San Sebastian shoots for win No. 6

(From Manila Bulletin)

August 2, 2010, 8:25am

Games Monday (The Arena, San Juan)
10 a.m. — SSC-R vs CSB (Jrs)
12 noon — EAC vs Mapua (Jrs)
2 p.m. — SSC-R vs CSB (Srs)
4 p.m. — EAC vs Mapua (Srs)

Expect another gung-ho performance from Calvin “The Beast” Abueva as San Sebastian College goes for win No. 6 and the solo lead against College of St. Benilde Monday in the 86th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.

Game time is at 2 p.m. with the Stags, owing to their deeper bench, installed the heavy favorites against the Blazers, who are seeking an end to their two-game skid after winning their initial assignment opposite Arellano University.

The defending champion Stags are hoping for their sixth straight victory that will move them ahead of San Beda College (5-0).

Mapua Institute of Technology tries to follow up its lopsided win against Letran three days ago when the Cardinals mix it up at 4 p.m. against the rejuvenated Emilio Aguinaldo College.

The 6-foot-3 Abueva, who produced a monster game of 16 points and 15 rebounds on top of four steals in the Stags' 72-59 triumph against Jose Rizal University last Friday, will continue to be the prime offensive weapon of San Sebastian.

"He's one reason why we are winning. Even during the practice he plays the same aggressiveness and intensity," Agustin said of Abueva, a Pampanga native, a strong contender for this season's MVP plum.

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.