Newest baby girl brings Gary David inspiration, motivation for FIBA Asia Cup

Rey Joble, InterAKTV · Saturday, September 8, 2012 · 2:01 pm

AKTV/Joser Dumbrique

With his wife about to deliver their third baby girl anytime soon, GlobalPort superstar guard Gary David is filled with inspiration in the days leading up to his stint with SMART-Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA Asia Cup.
“Excited na nga ako,” David told InterAKTV. “Dagdag motivation sa akin ito sa Japan tournament namin.”
David and the rest of SMART-Gilas will leave for the tournament in Tokyo, Japan later this week, meaning he would have just a short chance to spend time with the newest member of his family, Lian Mariah Jaylaa David.
For him, it’s one of the things he has to give up for the honor of wearing the national colors. A renowned family man, he carries his family on his shoulder literally; on his right shoulder, he has a tattoo of his family, which he kisses before every free throw attempt to send a message of love to them.
“Sanay ako lagi na andyan yung pamilya ko. They’re always at the PBA games kaya yung malalayo sila sa akin, isa yun sa mga sakripisyo ko,” he said.
“Kaming mga players ng national team, alam namin na kailangan kaming magsakripisyo. May mga times na ngayon na nag-twice a day practice kami dahil bukod sa practice sa Gilas, may regular practice din kami sa mother teams naming. Pero sulit naman yung sakripisyo, lalo na nung nanalo kami ng Jones Cup.”
The 6-foot-2 pride of Lyceum said he plans to bring the image of Lian Mariah Jaylaa with him to Tokyo to serve as inspiration and motivation.
David is expected to once again play a key role for SMART-Gilas in the FIBA Asia Cup, like he did in the Jones Cup last month, when he came through with big baskets in the clutch to lift the Philippine team.
His SMART-Gilas stint caps an impressive banner year that saw him win the Best Player of the Conference plum in the Philippine Cup after leading the Powerade Tigers to a Cinderella run to the finals. He narrowly lost the Most Valuable Player award to Mark Caguioa despite leading the league once again in scoring. On Monday, the PBA Press Corps will fete David with the Scoring Champ award, a new citation created to honor his outstanding season.
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source:http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/newest-baby-girl-brings-gary-david-inspiration-motivation-for-fiba-asia-cup

Perpetual squares off against EAC; JRU faces San Beda

Mia Rengie Angela Domingo, InterAKTV · Saturday, September 8, 2012 · 7:52 am

AKTV file photo/Paul Ryan Tan

Three of the top four teams in NCAA Season 88 will be seeing action Saturday at the FilOil Flying V Arena on Saturday.
Perpetual Help takes on Emilio Aguinaldo College at 4 p.m. before Jose Rizal University battles league-leading San Beda at 6 p.m.
The Altas are coming off a lopsided 88-72 win over the Heavy Bombers last Monday, while the Generals are reeling from an 80-55 loss at the hands of Mapua last Saturday, which snapped EAC’s three-game run.
In the first meeting between Perpetual and EAC, Jet Vidal hit the game-winning three-pointer with 5.5 seconds left to lift the Altas to a stunning 72-71 victory that saw them come back from an 11-point deficit with only 1:29 left in the game.
Coach Aric Del Rosario of Perpetual, which currently shares third and fourth spots with JRU, warns his wards against being complacent.
“Yan ang mahirap kalaban, relaxed na kasi sila sa ibaba. Hindi na sila pressured, eh kami kasi kailangan manalo, kaya baka manggigil. Pag nasa baba kalaban mo, pa-easy-easy na lang sila,” said Del Rosario.
In the main game, San Beda will try to repeat with a victory over JRU.
Last August 4, the Red Lions destroyed the Heavy Bombers, 62-37, in a game where San Beda allowed just 15 second-half points.
Nate Matute, JRU’s main offensive threat went 0-of-11 from the field in that game, wherein the Heavy Bombers did not make a basket from beyond the arc in 13 attempts.

source: http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/perpetual-squares-off-against-eac-jru-faces-san-beda

No additional sanctions for FEU enforcer Bringas

Ateneo officials claim Arvie Bringas approached the Eagles' team bus after the game in the company of some friends and challenged an Ateneo player to a fight. Jerome Ascano

THERE won’t be any additional sanctions on Far Eastern University enforcer Arvie Bringas.
La Salle representative Henry Atayde, a member of the UAAP technical committee, said on Friday the board had no sufficient evidence to slap additional penalties on Bringas, who was banned for one game by the school on top of a one-game ban meted by the league for spitting on the face of Ateneo’s Justin Chua.
Ateneo had sought further penalties on Bringas, claiming the Tamaraws enforcer approached the Eagles' team bus after the game in the company of a couple of friends and challenged an Ateneo player to a fight.
“We need further information as to what really happened like affidavits from players and MOA Arena security,” said Atayde.

source: http://www.spin.ph/sports/basketball/news/no-additional-sanctions-for-feu-enforcer-bringas

Nothing wrong with Racela-Toroman coaching arrangement, says Eala

SMC director for sports Noli Eala, left, says Rajko Toroman can create a disciplined culture in the Petron team and help Olsen Racela as he grows as a head coach in the pro league. Jerome Ascano

SAN Miguel Corp. director for sports Noli Eala sees no problem with the coaching arrangement between Petron head coach Olsen Racela and his Serbian consultant (not assistant coach, as earlier reported) Rajko Toroman.
Reacting to Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao's comment on Thursday that Toroman's active presence on the bench may stunt Racela's growth as a coach, Eala said as far as management is concerned, the two have official designations and any working relationship they enter into is up to them.
"Rajko is the team consultant, that's what we submitted to the PBA. We see no problem with that. Now whatever they do to work together, it's up to both of them (Racela and Toroman) to decide so they can work on implementing the system of the team," Eala told Spin.ph.
After Rain or Shine's 103-98 win over Petron in preseason game at the Acropolis gym, Guiao said Racela should be given a free hand to run Petron as Toroman's overriding presence may cause the new coach to lose the respect of his own players.
He said it would be unfair for Racela if Toroman, whom Guiao felt was calling the shots at the sidelines, be relegated to the background.
Eala though explained that San Miguel Corp. hired Toroman precisely for the Serb to instill team discipline and come up with a solid structure and system that could maximize the immense talent of the Boosters.
"Coach Rajko has always been known for his discipline. And we felt that is something he can bring further to the team. We believe that as he injects discipline, a good system and leadership in the team, then somehow this could eventually bring team chemistry," explained Eala.
Toroman's coaching style, Eala said, can somehow create a disciplined culture in the team and help Racela as he grows as Petron's head coach.

source: http://www.spin.ph/sports/basketball/news/nothing-wrong-with-racela-toroman-coaching-arrangement-says-eala

Casio, Dondon right at home in new team

September 08, 2012

DONDON Hontiveros and JV Casio are feeling right at home in their new team.

Alaska’s new recruits provided the endgame fireworks in a 90-84 win over Petron in a preseason game at the Reyes gym in Mandaluyong on Friday that brought a smile on the face of Aces head coach Luigi Trillo.

“It's nice to get a confidence-booster with this kind of a win. I think our new guys, particularly JV and Dondon blended well with the rest of the team and did the right plays when needed," Trillo told Spin.ph.

Trillo was proud of the poise the Aces showed in the final quarter at the height of a big Boosters’ run that razed an 18-point Alaska lead and put Petron ahead, 63-62, on a one-handed transition dunk by Jay Washington.

Casio, last season’s top rookie pick, gave a good account of himself in his first game in an Alaska uniform since being traded in a blockbuster offseason deal that also involved former Aces top point LA Tenorio.

The 5-foot-8 one-time anchor of Smart Gilas-Pilipinas finished with 15 points, including a crucial rebound and a perfect feed to a speeding Cyrus Baguio that gave Alaska an 88-84 lead in the final 33 seconds.

Despite the rousing win, Trillo believes chemistry is something the Aces need to continue to work on, especially since Hontiveros and Casio only started practicing with the team this week.

"Our two new guys still need to work more with the rest, familiarize with the system. And we hope we could keep improving our game," added the young coach.

Sonny Thoss also had a big game for Alaska with 15 points, while Baguio and Mac Baracael added 14 and 13, respectively.

Petron's towering frontline drew a combined 53 points from Washington, top defensive player Arwind Santos, and No. 1 overall rookie pick June Mar Fajardo, who finished with 16 markers.

“Defense was better today. But Petron had too many turnovers and missed fts. Made only 3-3pt FGs also. No worries. Just continue to improve,” tweeted San Miguel Corp. sports director Noli Eala on his account@NoliEala.

Source: http://www.spin.ph/sports/basketball/news/casio-dondon-feel-right-at-home-in-new-team

Reggie Miller

Guard Reggie Miller is one of the headliners of the 2012 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame class

Miller has made the second-most three-pointers in NBA history.

-Highlights

NBA Playoffs 1995 Eastern Conference Semi Finals Game 1, Reggie Miller scored 25 Points in 4th Quarter including the historic 8 points in 18.6 seconds to win the game!

-8 points in 18.6 seconds
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgJ_MZWg3iw

-25 Points in 4th Quarter
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OEm4SAj9YI

Despite departure to Beermen, Meralco retains Asi Taulava’s PBA rights

Rey Joble, InterAKTV · Friday, September 7, 2012 · 6:28 pm

AKTV/Paul Ryan Tan

Even though Asi Taulava has signed with the San Miguel Beermen in the ASEAN Basketball League, the Meralco Bolts will continue to hold rights of first refusal to the veteran center in the PBA.
The league’s operations manager Rickie Santos told InterAKTV that Meralco will not lose its rights should Taulava decide to return to the PBA because the Bolts presented a tender offer to the 39-year-old slotman.
That means that Taulava could not sign a deal directly with a team other than Meralco even after a stint with the Beermen, which is owned by the same San Miguel Corporation that bankrolls PBA teams Ginebra, Petron, and San Mig Coffee.
Before he opted to sign with San Miguel, Meralco offered Taulava a two-year pact.
“The ABL is only played once a week, so it means he will have more time to spend with his family,” said Taulava’s agent Sheryl Reyes in explaining his decision to leave Meralco, with which he spent two seasons.

source: http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/despite-departure-to-beermen-meralco-retains-asi-taulavas-pba-rights

Hall in the family

SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts — She was the first person he called after he got the call. And Cheryl Miller will be on stage to present her brother, Reggie, when he is inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

It's an honor that can only go to a previous inductee.

Reggie Miller will be honored on Friday (Saturday in Manila) along with longtime coach Don Nelson, Nike co-founder Phil Knight, former Soviet women's coach Lidia Alexeeva and eight others in the biggest induction class in more than 50 years. The former Indiana Pacers star joins big sister Cheryl, a 1995 inductee who is 20 months his elder, to form the first brother-sister pair in the Springfield shrine.

"If you were going to tell me you would have two Hall of Famers from the same family, I probably would have looked at you like you were crazy," Reggie Miller said after a ceremony in which the inductees were presented with their Hall of Fame blazers.

"Without Cheryl's hard work and dedication to the game of basketball, I don't know if I would ever be on this stage. She's the reason why I'm here."

A five-time NBA All-Star and 1996 Olympic gold medalist, Reggie Miller retired as the leading three-point shooter in NBA history and one of the best finishers in the history of the league. Beloved in Indiana, where he spent his entire 18-year career, he is remembered in New York with equal parts respect and revulsion for scoring eight points in 8.9 seconds to beat the Knicks in a 1995 playoff game.

His competitiveness was developed in childhood games with Cheryl and their three other siblings — not just basketball in the driveway, but also Monopoly or Uno or Risk or dominoes (Darrell Miller made the major leagues as a catcher, and sister Tammy was a high school athletics star who played volleyball in college).

"No one messed with the Millers," Reggie said. "And we always had each other's back. I guess that's what family is all about."

Also on stage receiving their Hall of Fame jackets were Nelson, the winningest coach in NBA history, and Knight. Ralph Sampson, the only three-time US college player of the year, and Jamaal Wilkes, who won two college titles and four in the NBA, are also among the honorees.

Also to be inducted are Alexeeva, who was undefeated in 17 years of international play; seven-time NBA All-Star Chet Walker; the All American Redheads, known as the female Harlem Globetrotters; two-time Olympic gold medalist Katrina McClain; the late Don Barksdale, the first black player on the US Olympic team and in the NBA All-Star game; two-time NBA MVP Mel Daniels, and longtime college referee Hank Nichols.

Although most Hall of Famers profess to be surprised when they get the call, Knight made a good case for it: He didn't even know there was a "contributors" category, so he never considered the possibility that he would be inducted. He will be presented for induction by Michael Jordan and former Georgetown University coach John Thompson.

"Nobody ever had two better presenters," Knight said while sitting in front of a 16-by-23 shoe wall of Nike high-tops mounted to look like an American flag. "It's almost like that old TV show 'This is Your Life.' You look back then, with Michael Jordan and John Thompson and the 40 years you've been a part of this, it's been a fabulous ride."

Nelson won five NBA titles as a Boston Celtics player and 1,335 games during 31 years on the bench in Milwaukee, Golden State, New York and Dallas. Then he retired and disappeared to Hawaii, where he is an entrepreneur with rental properties, a shaved ice stand, coffee plants and koa trees.

Sampson was the only person to win the college player of the year award three times, from 1981-83 for Virginia. He was the No. 1 overall draft pick by the Houston Rockets and averaged 21 points and 11 rebounds per game as the 1984 rookie of the year.

But knee problems hampered him, his numbers soon declined and he lasted just nine years, the last four as a part-time player. By 2003, he was US$300,000 behind in child support and in prison on a two-month sentence after pleading guilty to mail fraud.

"I've not been around over the last several years," Sampson said after slipping on his oversized blazer. "But you can't hide 7-foot-4."

source: http://www.spin.ph/sports/basketball/special-reports/hall-in-the-family

UAAP orders re-play of controversial FEU-NU match

InterAKTV · Friday, September 7, 2012 · 4:59 pm

InterAKTV/Roy Afable

The UAAP Board of Trustees have ordered a re-play of the match between National University and Far Eastern University last September 2.
The Bulldogs put the game under protest, alleging that Tamaraws guard RR Garcia’s buzzer-beating layup should not have counted.
UAAP commissioner Ato Badolato earlier thumbed down the protest. This prompted NU management to raise the case to the league’s technical committee, which overturned Badolato’s decision. The board unanimously upheld the NU appeal.
According to the board, “pieces of evidences/statements/video used in the deliberation were inconclusive and unclear.”
The re-play is slated on September 23.

source: http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/uaap-orders-re-play-of-controversial-feu-nu-match

Roach hopes to close the book on Marquez with fourth fight

Trainer Freddie Roach believes he and Manny Pacquiao will have to find the antidote for Juan Manuel Marquez's sleek counter-punching style or "we won’t win this one." Jerome Ascano

JUAN Manuel Marquez has always been a big puzzle for Manny Pacquiao, according to Freddie Roach.
Then again, the five-time Trainer of the Year hopes to finally come up all the answers and silence the critics if and when a fourth meeting between two of boxing’s greatest rivals take place again three months from now.
Roach said the Filipino boxing star needs to be totally focused amidst rumors Marquez has the inside track on WBO champion Tim Bradley as Pacquiao’s opponent in his next fight set on December 8.
Top Rank Promotions CEO Bob Arum said an announcement will be made before the week is over on the identity of Pacquiao’s next opponent, who many have already identified as the 38-year-old Marquez.
Roach said he has no problem with Pacquiao taking on Marquez again, even saying the encounter could be the right opportunity for the eight-time world champion to settle whatever unfinished business he had with his Mexican nemesis.
As in the past, it’s definitely going to be difficult, but Roach believes a Pacquiao who is in perfect shape is going to be hard to beat for Marquez.
“I think if Manny Pacquiao gets in the best shape he can, we will finally close the book on Marquez,” Roach said when interviewed over OnTheRopes Boxing Radio.
Pacquiao and Marquez met three times in the past – each of them ending in controversy.
Their 2004 encounter was a draw despite the Filipino scoring three knockdowns in a blazing opening round, before Pacquiao won their rematch four years later via a split decision.
Last year, the two fought the third installment of their classic trilogy, with Pacquiao edging out Marquez in a majority decision which many believed should have gone the Mexican’s way.
As one of the best counter-punchers in the history of boxing, Marquez’s cunning style is really giving the Filipino a hard time.
“It’s a very difficult fight, style-wise for us. He (Marquez) does give us problems,” said Roach.
“The movement of Marquez, he is slick, he knows how to get Manny to move into the right hand and we just got to nullify that. We just have to find a way to avoid that lead right hand.”
Roach, 52, admitted they have yet to find the antidote for Marquez. And he said they better be as failure to do so may finally result in a victory for the Mexican warrior.
“We have not found a way yet in three fights, but we better get it done in this fight, or we won’t win this one,” he said.

source: http://www.spin.ph/sports/boxing/news/roach-hopes-to-close-the-book-on-marquez-with-fourth-fight

US Open: Djokovic storms into semis, faces Ferrer next

Source: http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/us-open-djokovic-storms-into-semis-faces-ferrer-next

Reuters · Friday, September 7, 2012 · 3:54 pm

Reuters

NEW YORK – Novak Djokovic survived a brutal test from former champion Juan Martin del Potro to storm into the semi-finals of the U.S. Open on Thursday and stay on course to defend his title.
The Serbian was at his brilliant best, producing 43 breathtaking winners and scrambling around the Arthur Ashe Stadium center court like a golden retriever, fetching everything the towering Del Potro threw at him.
Djokovic eventually won 6-2 7-6 6-4 to go into the last four as the only man yet to drop a set in the tournament but the scoreline did not reflect the intensity of a match where he was pushed to the limit.
“Even though it was a straight-sets win it was much closer than the score indicated,” Djokovic said in a courtside interview. “I’m just happy to get through.”
Djokovic’s next opponent is the Spanish baseliner David Ferrer, who won a four and a half hour slugfest with Djokovic’s countryman Janko Tipsarevic.
With both players close to exhaustion after running each other to a standstill in the mid-afternoon sun, Ferrer clawed his way back from 4-1 down in the final set to win the deciding tiebreaker and triumph 6-3 6-7 2-6 6-3 7-6.
“It was an emotional match,” said Ferrer, who has made four grand slam semis in his career but never a final.
“My opponent, he deserved also to win this match. In one tiebreak it’s a lottery and I was lucky in important moments.”
Battered and bruised by the battle, Tipsarevic tumbled heavily to the court in the fifth set and twice called on his trainer to have his foot and thigh taped.
“I think it was a high intense match with not too many ups and downs,” he said.
“Both of us are baseline players, both of us are big fighters on court, so something like this was only expected.”
‘Quality player’
With the last grand slam of the season reaching its climax, the first trophies were handed out on Thursday when Russia’s Ekaterina Makarova and Brazil’s Bruno Soares won the mixed doubles final.
The pair, who literally teamed up at the last minute when Soares was told he would not qualify for the field with his original partner Jarmila Gajdosova, came from behind to defeat Czech Kveta Peschke and Marcin Matkowski of Poland 12-10 in a deciding tiebreaker after splitting the first two sets 6-7 6-1.
“At the very last minute, 11:59, I signed us in. I guess it worked out,” said Soares.
Olympic champions Bob and Mike Bryan booked their place in Friday’s doubles final against Leander Paes and Radek Stepanek while French Open champions Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci of Italy advanced to Sunday’s women’s final against Czech pair Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Hradecka.
Errani is also due to play Serena Williams in the singles semi-finals on Friday, with the winner to meet Victoria Azarenka or Maria Sharapova in Saturday’s final.
The men’s singles resume on Saturday, with Olympic champion Andy Murray squaring off against Czech Tomas Berdych in the other semi-final.
Despite losing his number one ranking to Roger Federer this year, Djokovic has been the most consistent player in the majors over the past two seasons, reaching the semi-finals in the last 10 grand slams.
Only Federer, who made 23 consecutive semis during his peak, has made more but Djokovic is in exalted company, joining Rod Laver and Ivan Lendl in second place with 10.
The defining moment in his win over Del Potro came late in the second set, which went 84 minutes. The Argentine served for the set at 5-4 but Djokovic broke back and eventually won it in a tiebreaker after the 12th game lasted 17 minutes.
“He is a quality player,” Djokovic said of his opponent. “I was lucky in the second set. We had some amazing rallies and he hit some great groundstrokes.”

Ginebra fans give Tenorio a welcome fit for a King

 

Ginebra coach Siot Tanquingcen is delighted that his prized recruit, LA Tenorio, didn't take long to adjust to the Gin Kings' system. Jerome Ascano

If the crowd and electric atmosphere inside the Filoil Flying V Arena are any indication of the excitement at the Ginebra San Miguel camp over the arrival of LA Tenorio, then expect a big party for the ‘barangay’ this coming season.

Even though it was no more than a preseason game, hundreds of Ginebra fans trooped to the San Juan Arena to see Tenorio play for the first time with the league’s most popular team, cheering enthusiastically for every basket and assist made by the Jones Cup hero.

Tenorio didn’t disappoint.

With the game having the atmosphere and energy of a playoff game, the former Alaska star wowed the crowd with his speed, fantastic shooting and pinpoint passing as scored 14 points to lead the Gin Kings to a 98-83 win over a disoriented Rain or Shine.

Ginebra coach Siot Tanquingcen was delighted at the result and happier that it didn’t take his prized recruit a long time to fit into his system.

"It's really nice to have LA in the team. That's the advantage of having a great player because he found ways to adjust to the team very well," Tanquingcen told Spin.ph.

“I hope we could sustain the good start we had going into the conference.”

Nevertheless, Tanquingcen later reminded his team not to put too much pressure on Tenorio.

"Even though we now have LA, he still needs help. We can't rely on him only. Everybody must always be on the same page so we could accomplish what we are aiming for this coming season," added the Gin King coach.

If Tenorio had a seamless transition to Ginebra, the same cannot be said of Fil-Am rookies Chris Ellis and Keith Jensen, who struggled offensively in the face of the typically physical game employed by Rain or Shine.

Ellis, the sixth overall pick in the rookie draft, finished with just two points on 1-of-5 shooting from the field while the 6-4 Jensen went 2-of-5 for four points.

"Our Fil-Am rookies struggled a bit but I think they provided the energy for much in the game. That's fresh young blood infused into our team" noted Tanquingcen. 

source:http://www.spin.ph/sports/basketball/special-reports/ginebra-fans-give-tenorio-a-welcome-fit-for-a-king