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Thursday, November 15, 2012

San Mig Coffee puts streak on the line against Barako Bull; Talk ‘N Text, Meralco clash



AKTV/Paul Ryan Tan
Meralco set two goals as it faces defending champion Talk ‘N Text in Friday’s main game as the 2013 PBA Philippine Cup resumes at Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
The Bolts hope to end its losing streak at the venue — they have lost five straight at Ynares — and avenge their 112-110 overtime loss to the Tropang Texters in their first meeting.
“Two missions must be accomplished,” said Bolts coach Ryan Gregorio on the eve of their 7:30 p.m. encounter against Talk ‘N Text.
In the first game, San Mig Coffee tries to extend its winning streak to five games when it faces beleaguered Barako Bull at 5:15 p.m.
Holding the solo fourth spot, Gregorio knows it will be difficult to beat Talk ‘N Text while grabbing a rare win at Ynares Center.
“We have to find ways to win against the defending champions Talk ‘N Text and befriend the Ynares Antipolo so that we can finally win there,” said Gregorio, whose team was 0-5 at the venue last season.
“We are aware of the daunting tasks but we are ready to face the challenges with a positive mindset.”
Meralco owns the momentum going into the game as the Bolts just beat Petron Blaze in impressive fashion, 95-81, last Sunday while the Tropang Texters absorbed just their second loss of the season, 104-101, at the hands of Barangay Ginebra San Miguel last sunday.
“Our offense was in-sync and our defense was stingy against Petron. Nothing less than a near-perfect execution on both ends will be required against the mighty Tropang Texters,” said Gregorio.
In the opener, Bong Ramos takes the helm for the struggling Energy Colas, who will collide with the second-running Coffee Mixers.
San Mig Coffee pulled off a controversial 92-91 win in their first meeting on Raffy Reavis’s tap on the last attempt of Enrico Villanueva.
“Barako Bull played us very tough in our first meeting,” said Coffee Mixers coach Tim Cone. “We were fortunate to escape with a win. We’re expecting a very similar battle with coach Bong now steering the team.”
Ramos replaced Junel Baculi and admits that the goal to move into the next round will be difficult for them.
“We still have five games but it will be hard. We need to start winning now,” said Ramos, now on his third stint as coach of the franchise.
Barako Bull is at the No. 9 spot with a 3-6 win-loss mark.

source: http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/san-mig-coffee-puts-streak-on-the-line-against-barako-bull-talk-n-text-meralco-clash

Circumstances far from ideal for Ramos debut By Richard Dy



Bong Ramos takes over from Junel Baculi at a time when the Barako Bull are trying to cope with the loss of its best player, Enrico Villanueva, to an ACL injury. Jerome Ascano
BARAKO Bull is hoping a shock coaching change can turn around its fortunes beginning on Friday when it collides with in-form San Mig Coffee in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo, City.
Bong Ramos takes the unenviable task of trying to steer the Energy Cola back into playoff contention at a time when the shock over Junel Baculi's firing on Tuesday has yet to really die down.
Ramos also takes over at a time when the team, which has gone 1-4 (win-loss) in the weeks leading to Baculi's relief, has just lost its best player, Enrico Villanueva, to an ACL injury.
Worse, waiting for Ramos and the rest of the Energy Cola is a red-hot San Mig team that dealt them a 92-91 loss in a controversial finish a few weeks ago that triggered the club's tailspin.
In all, Barako Bull is mired in ninth spot with a 3-6 (win-loss) record, just above the league’s worst slate of 1-8 currently being held by GlobalPort.
“As of now, tuloy lang kami (with the system). Little adjustment lang kami kung kailangan,” Ramos toldSpin.ph after the team’s practice at the Ynares Center.
Aside from finding ways to stop San Mig's armada of scorers, Ramos will also have to inspire enough people to fill the gap left by Villanueva, who went under the knife on Wednesday.
“Malaki ang shoes na iniwan ni Rico. I expect the bigs na magtulungan,” said Ramos, who will have to rely on Doug Kramer, Mick Pennisi, and rookie Dave Marcelo to defend the paint against the bigger Mixers.
San Mig edged out Barako Bull in a memorable first-round encounter that ended with Rafi Reavis tapping the ball out of the cylinder in what could have been a potential game-winning basket by Villanueva.
San Mig Coffee coach Tim Cone admits his team didn’t play particularly well during their first meeting.
“We try to push a little bit in practice because we didn’t play that well against Barako Bull,” said Cone after their 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. practice. “But we expect some guys (from Barako Bull) to step up and give them a lift especially with Enrico Villanueva now down with an injury.”
The Mixers have won their last three outings, including a 77-68 victory over the Alaska Aces on Saturday in a PBA Phoenix on Tour game in Lapu-Lapu City.
Meantime, defending champion Talk ‘N Text (7-2) tries to maintain its grip of first place when it goes up against sister team Meralco (5-3).
The two are coming off contrasting performances. The Tropang Texters are still smarting from a tough 101-104 loss to the revitalized Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings, while the Bolts are fresh from a 95-81 clobbering of the Petron Blaze Boosters.
Follow the writer on Twitter: @richava

source:http://www.spin.ph/sports/basketball/news/circumstances-far-from-ideal-for-ramos-debut

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Uytengsu hits out at league over non-call on Reyes 'cheap shot' at Abueva By Richard Dy



Photos taken by Spin.ph lensman Jerome Ascano catch the Rob Reyes shot at Alaska rookie Calvin Abueva which the referees fail to call.
A 'CHEAP shot' by Air21 big man Rob Reyes at Alaska rookie sensation Calvin Abueva which the referees failed to spot on Wednesday night has earned the ire of Aces team owner Wilfred Uytengsu, who said the team will be filing a formal complaint before the Commissioner's Office.
Uytengsu was shown on television livid at courtside after witnessing the play, which saw Reyes hit Abueva square in the face with an open hand while the two tried to get up following a wild loose ball scramble at mid-court late in the Express' 104-103 win at the Big Dome.
The referees completely missed the play.
"Absolutely," Uytengsu told Spin.ph when asked if it was a cheap shot. "And we will be filing a complaint."
Uytengsu hit out at the league for failing to police what he felt was a pattern of attacks on 'The Beast' meant to unsettle a talented rookie who had earned a reputation in college for his short fuse.
League sources said Commissioner Chito Salud has already ordered technical officials to review videos of the play first thing on Thursday.
Uytengsu said it was the second time Abueva found himself at the receiving end of a foul blow, pointing out a Yancy de Ocampo elbow which likewise hit the mark in the Aces' game against San Mig Coffee on Saturday night in Lapu-Lapu City. The Alaska owner saw both plays from ringside.
"I need to defend my players," the Alaska owner said. "If the PBA (officials) can't do their job, they need to be called out.
Uytengsu said pro ballclubs are obviously trying to get Abueva's goat and "trying to get him to retaliate," with little success.
Abueva, who finished the game with 17 points and 10 rebounds despite picking up his fourth foul three minutes into the second quarter, was left shaken in the play but surprisingly did not react.
"Teams are obviously trying to get him to retaliate and so far he has been a model player," Uytengsu said of Abueva.
"I need to defend my players," said Alaska owner Wilfred Uytengsu. "If the PBA (officials) can't do their job, they need to be called out. Photo by Jerome Ascano
"I need to defend my players," said Alaska owner Wilfred Uytengsu. "If the PBA (officials) can't do their job, they need to be called out. Photo by Jerome Ascano

Follow the writer on Twitter: @richava

Source: http://www.spin.ph/sports/basketball/news/uytengsu-hits-out-at-league-over-non-call-on-reyes-cheap-shot-at-abueva-v02

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

25 MUST-FOLLOW TWITTER ACCOUNTS IN PHILIPPINE BASKETBALL BY Robi Raya



The great thing about Twitter is that you don’t have to open so many tabs and windows to soak up on the basketball news you crave for. And it’s fast. You get dope quotes, highlights, links to articles, game schedules, game updates, some stupid stuff from ballers, and insider info as they happen. Basically you get a DAD’S or KAMAYAN type of buffet on everything basketball.
That is if you follow the right dudes.

In no particular order, here are 25 Twitter handles you must absolutely follow:
The former Warrior and current Meralco third-string point guard might be averaging more bench high fives and butt-spanks than points and assists (3ppg, 2apg), but he sure is a great follow because he’s not shy of dishing out interesting insights about the game like this:
And if you’re rockin’ size 10.5-11 sneaks, you might get some good deals from him!
True story: Former Gilas and current Global Port Assistant Coach Charles Tiu once crashed my Philosophy 101 study sessions at home to get notes and to be Tiutorized by yours truly.
Now he’s wining and dining with the best of them:

What a steep rise in social relevance and importance for my old bud. Imagine, from hanging out with me to sitting behind the Gilas bench, to sitting on the Gilas bench, to rubbing elbows with former U.S. Ambassador Kristie Kenney,to Coaching Gary David in that Powerade Cinderella Run; Charles is definitely making a name for himself and by the curve that he’s been on for the past few years, I wouldn’t be surprised if he becomes a college or pro coach in about five years.
Charles is also never afraid to tweet controversial stuff; even if it’s calling out the Commissioner’s office or some old gym for this matter:
23. JERIC AND JERON TENG
How Twitter-active is Jeron Teng? He’s so much on Twitter that you’ll know exactly what time he wakes up and what time he sleeps. He tweets when he wakes up at around 5:00 am to go to practices (and this gets me motivated as hell).
And I’m not whining about how he clogs my Twitter feed because sometimes he tweets cool and funny stuff like these:
While Jeron isn’t that active on Twitter, he randomly gets more than a thousand RT’s for hanging out with Vice Ganda.
Aside from that “wth?” profile picture, I’m down with everything Kevin Alas. So is Tim Cone.
When you photobomb the “It Girls” and they got no problem with it, you already Mr. Maierhofer. You already.
Asi Taulava is one of my first ever follows because he just seems so accommodating on Twitter . When he’s into it, he goes on binges of answering fan questions. He tweets  cool photos too:
A member of the For The Win crew and the most “barako” in the Barako Bull team, Doug Kramer shares a lot of stuff; whether it be photos of his cute little kids with stunning wife Cheska Kramer, juicy thoughts on the game, or photos that make you feel that you’re not working hard enough:
18. SLAM ONLINE CREW (AARON ATAYDENIKKO RAMOSROBI RAYA,& MIGUEL ROCHA)
What a shameless case of self-promotion.
But yes, if you want the best in Philippine basketball, you should definitely follow Aaron Atayde, Nikko Ramos, and me. We deliver opinionated pieces via the website you’re at right now and we try very hard to be the first to disseminate some tasty info. Aaron regularly shares behind-the-scenes stuff from hosting at the AKTV Center. Nikko is chums with a lot of players and coaches so he’s got first-hand access on a lot of things directly coming from the subjects themselves.
And if you want the latest and the best in Philippine basketball lifestyle, follow my main man Miguel Rocha.
When Kelly Williams isn’t rattling rims and stifling bigs in the PBA, he spreads the Word of God. The Talk ‘N Text forward/center recently wrote a fantastic book on his career as baller and as a soldier of God. If you don’t have it, you should get Rising Higher now!
If you want updates on our national basketball program, you can get them directly from Gilas’ head coach Chot Reyes himself. The former TNT also tweets game analyses, reactions, and juicy opinion on anything basketball. He confirms and denies gossips too; so if you want the truth, you go follow him.
PBA game commentator Magoo Marjon is another member of the For The Win crew. He’s got access to almost everything — from the locker rooms to the benches.
And if you want to get a good laugh, Magoo has got you covered:
14. CHRIS TIU
Next to Mark Caguioa and James Yap, this guy is probably the next biggest draw in Pinoy basketball. Although he isn’t tweeting much about basketball recently — and that’s because his hamstring is still nagging him — expect this multi-talented dude to be more tweet-happy once he gets back on the court.

The Sol Train is unstoppable when he rampages to the basket. It’s been said that you can’t stop him from yapping too. Aside from a bit of trash-talking, Sol shares great perspective on the game too.
The Phenom is probably the most magnetic college baller in the country. He carries himself very well on and off the court. Just ask his almost a hundred thousand followers how Kiefer appreciates their support and how he shows good humor in answering tons of fan questions.
He often tweets back-and-forth with Vice Ganda too.
It’s funny how Mark Caguioa is the most popular baller in the country (for BGSM fans, second most popular for SMC fans) yet there’s little we know about him. Mark Caguioa on Twitter should be the birth of an interactive version of himself. THIS. COULD. BE. FUN.
10. JAMES YAP
James Yap is the most skilled Filipino baller I have ever seen. The “Face of the PBA” doesn’t just attend team practices, he does extra work to add more pop into the million moves that he has. Apparently, this stud is addicted to plyometrics.
9. FROM THE STANDS TRIO (CARLO PAMINTUANCHUCK ARANETA, & POLO BUSTAMANTE)
When you get an S/O from J.E. Skeets (one of the hosts of the world-famous podcast, The Basketball Jones) you are definitely legit. Carlo Pamintuan, Chuck Araneta, and Polo Bustamante rarely agree in their podcasts, but one thing is for sure: they’re going to say whatever they want. If you follow these guys, you’ll definitely catch them having lengthy conversations on Twitter on the most trivial of basketball topics to the most crucial ones — because their opinions can’t wait.
The trio also writes for SLAM Mag Philippines.
The former PBA commissioner is now a basketball operations official for San Miguel Corporation.
Enough said.
PBAconnect is the official Twitter account of the PBA. Follow the handle for play-by-plays, boxscores, and game schedules.

The PBAologist dishes out loads of interesting facts about anything Philippine basketball like these:
Have you ever  wondered why we know more about NBA stats than PBA stats? It’s because PBA stats aren’t readily available, and if you check out the League’s official website, you’ll see stats from 2007 or something.
So if you want up-to-date UAAP, NCAA, D-League, or PBA stats, you should follow PBA-Online. From points per game, to career averages (even of the PBA’s legends), to assists to turnover ratio, the handle has you covered.
You get the freshest PBA gossip from Snow Badua.
The funny PBA commentator and AKTV Center host happens to be one of the best sports writers in the country.
 Mico Halili shares the most interesting insights about anything basketball in the country. If you follow him, you might notice how he tweets some things that other people also say. What sets him apart though is how he delivers the lines, how he forms his sentences. Plus, he coins the best monikers in the game.
For simply the best in basketball, follow us!
Since Jaemark Tordecilla also runs the PBAonAKTV handle, and both practically tweet the same things, we’re putting them at number one.
Jaemark Tordecilla is the Adrian Wojnarowski of the PBA. He’s the insider of all the insiders. If you’re a Philippine basketball fan, you must absolutely follow this dude.

Source: http://www.slamonlineph.com/philippine-basketball-association/25-must-follow-twitter-accounts-in-philippine-basketball/



David airs wish to be part of champion team as trade rumors swirl By Richard Dy



“Iyan (playing for a championship team) ang laging iniisip ko talaga. Ramdam ko na rin kasi ang pagod. Sana mapunta ako sa isang championship contender na team,” says Gary David. Jerome Ascano
AT 34, Gary David is aware he’s no longer a spring chicken.
And at the rate newcomer Globalport has been performing in the PBA Philippine Cup, David knows time may not be on his side as he continues to chase that elusive championship ring.
“Iyan (playing for a championship team) ang laging iniisip ko talaga. Ramdam ko na rin kasi ang pagod. Sana mapunta ako sa isang championship contender na team,” David told Spin.ph amid persistent rumors that he is on the trading block.
The pro league has been rife with rumors that David is set to become the central piece in a blockbuster three-way trade that may also involve Petron's Jay Washington and Barangay Ginebra's Kerby Raymundo, but Globalport basketball operations manager Eric Arejola has moved quickly to quash the talks.
"We won't trade Gary. Kahit nga idea of trading him, it never came to mind sa management. Globalport intends to keep Gary David," Arejola told Spin.ph.
The 6-foot-1 Globalport shooting guard and league scoring champion said he had spoken to management about his desire to play for a competitive team.
“Na-share ko naman sa management yung naiisip ko. Ang management din naman ayaw nila matalo kaya sila rin ginagawa nila ang dapat para lumakas ang team,” David said.
But in the event GlobalPort management decides to ship him out, David said he won’t complain at all, knowing that being traded is part of the realities of being a professional ball player.
“Kung ma-trade man ako, ready lang ako mag-adapt sa bagong sistema. Ganyan lang talaga ang buhay sa PBA. Tanggapin na lang natin yung ganun kasi trabaho iyan eh,” said David, who is averaging 17.6 points and 2.33 rebounds in three games with the Batang Pier this season.
David was one of eight players Globalport absorbed when sportsman-businessman Mikee Romero brought the Powerade franchise through his Sultan 900 Inc. during the offseason.
The native of Dinalupihan, Bataan admitted he already felt comfortable playing for Powerade  last season especially after the Tigers’ surprising run in the playoff that saw them went all the way to the Finals of the All-Filipino Cup.
Although seeded no. 8, the Tigers rode on David’s red-hot shooting to pull off a gigantic series victory over top seed B-Meg Llamados.
The Tigers used their upset of the Llamados as springboard in their march to the best-of-seven title series opposite reigning championTalk `N Text. The Tropang Texters ended the Tigers’ bid for a Cinderella finish after winning the series, 4-2.
“Siyempre, nagbago na naman ng team nung mag-start yung season.  Okay na sana ako sa Powerade, tingin ko kasi, ilang conference na … kung baga, tiyaga-tiyaga na lang sa Powerade dahil nag-Finals na rin kasi kami sa first conference,” recalled David.
But now that he’s with Globalport, the 10th overall pick of the 2004 draft hopes Romero could continue to upgrade the team’s roster to make it more competitive.
Follow the writer on Twitter: @richava

James asks Kris not to talk about him on show ABS-CBNnews.com



Posted at 11/13/2012 2:48 PM | Updated as of 11/13/2012 4:52 PM
MANILA, Philippines -- Basketball player James Yap appealed to his ex-wife, actress-host Kris Aquino, to stop talking about him and his personal life on her morning show "KrisTV."
Aquino told guest co-hosts Jason Francisco and Melai Cantiveros that they shouldn't talk about Yap anymore, especially on reports that the athlete has a new girlfriend.
"Uy sandali, magre-request ako ha. Huwag niyo nang pag-usapan si James Yap dito dahil pinagalitan ako kagabi (Monday night) noong dinalaw niya si Bimb," Aquino told the former "Pinoy Big Brother" housemates.
"Tinawag pa niya tuloy akong mataba, kaloka. Dahil daw chini-chismis ko ang buhay niya. Then he said, 'Bakit hindi ka nage-exercise?' Sabi ko, 'Hello, I'm working seven days a week. Tapos yun sinabi niya parang you are fat. Sabi ko, 'Well your pants are baduy.' Mga ganoon lang kami kagabi. So huwag na nating siyang pag-usapan," Aquino said.
Cantiveros then asked why this happened and Aquino told her: "Kasi ganito 'yon. Hindi ba sinabi ko si Bimb ang nagsabi na may girlfriend. Actually ako 'yung nakaalam at ako ang nag-kwento kay Bimb. Tapos tinanong niya si Bimb, 'Who told you that I have a girlfriend?' (Sabi ni Bimb) 'My mama.' O di lagot. Ang mga bata di nagsisinungaling. So 'yun. So OK lang talaga, everybody should move on."
Last February,  Aquino publicly announced that her marriage to Yap, the father of her youngest son James Yap Jr. or Bimby, has been annulled by the court.

Monday, November 12, 2012

Ramos takes over coaching reins as Baculi appears headed to Globalport By Richard Dy



Bong Ramos, left, is set to take over as Barako Bull coach replacing Junel Baculi. Jerome Ascano
BARAKO Bull has appointed Bong Ramos as its new head coach effective on Tuesday after relieving Junel Baculi, who appears headed to the Globalport team of Mikee Romero.
Barako Bull team manager Raffy Casyao confirmed the coaching switch on Tuesday, saying the team is looking to move in a new direction after a struggling start to the season.
“We started well this conference, but all of a sudden, we lost three straight and ngayon, nasa ninth place na kami, so as management have been discussing this, effective today (Tuesday), management has appointed coach Bong Ramos as the team’s new head coach,” Casyao told Spin.ph.
Baculi is in the middle of a two-year deal he signed with Barako Bull, according to Casyao.
But with the way the Energy Cola have been losing badly in the Philippine Cup, going just 1-4 after a 2-2 start, Casiao said management had to make a “drastic move to arrest the team’s alarming skid.”
“With a competitive team, di naman so-so mga players namin. You know that easily, nasa no. 6 or no. 5 kami. We’re not saying we can be a champion team but where we are is definitely below the expectation,” added Casiao.
Baculi, however, may not be without a job for long, having been targeted by Romero since Globalport joined the pro league at the start of the season.
Follow the writer on Twitter: @richava

SOURCE: http://www.spin.ph/sports/basketball/news/ramos-takes-over-coaching-reins-as-baculi-appears-headed-to-globalport#.UKHv7rkslAU.twitter