Ravena, Slaughter hold key in Gilas buildup for SEA Games, Asiad By Richard Dy

Kiefer Ravena, Greg Slaughter, Ronald Pascual, Bobby Parks, and Nico Salva are some of the players being eyed for the Smart Gilas cadet team to the SEA Games and Asiad. Jerome Ascano

As the college season draws to a close, Smart Gilas 2.0 team manager Butch Antonio said they are lining up at least two international tournaments come January 2013 for the national cadet team, composed mainly of some of the country’s best college players.
Ateneo stars Greg Slaughter, Kiefer Ravena and Nico Salva lead the national cadet team that will be representing the country in the Dubai Invitational International tournament set on January 10-19, followed by another international cage joust in Hong Kong on January 22-27.
“We feel these tournaments could somehow prepare our team this early since more or less, itong team na nila Greg Slaughter and Kiefer ang maglalaro sa SEA (Southeast Asian Games) and probably sa Asian Games since the PBA’s commitment is only in the Asian men’s championships,” Antonio toldSpin.ph.
The original Smart Gilas squad led by then collegiate standouts JVee Casio, Chris Tiu, Mark Barroca and Mac Baracael saw action in the Dubai Invitational during the 2010 and 2011. The Gilas squad placed a respectable third in the 2010 edition, beating Qatar in the battle for third, before improving to second place the following year, bowing to Egypt in the Finals.
Antonio said tournaments like these can further hone the skills of the current college stars, which hopefully prepares them for the tougher grind ahead once they get elevated to the seniors team.
Aside from the three Ateneo college stars, other shoo-in for the national cadet team include San Sebastian gunner Ronald Pascual, Letran Knights guard Kevin Alas, 2010 UAAP MVP RR Garcia of Far Eastern University along with Gilas 2.0 reserves Garvo Lanete and Matt Roser Ganuelas.
Antonio said he will be getting the final confirmation of back-to-back UAAP MVP Bobby Ray Parks of National University, whom he hopes will be part of the cadet team as well.

source: http://www.spin.ph/sports/basketball/news/ravena-slaughter-holds-key-in-gilas-buildup-for-sea-games-asiad

Ginebra, Rain or Shine battle for early lead; Air 21 faces GlobalPort

InterAKTV · Saturday, October 6, 2012 · 9:53 pm

AKTV/Paolo Papa

Rain or Shine and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel battle for the early lead of the 2013 PBA Philippine Cup on Sunday at the SMART-Araneta Colisuem.
The Elasto Painters and the Kings try to follow up their opening game wins as they tangle in the main game at 6:30 p.m.
Air 21 and newcomer GlobalPort meet in the opener at 4:15 p.m.
Ginebra and Rain or Shine are coming from huge wins against respective foes with the Gin Kings blasting the Batang Pier, 110-90, last Sunday and the Elasto Painters beating Petron Blaze, 102-86, last Wednesday.
“It would be interesting to see how we fare against one of the tough teams in the league,” said Ginebra coach Siot Tanquingcen. “It would be a good test for us.”
Ginebra used its deep bench in beating GlobalPort, with six players hitting double-figures led by reigning MVP Mark Caguioa who scored 18 points.
New recruit LA Tenorio also played a key role in that victory though. He only scored two points, but the Jones Cup hero had 10 assists and nine rebounds in the win.
Tanquingcen hopes that they can continue playing as a team especially against a tough defensive team like the Elasto Painters.
“We are playing with a lot of poise and confidence because of the championship,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao, referring to the franchise’s first-ever crown in the Governors’ Cup last season.
Jeff Chan and Gabe Norwood will again lead the cause for the Elasto Painters while rookie Chris Tiu will be out for at least three games due to a hamstring injury.

source: http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/ginebra-rain-or-shine-battle-for-early-lead-air-21-faces-globalport

Ateneo takes Game One over UST, moves closer to fifth straight crown

InterAKTV · Saturday, October 6, 2012 · 5:45 pm

InterAKTV file photo/Roy Afable

Ateneo used a monster second half start before relying on its championship composure in the endgame to upend University of Santo Tomas, 83-78, in Game One of the UAAP Season 75 finals Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Nico Salva scored 30 points to lead the Blue Eagles, which moved a win away from winning its fifth straight title.
Ateneo opened the third quarter with an 17-0 run that turned a 38-31 halftime deficit into a 48-38 lead. The defending champions ended the third quarter with a 61-51 lead.
But the Tigers came roaring back to start the fourth period, rattling off a 13-2 run capped by a dunk by Karim Abdul to take the lead briefly, 64-63.
It was a close ballgame for most of the rest of the game, as the two teams exchanged big baskets. A layup by Jeric Teng put UST within one point, 71-70, before the Blue Eagles rattled off a 10-2 run that gave them a comfortable 81-72 margin.
But Teng hit back-to-back three-pointers for the Tigers to move them back within striking distance with just 30 seconds left. Kiefer Ravena, however, dribbled down the clock before hitting a dagger with eight seconds left to seal the game for the Blue Eagles.
Aljon Mariano led UST with 22 points and 11 rebounds.

source: http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/ateneo-takes-game-one-over-ust-moves-closer-to-fifth-straight-crown

San Mig Coffee Mixers vs Alaska Aces Replay Oct 5

--- Embedded Video Only --- --- SUBUKAN ANG IBANG VIDEO SA BABA KUNG DI GUMAGANA --- --- I-REFRESH MUNA ANG PAGE BAGO SUBUKAN ANG IBANG VIDEO --- SHARE ON FACEBOOK & TWITTER    --- Alternative Video --- P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 P6 P7 P8

source: http://www.pinoy-ako.info/more-videos/73835-pba-alaska-aces-vs-san-mig-coffee-05-october-2012.html
 

Nash 1, Olsen 0: Younger Racela gets win in PBA coaching debut

Rey Joble, InterAKTV · Friday, October 5, 2012 · 8:47 pm

Energen Pilipinas file photo

Nash Racela achieved something his older brother Olsen couldn’t quite pull off: a win in his first PBA game as head coach.
Talk ‘N Text survived tense moments in overtime to reward Nash, a long-time Tropang Texters assistant under Chot Reyes, with a 112-110 victory over the Meralco Bolts.
But Nash downplayed his role in his team’s win, saying his brother had a tougher task taking over the Petron Blaze Boosters, who lost 102-86 in Olsen’s debut.
“Mahirap kasi sa part ni Olsen compared sa akin. Sa akin kasi, I can do it on my own and for most part of the game, I’ve been running the system we’ve been using for the past few years,” said Nash, who was appointed to run the team on an interim basis with Norman Black still busy with his duties at Ateneo.
“Kay Olsen, new system and then hindi lang naman siya yung nagdi-decide ng gagawin because Coach Rajko [Toroman] is also there playing an active role. Siguro, if andyan si Coach Norman while I’m coaching, baka mahirap rin on my part.”
Nash said the objective was simple for his team going to Friday’s game — win.
“Whatever happens, that’s the only goal we had, win,” said Racela, adding that Talk ‘N Text is still in an adjustment period, which is part of the reason why the team squandered a 24-point lead against the Bolts.
“We’re trying to run a little bit of everything, a little bit of Coach Chot, a little bit of Coach Norman and a little bit of mine.
“The key for this win, I think, was the tournament held in Cebu. We struggled there and got better and better as days progressed. We tried to have a system that is in-between the things that we’ve been doing before and the things we would try to do now.”
With the UAAP finals set to begin this weekend, it could be the last game for Nash at the helm of Talk ‘N Text, something he doesn’t mind.
“Win is the only thing I have in mind and I’m sure that’s what in the minds of our players as well,” he said.

SOURCE: http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/nash-1-olsen-0-younger-racela-gets-win-in-pba-coaching-debut

San Mig wastes no time turning tables on preseason tormentor Alaska

SAN Mig Coffee completely outplayed, outhustled, and outshot Alaska, 103-83, jumpstarting its PBA Philippine Cup championship bid on Friday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Mixers, the former B-Meg Llamados, shot an astounding 64.4 percent (42-of-65) from the field, while holding the Aces – their pre-season tormentor - to a poor 30.7 percent (27-of-88) shooting en route to the lopsided win.

“Everybody played well, we moved the ball well, we defended well. And when you do that, everything clicks for you,” said winning coach Tim Cone.

Cone said they were expecting the worst prior to the game considering the Aces beat them twice during the preseason, including one in a pocket tournament in Cebu City two weeks ago.

“We lost to them twice in preseason. We weren’t 100 percent back then. But they haven’t had (rookie Calvin) Abueva yet. They just came in with great expectations before the game,” Cone said.

“So we just jumped the gun on them, and we were really shooting very well off our ball movement. I think that kind of discouraged them a little bit,” added the San Mig Coffee coach, who is gunning for a record-tying 15th PBA title this conference.

Legendary coach Virgilio “Baby” Dalupan, author of the first-ever Grand Slam in the league as Crispa mentor in 1976, holds the most number of championships won with 15.

The scores:

SAN MIG COFFEE 103 - De Ocampo 22, Yap 20, Barroca 16, Simon 16, Ramos 6, Villanueva 6, Pingris 5, Gonzales 4, Reavis 4, Gaco 2, Devance 2, Ponferada 0, Pacana 0.

ALASKA 83 - Hontiveros 14, Baguio 13, Baracael 12, Espinas 12, Dela Cruz 8, Cablay 7, Reyes 6, Thoss 6, Casio 3, Eman 2, Belasco 0.

Quarters: 34-25, 57-42, 75-56, 103-83.

Source: Richard Dy, SPIN.ph

San Mig Coffee shows might in lopsided victory over Alaska

Rey Joble, InterAKTV · Friday, October 5, 2012 · 10:27 pm

PBA/Nuki Sabio

San Mig Coffee jumped the gun early on Alaska and never looked back, coasting to an easy 103-83 triumph in the PBA Philippine Cup Friday night at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.
The Mixers shot a steady 64.6 percent from the field (42-of-65), clobbered the Aces off the boards (50 to 37) and dished out more assists (27 to 13), leaving San Mig Coffee coach Tim Cone more than satisfied with the win.
“We jumped into them early at a time when they had great expectations. We lost to them twice in the preseason,” said Cone. “They were discouraged with our shooting, we defended well and we moved the ball better. When you have that kind of game, you will end up with a 20-point win.”
Yancy de Ocampo imposed his will inside, finishing with 22 points, 13 rebounds, six assists, and two blocks while James Yap contributed 20 points despite coming off an injury.
“It’s nice to have a best player of the game aside from James. It’s an indictation that we’re moving the ball better,” added Cone.
“We just got James back yesterday in practice, Ping (Marc Pingris) two days ago, and Joe back a few days ago. We got Joe back tonight and gave him a few minutes, but he needs to lose some weight. He’s a nice weapon for our team.”
The Aces were held to only 30.7 percent shooting from the field (27-of-88) and were outmatched by the Mixers in almost all fronts.
Alaska, which made key additions in the offseason from its coaching staff to its personnel, struggled in their first game without LA Tenorio, the team’s former floor leader.
Tenorio was traded to Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in a deal that netted the Aces Dondon Hontiveros and JVee Casio. Hontiveros led the way for Alaska with 14 points, but Casio struggled with just three points in his debut with his new team.
The scores:
SAN MIG COFFEE 103 – De Ocampo 22, Yap 20, Barroca 16, Simon 16, Ramos 6, Villanueva 6, Pingris 5, Gonzales 4, Reavis 4, Gaco 2, Devance 2, Ponferada 0, Pacana 0.
ALASKA 83 – Hontiveros 14, Baguio 13, Baracael 12, Espinas 12, Dela Cruz 8, Cablay 7, Reyes 6, Thoss 6, Casio 3, Eman 2, Belasco 0.
Quarters: 34-25, 57-42, 75-56, 103-83

source: http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/san-mig-coffee-shows-might-in-lopsided-victory-over-alaska