Alaska welcomes youth, experience combo in Casio, Hontiveros

Trading star point guard LA Tenorio was not an easy decision for the Alaska Aces.

So when they dealt the face of the franchise to Ginebra San Miguel in a monster five-team deal approved by the PBA on Friday, they made sure they get back players who could make up for the loss.

“We are taking a leap of faith, but a calculated one,” said Alaska team manager Joaqui Trillo.

Apart from Tenorio, the Aces also traded Wesley Gonzales and Hans Thiele to the Petron Blaze Boosters. In exchange, Alaska received JVee Casio, last year’s top overall pick, from GlobalPort to replace Tenorio, and veteran Dondon Hontiveros from Petron.

No less than Alaska chairman Wilfred Steven Uytengsu expressed his thrill about adding a young, improving point guard of Casio’s caliber to the squad.

“We believe JVee can bring a lot of dynamism to our team and has the youth to have a long career with Alaska,” said Uytengsu, who also welcomed Hontiveros.

“Although approaching the twilight of his career, we believe Dondon still has a great game and will open things up for us with his great shooting and occasional penetration. Plus he is a good defender and has strong leadership skills.”

Uytengsu took time to wish Tenorio the best for his stint with Alaska.

“We wish LA well and thank him for his leadership while he was wearing an Aces jersey. He will be successful wherever he goes,” Uytengsu said.

Source: http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/alaska-welcomes-youth-experience-combo-in-casio-hontiveros

Global sees lethal duo in Miller, David

MANILA, Philippines -  Willie Miller may no longer be as quick and sharp as he was five years ago but Global Port interim coach Glenn Capacio believes the two-time former MVP is still good for another two to four years.

Taken from Barako Bull in a complicated four-team trade, Miller had just turned 35, a stage, which to some, is already retirable.

But not in Miller’s case.

“Willie is not prone to injuries so I think he will play a big role in the team, “ said Capacio.

Miller and streak shooter Gary David are likely to form as the team’s 1-2 punch although under Capacio’s system everybody has to stand and deliver.

“The two have the heart and we will have a chance against any team if they have a good game,” said Capacio.

Aside from his array of dazzling moves, Miller, according to Capacio, could use his vast experience to be the role model for the team’s rookies, led by Vic Manuel and sophomore Rudy Lingganay.

Even Global Port owner Mikee Romero is also convinced that the Batang Pier will not be a pushover in the coming PBA Philippine Cup, saying: “We now have a very competitive team so it’s just a matter of blending. I just hope coach Glenn can find the right chemistry for the team in time for the conference.

“Besides, Miller is out to prove something, so we’ll give him the support he needs,” added Romero.

Though Miller has yet to arrive from a dream vacation in Europe, Capacio is not worried at all, knowing the 5-foot-10 Miller can easily adapt to his system having played in four previous organizations before.

“Mas maganda sana ang mahabang preparasyon pero I hope makarating na siya next week,” said Capacio.

Miller won his first MVP trophy as a Red Bull sophomore in 2002 before winning his second in 2006 while playing for Alaska. Before suiting up for Alaska, Miller also played for Talk ‘N Text for 1 1/2 years.

However, it was during his four-year tenure with Alaska where he reached the pinnacle of his pro career. The 11-time All-Star averaged an impressive 20.7 points, 5.1 assists and 4.7 rebounds a game during the 2007-08 season. 

Source: http://www.philstar.com/sportsarticle.aspx?publicationsubcategoryid=69&articleid=845068&keyword=sp_pba

Four new teams want to join D-League

FOUR new teams have signified their intentions of joining the 2012-13 season of the PBA Developmental League which begins in October.

Arellano University, Jose Rizal University-Air21, HTC Philippines and Informatics have sent letters of intent to the PBA Commissioner’s Office which could bring to 12 the participating teams for the season-opening Aspirants’ Cup.

The new applicants as well as mainstays NLEX, Big Chill, Blackwater Sports, Boracay Rum, Café France, Cebuana Lhuillier, Erase Plantcenta and Cagayan Raising Suns have until September 15 to pay the entry fee to confirm their participation in the tournament.

“The intention of these new applicants to be a part of the coming season of the PBA D-League only goes to show that the league has established a market that is acceptable to our basketball-loving fans,” said PBA Commissioner Chito Salud.

Salud said the participation of new teams will generate new rivalry, create new stars and offer exciting games for the fledgling league.

NLEX, winner of the league’s first three championships, and Big Chill are expected to also parade new faces after most of their key players were selected in the recent PBA rookie draft.

While he will be working with a practically new rotation, Big Chill coach Robert Sison still believes he will have a good team this coming season.

“We based our recruitment on the positions we lost so I think we’ll still be competitive,” Sison said.

Follow the writer on Twitter: @spinph

Source: http://www.spin.ph/sports/basketball/news/four-new-teams-want-to-join-d-league

MVP wants realistic expectations for SMART-Gilas ahead of FIBA Asia Cup

InterAKTV

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Manuel V. Pangilinan called on fans and supporters of the SMART-Gilas Pilipinas to be realistic about expectations ahead of the national team’s campaign in the FIBA Asia Cup.

Pangilinan made the remarks in a victory dinner for the team after its recent victory in the 34th William Jones Cup.

“It’s good to have won Jones Cup after a long drought of no international championships for the country, but we have to be realistic and manage expectations. Stanković will be much tougher,” said Pangilinan, who also chairs SMART Communications which bankrolls the team.

(InterAKTV is part of InterAksyon.com, the online news site of TV5, which he also chairs.)

Unlike the Jones Cup, which allowed club teams, the FIBA Asia Cup will only feature national teams. The Philippines was drawn into Group A, along with powerhouse squads China and Lebanon as well as minnows Uzbekistan and Macau.

Chinese Taipei, Iran, Japan, Qatar, and India comprise Group B of the 10-team tournament.

Both tournaments are part of SMART-Gilas’ buildup for next year’s FIBA Asia Championship, which serves as qualifier to the 2014 FIBA World Cup.

“That should be our next goal — to see the Philippine team compete with the world’s best,” said Pangilinan.

Source: http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/mvp-wants-realistic-expectations-for-smart-gilas-ahead-of-fiba-asia-cup

Eric Menk signs with Ginebra as reserve, ABL stint planned

Rey Joble, 

Eric Menk will remain with Ginebra San Miguel — at least until after the upcoming Philippine Cup.

The 2004 PBA Most Valuable Player came to terms with management, according to his new agent Shery; Reyes. He will begin the year in the reserve list for Ginebra in the PBA before transferring to the ASEAN Basketball League.

“He will be reserved in the all-Filipino, then he will go straight to the ABL afterwards to play for the San Miguel Beermen,” said Reyes.

Both Ginebra and San Miguel are owned by san Miguel Corporation.

Earlier, Ginebra offered Menk to be a part-time player and a skills coach. But Menk, who wants to play two more years of competitive basketball, rejected the initial offer.

Menk, who recently turned 38, played in just seven games for Ginebra last season because of injuries. He averages career lows in minutes (8.9) and scoring (1.7).

Source: http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/eric-menk-signs-with-ginebra-as-reserve-abl-stint-planned

The Final Score: Gilas’ secret weapon in the Jones Cup - Mr. Skorovorosky Sovorozky

By: Mico Halili

It all started with jokes. A modified campaign designed to meet the unreasonable demand for basketball success took off with punch lines. It would’ve been understandable if the Smart Gilas players went about their business with hardened faces. The goal was to perform well in the Jones Cup. No one found that funny. Yet the team’s victory was partly fueled by some comedians and a lot of laughs.

“In our practices, mayroon kaming tinatawag na joke time,” Gilas Head Coach Chot Reyes shared. “So guys like Ranidel [De Ocampo] and Gary [David] would share jokes. That helped in the chemistry of the team.”

It’s such a minor detail. The team won the Jones Cup. Not the Urdaneta Inter-Village League. Surely, there are other more relevant reasons. Other squads weren’t complete. Rivals were aging. We displayed clutch shooting. Why highlight moments of levity?

In revisiting the formula for success, Reyes took pride in the little things: rooming assignments, spur-of-the-moment shopping trips, one-on-one conversations between players or a practice session in the middle of “Habagat” (when players were determined to attend despite rising floods). Minor details with major effects. I tried to make Chot break down the emotional significance of each event. But the conversation inevitably went back to:

“We made Gabe [Norwood] and Gary roommates,” Reyes admitted. “Every now and then, I had to ask Gary kung na-no-nosebleed na siya sa kaka-ingles ni Gabe. Sabi naman ni Gary ‘Coach mas naiintindihan pa ni Gabe Tagalog ko kaysa sa English ko.’”

Championship memories last a lifetime. Apparently, some stories can last just as long. Gabe recalls a joke by Gary:

An MMDA officer catches a European driver on the road for a violation. The MMDA officer is set to write the ticket and asks for the driver’s name. The driver replies, “Skorovorosky Sovorozky.” The kind officer asks, “What? Can you please say that again?” The driver answers, “Skorovorsky Sovorozky.” The officer tries to say the name as he writes the ticket, “Skrovo, Skorvoky, Skovozky, never mind, you can go.”

(Ironically, the first hard-working government institution to congratulate the Gilas immediately after it won the Jones Cup was the MMDA through its Twitter account.)

“To be honest, it was just like being in Rain or Shine,” Norwood admitted. “You have guys keeping it light for everyone. In fact we had to tone it down after the Lebanon game (laughs). But after that, Ranidel and Gary were back to normal.”

I’m sure I bungled the joke. I can’t say it better than Gary the same way I can’t shoot jumpers better than Gary. I thank Marcus Douthit for calmly working through every double team. I thank Gabe for his consistency. I thank the jokesters of Gilas for always keeping the balance. The team tackled a major task by paying attention to the minor details, by never being too perplexed to forego the light moments. Sayang if you don’t find it funny. Because levity was part of what Gilas did. And we’re celebrating now because it worked.

PBA PRIVILEGE MEMBERSHIP CARDS ON SALE

The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) will start entertaining renewals of its Privilege Membership Cards (PMC’s) for the 38th Season on Monday, September 10, 2012 whilenew applicants may apply starting September 17.

            For the 2012-2013 Season, PMC prices will be Php7,000 for Premium/VIP, Php 6,000 for Patron at the Smart Araneta Coliseum and Special Ringside at MOA Arena and Cuneta Astrodome,Php4,000 for Patron C and Lowerbox A-C at the Smart Araneta Coliseum and Courtside at MOA Arena and Cuneta Astrodome and Php2,000 for Upperbox A at the Smart Araneta Coliseum and Lowerbox at MOA Arena and Cuneta Astrodome.

            Interested fans may contact Gerry Mesias or Nestor Noblejas at 4703258-59.

            The 2013 PBA Season promises to be another year of topnotch sports entertainment that is sure to excite fans here and around the globe.

bili na!