2012 FIBA Asia Cup Broadcast Schedule on AKTV

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

2012 Fiba Asia Cup , Smart Gilas

Lassiter, Lutz and Pena on Petron Injury List

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

Chris Lutz , Dorian Pena , Marcio Lassiter , PBA , Petron Blaze Boosters

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

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

June Mar Fajardo , PBA , Petron Blaze Boosters

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

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

Alvin Patrimonio , Calvin Abueva , Chris Tiu , Jojo Lastimosa , Jvee Casio , Paul Lee , PBA , Ronnie Magsanoc

PBA LEGENDS Court Of Inspiration

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

Alvin Patrimonio , Benjie Paras , Jerry Codinera , Johnny Abarrientos , Jojo Lastimosa , PBA , PBA legends , Ronnie Magsanoc

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

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

James Yap , Marc Pingris , PBA , Peter June Simon , San Mig Coffee Mixers

The Best Trades in Alaska History

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

Alaska Aces , Bong Hawkins , Cyrus Baguio , Don Allado , Jeffrey Cariaso , Joe devance , Kenneth Duremdes , LA Tenorio , Larry Fonacier , Mike Cortez , PBA , Rodney Santos , The List , Willie Miller

Eric Menk reserved in Ginebra

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

Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings , Eric Menk , PBA

Barako Bull trade wish list: Maliksi, Baguio and Yeo

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

Allein Maliksi , Barako Bull , Cyrus Baguio , Joseph Yeo , PBA

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

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

Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings , LA Tenorio , PBA