MOA Arena exec ‘shocked’ by theft at Meralco locker room, promises investigation

Rey Joble, InterAKTV · Wednesday, October 17, 2012 · 10:35 pm

Meralco locker room. PBA/Nuki Sabio

As the clock struck 10 p.m. Wednesday, an investigation team headed by SM Mall of Asia Arena general manager Arnel Gonzales started the review of the CCTV to identify the perpetrators of a theft that took place inside the locker room of the Meralco Bolts in the first half of their encounter against the GlobalPort Batang Pier.
“We’re shocked. We were holding major events here and in the first five months that we’re operating this is the first time it happened,” Gonzales said during a short press conference.
“This is only the second time the PBA is holding scheduled games here and everybody’s still adjusting to our process. But we are doing everything to identify the perpetrators.”
PBA commissioner Chito Salud earlier said he wants MOA Arena to rectify its shortcomings by implementing tighter security measures for the safety of teams and their fans.
He also wanted the MOA Arena to indemnify in full the victims of the theft and robbery.
A PBA official, who requested anonymity, saw flaws in the MOA Arena security situation.
“Security plan flawed if there’s one. Locker room has a backdoor with a Mickey Mouse lock. We opened the door with the utmost of ease,” said the official.
“Alleyway opens up to this backdoor with no security personnel. CCTV tapes that could not be reviewed in house. Almost three hours passed and review has no outcome. I was told it will be provided to an outsourced agency. Apology provided by the staff, but not the general manager, who kept on defending.
Gonzales promised to get to the bottom of things.
“Meralco is our partner and as a matter of fact, they have their corporate box here. We will sort out everything that needs to be sorted out,” he said.
“As for the security, everything is in check. We received feedback coming from organizers and even the media that our security implements tight measures. That’s because we want to ensure the safety of everyone. It’s just unfortunate such thing happened at the back of our house.”
Gonzales said that despite the unfortunate incident, PBA games scheduled at MOA Arena will still push through.
“We honor our booking and I don’t think this incident will have any effect on the bookings of the PBA games here,” he said.

source: http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/moa-arena-exec-shocked-by-robbery-at-meralco-locker-room-promises-investigation

Big blow for Boosters as Fajardo goes under knife By: Richard Dy

Petron rookie June Mar Fajardo will undergo surgery on Thursday at the Cardinal Santos hospital. Jerome Ascano

PETRON rookie June Mar Fajardo is set to go under the knife on Thursday to ease the swelling and stop the bleeding on his scrotum which was accidentally hit during the Boosters' game against San Mig Coffee on Sunday night.
The 6-10 slotman is set to undergo the procedure at the Cardinal Santos hospital, where he has been confined since Monday after scoring 16 points and grabbing 13 rebounds in the Boosters' 84-90 loss to the Mixers.
According to Petron coach Olsen Racela, urologists attending to Fajardo said the swelling on the big man's scrotum has gone down since Monday but not significantly enough to avoid surgery.
"Malungkot ang team, pero ganyan talaga. Injuries are part of a player's life," Racela told Spin.ph.
The Cebuano rising star is set to be out of action for as much as four weeks. He can only resume regular physical activity after that long rest, Racel said.

Follow the writer on Twitter: @richava

source: http://www.spin.ph/sports/basketball/news/big-blow-for-boosters-as-fajardo-goes-under-knife#.UH5ZU_3MDgI.twitter

Talk ‘N Text shoots for Philippine Cup lead vs Air 21; Meralco, GlobalPort tussle

InterAKTV · Wednesday, October 17, 2012 · 12:53 am

AKTV/Paolo Papa

Talk ‘N Text guns for the solo lead against Air 21 as Meralco hopes to follow up its huge win against Barangay Ginebra San Miguel versus winless GlobalPort in the PBA Philippine Cup on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The Tropang Texters and the Express square off in the main game at 7:30 p.m. while the Bolts and Batang Pier collide at 5:15 p.m.
Talk ‘N Text coach Norman Black officially returns to the PBA after missing the team’s first two games due to his commitment with Ateneo in the UAAP and he will be pitted against his old rival Franz Pumaren, a five-time champion coach of La Salle.
Black was on the bench when Talk ‘N Text defeated GlobalPort, 108-104, one day after leading the Blue Eagles to their fifth straight UAAP crown.
Assistant Nash Racela handled the squad in the first two matches and Black admitted there’s still a lot to be done for the Tropang Texters to reach their full potential.
“The players are still learning the system,” said Black, whose been with the team for only a month now. “A lot of things we need to improve on especially on the defensive end. Give me three to four weeks and we’ll be running smoothly.”
The Express are coming off a tough 99-98 overtime loss to Rain or Shine and Pumaren knows they need to bring their A-game to stand a chance against the powerful Talk ‘N Text quintet.
“We have to limit their transition points and try to slow them down,” said Pumaren.
Meanwhile, Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio cautions his Bolts not to take GlobalPort lightly as the team of coach Glenn Capacio is due for a win after a 0-3 start.
“It is going to be a huge battle against GlobalPort. They are fighting to get their first win and that makes them very dangerous,” said Gregorio.
“We are not leaving anything to chance. We must make sure that we sustain our intensity on defense. The same defensive mindset exhibited against Alaska and Ginebra is required to continue our winning streak,” he added.
The Bolts shocked the favored Kings in Davao City, 95-88, behind the hustle plays of rookie Cliff Hodge and clutch baskets of Mark Cardona, Sol Mercado and Mark Borboran.
The Batang Pier will continue to miss the services of Gary David due to injury and Capacio hopes that Rabeh Al-Hussaini can finally be a contributor both on offense and defense.

source: http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/talk-n-text-shoots-for-philippine-cup-lead-vs-air-21-meralco-globalport-tussle

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

Injury scare as Fajardo ends up in hospital By the staff

Petron rookie June Mar Fajardo had 16 points, 13 rebounds, three steals, and a block against San Mig Coffee on Sunday night despite playing hurt for parts of the match. Jerome Ascano

A DAY after his best game thus far in his young PBA career, Petron’s rookie center Junmar Fajardo has been confined in a hospital after suffering scrotal trauma during the Boosters’ match against San Mig Coffee on Sunday.
The injury came on the heels of Fajardo's best game as a pro, tallying 16 points, 13 rebounds, three steals, and a block shot in the Boosters’ 84-90 loss to the Mixers. Apparently, the Cebuano hotshot played hurt during his breakout game.
San Miguel Corporation sports director Noli Eala reported the news on his Twitter account @NoliEala.
“Pls pray for Junmar who is now in d hospital after suffering frm scrotal trauma. He got hit last night in a sensitive area yet endured pain,” wrote Eala.
Eala said that the worst case scenario for the No. 1 pick in the 2012 draft is that he will be missing a few games.
“Best case is JF is relieved of swelling in 2-3 days. Worst case is possible surgery n will be sidelined for 3-4 weeks. Hoping for the best,” Eala wrote.

Follow the writer on Twitter: @spinph

source: http://www.spin.ph/sports/basketball/news/injury-scare-as-fajardo-ends-up-in-hospital

CHAN EARLY SCORING LEADER; MAIERHOFER CURRENT BOARDS CHAIRMAN

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Published on October 15, 2012

Two weeks into the 2012-13 Philippine Cup and the league’s 38th season, guess who are the top
individual performers so far?

Bouyed up by his career-high 35 points in Rain or Shine’s 99-98 win over Air21 last Friday, it’s
not surprising why Jeff Chan is on top of the scoring list with his 26.7 points per game average
through three games.

Globalport’s Willie Miller and Talk ‘N Text’s Jayson Castro are right behind Chan with their
23.3 and 23.0 points per game averages, respectively.

These three are the only players averaging at least twenty points per game this early in the
conference and season. 

Curiously, Gary David, the scoring leader in the last three seasons and in six of the last seven
conferences, isn’t even in the Top 10 in scoring. David, now with Globalport, is on a slow start
averaging just 13.0 points in his first two games on a very cold 20% shooting from the field (6 of
30).

Like Chan, also helped by a career-high performance in his recent game is Barangay Ginebra San
Miguel’s Rico Maierhofer who is the early leader in rebounding. Maierhofer, who had a career-best
17 rebounds in the Kings’ 95-88 loss to Meralco last Saturday in Digos City, is the current
chairman of the boards with his 12.0 rebounds per outing.

Barako Bull’s Rico Villanueva, Maierhofer’s former teammate at Barangay Ginebra, ranks second in
rebounding with his 11.7 a game while Petron Blaze rookie June Mar Fajardo, the No. 1 overall pick
in the recent PBA Draft, follows next with his 10.7 boards per night. San Mig Coffee’s Yancy de
Ocampo ranks fourth with his 10.0 rpg.

Maierhofer, Villanueva and the elder de Ocampo are the only players averaging a double-double so far
in the conference.

Petron Blaze’s Arwind Santos, the rebounding leader last season (10.7) and in last season’s
Philippine Cup (11.8), is only at No. 6 currently with his 9.3 per game, behind another Barangay
Ginebra San Miguel player in Billy Mamaril who is norming a fifth-best 9.7 rpg.

In other statistical categories, Meralco’s Sol Mercado is lording it over everybody in assists
with his 8.0 per game, two assists per game ahead of the second-running Jonas Villanueva of San Mig
Coffee (6.0 apg).

Showing a different facet to his game this time around, Talk ‘N Text’s Larry Fonacier is the
surprise early leader in steals with his 3.0 per night while Meralco rookie Cliff Hodge, recently
adjudged Accel Player of the Week for the period October 4 to 11, is co-leading the shotblocks
category with his 2.0 a game, the same average of the Mixers’ de Ocampo.

Here are the conference leaders so far through October 14, 2012: http://bit.ly/RLQjPX (or copy/paste
link to your browser's address bar to access)

source: 

http://www.pba.ph/blogs/entry/301

'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