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.

Llamados Back On Track

(From PBA)

After coming out short the last time versus Alaska Milk, B-MEG Derby Ace had little improvement, barely hanging on at the finish against Sta. Lucia.

The Llamados squeezed out a 73-66 win over the Realtors and thus regained a piece of third place in the 2010 PBA Fiesta Conference at the Cuneta Astrodome Wednesday night.

“It was an ugly win but still something positive in terms of the outcome. We couldn’t play that way up against tough teams,” said Derby Ace coach Ryan Gregorio after the game.

“Nuong bumaba ng sais, hindi na ako makahinga, Good thing, the guys made the shots when we needed it badly,” Gregorio added.

“I was telling the guys, we have to cut down on our errors and we have to make the free shots. True enough, we went under siege committing errors and missing free shots.”

The Llamados eventually eased out the pressure as KG Canaleta and James Yap canned in three fouls shots making it 73-64 with 40 seconds left to play.

Repeating their 86-79 win over the Realtors in their previous tiff, the Llamados climbed back to joint third with the Ginebra Kings at 8-5.

The Realtors suffered a fourth straight loss after the departure of Kelly Williams and Ryan Reyes, and the team reeled further down the chart at 4-9.

Derby Ace made it four-zero versus Sta. Lucia in the season.

Gregorio, however, insisted he’s far from satisfied with their performance.

“We can’t just relax, be comfortable and just coast along. We’re up against San Miguel next. We can’t survive playing this kind of basketball,” said Gregorio.

The Realtors waged a fierce chase at crunch time, smelling blood as Derby Ace import Cliff Brown fouled out with over two minutes left to play.

Sta. Lucia had come within six at 64-72 when Canaleta and Yap strung up three straight free throws to hold off the Realtors.

Yap knocked in three triples and finished with a team-high 21 points that went with one rebound, one assist and one block against one turnover.

Paul Artadi, with 18 points, was the only other Llamado who wound up with a double-digit output in the low-scoring contest.

Anthony Johnson led the losing team with 23 points and 14 rebounds. (SB)

The scores:

B-Meg Derby Ace 73 - Yap J. 23, Artadi 18, Canaleta 8, Brown 7, Reavis 7, Maierhofer 6, Pingris 2, Yap R. 2, Allado 2, Simon 0, Adducul 0.

Sta. Lucia 66 - Johnson 23, Escobal 12, Aljamal 7, Aquino 6, Daa 4, Misolas 4, Belasco 4, Ross 2, Menor 2, Custodio 2, Espinas 0, Omolon 0, Belano 0.

Quarters: 25-14, 45-30, 52-42, 73-66.

Williams Torches Former Team, Gives Texters 8th Straight Win

(From PBA Online)

Kelly Williams torched his former team with 19 points as Talk 'N Text cruised past Sta. Lucia, 92-78, to book its eighth straight win in the PBA Fiesta Cup Sunday night at the Araneta Coliseum.

The former league Most Valuable Player (MVP) also added 12 rebounds in his most scintillating showing yet since coming over from a blockbuster three-team, nine-player trade two weeks ago.

"We don't want to rock the boat that's why we try hard to quickly jell with the team," said the 6-foot-5 Fil-Am forward.

It was the third consecutive victory for the Tropang Texters since acquiring Williams and Ryan Reyes from the Realtors. At the same time, the team extended its winning run in the import-laden meet to stay in solo second at 8-2 behind defending champion and league leader San Miguel (10-1).

Despite the easy win, coach Chot Reyes believes his team has yet to reach its full potential.

"We're still a work in progress," he admitted, but stressing that "we formed a team that is versatile, one that can score and play defense."

Ranidel de Ocampo added 14 points, MacMac Cardona with 12 and Jimmy Alapag 12 and 10 assists.

Sta. Lucia lost for the second straight game and went down to 4-7 in a tie with Coca-Cola.

Anthony Johnson finished with 29 points and 14 rebounds, but didn't get enough local support as only rookie guard Josh Urbiztondo managed to finish in double figures after the Realtors import with 13.

The Realtors held their own early in the first half, taking a 24-23 lead after 12 minutes of play.

But the moment the Tropang Texters' second unit, led by Williams and Jared Dillinger, took over in the second period, there was nothing the Realtors could do.

Halftime ended with Talk 'N Text already on top by 15 as the Realtors scored only 13 in the period.

"Our second unit played very well and helped us tonight," said Reyes, whose team is coming off a 25-point rout of Derby Ace the last time.

An assist by Alapag on a cutting Reyes with three minutes remaining gave the Tropang Texters one of their several 19-point leads, 84-65. - RCJ, GMANews.TV

Scores:

Talk 'N Text 92 - Williams 19, De Ocampo 14, Cardona 12, Alapag 12, Daniels 10, Dillinger 8, Carey 8, Castro 5, Reyes 4, Yee 0, Quinahan 0.

Sta. Lucia 78 - Johnson 29, Urbiztondo 13, Espinas 8, Escobal 5, Belasco 5, Custodio 4, Omolon 4, Peek 4, Aquino 3, Misolas 2, Menor 1, Ross 0, Aljamal 0.

Quarterscores: 23-24, 52-37, 74-60, 92-78

Gilas Coach Hopes PBA Board Loans Williams

(From GMA News)

If Smart-Gilas coach Rajko Toroman will have his way, he would like to have former Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) most valuable player (MVP) Kelly Williams joining his squad for the Guangzhou Asian Games.

"Yes, we want to include him (Williams) to the Asian Games, but it will depend also on the PBA," said Toroman in a text message sent to GMANews.TV.

Toroman, the man responsible for steering Iran to the FIBA Asia Championship crown in 2007 that enabled the country to earn an Olympic berth in Beijing, was vocal about Williams’ inclusion.

Perhaps, the first step towards Williams joining Smart-Gilas had already been achieved after Talk ‘N Text acquired him and Ryan Reyes in a three-team, nine-player trade.

Like Smart-Gilas, Talk ‘N Text is one among the few teams being bankrolled by businessman/sportsman Manny V. Pangilinan.

But Toroman still needs the PBA board’s approval in loaning Williams to the Gilas developmental squad, which is a non-PBA member.

Williams will definitely not be included in the FIBA Asia Champions Cup set to begin next week in Doha, Qatar.

Talented Filipino-American guard Chris Lutz, however, will join the team in Doha after the Marshall University standout arrived Tuesday from the United States. He is expected to take the place of Marcio Lassiter, who suffered a slight tear on his right knee.

"Maybe Lutz can replace him, but we will see," said Toroman.

Lutz, a 24-year-old combo guard, was the all-time leading scorer while playing for Trinity High School before going to the Thundering Herd. The 6-foot-3 Lutz averaged 8.7 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.5 assists while playing for the US NCAA Division I team.

He once worked out for the national developmental team and quickly impressed everyone, including Talk ‘N Text coach Chot Reyes.

“I had the opportunity of seeing (Lutz) play here. Smart-Gilas was playing tune up games against us and I was impressed with his versatility. He can shoot, can slash and plays with a lot of energy," said Reyes.

Lutz will definitely be a welcome addition to the Gilas squad battered with injuries. Team captain Christ Tiu is playing with an injury along with Mark Baracael, JR Cawaling and guard JV Casio, who was named the best playmaker in a Dubai meet but is now rehabilitating from an ACL injury.

"Not so nice for the team right now because we have a lot of injuries," said Toroman. "We have a lot of work to do in the Champions Cup because all teams go to Doha to win."

Greg Slaughter was supposed to be more of a project player for the national team aspirants, but he had shown tremendous improvement under Toroman’s guidance.

"He’s getting better and better," said Toroman on the 6-foot-11 pride of University of Visayas, who will suit up for the Ateneo Eagles in next year’s UAAP wars.

Serbian import Milan Vucicevic, according to Toroman, had slowly got himself accustomed with the Philippines’ hot and humid conditions as well as with his teammates.

Vucicevic had various stints in basketball leagues in Cyprus, Oman, Ukraine, Greece and Poland. He is described by Toroman as a "good player, with a good attitude."

"If he could help enough the team, we’ll make a deal with him after Doha. It’s all up to him," said Toroman of the Serbian import.

Ginebra Gets Wake-Up Call, Rips Sta Lucia

(From PBA Online)

BARANGAY Ginebra just needed a hot start in dismantling the overhauled Sta. Lucia Realty squad, 102-85, for its second straight win in the KFC-PBA Fiesta Conference Sunday night at the Araneta Coliseum.

Import Mildon Ambres led the Kings' balanced attack with 21 points, 14 coming in the third period that helped his team maintain the double-digit lead in the contest.

Ronald Tubid and Jayjay Helterbrand each had 17 markers for Ginebra, which improved its mark to 6-4. Tubid was 5-of-5 from the rainbow territory.

"We did something positive today but it's hard to make a judgment kasi siyempre nawalan ng players ang Sta. Lucia," said Kings head coach Jong Uichico. He was referring to Kelly Williams and Ryan Reyes, who were traded last week to Talk ‘N Text.

"It's really hard to play kapag nawala ang core ng team kaya I think we just played more as a team today," he added.

Williams and Reyes, along with SLR's rookie Charles Waters, were part of the 9-player, 3-team deal last week that also involved Barako Coffee.

In return, the Realtors got Ali Peek, Nic Belasco, Pong Escobal and Ogie Menor, who all, except for Aljamal, struggled in their first game in Sta. Lucia uniforms.

Aljamal finished with 12 points but the four combined for just 11 points.

Behind the hot shooting of Tubid and Helterbrand, Ginebra quickly built a 27-13 in the first 12 minutes and took a 51-37 halftime lead despite Ambres scoring just 3 points.

But the Kings unloaded 14 of the team's first 19 points in the third quarter as they finally broke away with a 70-50 lead, 4:05 remaining in that stage.

The Realtors trimmed the gap at 70-81 on Aljamal's three-pointer but Ginebra answered back with a 14-0 run capped by Caguioa's breakaway layup that sealed the win for the Kings, 93-70, 4:47 left.

Anthony Johnson led Sta. Lucia with 31 points and 9 rebounds but failed to get the needed support from the locals. Gabby Espinas chipped in 13 for the Realtors, who dropped to 4-6. - www.philstar.com

Scores:

Barangay Ginebra 102 - Ambres 21, Tubid 17, Helterbrand 17, Caguioa 12, Menk 12, Hatfield 7, Villanueva 6, Wilson 5, Miller 2, De Ocampo 2, Cruz 1

Sta. Lucia 85 - Johnson 31, Espinas 13, Aljamal 12, Mendoza 11, Omolon 5, Peek 5, Belasco 4, Escobal 2, Aquino 2, Urbiztondo 0, Menor 0, Belano 0

Quarterscores: 27-13, 51-37, 77-63, 102-85.

Realtors Turn Back Aces in Williams, Reyes' Farewell Game

(From PBA Online)

Anthony Johnson scored Sta. Lucia's last six points from the foul line, including the insurance free throws that clinched the Realtors' 91-87 come-from-behind win over Alaska Wednesday night in the PBA Fiesta Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

Johnson topscored for 34 points, 22 of them he scored in the first half, and was a perfect 8-of-8 from the 15-foot line. He also added 12 rebounds, three steals and a block shot in an all-around performance that gave theRealtors a strong finishing kick by the end of its first round assignment.

Sta. Lucia improved to 4-5 (win-loss) slate, tying the Coca-Cola Tigers by winning three of its last four outings despite the swirling rumors of an impending trade involving star player Kelly Williams to Talk `N Text.

Coach Boyet Fernandez expressed some emotions in his post-game interview, admitting the Realtors would never be the same without Williams, who wound up as the top local scorer for the Realtors with 15 points.

"I cannot picture my team without my MVP," said Fernandez of the slam dunking forward, the 2007-08 PBA Most Valuable Player. "It's hard to visualize this team without Kelly."

Nonetheless, Fernandez is pleased to see the Realtors resuming their winning ways.

"I am just happy to get this ballgame over with and finish strong in the first round. It's a nice win," he said.

But the Realtors had to endure some anxious moments before getting past the Aces (4-4).

They squandered a 13-point, third quarter lead and appeared on the verge of a major collapse when the Aces, behind L.A. Tenorio and Cyrus Baguio, engineered a big 12-0 run entering the final stretch, turning a six-point deficit into an 83-77 advantage.

Back-to-back three pointers by Johnson and Paolo Mendoza brought the Realtors back into the game however, before Johnson came through with his shooting binge from the foul line.

His two free throws with 23.1 seconds put the Realtors in front for good, 89-87.

Alaska then failed to capitalize in the next play as Baguio missed a hurried attempt from downtown.

Forced to foul to stop the clock, the Aces sent Johnson to the foul line and the Sta. Lucia import calmly sank both shots to seal the deal for theRealtors.

Diamon Simpson led the Aces with 31 points and 19 rebounds, while Baguio added 14, 10 coming in the fourth quarter.

SLR's Exit Plan? Kelly, Ryan Traded to TNT

(From PBA Online)

Sta. Lucia coach Boyet Fernandez entered the press room as protocol for winning coach facing mediamen after the game.

He has won the match, his team's third in its last four games, but came up with an opening statement as if he has lost a big one.

"I can't imagine my team without my MVP," said Fernandez.

Yes, indeed, Fernandez lost his prized-player, 2007-2008 MVP Kelly Williams, who was just traded to Talk N Text, ending a week of suspense drama.

As if that was not enough, the Realtors also lost their former Rookie of the Year, Ryan Reyes also to the Tropang Texters, completing a nine-player, three-team trade deal considered as the biggest this season.

But Williams and Reyes were two of the only players with greater value, so to speak in a trade that also involved Barako Coffee. The two cagers who played for the PBA-backed national team to the FIBA Asia Championship in separate occasions, will go to the Tropang Texters as a diverting route to Smart-Gilas.

The two players are reportedly set to be loaned to the Smart-Gilas national developmental pool, which is also bankrolled by Manny V. Pangilinan, the top honcho of Talk N Text in the PBA.

Also involved in the multi-player trade were Ali Peek, Nic Belasco, Pong Escobal, Ogie Menor, Yousif Aljamal, Mark Isip and a future pick.

The Realtors were able to secure the rights on Peek, Belasco, Escobal, Menor and Aljamal.

The Energy Coffee Masters tabbed Isip and a future pick.

Sta. Lucia team manager and former PBA chairman Buddy Encarnado told GMANews.TV said that it's really hard to let go of two of his best players.

"Things are really done for a reason and one of them is because of a higher calling and that is to represent the national team," said Encarnado.


Sta. Lucia's last hurrah in the PBA?

Have we seen the last of Sta. Lucia?

Encarnado neither confirmed nor deny that this will be the last conference of the Realtors, who won two league titles in nearly two decades of participation in the country's premier cage league.

"We can't really tell it," said Encarnado when asked if this will be the final conference of the Realtors. "It's like asking somebody if he still wants to stay alive or wants to die."

"But you cannot question anymore Sta. Lucia's tenure in the PBA. We have stayed longer than some of the teams that participated here. Right now, we will still continue to show the same passion and willingness to compete," added Encarnado, who is tasked to head the PBA's creation of a Developmental League that will serve as the transition league of Liga Pilipinas and Philippine Basketball League.

Kelly Williams Soon a Texter

(From Inquirer)

Negotiation for Kelly Williams’ transfer to Talk ‘N Text from Sta. Lucia Realty is expected to get going soon following the expression of gratitude of Texters governor Ricky Vargas recently.

In a radio interview Monday, Vargas thanked Realtors counterpart Buddy Encarnado for his willingness to let go of the 6-foot-7 Williams to play for Smart Gilas in several international tournaments later this year.

But Williams’ case will be far different from that of Japeth Aguilar’s, who the Texters acquired from Burger King (now Air21) but shipped immediately to the Philippine training pool under Serbian coach Rajko Toroman.

Williams, should the deal push through, will play as a Texter in the PBA and will not be used entirely by Smart Gilas, according to Vargas in the same interview.

Vargas added that in exchange, the Realtors can pick any player from the Talk ‘N text roster except Jimmy Alapag, Harvey Carrey, Jason Castro and Mac Cardona.