Ravena, Slaughter hold key in Gilas buildup for SEA Games, Asiad By Richard Dy

Kiefer Ravena, Greg Slaughter, Ronald Pascual, Bobby Parks, and Nico Salva are some of the players being eyed for the Smart Gilas cadet team to the SEA Games and Asiad. Jerome Ascano

As the college season draws to a close, Smart Gilas 2.0 team manager Butch Antonio said they are lining up at least two international tournaments come January 2013 for the national cadet team, composed mainly of some of the country’s best college players.
Ateneo stars Greg Slaughter, Kiefer Ravena and Nico Salva lead the national cadet team that will be representing the country in the Dubai Invitational International tournament set on January 10-19, followed by another international cage joust in Hong Kong on January 22-27.
“We feel these tournaments could somehow prepare our team this early since more or less, itong team na nila Greg Slaughter and Kiefer ang maglalaro sa SEA (Southeast Asian Games) and probably sa Asian Games since the PBA’s commitment is only in the Asian men’s championships,” Antonio toldSpin.ph.
The original Smart Gilas squad led by then collegiate standouts JVee Casio, Chris Tiu, Mark Barroca and Mac Baracael saw action in the Dubai Invitational during the 2010 and 2011. The Gilas squad placed a respectable third in the 2010 edition, beating Qatar in the battle for third, before improving to second place the following year, bowing to Egypt in the Finals.
Antonio said tournaments like these can further hone the skills of the current college stars, which hopefully prepares them for the tougher grind ahead once they get elevated to the seniors team.
Aside from the three Ateneo college stars, other shoo-in for the national cadet team include San Sebastian gunner Ronald Pascual, Letran Knights guard Kevin Alas, 2010 UAAP MVP RR Garcia of Far Eastern University along with Gilas 2.0 reserves Garvo Lanete and Matt Roser Ganuelas.
Antonio said he will be getting the final confirmation of back-to-back UAAP MVP Bobby Ray Parks of National University, whom he hopes will be part of the cadet team as well.

source: http://www.spin.ph/sports/basketball/news/ravena-slaughter-holds-key-in-gilas-buildup-for-sea-games-asiad

Ginebra, Rain or Shine battle for early lead; Air 21 faces GlobalPort

InterAKTV · Saturday, October 6, 2012 · 9:53 pm

AKTV/Paolo Papa

Rain or Shine and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel battle for the early lead of the 2013 PBA Philippine Cup on Sunday at the SMART-Araneta Colisuem.
The Elasto Painters and the Kings try to follow up their opening game wins as they tangle in the main game at 6:30 p.m.
Air 21 and newcomer GlobalPort meet in the opener at 4:15 p.m.
Ginebra and Rain or Shine are coming from huge wins against respective foes with the Gin Kings blasting the Batang Pier, 110-90, last Sunday and the Elasto Painters beating Petron Blaze, 102-86, last Wednesday.
“It would be interesting to see how we fare against one of the tough teams in the league,” said Ginebra coach Siot Tanquingcen. “It would be a good test for us.”
Ginebra used its deep bench in beating GlobalPort, with six players hitting double-figures led by reigning MVP Mark Caguioa who scored 18 points.
New recruit LA Tenorio also played a key role in that victory though. He only scored two points, but the Jones Cup hero had 10 assists and nine rebounds in the win.
Tanquingcen hopes that they can continue playing as a team especially against a tough defensive team like the Elasto Painters.
“We are playing with a lot of poise and confidence because of the championship,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao, referring to the franchise’s first-ever crown in the Governors’ Cup last season.
Jeff Chan and Gabe Norwood will again lead the cause for the Elasto Painters while rookie Chris Tiu will be out for at least three games due to a hamstring injury.

source: http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/ginebra-rain-or-shine-battle-for-early-lead-air-21-faces-globalport

Ateneo takes Game One over UST, moves closer to fifth straight crown

InterAKTV · Saturday, October 6, 2012 · 5:45 pm

InterAKTV file photo/Roy Afable

Ateneo used a monster second half start before relying on its championship composure in the endgame to upend University of Santo Tomas, 83-78, in Game One of the UAAP Season 75 finals Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Nico Salva scored 30 points to lead the Blue Eagles, which moved a win away from winning its fifth straight title.
Ateneo opened the third quarter with an 17-0 run that turned a 38-31 halftime deficit into a 48-38 lead. The defending champions ended the third quarter with a 61-51 lead.
But the Tigers came roaring back to start the fourth period, rattling off a 13-2 run capped by a dunk by Karim Abdul to take the lead briefly, 64-63.
It was a close ballgame for most of the rest of the game, as the two teams exchanged big baskets. A layup by Jeric Teng put UST within one point, 71-70, before the Blue Eagles rattled off a 10-2 run that gave them a comfortable 81-72 margin.
But Teng hit back-to-back three-pointers for the Tigers to move them back within striking distance with just 30 seconds left. Kiefer Ravena, however, dribbled down the clock before hitting a dagger with eight seconds left to seal the game for the Blue Eagles.
Aljon Mariano led UST with 22 points and 11 rebounds.

source: http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/ateneo-takes-game-one-over-ust-moves-closer-to-fifth-straight-crown