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Tuesday, September 18, 2012
From the horses’ mouth: Quarterfinal coaches speak out
Former B-MEG import Denzel Bowles joins Chinese club team Zhejiang
Source:
http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/former-b-meg-import-denzel-bowles-joins-chinese-club-team-zhejiang
AKTV/Pranz Kaeno Billones
Bowles posted on his Twitter account that he is in China to play hoops, but did not specify any team. But basketball reference site Asia-Basket.com lists him on the Zhejiang roster.
The former James Madison University standout won Best Import honors in the Commissioner’s Cup before joining the New Orleans Hornets summer league squad last July, leading people to speculate that he might stay stateside to pursue basketball opportunities there.
Instead, Bowles will be part of Zhejiang, which courted controversy last season in the CBA after signing NBA swingman JR Smith during the American league’s lockout. The player and the team had a rocky relationship, with Zhejiang management alleging that Smith habitually missed practice.
Bowles earlier professed his willingness to return to the PBA for another tour of duty with the Purefoods franchise. It is unclear, however, if his commitment with the Golden Bulls will free up in time to suit up for San Mig Coffee in next year’s Commissioner’s Cup.
We'll live and die with Miller-David By Gerry Ramos
Global Port team owner Mikee Romero the franchise is capable of springing surprises in its first season in the pro league. Jerome Ascano
GLOBAL Port team owner Mikee Romero has quashed speculations of more trades for the pro league's newest franchise with two weeks left before the 38th PBA season comes off the wraps.
The dashing sportsman-businessman says he’s more than pleased with the roster the Batang Pier have right now, a team which he pointed out is capable of springing surprises right on its maiden season.
And who knows, perhaps even win a championship.
“This is the team already,” said Romero in Tuesday’s PSA Forum at Shakey’s Malate. “May mga gumagawa ng rumors, but we will live and die with this team. I told the players in practice that those faces beside you, 'yan na ang magiging teammates ninyo.”
The team owner cleared the air as rumors continue to swirl around the franchise about another possible trade as the September 30 opening of the league draws near.
As expected, Romero is pinning his hopes on the explosive combo of two-time MVP Willie Miller and Gary David to carry most of the scoring brunt for Global Port, which purchased the Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines Inc. franchise lock, stock, and barrel.
Where the two high-scoring guards go, so does the rookie franchise.
“It depends on where these two will bring us,” said Romero. “Of course, Rabah (Al Hussaini) is our third option, but its Gary and Willie who will be our main weapons. I expect another MVP run for Gary David this season, and for Willie to give this rookie team his brand of leadership.”
Aside from Miller, David, Rey Guevarra, and Al-Hussaini, other members of the team are Jondan Salvador, Romel Adducul, Will Antonio, Josh Vanlandingham, Rudy Linganay, Marvin Cruz, Mark Yee, Angel Raymundo, and rookies Vic Manuel, Jason Deutchmann, and Aj Mandani.
Romero said the Miller-David combination reminded him of the La Salle-Ateneo tandem of Mac Cardona and LA Tenorio when he first formed the Harbour Centre team in the defunct Philippine Basketball League.
Cardona and Tenorio gave the Batang Pier the first of what turned out to be a record seven straight PBL championships.
Romero is not exactly guaranteeing an outright title in Global Port’s maiden season, but is keeping his fingers crossed that hopefully a “Cinderella team will finally come out of the PBA.”
“We haven’t played our first game inside the court, but I tell you, these players will fight like lions, like tigers. Magugustuhan ng tao kung paano kami maglaro,” vowed Romero, who’s also the president of the Philippine National Shooting Association.
Miller was with his new boss in the same forum along with teammates Al-Hussaini and Guevarra, coach Glen Capacio, assistant Ricky Dandan, team manager BJ Manalo and basketball operations manager Eric Arejola.
More than the talent, it’s the hunger factor that will make the difference in the campaign of Global Port, Romero said.
“Ang maganda sa amin `yung boss (Mikee) namin gutom. And siyempre, we have a championship-caliber coach na gutom din,” said Miller, acquired in a multi-team trade that saw the Batang Pier give up sophomore guard JV Casio.
“Lahat kami dito sa team gutom,” Guevarra added.
The Batang Pier will see action right in the opener of the Philippine Cup when they battle crowd darling Barangay Ginebra in the lone game at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“We’re definitely looking forward to that. Actually, hindi lang naman Ginebra ang pinag-hahandaan namin kundi lahat ng teams,” said Capacio.
The Road to the Finals: FIBA Asia Cup knockout rounds bracket
Here’s the bracket for the knockout rounds of the 2012 FIBA Asia Cup. The SMART-Gilas Pilipinas national team begins its quarterfinals campaign Thursday against Chinese Taipei.
FIBA Asia Cup: Chinese Taipei nips Qatar to book QF date vs SMART-Gilas
FIBA Asia photo
Chinese Taipei secured the victory on a buzzer-beating dunk by Lei Tien to break the game’s final deadlock.
With the win, Chinese Taipei moves into the knockout quarterfinal round against the SMART-Gilas Pilipinas national team, which finished in a triple tie for first place with Lebanon and China in Group A. Lebanon ended up with a tiebreak quotient of 1.068, giving it the top seed for the group with the Philippines (1.050) taking second and China (0.891) third.
In case of three-way ties in FIBA competition, tiebreaks are computed using the quotient from total points scored in games among tied teams divided by total points allowed.
SMART-Gilas is no stranger to Chinese Taipei’s top national team, which it defeated in the 34th William Jones Cup in Taiwan last month. After a two-day break, the Philippine team is expected to come out with guns ablaze in the quarterfinals, which begins on Thursday.
source: http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/fiba-asia-cup-chinese-taipei-nips-qatar-to-book-qf-date-vs-smart-gilas
MVP leads Philippines bid to host next year’s FIBA Asia Championship
AKTV/Paolo Papa
SBP executive director Sonny Barrios told InterAKTV that the presentation will be made Wednesday in the midst of the FIBA Asia Cup matches in Tokyo, where the SMART-Gilas Pilipinas national team is competing.
Barrios, along with PBA commissioner Chito Salud and former FIBA Asia secretary-general Moying Martelino, will be assisting Pangilinan in the presentation, which aims to seal the Philippines’ hosting of the event for the first time since 1973.
(InterAKTV is part of InterAksyon.com, the news website of TV5, which is chaired by Pangilinan.)
“I am upbeat and looking positively at our bid mainly because we, led by MVP, put in a lot of hard work behind” our presentation. It gives us extra strength when you know that the country is behind you,” said Barrios.
According to Barrios, Pangilinan was scheduled to fly from Hong Kong to Tokyo. The rest of the party flew to the Japanese capital Tuesday.
Last month, the SBP hosted FIBA Asia secretary-general Hagop Khajirian, who was reportedly impressed by the new SM Mall of Asia Arena, boosting the Philippines’ chances to host the event.
Salud believes the country has a good chance to win hosting rights.
“I am very optimistic. I believe Manila with all of our ardent and knowledgeable basketball aficionados will be the perfect host. Add to that all of our logistical support and capability made available by Mr. Pangilinan’s group of companies, there’s no doubt Manila will be the most appropriate host for the 2013 FIBA World qualifying tournament. They will experience the beauty of the Philippines and the warmth of real basketball fans,” Salud told InterAKTV in a text message.
Next year’s FIBA Asia Championship serves as qualifier for the 2014 FIBA World Cup. Three spots for Asian countries are up for grabs in the biennial cage competition.
Jamelle Cornley still in Manila for rehab, wants to defend title with Rain or Shine
AKTV/Paul Ryan Tan
The tournament’s Best Import underwent knee surgery shortly after the Elasto Painters championship victory and has decided to stay in the Philippines to rehabilitate his injury.
Cornley suffered a meniscus tear in his knee in Game Six, but played through pain to lead Rain or Shine to a Game Seven triumph. He didn’t hesitate getting treatment in the country at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan.
“It was the same hospital where Larry [Rodriguez] and Paul Lee were treated, so I guess there won’t be a problem if I stay there and have my knee treated,” said Cornley, who said the Philippines is the best place to lounge around while he recovers. He would often show up to Rain or Shine practice in crutches just to cheer on teammates.
“I love the people, I love the culture and I love the Filipinos’ passion in the game of basketball. There’s no other people I’ve seen as crazy as Filipinos when it comes to basketball,” he said.
“I also love the way Philippine basketball is played. Unlike in America, basketball here is played using the bounce pass because they’re not that tall. But I like that.”
After recovery, Cornley plans to pursue opportunities abroad, but promises to be back for next year’s Governors’ Cup to help defend Rain or Shine’s title.
“I’m looking forward to it. I want to play and win another championship with Rain or Shine. We’re a family here,” he said.
But beyond playing in the PBA, Cornley wants to establish more permanent roots in the Philippines.
“People have warmly embraced me and that’s the reason why I’m thinking of making the Philippines my second home,” said Cornley.
source: http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/jamelle-cornley-still-in-manila-for-rehab-wants-to-defend-title-with-rain-or-shine
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