San Mig begins title defense against Barako By Richard Dy

Head coach Tim Cone and the Mixers are eyeing loftier targets this time after making it to the semifinals of the Philippine Cup. Jerome Ascano

SAN Mig Coffee begins its PBA Commissioner’s Cup title defense when it clashes with an improved Barako Bull five on Friday at the start of the import-laden, mid-season conference at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Mixers gave up Jonas Villanueva and JC Intal to the Energy Cola two weeks ago in a blockbuster five-team, 10-player trade. But in return, coach Tim Cone’s charges got 6-foot-4 rookie guard Alex Mallari, bruiser Leo Najorda, Lester Alvarez plus a future draft pick to boost its already formidable line-up.
On the other hand, aside from Villanueva and Intal, the Energy Cola also got high-flying Allein Maliksi and Jojo Duncil, injecting the much-needed young blood to their aging roster.
Cone said his team, which will parade former Texas Legends forward Matt Rogers as import, has been wrestling with the recent roster transition as he patiently teaches the newcomers the rudiments of the triangle offense.
“We haven’t really had a chance to work on defense yet. Our team still has a lot of work to be done, though we’re getting a little better,” said Cone, whose team tangles with Barako Bull in the 7:30 p.m. game.
Barako Bull also underwent major changes. Before the trade, former Petron team consultant Rajko Toroman was tapped to run Barako Bull as the George Chua-Bert-Lina owned franchise hopes to have a better showing in the Commissioner’s Cup.
Toroman, who will be assuming the active team consultant role for Barako Bull, has instilled his European-coaching style to the Energy Cola, which requires a lot of ball movement and perimeter shooting.
Barako Bull Import Evan Brock said everyone in the team has been picking up the system well and is confident they could play well against the Mixers.
“It’s a new system and we have a new coach. But he’s (Toroman) been taking time with us. Making sure we understand and learn the system the way we are supposed to learn it. I think we’re doing good,” Brock told Spin.ph, who averaged 17 points in the team’s five tune up games.

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source: http://www.spin.ph/sports/basketball/news/san-mig-begins-title-defense-against-barako-bull

Rookie Mallari keen to kick-start career as he takes on point-guard duties for Cone By Richard Dy

“The triangle is such a complicated system because up to now, I’m just trying to learn the basics. I’m not even learning the defense yet,” says new San Mig guard Alex Mallari. Jerome Ascano

ROOKIE Alex Mallari is starting to feel at home as he works to rebuild his confidence and kick-start his stalled professional career at San Mig Coffee.
The trade that sent him to the Mixers camp gives Mallari the chance to start afresh after a forgettable debut conference with Petron, most of which he spent at the farthest end of Olsen Racela's bench.
But moving to a new team entails new challenges and major adjustments for the No. 3 pick overall of the last rookie draft, who has now been entrusted to share the point-guard duties with sophomore Mark Barroca under Tim Cone's triangle offense.
“I’m pretty good, though I’m still adjusting to learning the triangle system," the gangling 6-4 player told Spin.ph. "I just got to pick it up pretty quick because coach Tim puts a lot on my shoulders."
Mallari said learning the triangle offense is not easy and will take time, so much so that the Fil-American admits he is still grappling with the basics of Tex Winter's offense two weeks after moving to the Mixers.
“The triangle is such a complicated system because up to now, I’m just trying to learn the basics. I’m not even learning the defense yet,” he added.
The Mixers are 0-3 so far in their pre-Commissioner’s Cup buildup with import Matt Rogers in tow, but Mallari remains confident the team will be ready for the start of their title defense against Barako Bull on Friday.
Playing just nine games in the Philippine Cup, Mallari finished with averages of 4.73 points, two rebounds and 1.1 assist in 15.7 minutes as he had to compete for playing time with playmakers Alex Cabagnot, Dennis Miranda and Chico Lanete.

Follow the writer on Twitter: @richava

source: http://www.spin.ph/sports/basketball/news/rookie-mallari-keen-to-kick-start-career-as-he-takes-on-point-guard-duties-for-cone

Garage sale marks fresh start for James Yap as new relationship 'getting there' By Snow Badua

The normally evasive James Yap allowed Spin.ph a rare peek into his private life while talking about his garage sale this weekend, saying a new-found relationship is "getting there." Jerome Ascano

JAMES Yap is ready  to start afresh as far as his personal life is concerned.
The normally evasive San Mig Coffee star allowed Spin.ph a rare peek into his private life while talking about his garage sale this weekend, saying a new-found relationship is "getting there."
The two-time PBA MVP said on Wednesday he is finally starting to savor life as a bachelor, a year after his high-profile, five-year marriage to top showbiz celebrity Kris Aquino was annulled by the courts.
“Basta nag-eenjoy ako,” said the 30-year-old with a laugh. “Wala pa naman exactly nagpapatibok ng puso ko, basta."
The sweet-shooting San Mig star declined to let out additional details, evading direct questions on his love life with boyish replies of "Secret" then bursting into more laughter.
But pressed for answers, the Escalante, Negros Occidental native relented and shed a little light on his status as a dating man by responding, “We’re getting there."
“Basta nag-eenjoy ako ngayon," he said. "Settle down? Sabihin na lang natin na … I’m getting there."
Asked if he is dating another showbiz personality after his stormy marriage to Aquino, Yap answered: “Wala, hindi na tayo pwede sa sikat, kasi magulo.
"Private person na lang tayo ngayon."
Meanwhile, Yap said proceeds from the sale of his personal stuff this weekend at the Fabulous Autoworks, No. 96 Granada Street, Valencia, Quezon City will go to a charitable institution where he hopes to spend his birthday on February 15.
“Lagi ko naman ginagawa yung pag-share ng blessings pag may occasion tulad ng birthday ko," said the soft-spoken Yap, for so long regarded as the face of the pro league.
Yap said he will sell his personal items like shoes, clothes, and other memorabilia in the one-day garage sale organized by his brother Jeff - stuff he can no longer store in his new house.
“Ang place ko kasi ngayon hindi naman ganun kalaki. Iyong gamit ko, hindi naman sa pagmamayabang, medyo madami. Medyo over sa place ko," Yap said. “Sayang naman kung nasa kahon lang.”
Yap promised to personally grace the event.

Follow the writer on Twitter: @snowbadua

source: http://www.spin.ph/sports/basketball/special-reports/garage-sale-marks-fresh-start-for-james-yap-as-new-relationship-getting-there

Tweaked All-Star game, Manila invitational tournament to boost Gilas' buildup

By Snow Badua

February 05, 2013, 06:42 pm

  

Among the shoo-ins for spots in the Gilas Pilipinas team to the Fiba-Asia championships are, from left, June Mar Fajardo, Marc Pingris, LA Tenorio, Gabe Norwood, Sonny Thoss, and Gary David. Jerome Ascano

NOW the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) is even ready to tweak the 2013 Annual All Stars for the sake of national cause.
Already penciled from May 1-6 in Digos, Davao Del Sur, commissioner Chito Salud bared to Spin.ph the league is now revising the format of the meet’s centerpiece event to turn into matches that could benefit Gilas Pilipinas' buildup for the Fiba-Asia championships.
Instead of the usual set-up pitting the Rookies, Sophomores, and Juniors against the Veterans, Salud said his office is now bent on forming a PBA selection that will play Chot Reyes’ Gilas team in the main event.
Reyes is expected to name his 15-man roster on Thursday. Those who will be left out will be automatically be considered for the All-Star selection to be formed by the league.
“Para naman hindi mabakante `yung team natin at mabigyan rin sila ng high-level competition, bubuo tayo ng 12-man lineup na PBA selection,” said the amiable commissioner.
Salud likewise revealed the league is studying the option of holding regular games between Gilas Pilipinas and the PBA selection in the run-up to the August 1-11 event serving as the qualifier for the 2014 world championships in Spain.
“Open din tayo to allow our teams to play with the national team in front of the PBA crowd,” Salud hinted. “At least, hindi rin masyado ma-miss ng fans `yung mga favorite players nila.”
Salud plans to hold the matches on game days vacated following the re-scheduling of the season-ending Governors’ Cup.
Meanwhile, Chinese Basketball Association Shanghai Sharks owned by retired NBA star Yao Ming will be the first foreign team to play Gilas-Pilipinas in an exhibition series set May 6-8.
Aside from this, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP), under president Manny V. Pangilinan, is also arranging a pocket invitational tournament in the first week of June wherein Fiba Asia-bound countries will be invited to see action.
Among the early countries which reportedly indicated interest are Qatar, Lebanon, and Jordan.
“We are doing this all for one aim, give pride to our country,” Salud stressed.
The PBA on Tuesday announced the cancellation of the Governors’ Cup from its original date on May 12 to give way to the training and preparation of the national team for the Asian showpiece.
The league board approved the moving of the season-ending tournament to August 14-October 28 while extending the run of the Commissioner's Cup until the final week of May.

Follow the writer on Twitter: @gerardmos

source: http://www.spin.ph/sports/basketball/news/tweaked-all-star-game-manila-invitational-tournament-to-boost-gilas-buildup

Sol Mercado, Gary David, Willie Miller see no problem sharing ball at GlobalPort

Rey Joble, InterAKTV · Tuesday, February 5, 2013 · 11:42 am

AKTV file phoyo/Paolo Papa

GlobalPort features three of the most lethal scorers in the PBA in Gary David, Sol Mercado, and Willie Miller.
But when the game is on the line, who will take the last shot?
“Me,” said Batang Pier coach Junel Baculi in jest. Turning serious, he said that won’t be an issue in his system.
“Anyone can take the last shot, even Japeth Aguilar.”
Baculi said having many weapons in crunch time is a good problem to have.
“I’m a guy who loves to make a gamble. But it depends on the situation. You have a Sol, who can attack the basket, and you have Willie Miller and Gary David capable of shooting the ball. So it really depends on situation and opportunity,” said Baculi.
Mercado, who was acquired during the break, led the Philippine Cup in scoring and assists. He said he has no problem sharing the ball with his talented teammates.
“I’d love to give the game-winning assist,” said Mercado.
“It really doesn’t matter who will take the last shot as long as we win the game.”
David welcomes Mercado’s entry into the GlobalPort fold.
“At least, hindi na sa akin naka-focus yung attention ng mga bumabantay,” said David, the league’s reigning scoring champion.
“Mas nagkaroon ng additional threat and mas maganda para sa akin at sa team. Pero maski sino sa amin, puwedeng tumira ng last shot.”
Miller, a two-time Most Valuable Player, is psyched to have Mercado to create opportunities for the squad.
“Siya magaling mag-create. Ako bahala sa perimeter, si Gary naman sa three-points,” said Miller.
“Depende sa gagawin ni Sol. If he creates at nag-collapse yung defense, pwede niya ibigay maski kanino sa amin. Doon nakasalalay kung sino yung puwedeng tumira ng last shot.”

source:http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/sol-mercado-gary-david-willie-miller-see-no-problem-sharing-ball-at-globalport

Eala offers Fajardo, Tenorio, Pingris to Gilas By Richard Dy

Petron's June Mar Fajardo, left, Ginebra's LA Tenorio, and San Mig's Marc Pingris have been made available to Gilas Pilipinas by SMC sports operations head Noli Eala. Jerome Ascano

SAN Miguel Corp. sports operations head Noli Eala has offered LA Tenorio of Barangay Ginebra, Jean Marc Pingris of San Mig Coffee, and Petron rookie big man June Mar Fajardo to the Gilas Pilipinas team that is set to begin its preparations for this August’s Fiba-Asia men’s championships.
Eala made the offer through his Twitter account @NoliEala, saying, “Junmar, LA and Ping are also available to Gilas if they want them. Wish Gilas all the best.”
Gilas Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes has yet to name the official roster of the national team pending the revised schedule of the PBA’s Governors Cup, which originally was supposed to end in late July.
PBA  commissioner Chito Salud has reiterated the league's position to fully support the national squad by way of adjusting the third conference schedule to give Gilas Pilipinas ample time to prepare for the Asian showpiece, which the country is hosting for the first time in 40 years.
Salud and the league board have also given Reyes the green light to name at least one player from every PBA team to the Gilas pool.
Reyes has long been vocal about his desire to pick Fajardo and Petron teammate Arwind Santos for the Gilas pool, but both have not been made available by the San Miguel franchise in the past.
It is not yet clear if Reyes has already chosen Fajardo over Santos. It is also unclear if Eala's position is also the position of San Miguel, which gathered its basketball coaches and top officials in a meeting on Sunday with big boss Ramon S. Ang.
Tenorio was part of two Gilas international stints last year, leading the national squad to the Williams Jones Cup title in Taipei en route to being named the tournament MVP. He also saw action for the national squad that placed fourth in the Fiba Asia Cup in Tokyo, Japan.
On the other hand, Pingris has been given the green light to join the Gilas Pilipinas squad more than a week ago as confirmed by San Mig Coffee board governor Rene Pardo.

Follow the writer on Twitter: @richava

source: http://www.spin.ph/sports/basketball/news/eala-offers-fajardo-tenorio-pingris-to-gilas

Cone keen to give Rogers chance to prove worth even if Bowles becomes available By Richard Dy

“We haven’t really learned how to use him. He has certain skills that are obvious but we just need to be able to use him," San Mig coach Tim Cone says of Matt Rogers. Jerome Ascano

DESPITE a 0-3 (win-loss) stint for San Mig Coffee with Matt Rogers in pre-Commissioner's Cup tune-up games, Tim Cone said the team is sticking with the import and committed to giving him a chance to show what he can do.
The Mixers signed up Rogers as Denzel Bowles, last season’s Commissioner’s Cup best import and Cone's original choice, remains tied down to his contract with the Zheijang Golden Bulls in the Chinese Basketball Association till the end of the month.
But even if Bowles becomes available, Cone said the Mixers are not inclined to get Bowles as their standby import.
“Matt’s open to learning and getting better, so it’s not fair for Matt,” stressed Cone. "And even if Denzel’s available right now, we’re committed to Matt, we’re sticking with him."
Rogers, a product of the Southwest Baptist University, averaged 20.3 points for the Mixers in pre-tournament losses to the ABL’s San Miguel Beermen, Air21 and Rain or Shine.
On the other hand, the 6-11 Bowles is a proven entity after leading the SMC franchise to last year's Commissioner's Cup championship in a stint he capped with a 39-point, 21-rebound performance in the title-clinching win over Talk 'N Text in the Finals.

Still, Cone said the 6-11 reinforcement should be given the chance to find his place in San Mig's triangle offense and prove his worth.

“We haven’t really learned how to use him,” Cone told Spin.ph. “He has certain skills that are obvious but we just need to be able to use him.”
San Mig Coffee opens its title defense on Friday against Barako Bull in a battle pitting two teams that figured prominently in a blockbuster 10-player trade more than a week ago.

Follow the writer on Twitter: @richava

source: http://www.spin.ph/sports/basketball/news/cone-keen-to-give-rogers-chance-to-prove-worth-even-if-bowles-becomes-available