Rookie Mallari keen to kick-start career as he takes on point-guard duties for Cone By Richard Dy

“The triangle is such a complicated system because up to now, I’m just trying to learn the basics. I’m not even learning the defense yet,” says new San Mig guard Alex Mallari. Jerome Ascano

ROOKIE Alex Mallari is starting to feel at home as he works to rebuild his confidence and kick-start his stalled professional career at San Mig Coffee.
The trade that sent him to the Mixers camp gives Mallari the chance to start afresh after a forgettable debut conference with Petron, most of which he spent at the farthest end of Olsen Racela's bench.
But moving to a new team entails new challenges and major adjustments for the No. 3 pick overall of the last rookie draft, who has now been entrusted to share the point-guard duties with sophomore Mark Barroca under Tim Cone's triangle offense.
“I’m pretty good, though I’m still adjusting to learning the triangle system," the gangling 6-4 player told Spin.ph. "I just got to pick it up pretty quick because coach Tim puts a lot on my shoulders."
Mallari said learning the triangle offense is not easy and will take time, so much so that the Fil-American admits he is still grappling with the basics of Tex Winter's offense two weeks after moving to the Mixers.
“The triangle is such a complicated system because up to now, I’m just trying to learn the basics. I’m not even learning the defense yet,” he added.
The Mixers are 0-3 so far in their pre-Commissioner’s Cup buildup with import Matt Rogers in tow, but Mallari remains confident the team will be ready for the start of their title defense against Barako Bull on Friday.
Playing just nine games in the Philippine Cup, Mallari finished with averages of 4.73 points, two rebounds and 1.1 assist in 15.7 minutes as he had to compete for playing time with playmakers Alex Cabagnot, Dennis Miranda and Chico Lanete.

Follow the writer on Twitter: @richava

source: http://www.spin.ph/sports/basketball/news/rookie-mallari-keen-to-kick-start-career-as-he-takes-on-point-guard-duties-for-cone

Garage sale marks fresh start for James Yap as new relationship 'getting there' By Snow Badua

The normally evasive James Yap allowed Spin.ph a rare peek into his private life while talking about his garage sale this weekend, saying a new-found relationship is "getting there." Jerome Ascano

JAMES Yap is ready  to start afresh as far as his personal life is concerned.
The normally evasive San Mig Coffee star allowed Spin.ph a rare peek into his private life while talking about his garage sale this weekend, saying a new-found relationship is "getting there."
The two-time PBA MVP said on Wednesday he is finally starting to savor life as a bachelor, a year after his high-profile, five-year marriage to top showbiz celebrity Kris Aquino was annulled by the courts.
“Basta nag-eenjoy ako,” said the 30-year-old with a laugh. “Wala pa naman exactly nagpapatibok ng puso ko, basta."
The sweet-shooting San Mig star declined to let out additional details, evading direct questions on his love life with boyish replies of "Secret" then bursting into more laughter.
But pressed for answers, the Escalante, Negros Occidental native relented and shed a little light on his status as a dating man by responding, “We’re getting there."
“Basta nag-eenjoy ako ngayon," he said. "Settle down? Sabihin na lang natin na … I’m getting there."
Asked if he is dating another showbiz personality after his stormy marriage to Aquino, Yap answered: “Wala, hindi na tayo pwede sa sikat, kasi magulo.
"Private person na lang tayo ngayon."
Meanwhile, Yap said proceeds from the sale of his personal stuff this weekend at the Fabulous Autoworks, No. 96 Granada Street, Valencia, Quezon City will go to a charitable institution where he hopes to spend his birthday on February 15.
“Lagi ko naman ginagawa yung pag-share ng blessings pag may occasion tulad ng birthday ko," said the soft-spoken Yap, for so long regarded as the face of the pro league.
Yap said he will sell his personal items like shoes, clothes, and other memorabilia in the one-day garage sale organized by his brother Jeff - stuff he can no longer store in his new house.
“Ang place ko kasi ngayon hindi naman ganun kalaki. Iyong gamit ko, hindi naman sa pagmamayabang, medyo madami. Medyo over sa place ko," Yap said. “Sayang naman kung nasa kahon lang.”
Yap promised to personally grace the event.

Follow the writer on Twitter: @snowbadua

source: http://www.spin.ph/sports/basketball/special-reports/garage-sale-marks-fresh-start-for-james-yap-as-new-relationship-getting-there

Tweaked All-Star game, Manila invitational tournament to boost Gilas' buildup

By Snow Badua

February 05, 2013, 06:42 pm

  

Among the shoo-ins for spots in the Gilas Pilipinas team to the Fiba-Asia championships are, from left, June Mar Fajardo, Marc Pingris, LA Tenorio, Gabe Norwood, Sonny Thoss, and Gary David. Jerome Ascano

NOW the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) is even ready to tweak the 2013 Annual All Stars for the sake of national cause.
Already penciled from May 1-6 in Digos, Davao Del Sur, commissioner Chito Salud bared to Spin.ph the league is now revising the format of the meet’s centerpiece event to turn into matches that could benefit Gilas Pilipinas' buildup for the Fiba-Asia championships.
Instead of the usual set-up pitting the Rookies, Sophomores, and Juniors against the Veterans, Salud said his office is now bent on forming a PBA selection that will play Chot Reyes’ Gilas team in the main event.
Reyes is expected to name his 15-man roster on Thursday. Those who will be left out will be automatically be considered for the All-Star selection to be formed by the league.
“Para naman hindi mabakante `yung team natin at mabigyan rin sila ng high-level competition, bubuo tayo ng 12-man lineup na PBA selection,” said the amiable commissioner.
Salud likewise revealed the league is studying the option of holding regular games between Gilas Pilipinas and the PBA selection in the run-up to the August 1-11 event serving as the qualifier for the 2014 world championships in Spain.
“Open din tayo to allow our teams to play with the national team in front of the PBA crowd,” Salud hinted. “At least, hindi rin masyado ma-miss ng fans `yung mga favorite players nila.”
Salud plans to hold the matches on game days vacated following the re-scheduling of the season-ending Governors’ Cup.
Meanwhile, Chinese Basketball Association Shanghai Sharks owned by retired NBA star Yao Ming will be the first foreign team to play Gilas-Pilipinas in an exhibition series set May 6-8.
Aside from this, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP), under president Manny V. Pangilinan, is also arranging a pocket invitational tournament in the first week of June wherein Fiba Asia-bound countries will be invited to see action.
Among the early countries which reportedly indicated interest are Qatar, Lebanon, and Jordan.
“We are doing this all for one aim, give pride to our country,” Salud stressed.
The PBA on Tuesday announced the cancellation of the Governors’ Cup from its original date on May 12 to give way to the training and preparation of the national team for the Asian showpiece.
The league board approved the moving of the season-ending tournament to August 14-October 28 while extending the run of the Commissioner's Cup until the final week of May.

Follow the writer on Twitter: @gerardmos

source: http://www.spin.ph/sports/basketball/news/tweaked-all-star-game-manila-invitational-tournament-to-boost-gilas-buildup