I just messed up, admits Bowles after blowout loss By Mei-Lin Lozada

“I'm still trying to get my legs back, the jetlag and all that but I don't make excuses. I had a very bad game,” says highly regarded San Mig import Denzel Bowles. Jerome Ascano

DENZEL Bowles summarized in three words what San Mig Coffee and its fans saw on Friday night.
"I messed up."
Last year's best import and fan favorite offered no excuses after proving to be a big disappointment in his debut game in this year's Commissioner's Cup, finishing with just 12 points and committing a game-high eight turnovers in a 65-93 blowout loss to Rain or Shine.
“I knew that I just messed up," said the athletic import who became a favorite among San Mig fans after leading the popular team to the championship in this same conference last year. "I just got to get my offense back and my rhythm back on the court."
The 6-10 Bowles admitted that he is still suffering from jetlag and has yet to get his timing back since arriving on Sunday to replace Matt Rogers, but refused to make any excuses.
“I'm still trying to get my legs back, the jetlag and all that but I don't make excuses. I had a very bad game,” said Bowles. “Right now my timing is lost. I hope I could get my timing back and be okay.”
Bowles and the Mixers will have just one day to recover from the blowout before facing reigning Philippine Cup champion Talk 'N Text on Sunday, but the 23-year-old import has vowed to atone for Friday's embarrassment.
“I'm sure they want to come out and blow us out but we're not going to give up on that. We'll come out on Sunday,” he said.

Follow the writer on Twitter: @meilinlozada

source: http://www.spin.ph/sports/basketball/news/i-just-messed-up-admits-bowles-after-blowout-loss

The Final Score: Sleepless nights ahead for Ginebra and San Mig Coffee

MICO HALILIFebruary 19, 2013 7:29pm

Last February 16, at 4:50 in the morning, I was still awake. As it turned out, Mark Caguioa was too. I blame basketball for my semi-insomnia. Once I start reading basketball-related articles or watch basketball-inspired videos on my timeline, especially when the house becomes more peaceful than a library, it’s hard to stop. I wondered: was Mark awake because of basketball too?

Mark Caguioa (L) has to be losing sleep over Ginebra's 0-3 start. KC Cruz

I want to believe that Mark was awake because of basketball, because of Ginebra, because his team has yet to win a game, because of his insane desire to succeed. I had an opportunity to ask him about it last February 17 right before their game against Petron. I decided not to. I didn’t want to be disappointed if he said he couldn’t sleep because of something else.

To be good at anything, one has to be a little obsessive about it. It’s what drives above-average individuals. Mark never comes across as average. Hairstyles. Effort. Compulsion. I cling to the idea that Ginebra’s alpha male is up at 4:50 in the morning because that is what crazy competitors do. When the team is 0-3 in the Commissioner’s Cup, guys like Caguioa have little reason to sleep like hibernating bears.

I’m curious. Is Denzel Bowles having sleepless nights as well? San Mig Coffee is winless after two games. Exit Matt Rogers. Enter Bowles. Bowles arrives like an answered prayer. Fans wanted him to return. They pleaded, sent him tweets, would have sent him flowers if they could. Fortunately, they no longer need to ask. Tim Cone’s monster of an import is officially back. Like General Douglas McArthur, Denzel has returned.

I worry a little. Denzel has become a sort of myth. When you make two of the most mind-numbing free throws in the history of all free throws, you naturally become a heroic figure. Dapat lang. Well-deserved. But there is pressure to match the Bowles who will play in the 2013 Commissioner’s Cup and the Bowles who resides in the selective memories of eager fans.

Can Denzel Bowles (L) be just as good as he was a year ago?. KC Cruz

For San Mig Coffee to start winning games, 2012 Denzel and 2013 Denzel should at least match. If 2013 Denzel is even better than 2012 Denzel, that’s even better. There are, however, no guarantees. Basketball is funny that way. His comeback doesn’t automatically reverse San Mig Coffee’s 0-2 start. But it makes the team’s journey back to relevance more compelling.

San Mig Coffee meets Rain or Shine on February 22. It will be the first game of Denzel Bowles in the tournament. Denzel will go up against 7-3 Bruno Sundov. Denzel will be reacquainted with Extra Rice Incorporated. The Monster Bowles Comeback Tour is about to begin.

Ginebra faces undefeated Alaska on February 23. It will be the first game of new Ginebra import Vernon Macklin. Is Macklin the answer to Ginebra’s prayers? Caguioa knows underperforming imports in an “unlimited height” conference can quickly become excess baggage of unlimited weight. Like frustration, anticipation can keep competitors from both Ginebra and San Mig Coffee wide-awake.  - AMD, GMA News

Source: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/295668/sports/opinion/the-final-score-sleepless-nights-ahead-for-ginebra-and-san-mig-coffee

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Cone sad to let 'good guy' Rogers go as former best import Bowles returns By Snow Badua

Denzel Bowles will get the chance to defend his best import title when he arrives on Sunday for another tour of duty with reigning Commissioner's Cup champion San Mig. Jerome Ascano

THE big man who steered San Mig Coffee to the PBA Commissioner’s Cup title last year is finally back.
The Mixers are bringing back Denzel Bowles to kick-start their bid for back-to-back championships while giving the San Mig fan favorite a chance to defend his best import title.
Bowles, 23, is expected to plane in by Sunday.
San Mig Coffee coach Tim Cone informed Spin.ph about the latest development, which also saw the team informing current import Matt Rogers of the decision to replace him.
But doing so was not easy especially to a person as nice as Rogers, according to Cone.
“We informed Matt that he has been changed today,” said the San Mig coach. “The decision was hard for us. He’s a good guy.”
Cone said Rogers just had an unpleasant experience while staying in the country after missing his supposed PBA debut after being downed by food poisoning, and getting stuck inside a popular mall at the height of a big-time robbery.
“The poor guy had food poisoning... didn’t have time to recover... didn’t play well... now we’re changing him,” added Cone.
“He was in Megamall, stuck there when there was a shootout. Tough time for him.”
Cone added: “But Matt was great through it all. I wish we could have given him the opportunity.”
The multi-titled mentor stressed the switch simply addressed the import needs of the team.
“We really didn’t know when Denzel will be available. And when we finally got him out of his contract in China, we made a decision to bring him in right away,” added Cone.
“The team has always thought from the very beginning to give Denzel a chance to defend his crown. That’s something we wanted to do for him (and the fans).”
Upon arrival, Bowles will still have almost a week to re-acquaint himself with the Mixers’ system in time for his first game against Rain or Shine.
“Denzel gave us a magical ride last year, from our organizational stand point - he really deserves a chance to come back. Bringing him back wasn’t a tough decision for us,” Cone stressed.

Follow the writer on Twitter: @snowbadua

source: http://www.spin.ph/sports/basketball/news/cone-sad-to-let-good-guy-rogers-go-as-former-best-import-bowles-returns

Monster return: Reigning Best Import Denzel Bowles back Sunday for San Mig Coffee

Rey Joble, InterAKTV · Saturday, February 16, 2013 · 12:16 am

AKTV/Pranz Kaeno Billones

Denzel Bowles, the reigning Commissioner’s Cup Best Import who led the B-MEG Llamados to a title last season, will be back to suit up for the San Mig Coffee Mixers.
San Miguel Corporation executive Noli Eala confirmed the news to InterAKTV.
“Bowles will be back and will arrive on Sunday,” wrote Eala in a text message.
Without Bowles, San Mig Coffee has stumbled to a 0-2 start in the current tournament. Matt Rogers, the team’s original reinforcement this season, missed the team’s first game before struggling in his debut against Petron.
Bowles’ return was delayed after problems securing his release from his last team, the Zhejiang Golden Bulls in the Chinese Basketball Association.
He will make his debut this season on Friday against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.

Source:http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/monster-return-reigning-best-import-denzel-bowles-back-sunday-for-san-mig-coffee

San Mig revives bid for Bowles after sub-par Rogers performance By Snow Badua

“I’m sure (Matt Rogers) can do a lot better than what he did last night. Pero para sa akin, hindi siya post-up guy. Post-up center ang kailangan namin... like Denzel (Bowles)," says San Mig governor Rene Pardo. Jerome Ascano

SAN Mig Coffee is now deep in negotiations with former PBA Commissioner’s Cup best import Denzel Bowles.
No less than team governor Rene Pardo revealed to Spin.ph that San Mig has revived its bid to lure the former best import awardee after the Mixers' 73-98 loss to Petron on Wednesday night.
"Depende sa availability ni Denzel, siya ang priority namin na papalit (kung magpapalit) kasi proven na yan eh," said Pardo. “If he’s available, there might be a possibility that we will replace Matt (Rogers)."
Pardo admitted that he immediately asked team manager Alvin Patrimonio to get in touch with Bowles on Wednesday night after Rogers was completely outplayed by Renaldo Balkman in the loss to the Boosters.
Rogers, who missed San Mig's debut game against Barako Bull due to food poisoning, finished with 20 points on 7-of-19 shooting to go with nine rebounds against Balkman and Co.
Pardo, however, revealed that San Mig has the luxury of time in weighing its import situation since its next game won't be until February 22 against Philippine Cup semis tormentor Rain or Shine.
Like most of the team's fans, Pardo was honest in his assessment of Rogers' performance.
“I’m sure he can do a lot better than what he did last night," Pardo said. "Pero para sa akin, hindi siya post-up guy. Post-up center ang kailangan namin... like Denzel.
“Mabigat ang competition dahil lahat halos ng imports malalaki at nakikipag-banggaan."
The hard-banging Bowles, a San Mig fan favorite, is now in the US after a stint with the Zhejiang Golden Bulls in the Chinese Basketball Association.
San Mig officials are hopeful that Bowles has already been given a release by the CBA team, which became an issue when the Mixers first tried to sign him up before the start of the mid-season conference.
“Bukas, I will give you a better answer on whether Bowles will return or not," Pardo promised.

Follow the writer on Twitter: @snowbadua

source: http://www.spin.ph/sports/basketball/news/san-mig-revives-bid-for-bowles-after-sub-par-rogers-performance

MOA Arena set to host Pacers-Rockets regular-season game, says official By Richard Dy

If plans don't miscarry, Jeremy Lin and the rest of the Houston Rockets will play the Indiana Pacers in a regular-season game at the MOA Arena next season. AP

The NBA is coming to Manila this year, not to hold an exhibition game but no less than a regular season match.
Mall of Asia general manager Arnel Gonzales confirmed the news to Spin.ph on Thursday, saying the regular season game might feature the Indiana Pacers led by Danny Granger and the Houston Rockets of James Harden and Asian-American star Jeremy Lin.
"It will be historic for the Philippines and for any venue for that manner," Gonzales said. "It's part of the program of Mall of Asia to bring in world-class entertainment. And this is basically the first step."
The state-of-the-art arena piqued the interest of sports fans on Thuirsday when it posted on its Twitter account a poster of an NBA ball and the words: 'Big things are coming.'

Gonzales, however, declined to provide further details, saying negotiations are still ongoing with people from the NBA headquarters in New York.
Several NBA players have seen action in the country over the years but no official NBA game, whether in the preseason or regular season, has been held here.
Only last year, former Chicago Bulls stars Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman led a team of retired NBA players in an exhibition games against PBA legends at the MOA Arena.
In 2011, NBA superstars led by Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant, Chicago Bulls' Derrick Rose, and Oklahoma City Thunder's Kevin Durant played in a pair of exhibition matches against the Smart Gilas team and a PBA selection at the Smart Aaneta Coliseum.

Follow the writer on Twitter: @richava

Source: http://www.spin.ph/sports/basketball/news/moa-arena-set-to-host-pacers-rockets-regular-season-game-says-official