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

Chot to draw up new 20-man pool ahead of shot at Asian title By Richard Dy

Commissioner Chito Salud says the 20-man pool is not cast in stone, with the lineup to be changed or replenished as the need arises until the Fiba-Asia men's in Beirut in September. Jerome Ascano

SMART Gilas coach Chot Reyes is set to draw up a new 20-player pool for the approval of the PBA board as the national team begins its buildup for a busy 2013 campaign to be capped by a stint in the Asian championships.
PBA commissioner Chito Salud said members of the Gilas team that won the Jones Cup and placed fourth in the Fiba Asia Cup in Tokyo are not guaranteed spots in the revised team, which will begin 2013 with stints in the Dubai International Invitational and the King's Cup in Hong Kong.
“We agreed that they will submit a revised 20-man pool to be submitted to the office of the commissioner as soon as they finalize it (20-man lineup). And we will announce it as soon as it is submitted to us,” Salud said during Wednesday afternoon’s press conference at the MOA Arena.
The Dubai Invitational is scheduled on January 10-22, while the King Cup in Hong Kong is from January 22-27.
The original Smart Gilas squad led by then collegiate standouts JVee Casio, Chris Tiu, Mark Barroca and Mac Baracael placed third in the 2010 Dubai Invitational finishing runner-up the following year, bowing to Egypt in the finals.
Salud added that Reyes has proposed to hold the team’s practice every Monday from 8-10 p.m. at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City, with more practices added to the schedule as the Dubai and Hong Kong tournaments draw closer.
The PBA commissioner added that selected players from the revised 20-man pool may only join the team practice as their schedule permits and as long as they don’t miss the games of their respective PBA mother clubs.
By the time the Dubai Invitation begins, the PBA’s Philippine Cup will be playing its championship series, thus the national squad have little adjustment to make as far as scheduling is concerned.
However, Salud reiterated that players chosen to be part of the pool won’t have a permanent position in the roster.
“The lineup can be changed or replenished as the need arises until we reach the 2013 Fiba qualifying tournament. So right after the two tournaments, magre-review si Chot, then he will submit another 20-man pool, if ever,” he added.
Aside from members of the Jones Cup-winning team, others on Reyes' wish list are Marc Pingris of San Mig Coffee, Petron’s Arwind Santos and rookie 6-10 center June Mar Fajardo, Talk ‘n Text swingman Kelly Williams as well as 6-11 Greg Slaughter of the five-time UAAP champions Ateneo Blue Eagles.

Follow the writer on Twitter: @richava source: http://www.spin.ph/sports/basketball/news/chot-to-draw-up-new-20-man-pool-ahead-of-shot-at-asian-title

PBA Results, Standings: October 17, 2012

InterAKTV · Wednesday, October 17, 2012 · 10:20 pm

PBA/Nuki Sabio

In Wednesday’s doubleheader, the GlobalPort Batang Pier defeated the Meralco Bolts, 105-104, in the first game. The Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters beat the Air 21 Express, 96-89, in the second game.

Team	W	L	PCT	GB	STREAK
Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters	3	0	1.000	-	W3
San Mig Coffee Mixers	2	0	1.000	0.5	W2
Barangay Ginebra San Miguel	2	1	0.667	1	L1
Rain or Shine Elasto Painters	2	1	0.667	1	W1
Meralco Bolts	2	2	0.500	1.5	L1
Alaska Aces	1	2	0.333	2	W1
Petron Blaze Boosters	1	2	0.333	2	L1
Barako Bull Energy	1	2	0.333	2	L2
GlobalPort Batang Pier	1	3	0.250	2.5	W1
Air 21 Express	1	3	0.250	2.5	L2

source: http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/pba-results-standings-october-17-2012

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