show was more than enough to earn the scribes’ nod and become the NCAA Pres Corps Player of the Week.

“He plays good and knows when to step up. He can deliver big shots at any given time, that’s how good this kid is," said San Beda coach Frankie Lim, whose squad beat Letran for the eighth consecutive time dating back 2007.

ALASKA ACES UP, 2-1

(From PBA)

LA Tenorio outshone Jimmy Alapag in Game One then the Talk n Text point guard turned things around in the next game.

Being upstaged for the second straight game, Tenorio stole the thunder in the end as Alaska Milk upended Talk n Text, 90-86, for the crucial 2-1 lead in their PBA Fiesta Conference best-of-seven semifinal showdown at the Araneta Coliseum Sunday night.

Tenorio struggled most of the way but delivered when needed the most as the Aces moved to within two games of the finals.

The former Ateneo star guard scored all of their last seven points after being held down to two points in the first 47 minutes of play.

“LA was as calm as a cucumber. He reminds me of Jojo Lastimosa who used to be our Mr. Fourth Quarter Man. LA just doesn’t get rattled in pressure-packed situations,” said Alaska coach Tim Cone.

Tenorio banged away a three-pointer and nailed four charities in the last 45 seconds, negating Alapag’s 17 points, nine assists, five rebounds and three steals.

Diamon Simpson carried the fight for Alaska early on, coming through with 31 points, 20 rebounds, five assists, three steals and one block in a splendid 46-minute outing.

“Diamon was a monster out there. It helped to be 22, playing a third game in five days. I was thinking of resting him but I said ‘oh, he’s only 22,’” said Cone of his prized import.

Macmac Cardona, TnT’s leading scorer with an average of 17 points a game, groped for form in his first game after his wedding Friday, getting only six points on 3-of-6 shooting.

Ranidel de Ocampo paced the Texters with 18 points but he incurred a crucial offensive foul that hastened their downfall.

The Texters were down by only two, 84-86, when De Ocampo charged into Reynel Hugnatan with 26 seconds to go.

Kelly Williams was forced to give up a foul 11 seconds later, and Tenorio coolly sank two charities to make it 88-84.

Cone said it’s a big win for them going to a two-day break.

“We have a chance to refresh and play them on even terms Wednesday,” said Cone. “It would've been a lot difficult had we lost this game.” (SB)

The scores:

Alaska 90 -- Simpson 31, Hugnatan 12, Fonacier 11, Tenorio 9, De Vance 7, Baguio 7, Dela Cruz 6, Thoss 5, Borboran 2.

TNT 86 – De Ocampo 18, Alapag 17, Reyes 14, Carey 12, Dillinger 9, Williams 6, Cardona 6, Daniels 4, Castro 0.

Quarters: 17-24; 40-37; 61-65; 90-86

BEERMEN GIVE LLAMADOS DOSE OF THEIR OWN MEDICINE, NOW LEAD 2-1

(From PBA)

THERE is another side to San Miguel Beer it fully bared to B-Meg Derby Ace Sunday.

The Beermen were at their most awesome on the defensive end in hacking out a 74-70 victory and wresting back the upper hand in their PBA Fiesta Conference semifinals series at the Araneta Coliseum.

Arwind Santos drained a crucial right corner triple that shattered the last deadlock and pegged a 73-70 count, still 65 seconds to go, before SMB harried Derby Ace into muffing three of its last four offensive thrusts.

The only other Llamados possession resulted in a decisive inbounding error and led to a charity by Dondon Hontiveros for the final count, only 21.7 ticks left.

That tough defensive stance after being jolted by several 12-point deficits early enabled SMB to hold Derby Ace to just 25 points in the second half, both a conference low and season-tying worst for the league.

It also resulted in the win that bounced the Beermen back from a numbing 94-95 loss in the best-of-seven duel’s Game 2 only last Friday and made coach Siot Tanquingcen beam about his charges’ overall defensive efforts.

“It was a conscious effort on our part,” said Tanquingcen, whose team also won the opener 101-88.

“Even if people say we have some good talent on the offensive end, talent can only get you so far, eh. Pagdating ng playoffs everybody’s talented naman, so you have to make stops to give yourself some chance to get ahead a little.”

Only Tony Washam’s step-back jumper at the final 1:23 mark was the only endgame field goal allowed by SMB, which went into the series ranked behind Derby Ace in points allowed during the eliminations but now leads all semifinalists in that category.

Prior to that twinner, Washam’s back-to-the-basket tip-in gave Derby Ace a 68-65 lead which soon vanished in the last 4:46.

B-Meg Derby Ace wound up scoring 21, 13 and 12 points in the last three quarters and shot just 5-of-18 and 4-of-20 from the field in the third and fourth periods.

Ironically, B-Meg Derby Ace did the same to SMB in Game 2, enabling the Llamados to come charging back from an early 18-point deficit.

Aside from anchoring the defense on James Yap, Hontiveros led SMB with 17 points, while Gabe Freeman bucked foul trouble to finish with 14 points and a gamehigh 20 rebounds.

Washam paced B-Meg Derby Ace with 22 points, including half of his team’s fourth quarter output. James Yap chipped in 17 but he went 0-of-4 from the field in the fourth.

Veteran Olsen Racela typified the Beermen’s defense by going on an all-out sprint and blocking from behind KG Canaleta’s buzzer-beating triple try just before the third period ended, foiling the latter’s bid to add on to his team’s 58-57 edge.

That play not only drew appreciative cheers from the hordes of fans who braved the heavy rains and floods to watch the games, but also inspired the rest of the Beermen to intensify their efforts.

It also planted the seeds of doubt on the collective minds of the Llamados, who opened up the game 13-1, led by as much as 17 in the second and still enjoyed a 45-33 halftime lead. (NC)

The scores:

San Miguel Beer  74 – Hontiveros 17, Freeman 14, Washington 12, Santosd 8, Pena 6, Villanueva 5, Yeo 5, Cabagnot 5, Seigle 2, Racela 0, Ildefonso 0.

B-Meg Derby Ace 70 – Washam 22, Yap J. 17, Allado 10, Timberlake 5, Artadi 5, Pingris 4, Canaleta 3, Maierhofer 2, Salvador 0, Yap R. 0.

Quarterscores: 14-24; 33-45; 57-58; 74-70

UAAP: Adamson downs UST; FEU routs UP

(From Inquirer)

Adamson University continued its impressive play after warding off University of Santo Tomas, 75-71, Sunday in the 73rd UAAP men's basketball tournament at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

Dynamic guard Lester Alvarez took charge in the end game en route to a team-high 22 points, four of which came from long distance for the Faclons, who are now tied with La Salle in second place with a 3-1 slate.

Jeric Teng, meanwhile, exploded with a game-high 23 markers on 7-of-14 shooting from the three-point area for the Tigers, who suffered its second setback in four stints.

UST once again caught fire from downtown as it tied its own record for most three-point shots with 16, a mark it set against UP in its last game.

In the first game, the Far Eastern University rolled to its fourth straight victory in the 94-70 drubbing of University of the Philippines.

Terrence Romeo led all scorers with 21 points on three-of-five shooting from beyond the arch as the Tamaraws brought the Maroons its fourth straight loss.

B-MEG TIES SERIES ON WALSHAM HEROICS

(From PBA)

MAKING the game’s biggest offensive play wasn’t enough for Tony Washam. He preserved it by pulling off the game’s biggest stop, too.

Derby Ace’s prolific import completed a three-point play with 7.9 seconds remaining, and then added further luster to it with a steal in the subsequent possession, and the Llamados successfully fought back from an 18-point deficit in a gut-wrenching 95-94 victory over San Miguel Beer Friday night in the PBA Fiesta Conference at the Araneta Coliseum.

The man who struggled in the series opener on 6-of-18 field-goal shooting scored 33 points, 10 coming in the final period punctuated by a strong move to the basket. He connected on a lay-up, drew the sixth and final foul from Gabe Freeman and sank the bonus shot as Derby Ace tied the series at one game apiece.

But before the Llamados could celebrate, they still had to go through a tense moment in the Beermen’s final offensive play. As it turned out, Washam was there again to save them.

Washam stole the ball from the blind side when Danny Seigle attempted to make a pirouette move inside the paint, and then hurled the ball up onto their front court as he recovered the ball.

“It’s always nice to win against San Miguel Beer,” said Llamados coach Ryan Greogorio. “We’re back from scratch and let’s just hope we can pull off an upset. But there are still a lot of things we have to improve on. The rewards are really tremendous if you win against a highly fancied team.”

Playing in his only fourth game in the league, Washam also pulled down seven rebounds and four steals, and James Yap added 18 points and nine rebounds for Derby Ace, which was nearly written off after getting buried by a 45-27 deficit in the second period.

Don Allado contributed 15 points despite fouling out with 4:38 left to play for the Llamados, who conquered the Beermen despite being outrebounded 50-39 and shooting merely 37.8 percent from the field (31-of-82).

“The other thing we have to work on is how to figure out a way to score easy baskets,” said Gregorio. “We’re practically bleeding. That’s goes to show how tough their defense is.”

No one, though, will question how determined these Llamados are.

They didn’t give up when San Miguel threatened to rip the game wide open in the first half, never lost hope when, after coming to within 57-53, the Beermen stormed back to a double-digit lead at 70-57 late in the third period.

And they never waived the white flag when Alex Cabagnot had a split from the line to push the Beermen to a 94-92 lead.

With no more time-out left, Derby Ace ran its offensive play as if it was implanted on the players’ memory. Washam took the ball at long court, before beating Arwind Santos with his first step and driving hard to the basket.

Santos had 19 points to lead the Beermen in scoring, while Freeman had another monster game that went to the trash bin with 18 points and 21 rebounds.

The scores:

B-Meg Derby Ace (95) - Washam 33, Yap J. 18, Allado 15, Yap R. 9, Pingris 6, Reavis 5, Timberlake 2, Salvador 2, Artadi 2, Simon 2, Maierhofer 1, Canaleta 0.

San Miguel Beer (94) - Santos 19, Freeman 18, Washington 13, Hontiveros 9, Ildefonso 9, Villanueva 8, Cabagnot 8, Yeo 7, Seigle 3, Pena 0.

Quarterscores: 18-30, 45-57, 74-79, 95-94

TALK ‘N TEXT POINT GUARDS GET PAYBACK OVER TENORIO

(From PBA)

Jimmy Alapag, Ryan Reyes and Jason Castro responded to their coach’s challenge and Talk ‘N Text rebounded from its embarrassing defeat in Game 1.

Alapag had a brilliant second half where he scored all his 25 points which helped propel the Tropang Texters to a 100-94 victory against the Alaska Aces Friday and evened their PBA Fiesta Conference semifinals series at one game apiece.

“L.A. Tenorio manhandled us in Game 1. So the challenge for Jimmy and Jason (Castro) was to make sure it does not happen again,” said Talk 'N Text head coach Chot Reyes.

After a scoreless first half, Alapag made 8 of 11 shots in the second half, including 5 of 8 from the three-point range on the way to a double-double effort as he also had 10 assists.

Game 3 of the best-of-seven series is set Sunday (6 p.m.) also at the Araneta Coliseum.

Early in the game, it looked like the Tropang Texters were in trouble again as Joe Devance knocked in threes one after the other, putting the Aces in control.

The Alaska forward scored 16 points including 4-of-6 three-pointers in the opening half but he appeared to have lost his confidence in the endgame, passing up even on open looks that didn’t escape the attention of coach Tim Cone, who yelled at him to shoot late in the fourth.

Devance made just one attempt in the second half – a miss from the three-point arc.

“We gave up 27 points in the first seven minutes of the game but held them to just two the rest of the first quarter. From there we knew it was just a matter of matching their intensity in the second half,” related Reyes.

Alapag, who went 0-of-3 in the first half, picked up his rhythm in the third quarter and provided the spark the Tropang Texters needed. He scattered 12 points to singlehandedly rally Talk 'N Text, which outscored Alaska, 25-19 to pull within two points entering the fourth.

The count was tied at 72 with 8:39 remaining when Alapag made back-to-back threes that keyed off a telling 19-7 run. He had 13 points in that spurt, ending it with another three-pointer with 4:46 left that gave Talk 'N Text an 89-79 lead it never relinquished.

Besides Alapag, Castro and Ryan Reyes also stepped up big as TNT’s three-guard rotation more than made up for the absence of Mac Cardona, who missed Game 2 to marry his long time girlfriend Carissa.

Castro scored 17 points and had four assists while Reyes added 11, three assists and two steals. Even Kelly Williams, who was treated for dinner by Alaska forward Reynel Hugnatan in Game 1, also had an impressive game with 10 points and seven boards.

“We knew Macmac would not play and we were prepared without him. And we can’t use that as an excuse. So it’s important that Jason step up with Ryan,” Reyes said.

Diamon Simpson finished with 25 points and 14 rebounds but the Alaska import didn’t get enough support from the locals especially in the fourth.

Alaska made just 7 of 15 shots in the fourth while TNT went 11 of 16.

Cyrus Baguio scored 13 points and he and De Vance had three turnovers each as Alaska committed a total 17 for the game, seven more than TNT, which netted 16 points from those miscues. (DBC)

The scores:

Talk ‘N Text 100 - Alapag 25, Castro 17, De Ocampo 13, Reyes 11, Daniels 11, Williams 10, Carey 7, Dillinger 6, Quinahan 0, Lao 0.

Alaska 94 - Simpson 25, De Vance 16, BAguio 13, Thoss 12, Tenorio 9, Fonacier 8,Hugnatan 6, Dela Cruz 6, Eman 1, Robinson 0, Cariaso 0.

Quarterscores: 28-29, 44-52, 69-71, 100-94

Aces stun Texters, take 1-0 lead in best-of-seven semis series

(From PBA Online)

Up against the most explosive team in the league, Alaska got a big lift from an unlikely source.

Defense-minded Reynel Hugnatan presided over a telling third-quarter breakaway as the Alaska Aces stunned no. 1 seed Talk N Text at the start of their PBA semifinals series Wednesday night at the Araneta Coliseum.

Averaging just 4.4 points per game, Hugnatan came through with 16 points and five rebounds in 22 minutes of play, sparking a second-half
breakaway that turned an expected close match into a rout.

The lead reached as high as 100-76 on a Cyrus Baguio three-pointer with 2:32 left to play, paving the way for the Aces to take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.

"We played almost picture-perfect in the second half and we must continue to do that to beat this team in this series," said Cone.

Ranidel de Ocampo led Talk N Text with 20 points, but the rest of the Tropang Texters big men got saddled by foul trouble early in the fourth period, further hobbling the Tropang Texters' frontline.

The Aces beat out the Tropang Texters off the boards, 53-47.

Ironically, the Tropang Texters lost five of their first six series opener in a best-of-seven series.

Import Diamon Simpson led the Aces with 19 points and 16 rebounds, while Joe Devance added 19 points and LA Tenorio and Cyrus Baguio had 13 points each.

Tony Dela Cruz only had nine points, but grabbed eight rebounds, while new acquisition Topex Robinson scored four points on perimeter jumpers.

"I don't think they had a real answer for Rey because they focused so much on Diamon they forgot about some of our other players," said Cone. "That's easy to do with the numbers Diamon puts up."

The Aces trailed, 44-46, before Baguio and Hugnatan took over and led the team to a 78-65 spread. - RCJ, GMANews.TV

Scores:

Alaska 104 - Simpson 19, Devance 19, Hugnatan 16, Tenorio 13, Baguio 13, dela Cruz 9, Fonacier 5, Robinson 4, Eman 2, Borboran 0, Cablay 0.

Talk 'N Text 88 - de Ocampo 20, Cardona 17, Daniels 13, Carey 13, Castro 6, Reyes 6, Alapag 6, Williams 3, Dillinger 2, Aban 2, Yee 0, Quinahan 0.

Quarters: 20-38, 44-38, 78-68, 104-88

Well-rested Beermen rip Llamados

(From Inquirer)

Jay Washington pumped in a season-high 28 points as San Miguel Beer rolled past B-Meg Derby Ace, 101-88, Wednesday night to seize a 1-0 lead in their PBA Fiesta Conference best-of-seven semifinal series at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

The 6-foot-7 Washington poured 14 of his output in a blistering third-quarter assault that allowed the well-rested and fired-up Beermen to pull away for good.

“J-Wash was a big part of our success tonight,” said San Miguel coach Siot Tanquingcen of the red-hot Washington, who also grabbed 10 rebounds and dished out four assists.

“He was passing the ball well. He was good defensively.”

The Beermen flashed a fluid offense and a suffocating defense to outscore the Llamados, 35-13, in the third period.

Dragged to five games in the quarterfinals, the Llamados looked like a spent force in the second half after engaging the Beermen in a nip-and-tuck battle in the first two quarters.

Llamados import Tony Washam, three days removed from his 49-point explosion in the series-clinching win over Rain or Shine, was held to just 23 points this time as San Miguel sent double teams to clamp down on him.

“We were not just a step behind, but three to four steps behind,” said B-Meg Derby Ace coach Ryan Gregorio. “San Miguel was really in-synch in what they were trying to do.”

Washington sparkled on both ends of the floor, throwing down three dunks and completing a three-point play in a four-minute stretch.

His offensive burst was a point short of his career-high set in Game 1 of the Philippine Cup semifinals against Talk 'N Text.

San Miguel closed out the quarter with a 16-2 blast, capped by a triple from Jonas Villanueva that gave the Beermen their biggest lead at 79-55.

The scores:

SAN MIGUEL BEER 101—Washington 28, Freeman 23, Santos 15, Hontiveros 15, Villanueva 8, Pena 4, Racela 3, Cabagnot 2, Seigle 2, Miranda 1, Yeo 0, Ildefonso 0, Pennisi 0.

B-MEG DERBY ACE 88—J. Yap 24, Washam 23, Simon 12, Artadi 7, Timberlake 6, Maierhofer 6, Pingris 4, Adducul 2, Reavis 2, R. Yap 2, Canaleta 0, Allado 0.

Quarters: 25-21, 44-44, 79-57, 101-88

Tams eye third straight win

(From Manila Bulletin)

Games Thursday (Araneta Coliseum)
2 p.m. — UP vs UST
4 p.m. — FEU vs UE

It’s payback time for Far Eastern University as it seeks its third win in as many games against last year’s Final Four tormentor University of the East this Thursday in the 73rd UAAP basketball tournament at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Tamaraws, one of the title favorites this season, opened their campaign with two close wins, beating defending two-time champion Ateneo and National University in succession to wrest the solo lead after the league's second week.

RR Garcia has been the star in FEU's twin victories, firing 25 points in a 72-69 win over Ateneo then hit 18 points, including the go-ahead triple that eventually gave the Tamaraws a 76-72 victory over the dangerous Bulldogs.

Those feats enabled the former RP U-18 team standout to secure the first UAAP Press Corps Player of the Week.

Although Garcia and the rest of the Morayta-based squad are on top, they should still be wary of the Red Warriors in their 4 p.m. encounter.

UST and University of the Philippines collide in the curtain raiser at 2 p.m.

"Hindi pa kami kailangan mag-relax dahil nung preseason tinalo kami ng UE so siguro konting adjustments na lang gagawin namin," said coach Glenn Capacio, whose squad blew a 20-point lead in a loss to UE in the Filoil preseason tournament last April.

UE lost its first two games by an average margin of 16 points. On July 10, the Recto-based dribblers lost 70-57 to University of Santo Tomas then were handed an 82-63 drubbing by La Salle last Sunday.

Paul Lee scored 25 points in their defeat to the Green Archers but has obviously been playing hurt after suffering a hairline fracture in his right foot prior to the start of the season.

Well-Rested TNT, SMB Face Pumped-Up Alaska, B-Meg In Slam-Bang Semis

(From PBA)

Talk N Text coach Chot Reyes believes his Tropang Texters and the Alaska Aces are evenly matched.

Tim Cone, who has been coaching Alaska for the past 20 years, doesn’t think that way although he believes his team can match-up well against the Texters.

The Aces earned a semifinal showdown against TnT by eliminating the Barangay Ginebra Kings in the deciding Game 5 of their quarterfinal series last Sunday.

While awaiting their would-be match-up, the Tropang Texters went on a tour to China and Hong Kong during their three-week break while recharging their weary bodies and re-sharpening their minds.

That luxury, some observers say, should work to TnT’s advantage in the opener of the 2010 PBA Fiesta Conference semifinals scheduled Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum.

Game One of the TnT-Alaska match-up is scheduled at 7:30 p.m. following the other semifinal series between B-Meg Derby Ace and defending champion San Miguel at 5 o’clock.

Reyes quickly downplayed the notion that his team enjoys the edge, contending “there’s no such thing as banged up or well rested team in the semis.”

“One is riding a momentum while the other is rusty. But definitely this will be a tough series between two evenly matched teams,” Reyes said.

This marks the first playoff series between the two teams since last season’s Philippine Cup Finals eventually won by TnT in seven games. They also went up against each other in the 2007 Fiesta Conference Finals won by the Aces also in seven games.

TnT and Alaska played each other twice in the elimination round with the Tropang Texters winning on both occasions.

And no matter what Reyes says, in this series the Tropang Texters are definitely the top dog. Their bench depth is the envy of many and their size and strength are expected to make life miserable for the Aces.

But after surviving Ginebra, Cone believes they have an equal chance.

“Ginebra was a tough hurdle. But we’re excited about going to the next level. We realize we’re now the unquestioned underdogs but we feel we can match up well and we like our chances,” Cone proclaimed.

Ryan Gregorio, the B-Meg Derby Ace coach, anticipates a tough grind against defending champion San Miguel but like Cone, also likes their chances.

“We are bracing for another challenge and we are bracing for a tougher one,” said Gregorio in the aftermath of their 105-100 overtime victory over Rain or Shine in the deciding Game 5 of their quarterfinal series that secured the Llamados’ spot in the Final Four.

“SMB looks invincible, strong in every position. But we are convinced that we can compete for as long as we play as a team and figure out their weaknesses early in the series,” he added.

Import Tony Washam, a replacement for Clif Brown, boosts the Llamados hopes for another Finals appearance.

“We got a new lease on life with the coming of Tony. He came in at the right place at the right time,” said Gregorio.

Washam, whose father Tony Sr. played for Ginebra in 1984, suited up in the last two games of the quarterfinal series, highlighting his effort with a season-best 49 points in Game 5.

“What you have seen so far is just the tip of the iceberg,” boasted Gregorio, contending his import has lots more to show.

Like TnT, SMB is also coming off a three-week break, prompting SMB coach Siot Tanquingcen to be concerned going into Game 1 of their series with Derby Ace.

“Yes, we had an advantage of being rested. However, you can only do so much in practice to simulate actual game,” Tanquingcen said.

That being the case, he hopes the Beermen could come in and pick up the pace of their game several notches higher to playoff level. (DBC)

Life after a Realtor: New roles for Boyet, Buddy

(From GMA News)

Buddy Encarnado, a Sta. Lucia Realtor for life, and champion coach Boyet Fernandez, are expected to play new roles after their team bade goodbye to the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

Fernandez gladly accepted the role as team consultant for the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons. He has already joined former PBA superstar Jerry Codiñera and head coach Aboy Castro as early as last week.

"Coach Aboy (Castro) has been asking me to join as early as last year, but I still have a commitment with Sta. Lucia. Now that I no longer have a team to coach in the PBA, it's a good opportunity for me. The environment is different in the collegiate league and it's fun. I'm here just to help out," said Fernandez, who guided Sta. Lucia to its last championship in the 2007-2008 Philipine Cup.

Fernandez was among the well-wishers during the get-together, and 60th birthday party of Sta. Lucia board governor Encarnado at the Acropolis Club House in Libis, Quezon City.

He was joined by past and present members of the squad which include former coach Alfrancis Chua, former Realtors Kelly Williams, Ryan Reyes and ex-team captain Dennis Espino and other team officials, members, supporters and friends of Encarnado.

Also present were PBA officials headed by commissioner Sonny Barrios, incoming commissioner Chito Salud, acting board chairman Rene Pardo of B-Meg Derby Ace and board members Robert Non of Ginebra and Virgil Villavicencio of Talk 'N Text as well as PBA operations manager Rickie Santos and media burreau chief Willie Marcial.

Sta. Lucia's top honcho Exequiel Robles was there, too.

Williams and Reyes won their MVP and Rookie of the Year awards, respectively, while playing for the Realtors. They are now members of the Tropang Texters.

Espino played his first 15 seasons for Sta. Lucia before being traded to Coca-Cola early this season.

Fernandez, who started his amateur career with Sta. Lucia, thanked Encarnado for giving him the trust to run the Realtors' squad up to its final days in the PBA.

"I have high respect for Boss Buddy and I'm very thankful that he gave me the opportunity to coach the team. Sta. Lucia will always be a part of my life as I started my playing career with this team and had my only coaching career with this team as well," added Fernandez.

For Encarnado, basketball has been part of his life, and even without Sta. Lucia Realty, he will most likely serve the PBA in a different capacity.

Encarnado, a former PBA chairman, along with Robert Non and Pato Gregorio of Talk 'N Text, were delegated to lead the committee for the D-League.

Encarnado is expected to head the Developmental League, which will be formed through the merger of Liga Pilipinas and Philippine Basketball League (PBL).

The two leagues came up with a joint tournament – the Tournament of the Philippines (TOP), which is being done through a series of short-leg events in different parts of the country.

Soon, the merged leagues will fall under the PBA umbrella, to which a new league will be created – a PBA D-League -- patterned after the NBA D-League in the United States.

The creation of the D-League was pushed by former PBA chairman Lito Alvarez, who was recently appointed by President Noynoy Aquino as the new Bureau of Customs commissioner

Meralco's PBA entry needs board approval

Manila Electric Company (Meralco), a company with a rich basketball tradition, is now knocking on the PBA doors.

The company is reportedly taking over Sta. Lucia's franchise, but it will still need board approval, according to Pardo.

"We want to see how competitive the team (Meralco) it will field in and how long can it commit in participating in the PBA, that's why its entry needs board approval."

"People would want to see games played at a more competitive level and they want to see competitive teams. If we have competing teams with inferior line up and not winning games, it will definitely hurt the league's attendance," added Pardo.

Pending the official takeover, Meralco will inherit a squad that has Nelbert Omolon, Ali Peek, Nic Belasco, Josh Urbiztondo, Chris Ross, Gabby Espinas, Jason Misolas and former San Beda stalwarts Yousif Aljamal, Ogie Menor and Pong Escobal as members.

Once Meralco becomes the 10th member of the PBA, the league will also need to tackle whether the team will become a sister squad of Talk 'N Text or become an independent team.

Manny Pangilinan, the chief backer of the Tropang Texters, also owns a controlling stake in Meralco.

Last season, several PBA board members questioned whether Burger King, a brand carried by Air21 of the Lina Group of Companies, and Talk 'N Text were sister teams.

Burger King is a joint venture of the Lina Group, Lito Alvarez, Pangilinan, Ricky Vargas and Wilson Young of Basic Holdings Corporation.

The Lina Group was able to prove it has the majority share with Burger King, but Alvarez suggested that Burger King and Talk 'N Text won't trade players directly.

The trade ban was lifted after the Lina Group used its old name, Air21.

Mavs Interested in Kaman?

Free agent forward Richard Jefferson is en route to San Antonio this afternoon, where he is set to sign a long-term contract with the Spurs on Wednesday. Details of the new deal are not yet available, but his salary next season will be well below the $15.2 million he would have been guaranteed had he not opted out of the final season of his contract with the Spurs on June 30. - San Antonio Express-News

It's no secret that the Boston Celtics have a gaping hole in their roster for a defensive-minded perimeter defender. And in all likelihood, it'll have to be a player willing to accept a salary for the veteran's minimum. Sacramento's Ime Udoka may in fact be that player. Udoka, who will be 33 years old next month, is a player that the C's have had preliminary discussions about acquiring. However, his agent Mark Bartelstein, made it clear that no deal is imminent. "There have been some talks, but nothing close to being done," Bartelstein told CSNNE.com. - NECN


Basketball fans wrinkled their eyebrows at the news of Penny Hardaway announcing he was putting his name in the hat for a role player position with the Miami Heat last week. But Hardaway, who celebrated his 39th birthday Sunday, told the Orlando Sentinel he is not trying to make a grand return to the NBA. “That was something that I felt in my heart that I felt my talent would match well with those guys. I wasn’t trying to come back to the league, just that I could help in that role,” Penny Hardaway told the Orlando Sentinel Monday. “If it doesn’t work out, I’m going to stay retired.” - Orlando Sentinel

The Charlotte Bobcats made it official today, signing 6-foot-7 point guard Shaun Livingston. The team made Livingston available to local media. A couple of quick headlines: -- Livingston suffered a horrible left knee injury as a Los Angeles Clipper (while playing against the Bobcats). I asked how this affects how many minutes he can play and how often he can practice. Livingston said there's no "cap'' (his word) on the minutes he can play, but that monitoring minutes, along with a lot of maintenance work on his knee and the surrounding muscles, is now part of his routine. - Charlotte Observer

The Miami Heat continued their radical roster reshaping on Tuesday by signing journeyman forward Juwan Howard. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed. However, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported it is a one-year deal for the veteran minimum of $1.4 million. "This is a great addition for us," said Heat president Pat Riley. "We feel that Juwan's ability to play both the four and five spot will be complimentary to what we have put together. He also gives us incredible professionalism and is a perfect fit behind Chris Bosh and Udonis Haslem." - Miami Herald

Andrew Bynum will undergo surgery July 28 to mend the torn meniscus in his right knee, the Lakers announced on their website. Bynum suffered the tear during the Lakers' opening-round playoff victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder in April. His strength and mobility suffered as did his production, but he did not miss a playoff game as the Lakers went on to win their second consecutive NBA title. He averaged 8.6 points and 6.9 rebounds in the playoffs, down from his regular-season totals of 15 points and 8.3 rebounds. Bynum's surgery was said to be minor and he is expected to be fit by the start of training camp in late September. - Los Angeles Daily News

Then Rome asked whether Gilbert's role will need to change, and Leonsis repeated his contention that the Wizards will have one of the best backcourts in the NBA. He also said Gilbert's role will change for the better. "I think John Wall will add years to Gilbert's career," he said. "He'll lug the ball up, he'll run. Gilbert is a great shooter, Gilbert goes hard to the rim....John has great physicality and off the chart basketball IQ, and great players want to play with great players, so I think this was a great thing for Gilbert Arenas and his career, and I also think that Gilbert understands that he has to perform and step up. The best way to re-bond with the fan base is to come in happy and healthy and be a really really highly functioning trusted teammate and be very very coachable. And my bet is Gilbert can be all of that." - Washington Post

For the past week, Cleveland fans have been dropping off their LeBron-related items at Yours Truly Restaurants in Northeast Ohio. Miller said he and his friends wanted to turn a negative situation into a positive and that the response has been "extraordinary." "We wanted something good to come out of this," he said. "We didn't want another 'I hate LeBron campaign.' There's enough of that going around." Doug Libelich, manager of the Yours Truly location in Shaker Heights, Ohio, said there has been a steady flow of fans - mostly young ones - ridding themselves of LeBron-related clothing, including the iconic 23 jerseys, which were wildly popular during James' seven seasons with the Cavaliers. - Cleveland Plain Dealer

Will parents in Cleveland approve of their children sleeping on LeBron James? That question will be answered in the coming months, as American Signature, the company that signed the former Cleveland Cavaliers star in February, has confirmed to CNBC that it will continue with its plans to launch a collection of items inspired by James. "Our relationship with LeBron has not changed,” Jonathan Schottenstein, chief operating officer of American Signature, said in a statement provided to CNBC. “The youth collection by LeBron James focuses on his commitment and relationship with America's youth. We are looking forward to this introduction in the Fall.” - CNBC


Sources say that the Mavericks, meanwhile, have continued to register trade interest in Kaman, which happened as recently as earlier this month before Dallas’ flirtations with an Al Jefferson trade and its eventual acquisition of Tyson Chandler. - ESPN


Atlanta, then, stands as the only team with a confirmed “live” interest in O’Neal. But Shaq, at last report, still wants assurances of a healthy slice of playing time as well as a salary that starts above the $5.8 million mid-level exception, which can be achieved through a sign-and-trade with Cleveland. No team out there, including Atlanta, is known to be willing to pay Shaq more than $2 million for next season. - ESPN

The Clippers do have legit interest in McGrady and are scheduled to work him out Tuesday. As Clips general manager Neil Olshey told ESPNLosAngeles.com’s Ramona Shelburne last week: "Tracy and I have a good relationship. We've known each other for a long time. He and Baron [Davis] have a good relationship [and] we obviously have a need for playmaking and scoring on the wings.” - ESPN

Tougher battles ahead

(From Business Mirror)

AFTER hurdling the most popular ball club in the land, Alaska’s next assignment is the most dominant squad in the ongoing Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Fiesta Conference.

The Aces averted what could be a monumental collapse after Barangay Ginebra launched an improbable run in the closing seconds of their best-of-five quarterfinal series on Sunday night at the jam-packed Araneta Coliseum.

The young Alaska squad showed maturity in the end as the more experienced Kings failed to convert in their last play with five seconds left to surrender a 93-91 decision to the Aces.

The thrilling victory sent the Uytengsu franchise to the best-of-seven semifinal duel against No. 1 seed Talk ’N Text, the team that lost only four in 18 matches in the eliminations and which has beaten them twice in the tournament.

“Talk ’N Text is formidable but we are not afraid of them,” said Alaska head coach Tim Cone, who will be pitted against his close friend and Tropang Texters mentor Chot Reyes.

“Obviously, they [Texters] have a huge advantage and we came from a tough series and the players are really banged up like LA [Tenorio] and Diamon [Simpson]. Some guys are still coming from injuries. It will really be hard,” he added.

Cone’s wards were lucky to survive the onslaught by Ginebra in the dying seconds of the do-or-die Game Five as the grand slam-winning coach admitted Jayjay Helterbrand’s triple shifted the momentum to the Kings.

But Joe Devance, Simpson and Cyrus Baguio had other plans in mind as they made huge plays to spoil a Ginebra celebration.

“Our composure held on in the last play and that’s what we’ve been talking about at the start of the conference,” said Cone. “Joe showed great composure. He didn’t take a quick shot. He has really grown in front of our eyes.”

The American mentor was referring to Devance’s big-time assist to Simpson that turned out as the game-winner.

Helterbrand drilled a three-pointer that capped an amazing 7-0 run for a 91-90 Kings lead with 28 seconds left.

Alaska’s play was botched by the Kings’ pesky defense, but the Aces patiently waited for the right opportunity and, alas, Alaska’s 22-year-old import Simpson banked a short stab on Devance’s pass to beat the shot clock.

Ginebra had five seconds to steal the game but Baguio, the player the Kings gave away for the 33-year-old Willie Miller, snatched the ball from 35-year-old center Eric Menk.

Baguio was fouled, split his two free throws with no time left and sent the pro-Ginebra crowd home in grief.

“It’s almost sad someone had to lose this game and I’m glad it’s not us. It’s a tough one to lose and my heart goes out to them,” said Cone, who expects the same atmosphere with Talk ’N Text as Game One of the semifinal showdown starts on Wednesday also at the Big Dome.

SIMPSON TWINNER TOWS ALASKA PAST GINEBRA AND INTO FINAL 4

(From PBA)

ALASKA is now well on its road to redemption.

Two gems on opposite ends of the court in the dying seconds enabled the Aces to escape with a 93-91 squeaker over Barangay Ginebra Sunday to earn the last semifinal ticket in the PBA Fiesta Conference at the Araneta Coliseum.

Those plays in front of some 21,000 predominantly pro-Ginebra fans boosted Alaska to a 3-2 win in the best-of-five quarterfinals series and into a race-to-four meeting with early qualifier Talk ‘N Text in the semis that start Wednesday.

The other semis pairing pits defending champion San Miguel Beer with B-Meg Derby Ace after the Llamados beat Rain or Shine, 105-100, in overtime earlier Sunday in their own deciding game.

“It’s such a euphoric feeling, winning this game,” said Alaska coach Tim Cone. “It’s almost sad someone has to lose this game. For sure, I’m glad it’s not us, but you couldn’t have had a more even series. It’s a tough one to lose and my heart goes out to them.

“But this series, these are the ones you remember, this kind of a series. It may just be in the quarterfinals but it felt like a championship series. So, if I may say it again, it’s sad someone has to lose.”

It all boiled down to the last 28.5 seconds, after Jayjay Helterbrand buried a triple to cap a 7-0 run and give Ginebra a 91-90 edge from an 84-90 deficit with 2:16 left in the game.

Diamon Simpson redeemed himself from back-to-back costly miscues in as many plays by converting a nifty assist from Joe Devance into a shotclock-beating undergoal stab that pushed Alaska up anew, only 5.0 ticks left.

Then Cyrus Baguio, playing against his former team, capped a brilliant second half by stealing the ball from Eric Menk in Ginebra’s ensuing play and then sinking the free throw that pegged the final count in the final second.

LA Tenorio wound up with a game-high 25 points with Simpson adding 24 and 22 rebounds and Baguio 22 points.

Willie Miller’s 19 led Barangay Ginebra, which grittily fought back and made it a close contest despite being on the shorter end for majority of the second half.

Menk added 15 points and Christopher Daniels 14 and 12 rebounds for the Kings.

What left a big question mark was the decision made by Barangay Ginebra coach Jong Uichico not to utilize Mark Caguioa, who showed up in full uniform but stayed on the bench the entire game, prompting most of the Ginebra fans to keep chanting his name in the hopes he will be fielded.

Caguioa, who averaged a locals-leading 14.8 points in the Kings’ first 18 games, scored only two points in only two attempts and four minutes of first half action in a 94-90 Game 4 win last Friday.

Still, Barangay Ginebra was in the thick of things with Menk even tying it up at 77, still 8:24 to go. Rudy Hatfield even kept the Kings within 82-84 before the Aces mustered their last surge of the series.

Triples by Baguio and Tenorio pushed Alaska up by 90-84, 2:16 left, while fanning the hopes of the outnumbered Alaska fans.

Then the Big Coliseum started reverberating with a louder cheer when Barangay Ginebra fought back, capped by an inadvertent Simpson follow-up to Helterbrand’s missed bank shot and the Aces import’s errant inbounds pass that led to a Menk steal and assist to Helterbrand.

It was a fitting ending to a really gripping contest.

Held to only three points on just two field tries in the first half, Daniels sprang to offensive life in the third period with 11 of his points while Intal added six of his own.

Yet even they could not match Alaska’s more balanced offense led by Baguio, whose back-to-back triples capped a 12-2 surge opening the quarter that gave the Aces a 52-46 spread.

Alaska was looking for a third Final Four stint in the last four conferences while Barangay Ginebra was eyeing a third straight semis and fourth in the last five conferences.

It seemed the Kings were well on their way to achieving their goal when they raced to an early 28-15 lead, going into the last 63 seconds of the opening period.

Miller was at the forefront of that opening attack, scoring nine of his 13 first half points during a 14-3 salvo from a 14-12 count.

But Alaska was like a bad dream that wouldn’t go away, staying within four points at the half mainly through the efforts of Simpson and Devance. (NC)

The Scores:

Alaska 93 - Tenorio 25, Simpson 24, Baguio 22, De Vance 10, Thoss 4, Hugnatan 4, Cablay 2, Cariaso 2, Dela Cruz 0.

Ginebra 91 - Miller 19, Menk 15, Daniels 14, Intal 11, Tubid 9, Hatfield 9, Salvacion 6, Helterbrand 6, Villanueva 2, Wilson 0, Cruz 0, Cortez 0.

Quarterscores: 17-28, 40-44, 68-65, 93-92.

Derby Ace in semis

(From Business Mirror)

B-MEG Derby Ace foiled Rain or Shine’s gallant bid with a pulsating 105-100 overtime win on Sunday night to advance into the semifinal round of KFC-Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Fiesta Cup at the jam-packed Araneta Coliseum.

Import Tony Washam was a point shy of reaching the 50-point plateau and came up with two crucial defensive stops in the extra period to help the Llamados win Game Five and wrap up the best-of-five quarterfinal series, 3-2.

The victory sent the Philippine Cup champion to a best-of-seven semifinal duel against San Miguel Beer.

“It’s really an incredible series. Every time we face Rain or Shine, they always push us to the limit,” said Derby Ace coach Ryan Gregorio, who admitted this was the toughest and most emotional in his more than 300 games in the league.

Washam, son of former Gilbey’s Gin import and namesake Tony Washam, was impressive on both ends and finished with a season-high 49 points, including six-of-nine treys.

Washam’s efforts were complimented by timely contributions from Rafi Reavis and Nino Canaleta in the final five minutes, where he was held to just a free throw.

Washam blocked a driving Sol Mercado and drew an offensive foul from Eddie Laure that set the tone for the Llamados’ domination in overtime, where they scored the first six points for a 96-90 lead.

Rain or Shine last threatened at 98-100 on Gabe Norwood’s drive. Reavis had huge putback and James Yap sealed the victory for the No. 3 seed Derby Ace with two free throws, 104-100, 10.1 ticks left.

Rico Maierhofer added 17 points, 15 he made in the first half, and together with Washam’s 27 markers, Derby Ace took a commanding 58-40 halftime.

Mercado took charge in the second half and almost single-handedly sent his team to the next round.

“Sol was an incredible athlete tonight,” said Gregorio on the Rain or Shine sophomore guard, who was limited to just one point in the first half but exploded for 22 in the third and fourth periods.

Mercado’s triple gave the Elasto Painters an 86-84 advantage, their first taste of the lead since 5-3 early in the first, with 2:45 left in regulation.

Rain or Shine clung to an 89-87 lead, when Canaleta hit a crucial three-pointer to put to give the lead back to the Llamados, 90-89, 47.3 seconds left.

Mercado had the chance to give the lead back to the Elasto Painters but split his free throws off Canaleta’s foul, 90-all.

Washam muffed a hurried three-pointer in the next Derby Ace possession and Mercado missed a step-back triple to send the game to overtime.

Norwood led Rain or Shine with 25 points, while Mercado added 23. Rod Nealy had a quiet 12 points as he took only eight shots and converted half of them.

Tamaraws edge pesky Bulldogs for 2-0 start in UAAP caging

(From GMA News)

Determination and heart helped Far Eastern University (FEU) avoid being a victim of the league's perennial doormat turned-Final-Four-contender. For National University, it was a case of celebrating too early.

Games Today
(PhilSports Arena)
2 p.m. Ateneo vs UST
4 p.m. UE vs La Salle

The FEU Tamaraws rallied from a seven-point fourth quarter deficit to score a thrilling 76-72 win over the hard-fighting Bulldogs of NU in the 73rd UAAP men's basketball tournament on Saturday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.

"We expect the game to be tough since NU has nothing to lose and they were playing against an FEU team that’s ‘a title contender/No. 1 team on paper’. All the teams wanted to challenge us," said Tams coach Glenn Capacio.

It was the second straight win for the Tams, ranked as the team who can foil two-time defending champion Ateneo's three-peat bid, as they survived the gallant stand put up by the vastly-improved Bulldogs, who fell to a 1-2 record.

Sophomore guard RR Garcia had a five-point swing in a 12-2 closing exchange as the Tams turned a 68-61 deficit to a 73-70 advantage with one minute and 13 seconds left in the final period.

NU, fresh from a 66-59 win over La Salle on Thursday, seemed headed for an upset when it posted that seven-point lead 4:31 left in the final period. They could have gone up by nine if not for Kokoy Hermosisima’s missed lay up try.

FEU capitalized on NU’s missed opportunity with rookie Terrence Romeo draining a three-pointer to touch-off the Tams’ scoring run.
NU's Kokoy Hermosisima (right) tries to keep the ball away while being tightly-guarded by FEU's Christopher Exciminiano during their game in the 73rd UAAP men's basketball tournament on Saturday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City. GMANews.TV

The Bulldogs threatened for the last time, 73-72, courtesy of Hermosisima’s inside incursion with 56.7 seconds left in the clock.

But luck wasn’t on NU’s side with their shot attempts, the last two free throws by Hermosisima, failed to find its target while Garcia’s charities and a Reil Cervantes split at the stripe iced the game for FEU.

FEU seemed headed for an easy win when it zoomed to a 21-41 lead after 10 minutes of play.

But NU, behind Hermosisima’s hot shooting in the second period, kept the game close as the Bulldogs entered the halftime break staring at a 37-36 deficit.

Mervin Baloran gave NU its first taste of the lead, 40-39, early in the third before Joseph Terso made seven straight points for a 47-44 count.

Cervantes paced the Tams’ scoring with 20 points to go with his seven rebounds and one blocked while Garcia tallied 18 markers (7-of-14 from the field) and four assists. Romeo added 11 off the bench.

Hermosisima scored 14 of his game-high 23 points in the first half to lead NU’s losing cause. He shot 4-of-5 from the three-point area in the first 20 minutes of the contest but struggled in the last two quarters.

Khobuntin finished with 14 points while Terso added 11. Rookie big man Emmanuel Mbe was limited by the FEU defense to eight points and seven rebounds after a 21-point and 19-rebound effort in their win against La Salle.

Bombers, Cardinals trounce separate foes

(From GMA News)

Defense gave Jose Rizal University (JRU) and Mapua Institute of Technology (MIT) easy wins over separate opponents in Friday’s 86th NCAA men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

Games Monday
(The Arena, San Juan City)
10 am – Arellano vs Perpetual (Jr)
12 nn – San Beda vs Letran (Jr)
2 pm – Arellano vs Perpetual (Sr)
4 pm – San Beda vs Letran (Sr)

Jose Rizal trailed for most of the game but threw a defensive blanket on Perpetual Help in the second half to complete a come-from-behind 78-62 win while Mapua carved out a masterful 73-51 decision over Arellano U in the main event of a double-header.

John Deco Lopez, back after missing the first three games of the season due to a leg injury, paced JRU with 16 points as the Bombers rolled to their third straight win after a 68-52 opening day loss to San Beda.

Alex Almario and JR Bulangis added 12 and 10 markers but it was the do-it-all duo of Marvin Hayes and John Njei who provided the spark for the Vergel Meneses-coached Bombers.

Hayes had 11 points and 10 rebounds while Njei recovered from his slump with an all-around performance of 10 markers, seven assists, six rebounds, two steals and two blocks.

However, it was JRU’s defense in the final half that turned things around for the Bombers.

"In the first half, they (Perpetual) were getting the touches and attempts so I told the boys to prevent them from receiving the ball. I’m glad they responded," said Meneses.

PCU recruit George Allen exploded for 16 points in the first half as the Altas enjoyed a 34-29 cushion at the break.
Perpetual Help's Raffy Ynion (left) tries to ward off the pesky defense put up by JRU's Joe Etame during their game in the NCAA men's basketball tournament on Friday at The Arena in San Juan City. GMANews.TV

JRU then tightened up its defense in the second half to make things miserable for Perpetual’s shooters to slowly turn things around.

Allen was held to one point in the final half to finish with 17 while Arnold Danganan had 16 markers as the Altas suffered their fourth straight loss.

Njei stole the thunder from fellow Cameroonian and NCAA Press Corps’ Player of the Week Joe Etame, who was used sparingly in the game. Etame only had two points, two rebounds and two blocks in nine minutes.

"He (Etame) was rushing his shots in the first half when he should’ve taken it strong inside. In fairness, Njei was playing really well on both ends of the court," said Meneses.

In the second game, Mapua gave Arellano U little room to operate as it hammered out a 73-51 decision to notch its second win in three starts. The Chiefs fell to a 1-3 record.

In juniors’ action, RP youth standout Joshua Alolino scored a season-high 36 points as Perpetual Help cruised to a 90-74 win over Jose Rizal while Mapua leaned on Andoy Estrella’s 30-point effort for an 86-66 rout of Arellano.

The old college try

(From Business Mirror)

COLLEGE basketball means different things to different people. And whatever it means to all or any of them, the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) definitely rank high in the hierarchy of present-day mania of both leagues’ concerned publics.

Teams regard the start of the season as a “product reveal.” Much like a product launch where the new package is unveiled at a climactic moment. The first playing day is when the team gets to show off not just its new look or its new uniforms, but also its new weapons, its new capabilities (or lack thereof), its new ingredients. The new product, after all, is the result of almost a yearlong process of addition and subtraction, test-drives and torture tests, tweaking and retweaking, and, finally, buffing and polishing for the big day in the only league that matters.

Every season, the product is reconstituted (new recruits come on board), reenergized (perked up and bonded by preseason team building), retweaked (new roles are assigned or identified) and reformulated (a new outlook, a new attitude, perhaps a new coach?). Then the product is unleashed to compete in the free-market place of opinions and ideas. Will the players perform differently under the harsh glare of hard-court lights and the TV cameras? Will they be conscious of the big expectations from critical though supportive alumni? Will they win, or will they lose when they get down to business on the floor?  How will media write about them? It’s for the players and their coaches to make their myths or bust them.

League sponsors look at college leagues differently. For them they are effective, no-fail, expressways to their target markets. Millions of pesos are spent on UAAP or NCAA airtime, promos, sponsorships, collaterals—just to capture the attention and imagination of collegiate ball lovers—mostly kids who are impulse buyers, avowed fanatics and avid supporters of their school teams. And alumni who will fight to the death in defense of the glory of their alma mater, never mind if they behave more like children than their children.

UAAP game days, for example, are invariably like carnival days, with freebies from league sponsors freely distributed at the gates: plastic clappers, foam fingers, fans, balloons, sample products. Fast-food chains, in particular, think up of imaginative promotions to ride on to the UAAP fever. Krispy Kreme had themed doughnuts going for a while—with the sweet calorie traps sporting the various UAAP school colors.

During the Final Four, the more that consumers consumed of doughnuts representing a particular school, the higher that school’s score in Krispy Kreme’s own Final Four competition. Clever, isn’t it? Knowing that supporters of all the schools will never let their schools down. And so they go on consuming.

Jollibee came out with soda-pop bottles sporting the mascots and colors of the various UAAP schools last year, encouraging one and all to collect all eight. This year convenience store Mini Stop has a Buzzer Beater promo that also relies on the consumption of drinks in UAAP-themed glasses. The more drinks you consume, the bigger your chances of landing any of the prizes that will be raffled off.

Even game venues look at their school league customers fondly. The UAAP broke attendance records at The Big Dome last year during the Ateneo-La Salle games. It broke that attendance record some more during the Cheerdance Competition of Season 72.

Thus, game venues like the Araneta Coliseum, PhilSports  Arena and the Filoil Flying V Arena look at collegiate leagues as cool customers. They bring in the market consistently. And the house rocks when they do.

Then there are the die-hard fans, followers, alumni, students and supporters of the various schools. These people can hardly regard their schools objectively. For them there is no other way to watch college ball games unless their hearts beat red and raw and are exposed on their sleeves. These are the people who wear war paint during crucial matches, who wave custom-made banners emblazoned with the names of key players at the crowd after that player scores or blocks an opponent’s shot. Win or lose, right or wrong, the team they support is the best. And opponents beware! These impassioned supporters are ready to wage war on anybody who goes against their choice of team.

Finally, there are those who don’t really care much about the x’s and o’s of a basketball game. For them college ball games are happy hunting grounds for hotties and crushes and every game watched is a toe-curling experience. Connoisseurs not so much of the game but of the men who play them, they have even come up with a list of must-watch and must-cheer-for players who make everything worthwhile. Shrek would not approve, but these teenage señoritas have singled out the most desirable college ball players in Season 73, based largely on looks and sex appeal.

These are, in their school’s alphabetical order: Lester Alvarez, Eric James Camson (Adamson U); Nico Salva, Kirk Long (Ateneo de Manila U); Simon Atkins, Samuel Joseph Marata (De La Salle U); RR Garcia, Jens Knuttel (Far Eastern U); Joseph Hermosisima, Ajeet Singh (National University); Paul Lee, James Martinez (University of the East); Mike Silungan, Alvin Padilla (University of the Philippines); Clark Bautista, Christopher Camus (University of Santo Tomas).

What about you? Why do you watch college basketball?

UAAP vs NCAA coaches: When the game was theirs

(From GMA News)

Imagine this.

One team is made up of two former members of the PBA's All-Defensive team, a former Rookie of the Year winner, an ex-Best Import awardee and a noted gunner during his heyday in the professional league.

The other side is bannered by two former MVP's and members of the PBA's 25 Greatest Players, an ex-PBA heart-throb and member of the league's most popular team, two tough defenders during their stint in Asia's first play-for-pay league.

Make way for your extraordinary starting fives in this season's collegiate games – a fantasy game between your former PBA superstars-turned coaches.

Take your pick: The UAAP coaches (Norman Black, Glenn Capacio, Leo Austria, Dindo Pumaren and Pido Jarencio) versus the NCAA mentors (Vergel Meneses, Ato Agustin, Richard Del Rosario, Frankie Lim and Leo Isaac).

Which team has the better end of the deal once they strut their wares inside the hardcourt?

Black expected to lord it over

"Don't make me laugh. I'm an import. No way the NCAA team can beat us," said Black, who steered San Miguel Beer to a grandslam title in 1989.

"We still play competitive basketball. Me and coach Leo (Austria) were teammates with the Ateneo Basketball League and we're back-to-back champions," added Black.

PBA coaches Yeng Guiao of Air21 and Boyet Fernandez of Sta. Lucia are also convinced Black will make the big difference.

"You can tell Norman is still in tip-top shape because he doesn't have a bulging stomach unlike the other coaches and he still has the build," said Guiao.

"Definitely, UAAP because of coach Norman," said Fernandez. "And they have good balance on the team. They have stoppers in Glen and Dindo and gunners in Pido and Leo."

Sports commentators Chino Trinidad of GMA-7 and Boyet Sison of Hardball, believe Black's presence definitely gives the UAAP coaches the advantage.

"If you remove Norman from the equation, then definitely, we will have a very exciting match up," said Trinidad. "But the more interesting match up is between Meneses and Capacio."

Black had a stellar PBA career both as a player and as a coach.

After suiting up for the Detroit Pistons in the NBA, Black found his way to the PBA where he debuted as Tefilin's import in 1981. The following year, he suited up for San Miguel Beer, which he led to two finals stints capped by an Invitational Conference triumph over Crispa.

He also had stints with Great Taste, Magnolia and Alaska. But it was with San Miguel where the 6-foot-5 import won championships both as a player and coach.

Black also played against other illustrious reinforcements in the PBA such as Billy Ray Bates of Crispa, Andy Fields and Donnie Ray Koonce of Toyota, Lew Massey of Gilbey's Gin, Russel Murray of Tanduay, David Thirdkill of Tanduay/Purefoods, Michael Hackett of Ginebra and seven-time Best import awardee Bobby Parks of Shell.

"I do believe NCAA with Vergel, Ato and Leo has a more balanced team, but Norman will be too much against Richard del Rosario," said Sison.

Like Sison, UAAP sports analyst TJ Manotoc picks the NCAA as well.

"I like the balance on the NCAA team, but I would love to see Vergel and Ato do their thing inside the court," said Manotoc.

Letran coach Louie Alas, whose dream of playing in the PBA was cut short by a career-threatening knee injury in 1990, sees the "dream battle" as anybody's game.

"You have a Norman Black, who has an edge on the UAAP side and you have two former PBA MVPs in Agustin and Meneses on the other side. I think it's anybody’s game," said Alas.

And how would Del Rosario - a 6-foot-4 banger who played for Pepsi, Mobiline and Sta. Lucia - fare against the Old Black Magic?

Imagine Black powering his way inside against Del Rosario, a player who's more than willing to give up his body even without messing up his hairdo.

Known as a role player in the PBA, Del Rosario never backs down to the challenge -- an attitude every coach wants to have on a player. He's one guy who never complains and is more than willing to do the dirty job.

The Aerial Voyager vs Mr. No Nonsense

The match up between 1995 PBA MVP Meneses and Capacio, an eight-time All-Defensive Team member, is certainly a classic. Both went up against each other at the backcourt with Capacio's no nonsense defense, bottling up the usually-prolific Meneses a lot of times.

Capacio played for Purefoods' four championship teams and was a stabilizer, both on offense and defense.

Meneses, on the other hand, blossomed to become one of the PBA's most exciting players. Once denied an opportunity to win the 1992 Rookie of the Year plum, the man known as "The Aerial Voyager" worked on his game and became one of the best one-on-one players in the league. He won three championships while playing for Swift and Sunkist. He also suited up for Barangay Ginebra, FedEx, Talk 'N Text and Red Bull Barako.

The Atom Bomb vs The Fireman

Expect the scoreboard to light up once gunners Agustin and Jarencio go head-to-head.

Curiously, both coaches now are under one PBA team – San Miguel Beer – where they serve as Siot Tanquincen's assistant mentors.

Definitely, basketball fans would love to see the 1992 PBA MVP take on the player regarded in the pro league as: "The Fireman."

Agustin rose to stardom when he carried an injury-plagued San Miguel squad to numerous titles in the 1990s. He was a third-string guard and had to play the spot vacated by Samboy Lim, Hector Calma and Franz Pumaren when all those players were on the sidelines.

Jarencio, too, started as a backup and worked his way in the starting roster of crowd-darling Ginebra. He first played for Great Taste in 1988 as backup to an aging Bernie Fabiosa, then moved to Purefoods the following year where he again came off the bench to Al Solis and Dindo Pumaren in that particular order. He then landed a spot in coach Guiao's 1991 Diet Sarsi squad.

Jarencio's break came when he joined the Robert Jaworski-mentored squad and became the lead combo guard.

When two Leos meet

What about the two Leos – Isaac and Austria?

Isaac was one of Ginebra's glamour boys during the 1980s. A 6-foot-1 point guard, he was able to use his height advantage over smaller counterparts. At a time when illegal defense was still in effect in the PBA to prevent teams from playing zone defense, the former Mapua hotshot was able to thrive and score points while posting up against smaller defenders.

As for Austria, he came at a perfect time when he was the outstanding player playing the point in 1985. He was named Rookie of the Year the same season and able to share minutes with Fabiosa while playing for Shell Azodrin.

The Bullet vs Dangerous Frankie

Well, the two played together in one team for quite sometime.

Pumaren was Purefoods' starting point guard 1993 with Lim as backup. Olsen Racela, who will soon end his outstanding career with San Miguel Beer, was third in the rotation.

But Pumaren and Lim also went head-to-head several times.

Flashback 1990 in the Third Conference. Purefoods was a young team handled by legendary coach Baby Dalupan, who was up against a budding mentor who will later turn out to be one of the best of all time, Tim Cone of Alaska.

Pumaren was on his sophomore year while Lim was already a veteran point guard.

In the conference, Pumaren would celebrate at Lim's expense when the Purefoods team won their first championship.

Pumaren is known for his playmaking skills, while Lim, who started his PBA career with Tanduay in 1981, is regarded for his clutch shooting from beyond-the-arc.

So which side are you? Who’s got the edge? Who do you think will win in this fantasy showdown?

Your guess is as good as mine.

Barako assures PBA participation; SLR's fate uncertain

(From GMA News)

What's the future in store for Barako Energy Coffee and Sta. Lucia Realty?

The Photokina franchise said that it will continue participating in the Philippine Basketball Association's (PBA) 36th season while Sta. Lucia's fate remains uncertain.

Newly-installed PBA chairman Rene Pardo of B-Meg Derby Ace told GMANews.TV in a telephone interview that Barako management assured the board that it would field a team when the first conference opens later this year.

"I was informed that they will continue participating in the PBA," said Pardo. "But I told them that it will need board approval as well and we want to make sure how long can they commit."

Barako Coffee coach Junel Baculi also assured of the team’s participation next season.

"I was given directives by the management headed by boss George Chua. He told me what direction we would like to take next season and that we want to form up a more competitive team," said Baculi, who is also National University's athletic director.

Whether the board will approve or not Barako's continuous participation remains to be seen, but the PBA’s main thrust in the coming season is to generate better gate receipts and a much-improved marketing program.

"People would want to see games played at a more competitive level and they want to see competitive teams. If we have competing teams with inferior line up and not winning games, it will definitely hurt the league's attendance," added Pardo.

Barako Coffee is one team affected by the economic pinch. The team has had financial difficulties, trading their marquee players and some members of the squad reportedly encountered delays in the payment of their salaries.

Before the start of the Fiesta Cup, Barako Coffee entered a co-branding agreement with Harbour Centre, but the two companies reportedly had a "falling out", according to a source privy of the matter.

"As far as I know, Harbour and Barako had to cut short their initial agreement because of misunderstanding," said the source, who requested anonymity.

Harbour Centre team manager Erick Arejola said that the two companies had an agreement regarding the co-branding, but not the sale of the franchise.

"We came as a sponsor," said Arejola. "It was offered to us, and we agreed. It's for the Fiesta Cup only. But we've never discussed the sale of the franchise. So far, our main objective now is the coming Asean Basketball League."

As for Sta. Lucia, its participation remains up in the air and a PBA insider said that the team has sent notice of its intent of "taking a leave or non-participation starting next season."

"Of course, the next step there is probably the announcement of sale of its franchise to another company," said the source.

Asked for comments regarding the matter, Sta. Lucia coach Boyet Fernandez was advised by team manager Buddy Encarnado to "wait for the team meeting."

"So far, we're still on vacation and we're waiting for the meeting with boss Buddy," said Fernandez.

GMANews.TV tried to get Encarnado's side but calls were not answered.

Manila Electric Company (Meralco) has expressed its desire of returning to the PBA, but whether it will take over Sta. Lucia's franchise or come in as an expansion squad hasn't been made official yet.

Great Expectations

(From Inbound Pass)

AT THE start of each UAAP Men’s Basketball season, hopes are high for all teams. Even the perennial bottom-of-the-standing teams envision the season as a new chance to crack the Final Four. Especially for the coaches, anything can happen and, with the right amount of effort and luck, winning is within reach. But, the success of each team in a given season rests largely on what is expected of them at the beginning – Will they perform according to expectations? Will they fail to meet expectations? Will they exceed expectations? These are the questions that lead to more questions within the season and may even run into the next.

As a season progresses, things change for many teams. Some that are expected to be “championship contenders” fall to lowly teams and, in an instant, lose grip on any championship hopes (Ateneo remembers “the NU game” from 2007). An injury befalls an important player, and an entire team’s chemistry is damaged beyond repair. And, as De La Salle discovered last season, a team cannot rely on reputation alone and expect to be effective as usual.

Season 73 opened over the past weekend and we eagerly watched the games with much curiosity and interest, to try and gauge the potency of all eight teams. Looking at the opening weekend matchups, we made bold predictions inside our college-basketball-savvy heads and, based on our assessments of team rosters, previous matchups between teams and personal preferences, expected certain teams to win over others. How did the opening weekend go, and how much did it live up to our expectations? Let us take a brief look at each matchup, and assess.

In the offseason, the long-starving Maroon Nation was abuzz with Final Four aspirations and high hopes unseen in so long. UP finally had seasoned veterans to go with young sparkplugs, and the additions of scorers Saret and Silungan had fans giddy with excitement. La Salle, many think, is not Final Four material this season. UP should win, right? Once again, State U fans were left crying, wondering what went wrong…AGAIN. Fans wondered aloud why UP did not field certain players long enough for them to make an impact (Mikee Reyes?), why Magi Sison is on the National Team, why the team’s new guys can’t be saviors like that big new guy in 1986, and why UP had to be so, well, like UP has been for a long time. UP played so out of sync, that Simon Atkins, who has not been a factor in his entire UAAP career, looked like a superstar. On Day 1, UP miserably fell below its fans’ expectations, while La Salle, without a doubt, exceeded theirs. To top it all, UP was supposed to have a new team name this season, in lieu of “Fighting Maroons” – a university-wide contest was even held to suggest the new name, but the announcement of the winning moniker was deferred. After the game, a UP diehard commented, “tanggalin nalang ang ‘Fighting’, kasi hindi naman pumalag.” Tsk tsk…

Now, East and Santo Tomas historically give us good, action-packed games, but not in the second half last Saturday. UST totally dominated the second half and, much to the surprise of everyone, except maybe the Tiger faithful, blanked Paul Lee and the Warriors to score a convincing victory. Jeric Teng was phenomenal on both ends. UST went way above expectations, especially since some rank them in dead last for the season. The Warriors will recover, and we know Lee & Co. will perform better next time, but the opening weekend performance of UE was a little below expectations.

Adamson and NU play hard whenever they face each other. They seem to consider themselves peers in the UAAP – underachieving teams that are usually fighting to stay out of the cellar, and a win against the other can be the win that keeps them out of it. And battle they did. But many look at Adamson now, with their veteran lineup composed of athletic players with high energy, as a sure Final Four team; thus, the Falcons were expected to handily beat the Bulldogs. Even though expectations for NU have risen considerably since billionaire Henry Sy backed up the team two years ago, the truth of the matter is, it is almost impossible, to make a 180 degree turnaround, or anything close to it, in such a short amount of time. A new owner and a new coach do not make an immediate winner. NU was more of the same – turnovers galore and an opening weekend loss, which will surely not be its last. Adamson, on the other hand, was right on target in beating NU, but failed to live up to its early Final Four ranking. In this game, NU was well within expectations, while Adamson was a notch below. It is interesting to see how Adamson deals with its Final Four projection, a ranking it is not used to.

Finally, it was Ateneo versus FEU. This was the game everyone was talking about as “the game” for opening weekend. Both teams delivered. Being the defending back-to-back champs, Ateneo has the proverbial bull’s-eye on its back, and the Tamaraws took aim, and hit! The game had more of a “Game 3 of a championship series” feel than an opening weekend, first-game-for-each-team tussle. The Eagles understand that many believe this is the Tamaraws’ year, and, even without three main men from last year, fought tooth and nail until the very end. The game could have gone either way. However, RR Garcia just announced that he is the best quarterback this season and the rest of the league has to respect FEU as a favorite – a complete team inside and out. For the Eagles, Salamat was a bit of a disappointment, being that he is looked at as their leader for this year. But Salva, Buenafe, and even Kirk Long, seem to be as capable of leading their team, if need be. At the end of the day, Ateneo is still champ, until FEU can wrest the title away. Surely, all expectations were met in this game. How we wish all games can be as intense and entertaining!

Expectations…which will be met? So much already happened, so much showcased for the basketball-crazy UAAP fans. And that was just opening weekend. We look forward to the rest of it. Season 73 is now open!