Veteran games official Guevarra left fuming by Alas slit-throat gesture By the staff

Letran coach Louie Alas makes the slit-throat gesture after being called for a technical foul for excessive complaining in the third quarter of Game Two of the NCAA Finals on Saturday. Jerome Ascano

VETERAN supervisor of referees Romy Guevarra on Monday said he was only standing up for his referees when he confronted Letran coach Louie Alas over his slit-throat gesture near the end of Game Two of the NCAA basketball finals on Saturday night.
Guevarra, a games official for the last 40 years and the PBA’s supervisor of referees for 14 years, charged towards the Letran bench and was seen giving Alas the dirty finger before being led out of the court as the final seconds ticked away in Letran’s 62-55 victory over San Beda.
The 75-year-old said it was unfortunate that he failed to control his emotions, but admitted feeling so bad after Alas made the slit-throat gesture in the direction of Guevarra and technical committee member Bai Cristobal after being slapped a technical in the third quarter.
“Kung may nagawa man akong mali, hindi ko sinasadya,” the veteran games official told Spin.ph. “Masamang-masama ang loob ko. Sabi ko nga, ‘Bakit mo kami ginaganoon?’ Masyado n’ya kaming minaliit. Nirerespeto namin s’ya, sana respetuhin n’ya rin kami.
“Sa tanda kong ito, wala akong ginagawan na masama. Kami nga ni (Commissioner) Joe (Lipa), ayaw naman sana namin ang trabaho na ito, gusto lang naming makatulong sa basketball at sa liga. Kaso, binastos n’ya kami.”
More than anything else, Guevarra said he wanted to stand by his referees, who he had personally handpicked and trained over the past two years. He said he can vouch for the integrity of the officials in the face of insinuations made by Alas during the game that they had been bought.
“Mga batang referee ang mga ito, mga wala pang tahid. Mga honest ang mga ito. Kaya ganoon na lang ang kagustuhan kong manindigan para sa kanila. Kung hindi, baka maduwag na ang mga ‘yan,” he said.
Despite the controversy, the well-respected Guevarra, who has refereed over 3,000 games and overseen an estimated 17,000 matches in a career that brought him to places like Qatar and Bahrain, assured that officiating will be fair in the deciding Game Three of the Finals.
“Wala akong galit kay Louie, wala akong galit sa Letran,” he said. “Despite ng nangyari, parehas pa rin kami.  Kung may mali man, sinisigurado kong hindi sinasadya ‘yon.”

Follow the writer on Twitter: @spinph

source: http://www.spin.ph/sports/basketball/news/veteran-games-official-guevarra-left-fuming-by-alas-slit-throat-gesture#.UIT4CHRhiXk.twitter

No excuses for Louie Alas after Letran’s Game One setback in NCAA finals

Mia Rengie Angela Domingo, InterAKTV · Friday, October 19, 2012 · 12:23 am

AKTV/Paul Ryan Tan

“We all know basketball is a game of execution. We were not able to execute down the wire.”
That was the opening statement of Letran Knights coach Louie Alas following their heartbreaking 62-60 Game One loss to the San Beda Red Lions in the NCAA Season 88 finals Thursday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
“Nasayang yung effort namin ng more than 39 minutes. But we’ll bounce back on Saturday,” he said.
The Knights had a slim 25-24 lead at the half, before San Beda put the clamps down on Letran in the third quarter.
“We can compete naman, na kaya namin talunin ang San Beda. Kailangan lang ng consistent basketball for 40 minutes. Kumurap lang kami, nag-zone sila, ayun, nakahabol na ang San Beda,” said Alas.
The Red Lions were aided by two consecutive technical fouls called on the Knights in the third quarter — the first on forward Kevin Racal and the second on Alas. But the coach did not complain about the calls.
“Sayang yun, anim na free throws yun. I’m not complaining sa officiating pero hindi na ulit mangyayari yun sa next game,” he said, adding that he will instruct his team to just ignore calls that went against their way.
Letran star guard Kevin Alas, who averaged 30 points per game in the semifinals against San Sebastian, was held to just three second half points after scoring 15 in the first two quarters. Worse, he had a key turnover in the dying seconds that sealed the game for San Beda.
“Expected na namin na every time makaka-touch ng leather si Kevin, may double team,” said the elder Alas, Kevin’s father.
“Nung last play, di-nouble sya kaya ‘di na naka-execute. Siya ang top gun, so lagi sya hinahanap ni [Mark] Cruz. ‘Di mo din masisisi ang bata.”
Alas also noted a key circumstance late in the game, when the team was charged a mandatory television timeout.
“Nagka-problem kami nung last seven minutes. Hindi din ako na-inform ng coaches ko na sa amin napunta ang mandatory timeout. I guess we’ll just have to charge it to experience.”
But he promised his team will rebound in Game Two, which is set Saturday at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.
“It’s just one loss. They have to beat us twice to win the series. Short-lived lang din ‘tong frustration over the heartbreaking loss dahil may next game pa to bounce back.”

SOURCE: http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/no-excuses-for-louie-alas-after-letrans-game-one-setback-in-ncaa-finals

Small but terrible Mark Cruz stands tall, brings home the ‘suka’ for the Letran Knights

Mia Rengie Angela Domingo, InterAKTV · Wednesday, October 17, 2012 · 12:51 am

AKTV/Paul Ryan Tan

Standing just 5-foot-5 and built reed thin, Mark Cruz doesn’t look like he belongs in the basketball court. “Mukha lang siyang nautusang bumili ng suka,” as oldtimers say.
But the second-year Letran point guard, the smallest man on the court during the Knights’ NCAA Season 88 semifinal series against San Sebastian, often stood tall. He erupted for 20 huge points in their 92-74 win over the Stags last Saturday, before carrying the slack for Letran star Kevin Alas in their 73-70 victory to clinch the semis series last Monday.
Even Cruz, the brother of GlobalPort point guard Marvin, is aware that his small statue can be fodder for doubters. “Toyo naman ang binili ko ngayon,” Cruz told InterAKTV in jest shortly after his second explosion against the Stags.
Turning serious, the 20-year-old spitfire said the Knights’ preparation care of coach Louie Alas was the key.
“Nag-focus lang kami sa desire to win at pumasok sa finals. Sobrang pi-nu-push kami ni Coach every practice, day in and day out. Sobra-sobrang push kaya naging ganito kami ka-tough.”
Marvin is a proud sibling, often giving him words of inspiration. “Lagi nya ako ginu-good luck and keep it up daw.”
In the finals against San Beda, Cruz is expected to face a tougher challenge, with the guard trio of Melo Lim, Baser Amer, and Ryusei Koge expected to pounce on him.
Cruz, however, is undeterred.
“Sobrang gustong gusto namin makapunta sa finals. Bliness kami ni God.”

source: http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/small-but-terrible-mark-cruz-stands-tall-brings-home-the-suka-for-the-letran-knights

'Pinatubo Trio' left in shock as season ends in disappointment By Mei-Lin Lozada

A season filled with hope ends in disappointment for Calvin Abueva, who finished his career with the Stags without the championship trophy he wanted so much. Jomar Galvez

LONG after the final buzzer had sounded, San Sebastian star Calvin Abueva looked every inch like a man who had no clue what hit him.
Abueva is the NCAA’s most popular player, a triple-double machine who became the first player in local basketball history to lead a major league in scoring, assists, and rebounds in a season. He was so gifted athletically he was picked in the second round by Alaska in the last PBA rookie draft.
Even before the season started, this was already ordained as his moment, when the 6-1 guard signs off with a championship trophy in one hand and an MVP trophy in the other as he leaves San Sebastian as a conquering hero.
Instead, he was no more than a stunned spectator on Monday as the Letran Knights completed an improbable trip to the NCAA Finals.
“Kumpyansa kami na papasok sa Finals,” said Abueva, moments after the twice-to-beat Stags dropped a 70-73 setback to the Knights in their sudden-death match. “Di ko din alam ano nangyari, binigay namin 'yung lahat ng kaya namin pero 'di lang talaga lumusot.”
A season filled with so much hope for Abueva now ends in disappointment. First to go was his MVP trophy, which he lost when he committed a bonehead disqualifying foul in the eliminations. Now he bids goodbye to a championship trophy he had yearned to win.
“Siguro 'di lang para sa amin 'to,” he said, grudgingly accepting defeat. “Sana maging aral sa amin yung mga nangyari, maging aral na rin sa kanilang mga maiiwan (sa team).”
Abueva was one third of the dreaded ‘Pinatubo Trio’ that had been hailed as one of the most dominant troika in college basketball. The other members are Ian Sangalang and Ronald Pascual, who like Abueva failed to win a championship on his final year with the team.
“Malungkot kasi last year ko na to gusto ko sana manalo,” he said. “Pero ayun naging malungkot ang exit.”
Being in the Finals the past three years, Pascual had hoped to get a shot at avenging their defeat to San Beda last season. “Chance na sana namin na magharap ng San Beda sa championship ulit,” he said, his voice trailing off.
Sangalang, at least, has another year of eligibility left with the team. He also will inherit the MVP award which his teammate had forfeited.
But the award rings hallow for Sangalang at the moment.
 “Hindi na bale na ‘wag mag-MVP pero mag-champion kami,” he said. “Kasi pag champion mas madami ang sasaya, eh ngayon MVP nga pero di naman kumpleto ang saya, may kulang.”
The Stags captain said a championship would have been a fitting farewell gift for his senior teammates.
“Sobrang hirap kasi lagi kami nasa finals in the past three years, ngayon sobrang sakit. Tapos ang dami pa mawawala at di pa maganda ang exit nila kaya nakakalungkot. Masakit talaga.”

Follow the writer on Twitter: @meilinlozada

source: http://www.spin.ph/sports/basketball/news/pinatubo-trio-left-in-shock-as-season-ends-in-disappointment

Altas defuse Bombers to book last ticket to Final Four By Karlo Sacamos

Nigerian reinforcement Nosa Omorogbe comes up huge for the Altas, who return to the Final Four after eight long years. Jerome Ascano

THE role players sparkled when the stars failed to shine as the Perpetual Help Altas tripped Jose Rizal University, 73-68, on Thursday night at The Arena in San Juan and ended eight years of frustration in the 88th NCAA men’s basketball tournament.
With Earl Thompson and Jet Vidal failing to produce their usual numbers, Justine Alano and Chris Elopre stepped up along with Nosa Omorogbe as the Altas outplayed the Bombers in a crucial playoff and booked the remaining Final Four ticket.
Alano and Omorogbe registered 14 points apiece, while Elopre added 12 markers for the Altas, who will make their first postseason appearance since 2004 when they also made Finals.
Aric del Rosario, the multi-titled mentor who has suddenly pumped life into the Altas’ program, had nothing but kind words for his wards.
“Proud ako sa mga player ko,” said the 72-year-old Del Rosario, who won four straight titles with University of Santo Tomas in the mid-1990s. “Pinaglaban talaga nila ang gusto nila.”
Thompson, who is set to be named the league’s MVP and a member of the Mythical Five, had five points on 1-of-9 shooting in 23 minutes, while Vidal had six markers on a 2-of-16 clip.
Perpetual faces top seed and twice-to-beat San Beda in the semifinals on Saturday.
“Sinabi ko sa mga teammates ko ayaw ko pa ito maging last game ko sa NCAA kaya tulungan niyo ako makapasok sa Final Four. Buti maganda naging resulta,” said Vidal, the team’s leading scorer for the season.
The Bombers proved worthy challengers, but succumbed in the end, missing the Final Four for the first time in six years.
JRU came closest at 59-60 after a Decoy Lopez layup midway through the payoff period, but Alano, Omorogbe, and Elopre provided the key baskets for the Altas to take the fight out of the Bombers.
“Sinabi lang ni coach na kung sino ang pinakamalaki ang puso, siya ang mananalo,” Alano said. “Uhaw na uhaw na kami sa Final Four, buti nakapasok na kami.”
The scores:
Perpetual (73) – Alano 14, Omorogbe 14, Elopre 12, Arboleda 8, Babayemi 7, Paulino 7, Vidal 6, Thompson 5, Allen 0, Jolangcob 0.
JRU (68) – Villarias 19, Lopez 17, Dela Paz 8, Almario 7, Carampil 5, Mendoza 4, Mabulac 4, Salaveria 2, Porter 2, Matute 0, Maconocido 0, Monserat 0.
Quarterscores: 22-19; 41-35; 53-50; 73-68.

Follow the writer on Twitter: @KarloSacamos

source: http://www.spin.ph/sports/basketball/news/altas-defuse-bombers-to-book-last-semis-ticket#.UHbFqRHern4.twitter

No rest: Black to focus on Talk ‘N Text after clinching fifth title with Ateneo

Karl Decena, InterAKTV · Thursday, October 11, 2012 · 8:27 pm

InterAKTV/Roy Afable

After Ateneo bagged its fifth straight crown in the UAAP, most members of the team would probably want to savor the championship and maybe take a break for a while from basketball.
But that’s not the case for coach Norman Black, who will now take over as the coach of the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters in the PBA.
“I’m headed to the PBA, I have a game tomorrow night,” Black said. “It doesn’t stop.”
Now that his stint with Ateneo is over, Black said that he can now concentrate on his coaching duties with Talk ‘N Text, though his PBA comeback would have to wait a little while longer.
“I’ll be there (tomorrow) but I won’t coach,” Black said. “I did not officially inform the PBA because we didn’t win yet.”
“Coach Nash (Racela) will continue to coach tomorrow and I’ll come in as the head coach the following game.”
The Tropang Texters will face GlobalPort on Sunday and Air 21 on October 17 in what will be Black’s debut at the helm.
After leading Ateneo to a dominating championship run, all eyes are now on Black, who is expected to bring his winning tradition to Talk ‘N Text. Asked if he will be gunning for a third straight Philippine Cup crown for his new squad, he said that he doesn’t want to assure anything.
“Come on, I just got out of the pressure cooker and you want to put me right back in it again,” he said. “We’re just at the beginning of the PBA season.”
“But if we get to the semis and we’re lucky enough to be in the championship round, then we can start thinking about three-peat.”

source: http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/no-rest-black-to-focus-on-talk-n-text-after-clinching-fifth-title-with-ateneo

Fifth title the ‘sweetest’ for UAAP Finals MVP Salva

Karl Decena, InterAKTV · Thursday, October 11, 2012 · 8:07 pm

InterAKTV/Roy Afable

Aside from taking home his second straight UAAP Finals Most Valuable Player award, forward Nico Salva has been a staple in Ateneo’s dominance in the past years, playing for the team’s five straight championships.
But Salva, who will graduate from the team this year, said that this season’s title is the most special for him.
“I never imagined to get five championship in five years,” Salva said. “This one is the sweetest.”
Salva averaged 19 points per game in the finals and made his impact in the Blue Eagles’ 83-78 Game One victory last Saturday, exploding for a career-high 30 points. But he was limited to just eight points and six rebounds in their 65-62 Game Two triumph.
With all of his accomplishments, Salva believes that he has a bright future ahead of him. After the UAAP season, he will suit up for the NLEX Road Warriors in the PBA D-League and will join the SMART-Gilas Pilipinas national program’s cadet pool, which will represent the country in the Southeast Asian Games and the Asian Games.
Salva also intends to join the PBA Draft next year.
For now, Salva wants to savor his last title in his collegiate career.
“There’s nothing like leaving the school with a championship,” he said.

source: http://www.facebook.com/SanMigCoffeeBrewersOfficial/posts/453540604689794?notif_t=feed_comment

TRANSCRIPT | MVP on UP Fighting Maroons Basketball: ‘Hindi na nga sumampa sa finals, lamang pa sila sa alaskahan’ InterAKTV

 · Wednesday, October 10, 2012 · 11:12 pm

AKTV/Pranz Kaeno Billones

Manuel V. Pangilinan is one of the country’s top sports patrons. Which is why it came as no surprise that when he addressed members and alumni of the University of the Philippines Alpha Sigma fraternity during the group’s 50th anniversary on Wednesday, he relied on basketball as a language to send his message — from an Atenean to Iskolar ng Bayan.
Following are basketball-related remarks from his speech:
“I’ve always been intrigued by that big school in Diliman, lying behind that naked man with outstretched arms — the school where tsinelas were in vogue before they became known as flip-flops, where the Pep Squad wins more championships than the basketball team.
“There are many things about the people and spirit of UP which impress me. Every time I watch your men’s basketball team, I say to myself: mukhang mababait naman sila.
“And with every heartbreaking game, I remind myself: napagod siguro kaka-rally.
“Outside the basketball court, I like the never say die attitude of the community: natatalo na, ang yayabang pa. Hindi na nga sumampa sa finals, lamang pa sila sa alaskahan.
“Ano bang meron sa fishball sa Diliman na ang saya-saya niyo matapos kayo ma-eliminate?
“Imagine if UP actually won, or wins again. Freshman pa si Benjie Paras nung nag-champion ang UP. Kakatapos lang ng EDSA. Hanggang ngayon bumebenta pa rin ng t-shirt, ‘UAAP men’s basketball champions: 1986.’ Labhan niyo na yan!
“Saka nanalo lang kayo ng 2 games – bonfire na!”
(InterAKTV is part of InterAksyon.com, the news site of TV5, which is chaired by Pangilinan.)

source: http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/transcript-mvp-on-up-fighting-maroons-basketball-hindi-na-nga-sumampa-sa-finals-lamang-pa-sila-sa-alaskahan

Alaska coach Trillo excited for Abueva’s PBA entry after NCAA

Rey Joble, InterAKTV · Tuesday, October 9, 2012 · 5:55 pm

AKTV/Paul Ryan Tan

Luigi Trillo was an interested observer as Calvin Abueva finished a historic elimination round campaign in NCAA Season 88. The San Sebastian star ended up leading the league in scoring, rebounding, and assists, apart from helping the Stags clinch second place after a victory over two-time defending champion San Beda.
Trillo drafted Abueva second overall in last August’s draft, and the coach has no regrets about tabbing the do-it-all forward despite the latter’s delay in joining the Aces because of the commitment to San Sebastian.
“I can honestly say that Calvin is the total package. He was phenomenal. He was a man among boys in that league,” Trillo told InterAKTV.
“I can’t wait to have him on our team. I think he will be a game-changer.”
Trillo believes Abueva can come in and have an immediate impact on the Aces.
“Can Calvin Abueva live up to expectations? I believe he can. It’s now up to him to prove it.”
The Alaska coach added that he expects Abueva’s presence to be felt in all facets of the game.
“A lot of people see Abueva as scorer, good rebounder. and passer, but there’s more to his game than the stats sheet,” said Trillo, who also hinted that Abueva, who played the power forward spot at San Sebastian, may end up playing in the backcourt for the Aces.
“He’s a good defender, someone who can bang with the guards and that’s exactly what we need. We need a tougher player who can play against the best scoring guards in the PBA. Abueva is one guy who never backs down.”
Trillo said he won’t tweak the team’s triangle offense just for Abueva, because he believes the player can thrive in a structured system. But he added that ‘The Beast’ can also find ways to show his stuff in transition.
“Imagine he and Cyrus leading us in the open court. That would certainly be fun to watch,” said Trillo. “Although we run a deliberate halfcourt style, we will still look to push he ball, especially during a defensive stop or a turnover.”

source: http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/alaska-coach-trillo-excited-for-abuevas-pba-entry-after-ncaa

Abueva makes history as Stags claim twice-to-beat edge By Karlo Sacamos

SSC Stags star Calvin Abueva, pictured going for a drive against the San Beda Lions, became the first player in the country's major leagues to lead a season in scoring, rebounds, and assists. Jerome Ascano

CALVIN Abueva stepped up in the absence of Ronald Pascual and made history in the process as San Sebastian scored a huge 69-55 victory over San Beda on Monday night at the end of the elimination round of the 88^th NCAA men’s basketball tournament.
Proving why he is the best player in college basketball, Abueva delivered in the payoff period by either hitting threes or dishing to his teammates to lift the Stags to their 13^th win in 18 games and a season sweep of the Lions.
Finishing with 23 points, 16, rebounds, and three assists, the league’s reigning MVP also became the first player in the country’s major cage leagues to lead a league in points, rebounds, and assists.
With his point total, Abueva finished the season with a 20.1-point average (just a fraction of a point ahead of Letran’s Kevin Alas), 16.4 boards, and 6.5 assists (also just one-tenth of a point ahead of San Beda’s Baser Amer).
The win secured for the Stags the second seed in the Final Four and the twice-to-beat advantage that comes with it.
The Lions nevertheless are assured of the top seed entering the semifinals with a 15-3 elimination-round record.
Although Amer finished with seven assists to threaten Abueva’s record, the sophomore playmaker was held to just four points in 20 minutes off the bench.
“Strategy namin is pilitin wag magkaroon ng kumpiyansa yung Amer, wag siya maka-distribute, at nagawa naman namin,” Stags interim coach Allan Trinidad said.
The Stags chances’ of completing a sweep of the two-time defending champions appeared bleak early on after Pascual was ejected after being slapped with a questionable disqualifying foul on San Beda’s Rome dela Rosa following a rebound play.
For a while, the Stags appeared to cope with his ejection as they managed to hold on to an eight-point halftime lead.
But soon after the Lions, led by Ola Adeogun, staged a third quarter comeback and cut the deficit to just two heading into the final frame.
The Stags, however, made the necessary stops and turned to Abueva in the payoff period as they were never threatened again by the reigning champions.
“Siya (Abueva) lang ang may lakas ng puso tumira sa amin kanina, so sumugal na kami. Kung hindi maka-shoot, recover sa depensa. Although malaking kawalan si Pascual, nakagawa kami ng adjustment. Our defense made it for us,” Trinidad said.
Meanwhile, Trinidad said the Stags, through athletic director Frank Gusi, have appealed to the management committee for the call on Pascual to be downgraded to an ordinary foul to avoid a possible suspension.

The scores
SSC (69) -- Abueva 23, Sangalang 19, Maiquez 13, Juico 6, Gusi 5, Dela Cruz 3, Rebollos 0, Vitug 0, Miranda 0, Antipuesto 0, Pascual 0
SBC (55) -- Dela Rosa 12, Lim 11, Caram 7, K. Pascual 6, J. Pascual 6, Adeogun 5, Dela Cruz 4, Amer 4, Mendoza 0, Ludovice 0, Koga 0
Quarterscores: 9-7, 30-22, 43-41, 69-55.

source: http://www.spin.ph/sports/basketball/news/abueva-makes-history-as-stags-claim-twice-to-beat-edge

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

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

Scalpers peddle on Twitter, but Game One tickets still won't come cheap By Reuben Terrado

Patron seats for the Ateneo-UST game on Saturday, originally priced at P350, are being sold for P2,000 in the black market. Some scalpers are even brazen enough to sell tickets through Twitter. Jerome Ascano

IT may not be an Ateneo-La Salle game, but tickets for Game One of the UAAP seniors basketball finals between the Blue Eagles and the University of Santo Tomas Tigers still won't come cheap.
Neither are they easy to get.
Tickets to the opener of the UAAP best-of-three finals were gobbled up by fans the moment these went on sale at the Mall of Asia Arena's ticketing outlets and students from both schools had to endure hours of waiting in long lines just to get their hands on one.
For the not-so-fortunate fans, the only remaining option is the black market but the prevailing rate for tickets for patron seats originally priced at P350 at MOA ticketing outlets is at least P2,000, or more than five times the real price.
The price for the so-called 'nose-bleed seats' have also hit the roof, with P100 general admission tickets being sold for more than P300 and upper-box tickets rising from P175 to P700.
There was even one individual brazen enough to sell Ateneo-UST tickets through Twitter through an account named @UAAPFinalsTix. One of his tweets goes:
“selling patron tix for tomorrow's #ust vs #admu #uaap finals.tweet your contact numbers or DM me. Thanks! #uaaptickets,” @UAAPFinalsTix
However, prices that the anonymous seller quoted were prohibitive: P2,000 for a no-seat, lower-box ticket.
Still, the prices can't even compare to the Ateneo-La Salle game last weekend, where scalpers made a killing by selling patron tickets for as much as P8,000, or more than 20 times their original value.
More than 30,000 fans trooped to the Smart Araneta Coliseum to watch the two Final Four games.

source: http://www.spin.ph/sports/basketball/news/scalpers-peddle-on-twitter-but-game-one-tickets-still-wont-come-cheap

Sudden-death playoff set as Altas, Bombers blow chance By Karlo Sacamos

Calvin Abueva and the Stags prove too much for Chrisper Elopre and the Altas. Jerome Ascano

SAN Sebastian’s “Pinatubo Trio” finally returned to its deadly form, leading the Stags to an 80-62 victory over University of Perpetual Help on Thursday night that denied the Altas an outright spot in the NCAA Final Four at The Arena in San Juan.
Sluggish in the past few games, Ronald Pascual finally lived up to his capability as he combined with teammates Calvin Abueva and Ian Sangalang to power the Stags to their 12^th win in 17 games.
The win not only assured the Stags of at least a playoff for the second spot and the twice-to-beat advantage that comes with it, it also denied the Altas’ outright entry to the Final Four.
The Altas had been handed a golden opportunity to reach the semis outright after Jose Rizal University lost to Emilio Aguinaldo College, 65-71, in the day's opening game, but they never came close to overhauling a big lead the Stags built early behind their three big guns.
The Altas and Bombers, who finished the elims level at 10-8 win-loss, now square off in a sudden-death playoff for the final berth in the finals. The match is tentatively set on Thursday (October 11).
Pascual, the team’s designated gunner who shot just 3-of-33 from three-point territory and averaged six points in his last three games, finished with 18 points, all from three-point distance.
Abueva’s, the league’s reigning MVP, delivered another all-around performance of 19 points, 17 rebounds, and seven assists, two blocks, and two steals, while Sangalang, Abueva’s most probable successor, had 16 points, 16 boards, two blocks, and two steals in 39 minutes on the court.
Coming off two straight losses to Final Four contenders Letran and JRU, the Stags made some tweaks to their defensive game, which worked as they hardly faced resistance from the Altas for the most part of the game.
“Nagkaroon kami ng adjustments defensively. Buti nag-pay off,” said Stags interim coach Allan Trinidad, whose wards limited the Altas to a season-low 22-percent clip from the field.
After their defense clicked, the Stags’ offense followed as they led by a comfortable margin throughout and established a lead as many as 20 points, 61-41, after a Pascual triple midway through the third quarter.
The scores:
SSC (80) – Abueva 19, Pascual 18, Sangalang 16, Juico 13, Dela Cruz 6, Maiquez 3, Gusi 2, Vitug 2, Antipuesto 1, Balucanag 0
UPHSD (62) – Paulino 13, Vidal 12, Thompson 12, Allen 8, Arboleda 7, Jolangcob 4, Babayemi 2, Elopre 2, Alano 2
Quarterscores: 18-15, 46-31, 61-51, 80-62

source:http://www.spin.ph/sports/basketball/news/pinatubo-trio-erupts-as-stags-derail-altas-semis-entry-v02

Eagles draw inspiration from MVP battle cry as Finals near By Reuben Terrado

“Ako ‘yung tipo ng tao na ayaw matalo. Kung laging panalo, why not? I know my teammates are also hungry,” says Ateneo King Eagle Kiefer Ravena. Jerome Ascano

SAVE for a leak in the roof of their home gym, Ateneo's preparations for the coming UAAP men’s basketball finals have been going smoothly.
Heavy rains last Wednesday forced the Blue Eagles to move practice at the last minute to the Ronac gym in San Juan as the Moro Lorenzo Sports Center's leaky roof rendered the slippery court unplayable.
Upon returning to campus on Thursday, a huge tarpaulin installed on one side of the gym greeted the Blue Eagles. It contained a photo of Greg Slaughter going for a shot against UST’s Karim Abdul with the battle cry, 'We will finish what we started.’
It was the same exact words Ateneo’s former sports patron Manny V. Pangilinan told coach Norman Black when  he offered to resign in light of the businessman’s decision to part way with the school.
“It’s the first time I saw it,” said Black, obviously amused.
Another tarpaulin on the other side of the gym carried the words, ‘Defense wins championships,’ stressing what had been the Blue Eagles’ hallmark during its run of four successive championships.
But with or without those inspiring banners, the Blue Eagles are all pumped up as they enter the final stretch of their buildup for a rare fifth straight title.
“We’ve been practicing the entire week and basically trying to figure out how to attack the defense of UST and how to defend them,” said Black, two days before the much-anticipated Game One of the title series against the Tigers at the Mall of Asia Arena.
“We are eager to play,” said Ateneo sophomore sensation Kiefer Ravena right before the team's practice. “Lahat excited because we have a chance at a historic five-peat.”
Although they are so used to winning, the Blue Eagles insisted they are still hungry for a championship.
The Tigers may be in the midst of a six-year title drought, but that doesn’t mean they are the hungrier team between the two.
“Ako ‘yung tipo ng tao na ayaw matalo. Kung laging panalo, why not? I know my teammates are also hungry,” said Ravena.
“We have a lot of reasons to win this five-peat. For MVP, for coach Norman, for our seniors, and for our Ateneo community. We have to always keep that in mind and repay their support. Additional motivation ‘yun for us,” he added.
Slaughter, playing in his final year with the team, said, "for some of the guys including me, it’s the final two or three games so I don’t see why we can't give the best that we got."
The Tigers have been very vocal about being the underdogs in the best-of-three series, but the Blue Eagles believe they are very much capable of winning a championship.
“The way we look at UST, they are a very good and strong, well-balanced team. Coach Pido (Jarencio) seems to have a good feel of his players and it should be a difficult series,” said Black.
“For me, tao sa tao, isa sila sa match-up namin… Match-up for match-up, solid pareho ang teams. It’s a matter of executing, which team can execute better and which team will be more prepared,” Ravena added.

source: http://www.spin.ph/sports/basketball/news/eagles-draw-inspiration-from-mvp-battle-cry-as-finals-near

Pacquiao trainer Buboy Fernandez lays down blueprint for beating Marquez

• MANNY PACQUIAO
• OCTOBER 3, 2012
• BY: DENNIS 'D SOURCE' GUILLERMO
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Manny Pacquiao hitting the speed bags at the Wild Card Gym as Buboy Fernandez clocks in the time.

Credits: 

 

Chris Farina - Top Rank

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While Manny Pacquiao and his wife Jinkee filed their Certificate of Candidacy in Sarangani Province for the upcoming 2013 Philippine elections, his longtime and trusted buddy and assistant trainer, Buboy Fernandez, is busy studying tapes and formulating a game plan for the 8-Division World Champ in beating nemesis Juan Manuel Marquez when they tangle a fourth time on December 8 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Fernandez stated their keys to success in beating Marquez, and emphasized the importance of solving Marquez's counter-punching. “We’re always on the offensive and often times we forget to defend that’s why Marquez’s punches get through," Fernandez told our good friend Snow Badua of PTV Sports.

Fernandez is confident with Pacquiao's abilities, and believes that they will have a solution to counter Marquez's counter-punching. “We are studying how we can fix some issues, but we don’t need to change our “National Fist”. The power is already there. The speed is already there. We can work on his movement, but the most important thing is how we’re going to handle Marquez’s counter-punching," Fernandez said.

Video: Buboy Fernandez shared blueprint in beating Juan Manuel Marquez

To help achieve this, Fernandez lauded the idea of scrapping Baguio, and Philippines as a whole, as part of their training camp. Stating the obvious, Fernandez said that there are more distractions when Pacquiao trains in the Philippines. “When you’re at the Wild Card with coach Freddie (Roach), there are no more excuses. Once you get in the ring at the Wild Card, there are no more excuses and you have to concentrate on the job at hand.”

Baguio City Mayor, Mauricio Domogan expressed his sadness in behalf of Baguio City's tourism exploits, but also said that a win by Pacquiao is what matters the most. "The important thing is that he (Pacquiao) can focus and win. It's their discretion where they can achieve that, but as you saw in the Bradley fight when he trained in Baguio, he showed a good performance, but unfortunately the judges did that to him, which is out of our hands," said Domogan.

Team Pacquiao will continue their training camp in Manila on October 8, then leave for the US on October 13.

• CLICK HERE to listen and watch the interview with Buboy Fernandez.

TOP STORY (click on the title to read story): Tenorio says Ginebra's win over Globalport is only 'a glimpse of things to come'

OTHER TOP STORIES IN FILIPINO SPORTS:

• Phillipe Nover beats Derrick Kennington in a hard-fought scrap at Bellator 74
• Ravena's late-game heroics carry Ateneo past La Salle onto UAAP Finals
• 'Buy 1, Get 4': Marquez aims to rewrite history with one win
• 'Broke your heart?': Pacquiao says Mayweather is scared and using alibis

- dSG - dsource1981@yahoo.com

** Legal waiver - By quoting, copying and using material from this article to your website, publication or blog, you agree to give full credit to Dennis 'dSource' Guillermo and Examiner.com, provide a link / hyperlink to the original article. **

Dennis is an MMA and Filipino Sports writer for Examiner.com; boxing writer for BoxingScene.com; NBA writer for NBA.com Philippines; sportswriter for the Sun Star newspaper, The Guardians newspaper in the Philippines; TV host for Fil-Am TV; contributor to PTV Sports on channel 4, 5-6 pm in the Philippines; TV5's InterAksyon.com. You can follow him on Twitter @dRealSource

source: http://www.examiner.com/article/pacquiao-s-co-trainer-buboy-fernandez-lays-down-blueprint-beating-marquez

Porter leaves mark for Bulldogs in Cup romp

THE National University Bulldogs whipped defending champion San Beda, 86-69, while the Arellano University Chiefs waylaid the Trinity Stallions, 85-62, at the resumption of the 10th Fr. Martin Division 2 Cup basketball tournament.

Mark Porter scored 23 points and Alfred Aroga added 16 for the Bulldogs as they marched to their sixth straight triumph in Group A of this cagefest backed by Gerry’s Grill.

The Chiefs, led Kinsman Redeemer's 17 points, improved their record to five wins and two losses.

The two teams boosted their chances of claiming quarterfinal seats, which is reserved for the top four teams in the two brackets of the senior division, according to commissioner Robert de la Rosa.

In the juniors division, Norrish Decapia hit 15 points for the San Beda Red Cubs, who claimed their fourth consecutive win at the expense of Letran, 68-62, while Hope Christian School (3-0) beat Adamson, 76-51.

Darius Estrella banged in 22 points for Jose Rizal University, which defeated EAC-ICA, 80-71.

source: http://www.spin.ph/sports/basketball/news/porter-leaves-mark-for-bulldogs-in-cup-romp