OFFICIAL PBA THREAD

Ginebra, Coke, Air21 okay 7-player trade
By Abac Cordero
The Philippine Star 07/30/2006

A big trade involving big players from three teams was consummated just the other day in the PBA.

Involved in the trade that had seven players changing uniforms were crowd-favorite Ginebra, its sister-team Coca-Cola and Air21, which was also part of a multi-player, three-team trade last May.

From the negotiation table, Ginebra got 6-foot-6 Billy Mamaril and 6-foot-7 Raffy Reavies; Coca-Cola took in 6-foot-6 Manny Ramos, 6-foot-5 Ryan Bernardo and 6-foot-1 Kalani Ferreria; and Air21 landed 6-foot-6 Erwin Sotto and 5-foot-10 Aries Dimaunahan.

Mamaril and Reavies used to play for Coca-Cola, Ramos, Ferreria, Dimaunahan and Sotto for Ginebra, and Bernardo for Air21.

Under PBA rules, sister-teams like Ginebra and Coca-Cola cannot be involved in direct trade. This explains the involvement of Air21 which could have first acquired Mamaril and Reavies from Coca-Cola before these players eventually landed with Ginebra.

Aside from Ginebra and Coca-Cola, the two under teams under the San Miguel Corp. umbrella and therefore cannot be involved in direct trades are San Miguel Beer and Purefoods.

Ginebra, which renewed the contracts of Rodney Santos and Andy Seigle earlier this week, also wound up with the rights on Fil-American Rudy Hatfield, formerly of Coca-Cola.

Hatfield is one of the dozens of Fil-Americans who were questioned on their true nationalities. Hatfield has left for the US but may soon return to action after having cleared his citizenship papers.

Once Hatfield returns, the 6-foot-3 power-forward may play for Ginebra which already has big men in Erik Menk, Rommel Adducul, Mike Holper and Seigle.

As part of the trade, Coca-Cola also landed with one first-round and two second-round future picks. From where these picks were acquired is uncertain.

Mamaril, who grew up in the US, has followed his fathers footsteps. The elder Mamaril, Romulo or Mama as hes fondly called, played 12 seasons in the PBA from 1980 to 1991.

A gangling 6-foot-6, the elder Mamaril suited up for Crispa, Manhattan. Tanduay, Anejo Rum (which later on became Ginebra) and Shell. His son Billy, more muscular and agile, has already played for four teams in less than three years Purefoods, Shell, Coca-Cola and now Ginebra.

According to his resume, the 28-year-old, 220-lb Billy took up Liberal Arts at the Bakersfield College in California. He once described Ginebra as his "favorite rival team."

Air21 was also happy with the deal, particularly with Sotto who gets reunited with his college buddies Yancy and Ranidel de Ocampo. Then playing for St. Francis of Assisi, they were better known as the "Triple Towers."

Dimaunahan will ably serve as back-up for Wayne Arboleda.

Air21 was involved in a similar three-team trade that was sealed last May 8. It involved players like RenRen Ritualo and Don Allado who ended up with Talk N Text, Willie Miller and John Ferriols with Alaska and Avenido with Air21.

[size=+2]

sapatos yan, hindi trophy
[size=+1](Team Back Spasms)[/size]

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Go Gin Kings! :smokin
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Helterbrand
Caguioa
Menk
Reavis
Mamaril, Adducul, Holper, or possibly Hatfield

GINEBRA! GINEBRA!




MY PRIDE AND GLORY :pimp:
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RenRen erupts for TNT
SPORTING CHANCE By Joaquin M. Henson
The Philippine Star 07/30/2006

RenRen Ritualo saved his best for last as he erupted for 31 points and knocked down six triples in Talk N Texts final game at the Southern California Pro Basketball Summer League in Long Beach recently.

Phone Pals coach Derick Pumaren, texting from the US, said the outcome wasnt settled until the last two minutes when the Los Angeles All-Stars broke away. Talk N Text ended its campaign with a 1-4 record.

A surprise addition to the All-Stars lineup was Sta. Lucia Realtys Alex Cabagnot. His teammates included 6-2 Marcus Carr, 6-10 Adema Ndiaye, 6-6 Tyler Murphy and 6-2 Jan-Michael Thomas who averaged 20.5 points and hit 138 triples at San Joaquin Delta junior college in 1997-98.

The Phone Pals only win was an 88-86 overtime decision over the Hoopstars. Jimmy Alapag scored 20 points to lead Talk N Text. Asi Taulava compiled 15 points and 10 rebounds.

In another game, Phone Pals power forward Harvey Carey fired 27 points and grabbed 13 rebounds but his efforts werent enough to repulse Hoosier Daddy. Carey shot 12-of-18 from the floor.

Hoosier Daddy leaned on former Red Bull import Jack Hartmans 25 points to win, 109-93. Daddys biggest lead was 20. Talk N Text never took the drivers seat.

Aside from Carey, three other Phone Pals scored in twin digits. Alapag netted 18 to go with seven assists, Taulava collected 14 points and 11 rebounds and Ritualo tallied 10, including 2-of-6 treys.

The Phone Pals launched a furious rally in the third period, trimming an 11-point halftime deficit to five entering the fourth period. But Daddy iced it with a 34-point explosion in the final 12 minutes.

Hartmans teammates included 6-2 Donnell Williams of Fayetville, 6-8 Rick Anderson of Arizona, 6-10 Matt Garrison, 6-7 Rodney Webb of Florida Atlantic and 6-2 Marcus Williams of Notre Dame.

Pumaren took only 10 players to Long Beach. His lineup listed Alapag, Taulava, Carey, Ritualo, Don Allado, Jay Washington, MacMac Cardona, Victor Pablo, Donbel Belano and Patrick Fran.

The Phone Pals are now training at the International Management Group camp in Carson City, near Los Angeles. The two-week course involves learning from top-rated US coaches and players.

The team returns to Manila on Aug. 9.
 
Chot, Jong traded to SMB, Gins

The Philippine Star 07/31/2006

Chot Reyes to San Miguel Beer, and Jong Uichico to Ginebra.

Barring any top-management decision to call it off, this big development is about to take place in the coming days as the off-season buildup of the different PBA teams shifts to high gear.

According to a very reliable source, San Miguel Corp., which owns the PBA franchises of San Miguel Beer, Ginebra, Coca-Cola and Purefoods, has finalized the deal between the two sister teams.

Reyes and Uichico are two of the finest coaches in the land today with close to a dozen PBA titles between them.

SMC president Ramon Ang will most likely make the formal announcement this week.

The source, a team insider, said Reyes will replace Uichico as head coach of San Miguel Beer, one of only three teams, aside from Crispa and Alaska, ever to score a Grand Slam in the PBA.

Uichico will be elevated as consultant of Ginebra where Siot Tanquingcen will continue to call the shots. Its also possible for Uichico to take over as coach with Tanquingcen as his assistant.

Uichico won six crowns for San Miguel Beer, two each in 1999 and 2000, one in 2001, and the last in the 2005 Fiesta Conference. He was head coach of the RP team to the 2002 Busan Asian Games.

The STAR tried to get in touch with Uichico who said in a text message: "I am out of the country."

Staying put as coaches of the two other SMC franchises are Binky Favis with Coca-Cola and Ryan Gregorio with Purefoods, the newly-crowned All-Filipino champion.

Reyes, the Coca-Cola coach before he was tapped to handle the national team, was unavailable for comment although its certain that he will take on the challenge as new SMB coach.

The stylish coach has four titles under his belt, two with Purefoods and two with Coca-Cola.
 
Cabagnot goes AWOL again; Sta. Lucia management fumes

By Francis Ochoa
Inquirer

ALEX CABAGNOT started his Philippine Basketball Association career with a disappearing act. If hes not careful, he might end it the same way.

The spitfire playmaker has gone AWOL anew and Sta. Lucia management is dead set on throwing everything at the fickle-minded guard if he does not explain his latest disappearance.

Well consider all options, said Sta. Lucia team manager Ariel Magno, who deferred any explanation pending receipt of a reply from Cabagnot on the teams queries as to his whereabouts.

Details of Cabagnots sudden departure from the team remain sketchy, although a source revealed he asked permission from management to take a leave of absence to continue his studies.

He was asked to wait for a decision but, the source said, he left for the United States in haste. He was later seen playing for the LA Stars in a summer league participated in by Talk N Text.

We dont know where he is. We have no idea what hes up to, said Magno. We already sent him a letter asking to explain himself within 72 hours before we act on what he did.

That deadline lapsed over the weekend.
 
wow!a lot of changes! this might be good for PBA..more excitement coming on our way..btw thanx for all the info's!!
 
Williams cleared, but not 2 other Fil-Ams

By Francis Ochoa
Inquirer
Last updated 02:52am (Mla time) 08/02/2006

KELLY Williams, one of the top amateurs seeking a stint in the Philippine Basketball Association, has been cleared to join the rookie draft, but two other highly touted Filipino-Americans may have to wait next year for their turn.

PBA commissioner Noli Eala sounded optimistic that Williams would be eligible for the draft after his office received word from the justice department that the Magnolia standouts documents have already been approved.

Weve heard from Williams handlers that his papers are OK, said Eala.

But PBL Unity Cup Most Valuable Player Joe da Vance and Rob Reyes, two blue-chip players who could easily land among the top five rookie picks, are in danger of missing the draft after both failed to comply with the leagues requirements.

I dont think they (Da Vance and Reyes) are going to make it, said Eala.

Their absence is going to seriously alter the depth of the pool, especially for the teams in the lower part of the draft, according to coach Tim Cone, whose Alaska squad will be picking seventh.

It could also force teams with options to deal away their first-round selections so they could take a second look at the draft tentatively set on Aug. 20.

All of a sudden, the draft is leaner and the players we would have wanted at No. 9 might go earlier, said Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio, who has the option to assign his No. 9 pick to Red Bull by virtue of an earlier trade.

Cone said that several coaches have been waiting for word on the three Fil-Ams eligibility. The absence of Da Vance and Reyes could affect the teams in the lower section of the draft two ways, he added.

First, it denies the teams up there [in the draft] the chance to get quality talent like Da Vance and Rob Reyes and gives teams in the lower part of the draft the chance to grab them maybe next year, said Cone.

But on the other hand, the draft pool has suddenly become thin and leaves very little options for the teams in the lower part of the pool, said Cone.

Sta. Lucia Realty picks first in the draft and the Realtors look headed toward tabbing Arwind Santos in keeping with the franchises honored tradition of selecting only pure Filipino talents.
 
^thanks for the info mr. carlo...wow! williams! ayos yan sa slam dunk contest..pantapat kay Canaleta..
 
Hatfield back soon but will he play?
By Joaquin Henson
The Philippine Star 08/03/2006

Rudy Hatfield is returning to Manila on Aug. 28 but his agent Bill Rosmarino told The STAR yesterday nothing is final on his much-awaited comeback in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

"Everything will be finalized when he gets back," said Rosmarino in a text message from Chongqing, China. "So its status quo until his arrival." Rosmarino said the recent trade for Hatfields signing rights by Coca-Cola to Ginebra San Miguel assuming it is approved by PBA commissioner Noli Eala was "a pleasant surprise" but there are implications on how much the "H-Bomb" can expect as a salary because of the team cap.

"With the rights trade, Rudy will have to accept a major pay cut but we are willing to explore this," said Rosmarino who mentioned a two-year contract may be an agreeable option.

Hatfield, 28, is finishing a paramedic course for a firemans license in Michigan and will arrive in Manila with Rosmarino.

"Ive been talking with Rudy and hes excited to come back and play," said Rosmarino, an American who speaks Filipino and has lived in Bacolod for years. "I think his best friend Eric (Menk) had a lot to do with it. With Erics prodding, Rudy started to get the itch to play again. Eric and Rudy spent a week together in Michigan recently."

Rosmarino said a two-year contract wont tie Hatfield down for a long period and gives him the freedom to decide his future in the medium term.

Hatfield played his last PBA game for Coca-Cola on Oct. 17, 2004. He compiled 13 points, 10 rebounds, two assists and four steals in 38 minutes as the Tigers beat San Miguel Beer, 92-84, in the 2004 Philippine Cup. Coca-Cola was 3-1 with Hatfield in uniform and 6-10 without him in the conference.

The 6-5 forward was included in a Department of Justice order for deportation on a charge of falsifying documents to acquire Filipino citizenship in 2004. He was later cleared of the charge, leaving no doubt as to the lineage of his full-blooded Filipina mother Lilian Advincula Valdez. Asi Taulava and Mick Pennisi were also cleared.

Hatfield left Manila in October 2005, exasperated by the long wait for his clearance. He gave up his condo unit and got rid of his car. The night before his departure, his citizenship was cleared. But Hatfield had made up his mind to leave.

Trying out a life without basketball, Hatfield enrolled in a pro wrestling school in Boston but decided to join the fire academy instead.

Early this year, Hatfield played against a PBA draft prospect in a Filipino league in Michigan and realized how much hed missed the game.

"I played a game in the Filipino league which is pretty hardcore," said Hatfield. "I played against the future of the PBA, Kelly Williams, who was back in town for a week or so. He basically kicked my @#%$ up and down the court. Dunked on me a couple of times, blocked about half my shots and was really just abusing me. So that really pissed me off. Definitely woke me up a little bit and got me thinking about playing a little bit more."

Rosmarino said if Hatfield returns to the PBA, hell start all over again by finding a place to live, buying a car to drive and settling in.
 
More trades expected in PBAs off-season

By June Navarro
Inquirer
Last updated 04:38am (Mla time) 08/04/2006

THE TRADE that caused a furor among some members of the Philippine Basketball Associations board of governors recently is certainly not the last in the off-season.

Robert Non, San Miguel Corp.s chief of basketball operations, said the three-way deal involving Barangay Ginebra, Coca-Cola and Air21 was just the start of several trades expected before the opening of the next season in September.

The Gin Kings acquired Rafi Reavis and Billy Mamaril from Coca-Cola plus the rights to Rudy Hatfield, while the Tigers got Manny Ramos, Ryan Bernardo and Kalani Ferreria on top of two second-round picks this year and a first-rounder next season.

As bridge, the Express landed Ginebras Aris Dimaunahan, who will serve as backup to starting point guard Wynne Arboleda, and the 6-foot-7 Ervin Sotto, who will be reunited with his St. Francis of Assisi College teammates Yancy and Ranidel De Ocampo.

That trade is just the start of several trade-offs that could happen in the off-season, said Non. Dealing away its big-time players doesnt mean Coca-Cola is on the way to disbandment.

With the Gin Kings now filled with big men and Coca-Cola in need of extra ceiling in the paint, Non said both teams will have to engage in a few more deals to enhance their worth.

Most vocal critic

Though the eight-player swap has yet to be approved by the Commissioners Office, not a few team officials raised a howl over the issue, with Sta. Lucia Realty governor Buddy Encarnado the most vocal among them.

Encarnado said that should the trade push through, the parity among teams and the level of competition would be drastically affected. This, he said, could even spell the demise of the PBA.

But Non waved off Encarnados protests.

They heard nothing from San Miguel when other teams traded their marquee players to strengthen their respective rosters, said Non. Why oppose our move when we did it the right way?

Non was referring to the three-way trade involving Talk N Text, Alaska and Air21 in the last conference that fortified the lineup of the Phone Pals, which got Renren Ritualo and Don Allado.

The Aces, who acquired Willie Miller and John Ferriols, also got the best end of the deal when Shell disbanded last season, Non pointed out.

Meanwhile, Chot Reyes will have able lieutenants Biboy Ravanes, Nash Racela and Aboy Castro in the San Miguel fold while Ginebras Siot Tanquingcen has now formally slid down as head coach Jong Uichicos assistant for the Gins.
 
Did i read that article correctly??? Chot Reyes traded?? Isnt he a coach?? you can trade coaches in the PBA? lol.. interesting!
 
ISIP, MEMBRERE LEAD YELLOW OVER RED IN DAY 1 OF ROOKIE CAMP
Pacana, Caceres show way in Blue rout of Green in second game
Tuesday, 08 August 2006

Newly-reassigned Barangay Ginebra head coach Jong Uichico is certain Mark Isip will be netted in the first round of the Philippine Basketball Association Annual Rookie Draft.



"Hes got good post up moves and good footwork. Very impressive. He's definitely a first round material," said Uichico, who dropped by at the Philsports Arena Monday afternoon on the first day of the 2006 PBA Rookie Camp.



A product of multi-titled FEU, Isip scored 20 points to take team scoring honors, hauled down six rebounds and had two assists, helping his Yellow Team beat the Red Team, 99-98.



The 24-year old forward, a Mythical First Team member in last year's UAAP season, was a sight to behold in the lane with his quick spin-around moves and strong rebounding.



Even coach Al Chua of Sta. Lucia Realty and Alaska mentor Tim Cone agreed that Isip will be selected in the first round.



"I'll take him if he's got no takers. But I don't think he'll be available when our turn comes," Chua, whose team owns the first and sixth picks in the first round.



Chua has openly declared that they are set to exercise their No. 1 draft right on Isip's Far Eastern U teammate Arwind Santos.



Kelly Williams, the lone Fil-Am aspirant in the August 20 Rookie Draft and another player expected to be selected among the Top 3, was also impressive. He tallied 17 points but his offense was overshadowed by his defensive skills.



The 6-foot-7 215 lbs forward, who was given a lot of playing minutes by coach Art dela Cruz, highlighted his game with three steals, two shotblocks and nine rebounds.



Surprisingly, Magnum Membrere and the unheralded Ronnie Bughao two guards with contrasting styles also hogged the limelight.



Membrere, a former Ateneo Blue Eagle who played for the Yellow Team, had a poor start but picked up his rhythm in the second half and went on to score 14 points including a 4-of-8 shooting from three-point range. He also had six assists and seven rebounds.



The Cebu-born Bughao, a former San Beda starter, packed quickness in his feet, coming up with a near triple-double of 12 points, nine assists and nine rebounds.



"He's the type of guy that we need. But we'll see," said Uichico with a smile.



In the other game, former PSBA standout Manuel Caceres scored 15 points and hauled down nine rebounds while California-born and St. Francis of Assisi stalwart Chris Pacana added 14 as the Blue Team routed the Green Team, 100-59.



Seven of the 10 Blue players of coaches Mon Jose and Boybits Victoria actually scored in double figures.



Sponsored by Accel, the weeklong camp resumes Tuesday with the Yellow Team eyeing a second straight win against the White Team which will be led by Arwind Santos, LA Tenorio and Joseph Yeo at 3 p.m. The other game pits the Red Team against the Green Team at 5 p.m. (DBC)



The Scores:

Yellow 99 Isip 20, Kalawa 15, Membrere 14, Perseveranda 13, Llanete 11, Santos 9, Ibanes 6, Vidad 6, De Castro 5.



Red 98 Rizada 22, Williams 17, Magsumbol 14, Reguera 13, Bughao 12, Mallari 12, Daa 6, Alonzo 2, Cristobal 0.



Quarterscores: 28-26; 52-48; 78-65; 99-98
 
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Alaska wants Johnny A back
By Nelson Beltran
The Philippine Star 08/10/2006

Alaska Milk wants to further beef up a talent-laden backcourt as it tries to lure back Johnny Abarrientos to its lineup with the 1996 Most Valuable Player awardees contract with Coca-Cola expiring Sept. 30.

Coach Tim Cone said theyre keeping their door open for the return of Abarrientos although the Uytengsu franchise has just given main man Mike Cortez a new three-year contract. The Aces are loaded at the backcourt with pointguards Cortez, Willie Miller and Rensy Bajar.

"Were definitely exploring the possibility of having him (Abarrientos) back," said Cone while watching the PBA Rookie Camp at the Philsports Arena.

"Its up in the air but we dont know whether its their (Tigers) ball or ours. It all depends on a lot of things like the salary cap, the playing time and what Coke is going to ask in exchange for Johnny," Cone added.

However, Coca-Cola appears not too keen on the deal.

Coca-Cola coach Binky Favis said Abarrientos will play a vital role in their rebuilding plan following the departure of frontliners Billy Mamaril and Rafi Reavis although he wasnt surprised why Alaska wants to enlist "The Flying A" anew.

" Johnny did a lot of good things for them and he will be an asset to any team he plays for," said Favis. "Even if he is not playing like he used to, he can still contribute through his leadership."

Abarrientos, who turned 36 last July 17, played for Alaska during its championship years in the 1990s up to 2000 before being traded to the Tigers after the 2000 season amid negative reports that seemed to sully the image of the prized playmaker.

Cortez has been recently re-signed to a new three-year pact. However, the terms of the deal werent disclosed.

The Aces will also start the 2006-07 season with John Ferriols and Sonny Thoss having new contracts.

What has yet to be determined is if Bong Hawkins would suit up as a player or as an assistant coach.

Meanwhile, Welcoat has already got seven players under its fold as it came to terms with free agents Froilan Baguion, Nio Gelig and Gilbert Lao. All three are to sign two-year contracts, reportedly guaranteed of around P80,000 a month each.

The team earlier elevated directly to the pro ranks amateurs Jay Sagad, Junjun Cabatu and JayR Reyes. It has also tapped free agent Jojo Tangkay.
 
WELCOAT LANDS WAINWRIGHT, LOPEZ, LAO IN DISPERSAL DRAFT
The Dragons will be competitive Lapid

Friday, 11 August 2006

Their plan didn't exactly work the way they had hoped to, but Welcoat Paints team manager Boy Lapid readily proclaimed that they have assembled a competitive team for their maiden season in the Philippine Basketball Association.

Lapid made his bold statement after Thursdays dispersal draft in which the league's newest ballclub netted only three players Rob Wainwright and Gilbert Lao from Coca-Cola and San Miguel's Denver Lopez.

He said he sat down with team owners Raymund Yu and Terry Que and coaches Leo Austria and Caloy Garcia almost the entire night before the draft carefully discussing their prospects in the expansion pool.

"We brainstormed from 3 p.m. of Wednesday until 3 a.m. this morning (Thursday) before coming up with our choices," said Lapid, who took the honor of making Welcoat's pick in the proceedings presided by commissioner Noli Eala.

It was apparent that Lapid came into the dispersal draft with a prepared list of their prospects. He passed up on seven teams right in the first round after the first two players he picked from Air 21, Ginebra, Alaska, Purefoods, Talk N Text, Red Bull and Sta. Lucia Realty turned out to be on the protected list.

Under the dispersal draft rules, Welcoat had four chances to pick a maximum of two players from each of the nine teams, which were allowed to protect 10 of their players.

"We're happy with the players we've netted in the expansion pool. If you have observed, we were after players who have played for us in the amateurs. It's just unfortunate that they were on the protected list," said Lapid, referring to Rommel Adducul (Ginebra), Eddie Laure (Alaska), Mark Pingris and James Yap (Purefoods), Don Allado and Renren Ritualo (Talk N Text) and Nelbert Omolon (Sta. Lucia).

"These players helped us win championships in the PBL so we were hoping we could land a few of them to again help us."

Lapid hinted thought that the team isn't giving up on their former players. "We hope some of them would be able to rejoin us in three to four years and help us win a championship."

The other players Welcoat tried to snatch but were in the protected list were Air21's Ranidel de Ocampo and Nino Canaleta, Barangay Ginebra's Eric Menk, Alaska Milk's Sonny Thoss, San Miguel's Dorian Pena, Red Bull's Enrico Villanueva and Larry Fonacier and Sta. Lucia's Alex Cabagnot.

But even with their present roster, Lapid said the team to be known as "Welcoat Dragons" will be competitive in their maiden season.

"These players did well in our tryouts. The management as well as the coaching staff has no doubt that the team we are assembling is competitive enough to carry our campaign this coming season," Lapid said.

Apart from Wainwright, Lopez and Lao, Welcoat also recruited free agents Jojo Tangkay, Froilan Baguion, Nino Gelig and Adonis Sta. Maria to join rookies Jay Sagad, Jay-R Reyes and Jun-jun Cabatu whom they elevated directly to the pro ranks as part of the concessions granted by the PBA Board of Governors.

Lapid said they have already come to terms with Tangkay, Baguion, Gelig and Sta. Maria, who made good impressions in their recent tryouts.

Wainwright, Lao and Lopez, he said, also attended their tryouts. By picking the trio, Welcoat automatically holds the rights on the three players, meaning it can re-sign them if they are free agents or trade them to any team except to their former teams.

Lapid said they will fill the remaining two vacant spots when the PBA holds its Annual Rookie Draft on August 20 at the Market! Market! in Taguig.

"Right now we're happy with what we have assembled," said Lapid, who also announced that Welcoat will be conducting its first official practice on August 16 at the Acropolis Gym from 3-5 p.m. (DBC)
 
PBA dome? Its about time
By Nelson Beltran
The Philippine Star 08/14/2006

MACAU The Philippine Basketball Associations long-time cherished dream to have its own home could finally be a reality in two to three years.

With giant corporations PLDT and San Miguel Corp. leading the bandwagon, PBA ball clubs have reached a consensus to pursue the ambitious project.

"This has been the PBAs dream for a long time. We did a lot of fire-fighting the last three years. Weve corrected our mistakes and we have to start planting seeds," said PBA board chair Ricky Vargas.

"I had an informal talk with (San Miguels) Robert Non. He said they also want the project to go now. San Miguel Corp. being receptive with the idea made me more excited about the project," Vargas added.

There was actually no resolution passed about the matter in the PBA board meeting Saturday. But the governors gave their nod on their dream project in an informal discussion yesterday morning.

There were reports PLDT chairman Manny Pangilinan and SMC big boss Danding Cojuangco had given their go-signal for the PBA to work on it. The two giant corporations could end up merging for this undertaking.

"We estimated the amount of money weve spent in coliseum rentals the last three years. Buo na ang PBA coliseum kung dito namin dinala yung rental fees namin," said Non.

At present, the PBA pays P200,000 for the use of the Araneta Coliseum per play date. Besides that, teams spend around P5,000 each almost everyday in gym rental for their practices.

The idea is to put up a state-of-the-art complex, housing the PBA dome, possibly a practice gym, fitness center and stalls where PBA clubs and other business entities can market their products.

Commissioner Noli Eala said the Quezon City government has offered to lease for 75 years its prime and sprawling property along Edsa corner Quezon Ave. Eala said they started talks with Quezon City Mayor Sonny Belmonte last year.

Its actually been the PBAs dream for a long time. The PBA went as far as making a feasibility study under the chairmanship of Sta. Lucia governor Buddy Encarnado. The project, however, was shelved as the league confronted problems on Fil-sham and drugs issues.

"I will pursue this. Hindi ako mapakali pag mayroon akong project," said Vargas.

"My spirit was dampened when I heard news that SM Corp. intends to build a coliseum. But my spirit was lifted when I found out that San Miguel wants to have our own," Vargas added.

Red Bull governor Tony Chua, who is to assume the board chairmanship next year, is willing to waive his turn just for Vargas to pursue and complete the project.

"Im willing to wait or even waive my turn for the chairmanship. Kahit three seasons mag-chair si Ricky hanggang hindi tapos ang PBA coliseum, okay sa akin," said Chua.

Welcoats Raymund Yu pitched in his contribution by offering paints to be used in the entire complex.
 
Import-less Kings compete in Brunei Cup

The Philippine Star 08/17/2006

Barangay Ginebra has decided to play without an import in its coming 2006 Brunei Sultan Cup stint, using the tournament as an initial test for its newly souped-up roster.

The Kings are fielding in Eric Menk, Mark Caguioa, Rommel Adducul, Andy Seigle, Billy Mamaril, Rafi Reavis, Sunday Salvacion, Mark Macapagal, veteran free agents Allan Salangsang and Egay Echavez and rookie free agent Christian Coronel from San Sebastian.

The team is leaving Monday for the Brunei joust together with the San Miguel-RP team which sets out for back-to-back championships.

The Kings and the Nationals are up against Darwin-Australia, the Jordan All-Star squad and club teams from Korea and Japan.

"Were playing with an all-Filipino lineup so we can better gauge where or what aspect of the game we still need to build up on," said Ginebra team manager Allan Caidic.

Caidic stressed theyre yet to finalize their lineup for the coming 2006-07 PBA season despite the arrival of Mamaril and Reavis.

"Were still studying our options. There are trade offers for Rommel Adducul but were not giving it serious thoughts. We would probably get clearer picture after the draft," said coach Jong Uichico.

At the moment, Ginebra hopes to toughen up at guard spots with Rodney Santos and Jayjay Helterbrand still in the injured list together with forward Mike Holper. Nelson Beltran
 
What to know about D-Day
SPORTING CHANCE By Joaquin M. Henson
The Philippine Star 08/20/2006

There will be 20 players chosen in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) draft at the Market! Market! Activity Center in the Fort this afternoon and 27 others in the rookie pool will become unrestricted free agents after two rounds of selection.

Some draft applicants are actually hoping they wont be picked. Those who wont be drafted are free to negotiate with teams of their choice.

Those who are picked must come to terms with the teams that chose them or else sit out the season, without pay, and apply for next years draft all over again.

So dont shed tears for the 27 "undesirables." Their consolation is theyll be able to try out for the teams of their choice, not the other way around.

The D-Day (Draft Day) program starts at 3 p.m. Outgoing PBA chairman Ely Capacio of San Miguel Beer, who coached Purefoods to the 1991 All-Filipino championship, will be given a plaque of appreciation for a job well done during his one-year term. Incoming PBA chairman Ricky Vargas of Talk N Text and PBA commissioner Noli Eala will speak about the coming season. And newcomer Welcoat, whose team will be called the Dragons and coached by Leo Austria, will be introduced to the fans via an audiovisual presentation.

Surprise entertainment numbers by big showbiz stars are also in the afternoon bill.

The list of draft eligibles is down from 55 to 47. Struck out was 5-7 Chris Apaitan of Maguindanao, a no-show in the rookie camp. Apaitan, 29, begged for a chance to be included in the draft and with tears in his eyes, submitted his application at the PBA office after a verbal tussle with security guards who couldnt believe he was a rookie applicant, judging from the size of his stomach.

Withdrawing from the original cast were Philippine Basketball League MVP Joe Devance of the University of Texas at El Paso, former PBA cager Eric Reyes nephew Robbie, Alex Davin who has played for the City College of New York and in Norway (hell try his luck in Europe instead) and 6-5 University of the East center Angel Raymundo (no relation to Kerby although they look alike).

Jun-Jun Cabatu, Jay-R Reyes and Jay Sagad were also scratched from the roster after they were selected by Welcoat as direct-hires from the rookie pool as a concession to the expansion franchise.
* * *
The drafting order in the first round is as follows: Sta. Lucia Realty, Air21, Coca-Cola (the slot may still be given to San Miguel to complete a previous three-way trade with Air21 involving Dale Singson and Gary David), San Miguel (acquired from Air21), San Miguel, Sta. Lucia (acquired from Ginebra), Alaska, Talk N Text (acquired from Alaska via Red Bull in the Rich Alvarez trade), Purefoods and Welcoat.

The second round order is as follows: Welcoat, Coca-Cola (acquired from Talk N Text), Sta. Lucia, Coca-Cola, Air21, Coca-Cola (acquired from Ginebra via San Miguel), Coca-Cola (acquired from Ginebra), Alaska, Red Bull and Purefoods.

Unless a trade is consummated before the draft, Ginebra will not pick at all in both rounds. However, the Kings managed to shake up their lineup in the offseason by trading for Rafi Reavis, Billy Mamaril and Rudy Hatfields rights while giving up Kalani Ferreria, Aris Dimaunahan, Ervin Sotto and Manny Ramos.

If Coca-Cola decides to use its first round pick, the Tigers may end up with five choices overallincluding four in the second round.
* * *
Of the 46 players who attended the recent rookie camp, the tallest was 6-7 3/16 Mark Andaya and the shortest was 5-5 3/4 Boyet Bautista. Only six players were measured at least 6-4Andaya, 6-6 1/2 Reyes, 6-5 Philip Butel, 6-4 1/4 Michael Gavino, 6-4 Gabby Espinas and 6-4 Cabatu.

The heaviest was 250-pound Gavino. Aside from Gavino, five tipped the scales at over 220 poundsCabatu, Ariel de Castro, Sagad, Andaya and Ferdinand Daa.

Standing less than six feet were 18 rookies, including Joseph Yeo.

Six players boasted of wingspans of at least 200 inchesAndaya, Butel, Espinas, Rodel Mallari, Reyes and Arwind Santos.

Topping the list with 52 uninterrupted pushups were Don Dulay and Ronnie Bughao. Aaron Aban had the highest vertical leap at 11 feet and three inches with Mark Isip close behind at 11-1. Five players had at least 27 repetitions in the bench pressChristian Gutierrez (33), Harold Sta. Cruz (29), Gavino (29), Dulay (27) and Frederick Rodriguez (27).

Only nine players posted at least 10 straight pull-ups with Gutierrez notching 22 and Bughao 15 to lead the pack.

Arwind Santos, L. A. Tenorio, Kelly Williams and Yeo skipped the rookie camp because they were recruited for the national team that played in Qatar.
* * *
Among the 47 applicants, 10 indicated in their resumes theyre married, namely, Espinas, Sagad, Sta. Cruz, Paul Reguera, Rodriguez, Erlan Daja, Manuel Caceres, Mallari, Alfie Grijaldo and Bob Cozy (not Cousy) Ilanga. Four playersArwind Santos, Chris Pacana, Ryan Rizada and Erwin Sta. Mariadid not fill in the blank for civil status.

One player, Orvie Vidad, wrote "Filipino" under civil status. Vidad was born here but was raised and played hoops in England. His Filipino parents are both British citizens.

Letran is the No. 1 school with the most rookie applicants at eightJonathan Aldave, John Alcaraz, Sta. Cruz, Bautista, Aban, Andaya, Rodriguez and Ronjay Enrile. The University of the Philippines is next with four, namely, Jireh Ibanez, Abby Santos, Gavino and Reyes.

Four applicants were born in the USWilliams (the only rookie with NCAA Division I credentials, he played at Oakland University in Michigan), Pacana, Dulay and Christian Luanzon. And eight have played for schools or clubs overseasMark Magsumbol for the American Basketball Association team San Jose Skyrockets, Williams, Pacana, Glenn Perseveranda (Solano College in Suisun, California), Vidad, Dulay, Reguera (Indonesia) and Gutierrez.

Shoo-ins for the draft include Williams, Arwind Santos, Tenorio, Yeo, Isip, and Espinas. Darkhorse picks are Dulay, Pacana, Magsumbol, Abby Santos, Rizada, Andaya, Bughao, Chico Lanete, Bautista, Enrile, Robert Sanz and Aban.

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First Round:

1. Williams - Sta. Lucia
2. Arwind Santos - Air21
3. Yeo - Coke
4. Tenorio - SMB
5. Espinas - SMB
6. Isip - Sta. Lucia
7. Aban - Alaska
8. Andaya - TNT
9. Bautista - Purefoods
10. Abby Santos - Welcoat

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Nice grabs for SMB instant PG-C tandem hahaha. Time to throw away the oldies.

Nice looking out feathertouch!
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YEO FINALLY PENALIZED FOR ADMU-DLSU DREAM GAME INCIDENT
3-month mandatory community service meted out

Wednesday, 23 August 2006

Justice has finally been served in the Joseph Yeo-Enrico Villanueva spat in a PBA-sanctioned event eight months ago.

Finally falling under the jurisdiction of the pro league, Yeo was meted a penalty for a flagrant foul on Villanueva that nearly turned the Ateneo-La Salle Dream Game into a nightmare in December last year.

The sanction calls for a three-month mandatory community service the former La Salle player must attend to in the leagues various outreach programs.

PBA technical chief Perry Martinez said the sanction could have been stiffer if not for Yeos public apology after the incident and the voluntary service hes done with the national team.

It will be remembered that Yeo reached out to Villanueva days after the game. Yeo likewise apologized to the PBA and the fans.

Then the 5-foot-11 guard, called The Ninja, suited up with the Nationals in an exhibition game versus the Athletes in Action and in an invitational tourney in Qatar that also featured Angola, Latvia and the Qatar national team.

Theres a precedent in this case. Remember that Jimwell Torion served a long suspension on his flagrant foul against Jimmy Alapag. But commissioner Noli Eala took into consideration Yeos apology and service to the national team as mitigating circumstances, said Martinez.

Yeo was not yet under the jurisdiction of the PBA when he did it. But he did it in a PBA-sanctioned event, Martinez also said in justifying their sanction on the fiery guard picked No. 3 overall by Coca-Cola in Sundays Rookie Draft.

Yeo has finally fallen under the pro leagues jurisdiction when drafted by the Tigers.

Villanueva suffered a bloodied nose on Yeos flagrant foul that stopped the game for over 30 minutes. The benefit game resumed with only the pro players finishing the contest won by the Ateneo Blue Eagles curiously on a last-second triple by Villanueva.
 
Hatfield back to boost Ginebra cast

The Philippine Star 08/30/2006

Rudy Hatfield is back in town.

Hatfield arrived from Michigan Monday night, made a courtesy call on the San Miguel Corp. top bosses yesterday and is set to join the Barangay Ginebra Kings in practice at the Greenmeadow Gym this morning.

The 6-foo-3 Fil-Am player is to play serious ball for the first time since leaving the country last year in frustration over the status of his citizenship case.

"Obviously, he has gained weight," said Ginebra coach Jong Uichico of Hatfield who briefly watched the Kings practice after his visit to the SMC office yesterday.

"His body bulked up maybe because of more weights (exercises) and less running," Uichico added. "For sure, hell feel his way around first. But well see."

Ginebra team manager Allan Caidic said theyve yet to reach an agreement about a playing contract but Hatfield is already lined up for the PBA pre-season tourney starting Friday.

The Kings start their campaign in the pre-season against the Purefoods Chunkee Giants at 6 p.m. Saturday at the San Sebastian College-Cavite gym.

Hatfield landed at Ginebra as part of the three-way trade deal among Ginebra, Coke and Air21 that also involved other players in Billy Mamaril, Rafi Reavis, Kalani Ferreira, Manny Ramos, Ervin Sotto, Aris Dimaunahan and Ryan Bernardo.

It would be recalled the Hatfield abandoned Coca-Cola last year despite the impending lifting of his suspension in the league.

He reportedly tried his hand in wrestling and enrolled in a firemans course.

Meanwhile, Sta. Lucia Realty called up rookie free agent Ronnie Bughao to beef up its back court.

The Realtors are severely handicapped at point guard position at the moment with Paolo Mendoza and Jimwell Torion nursing injuries. Alex Cabagnot is facing lifetime ban in the league as requested by Sta. Lucia governor Buddy Encarnado.

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