by John Paul Marquez Newly dressed Brgy. Ginebra San Miguel and Global Port Batang Pier took the first showdown in the opener of the 38th season of Philippine Basketball Association.
The long wait is over for the basketball fans, as the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) opened its 38th season yesterday.
Ginebra took the first win to open the 1st conference (Philippine Cup) against the Global Port (former Powerade Tigers), 110-90, after the opening ceremony at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Jones Cup Most Valuable Player awardee, Gilas 2.0 player and newly installed Ginebra player LA Tenorio led the way for the Ginebra as he tallied only two points but got nine boards and 10 feeds.
"I’m not a scorer talaga, gusto ko maging happy ang teammatesko,” Tenorio stated.
Rudy Lingganay of the Batang Pier seized the first point of the season but Ginebra blasted off with an 8-2 run; Lingganay scored the first 12 points of the Batang Pier including the two money shots to cut down the lead for the Ginebra 14-12. Ginebra stayed on top at the end of the frist, 26-20.
Ginebra rookies no.6 pick Chris Ellis accumulated for his 13 points in his PBA career while no. 8 pick Keith Jensen collected 14 points. Ginebra ruined the second quarter as they enter the dug-out with a massive lead, 55-39.
Late in the final canto, the Batang Pier made a rally after the three free-throws of the two-time MVP and newly Lina Francise player Willie Miller with 26 points. Batang Pier dropped an 11-0 unanswered points including the two get away of rookie AJ Mandani (13 points) and the transition three of Gary David (nine points) to cut down the lead, 94-86.
David. who has been struggling from the field by dominating the board Ginebra fins their way to stay on top, and got multiple possession plus a Rico Maiehofer offensive boards and an and-one play to bring back the deficit within double digit. With 3:01 left Tenorio gets a steal after the ball landed on his face and a getaway pass to Mark Cagiuoa, who also contributed 18 points for the Ginebra. A MVP alley-oop connection from Tenorio to Caguioa sealed the day.
Ginebra, got their first win in the season while Global Port will find their selves for the upcoming days. PBA will continue on Wednesday as the Ube Republic Air 21 Express will take on against Barako Bull Energy Cola in the first game while Petron Blaze Booster will try their best to get their first victory under the new head coach Olsen Racela against the newly Governor’s Cup Champion Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.
by Deliza Maye Fernandez Stunning Muses, hyperactive players and wild crowd— this is how the 38th season of Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) All-Filipino Cup opened yesterday.
PBA Commissioner, Chito Salud, proudly presented the achievements of the PBA in the last seasons accomplishing the 22% increase in live attendance and the profit they made every game including the on-tours.
Salud demanded for a game that is tough but filled with sportsmanship, a great game but aware of responsibility and a game that will mark not through the harsh action but through good defense and offense.
Ten teams had been officially named as their muses floats on the court: Anne Curtis for San Mig Coffee Mixers which is formerly the B-Meg Llamados; Alice Dixon of TalkNtxt Tropang texters; Isabelle Daza of Petron Blaze Boosters; Sophie Albert of Meralco Bolts; Stephany Stefanowits of Air21 Express; Ciane Xavier of Barako Bull; Sam Pinto of Global Port which is formerly known as the Powerade Tigers; Rizzini Alexis Gomez of Alaska Aces; Camille Guevarra of Rain or Shine Elasto Painters and Georgina Wilson of Barangay Ginebra Kings.
The opening game had been set for Barangay Ginebra Kings against the Global Port Batang Pier.
By John Paul Marquez TAIPEI, TAIWAN- A successful come-from-behind triumph was registered by the Smart Gilas Pilipinas 2.0 to bring home the 2012 William Jones Cup title.
Alaska Aces’ main point guard LA Tenorio lighten up the PH after he hit the 18-foot jump shot off Marcus Douthit screen for his total of 20 points to guarantee their win against USA, 76-75, last night.
In the first part, the USA started the game via 6-0 courtesy of Jermaine Barnes but the Philippines responded in a 10 unanswered points to get the lead after Jeff Chan’s two trey for his 20 points of total. USA still handled the lead in the end, 13-12 after a 7-2 run. In the second quarter, USA stretched their lead by dominating the boards. Their 5’10 guard James Justice led them, dropping 17 points and they headed to their dug-out with the advantage 34-23.
Curtis Marshall widen their lead after he knocked down a three, 39-25. With Gary David’s long distance shot he decreasde the US lead, 44-37. But Justice and Marshall both converted for an and-one to make a big difference again, 50-37. With eight seconds left, Tenorio started to get his rhythm after he went for a reverse against seven footer Scott Vandermeer to ride the last sentence in the quarter, 59-51.
Tenorio and Norwood knocked down from the arc to bond the score at 59, Tenorio and the Philippines finally got the driver’s seat with his floater, 59-61 but his nemesis Justice connected with teardrops to get back the lead for the US, 63-62.
Once again the lieutenant LA does damage after his spinned and a shot to regain the lead. It's been a point guard showdown when Justice once again shutdown the Filipino crowd in the arena after he pulled down a three, 73-72. Jermaine Dearman left wide open underneath the basket coming off a bullet pass from his teammate, to get the lead once again at 75-74 with 36.1 seconds left. Gilas mentor Chot Reyes executed the play he wanted, and the ball ended on the fiery hands of Tenorio and buried that jump shot with 19.9 seconds left. USA didn’t call a time-out, continuing their play but they didn’t score at that possession. Tenorio grasped for the rebound, and as expected the US immediately fouled him. With 1.9 seconds left Jeff Chan engaged to a two charity but his missed both, USA hoping for one last word with 0.9 ticks left, USA didn’t sink a jump shot that sealed the game. Philippines Naturalized center Marcus Douthit dished 17 points.
Finally, the Philippines grabbed the championship after the 1998 Philippine Centennial Team led by current B-Meg Llamados head coach Tim Cone. It took 14 years after owning the 4th title. The Philippines ended the tournament with a 7-1 record. They started their campaign by beating Jordan 88-78, followed by a lopsided victory against Chinese- Taipei B Guang Hua, 99-68, and then escaped South Korea, 82-79, another close victory against Japan, 88-84, and suffered from their only loss in the tournament coming from Lebanon, 91-72. After that they defeated the defending champion Iran via 77-75 and followed this last game against the 13-time champion.
LA Tenorio was hailed as the tournament’s Most Valuable Player. Gilas will compete in 4th FIBA Asia Cup in Tokyo, Japan on September 14-22 with almost the same line-up except for the addition of Talk n’ Text forward Jared Dillinger. Meralco’s guard Sol Mercado has been released in the line-up because of the FIBA rules concerning foreign-born citizen. Baracael was also released in the line-up as well as San Beda’s Garvo Lanete.
by John Paul Marquez TAIPEI, TAIWAN - Gary David was scorching hot in the last two minutes after sinking the last two tough shots over his Korean defender to escort the Smart Gilas Pilipinas 2.0 in a victory against South Korea, 82-79 last August 21 in the 2012 34th William Jones Cup.
David mised consecutive shots in the first three quarter but still delivered the last two jump shots that lead his team to a victory and remain unbeaten in the league with a 3-0 record. David accumulated 13 points in the game behind leading scorer Jeff Chan with 14 points, including four three pointers.
Ranidel De Ocampo started their campaign as he dropped the first four points for the team while Chan joined forces as he dig the two threes, to give his team an edge in the first, 24-17. But in the second Korean import Garret Stutz and the rest of the team plummet a 6-0 run to cut the PH lead, 24-23 however Gilas answered back with a stunning 13-0 bomb courtesy of Sol Mercado’s (nine points) and-one plus the two three’s coming from Larry Fonacier and Chan. Juan Pattillio who lead his team with 19 points replied with a two jump shot to slice the deficit to four, 37-33. Korea engaged a tie in 1:31 mark at 40 but PH naturalized big men Marcus Douthit hooped a basket to bring back the lead for the team at 42-40 and also to end the halftime with a lead. Douthit had nine points.
Garret Stutz, with 11 points, controlled the third quarter to dominate the team. Korea used their specialty as they hit three-after-three-after-three to finally control the game, handling the lead, 61-49. Korea burst out with 31 points in the third while holding the PH to only 23 points to take the lead in the end of the quarter, 71-65.
Early in the fourth David scored the first five points to chop down the Korean’s lead, 71-70, but Pattillio once again made a deficit after he responded five points too. In the 5:31 mark Sol Mercado snatch the lead once again for the team, 76-75. As they engaged in the last two minutes David sank the clinching shot and Gabe Norwood with 10 points converted a 1 out of 2 charity, enough to deal with the game. Kim Tae-Sul tried to sink a three to tie the game but it didn’t work.
With the win, they joined Iran on the top of the standing at 3-0, dropping Korea in a 2-2 record. South Korea placed second last year after defending champion Iran, who’s defending their title for the last three years. The Philippines is hoping to snatch back the title when they won he same event back in 1998 under current B-Meg Llamados head coach Tim Cone.
Philippines will play against Japan tomorrow at 5:00pm, in the same venue.
by John Paul Marquez TAIPEI, TAIWAN - Coming out with surprise, San Beda’s pride Garvo Lanete scratched 21 points to lead the Smart Gilas Pilipinas 2.0 in a win contra Chinese-Taipei Guang Hua, 99-68, in the 34th Williams Jones Cup last August 19.
The Gilas dominated the game after stretching their lead to 22 at the end of the first half, 53-31. After that they never looked back and they never let the Guang Hua get their momentum. Larry Fonacier and Sonny Thoss also contributed with 12 points each. They ended the third with a 75-49 lead.
Gabe Norwood also put up a show with alley-oop and slam. The Philippines made a 7-0 run to at least officially seal the deal after Thoss’ lay-up in the 4:59 mark. On that win, the Gilas improved their record to 2-0 after their won last day against one of the power house team Jordan. On the other hand, Guang Hua hooked their second loss in the league still no win for them.
Garvo Lanete the brother of PBA Player Chico Lanete who currently played for the Petron Blaze Booster, is the only amateur player in the roster of Gilas 2.0, after he pulled-out his application form in the 2012 PBA Rookie Draft.
Gilas' next assignment will be South Korea on August 21 after their one day rest. They will try to be on the top until the last day of the league to get the championship after a long time.
There will be no play-offs in this tournament, the team with the best record will automatically win the championship.
by Nico Villaceran CEBU - Undefeated Genesis ”Azukal” Servania dismantled Jorge” El Feroz” Pazos via unanumous decision and earned the WBO Asia Pacific Super Bantam Weight title, as the filipino fighter pour the mexican with solid right hooks and left-right body blows in Pinoy Pride XV at the Waterfront hotel and casino, August 18, Saturday night.
In three tie, the judges scored 118-107,the Allah rising star Servania remained unbeaten in a new record 19-0-7.
Servania appeared much more confident and natural in the ring. He tookthe initiative in the attacks and looked at ease during combat. He threw punches with a target on sight. Overal,l he is more complete and dangerous, a testament that he has found a home in in the sport of boxing and he enjoys learning the craft.
Inside the fight, Pazos stumbled because of Servania’s right hook in 1 minute and 58 seconds of the 1st round. In round 7, Azukal made a cut in the right eye of the mexican. El Ferroz was downed from the second time because of left and right body shots and liver punches in the 1 minute and 17 seconds of the 8th round. Pazos still got to his feet.
Fans exited the Waterfront Hotel wondering how was possible that Pazos did not stay tripping during any of those agonizing falls.
Even though Genesis did not knock out Pazos, he forced the Mexican to the canvas a couple of times the hard way, both with body shots as well as with crushing hooks to the head that rocked the Sinaloan fighter.
“Regalo ko 'tong panalo ko sa sarili ko no'ng August 15”, Servania said for winning the fight.
The complete training program from Alla boxing gym was really effective to Servania’s fight- the body punch work-out, aggressiveness and conditioning, including Azukal’s intelligency and preparedness.
“The Boxing Gym has the complete and latest training program to produce boxing rising superstars like Servania”, Ronnie Nataniels said, a boxing analyst.
by Nico Villaceran CEBU - Jason “El-Nino” Pagara has made a sweet retribution to a rematch fight against his oppressor Rosbel “Lobito” Montoya as the Filipino warrior ripped the Mexican with a piercing body and hard liver punches and win the WBO International Jr. Welterweight crown by a technical knock-out in round 6 of Pinoy Pride XV at the Waterfront hotel and casino, August 18, Saturday night.
Montoya’s body smash calvary started when Pagara hit him in 2 KO’s in the 3rd round. Jason’s left-right hook punches causes the mexican to spit away his mouth-piece and suddenly stumbled. Rosbel valiantly stood and picked his mouth-piece while the referee was counting. But Jason Pagara continue gunning body shots, the mexican with his white trunks tripped again and stood, saved by the bell.
In round 6, after the rounds of exchanging body lowblows and body shots, the 21-year-old Jason Pagara delivered a right hook to the body and injuriously broke Rosbel Montoya’s arm with a liver punch. The mexican was abruptly knocked down again making the third man in the ring Atty. Danrex Tapdasan stop the fight in 1 minute and 30 seconds. The Filipino Fighter from Cagayan De Oro stole the crown and is now the WBO International Jr. Welterweight champion, with his new record of 29 wins, 18 KO’s and 2 losses.
Rosbel Montoya defeated Pagara via unanumous decision in their first fight September 10, last year.
Jason Pagara was born on July 17, 1992 in Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental. Pagara made his professional debut on September 29, 2006, defeating Tata Tadena at Jagna, Bohol, Philippines. At the time of his debut he was only 14 years of age.
On July 25, 2009, Pagara (19-1-0 10KO) defeated Simson Butar-Butar of Indonesia by unanimous decision in a 10-round bout at the Dao Public Terminal in Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines. The judges' scorecards were 100-89, 99-89 and 96-92 all for Pagara.
On June 12, 2011, he knocked out Mexican Juan Carlos Gallego via TKO in round 4.
by John Paul Marquez TAIPEI- Smart Gilas Pilipinas 2.0 started their campaign by beating Jordan, 88-78, in the opening day of the 34th William Jones Cup last August 18.
Naturalized Center Marcus Douthit led the Gilas with 17 points and 14 boards with only limited time after he picked his second foul early in the first. Ranidel De Ocampo tallied the first seven points for the Gilas, 7-3, for a total of his eight points, ending the quarter 25-16, in favor of the Philippines. In the second the Jordan dropped a 15-8 bomb led by Rasheim Wright who got 24 markers, to take the lead for the Jordan, 34-33, with 1:31 left in the second. With Alaska’s Center Sonny Thoss put-back, he recovered the lead for the PH, 35-37, but Jordan kept their lead before going to the dug-out, 39-36.
In the third Douthit hooked his 3rd foul with 7:56, as Wright continued stretching their lead to eight, 48-40. Another Aces player LA Tenorio surged back to bind the score at 48 and the 2012 Governor’s Cup Finals MVP Jeff Chan notched a three for his total of 11 to regain the lead for the PH, 51-48. Wright and the rest of the Jordanian missed those easy shots including free lay-ups. Points continue to fall for the PH, and De Ocampo converted with a buzzer beater three to list the biggest lead on the game at 12, 66-54.
Jordan made a little rally at the start of the quarter but PH hot shot Gary David fouled at the rainbow country, David dishes with 14 points. Jordan still managed to slice the lead into two points, 76-74. With Gabe Norwood and Sol Mercado connection a former teammate in Welcoat/Rain or Shine, they extended their lead and added the trey of Larry Fonacier who also contributed with 10, which led to 83-74 and Marcus Douthit sealing the deal with a two-handed jam with 44 ticks left, 85-76.
The newly formed Gilas 2.0 is composed of some PBA players like Talk N’ Text Larry Fonacier and Ranidel De Ocampo, Alaska’s LA Tenorio, Sonny Thoss and Mac Baracael, Meralco’s JR Reyes and Sol Mercado, Powerade and now Global Port’s Gary David, Reigning Governor’s Cup Champion Gabe Norwood and Jeff Chan of Rain or Shine and the only San Miguel Corporation Player Enrico Villanueva of Ginebra. This also includes San Beda’s Garvo Lanete, newly recruit Matt Ganuela Rosser and the naturalized 6’10 center and original Gilas member Marcus Douthit and their mentor is former Talk N’ Text head coach Chot Reyes.
On the other game, Iran defeat Lebanon, 89-74, South Korea won over Taiwan B, 109-83 and Taiwan triumph against Japan, 82-57. Philippines' next game will be on August 19 as they face Taiwan Guang Hua at the same venue.
by Deliza Maye Fernandez The campaign of the Filipino athletes in the London Olympics has ended as the BMX cyclist Daniel Caluag fell out of line in the quarter finals.
In the first run, Caluag was able to finish fifth place in spite of crashing with his other opponents in the first turn. He placed seventh in the second run and ranked sixth in the third. Caluag wasn’t able to advance at the semis so he gambled his chance on the remaining fourth and fifth run in which he placed fifth and sixth for a total of 29 points. He wasn't able to qualify in the semis.
In the seeding run on August 8, he finished his run with 40.9 seconds that made him ranked second to the last among the 32 contenders.
Daniel Caluag was the only Asian who qualified in the BMX Cycling in London Olympics. BMX cycling is still fresh in this huge kind of competitions as it was first introduce in the Beijing Olympics last 2008.
by John Paul Marquez “We Dare to Dream”, and now, it's really a dream come true for the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters who shined in the recent PBA Governors Cup, winning their first title in franchise history since entering the league in 2006 from Welcoat, after killing the hopes of B-Meg Llamados, 83-76, in their sudden-death Game 7 last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
After the buzzer sounds Rain or Shine won the PBA Governors Cup title behind Best Import awardee Jamelle Cornley who dished 20 markers and 14 boards. They came out from a 3-1 advantage but B-Meg recovered by winning two straight games, sending the series into the deciding game. Yet, B-Meg was not able to continue their streak as they ended up losing on last night's game.
Jeff Chan of RoS, who was sizzling hot in the first quarter, sank a couple of three pointers for a total of 16 points for him, bouncing on his last game’s output. Chan, hailed as the Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) for averaging 11.6 points and three rebounds a game, is also the Most Improved awardee.
RoS ended up the quarter ahead 35-22. Early fragrant foul was called to James Yap and Chito Jaime in 11:53 start of second. After that incident, B-Meg made a rally as they dropped 9-0 bomb to take down the lead 35-31 courtesy of James Yap who’s got 23 points in that game but Chan made an answer with his three taking the deficit again 38-31. Llamados Import Marcus Blakely soar high for a lay-up and a foul to even the game at 48 but off the bench Jervy Cruz’s buzzer beater putback made his team on top in the half, 50-48.
B-Meg regained the lead in the opening of the third quarter, 51-50 but RoS grabbed back the lead after Gabe Norwood’s trey sank a 13-2 run. B-Meg’s energizer Marc Pingris commits his 5th foul in the game in 2:33 mark before the quarter ends. The Llamados received another black-eye after Blakely charged for his 5th foul as well, with only 5:6 seconds left. RoS in front, 68-64.
Early in the fourth quarter Marcus Blakely took his last game in the series after he hooked his final foul with 8:30 remaining, walking with 15 points and 16 rebounds. Despite of losing their import, Big Game James Yap carried his team with a three and Raffy Reavis sending a putback to keep them alive in the game, 76-73. The Elasto Painters seemed worried when their main guy Jamelle Cornley downed on the floor for some knee problem but got up immediately to make sure that his team will win the crown. Plenty of misses for B-Meg, from Yap, De Ocampo and Reavis after PJ Simon’s steal and a lay-up, 82-76, still trailing, they never scored again.
RoS, even without their franchise player Rookie of the Year Paul Lee who suffered an injury in his shoulder in game 2, still delivered the very important game of the series.
For the last six years they were always at the bottom of the standing. They are always the underdog until in this series, but now they are the ones who survived the challenges from the toughest teams in the league. Rain or Shine Head Coach Yeng Guiao won his 6th title (all with import), 1st for the RoS.
August 19 will be the Rookie Draft, where in Junmar Fajardo, Chris Tiu, Calvin Abueva, Cliff Hodge, Chris Ellis, Dave Marcello, Alex Mallari, Aldrich Ramos, and a lot of rookie applicants will try their luck in the big league. The 38th season will start on September 30.
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