Noli Eala, newly-appointed executive director of the BAP-Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP), is seeking a meeting with the Philippine
Basketball Association (PBA) to obtain a definitive answer to its commitment to the national team his strained relations with his former league,
where he served as commissioner for four years, aside.
Noli Eala, newly-appointed executive director of the BAP-Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP), is seeking a meeting with the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) to obtain a definitive answer to its commitment to the national team his strained relations with his former league, where he served as commissioner for four years, aside.
Eala claimed to have sent a letter to Reunald Sonny Barrios, the man he beat for the top PBA post in 2003 only to succeed him in 2007 when Eala was given a way out through resignation following his disbarment from the Philippine Bar.
Eala has since rebounded, forming his own fledgling league, Liga Pilipinas, and was subsequently appointed executive director of BAP-SBP, succeeding Patrick Gregorio.
It is now that Eala first opens communication with his former league, seeking to clarify the extent of involvement the professional league would want in the BAP-SBP, barely a year after the PBA.
In his letter, Eala claimed asking Barrios to clarify league position on the countrys participation in elite tournaments like the Asian Games, World Championships and the Olympics.
The PBA has recently withdrawn from representing the Philippines in the Jones Cup in Chinese-Taipei, forcing the countrys eventual withdrawal from the tournament last month.
I just sent them a letter to ask for clarification on their position, Eala said. If they will grant a meeting, I will be more than glad to sit with commissioner Barrios and discuss how they can help assemble a competitive team to the elite tournaments. But there is no response yet. Maybe they havent received my letter.
Based on the constitution and by-laws of the fledgling cage body, the professional league will take care of forming teams for elite tournaments while regional competitions like the Southeast Asian Games and SEABA fall under amateur leagues like the Philippine Basketball League.
SBP is expected to scramble in forming a competitive national squad for the 2010 World Championships in Istanbul, Turkey, which could be the countrys gateway to the 2012 London Olympics.
The PBA, however, is seriously mulling the possibility of reverting to a three-conference format, which would clash with Fiba-Asia schedule.
Thats why we need to know their position. I think its impossible for us to map out our plans and programs without even knowing if we are on the same page with the PBA. They should inform us their plans so, at least, we could meet halfway.
The Magnolia Beverage Masters have agreed on taking the homestretch of the elimination round not a game, but a play at a time.
They had their reward as they gutted it out from start to finish against the Coca-Cola Tigers.
Magnolia beat out Coca-Cola in a defensive battle, pulling off an 81-77 victory that enhanced its bid for an outright semifinal entry in the 2008 Smart PBA Fiesta Conference at the Cuneta Astrodome Friday night.
The Magnolia Beverage Masters have agreed on taking the homestretch of the elimination round not a game, but a play at a time.
They had their reward as they gutted it out from start to finish against the Coca-Cola Tigers.
Magnolia beat out Coca-Cola in a defensive battle, pulling off an 81-77 victory that enhanced its bid for an outright semifinal entry in the 2008 Smart PBA Fiesta Conference at the Cuneta Astrodome Friday night.
The Beverage Masters held the Tigers scoreless in the final 1:15 of play and went to Marc Pingris and Lordy Tugade for the insurance free throws as they caught up with Coca-Cola at third place with similar 9-7 win-loss cards.
'As I expected, defense turned out to be the key. We choked them with our defense,' said Magnolia coach Siot Tanquingcen.
'This is a good win for us but we still have yet to achieve anything. Were up next against Air21 and were not looking beyond that game. Were taking it one play at a time. Mahirap madapa, everyones bunched together in the standings,' Tanquingcen added.
With Amal McCaskill focusing on his defensive job against Coca-Cola counterpart Jason Dixon, the Magnolia locals took charge offensively with Lordy Tugade leading the way, firing nine of his 14 points in the fourth quarter.
Tugade scored all but one of San Miguels last seven points, including a tip-in off a Danny Ildefonso miss that pushed Magnolia ahead to stay at 78-76.
Dixon, who endured a busted nose suffered early in the third quarter, canned in a charity with 1:15 left and the Tigers went scoreless the rest of the way.
The final minute saw McCaskill block a shot by Dixon, Asi Taulava commit a passing error and Ronjay Buenafe and Alex Cabagnot (183-G-82, college: Hawaii-Hilo) miss a three-point shot each.
Tugade settled the outcome of the game with two charities making it 81-77 with time down to 8.1 seconds.
The two teams put tremendous defensive pressure from the beginning, limiting each others shooting below 40 percent in the first half.
Magnolia held Coca-Cola to eight points in the second quarter and took the turn at 32-27.
Though Dixon sat out a few minutes in the third quarter, the Tigers engaged the Beverage Masters in a nip-and-tuck battle, hitting heavily from afar.
Cesar Catli converted four of five three-point attempts with Donald Copeland, Alex Cabagnot and Nic Belasco adding a triple each in the period. (NC)
The first time they attempted to assume the number one spot, Air21 came so close but came up short in the end.
The Express just couldn't hold on in the closing minutes so instead of taking over pole position, they joined the growing list of victims of the Alaska Aces, who escaped with an 84-82 decision.
Well, that was two weeks ago.
The first time they attempted to assume the number one spot, Air21 came so close but came up short in the end.
The Express just couldn't hold on in the closing minutes so instead of taking over pole position, they joined the growing list of victims of the Alaska Aces, who escaped with an 84-82 decision.
Well, that was two weeks ago. How about a second chance?
Yes, opportunity is once again knocking at the doorsteps of the Express, who seem determined to make an impact in the 2008 Smart PBA Fiesta Conference.
'Everyone in the team pretty much understands the significance of this game,' said Air21 coach Bo Perasol of their 4:50 p.m. Wednesday date with the Welcoat Dragons at the Araneta Coliseum.
Air21 is coming off a stunning 112-111 victory over free falling Talk N Text and is currently tied for first place with Coca-Cola and Red Bull at 9-6.
The prospect to succeed appears brighter this time around unless, of course, the Express experience another major meltdown.
To make sure his troops don't mess up with their second chance, Perasol urged his players 'to keep on aiming high and be consistent with what we do.'
In their first meeting that took place two months ago, Air21 downed Welcoat, 105-96. Nothing much has changed from then as the Dragons (4-11) continue to struggle and have lost seven of their last nine games.
With only three more games remaining in their campaign, the Dragons have become a strong candidate for elimination. Nevertheless, team co-owners Terry Que and Raymund Yu indicated that they are not going down without a fight.
In the hope of staying in contention at least for a wildcard berth team management decided to terminate American guard Corey Santee in favor of assistant coach Alex Compton.
It was a sound decision on the part of management but whether they admit it or not, the move may have come a little bit too late.
Nevertheless, the possibility of the Dragons getting back at the Express isn't completely remote.
And you bet, Alaska coach Tim Cone and his Aces would be rooting for the Dragons.
That's because a loss by Air21 coupled by a victory by Alaska in its 7:20 p.m. encounter with slumping Sta. Lucia will enable the Aces (8-6) to tie for the lead.
The Aces are on a roll with a six-game winning streak but Cone is wary the long rest might take away their momentum.
Alaska has four more games remaining in its schedule and Cone considers them as 'very tough games'. After Sta. Lucia, the Aces battle Barangay Ginebra, followed by Coca-Cola before closing their elimination round campaign against Magnolia.
'We know it won't last forever (winning streak) so we just keep on going. We'll see how far it goes,' Cone said.
After an impressive start, things appear to sour for the Realtors (6-8), who have been struggling in the second half of the eliminations.
The reigning Philippine Cup champions have lost four in a row the last one a 74-80 defeat against Magnolia on Friday and are now in danger of being relegated to the wildcard round. (DBC) PBA.PH
LOS ANGELES - NBA commissioner David Stern yesterday opened the league's doors to Filipino players interested in tryouts and welcomed the possibility of further cementing relations with the Philippines which he described as 'one of our best markets.
LOS ANGELES - NBA commissioner David Stern yesterday opened the league's doors to Filipino players interested in tryouts and welcomed the possibility of further cementing relations with the Philippines which he described as 'one of our best markets.'
Stern, who is supervising his 25th Finals, said the presence of Solar broadcasters covering the Los Angeles-Boston series on-site for live satellite transmission to the Philippines is 'always a pleasure' in acknowledging the Filipino's passion for the game.
Deputy commissioner Adam Silver said he will suggest to NBA teams to send scouts to the Philippines to check out potential recruits. Silver previously visited Manila with NBA executive Heidi Ueberroth and broadcaster Ahmad Rashad and was impressed by the basketball IQ of Filipino fans.
Stern asked the Solar broadcasters who are the Filipino players now seeing action in US colleges, inferring that NBA scouts are always on the lookout for foreign prospects. He was told 6-9 Japeth Aguilar is enrolled at Western Kentucky University, an NCAA Division I school. Another Filipino, 6-9 Gian Chua, is playing at Oberlin College in Ohio.
'NBA teams have scouts all over and I'm sure they're keeping an eye on outstanding players around the world, including the Philippines,' said Stern. 'If there's a talent in the Philippines, I'm certain by now the NBA scouts know about him.'
Silver said he'd like the next foreign star in the NBA to be a Filipino.
'That's what we've been waiting for,' he said. 'I know how big basketball is in the Philippines and it would be fitting for the best Filipino player to be in the NBA.'
Stern was just as upbeat. 'Bring them on,' he said. 'We welcome the best Filipino players in the NBA.'
Regarding the Finals, Stern said the return of the legendary rivalry between the Lakers and Celtics has rekindled memories of the past but for the new generation of fans, it's not about tradition but the fierce competition among today's stars like Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce.
Stern said with Boston ahead 2-1 in the series, the title is up for grabs and wouldn't predict an ending.
'As commissioner, I couldn't tell you how I think this will end,' he said. 'All I know is our TV ratings in the US are up. I still don't know about the response overseas but I'm hoping the US trend is an indication.'
The TV coverage of the first two games of the NBA Finals rated 1-2 in the US last week, according to Nielsen Media Research. Game 2 was the most-watched program with 13.5 million viewers and Game 1 was second with 13.38 million. Viewership was 51 percent higher than last season. The two games were the only programs in double-digit millions, outdrawing popular series like CSI, House, Hell's Kitchen, CSI New York, NCIS, CSI Miami, Rules of Engagement and Cold Case.
Silver said it's too early to forecast a short or long series. The turning point is Game 4 this morning (Manila time) because if the Lakers win, there will definitely be a Game 6 in Boston but if the Celtics prevail, Boston could close it out in Game 5 at the Staples Center.
NBA international TV staffer Danijela Draganic said she will contact former NBA star Vlade Divac, now living in Madrid, and mention the possibility of taking a trip to Manila to scout Filipino players. Divac was the Lakers international scout in 2005-06 before he became Real Madrid's head of basketball operations.
Divac, 40, played 16 years in the NBA and retired in 2006. He was recently in China to conduct clinics and check out potential NBA players.
Stern said this year's Finals is 'as good as it's ever been.'
'We're coming off what we think is one of the best seasons in years, exciting young stars, exciting little older stars, exciting international players, terrific race in the West, pretty good race in the East and surprising playoffs,' he said.
'We've had a great playoffs both ways (East and West). And No. 1 seeds, which is not uncommon, have made it through into the Finals. So the two teams with the best seeds are showing America what NBA basketball is all about coast to coast.' (Article by Joaquin Henson of Philstar)
Rookie guard Jonas Villanueva (184-G-83) took advantage of Mike Cortez's absence as he fired a career-best 12 points, nine coming in the final frame as he helped Magnolia beat Philippine Cup champion Sta. Lucia Realty, 80-74, in the Smart-PBA Fiesta Conference Friday night at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.
The 6-foot Villanueva, who averaged just 4.
Rookie guard Jonas Villanueva (184-G-83) took advantage of Mike Cortez's absence as he fired a career-best 12 points, nine coming in the final frame as he helped Magnolia beat Philippine Cup champion Sta. Lucia Realty, 80-74, in the Smart-PBA Fiesta Conference Friday night at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.
The 6-foot Villanueva, who averaged just 4.4 points in his first nine games this conference, scored five straight points - a three-pointer and a lay-up against the outstretched arms of new SLR import Lee Benson, giving the Beverage Masters a 72-57 lead with 7:04 left in the game.
Another basket by Danny Seigle, who finished with 11 points, put Magnolia ahead, 74-57, with six minutes to play.
'As much as possible, every young guy wants to get (playing) minutes,' Magnolia head coach Siot Tanquingcen said of Villanueva, the team's ninth overall pick in the PBA Rookie Draft last August.
'Jonas is our up and coming point guard. He is learning from two very good point guards (Mike Cortez and Olsen Racela), but the good thing about him is he can move up to shooting guard. It speaks well of his talent,' he added.
Villanueva, a nephew of Jesus Is Lord (JIL) leader Bro. Eddie Villanueva, also came off the bench to collect four rebounds and four assists. In nine previous games he played, the one-time Fa Eastern U stalwart averaged just 12 minutes as the third point guard Cortez, sidelined due back spasms and the veteran Racela. He played 19 minutes against SLR.
'I know I have to wait for my time, and in this game kailangan tumulong,' said Villanueva, 25, whose previous high was 11 points in against Red Bull last Sunday, making it the second straight game he reset his career-high in scoring
The Beverage Masters improved their record to 8-7, while dealing the Realtors their fourth straight defeat to drop to 6-8. It also avenged an 86-88 defeat to Sta. Lucia in their first round meeting last April 6.
Magnolia's new import Amal McCaskill, an NBA veteran who replaced Jameel Watkins, finished with 16 points and 18 rebounds.
'I'm satisfied,' Tanquingcen said. 'Amal somehow gave us what we expected from him.'
'The main thing we're concerned is we can't relax, we have to make sure that we build on it. It's either we end up in the semis, or quarters or wildcard,' Tanquingcen.
Dorian Pena split his free throws and Don-Don Hontiveros, who had 12 points in his first game back after missing their last three because of a severe ankle sprain, nailed a jumper for a 78-67 lead when Sta. Lucia moved within nine, 67-76.
Benson, the Realtors' third import after Wesley Wilson and Jamar Brown, had 19 points and 17 boards, while Kelly Williams added 16 and 12 boards. Nelbert Omolon came off the bench to contribute 11.
Sta. Lucia, which was held to its lowest output this season, played without Joseph Yeo and rookie Philip Butel, who were reportedly suspended for the game by team officials for figuring in a fight with each other during a team practice last Monday. (WG)
