Coach Yeng Guiao Political Plans

Admin | Thursday, September 27, 2012 | 0 comments
A crown in an all-Filipino conference is the only missing piece from the championship collection of Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao.

This season, the fiery mentor will resume his quest for the elusive title in a season that he hints may be his last.

“I am totally committed and motivated to give my best shot this coming conference because this might be my last chance to win an all-Filipino title,” Guiao wrote in a text message to InterAKTV.

Guiao recently won his sixth league championship, piloting the Elasto Painters to their first PBA crown in the Governors’ Cup. But with his Rain or Shine contract set to end, Guiao, who currently serves as vice-governor of Pampanga, might seek to leave coaching to pursue higher political office.

Rain or Shine co-owner Raymond Yu said the Elasto Painters coaching job is Guiao’s as long as he wants it.

“We want him to coach our team as long as we’re still competing in the PBA,” Yu said in a telephone interview. “But we don’t know what his plans are. I don’t know if he’s running for public office.”

Guiao joined the Elasto Painters a year and a half ago, turning what was once a doormat squad into a perennial contenders in less than two seasons.

Multiple sources told InterAKTV that Guiao, the son of late former Pampanga governor Bren, may seek a congressional seat in one of the districts in Pampanga.

But whether his political plans will force him to leave coaching, Guiao is upbeat about his team’s chances of winning a second straight title.

“The last championship was an excellent dress rehearsal to winning an all-Filipino crown,” said Guiao. “I am convinced the team is ready and capable of bagging the title.”

The Elasto Painters’ capped a breakout season by winning the Governors’ Cup over the highly-favored B-MEG Llamados in seven games, despite losing the services of star rookie Paul Lee early in the series.

But prior to that, Rain or Shine already displayed impressive form in last season’s Philippine Cup, crashing the semifinals and falling just a game short of making the championship round.



-Rey Joble, InterAKTV

PBA implements a New Rule

Admin | Wednesday, September 26, 2012 | 0 comments
The PBA is tweaking its rules to reward players who show hustle on the court, giving leeway for those who get on the floor for loose balls.

“It takes away the excitement when a player who hustles and dives for the loose ball will be called for a traveling, so we’re implementing a new rule to cover this,” said PBA commissioner Chito Salud.

PBA operations manager Rickie Santos went into further detail about the change.

“Before kasi kapag yung player nag-dive for the loose ball and nag-slide siya, he will be called for a traveling. This time, he won’t be called for a traveling anymore because when a player slides, wala pa naming may clear possession noon sa bola,” Santos told InterAKTV.

“But of course, when the said player stands up, he needs to dribble the ball first to avoid being called for a travelling violation,” added Santos.

-Rey Joble, InterAKTV

PBA official line up of the 38th Season Opening

Admin | Wednesday, September 26, 2012 | 0 comments
Here are the official team lineups for the opening day of the PBA.


Air 21 Express

No.Player
2John Wilson
3Nelbert Omolon
4Yousif Taha
5Eric Salamat
7Nonoy Baclao
9KG Canaleta
10Simon Atkins
11Rogemar Menor
12Mark Isip
14Florendo Ritualo
19Wynne Arboleda
24Rob Reyes
31James Ryan Sena

Alaska Aces

No.Player
0Nicholas Belasco
1Samigue Eman
3Cyrus Baguio
4Raphael Reyes
7Joachim Thoss
10Marnel Baracael
21Paolo Bugia
24Brandon Cablay
25Dondon Hontiveros
27Gabby Espinas
31Rafael Joey Jazul
35Tony dela Cruz
42Joseph Evans Casio
65Eddie Laure
Injured/Reserve
9Nino Gelig

Barako Bull Energy Colas

No.Player
1Celino Cruz
2Joshua Urbiztondo
5Lester Alvarez
10Reil Cervantes
12David Marcelo
13Roger Yap
14Leomar Najorda
17Jason Ballesteros
18Douglas Kramer
21Sean Anthony
23Rico Villanueva
42Danny Seigle
71Ronald Tubid
88Mick Pennisi
Injured/Reserve
6Eman Monfort
3Woody Co

Barangay Ginebra San Miguel

No.Player
2Billy Mamaril
5LA Tenorio
10Paul Rico Maierhofer
11Mike Cortez
13Anthony Helterbrand
18Allein Maliksi
21Kerby Raymundo
23Elmer Espiritu
27Willy Wilson
32Keith Jensen
33Dylan Ababou
34Chris Ellis
47Mark Caguioa
99Rudy Hatfield

GlobalPort Batang Pier

No.Player
0Alfred Mandani
1Jason Deutchman
2Rabeh Al-Hussaini
4Rudy Lingganay
5Jondan Salvador
7Rey Francis Guevarra
9Marvin Cruz
10Rommel Adducul
11Willie Miller
14Mark Yee
20Gary David
22Joshua Vanlandingham
24Vic Manuel
33Angelus Raymundo
Injured/Reserve
34William Antonio
43Alex Crisano

Meralco Bolts

No.Player
1Clifford Hodge
3Solomon Mercado
4Jay-R Reyes
6Chris Ross
8Ronjay Buenafe
11Paul Artadi
14Mark Cardona
15Gilbert Bulawan
16Mark Anthony Borboran
21Reynel Hugnatan
23Kelly Nabong
34Ram Carlo Sharma
80Sunday Salvacion
Injured/Reserve
9Yousif Aljamal
13Christopher Timberlake

Petron Blaze Boosters

No.Player
2Dennis Miranda
3Chris Lutz
4Dorian Pena
5Alex Cabagnot
10Danny Ildefonso
11Jojo Duncil
13Marcio Lassiter
24Magi Sison
18Joseph Yeo
20Alex Mallari
22June Mar Fajardo
23Jay Washington
26Chico Lanete
29Arwind Santos
Injured/Reserve
Hans Thiele
Paolo Hubalde

Rain or Shine Elasto Painters

No.Player
1Jonathan Uyloan
3Paul Lee
5Larry Rodriguez
6Jireh Ibanes
10Gabe Norwood
11Tyrone Tang
16Jeffrei Chan
17ChrisTiu
18Ryan Arana
20Jervy Cruz
21Chito Jaime
30Beau Belga
33Ronnie Matias
48Joseph Ronald Quinahan

San Mig Coffee Mixers

No.Player
2Wesley Gonzales
3Jonas Villanueva
4Rafi Reavis
8Peter June Simon
9JC Intal
10Jewel Ponferada
14Andy Mark Barroca
15Marc Pingris
17John Aldrech Ramos
18James Yap
19Jerwin Gaco
22Chris Pacana
38Joe Devance
95Yancy de Ocampo

Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters

No.Player
3Jimmy Alapag
6Riego Gamalinda
10Ryan Reyes
12Larry Fonacier
16John Murphy Raymundo
17William Jayson Castro
18Gilbert Lao
4Harvey Carey
21Kelly Williams
33Ranidel de Ocampo
34Ali Peek
20Jared Dillinger
40Richard Alvarez
51Aaron Aban

-InterAKTV

Alice Dixson returns as PBA Muse for Talk ‘N Text

Admin | Sunday, September 23, 2012 | 0 comments
Alice Dixson will be back as a muse in the PBA 25 years after she first graced the league’s opening rites.

The Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters have tapped the 43-year-old Dixson, who made a strong television comeback last year to star in TV5′s “Babaeng Hampaslupa,” to be their muse for next Sunday’s opening ceremonies.

Dixson, who represented the Philippines in the Miss International pageant in 1986, was the muse of Great Taste Coffee for the PBA’s opening ceremonies in 1987. She figured in a memorable incident after refusing a kiss from late broadcaster Joe Cantada, which the latter played for laughs.

She since became a familiar fixture on Philippine television with a hit soap commercial and a stint as the original Faye Kabisote in “Okay Ka, Fairy Ko,” before starring in several movies, most notably a remake of “Dyesebel” in 1990.

-Rey Joble, InterAKTV

Georgina Wilson and Isabelle Daza as PBA muses of Ginebra and Petron

Admin | Sunday, September 23, 2012 | 0 comments
Two “It Girls” will help lend a touch of glamour for next Sunday’s PBA opening ceremonies.

Georgina Wilson and Isabelle Daza have been tapped as muses by teams from San Miguel Corporation.

Wilson will serve as muse for Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, for which she is also an endorser and calendar girl. Apart from modeling, she is also a VJ and a television host.

Daza, the daughter of former Miss Universe Gloria Diaz, will parade for the Petron Blaze Boosters. The 24-year-old began her career as a model before transitioning into television hosting and acting.

Another “It Girl”, Anne Curtis, will serve as muse for another SMC team, the San Mig Coffee Mixers.

-Rey Joble, InterAKTV

Air 21 and Rain Or Shine Muses in PBA Opening

Admin | Sunday, September 23, 2012 | 0 comments
Two beauty queens will take center stage to add a dash of glamour to the opening ceremonies of the PBA on September 30.

Mutya ng Pilipinas 2012 Camille Guevara and Miss Earth 2012 Stephany Stefanowitz will be the muses of Rain or Shine and Air 21, respectively.

A native of Pampanga, the 5-foot-7, 19-year-old Guevarra will be the country’s representative for the Miss Intercontinental beauty pageant in Spain in December.

Stefanowitz, a 22-year-old Filipino-German, will represent the Philippines in the Miss Earth contest in Manila in November.

-Rey Joble, InterAKTV

Qatar sent Smart-Gilas to 4th Place in 2012 Fiba Asia Cup

Admin | Saturday, September 22, 2012 | 0 comments
The SMART-Gilas Pilipinas national team lost its final assignment, 76-63, against Qatar to settle for fourth place in the FIBA Asia Cup Saturday in Tokyo, Japan.

The Philippine side shot a miserable 2-of-18 (11 percent) from beyond the arc and 38 percent overall as it couldn’t sustain a second half comeback run.

SMART-Gilas was still in striking distance, 61-54, midway through the fourth quarter when Qatar unleashed hit four three-pointers in a 12-2 run to seal the game.

Marcus Douthit once again led the charge for the Philippines with 17 points and nine rebounds despite injuring his ankle in the first half. Gary David, Jared Dillinger, and Gabe Norwood added 15, 12, and 10 points respectively.

But SMART-Gilas shooters Jeff Chan and Larry Fonacier were missing in action. Chan was scoreless after missing all six of his shots, while Fonacier managed just three points on 1-of-5 shooting.

Compounding the Philippines’ misery was Qatar’s size advantage, leading to a 47-31 edge in rebounding.

SMART-Gilas got off to a quick start in the game, grabbing an 8-2 lead early after Norwood scored on back-to-back opportunities in transition.

But the team went scoreless over the next six minutes of the period, allowing Qatar to come back and take a 12-8 lead by the end of the first.

Yousuf Mohmmed opened the second quarter with a three-pointer, the first of four in the game, as the Qataris took a seven-point advantage.

Douthit then took over, scoring seven of his 17 points in the quarter, as the Filipinos came back to within two points, 24-22, with 4:13 remaining. But the naturalized center had a scary moment late in the quarter, landing badly on his ankle on a rebound play and limping off the court with the help of teammates.

With Douthit off the floor, Qatar closed the half with a 7-2 run to take a 35-26 lead at the break.

The naturalized big man returned in the second half to score the first basket of the period. With David starting to hit and Douthit continuing to be productive despite the injury, the Philippines outscored Qatar 22-20 in the third quarter to stay within striking distance, 55-48, entering the final period.

David and Dillinger kept SMART-Gilas in the game in the fourth quarter, but the breaks of the game seemed to be squarely in Qatar’s corner, exemplified by a crucial possession in the quarter where Mohmmed banked in a difficult three-pointer with the shot clock running out that gave them a 64-54 lead, with 5:41 remaining.

David answered with a basket and Norwood followed it up with a big defensive play as the Filipinos looked primed to make one more run. But Chan couldn’t score on their next possession and Khalid Abdi knocked down a three from the left corner as Qatar extended its lead.

Daoud Musa Daoud then hit a three from almost the same spot, and Abdi added another from the opposite corner as Qatar blew the game wide open, taking a 73-56 lead to effectively seal it with just three minutes left on the clock.

David hit a three of his own but Qatar’s Trey Johnson responded with a three-point play. Dillinger scored a pair of buckets but Abdi closed it with another three, Qatar’s ninth make compared to just two for the Philippines, to close the game.

Mohmmed led Qatar with 17 points while Johnson added 16.

The loss put SMART-Gilas out of the running for a top-three finish and the automatic berth to next year’s FIBA Asia Championships in Lebanon that comes with it.

The scores:

Qatar (79) – Mohmmed 17, Johnson 16, Abdi 14, Saeed 10, Daoud 7, Salem 5, El-Hadary 4, Mohammed 4, Ali 2.

SMART-Gilas Pilipinas (63) – Douthit 17, David 15, Dillinger 12, Norwood 10, De Ocampo 3, Fonacier 3, Tenorio 2, Chan 0, Thoss 0, Villanueva 0.

Quarterscores: 12-8, 35-26, 55-48, 79-63.

-InterAKTV

San Mig Coffee Mixers sent Josh Urbiztondo to Barako Bull for a First Round Pick

Admin | Saturday, September 22, 2012 | 0 comments
With an eye toward the future, the San Mig Coffee Mixers sent starting point guard Josh Urbiztondo to Barako Bull in exchange for a first round pick next year.

San Mig Coffee team executive Rene Pardo confirmed the news to InterAKTV in a telephone interview.

“We don’t have a first and second round picks next year, so we have to give something to gain something,” said Pardo, who added that it was Barako Bull which initiated the trade.

Barako Bull coach Junel Baculi confirmed that the team asked for Urbiztondo’s services because rookie guard Eman Monfort was injured.

“He dislocated his finger and he will be sidelined for the next three months,” said Baculi.

At Barako Bull, Urbiztondo joins a guard corps that includes veteran Celino Cruz and rookie Lester Alvarez.

Roger Yap, another former guard from the Purefoods franchise, has also been signed by Barako Bull.

The Energy Colas own four first round picks next year, owing to trades the franchise undertook when it was still known as the old Air 21 Express. To sweeten the pot, Barako Bull will give San Mig Coffee the option to pick which of its four first rounders to give in exchange for Urbiztondo.

“We have the option of picking which among the four picks will be given to us,” said Pardo.

With Urbiztondo’s departure, the ballhandling duties for the Mixers will fall on Mark Barroca, Jonas Villanueva, and newly-signed Chris Pacana.

-Rey Joble, InterAKTV

Meralco new Jerseys in upcoming PBA 38th Season

Admin | Saturday, September 22, 2012 | 0 comments
As the Meralco Bolts look to a brighter future, they pay tribute to a glorious basketball past.

The team will be wearing the colors of the 1971 Meralco Reddy Kilowatts, a legendary team from the old MICAA, the precursor of the PBA. Team executive Mon Segismundo revealed the plans to InterAKTV in a text message.

The Reddies, bannered by Robert Jaworski, Francis Arnaiz, Orly Bauzon, Jimmy Mariano and the late Big Boy Reynoso among others, were a powerhouse team in the MICAA, forging a feverish rivalry with another fabled squad, the Crispa Redmanizers.

The Meralco-Crispa rivalry was the precursor of the Toyota-Crispa rivalry that spilled over in the PBA.

-Rey Joble, InterAKTV




PBA Official Fan Group Names

Admin | Saturday, September 22, 2012 | 0 comments
With the success with AKTV’s “Kampihan Na!” campaign for the PBA, the league is taking it to the next level by embracing official fan group names for each of its 10 teams for the new season, which opens September 30.

The names, which came from the teams’ supporters themselves, will help fans identify more closely with their favorite teams and their fellow fanatics.

Below is the official list:

1. Air 21 – Ube Republic
2. Alaska – Gatas Republik
3. Barako Bull – Barako Brigade
4. Ginebra – Barangay Ginebra San Miguel
5. GlobalPort – Batang Pier
6. Meralco – Bansang Meralco
7. Petron – Petroniverse
8. Rain or Shine – Bayan ng Rain or Shine
9. San Mig Coffee – San Mig Coffee Planet
10. Talk ‘N Text – TNT Nation

Sa’n ka?! Kampihan na!

-InterAKTV

Anne Curtis will be the Muse of the San Mig Coffee Mixers

Admin | Saturday, September 22, 2012 | 0 comments
Popular television and movie actress Anne Curtis will be the muse of the San Mig Coffee Mixers for the opening of the new season of the PBA on September 30.

San Mig Coffee team executive Rene Pardo confirmed the news to InterAKTV.

The 27-year-old Curtis, one of the most sought-after celebrities in the country, is no stranger to the PBA, having served as muse for Ginebra in 2010. She stars in the newest commercial for San Mig Coffee, making her an easy choice for the basketball team.

Apart from film and television projects, Curtis was recently named an ambassador for peace by the Philippine government along with apl.de.ap, Gerald Anderson, and members of the Philippine national men’s football team.

-Rey Joble, InterAKTV

SMART-Gilas Second Straight Victory by Dispatching Uzbekistan

Admin | Sunday, September 16, 2012 | 0 comments
The SMART-Gilas Pilipinas national team barely broke a sweat in dispatching Uzbekistan, 85-50, for its second straight victory in the FIBA Asia Cup in Tokyo, Japan.

Jeff Chan led all scorers with 20 points for the Philippine team, which was never seriously threatened in the game. SMART-Gilas limited Uzbekistan to just five points in the second quarter to break away for a 39-21 halftime lead before cruising to victory in the second half.

Chan, who had only managed to score five points total in the Philippines’ first two games in the tournament, had a breakout performance with 20 points, including four three-pointers, in just 18 minutes of play while Jared Dillinger was the only other Filipino in double figures. Five others players scored seven or more points for SMART-Gilas.

Chan found his touch early, firing 12 points in the first 6:05 of the game. And he did it in a variety of ways, knocking down three-pointers and getting easy opportunities in transition, as Gilas opened a 23-16 lead at the end of the first quarter.

The Filipinos then turned the pressure up in the second behind PBA teammates Larry Fonacier and Jared Dillinger. Fonacier hit a big three-pointer to open the period, and Dillinger had two strong finishes – a difficult reverse layup and two-handed dunk – on back-to-back possessions as the Filipinos opened with 14-0 blast en route to a 39-21 lead at the halftime break.

SMART-Gilas showed no signs of slowing in the third, with LA Tenorio setting the tone early by finding Gabe Norwood wide open for an alley-oop dunk.

Chan then caught fire once again, scoring five straight points on a layup in the paint and a three. He then found naturalized center Marcus Douthit for an easy dunk. After Douthit made two more free throws to make it 50-23 for the Philippines with 6:44 remaining in the third, Chan came through yet again, hitting his fourth triple of the game to give the SMART-Gilas a whopping 30-point lead, 53-23.

With the game well in hand, the Filipinos took the opportunity to give many of their key players a rest, handing extended minutes to reserves, who pushed the lead to as high as 37 points in the fourth quarter.

Douthit, who led the team with a 25-point, 21-rebound effort in their previous game, played just a little over 14 minutes, finishing with nine points and four rebounds.

The struggles from the outside that plagued SMART-Gilas in their first two games, where they shot just 8-for-48, seemed to be past them as they nailed three of their first five attempts and finished with an 8-for-20 (40 percent) clip from beyond the arc.

SMART-Gilas wraps up its preliminary round campaign Sunday against another minnow, Macau, before proceeding to the crossover knockout quarterfinal round.

The scores:

SMART-Gilas Pilipinas (85) – Chan 20, Dillinger 10, Douthit 9, Rosser 8, David 7, Fonacier 7, Reyes 7, Villanueva 6, De Ocampo 5, Norwood 4, Tenorio 2, Thoss 0.

Uzbekistan (50) – Denisov 16, Juginisov 12, Kozlov 6, Rahimov 6, Yakhin 6, Nuraliev 2, Tangrikulov 2, Kadirov 0, Nabiev 0, Safarov 0, Timofeev 0.

Quarterscores: 23-16, 39-21, 63-33, 85-50.

-Mikkel Bolante, InterAKTV

Fiba Asia Cup Live Streaming

Admin | Saturday, September 15, 2012 | 0 comments

  •         Philippines versus China
              Friday, September 14, 3:30 p.m. LIVE, 8 p.m. replay
  •         Philippines versus Lebanon
              Saturday, September 15, 8 p.m.
  •         Philippines versus Uzbekistan
             Sunday, September 16, 1 p.m. LIVE, 7 p.m. replay
  •         Philippines versus Macau
              Monday, September 17, 10:30 a.m. LIVE, 8 p.m. replay


Free Live Streaming of 2012 Fiba Asia Cup







Click here to try another source.

SMART-Gilas notched its First Win Against Lebanon

Admin | Saturday, September 15, 2012 | 0 comments
Naturalized center Marcus Douthit showed exactly why he’s such an important member of the SMART-Gilas national team as he dominated on the floor to help the Philippines defeat Lebanon, 78-68, in their Group A clash in the 4th FIBA Asia Cup in Tokyo, Japan.

Douthit posted 25 points, 21 rebounds and one crucial block on longtime Lebanon star Fadi El-Khatib with under a minute to play as SMART-Gilas notched its first win of the tournament.

Gilas trailed Lebanon after a very tight first half that saw neither team lead by more than five points. Behind El-Khatib, who had 15 points and six rebounds in the first two periods, and their own naturalized player Garnett Thompson, who had 13 and seven, the Lebanese held a slim three-point edge, 41-38, at the halftime break.

But Douthit turned things around in the third period, crashing the offensive glass to score eight of his 10 points in the quarter off of second chance putbacks. His last two points, a pair of free throws with 23 seconds remaining in the third, gave Gilas a 59-53 lead, the largest for either team at that point.

The center had 16 points and 16 rebounds through the first three quarters.

But Lebanon issued a stiff challenge in the fourth, scoring six of the first eight points to come to within two, 61-59, off an El-Khatib triple early in the quarter. Ranidel De Ocampo scored for the Filipinos but Thompson responded with two of his own as the Lebanese looked determined to stick around.

But it was Douthit again that carried Gilas, scoring seven unanswered points and grabbing two defensive rebounds as the Filipinos opened up a 70-61 lead with just 3:29 to play.

Lebanon, though, wasn’t done yet with Rodrigue Akl and Jean Abdenour bringing them to within four yet again. Gary David scored for the Filipinos but El-Khatib found the net on the other end to make it 72-68 with just 1:09 remaining.

After a big defensive stop for Lebanon, it was El-Khatib again with a chance to cut the deficit down even further. But Douthit came up big once more for the Philippines, blocking the shot attempt and securing the ball for the Filipinos with 25 seconds left.

David hit again to push the lead up to six, 74-68, before LA Tenorio added a pair of free throws and Jared Dillinger sealed the win with a basket in the dying seconds as the Philippines grabbed their first win in the tournament.

David and Tenorio finished with 11 points apiece while Gabe Norwood and Dillinger each had 10 for SMART-Gilas.

The Filipinos outscored their counterparts 34-18 in the paint and 10-2 in second chance points.

El-Khatib led Lebanon with 24 points and 15 rebounds while Thompson finished with 17 and 11.

With the win, the Philippines tied their victims at 1-1 in Group A of the tournament. China and Uzbekistan lead the group with 1-0 marks while Macau brings up the rear at 0-2.

The scores:

SMART-Gilas Pilipinas (78) – Douthit 25, David 11, Tenorio 11, Dillinger 10, Norwood 10, De Ocampo 8, Fonacier 3, Chan 0, Thoss 0.

Lebanon (68) – F. El Khatib 24, Thompson 17, Akl 10, Abdelnour 8, C. El-Khatib 4, Sarkis 3, Stephan 2, Rustom 0, Tabet 0.

Quarterscores: 19-20, 38-41, 59-53, 78-68.

-Mikkel Bolante, InterAKTV

James Yap Takes Time to Help Flood Victims

Admin | Saturday, September 15, 2012 | 0 comments
Fans of San Mig Coffee superstar James Yap organized a successful outreach event for victims of flood in the Cainta area last Sunday highlighted by the presence of the two-time Most Valuable Player.

Members of the King James Group of James Yap, a fan club formally organized just last June, came up with the idea of holding relief efforts for evacuees from flooding brought about by torrential rains in Luzon last month. The outreach event served as the formal launch for the King James Group.

For the event, the fans sought the help of Reena del Mundo, who handled marketing duties for the squad. She suggested the group hold a Soup Kitchen event, which is the feeding program of San Miguel Pure Foods Company that owns the PBA franchise.

With ingredients donated by the team as well as members of the fan club, the group brought seven calderos of arroz caldo to serve evacuees who were still living in covered basketball courts and unable to return to their homes. A total of 1,500 evacuees were from Barangay San Juan (Teacher’s Village District) and Barangay San Andres (Anak-Pawis District and Planters District) were served.

Yap himself led the serving of the arroz caldo, and gamely posed for pictures and signed autographs for everyone in the evacuation area.

Members of the King James Group also donated P5,000 worth of medicine, as well as three sacks of clothes.

After the event, Yap thanked members of his fan club for the opportunity to be part of the outreach program before saying goodbye. “5 a.m. gising ko. Dapat mag-practice nang husto. Mag-papa-condition kasi tumaba ako!”

-InterAKTV

China Beats SMART-Gilas in FIBA Asia Cup opener

Admin | Saturday, September 15, 2012 | 0 comments
The SMART-Gilas Pilipinas fell just short against a taller China squad, 71-68, in their opening match in the 4th FIBA Asia Cup Friday in Tokyo, Japan.

China, playing with a young team with an average age of just 20, 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.

China established a double-digit advantage at 47-37, early in the third. But the Philippines responded with a 9-2 run that included a Jeff Chan three-pointer and back-to-back hits for Gabe Norwood in transition as they came to within three, 46-49.

The game was then delayed for about 20 minutes after the stadium lights went dark. The lengthy break looked to have snapped the momentum of the Filipinos, as China struck first upon the game’s resumption.

But Larry Fonacier scored on a putback and new addition Jared Dillinger hit a triple as SMART-Gilas tied the game at 51.

China took the lead back with a three-pointer but an unsportsmanlike foul by a Chinese player on Douthit swung the advantage the Philippines’ way. Douthit sank both free throws and Gary David knocked down a corner three to make it 56-54 for SMART-Gilas at the end of three quarters.

SMART-Gilas opened the fourth quarter with an 8-2 run to take a 64-56 lead with 6:32 to play, but China, behind national team mainstay Guo Ailun, responded with an 11-0 run of its own to take a three-point edge, 67-64, with less than two minutes left.

David and Douthit stopped the bleeding at that point, trading baskets with their Chinese counterparts. With SMART-Gilas down three points with 40 seconds left, Chan and 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 another chance. But LA Tenorio and Chan missed final three-point attempts that could have tied the game.

The 19-year-old Guo, the only player on the squad who participated in the 2012 London Olympics, scored a game-high 18 points. FIBA Asia Under-18 MVP Wang Zhelin struggled with foul trouble, playing only 15 minutes but posting six points and 14 rebounds.

SMART-Gilas was led by Ranidel De Ocampo with 11 points while Douthit and Larry Fonacier finished with 10 points a piece.

-InterAKTV

Barako Bull Acquires Ballesteros from Meralco

Admin | Tuesday, September 11, 2012 | 0 comments
Barako Bull beefed up its frontline Tuesday by acquiring 6-foot-7 center Jason Ballesteros from Meralco in exchange for veterans Carlo Sharma and Sunday Salvacion.

Ballesteros, a former member of the SMART-Gilas Pilipinas national program, spent most of his rookie season on the bench for the Bolts, but Barako Bull coach Junel Baculi believes he can develop into a key contributor.

“I still believe in the saying, you can’t teach height, so it’s hard to pass up a 6-foot-7 player like Ballesteros,” Baculi told InterAKTV. “He’s a project player. We will see if our coaching skills will be able to turn him into an effective player.”

Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio said the deal gives the Bolts two players who can step in and contribute right away. Sharma, he said, will help fill the void created by the departure of Asi Taulava, who has signed with the San Miguel Beermen in the ASEAN Basketball League.

“We need someone who can be an efficient defender at the post and give Jay-R Reyes some quality minutes, that’s why we got Sharma,” Gregorio said in a telephone interview.

“We have to remember to that June Mar Fajardo will be playing this season so we need someone who can defend him at the post. As for Salvacion, he will shore up our small forward spot because Mark Borboran always gets hurt lately. He will open up the floor for us.”

-Rey Joble, InterAKTV

Tim Cone Apologizes to Alaska for San Mig Coffee Walkout

Admin | Tuesday, September 11, 2012 | 0 comments
San Mig Coffee coach Tim Cone took to Twitter to apologize to the Alaska Aces and coach Luigi Trillo for his team’s walkout in their tuneup game on Tuesday.

“No big deal. We asked to halt the practice game. We weren’t ready to play. My fault in scheduling it,” wrote Cone on his Twitter account.

He added that the ejection of Jerwin Gaco was not the reason for his decision to have the game halted.

“It was more about the fear of injury to our key guys than the call. We’re not in shape yet and guys were cramping. Again, my fault,” added Cone.

Cone asked the tuneup to be stopped in the third quarter shortly after Gaco was called for a flagrant foul for elbowing Eddie Laure. Trillo told InterAKTV that the call was justified.

San Miguel Corporation official Noli Eala earlier claimed that the call was the reason for the stoppage.

“Alaska-San Mig Coffee game stopped because of another bad call by refs,” wrote Eala on his Twitter account.

-InterAKTV

San Mig Coffee Walked Out of its Tuneup Match against Alaska

Admin | Tuesday, September 11, 2012 | 0 comments
It turns out that coffee and milk don’t always make for a perfect combination.

San Mig Coffee walked out of its tuneup match against Alaska on Tuesday at the Reyes Gym after Mixers coach Tim Cone disagreed with a call by the referees.

The Aces were leading 63-50 in the third quarter when San Mig Coffee forward Jerwin Gaco was thrown out of the game for warding off with his elbow against Alaska’s Eddie Laure. Cone vehemently protested the call before leading his team out of the court.

“Cone proceeds to Alaska bench, shakes hands of Aces coaching staff. Tapos ang laro,” wrote veteran journalist Dennis Principe on his Twitter account, where he provided updates on the game.

Cone refused to take calls by InterAKTV on the matter.

Alaska coach Luigi Trillo, meanwhile, said the call on Gaco was correct, saying that it really was flagrant.

It marked the second straight day with a tuneup game involving a PBA team being halted. On Monday, a tuneup game between Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and the Qatar national team was stopped after an altercation between Kerby Raymundo and a Qatari center.

-Rey Joble, InterAKTV

Caguioa in Smart Gilas “I don’t want to disrupt the team’s chemistry”

Admin | Monday, September 10, 2012 | 0 comments
Shortly after Mark Caguioa won Most Valuable Player honors, SMART-Gilas Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes sent out a Twitter message congratulating him and throwing out the possibility of the Ginebra hotshot returning to the national team.

Caguioa, who was awarded the PBA Press Corps Comeback Player of the Year on Monday night, is flattered by the idea, but said the team is doing very well without him.

“I don’t want to disrupt the team’s chemistry,” Caguioa told InterAKTV in an exclusive interview. “Man, the team won the Jones Cup and I don’t think they will still need me there. They don’t have to make any changes, except only when one of the players get injured.”

Caguioa said the team has enough firepower even without him.

“I don’t want to take away some minutes from Gary (David) and Jeff (Chan). They’ve been playing so well. Isa pa, maganda na yung samahan nila on and off the court. Guys have developed a special bonding among themselves,” said Caguioa, who played for Reyes in the national team in 2007.

“Who doesn’t want to play for Coach Chot? It’s an opportunity that hardly comes. But I have so much respect for the players who were selected there, players who have worked so hard and sacrificed a lot. To me, it would be unfair if I will be included there. They deserved their spots more,” he said.

SMART-Gilas leaves for the FIBA Asia Cup in Tokyo this week, with the Philippine team facing a tough China training squad in its opening assignment. Caguioa believes it would be tough, but anything is possible.

“You just have to believe and I’m sure the players themselves have belief in their selves and their level of confidence is higher now,” Caguioa said.

-Rey Joble, InterAKTV

Kerby Raymundo and a member of the Middle Eastern squad got into a scuffle, Tune Up Game

Admin | Monday, September 10, 2012 | 0 comments
The tuneup game between Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and the Qatar national team was halted after Kerby Raymundo and a member of the Middle Eastern squad got into a scuffle.

Referees decided to stop the game at the 4:57 mark of the third period.







San Miguel Corporation executive Noli Eala posted more details on Twitter: “Game got a bit physical. Hard foul by Kerby on Qatari center. He retaliated and that’s where it got out of hand. No punches but better to stop.”

The Qatar squad is in the Philippines to play a series of tuneups against various teams, including SMART-Gilas Pilipinas last Saturday.

-InterAKTV

PBA Support Fiba Asia next year

Admin | Monday, September 10, 2012 | 0 comments
Top officials of the PBA are part of the Philippine delegation to the FIBA Asia Congress in Tokyo, Japan that will push for the country’s bid to host the Asian cage championship next year.

PBA Board of Governors chairman Robert Non, vice-chairman Mon Segismundo, and treasurer Ely Capacio will join league commissioner Chito Salud along with officials of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas led by president Manuel V. Pangilinan, vice-chairman Ricky Vargas, and executive director Sonny Barrios. Also part of the group is former FIBA Asia secretary-general Moying Martelino.

“I intend to impress upon our leaders in FIBA Asia that the PBA is one with the SBP in its quest to regain basketball supremacy here in Asia,” said Salud. “Unequivocal is our support of SBP’s quest to host the FIBA-Asia qualifying tournament here in 2013 and we want to make sure [FIBA Asia] secretary-general Hagop Khajirian of Lebanon gets that message.”

Under Salud, the PBA earlier committed its support to the national team by providing a pool of 16 players for the SMART-Gilas Pilipinas national program. It paid immediate dividends as the latest incarnation of the Philippine team won its first international tournament, the 34th William Jones Cup, in Taiwan.

The FIBA Asia Congress coincides with the FIBA Asia Cup, where SMART-Gilas will also see action beginning Friday.

Apart from the Philippines, Iran and Japan are also reportedly bidding for the rights to host the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship, which serves as qualifier to the 2014 FIBA World Cup.

Earlier, the SBP hosted Khajirian on a tour of the country’s basketball facilities. He reportedly came away impressed with the new SM Mall of Asia Arena.

“I think we were the only ones who invited him to personally inspect the venue,” said Barrios. “Seeing Hagop impressed with the venue is good news for us, but we still have to make a formal presentation.”

The last time the country hosted the FIBA Asia Championship was nearly 40 years ago. Then known as the Asian Basketball Confederation Championship, the Philippines won the gold medal in the 1973 event when the team bannered by Robert Jaworski, Mon Fernandez, Bogs Adornado among others, defeated a South Korean squad led by Shin Dong-Pa in the finals.

-InterAKTV

GlobalPort owner Mikee Romero Plans to Build the Team around Gary David

Admin | Sunday, September 09, 2012 | 0 comments
Only one member of the Powerade Tigers starting lineup from the team that made a Cinderella run to the Philippine Cup semifinals last season remains with the GlobalPort squad that bought the Coca-Cola franchise: Gary David. The Tigers traded Marcio Lassiter and Doug Kramer last season before the team was sold. GlobalPort has since dealt Sean Anthony on draft day and JVee Casio last month, leaving David all alone.
GlobalPort owner Mikee Romero says David, contrary to rumors, isn’t going anywhere.
“I want to build my team around Gary David, so why would I trade him?” said Romero.
“We will keep Gary and surround him with players who could help him out.”
The team owner, who is currently in the United States for a business trip, said the acquisition of two-time Most Valuable Player Willie Miller for Casio was a move to try to get more scoring help for Gary David.
Romero identified David, Miller, and former Rookie of the Year Rabeh Al-Hussaini as the core of the squad. “OK kami dito with these three players,” said Romero.
-Rey Joble, InterAKTV

San Mig Coffee Tougher and Bigger

Admin | Sunday, September 09, 2012 | 0 comments
San Mig Coffee picked up three big men to shore up its frontline in last month’s PBA draft. But beyond adding ceiling, coach Tim Cone hopes the three men could also provide toughness to the team

The Mixers have signed first-round pick Aldrech Ramos and second-round choice Jewel Ponferrada. Their third-round draftee, 6-foot-9 Gian Chiu, could also get a deal.

“Aldrech is a big man who can step out and shoot while Jewel is a tough kid,” said Cone, adding that the team learned lessons from its setback against Rain or Shine in the Governors’ Cup finals. The Elasto Painters, who won in seven games, imposed its physical style on the the team then known as the B-MEG Llamados, who preferred a more finesse style of play.

On his interest in Chiu, Cone pointed to the old adage: you can’t teach height.

“I don’t know yet where Gian Chiu should come in, but he’s a project player and I think it would be worth it developing a 6-foot-9 project player,” said the coach.

The rookie trio would bolster an already impressive San Mig Coffee frontline that also includes Marc Pingris, Yancy De Ocampo, Rafi Reavis, Jerwin Gaco, and Mike Burtscher. The Mixers are also bracing for the return of versatile forward Joe Devance.

New addition, returning players

Another new addition to San Mig Coffee practice was Chris Pacana, who spent the past season with the Westports Malaysia Dragons in the ASEAN Basketball League.

“He will come in and play the wing position for us,” Cone said. “He will not play point guard because we already have too many point guards in our team.”

Val Acuna, whom the team traded away on draft day to GlobalPort, is also back with San Mig Coffee. He currently serves as a practice player for the squad.

“We cannot sign him [as a regular player],” said Cone, who explained that PBA rules prohibit players from returning to the team that traded him during the season.

-Rey Joble, InterAKTV

Patrimonio, Duremdes, Aquino lead PBA legends vs Dubai

Admin | Sunday, September 09, 2012 | 0 comments
DUBAI – Kenneth Duremdes shot the lights out of the Al-Shabab Club basketball stadium, scoring 40 points to bail out a selection of PBA legends 109-105 against a selection of Dubai-based Filipino expatriates on Friday night.

The legends, who fell behind by as much as eight points in the first half, banked on the troika of Duremdes, Vince Hizon and Marlou Aquino in mounting an 11-0 run at the start of the third period to snatch the lead for good.

Aquino took advantage of his 6-foot-9 frame and produced 20 points, mostly from inside, and controlled the boards to contain the scrappy hosts that included former PBA player Ruben dela Rosa and others who saw action in the defunct Metropolitan Basketball League (MBA).

Duremdes and Aquino led a star-studded legends squad that also included Alvin Patrimonio, Ato Agustin, Jojo Lastimosa, Vince Hizon, Noli Locsin, Bonel Balingit, and Bobby Jose.

“Kung laro lang, kaya pa naman natin kaso nauubos tayo sa [daily] practice,” Duremdes, the 1998 PBA MVP who retired in 2008, told InterAKTV.

InterAKTV/Alfonso Ramirez
Earlier, the Philippine Expat Basketball Conference (PEBC), which organized the weekend visit of the PBA legends, “retired” the number 7 in honor of Philippine basketball’s living legend, Robert Jaworski.



“Mr. Senator, we are officially retiring jersey number 7 which means no one will be allowed to use your legendary number in PEBC-sanctioned tournaments here in Dubai,” Gerry Martinez of the PEBC said during the programme that preceeded the exhibition game.

In response, Jaworski – whose jersey was retired by the PBA exactly two months ago – thanked the organizers and said: “OK lang na gamitin ninyo ang number 7 basta sa kabutihan.”

The scores:

PBA Legends 109 – Kenneth Duremdes 40; Marlou Aquino 20; Alvin Patrimonio 13; Vince Hizon 12; Noli Locsin 11; Jojo Lastimosa 6; Bonel Balingit 4; Bobby Jose 3

Dubai All Stars 105 – Nonoy Sayon 16; Al Federiso 15; Jayson Araneta 14; Khalifa Salem 10; Ruben dela Rosa 10; Archie Cruz 8; Lito Callueng 6; Alex Miclat 5; Jeff Roque 5; Alfie Gesta 4; Alwyn Flores 4; DJ de Jesus 4; Roel Hugnatan 2; JR Go 2


-Alfonso Ramirez, special to InterAKTV


Gary David Inspired with his Newest Baby Girl

Admin | Sunday, September 09, 2012 | 0 comments
With his wife about to deliver their third baby girl anytime soon, GlobalPort superstar guard Gary David is filled with inspiration in the days leading up to his stint with SMART-Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA Asia Cup.

“Excited na nga ako,” David told InterAKTV. “Dagdag motivation sa akin ito sa Japan tournament namin.”

David and the rest of SMART-Gilas will leave for the tournament in Tokyo, Japan later this week, meaning he would have just a short chance to spend time with the newest member of his family, Lian Mariah Jaylaa David.

For him, it’s one of the things he has to give up for the honor of wearing the national colors. A renowned family man, he carries his family on his shoulder literally; on his right shoulder, he has a tattoo of his family, which he kisses before every free throw attempt to send a message of love to them.

“Sanay ako lagi na andyan yung pamilya ko. They’re always at the PBA games kaya yung malalayo sila sa akin, isa yun sa mga sakripisyo ko,” he said.

“Kaming mga players ng national team, alam namin na kailangan kaming magsakripisyo. May mga times na ngayon na nag-twice a day practice kami dahil bukod sa practice sa Gilas, may regular practice din kami sa mother teams naming. Pero sulit naman yung sakripisyo, lalo na nung nanalo kami ng Jones Cup.”

The 6-foot-2 pride of Lyceum said he plans to bring the image of Lian Mariah Jaylaa with him to Tokyo to serve as inspiration and motivation.

David is expected to once again play a key role for SMART-Gilas in the FIBA Asia Cup, like he did in the Jones Cup last month, when he came through with big baskets in the clutch to lift the Philippine team.

His SMART-Gilas stint caps an impressive banner year that saw him win the Best Player of the Conference plum in the Philippine Cup after leading the Powerade Tigers to a Cinderella run to the finals. He narrowly lost the Most Valuable Player award to Mark Caguioa despite leading the league once again in scoring. On Monday, the PBA Press Corps will fete David with the Scoring Champ award, a new citation created to honor his outstanding season.

-Rey Joble, InterAKTV

Fajardo, Mallari get High Passing Marks in first Tuneup Game

Admin | Sunday, September 09, 2012 | 0 comments
Rookies June Mar Fajardo and Alex Mallari played their first tuneup game in a Petron uniform on Thursday morning, and they got high passing marks.

Fajardo, the top overall pick, and Mallari, selected third overall, showed a lot of promise during their team’s 101-98 loss against the reigning Governors Cup champion Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.

“Magaling sila,” Guiao told InterAKTV. “They have a lot of potential and they give Petron a different look. We see the rise of a new era in Petron with the acquisition of young players, including Fajardo and Mallari.

“I don’t know what grade should I give them, but I will definitely give them high marks.”

Petron team consultant Rajko Toroman, graded the two rookies on a scale of one to 10, with 10 being the highest, for their performances on both ends of the court.

“On offense, I think they deserved to be graded by eight,” said Toroman. “We should be satisfied with the way they played even though this is the first time they see action for our team. On defense, they need a lot of catching up to do, so I will give them a six.”

Gabe Norwood, one of the leaders of the Elasto Painters, came away impressed by Fajardo and Mallari.

In one sequence, Fajardo caught Norwood on a solid screen to free up Joseph Yeo. “Man, he knocked me down on my butt in one play,” said Norwood. “But Fajardo looks impressive. He’s big and tall and he can play.”

Norwood was also impressed by Mallari’s play. “What’s interesting to see is how he will be able to play once Marcio [Lassiter] and Chris [Lutz] return,” said Norwood.

“But I have to give the rookies a 7.5 to 8 in a scale of 1 to 10.”

San Miguel Corporation executive Noli Eala was wowed by Fajardo’s first game.

“I haven’t checked yet how many rebounds he pulled down, but he did score 17 points and that was impressive for someone playing in his first preseason game,” said Eala.

-Rey Joble, InterAKTV

2012 FIBA Asia Cup Broadcast Schedule on AKTV

Admin | Sunday, September 09, 2012 | 1comments
Fresh off winning the 34th William Jones Cup last month, the SMART-Gilas Pilipinas national team steps into the battlefield once more in the FIBA Asia Cup in Tokyo, Japan. Catch the Philippine team do battle against tough teams from other Asian nations!










  •     Philippines versus China
    Friday, September 14, 3:30 p.m. LIVE, 8 p.m. replay
  •     Philippines versus Lebanon
    Saturday, September 15, 8 p.m.
  •     Philippines versus Uzbekistan
    Sunday, September 16, 1 p.m. LIVE, 7 p.m. replay
  •     Philippines versus Macau
    Monday, September 17, 10:30 a.m. LIVE, 8 p.m. replay
Keep checking back on this page for updated schedules.

-InterAKTV

Lassiter, Lutz and Pena on Petron Injury List

Admin | Sunday, September 09, 2012 | 0 comments
Over the past couple of seasons, the Petron Blaze Boosters have been bitten hard by the injury bug, with key players missing significant time due to various ailments.

The offseason has not augured well for the Boosters so far, with Marcio Lassiter suffering another injury to join Chris Lutz and Dorian Pena in Petron’s list of walking wounded.

“He just twisted his knee,” San Miguel Corporation executive Noli Eala said about Lassiter’s latest setback. The second-year forward has yet to play a single game for the Boosters, missing all of the Governors’ Cup after being traded to the team after breaking his hand.

“I hope it’s not serious,” added Eala.

Lutz, who also battled injuries in his first year in the PBA last season, is again in sick bay, as is Pena. It hasn’t been the best of starts for new head coach Olsen Racela at the helm of Petron, which traded another key player Dondon Hontiveros last week.

“We lost an important player because of a trade in the first week. Three more down because of injuries this week. Not exactly the kind of start we want,” posted Racela on his Twitter account.

“First practice game vs Rain or Shine tomorrow. Dorian, Chris and Marcio will not play because of various injuries. Hopefully they’ll be ready in time for the opening.”

-Rey Joble, InterAKTV

"He could be a Dominant Player", says Eala to June Mar Fajardo

Admin | Sunday, September 09, 2012 | 0 comments
Top overall pick June Mar Fajardo has been strutting his wares in Petron Blaze Boosters practice, and his performance has led San Miguel Corporation executive Noli Eala to believe the 6-foot-10 slotman could become a true force in the PBA.

“If June Mar will realize what he has, he could be a dominant player,” Eala told InterAKTV. “It’s rare to find someone who has the size and strength, and June Mar has both of these.”

Eala said Petron’s Dorian Pena has been showing Fajardo the ropes during Petron’s preseason training, and the veteran center likes what he sees in the youngster.

“Dorian told me that there are only few people [in the PBA] who play strong — him, Ali Peek, and Jondan Salvador. Dorian had a difficult time pushing June Mar because he was so strong, he’s agile, and has skills. It’s rare to find a big man who has a complete package in his game,” said Eala.

Fajardo, a former University of Cebu star, spent the past year in the ASEAN Basketball League for the San Miguel Beermen, which is owned by the same conglomerate that bankrolls the Boosters.

He is expected to play a key role for Petron, with veteran frontliners Pena and Danny Ildefonso getting up in age and the team trading away frontliners Rob Reyes and Noy Baclao in the offseason.

-Rey Joble, InterAKTV

PBA is in Good Situation with the New Stars in the League

Admin | Sunday, September 09, 2012 | 0 comments
For some of the greatest Filipino players to ever play the game of basketball, the PBA is in good hands with the influx of young talent such as sophomores JVee Casio and Paul Lee and rookies Chris Tiu and Calvin Abueva joining the league’s established stars.

“They’re the third wave of stars playing in the PBA,” said Ronnie Magsanoc, who was selected as one of the league’s 25 Greatest Players during its silver anniversary in 2000. “Eto na yung James Yap intertwining with players like Casio, Chris Tiu, Abueva, Paul Lee.”

For Magsanoc, the first wave of stars came during the league’s inception, when pioneers like Robert Jaworski, Ramon Fernandez, Philip Cezar, and Atoy Co ruled the PBA. The second wave came during the late ’80s, when talented players such as himself, Alvin Patrimonio, Jerry Codinera, Jojo Lastimosa, and Benjie Paras, among many others.

Lastimosa said that the entry of new stars ensures a bright future for the PBA.

“They’re coming at a perfect time. These guys, Chris Tiu, Casio, Abueva, Paul Lee, they will serve as the foundation of the PBA for the next few years,” said Lastimosa. “And these guys are the players with impact.”

Patrimonio, one of the most popular players in PBA history, sees the entry of Tiu into the PBA fold as a big boost for the league.

“Malakas yung hatak niya sa fans. It’s good for the league,” said Patrimonio.

-Rey Joble, InterAKTV

PBA LEGENDS Court Of Inspiration

Admin | Sunday, September 09, 2012 | 0 comments
Six members of the PBA’s 25 Greatest Players have banded together for a common cause to inspire younger generations of basketball players around the country.

Led by the PBA’s “Point Laureate” Ronnie Magsanoc, a group composed of Alvin Patrimonio, Benjie Paras, Jerry Codinera, Jojo Lastimosa, and Johnny Abarrientos will spearhead the Court of Inspiration project, a program that will tap volunteers to provide basketball courts around the Philippines.

The project, bankrolled by Alaxan FR, will be supervised by an engineer, but will involve contributions from people within the respective barangays. It is part of Unilab’s larger effort called Galing Mo!, which aims to rally the bayanihan spirit among Filipinos across the country.

““What’s meaningful about this project is that this court is their own as they were the ones who built, second, it was meant to last and third it will be up to them how they can face the challenge of using this basketball court as a source of inspiration in changing their lives,” said Magsanoc.

Humble beginnings


Lastimosa said efforts like the Court of Inspiration is something that’s close to the hearts of all the players involved in the project.

“Wala sa aming lahat na pinanganak na mayaman,” said Lastimosa, the former team captain of the Alaska dynasty in the 1990s who now oversees the company’s grassroots basketball program. “Lahat kami dumaan sa hirap. I came from the province and most of the time played basketball on the streets, same as these guys who also grew up playing basketball elsewhere. But we used that as a way to change our lives.”

Magsanoc still recalls his modest basketball-playing roots alongside Paras, who was his teammate in their early days in San Beda.

“Dati, candy nga lang halos kinakain namin at tubig. Sumasakay kami ng jeep ni Benjie, kadalasan hindi pa kami nagbabayad,” said Magsanoc in jest. “But what we’re saying is that kung kaya mong tiisin ang gutom and be able to still play basketball, walang imposible sa mga gustong mag-sikap at mag-tagumpay.”

Play anywhere

As kids, the PBA legends played just about anywhere just to get their basketball fix. Abarrientos, who grew up in La Loma, Quezon City, started playing the game using a tennis ball on a small ring attached to a concrete wall.

“Maraming aray rin ang tiniis ko,” said the 1996 PBA Most Valuable Player. “Bumabangga kasi kami sa pader habang naglalaro, pero balewala sa amin yun kasi gusto naming gumaling sa basketball.”

Codinera said it hardly mattered what kind of playing conditions were available to the,.

“Kahit lupa o semento, naglalaro kami,” said Codinera, who was known as the Defense Minister during his career. “Maswerte nga kami kahit paano may nalalaruan kami, kaya noong inalok kami to join this project, hindi kami nagdalawang isip. Marami kaming matutulungan na mga lugar na walang basketball court and we would want to serve as inspiration to them.”

Giving back


Patrimonio, a four-time MVP with Purefoods, said the project was an opportunity for the players to thank the people who supported them during their careers.

“It’s one way of giving back to the people and bless them,” he said.

The Court of Inspiration project has already started in five areas: Iloilo, Bacolod, Dumaguete, Butuan, and Sarangani. It will have its next pit stops in the provinces of Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Tacloban and Zamboanga City.

-Rey Joble, InterAKTV

James Yap, Marc Pingris, Peter June Simon in Purefoods retro jerseys | PHOTO

Admin | Saturday, September 08, 2012 | 0 comments
We’re a little late to this party — the designer Hael Pinat put this out two weeks ago — but it’s still pretty cool to see the Big Three of the Purefoods franchise now known as the San Mig Coffee Mixers rocking the old school threads.

-Jaemark Tordecilla, InterAKTV

The Best Trades in Alaska History

Admin | Monday, September 03, 2012 | 0 comments
Last Friday, the Alaska Aces completed a trade that sent LA Tenorio, the man who had been the face of the franchise, to Ginebra San Miguel, in a five-team deal that netted them JVee Casio and Dondon Hontiveros. It was a risky trade, to be sure; Alaska team manager Joaqui Trillo called it a “leap of faith.”

But the Aces franchise is no stranger to making bold, risky moves that involve big names. For example, in 1992, the team sent reigning Rookie of the Year Eugene Quilban to 7-Up in exchange for backup point guard Jun Reyes.

In 2001, Alaska traded Johnny Abarrientos, perhaps the greatest player in franchise history, along with Poch Juinio to Pop Cola for Ali Peek and Jon Ordonio. Two years later, the squad completed a draft-day deal that sent another former Most Valuable Player, Kenneth Duremdes, to Sta. Lucia for the fifth overall pick, which the Aces used on Brandon Cablay.

But more often than not Alaska comes out on the winning end of big trades. In this latest installment of The List, we count down the best trades — or as we like to call them, the Wacky Moves, in honor of longtime Alaska team manager Joaqui Trillo — in the history of the Aces franchise.

10. Acquired Rodney Santos and Bryant Punzalan from Purefoods for Cris Bolado (1997)
After winning the Grand Slam in 1996, members of Alaska were hot commodities around the league. Jeffrey Cariaso signed an offer sheet with the rebuilding Mobiline squad, while bench players also received interest from other teams.

Backup center Cris Bolado was coveted by Purefoods, and the two teams agreed on a deal that sent Jumbo to the Corned Beef Cowboys in exchange for Rodney Santos and Bryant Punzalan.

While Bolado helped Purefoods to the 1997 All-Filipino Conference title, where he cemented his lucky charm reputation, Santos ended up as a valuable contributor for Alaska in the long run, backing up both guard positions and helping make up for the absence of Cariaso until the arrival of Kenneth Duremdes later in the season.

-Rey Joble, InterAKTV

Eric Menk reserved in Ginebra

Admin | Monday, September 03, 2012 | 0 comments
Eric Menk will remain with Ginebra San Miguel — at least until after the upcoming Philippine Cup.
The 2004 PBA Most Valuable Player came to terms with management, according to his new agent Shery; Reyes. He will begin the year in the reserve list for Ginebra in the PBA before transferring to the ASEAN Basketball League.

“He will be reserved in the all-Filipino, then he will go straight to the ABL afterwards to play for the San Miguel Beermen,” said Reyes.

Both Ginebra and San Miguel are owned by san Miguel Corporation.

Earlier, Ginebra offered Menk to be a part-time player and a skills coach. But Menk, who wants to play two more years of competitive basketball, rejected the initial offer.

Menk, who recently turned 38, played in just seven games for Ginebra last season because of injuries. He averages career lows in minutes (8.9) and scoring (1.7).

-Rey Joble, InterAKTV

Barako Bull trade wish list: Maliksi, Baguio and Yeo

Admin | Sunday, September 02, 2012 | 0 comments
Barako Bull lost its second leading local scorer and crunch time closer when it traded Willie Miller as part of a monster five-team deal completed last Friday.
Coach Junel Baculi makes it no secret that his team are looking at trade options to fill Miller’s big shoes.
Barako Bull coaching staff has crafted a wish list composed of high-flying, talented wingmen: Allein Maliksi of Ginebra San Miguel, Cyrus Baguio of Alaska and Joseph Yeo of Petron Blaze.
“Hindi naman masama mag-wish di ba? Wish list lang naman yan so we have included these names on our list,” Baculi told InterAKTV in a telephone interview.
Of the three, acquiring Baguio appears to be a long shot.
“Malamang hindi bitawan ng Alaska yan,” said Baculi.
The other two players, however, could be available with the right offer.
Maliksi, who began his career with Barako Bull last season, plays the No. 3 spot for Ginebra, sharing the same position with Dylan Ababou, Elmer Espiritu, and Filipino-American rookie Chris Ellis.
Yeo, on the other hand, is part of a congested swing rotation for Petron, which also includes former SMART-Gilas Pilipinas standouts Chris Lutz and Marcio Lassiter, rookie Alex Mallari, Joseph Yeo, and Wesley Gonzales.
Baculi said he will leave the wheeling and dealing of players to Barako Bull management.
“We’ve already told them what we need. We need someone who can replace Miller because he’s a big part of our squad. We need a closer and a scoring big guard,” he said.

-Rey Joble, InterAKTV

Ex-Ginebra fans Heart Broker, Tenorio hopes to bring joy to the Barangay

Admin | Sunday, September 02, 2012 | 0 comments
LA Tenorio has broken the hearts of Ginebra fans numerous times.

In one memorable game last season, he scored seven points in 20 seconds, capped by the game-winning three-pointer, to lead Alaska to an out-of-town victory over Ginebra, a defeat that remains fresh in the minds of the team’s fans.

“Yun nga ang parating sinasabi ng mga tao, marami raw akong pinaiyak na Ginebra fans before,” Tenorio told InterAKTV in a telephone interview. “Pero magkakampi na kami ngayon. It’s a good thing they will cheer for me now.”

Tenorio was the centerpiece of the five-team monster trade completed last Friday that sent him to Ginebra. The 5-foot-8 guard, who is coming off a sensational performance to win Most Valuable Player honors in the 34th William Jones Cup, has been welcomed as a new hero by Ginebra fans.

But he said the never-say-die faithful should manage their expectations.

“Hindi dahil nasa Ginebra na ako, ibig sabihin mananalo na kami ng championship,” said Tenorio, who begins practice with his new team on Monday. “Hindi magic ‘yan. Kailangang paghirapan yan.”

The cool and calculating guard knows he has to make adjustments as well in his transfer to the Gin Kings.

“Panibagong pakikisama ito. Dati kasi I felt at home with Alaska. Now, I’m going to start a new chapter in the Ginebra family,” said Tenorio.

“Still, I hope this will be my final stop. Ayaw ko na rin yung palipat-lipat. As much as possible nga, gusto ko dito na ako magretiro.”

Strong tradition

Tenorio joins a Ginebra franchise that enjoys a strong point guard tradition, beginning with Robert Jaworski and carried on by Bal David and Jayjay Helterbrand. Tenorio would be the latest to assume that mantle.

But Tenorio doesn’t want to make a big fuss about the history of the position.

“I don’t want to put pressure on myself. Those guys are great guards, mahirap pantayan yan,” said Tenorio. “I know na yung papel ko rito sa Ginebra will be different from the one I used to do in Alaska. So kung saan tayo makakatulong, doon lang tayo.”

-Rey Joble, InterAKTV
 
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