Tough defense almost gives SMART-Gilas upset over taller China squad

Jaemark Tordecilla, InterAKTV · Friday, September 14, 2012 · 6:16 pm

source: http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/tough-defense-almost-gives-smart-gilas-upset-over-taller-china-squad

Photo courtesy of Larry Fonacier (@findingheaven12)

It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of fight in the dog.
Even though the SMART-Gilas Pilipinas national team lost to China, 71-68, to open the FIBA Asia Cup in Tokyo, Japan, the Philippine squad proved that adage true by showing that it could go head-to-head against a much taller squad.
The Chinese, with an average height of 6-foot-8, enjoyed a big size advantage against the Filipinos, who had an average height of 6-foot-4. Despite the size difference, SMART-Gilas held China to 38 percent shooting from the field, fighting hard not to give any easy looks to the Asian powerhouse.
And even though China lorded over the rebounds, 58-31, SMART-Gilas made up the difference by forcing 10 more turnovers against its less-experienced counterparts, 22-12.
The Filipinos forced China’s star guard Guo Ailun, a member of his country’s Olympics team, to four turnovers. SMART-Gilas also hounded prized 18-year-old center Wang Zheilin to just six points and five turnovers. Wang, who battled foul trouble throughout the game, did use his size and athleticism to grab 14 rebounds.
Firing blanks
In the end, however, it was outside shooting, or lack thereof, that spelled doom for the Philippines. Early in the game, after repeated incursions by SMART-Gilas slashers into the shaded lane, Chinese coach Fan Bin decided to go into a zone, virtually daring Filipino shooters to try to beat them from the outside.
But the Philippine gunners kept firing blanks. Larry Fonacier shot just 2-of-7 from beyond the arc, while Gary David and Jeff Chan each shot 1-of-7. LA Tenorio was 1-of-5, while Ranidel De Ocampo hit none of his five three-point attempts. As a team, SMART-Gilas shot a miserable 6-of-35 (17 percent) from three-point distance.
SMART-Gilas’ shot four three-pointer to try to tie the game in the dying seconds, missing all of them. Here’s hoping those shots drop for the Philippines for the rest of its campaign in the FIBA Asia Cup.

Fiba-Asia heartbreak as Gilas rues collapse By Gerry Ramos

Jared Dillinger sails in for a layup as he led a big Gilas fightback in the second half. Fiba-Asia.net

SMART Gilas-Pilipinas 2.0 suffered a heartbreaking loss to China, 71-68, as it kicked off its campaign in the Fiba Asia Cup on the wrong foot on Friday at the Ota gymnasium in Tokyo, Japan.
The Nationals lost grip of an eight-point lead in the final seven minutes as the Chinese posted the most telling run of the contest -- an 11-0 blast that denied the Filipinos what could have been a famous victory.
By the time China’s young 'B' team was through with its scoring binge, it already regained the upperhand , 67-64, with a little less than two minutes to go.
In all, the Nationals were held to just five points in the last seven minutes, putting to waste a big second-half fightback that saw them wipe out an 11-point second-quarter deficit and open a 64-56 lead with 6:32 to go, 15-4
China outscored Smart-Gilas over the final six minutes of the match to complete its come-from-behind victory.
Jeff Chan, Gary David, and L.A. Tenorio all missed possible game-tying three-pointers in the endgame for the reigning Jones Cup champions.
The Nationals have less than 24 hours to recover from the sorry setback as they next face Fadi El Khatib and Lebanon in their second assignment in Group A of the tournament formerly known as the Stankovic Cup.
The last time the Philippines beat China came in the 2007 Fiba-Asia Championship For Men when the Filipinos hacked out a thrilling 78-76 win over the mainland's Team B in the battle for ninth place.

source: http://www.spin.ph/sports/basketball/news/fiba-asia-heartbreak-as-gilas-rues-collapse

China survives SMART-Gilas in FIBA Asia Cup opener

InterAKTV · Friday, September 14, 2012 · 5:41 pm

source: http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/china-survives-smart-gilas-in-fiba-asia-cup-opener

Photo courtesy of Chot Reyes

The SMART-Gilas Pilipinas fell just short against a taller China squad, 71-68, in their opening match in the FIBA Asia Cup Friday in Tokyo, Japan.
China grabbed a lead early after hounding the Philippines to bad three-point shooting and taking advantage of foul trouble on SMART-Gilas center Marcus Douthit.
But SMART-Gilas cut loose after the break, turning a 40-33 halftime deficit into a 56-54 advantage in the third quarter.
SMART-Gilas opened the fourth quarter with an 8-2 run, but China with a 13-0 run of its own to take a 69-66 edge with less than two minutes left.
Douthit stopped the bleeding with a basket, before China responded with a score of its own. With SMART-Gilas down three points with 40 seconds left, Jeff Chan and Gary David each missed attempts from beyond the arc.
SMART-Gilas sent Cao Fei to the line, but the Chinese guard missed both free throws, giving the Philippines anothere chance. But LA Tenorio and Larry Fonacier missed final three-point attempts that could have tied the game.

Fajardo finally starts to throw weight around Richard Dy

Top rookie pick June Mar Fajardo scored 19 points, grabbed 15 rebounds and threw down the vicious dunk in the final stretch that sealed Petron's first win in three preseason games against PBA opposition. Jerome Ascano

PETRON Blaze has finally won a game against a PBA team in the preseason -- and top rookie pick June Mar Fajardo has started to throw his weight around.
The Boosters beat a fighting Barako Bull, 95-88, on Friday at the Acropolis gym in Quezon City with the 6-9 Fajardo collecting 19 points, grabbing 15 rebounds and throwing down the vicious dunk in the final stretch that sealed the team's first win in three preseason games against PBA opposition.
The win was a boost in confidence for the Boosters, the consensus pre-tournament favorite who started the preseason games with back-to-back losses to Rain or Shine (83-98) and Alaska (84-90).
Their lone win came against a selection of Cebu collegiate players over the weekend.
"Coach Olsen [Racela] has encouraged us to keep improving and work on our system," Fil-American rookie Alex Mallari told Spin.ph. "Barako Bull got back in the final period, but right now, we need to work together.
"Hopefully, we could we have everyone back because some of my teammates still have health issues.”
Sophomore Fil-Am shooter Chris Lutz played his first preseason game for the Boosters, but was clearly still feeling his way back into the game. Dorian Pena, Alex Cabagnot and another Fil-Am Marcio Lassiter sat out the game due to various injuries.
Fajardo, the 24-year-old slotman who played for University of Cebu in college and the San Miguel Beermen in the Asean Basketball League, got his way in the paint with Barako Bull missing Enrico Villanueva who was with Smart Gilas 2.0 in the 2012 Fiba Asia Cup in Tokyo, Japan.
Without Villanueva, Doug Kramer held the fort for the Energy in the paint, scoring 20 points.
Petron will next face Meralco on Monday (Sept. 17) followed by sister team Barangay Ginebra on Saturday (Sept. 22).


source: http://www.spin.ph/sports/basketball/news/fajardo-finally-starting-to-throw-weight-around

New boys perfect for Ginebra's open-court style of play, says Eala By Richard Dy

LA Tenorio’s entry not only adds depth to Ginebra backcourt, but the Jones Cup hero is expected to thrive in Ginebra's open-court style of play much more than in Alaska's deliberate offense. Jerome Ascano

AFTER watching three preseason games, Noli Eala has become unwavering in his belief that Ginebra San Miguel has acquired the right pieces that could help the team return to the top -- in true Ginebra fashion.
Eala feels the Gin Kings' three main acquisitions going into the PBA's 38th season -- point guard LA Tenorio and Fil-American rookies Chris Ellis and Keith Jensen -- are perfect fits for the run-and-gun, no-nonsense basketball that has been Ginebra's trademark since the Robert Jaworski days.
“This will be a very exciting season for our fans because Ginebra got the players this offseason that play the Ginebra style of game, which is run and gun, tough basketball,” Eala told Spin.ph.
Tenorio’s entry not only adds depth to an already power-packed Ginebra backcourt that includes Jay-Jay Helterbrand, Mike Cortez and last season’s PBA MVP Mark Caguioa, but the Jones Cup hero is expected to thrive in Ginebra's open-court style of play much more than in Alaska's deliberate offense.
By letting Tenorio loose just like what Chot Reyes did for Smart Gilas 2.0, Eala feels the heady point guard will make the people around him better.
Caguioa agreed.
“LA’s a leader. I really believe he can control the pace of the game. I really look forward to playing with him because he’ll make it easier for me to play the game,” Caguioa said.
With Tenorio running the offense, Ginebra coach Siot Tanquingcen hopes to reduce the team’s turnovers this season — the Gin Kings were third to last in the department last season with 14.67 per game.
Ellis, the 6-foot-3 reed-thin swingman picked at No. 6 in the rookie draft, has a decent perimeter jumper, runs the floor well and is capable of providing the high-energy plays that can get Ginebra's faithful into the game.
On the other hand, the 6’4” Jensen brings toughness to the squad and much-needed help to the Gin Kings' undersized frontline led by Kerby Raymundo, Billy Mamaril, Rudy Hatfield and Willy Wilson.
Results of the three preseason games Ginebra has played so far have been encouraging enough to validate Eala's enthusiasm.
The Gin Kings scored a convincing 98-83 win over Rain or Shine on September 6 at the Fil-Oil Flying V Arena in San Juan, then came up with an 83-42 whipping of the Australia Under-18 national team at the San Andres gym in Manila.
Ginebra’s other preseason game against the Qatar national team on Monday night was stopped after a near fistfight involving Raymundo and Qatari center Mohammded Yousef. Qatar was ahead, 55-52 when the game was called off.

source: http://www.spin.ph/sports/basketball/news/new-boys-perfect-for-ginebras-open-court-style-of-play-says-eala

Gilas Pilipinas 2.0 to fight for RESPECT

By - Aimee Grace B. Tapeceria

Source: http://aimee829.tumblr.com/post/31458920257/gilas-pilipinas-2-0-to-fight-for-respect

The biggest difference between Manny Pacquiao and Smart Gilas Pilipinas 2.0 is that, while both carry the weight of the Filipino Nation on their shoulders, both have the HEART of a Filipino, both seek to bring PRIDE & HONOR to the country …

  

one is held in awe.. in an almost god-like status, with the people treating him as a mini deity; while the other is cherished and beloved like family member, whose joys and sorrows are share (via twitter and instagram), whose camaraderie and heroism we can relate and respond to.

As Smart Gilas Pilipinas 2.0 starts their battle at the Stankovic Cup, they are facing an one of the strongest and biggest foes in the person of the Chinese. The picture taken by Larry Fornacier of LA Tenorio (point guard) behind one of the Chinese player re-iterates how big the disparity. We now begin to feel that familiar dread… 

But unlike the usual dread we feel when
Manny Pacquiao fights, this dread seems almost unnatural because we all feel like “stage moms” on some talent shows that we see on TV, watching from behind the curtain… praying NOT that our “child” wins, rather that instead of being ridiculed, mocked, or humiliated while showing their talent to the world, they would impress the audience, earn the respect of their opponents, and they gain the recognition from the judges that despite not being THE BEST, they deserved to be part of the discussion.

Dear Smart Gilas Pilipinas 2.0;

You not be the tallest, you may not the strongest, and you may end up NOT winning the Stankovic Cup (unlike the William Jones Cup), but WE BELIEVE that you will prove, that when it comes to deciding WHO IS THE BEST IN BASKETBALL here in our part of the world, THE PHILIPPINES deserves to be part of THAT conversation. And as YOU fight for that RESPECT and RECOGNITION, we hope that it gives the FIBA officials the extra push (aside from the presentation of SBP, PBA, & MVP) and award us the hosting rights to host the FIBA ASIA CHAMPIONSHIPS next year, which will greater help in our campaign to reach the FIBA World Basketball Championships.

Go Smart Gilas Pilipinas 2.0 … though we may not be physically with you, the GLOBAL FILIPINO COMMUNITY will be rooting and praying for you!

(evidence: your games trend on twitter WORLDWIDE)

Air 21′s Pumaren dreams of Green Archers reunion with Ginebra’s Cortez

Rey Joble, InterAKTV · Thursday, September 13, 2012 · 10:30 pm

AKTV/Paul Ryan Tan

As the Cool Cat of the De La Salle Green Archers, Mike Cortez spent some of his best years on the basketball court playing for coach Franz Pumaren.
These days, the Air 21 coach couldn’t help but dream about being reunited with his former star point guard, who now plies his wares at Ginebra.
“It will be good if we have a reunion of sorts,” Pumaren told InterAKTV in a telephone interview. “Besides, we badly need a dependable point guard.”
Air 21 has embarked on a massive buildup in the offseason that saw the team welcoming Noy Baclao, Rob Reyes, KG Canaleta, and John Wilson into its fold. It also signed rookies Yousef Taha and Simon Atkins, another former La Salle player.
Ginebra has also seen some radical changes in its lineup, highlighted by the acquisition of star point guard LA Tenorio, whose entry is expected to cut Cortez’s minutes. Apart from those two players, Jayjay Helterbrand and Rob Labagala are also expected to man the point for Ginebra.
Cortez had a witty reply when informed about his former coach’s interest in his services: “Might as well bring in Mac Cardona, Ren-Ren Ritualo and the other members of the La Salle champion squad in Air 21.”
Cardona plays for Meralco, while Ritualo is already with the Express.
Turning serious, Cortez said isn’t looking to leave Ginebra. “I’m happy with where I am now. I’m at the stage of my career where my focus is geared towards winning a championship,” he said.
“Management did a great job getting good players for our squad.”
He acknowledged, however, that staying with Ginebra is not just up to him
“I leave it all up to them what happens in my career. All I want to do is play for whichever team I am with. That’s something you don’t have control of.”

source: http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/air-21s-pumaren-dreams-of-green-archers-reunion-with-ginebras-cortez