Fajardo finally starts to throw weight around Richard Dy

Top rookie pick June Mar Fajardo scored 19 points, grabbed 15 rebounds and threw down the vicious dunk in the final stretch that sealed Petron's first win in three preseason games against PBA opposition. Jerome Ascano

PETRON Blaze has finally won a game against a PBA team in the preseason -- and top rookie pick June Mar Fajardo has started to throw his weight around.
The Boosters beat a fighting Barako Bull, 95-88, on Friday at the Acropolis gym in Quezon City with the 6-9 Fajardo collecting 19 points, grabbing 15 rebounds and throwing down the vicious dunk in the final stretch that sealed the team's first win in three preseason games against PBA opposition.
The win was a boost in confidence for the Boosters, the consensus pre-tournament favorite who started the preseason games with back-to-back losses to Rain or Shine (83-98) and Alaska (84-90).
Their lone win came against a selection of Cebu collegiate players over the weekend.
"Coach Olsen [Racela] has encouraged us to keep improving and work on our system," Fil-American rookie Alex Mallari told Spin.ph. "Barako Bull got back in the final period, but right now, we need to work together.
"Hopefully, we could we have everyone back because some of my teammates still have health issues.”
Sophomore Fil-Am shooter Chris Lutz played his first preseason game for the Boosters, but was clearly still feeling his way back into the game. Dorian Pena, Alex Cabagnot and another Fil-Am Marcio Lassiter sat out the game due to various injuries.
Fajardo, the 24-year-old slotman who played for University of Cebu in college and the San Miguel Beermen in the Asean Basketball League, got his way in the paint with Barako Bull missing Enrico Villanueva who was with Smart Gilas 2.0 in the 2012 Fiba Asia Cup in Tokyo, Japan.
Without Villanueva, Doug Kramer held the fort for the Energy in the paint, scoring 20 points.
Petron will next face Meralco on Monday (Sept. 17) followed by sister team Barangay Ginebra on Saturday (Sept. 22).


source: http://www.spin.ph/sports/basketball/news/fajardo-finally-starting-to-throw-weight-around

New boys perfect for Ginebra's open-court style of play, says Eala By Richard Dy

LA Tenorio’s entry not only adds depth to Ginebra backcourt, but the Jones Cup hero is expected to thrive in Ginebra's open-court style of play much more than in Alaska's deliberate offense. Jerome Ascano

AFTER watching three preseason games, Noli Eala has become unwavering in his belief that Ginebra San Miguel has acquired the right pieces that could help the team return to the top -- in true Ginebra fashion.
Eala feels the Gin Kings' three main acquisitions going into the PBA's 38th season -- point guard LA Tenorio and Fil-American rookies Chris Ellis and Keith Jensen -- are perfect fits for the run-and-gun, no-nonsense basketball that has been Ginebra's trademark since the Robert Jaworski days.
“This will be a very exciting season for our fans because Ginebra got the players this offseason that play the Ginebra style of game, which is run and gun, tough basketball,” Eala told Spin.ph.
Tenorio’s entry not only adds depth to an already power-packed Ginebra backcourt that includes Jay-Jay Helterbrand, Mike Cortez and last season’s PBA MVP Mark Caguioa, but the Jones Cup hero is expected to thrive in Ginebra's open-court style of play much more than in Alaska's deliberate offense.
By letting Tenorio loose just like what Chot Reyes did for Smart Gilas 2.0, Eala feels the heady point guard will make the people around him better.
Caguioa agreed.
“LA’s a leader. I really believe he can control the pace of the game. I really look forward to playing with him because he’ll make it easier for me to play the game,” Caguioa said.
With Tenorio running the offense, Ginebra coach Siot Tanquingcen hopes to reduce the team’s turnovers this season — the Gin Kings were third to last in the department last season with 14.67 per game.
Ellis, the 6-foot-3 reed-thin swingman picked at No. 6 in the rookie draft, has a decent perimeter jumper, runs the floor well and is capable of providing the high-energy plays that can get Ginebra's faithful into the game.
On the other hand, the 6’4” Jensen brings toughness to the squad and much-needed help to the Gin Kings' undersized frontline led by Kerby Raymundo, Billy Mamaril, Rudy Hatfield and Willy Wilson.
Results of the three preseason games Ginebra has played so far have been encouraging enough to validate Eala's enthusiasm.
The Gin Kings scored a convincing 98-83 win over Rain or Shine on September 6 at the Fil-Oil Flying V Arena in San Juan, then came up with an 83-42 whipping of the Australia Under-18 national team at the San Andres gym in Manila.
Ginebra’s other preseason game against the Qatar national team on Monday night was stopped after a near fistfight involving Raymundo and Qatari center Mohammded Yousef. Qatar was ahead, 55-52 when the game was called off.

source: http://www.spin.ph/sports/basketball/news/new-boys-perfect-for-ginebras-open-court-style-of-play-says-eala

Gilas Pilipinas 2.0 to fight for RESPECT

By - Aimee Grace B. Tapeceria

Source: http://aimee829.tumblr.com/post/31458920257/gilas-pilipinas-2-0-to-fight-for-respect

The biggest difference between Manny Pacquiao and Smart Gilas Pilipinas 2.0 is that, while both carry the weight of the Filipino Nation on their shoulders, both have the HEART of a Filipino, both seek to bring PRIDE & HONOR to the country …

  

one is held in awe.. in an almost god-like status, with the people treating him as a mini deity; while the other is cherished and beloved like family member, whose joys and sorrows are share (via twitter and instagram), whose camaraderie and heroism we can relate and respond to.

As Smart Gilas Pilipinas 2.0 starts their battle at the Stankovic Cup, they are facing an one of the strongest and biggest foes in the person of the Chinese. The picture taken by Larry Fornacier of LA Tenorio (point guard) behind one of the Chinese player re-iterates how big the disparity. We now begin to feel that familiar dread… 

But unlike the usual dread we feel when
Manny Pacquiao fights, this dread seems almost unnatural because we all feel like “stage moms” on some talent shows that we see on TV, watching from behind the curtain… praying NOT that our “child” wins, rather that instead of being ridiculed, mocked, or humiliated while showing their talent to the world, they would impress the audience, earn the respect of their opponents, and they gain the recognition from the judges that despite not being THE BEST, they deserved to be part of the discussion.

Dear Smart Gilas Pilipinas 2.0;

You not be the tallest, you may not the strongest, and you may end up NOT winning the Stankovic Cup (unlike the William Jones Cup), but WE BELIEVE that you will prove, that when it comes to deciding WHO IS THE BEST IN BASKETBALL here in our part of the world, THE PHILIPPINES deserves to be part of THAT conversation. And as YOU fight for that RESPECT and RECOGNITION, we hope that it gives the FIBA officials the extra push (aside from the presentation of SBP, PBA, & MVP) and award us the hosting rights to host the FIBA ASIA CHAMPIONSHIPS next year, which will greater help in our campaign to reach the FIBA World Basketball Championships.

Go Smart Gilas Pilipinas 2.0 … though we may not be physically with you, the GLOBAL FILIPINO COMMUNITY will be rooting and praying for you!

(evidence: your games trend on twitter WORLDWIDE)

Air 21′s Pumaren dreams of Green Archers reunion with Ginebra’s Cortez

Rey Joble, InterAKTV · Thursday, September 13, 2012 · 10:30 pm

AKTV/Paul Ryan Tan

As the Cool Cat of the De La Salle Green Archers, Mike Cortez spent some of his best years on the basketball court playing for coach Franz Pumaren.
These days, the Air 21 coach couldn’t help but dream about being reunited with his former star point guard, who now plies his wares at Ginebra.
“It will be good if we have a reunion of sorts,” Pumaren told InterAKTV in a telephone interview. “Besides, we badly need a dependable point guard.”
Air 21 has embarked on a massive buildup in the offseason that saw the team welcoming Noy Baclao, Rob Reyes, KG Canaleta, and John Wilson into its fold. It also signed rookies Yousef Taha and Simon Atkins, another former La Salle player.
Ginebra has also seen some radical changes in its lineup, highlighted by the acquisition of star point guard LA Tenorio, whose entry is expected to cut Cortez’s minutes. Apart from those two players, Jayjay Helterbrand and Rob Labagala are also expected to man the point for Ginebra.
Cortez had a witty reply when informed about his former coach’s interest in his services: “Might as well bring in Mac Cardona, Ren-Ren Ritualo and the other members of the La Salle champion squad in Air 21.”
Cardona plays for Meralco, while Ritualo is already with the Express.
Turning serious, Cortez said isn’t looking to leave Ginebra. “I’m happy with where I am now. I’m at the stage of my career where my focus is geared towards winning a championship,” he said.
“Management did a great job getting good players for our squad.”
He acknowledged, however, that staying with Ginebra is not just up to him
“I leave it all up to them what happens in my career. All I want to do is play for whichever team I am with. That’s something you don’t have control of.”

source: http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/air-21s-pumaren-dreams-of-green-archers-reunion-with-ginebras-cortez

VIDEO | SMART-Gilas Gangnam Style

Jaemark Tordecilla · Thursday, September 13, 2012 · 8:40 pm

Photo courtesy of Chot Reyes

The title says it all.

[ H/T: SMART-Gilas Pilipinas assistant coach Josh Reyes ]
Also see: Unlikely Korean pop star conquers the US with ‘Gangnam Style’

source: http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/video-smart-gilas-gangnam-style

VIDEO | Perpetual Help’s Gangnam Style featuring coach Aric Del Rosario

InterAKTV · Thursday, September 13, 2012 · 11:49 pm

The most impressive thing about the Perpetual Help Altas’ Gangnam Style video? After shooting this, they went out and absolutely destroyed Arellano University by 31 points.

source:http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/video-perpetual-helps-gangnam-style-featuring-coach-aric-del-rosario

JVee Casio acknowledges Tenorio tough act to follow at Alaska

Rey Joble, InterAKTV · Thursday, September 13, 2012 · 9:59 pm

AKTV/Paolo Papa

JVee Casio had his fair share of brilliant moments in his rookie year last season, but he said LA Tenorio is a tough act to follow.
“His shoes are too big to fill. There’s a lot of pressure on my shoulders now because he is such a good player,” said Casio.
Tenorio had been the face of the Aces franchise before the team traded him along with Wesley Gonzales and Hans Thiele in a deal that netted them Casio, Dondon Hontiveros, and a future second round pick.
It won’t be the first time Casio is taking over Tenorio. Both players were part of the vaunted San Beda high school basketball program, and Casio took over for Tenorio as the Red Cubs’ main man after the latter left for college.
Casio said he doesn’t want to put pressure on himself by thinking about replacing Tenorio. But he feels right at home with Alaska, which runs a structured offense — something he is at home with after playing for coach Rajko Toroman as part of SMART-Gilas Pilipinas.
“We’re running a system that gives everyone equal opportunities. The system won’t center around me, but all five players playing inside the court,” said Casio, who added that he’s no stranger to the triangle offense preferred by Alaska coach Luigi Trillo.
“We were running that when we were in grade school. It was Coach Ernie Magsanoc (brother of PBA great Ronnie Magsanoc) who introduced the system to us. Medyo nangangapa ulit ako kasi it’s been a long time since I’ve played within the triangle.”

source: http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/jvee-casio-acknowledges-tenorio-tough-act-to-follow-at-alaska