James Yap, fans hold Soup Kitchen to feed flood victims

InterAKTV · Wednesday, September 12, 2012 · 9:36 pm

Photo from the King James18 Facebook page

Fans of San Mig Coffee superstar James Yap organized a successful outreach event for victims of flood in the Cainta area last Sunday highlighted by the presence of the two-time Most Valuable Player.
Members of the King James Group of James Yap, a fan club formally organized just last June, came up with the idea of holding relief efforts for evacuees from flooding brought about by torrential rains in Luzon last month. The outreach event served as the formal launch for the King James Group.
For the event, the fans sought the help of Reena del Mundo, who handled marketing duties for the squad. She suggested the group hold a Soup Kitchen event, which is the feeding program of San Miguel Pure Foods Company that owns the PBA franchise.
With ingredients donated by the team as well as members of the fan club, the group brought seven calderos of arroz caldo to serve evacuees who were still living in covered basketball courts and unable to return to their homes. A total of 1,500 evacuees were from Barangay San Juan (Teacher’s Village District) and Barangay San Andres (Anak-Pawis District and Planters District) were served.
Yap himself led the serving of the arroz caldo, and gamely posed for pictures and signed autographs for everyone in the evacuation area.
Members of the King James Group also donated P5,000 worth of medicine, as well as three sacks of clothes.
After the event, Yap thanked members of his fan club for the opportunity to be part of the outreach program before saying goodbye. “5 a.m. gising ko. Dapat mag-practice nang husto. Mag-papa-condition kasi tumaba ako!”

source: http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/james-yap-fans-hold-soup-kitchen-to-feed-flood-victims

TY so thankful for Tiu reunion

Rain or Shine guard TY Tang, right, and Chris Tiu won several championships together in grade school and high school. Now Tang hopes to repeat the experience in the pro ranks. Jerome Ascano

TY Tang could hardly believe his ears as childhood pal Chris Tiu told him over the phone the good news that they were bound to be teammates - again.
“Tumawag siya sa akin and he said na teammates uli kami,” said Tang, recounting the Draft Day experience. “It was a surreal feeling that I told him na imposible dahil hindi ka aabot sa amin. Until binigay n'ya kay (Rain or Shine assistant) coach Caloy (Garcia) ‘yung phone na nagsabi na na-draft nga siya ng team.”
Rain or Shine's drafting of Tiu at No. 7 in the last PBA rookie draft paved the way for a reunion for the childhood pals, who had been teammates at Xavier School since grade school and teamed up in high school to lead Xavier to three straight Metro Manila Tiong Lian Basketball Association titles.
The two, however, parted ways in college and ironically ended up on opposite sides of the most celebrated rivalry in varsity hoops -- Tang with La Salle and Tiu with Ateneo.
“For the longest time, after eight years of playing grade school and high school, we were separated in college and we ended up as rivals pa,” said Tang. “It was bittersweet. You are happy for him but at the same time, you feel bad about it.”
The two friends grew farther apart post college. After leading La Salle to a UAAP championship in 2007 and Harbour Centre to a PBL title that same year, Tang jumped to the pros and was drafted by Welcoat.
Tiu won the UAAP title in his final year with the Eagles in 2008 before moving on to the national team with Smart Gilas while carving a niche as a television personality and top product endorser.
But to Tang's delight, fate brought them together again at the Elasto Painters camp, Tang's only team in his pro career which also grabbed the opportunity of picking Tiu in the last rookie draft after several teams had passed up the chance.
After winning a first championship with Rain or Shine in the Governors Cup last year, the 5-7 back-up guard is now looking forward to winning a championship again with Tiu by his side.
He hopes it happens soon.
“Right now, we are teammates again, at least there are no more bittersweet feelings and more importantly, we can win together again,” Tang said.

source: http://www.spin.ph/sports/basketball/special-reports/ty-so-thankful-for-tiu-reunion

Chris Tiu finally scrimmages with Rain or Shine, fits Yeng Guiao’s system perfectly

Rey Joble, InterAKTV · Wednesday, September 12, 2012 · 7:28 pm

PBA/Nuki Sabio

After recovering from a hamstring injury, prized rookie Chris Tiu was finally given the go-signal to scrimmage with the rest of the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters barely three weeks before the opening of the new PBA season.
But it wasn’t much of an adjustment for Tiu, who said he feels right at home in coach Yeng Guiao’s system.
“System is perfect for me. Conditioning and timing na lang,” wrote Tiu in a text message to InterAKTV.
Guiao agreed with his new guard’s assessment.
“Bagay na bagay siya sa sistema. He looks to be the right fit whenever we run the pick and roll and the weave offense,” said Guiao of Tiu.
“He is also a very intelligent player, shoots the ball efficiently, knows when to react and makes the right decision. He will definitely make an impact for our team and the league in general,” added Guiao, who was named Coach of the Year by the PBA Press Corps last Monday for leading the Elasto Painters to their first title in franchise history in last season’s Governors’ Cup.
“Siguro if I’m going to grade him, I will give him a 7.5 out of 10, considering the fact na hindi pa siya 100% fit coming off an injury.”
Guiao has a reputation for allowing his players room to freelance on the offensive end, and Tiu is relishing the newfound freedom.
“Compared to my former coaches [Norman Black and Rajko Toroman], Coach Yeng’s system gives you a lot of freedom. We run a system and patterns, but it gives players opportunity to create. Di-diskarte ka rin and you will read situations,” said Tiu.
“Coach Rajko’s system is very systematic and structured while Coach Norman’s is a little bit in between between coach Yeng’s and Rajko’s.”
For the former SMART-Gilas captain, however, the key is to make sure that he is 100 percent come the opening of the season.
“I feel better now, but this is not a good gauge because we only played half court,” he said. “There’s still pain sa harmstring injury ko, but I’m doing constant rehab to facilitate healing.”

source:http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/chris-tiu-finally-scrimmages-with-rain-or-shine-fits-yeng-guiaos-system-perfectly

Gilas one big guy short of becoming force in Asia, says Webb By Gerry Ramos

“Once you don’t have a middle, then [a team is] a doughnut. The team that’s a doughnut very, very seldom wins championships,” says Olympian Freddie Webb. Jerome Ascano 

FREDDIE Webb, a member of the last Philippine men’s cage team to compete in the Olympics, believes Smart Gilas-Pilipinas 2.0 is one big guy away from becoming a major force in Asian basketball again.
The former Olympian said the Nationals need one more dominant player in the middle to complement 6-foot-11 naturalized player Marcus Douthit. Otherwise, the composition of the team in the other positions is more than good enough for it to be competitive.
“Get a guy in the middle kapalit ni Douthit. Makakuha pa tayo ng isa nun, then we will be more of a team to reckon with (than other teams),” Webb, now 69, told Spin.ph when asked about his observation of the current national team under coach Chot Reyes.
Webb, dubbed 'Fastbreak Freddie' during his heydays owing to his blinding speed on the court, likes the team philosophy of filling up its roster with players who can hit the outside jumper, guys like Gary David, Jeff Chan, LA Tenorio, Larry Fonacier, Ranidel de Ocampo, Gabe Norwood, and Sonny Thoss.
He said that has been the longtime formula of success for Korea and, of late, the European teams.
“Alam naman natin ang Korea, 'yung Europe. Kung maglaro yan hindi naman puwersahan. Babanatan ka niyan sa labas. Dapat dun tayo matuto,” stressed the former basketball star who became a Paranaque congressman, and later, a two-time senator.
Then again, there is still a room left for one more player whose primary role is to get the rebounds, defend the paint and occasionally provide inside scoring like what Douthit does.
“Once you don’t have a middle, then [a team is] a doughnut. The team that’s a doughnut very, very seldom wins championships,” reminded Webb, who played three seasons in the PBA, and also tried his hands at coaching and acting.
Just like the rest of this basketball-crazy nation, Webb rejoiced when the Nationals won the William Jones Cup basketball championship recently, referring to himself as belonging to the `peanut gallery section’ who served as 'rah-rah boys' along with the millions of Filipino people during the week-long magical ride pulled off by the national squad.
But he cautioned us not to be carried away with the team’s success, saying it will still take a lot more years and effort before the country makes a dream return to the Olympics.
“We’re jumping the gun too soon, “ said Webb, who was part of the Philippine men’s team to the 1972 Munich Olympics  along with Bogs Adornado, Jimmy Mariano, Yoyong Martirez, Danny Florencio, Manny Paner, Marte Samson, Joy Cleofas, and the late Ciso Bernardo, Tembong Melencio, Jun Papa, Ed Ocampo, and coach Ning Ramos.
“Let’s not push it too much.”

source: http://www.spin.ph/sports/basketball/news/gilas-one-big-guy-short-of-becoming-force-in-asia-says-webb

EXCLUSIVE VIDEO | GlobalPort vs Air 21 melee

AKTV/Paul Mata

News5 caught an exclusive video of the melee involving Air 21 rookie Yousef Taha in the Express’ tuneup match Wednesday against GlobalPort.

Cooler heads prevailed, however, and GlobalPort veteran Rommel Adducul was seen making peace with the Express rookie center after the match.


source: http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/exclusive-video-globalport-vs-air-21-melee

Caguioa welcomes Tenorio to Ginebra, but says Helterbrand isn’t done yet

PBA/Nuki Sabio

Superstar guard Mark Caguioa has welcomed LA Tenorio to Ginebra San Miguel with open arms, but he doesn’t see it as a sign that bosom buddy Jayjay Helterbrand is on his way out.
“LA is a real competitor, he has leadership quality and can set direction inside the court,” said Caguioa, adding that it is an opportunity for Helterbrand to show what he’s still got.
“I see LA’s inclusion as a big challenge for him (Helterbrand). I’m sure everyone will be felt challenged when someone is about to take your spot.”
Known collectively as “The Fast and the Furious,” Caguioa and Helterbrand formed one of the deadliest backcourt combinations in the league. But while Caguioa remains an elite player in the PBA after winning the Most Valuable Player award last season, Helterbrand has flirted with the idea of hanging up his sneakers.
Helterbrand, who won MVP honors himself in 2009, actually mulled retiring after the Philippine Cup last season. Caguioa was among those who convinced him to continue playing.
The entry of Tenorio figures to make for a crowded point guard rotation for Ginebra, which also counts Mike Cortez and Rob Labagala as part of its roster. Caguioa sees Tenorio as a good fit not just because of his talent, but also because of his relative youth and his leadership skills.
“I think it’s also a preparation for the future,” said Caguioa. “LA is a young veteran and players look up to him as well.”
Ginebra gave up Enrico Villanueva and two future draft picks to acquire Tenorio, who will be expected to start for the team. Caguioa said chemistry will be the most important factor for the team’s campaign in the upcoming season.
“We just have to come together and play within the system,” said Caguioa.

source: http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/caguioa-welcomes-tenorio-to-ginebra-but-says-helterbrand-isnt-done-yet

Air21 rookie chased out of gym in third fight-marred preseason game

Air21 rookie Yousif Taha figured in a hard collision with Global Port veteran Romel Adducul then was chased out of the gym by Rabeh Al-Hussaini and Jondan Salvador in the ensuing commotion. Jerome Ascano 

FOR the third straight day, a preseason game featuring a PBA team was marred by another fight, this time involving three Global Port big men and Air21's 6-8 rookie Yousif Taha on Wednesday at the Moro Lorenzo gym in the Ateneo campus, Quezon City.
Both benches emptied following a hard mid-air collision between Taha and Global Port veteran big man Romel Adducul during a rebounding play at the two-minute, 47-second mark of the second period.
Adducul, a many-time national player, claimed he was pushed accidentally by another player following a missed attempt by Global Port as he landed on top of Taha.
Taha tried to ward off Adducul on the floor, who thought he was being kicked by the 6’8” Air21 rookie.
Nevertheless, Global Port slotman Rabeh Al-Hussaini and burly forward Jondan Salvador quickly came to Adducul’s defense as both Batang Pier big men chased Taha out of the Moro Lorenzo gym, which triggered the bench-clearing incident.
Game officials, with the help of Global Port and Air21 coaching staff, intervened and stopped the out-of-court action from turning into a full-blown fistfight.
As the players finally got back on their benches, Ramil Cruz, the PBA’s technical committee supervisor, gathered coaches Glen Capacio of Global Port and Franz Pumaren of Air21 to tell them that Al-Hussaini, Adducul and Salvador were all slapped with flagrant foul 2, which meant automatic ejection from the game.
“Yung tatlo (referring to Adducul, Al-Hussaini and Salvador) got involved in the incident. And they were already assessed with flagrant foul 2. The game was continued since both coaches wanted the game to continue even though wala na nga yung tatlong malaki ng Global Port,” said Cruz.
Cruz said he’ll be submitting an incident report to PBA commissioner Chito Salud so he could make the final decision on whether to slap fines on the three Global Port big men.
Salud has declined comment, indicating that no fines are fortcoming.
There have been several cases in the past where fines were handed out due to preseason fights, the biggest of P50,000 slapped on Red Bull for a bench-clearing brawl with Ginebra in 2003 at the Green Meadows gym.
The last to be fined were Danny Seigle and Ronald Tubid for separate preseason fights in 2003.
 “My fault,” an apologetic Adducul told Spin.ph, shortly after the game won by Air21, 82-80. “Dapat lang talaga na-control ko ang emotion ko. Pero nag-apologize na din ako sa kanya (Taha).”
After the game, which saw Global Port bounce back from a 16-point deficit before losing by two points, both squads met at center court to shake hands in a gesture of sportsmanship.
“It was just unfortunate na mawala yung tatlong big men namin. But it was also good to see my players give a good fight kahit nga maliit na kami sa court nung second half,” said Capacio.
Pumaren, meantime, said the referees should have controlled the game from the start considering that Al-Hussaini and Salvador had been going hard on Taha.
“I like the guy (Taha). He plays physical and he also plays with a lot of passion. But then, I don’t think he meant to hurt any of the players (from Global Port),” added Pumaren, whose team will be taking on San Mig Coffee on Friday.
On Monday, Barangay Ginebra’s preseason game against the Qatar national team got halted midway in the third period following a near fistfight between Gin Kings center Kerby Raymundo and Qatari 6’8” center Mohammed Yousef at the Ronac gym in San Juan.
The following day, the tune-up game between Alaska and San Mig Coffee at the Reyes gym was also halted in the third period after Mixers coach Tim Cone vehemently protested the flagrant foul 1 called against forward Jerwin Gaco for elbowing Aces forward Eddie Laure.
Cone didn’t like the call, after which he decided not to push through with the rest of the match.
Cone has since apologized for the incident over the microblogging site Twitter, claiming it was not the call but fear for the welfare of his players that prompted him to call the match off.


source: http://www.spin.ph/sports/basketball/news/air21-rookie-chased-out-of-gym-in-third-fight-marred-preseason-game

Double-barreled gun

“Maganda talagang makasama si Willie. Alam mo kasi ano ang magagawa sa court ng isang kagaya n'ya,” says Gary David, right, of his new backcourt partner. Jerome Ascano

GARY David can't wait to work with Global Port’s biggest offseason catch - Willie Miller.
The hot-shooting gunner also known as 'El Granada' is set to team up this season with the 5-11 Miller to form what could be the most explosive backcourt combination in the pro league in the coming season.
“Maganda talagang makasama si Willie. Alam mo kasi ano ang magagawa sa court ng isang kagaya ni Willie,” said David, who led the league in scoring last season with a career-high 25.8-point average for the defunct Powerade team.

Gary David is excited to team up with two-time league MVP Willie Miller. Photo by Jerome Ascano

Opposing teams should have their hands full trying to contain David and Miller, who joined the Batang Pier in the four-team, four-player trade that also involved LA Tenorio, Enrico Villanueva and JV Casio.
The two-time league MVP is one of the most potent scorers in the league and, with the hot-shooting David by his side, should find a little more room to shoot as opposing defenses pick their poison.
This early, David said the team of businessman Mikee Romero is tinkering with several offensive patterns to maximize the two's talent while vowing to be a more physical team in the season kicking off on September 30.
“Mas inaayos na namin yung set offense namin saka mas ma-expect niyon ngayong season na magiging physical kami,” explained David, who left on Wednesday with the Smart Gilas 2.0 team for the Fiba Asia Cup in Tokyo.
David said the improved play of 6-7 center Rabeh Al-Hussaini will make the Batang Pier's frontline a lot more respectable against the bigger teams in the league.
“Malaki ini-improve ni Rabeh ngayong offseason. Maganda actually pinapakita niya sa practice. Magiging malaking role niya sa team,” he added.




source: http://www.spin.ph/sports/basketball/special-reports/double-barreled-gun