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Thursday, February 14, 2013

San Mig revives bid for Bowles after sub-par Rogers performance By Snow Badua



“I’m sure (Matt Rogers) can do a lot better than what he did last night. Pero para sa akin, hindi siya post-up guy. Post-up center ang kailangan namin... like Denzel (Bowles)," says San Mig governor Rene Pardo. Jerome Ascano
SAN Mig Coffee is now deep in negotiations with former PBA Commissioner’s Cup best import Denzel Bowles.
No less than team governor Rene Pardo revealed to Spin.ph that San Mig has revived its bid to lure the former best import awardee after the Mixers' 73-98 loss to Petron on Wednesday night.
"Depende sa availability ni Denzel, siya ang priority namin na papalit (kung magpapalit) kasi proven na yan eh," said Pardo. “If he’s available, there might be a possibility that we will replace Matt (Rogers)."
Pardo admitted that he immediately asked team manager Alvin Patrimonio to get in touch with Bowles on Wednesday night after Rogers was completely outplayed by Renaldo Balkman in the loss to the Boosters.
Rogers, who missed San Mig's debut game against Barako Bull due to food poisoning, finished with 20 points on 7-of-19 shooting to go with nine rebounds against Balkman and Co.
Pardo, however, revealed that San Mig has the luxury of time in weighing its import situation since its next game won't be until February 22 against Philippine Cup semis tormentor Rain or Shine.
Like most of the team's fans, Pardo was honest in his assessment of Rogers' performance.
“I’m sure he can do a lot better than what he did last night," Pardo said. "Pero para sa akin, hindi siya post-up guy. Post-up center ang kailangan namin... like Denzel.
“Mabigat ang competition dahil lahat halos ng imports malalaki at nakikipag-banggaan."
The hard-banging Bowles, a San Mig fan favorite, is now in the US after a stint with the Zhejiang Golden Bulls in the Chinese Basketball Association.
San Mig officials are hopeful that Bowles has already been given a release by the CBA team, which became an issue when the Mixers first tried to sign him up before the start of the mid-season conference.
“Bukas, I will give you a better answer on whether Bowles will return or not," Pardo promised.
Follow the writer on Twitter: @snowbadua

source: http://www.spin.ph/sports/basketball/news/san-mig-revives-bid-for-bowles-after-sub-par-rogers-performance

MOA Arena set to host Pacers-Rockets regular-season game, says official By Richard Dy



If plans don't miscarry, Jeremy Lin and the rest of the Houston Rockets will play the Indiana Pacers in a regular-season game at the MOA Arena next season. AP





























The NBA is coming to Manila this year, not to hold an exhibition game but no less than a regular season match.
Mall of Asia general manager Arnel Gonzales confirmed the news to Spin.ph on Thursday, saying the regular season game might feature the Indiana Pacers led by Danny Granger and the Houston Rockets of James Harden and Asian-American star Jeremy Lin.
"It will be historic for the Philippines and for any venue for that manner," Gonzales said. "It's part of the program of Mall of Asia to bring in world-class entertainment. And this is basically the first step."
The state-of-the-art arena piqued the interest of sports fans on Thuirsday when it posted on its Twitter account a poster of an NBA ball and the words: 'Big things are coming.'

Gonzales, however, declined to provide further details, saying negotiations are still ongoing with people from the NBA headquarters in New York.
Several NBA players have seen action in the country over the years but no official NBA game, whether in the preseason or regular season, has been held here.
Only last year, former Chicago Bulls stars Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman led a team of retired NBA players in an exhibition games against PBA legends at the MOA Arena.
In 2011, NBA superstars led by Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant, Chicago Bulls' Derrick Rose, and Oklahoma City Thunder's Kevin Durant played in a pair of exhibition matches against the Smart Gilas team and a PBA selection at the Smart Aaneta Coliseum.
Follow the writer on Twitter: @richava

Source: http://www.spin.ph/sports/basketball/news/moa-arena-set-to-host-pacers-rockets-regular-season-game-says-official