Allado commits to social work

MANILA, Philippines - Two-time UAAP MVP Don Allado is now unemployed. His PBA contract with Barako Bull recently expired and he faces a one-conference suspension slapped by commissioner Chito Salud for sending out compromising messages on his twitter account alleging manipulation of game results.  Aside from the ban, Salud penalized Allado with a P500,000 fine – P200,000 of which will be given to a charitable institution of his choice.

Allado, 35, was upset after Barako lost a 99-95 decision to Powerade in a knockout playoff last July 3, ending its Governors Cup campaign and season.  A win would’ve matched Barako against Meralco in another playoff for a ticket to the six-team semifinals.  At about 3 a.m. the morning after the defeat, a sleepless Allado vented his frustrations on twitter.  He later apologized for his angry outburst, deleted the tweets and said he didn’t mean what he tweeted.  But because his tweets went viral, he paid a hefty price for his indiscretion.

It was a hard grind for Barako all season long.  In the first conference, the Energy wound up eighth with a 6-9 record.  Barako bounced back in the Commissioner’s Cup, finishing fourth with an 8-9 mark after losing to Talk ‘N’ Text in a best-of-five semifinal series that went the distance.  Then, it was back to eighth place in the third conference.

Instead of sulking and moping, Allado committed himself to doing community service during the offseason.  It was his way of giving back and showing the PBA he’s turned a new leaf.  He joined Quezon City councilor Eufemio Lagumbay in relief operations for barangays affected by Habagat, participated in an eye-care awareness program with free medical services in Blue Ridge, Matandang Balara and Bagumbuhay and conducted basketball training in Bagumbuhay.  Allado was involved in cooking and delivering over 1,000 packed meals to flood victims in Marikina.  He was with Marc Pingris in conducting basketball clinics and playing with kids of Bahay Tuklasan at the Little Baguio courts in San Juan.  Allado also visited Ilagan, Isabela, to promote barangay medical missions and host a basketball tournament organized by Gov. Faustino Dy III.

“There was no fanfare when Don did this work,” said Allado’s father Caloy, a former UP cager.  “Not too many people know that Don and his friend Paolo Bugia were at Pino Restaurant in Teachers Village cooking and packing 500 meals which they delivered to Ateneo for distribution to flood victims one night.  The next day, they cooked 600 meals and delivered packed food to the Tumana Elementary School along with over 200 bottles of water that Don bought out of his own pocket.  Don has a big heart, especially for those who are less fortunate.  He’s never given us any problems.  He’s a good son and an inspiration to his brothers.  He lost his head after losing in the playoff and blamed the world for the defeat instead of committing himself to coming back stronger next season.  That’s because he’s so intense when he plays.  But he regrets what he did.  It was a bitter lesson but he has learned from this experience.”

Since Allado is barred from playing in the coming Philippine Cup, no team has contracted him for the season.   However, officials from two teams in the ABL have reached out to Allado checking on his availability to play in the Asean league. Allado’s father said his son hopes to appeal the PBA’s five-month suspension as he has no means of livelihood to pay for mortgages, utility bills and family expenses.   

Last season, Allado averaged 8.0 points, 4.9 rebounds and 21.5 minutes in 42 games, including eight starts.  He shot .474 from the field and .755 from the stripe. Allado’s season high was 20 points so that his average of 8.0 was an indication of his consistency.   It was his best showing the last four years.

Allado said he regrets what he did.  “I would take it all back if I could,” he said.  “I’m not proud of what I did and the consequences I got for it.  This whole ordeal has humbled me greatly and has since moved me to make right what I have done on a scale that includes not only the good name of the PBA, my home for 13 years, but also the community.”

Source: http://www.philstar.com/thedeanscorner/articlescontent.aspx?articleid=847246&publicationsubcategoryid=69

Duremdes, Powerade staff meet Salud over compensation issue

Kenneth Duremdes says he and the former staffers of the defunct Powerade franchise want to be "enlightened" on who should take responsibility for their live contracts. Jerome Ascano

FORMER players and management staff of Powerade – including a former PBA MVP voted as one of the league's 25 greatest of all-time – will sit down with Commissioner Chito Salud on Monday as they seek help in getting just compensation for their live contracts with the defunct franchise.
The meeting is set at 3 p.m., according to team manager Kenneth Duremdes, who will personally attend the dialogue at the PBA office along with assistant team manager Gerard Francisco, assistant coach George Ella and 10 other team staffers who were left in limbo following the sale of the Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines Inc. team lock, stock, and barrel, to Sultan 900 Inc.
Duremdes said all they want is to be enlightened if they were indeed part of the total sale of the Powerade franchise – amounting to more than P100 million - to the capital investment firm owned by Mikee Romero.
If not, the group is seeking the help of the league to have their respective one-year contracts honored by the former owners.
“We’re just asking for fairness. We just want to know kung ano ba `yung napagkasunduan sa bentahan, and kung sino ba talaga ang dapat mag-honor nung contract namin,” said Duremdes, the 1998 league MVP.
Members of the group, composed of staffers and players who were not absorbed by Global Port after the franchise changed hands, had earlier written Salud seeking help for their plight.
Others who still have remaining contracts with Powerade include reserve players who form part of the Coca-Cola Ambassadors such as Rodney Santos, Cesar Catli, Ronjay Enrile, and Dale Singson, strength and conditioning coach Julio Veloso, team physician Dr. Pablo Santos, team coordinator Cris Nieto, team assistant Lester Pascual, and physical therapists Rheysson Cornilla and Benigno Espeleta.
Duremdes said they initially thought the group was part of the buyout as per the assurance of former Powerade team governor Ronnie Asuncion, only for them to be told that they won’t be absorbed by the new owner a day before Global Port conducted its first official practice.
Ella had already been attending the practice of Global Port for the past two weeks until he was also told that he wasn’t part of the Powerade package.
“Si coach George (Ella) ang perfect example namin because after he was told that he won’t be absorbed, sabi ng Global Port na Powerade ang  dapat mag-honor ng contract niya,” said Duremdes.
But the former Adamson star said Asuncion already admitted that Coca-Cola will not be honoring their contracts after meeting with them one by one last August 30 and 31. Only Duremdes has yet to personally talk with the former Powerade team governor about the matter.
During the same meeting, the Powerade staff revealed Asuncion offered them `financial assistance’  equivalent to one month pay for every year of service.
“Mahirap naman yata kaming pumayag doon dahil hindi pa naman kami matagal sa Powerade. Kung isasama nila pati `yung playing years bakit hindi. Pero `yung as management staff, malayo `yun sa makukuha namin kung babayaran nila yung mismong contract,” Duremdes added.
To make matter worse, Duremdes quoted those who talked with Asuncion as telling them that the offer was only for "1 hour/ 1 day/ and 1 week."
 At the same time, Duremdes lamented that Asuncion kept the team in the dark, assuring them before the franchise won’t be sold until "it wins another championship."
“We gave them our trust despite na ang dami ng mga lumalabas noong balita about the franchise being sold. And yet, hindi ganung klase ng trato ang nakuha namin sa kanila,” he said.

By Gerry Ramos

Source: http://www.spin.ph/sports/basketball/news/duremdes-powerade-staff-seek-league-help-in-compensation-bid

Chot Reyes lauds SMART-Gilas players’ dedication to national cause

Photo from courtesy of Chot Reyes

With barely five days to go before the SMART-Gilas Pilipinas national team plunges back into action in another international competition, coach Chot Reyes took to Twitter to share his admiration for the PBA players who are part of the team’s pool.
“Reflecting at the end of our first week of practice for Japan, can’t help but marvel at our players’ dedication,” Reyes wrote on his Twitter account.
With the new PBA season scheduled to begin on September 30, most teams have stepped up their offseason training, which means most players have to attend two practices daily.
“They go hard at their PBA teams’ practice in the early a.m./late afternoon, then we go at in again in the evening for Gilas. Everyday.”
Reyes admitted that the setup has taken its toll on the national team’s training.
“We’re not getting the kind of quality practices I’d like, but that’s a reality we have to live with.”
He ended his reflection by asking fans to continue supporting the squad.
Tweeps, these guys really deserve your prayers and support!”
SMART-Gilas is set to fly to Tokyo, Japan for the FIBA Asia Cup which starts on Friday, September 14. It will be the team’s second international tournament this PBA offseason after winning the 34th William Jones Cup in Taiwan last month. It’s part of the SMART-Gilas buildup for next year’s FIBA Asia Championship, which serves as qualifier to the 2014 World Cup.
The Philippine team opens its campaign against China on Friday, before facing Lebanon, Uzbekistan, and Macau on consecutive days. All SMART-Gilas games will be broadcast over AKTV.

source: http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/chot-reyes-lauds-smart-gilas-players-dedication-to-national-cause

Mikee Romero plans to build GlobalPort around Gary David

AKTV/Paul Ryan Tan

Only one member of the Powerade Tigers starting lineup from the team that made a Cinderella run to the Philippine Cup semifinals last season remains with the GlobalPort squad that bought the Coca-Cola franchise: Gary David.
The Tigers traded Marcio Lassiter and Doug Kramer last season before the team was sold. GlobalPort has since dealt Sean Anthony on draft day and JVee Casio last month, leaving David all alone.
GlobalPort owner Mikee Romero says David, contrary to rumors, isn’t going anywhere.
“I want to build my team around Gary David, so why would I trade him?” said Romero.
“We will keep Gary and surround him with players who could help him out.”
The team owner, who is currently in the United States for a business trip, said the acquisition of two-time Most Valuable Player Willie Miller for Casio was a move to try to get more scoring help for Gary David.
Romero identified David, Miller, and former Rookie of the Year Rabeh Al-Hussaini as the core of the squad. “OK kami dito with these three players,” said Romero.


source:http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/mikee-romero-plans-to-build-globalport-around-gary-david

San Mig Coffee looks to get tougher, bigger as PBA season looms

AKTV/Paolo Papa

San Mig Coffee picked up three big men to shore up its frontline in last month’s PBA draft. But beyond adding ceiling, coach Tim Cone hopes the three men could also provide toughness to the team
The Mixers have signed first-round pick Aldrech Ramos and second-round choice Jewel Ponferrada. Their third-round draftee, 6-foot-9 Gian Chiu, could also get a deal.
“Aldrech is a big man who can step out and shoot while Jewel is a tough kid,” said Cone, adding that the team learned lessons from its setback against Rain or Shine in the Governors’ Cup finals. The Elasto Painters, who won in seven games, imposed its physical style on the the team then known as the B-MEG Llamados, who preferred a more finesse style of play.
On his interest in Chiu, Cone pointed to the old adage: you can’t teach height.
“I don’t know yet where Gian Chiu should come in, but he’s a project player and I think it would be worth it developing a 6-foot-9 project player,” said the coach.
The rookie trio would bolster an already impressive San Mig Coffee frontline that also includes Marc Pingris, Yancy De Ocampo, Rafi Reavis, Jerwin Gaco, and Mike Burtscher. The Mixers are also bracing for the return of versatile forward Joe Devance.
New addition, returning players
Another new addition to San Mig Coffee practice was Chris Pacana, who spent the past season with the Westports Malaysia Dragons in the ASEAN Basketball League.
“He will come in and play the wing position for us,” Cone said. “He will not play point guard because we already have too many point guards in our team.”
Val Acuna, whom the team traded away on draft day to GlobalPort, is also back with San Mig Coffee. He currently serves as a practice player for the squad.
“We cannot sign him [as a regular player],” said Cone, who explained that PBA rules prohibit players from returning to the team that traded him during the season.

Source:http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/san-mig-coffee-looks-to-get-tougher-bigger-as-pba-season-looms

China 'B' team and Lebanon true test for Gilas, says Tenorio

JONES Cup hero LA Tenorio said early matches against China and Lebanon in next week's Fiba Asia Cup will gives Smart Gilas 2.0 a good idea on where the team is in its buildup for the Asian championships next year.

Tenorio knows traditional regional powers China and Lebanon will be among the toughest tests for Gilas in the September 14-22 tournament, even if the Chinese will be fielding their 'B' team in Tokyo.

According to reports, the mainland's national team has been disbanded after failing to advance to the knockout stage in the last Olympics in London and the squad it will be sending to Tokyo is being groomed to take its place.

“Malakas pa din ang China kahit na 'B' team lang yung makakalaban namin. Yun din kasi ang Under-19 team nila na hinahanda na as early as now for the 2016 Olympics (in Brazil),” Tenorio told Spin.ph.

While the competition would be a lot tougher compared to the Jones Cup in Taipei, Tenorio sees the Tokyo tournament as an opportunity to sustain the gains of the team and adjust better to the grind of playing a game every day.

“Mahirap talaga yung mag-twice a day practice. Lahat kami napapagod din, pero malaki ang tulong nun kasi mas kundisyon kami, lalo na since araw-araw may laro kami (in the Fiba Asia Cup),” said Tenorio, who was recently dealt by Alaska to Ginebra in a blockbuster trade.

The cat-quick guard out of Ateneo said as a point guard, it’s a lot easier to play with the current batch of Gilas because of the slew of outside shooters. He also singled out Gabe Norwood as one of the team’s most consistent performers.

“Si Gabe maganda talaga ang nilalaro, fit siya talaga maglaro sa international games. Saka masarap maglaro sa team kasi bukod kay Gabe, marami pang ibang shooters tayo gaya ni Jeff Chan, Larry (Fonacier), Gary David saka si Ranidel (de Ocampo,” said Tenorio.

On the other hand, Sonny Thoss, Tenorio’s former teammate at Alaska, said they are now preparing different defensive patterns against the taller and bigger opponents they expect to face in Tokyo.

“We still have a lot to work on with our defense. Such adjustments are needed since our opponents are bigger and stronger than us,” said Thoss.

As the chief backup of naturalized Filipino Marcus Douthit, the 6’7” Thoss said he also has to work on his individual defense and even his perimeter jump shots.

“I’ve been shooting jumpers a lot, and I hope they would really fall during the game,” added Thoss.

Coming off a 78-71 win in a tune-up against the Qatar national squad on Saturday night at the Ynares Center in Pasig City, Gilas will have its last practice at the Philsports Arena in Pasig on Monday night. The team takes a day off on Tuesday before leaving for the Japanese capital on Wednesday afternoon.

The top three teams in the Fiba Asia Cup get automatic slots in the Fiba Asia men’s championships, which the Philippines is bidding to host next year.

Source:http://www.spin.ph/sports/basketball/news/china-b-team-and-lebanon-true-test-for-gilas-says-tenorio

Coaches insist Petron will be league yardstick

The talent and depth of Olsen Racela's Petron team will be hard to match this season, say coaches Luigi Trillo of Alaska and Yeng Guiao of Rain or Shine. Jerome Ascano

DON'T let Petron's 0-2 (win-loss) record in the preseason deceive you.
As bad as the Boosters look so far, coaches agree that Petron will be the yardstick in the pro league once it gets past the getting-to-know-you phase and starts getting its act together.
Notwithstanding victories by their teams against Petron the past week, Alaska coach Luigi Trillo and Rain or Shine's Yeng Guiao believe the flagship team of the San Miguel Corp. group will be the team to beat in the coming season once the players become comfortable under new coach Olsen Racela.
“Olsen is new and I think what he’s doing during this preseason has a lot to do with trial and error. In fact, it’s possible that Petron loses all its preseason games, but then win the games that matter most when the season comes,” said Trillo after the Aces' 90-84 win over Petron.
Guiao's reason for picking Petron is simple: It's a case of the strong becoming stronger.
“Last season, malakas na nga sila eh, ngayon lalo na when they got June Mar (Fajardo) and Alex Mallari. How can you match up with their size?" said Guiao after the Painters beat the Boosters, 103-98.
The mere sight of his overfed but undersized centers Beau Belga and JR Quinahan going up against the the 6-9 Fajardo and the rest of the Boosters' frontline emphasized the obvious for Guiao: "I think we have one of the smallest lineups in the league right now," he said.
According to Trillo, depth is one thing not only Petron but the two other teams under the SMC umbrella have. “Petron’s got the deepest line up in the league right now, followed by B-Meg (now San Mig Coffee) and Ginebra,” he said.
Even the man who oversaw Petron's buildup, Noli Eala, is the least bit bothered by the two losses, convinced that it will only be a matter of time before the Boosters show their true championship form.
“Everyone’s obviously adjusting to the new system under coach Olsen (Racela), “ SMC's director for sports told Spin.ph. “The leadership is now getting clearer with Olsen and Rajko (Toroman) working together.”
Eala said Racela is still getting his feet following his last tour of duty with the RP Youth Under-18 team while the players, especially the new ones, are making their own adjustments to Racela's system.
“The team obviously has a lot of things to work on. Their defense primarily is something they need to work on. Plus June Mar is obviously unfamiliar with the PBA brand of play. He’s been coming off the bench playing in the ABL (Asean Basketball League), and suddenly, he’s playing a lot of minutes in the preseason,” explained Eala.
While Toroman has been tasked to instill discipline in a talent-laden team like Petron, at the end of the day, Eala said someone among the platoon of Boosters stars must step up and take the mantle of leadership.
Racela has long been the leader of the team prior to his retirement last year. Eala said he now expects Danny Ildefonso, Arwind Santos and Alex Cabagnot to pick up the leadership cudgels as the Boosters hope to revive their winning ways.

source: http://www.spin.ph/sports/basketball/news/coaches-insist-petron-will-be-league-yardstick