Guiao: SMART-Gilas Jones Cup win boosts PBA, local basketball

Former national coach Yeng Guiao said the SMART-Gilas Pilipinas victory in the 34th William Jones Cup will give the PBA and all of local basketball a big boost. “It’s good for the PBA and good for Philippine basketball,” said Guiao in a telephone interview with InterAKTV. “Everytime na mananalo tayo ng championship, such as Jones Cup, mas na-bu-boost yung awareness nila sa PBA and they treat the players like heroes.” SMART-Gilas won the Jones Cup for the first time since 1998, when the Philippine Centennial Team swept the competition. SMART-Gilas coach Chot Reyes was Tim Cone’s chief assistant in the Centennial Team, which is the last Philippine squad to win a medal in a high-level Asian competition, winning the bronze in the Asian Games that year. The SMART-Gilas victory is seen as the latest win for Philippine basketball, which has been enjoying a resurgence this past year. The PBA posted record television viewership and gate receipts. The Jones Cup tournament marked the return of a team composed mainly of PBA players competing for the flag. The league earlier committed lending 16 players to the national pool, which would form the core of the program’s elite team. Earlier, PBA commissioner Chito Salud hailed SMART-Gilas for the championship. “Our country has just taken a giant step toward reestablishing our rightful place among the top powers in Asia,” he said. “I am extremely happy for the boys and the fans and proud of Philippine basketball.” Guiao said the Philippine program should concentrate on regaining supremacy in Asia. “Huwag na muna nating isipin yung world championship,” said Guiao. “Isipin muna natin yung FIBA Asia and how we can assert ourselves back as contender. Once we start beating China, then that’s the only time we can think about the world championship.” SMART-Gilas is preparing to compete in next year’s FIBA Asia Championship, where three seats are up for grabs for the 2014 FIBA World Cup. Source: http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/guiao-smart-gilas-jones-cup-win-boosts-pba-local-basketball

Pisikalan ba hanap nyo??? PBA Pisikalan na!!!

Physical PBA basketball toughened up SMART-Gilas, says Salud PBA commissioner Chito Salud was in Taiwan to watch the SMART-Gilas Pilipinas national team win the 34th William Jones Cup, and he believes that the squad composed mainly of pros was well-served by the league’s move toward a more physical game. “I believe the PBA brand of basketball has toughened up our boys for international competition,” said Salud, who instituted changes to the league’s officiating policy, hoping to encourage more physical play, after taking over in 2010. “‘Di pwede lalamya-lamya. ‘Di pwede saksak lang nang saksak in the hope of getting a bailout call.” Despite the victory, he still saw many areas for improvement for SMART-Gilas, which was competing in its first tournament under new coach Chot Reyes. “We must further strengthen and develop our mid- to long-range shooting, along with our free throws. Most important of all, dapat may poise and experience to be competitive against taller and bigger opponents,” said Salud. Nonetheless, Salud expressed his elation over the victory, which is part of the national program’s buildup to next year’s FIBA Asia Championship, which serves as qualifier to the the 2014 FIBA World Cup. “Our country has just taken a giant step toward reestablishing our rightful place among the top powers in Asia,” he said. “I am extremely happy for the boys and the fans and proud of Philippine basketball.” Source: http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/physical-pba-basketball-toughened-up-smart-gilas-says-salud

FAN ART

FAN ART.. SMART GILAS 2

Blackwater beats Swatch in Asi Taulava charity thriller

Kerby Raymundo stole the ball from the inbounding Asi Taulava and completed the heist with a game-winning bucket as Team Blackwater escaped Team Swatch, 126-125, in the Built Upon the Rock charity game Sunday night at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City. The charity event organized by Taulava, which brought together PBA stars and showbiz celebrities playing for relief operations of flood victims, featured lots of fun and showmanship. But when things got serious during winning time, as Raymundo and rookies Alex Mallari and Cliff Hodge carried their team back into the game. Mallari had two three-pointers in the closing minutes of the fourth quarter while Hodge had several rim-rattling slams, setting up Raymundo’s finishing kick. But more than the win, Team Blackwater playing coach Jimmy Alapag was happiest about the turnout. “The most significant thing here is that people were able to help out,” said Alapag. “We can do this thing all over again, especially when our fellow Filipinos need our help, like those victim of floods.” Shrieking fans Fans were enthralled seeing their hoop heroes taking the court with their showbiz idols. Derek Ramsay and Chris Tiu earned the most shrieks from fans, although Tiu had to sit out the game because of a hamstring injury. But the Rain or Shine rookie was in a visibly good mood throughout the affair, after learning about the SMART-Gilas Pilipinas victory in the William Jones Cup earlier in the evening. “Ang ganda ng panalo ng Philippines sa Jones Cup, ano? Great job for our team,” said Tiu. Celebrities Billy Crawford and Eric Tai set the tone for the show with a danceoff during player introductions. Crawford, a Team Swatch player, later got laughs by suiting up as a referee and calling two dubious travelling charges on Team Blackwater’s Allein Maliksi. Television host Tim Yap emceed the event and even made a short cameo on the court. He borrowed Tiu’s jersey and joined the action as part Team Swatch. His teammates gave him the ball, which he carried without dribbling for a short stab to beat the first half buzzer. Aside from the game, the event also featured other fundraising activities, including an auction for a basketball featuring autographs from all the players and celebrities participating. Empire Poker co-owner Mike Sprotti, whose company supported the event, went home with the basketball. “Well, it’s for charity that’s why I bid for it,” Sprotti told InterAKTV. “This is my own little way of helping my friend, Asi Taulava.” The event, supported by the PBA, was just the latest move from the league’s players to help victims of floods brought about by torrential rains that hammered the Philippines earlier this month. Earlier this month, the PBA donated P1 million for flood relief efforts. This was in addition to efforts by players, spearheaded by SMART-Gilas coach Chot Reyes, to collect P1 million among themselves for flood donation. Source: http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/blackwater-beats-swatch-in-asi-taulava-charity-thriller

PBA stars on Derek Ramsay: ‘He got game’

In Asi Taulava’s charity game on Sunday night, a spitfire guard started for Team Swatch, running up and down the court, driving and dishing to open teammates, and finishing consistently in transition. The guard doesn’t play for any basketball team; he’s actor-television host Derek Ramsay, who drew the loudest shrieks from female fans all night. In the court, he showed he was more than just a set of six-pack abs. “This guy got game,” said Taulava, who suited up alongside Ramsay on Team Swatch. “He was running up and down consistently. He could probably pass up as a point guard in the PBA.” Barako Bull wingman Ronald Tubid went one step further and said Ramsay could play in the big league. “Puwede siya kahit anong sport dahil kundisyon siya. Pero kung seseryusohin niya talaga, puwede siya mag-PBA. Ang galing nga mag-dribble and mag-dish,” said Tubid. It was a sentiment echoed by Petron’s Marcio Lassiter. “He has a great potential. He could end up in one of the PBA teams,” said Lassiter. Rain or Shine rookie Chris Tiu also had good things to say about Ramsay’s performance. “Well, the only downside is he’s already in his 30s, but he’s definitely in great shape,” said Tiu. Petron Blaze rookie Alex Mallari, meanwhile, had no idea who Ramsay was. “Was he the guy wearing gray shoes?” said Mallari. “He got game.” Source: http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/pba-stars-on-derek-ramsay-he-got-game

‘Unsung’ stars of Gilas five

TAIPEI—Several players have stepped up for Smart Gilas-Pilipinas at the 34th Jones Cup here. Marcus Douthit, Gabe Norwood, shooters Jeff Chan and Gary David and LA Tenorio, and the rest of the team for that matter, can be called heroes for bringing Philippine basketball back to the Asian region’s consciousness. But they couldn’t have functioned the way they did in the games if not for some “unsung” ones, who do the literal dirty work for them. Rogelio “Bong” Tulabot, a utility man who has been in the PBA since 1988; Dexter Aseron, a physical therapist; and Andrew Teh, the travel agency CEO who has made sure that there is no language barrier for the Filipinos here, all deserve the same praise. Tulabot does the work of five men combined, almost not getting sleep for 10 days as he takes care of everything that each player needs before going into action. He rises up early in the morning to get the laundered uniforms and then distribute them to each player in their respective rooms before assisting them at breakfast. After the daily practice, he collects the dirty practice jerseys, takes them to the laundry before joining the team for lunch. While the players are getting some rest, Tulabot packs an ice chest full, grabs the players’ towels and hustles to wherever for the players’ rehydrating drinks for the game, getting help from Aseron who performs duties far from his calling. The team leaves two hours before gametime, and one hour before that, Tulabot tapes all the players’ ankles. Then he drags several heavy loads of apparel, drinks, ice and what-have-you, into the bus. The 30-minute trip to the venue and back to the hotel is a great time for Tulabot to rest. When the team arrives at the venue, he would massage players before the game. But Tulabot said he forgets all about the tiring routine every time the Filipinos win. The upset win over the United States and the Filipinos’ championship victory are the sweet rewards Tulabot, Aseron and Teh share. Source: http://sports.inquirer.net/59792/unsung-stars-of-gilas-five

Physical PBA basketball toughened up SMART-Gilas Pilipinas, says Salud

BA commissioner Chito Salud was in Taiwan to watch the SMART-Gilas Pilipinas national team win the 34th William Jones Cup, and he believes that the squad composed mainly of pros was well-served by the league’s move toward a more physical game. “I believe the PBA brand of basketball has toughened up our boys for international competition,” said Salud, who instituted changes to the league’s officiating policy, hoping to encourage more physical play, after taking over in 2010. “‘Di pwede lalamya-lamya. ‘Di pwede saksak lang nang saksak in the hope of getting a bailout call.” [PHL vs. USA - REPLAY VIDEO - CLICK HERE] Despite the victory, he still saw many areas for improvement for SMART-Gilas, which was competing in its first tournament under new coach Chot Reyes. “We must further strengthen and develop our mid- to long-range shooting, along with our free throws. Most important of all, dapat may poise and experience to be competitive against taller and bigger opponents,” said Salud. Nonetheless, Salud expressed his elation over the victory, which is part of the national program’s buildup to next year’s FIBA Asia Championship, which serves as qualifier to the the 2014 FIBA World Cup. “Our country has just taken a giant step toward reestablishing our rightful place among the top powers in Asia,” he said. “I am extremely happy for the boys and the fans and proud of Philippine basketball.” by InterAKTV | interaksyon.com

Next tournament for Gilas Pilipinas: 4th FIBA Asia Cup (Sept.14-22, 2012 @ Tokyo, Japan) CHAMPS! + MVP Tenorio! (via Cherry Tiosejo-Reyes)