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- The finals game is set between the RP Team and the Lebanese (again) after China was unceremoniously booted by Khatib and company to finish 3rd in quotient comparison.
- Drum roll, please. Finally saw a live basketball game yesterday courtesy of a most generous friend who is privy to the ins and outs of Philippine basketball. Unfortunately, this was the result.
- My thoughts, though not in any remarkable order
- Araneta coliseum, as a venue for great Filipino basketball, isn't great at all. Sure the playing court does serve its purpose but everything else is simply dirty and poorly-maintained. No wonder attendance is at a low, notwithstanding the level of play right now in the pro league.
- Watching games gives you access to sit with TV and movie female celebrities, who I guess are on the prowl of drafting (more of ensnaring) a gullible millionaire player. Nevertheless, these women add entertainment value to the games and being seated at quality patron seats, just a seat across SBP top brass, Mr. "MVP' Pangilinan makes you feel like royalty.
- Differences in height of about 3 inches really isn't that pronounced looking at players up close. I guess positioning, jumping ability and over-all athletic skills and 'determination' more than makes up for perceived physical disadvantages. Mark Caguioa was quite the spark on how he makes his way even among the tall and young Chinese. And I'm glad Asi wa able to find a wife considering the burden of sharing a bed his size.
- Lastly, and this really burst my bubble, there are quite a number of fans who ruin the game by shouting invectives by the minute (mostly at the poor referees) as if they own the country and would make excellent game officials, themselves. And they are not the ones in the bleachers. And to think there are plenty of kids. Nope, watching a basketball game live isn't for the family, unless you'd like to teach about sportsmanship, not. If I do remember, this is still a basketball game and we are not looking at any life-saving situation and this won't show us the way towards eliminating poverty.
- There's not much you can read about him and most articles allude to him as 'exciting as a brocolli' But not only is he a certified basketball all-time great, yet he also isn't a superstar by our typical definition. In his own words, Tim Duncan.
This statement came from RP Team coach Chot Reyes after the team absorbed another setback from emerging Asian basketball power, Jordan in yesterday's Jones Cup match.
Watching the game, it became obvious that lack of ceiling remains a problem for the team as we were out-rebounded by Jordan (although statistically, the discrepancy seemed less, 43-34 for Jordan whose average height was around 6'6.5").
Except for the crucial missed free throws, our P Team showed grit and nowhere is it more evident than in the inspired plays of the guards who carried the scoring load for the team. Overall, the team defense was good and may need a few tweaks that can be remedied by a good conditioning program that will allow the players to peak at the right time and put enough pressure defense to last the whole ballgame.
Pinoys can sleep well tonight even after this loss. It wasn't a victory but sure feels like one.
Need inspiration, Coach? Need not look any further. Here is true Pinoy progress! Peace.
For the fourth straight day, Our P Team played in matches that were decidedly close. Fortunately, this time, we came out on top.
This one is memorable on two fronts. First, it somehow soothed the bitter sting of absorbing back-to-back last second losses to Lebanon and uhmmm, Japan. (The Coach Chot Experiments) And second, this was a sort of revenge against the team that literally tore our hearts after escaping with a miracle shot to oust us in the semis in the Busan Games. (Unfair!)
Here is an article about the victory courtesy of the quick-writing, Mr. Aldrin Cardona. He also writes about Coach Chot's 'current Mid East flavor bandwagon' shoutout on Pilipinas basketball. I wonder if Mr. Paul Shirley's interested? He is no Greg Oden but really interesting player who has brains and especially, height. If he only knew, how passionate we are about basketball. Somebody introduce him to Mr. Engelland, please.
Great game, boys! (Plus, the game-finishing 3 on 1 fastbreak slam was awesome! )
It was a far cry back in May when Our P Team was still definitely trying to learn the ropes after a hurried formation for a basketball team. Yet, that was to be expected given the limited preparation. We all groped for information during their training stint in Belgrade. We've heard the good news about Gabe Norwood doing well for the team and quite good at it. You have a feeling that this team is progressing and a far cry from the time when they were in Tehran.
Now comes the Jones Cup in Taiwan. Yes, this is more of a learning trip and Coach Chot reminded all that winning the Cup isn't the priority. The team even brought 4 new recruits in the hopes of finding out who among the roster will make it to the final one in Tokushima. Somehow, Filipinos still hoped that we come out on top after 9 games in 9 days.
We started well.
The team even showed up a strong Asian contender in the face of a tall Lebanese team. Never mind that we lost by a prayer. We liked what we saw most of the game and despite the coaching experiments and employing the services of different players all game long, we knew we had the talent. Shades of Busan? Nahh.
But a Game 3 loss to a weak Japan this afternoon and again on a last second miscue (or more of a last quarter meltdown for the second consecutive day) can be too hard to accept.
We'll see how the boys respond to their next game . . . while I convince myself that all this will bear the ultimate fruit.
Just found out that RP team lost 77-109 to Al Jalaa of Syria (now battling SABA of host Iran for the title) in the semifinals held May 19, 2007. I've tried scouring for details but this is all I could get for the moment.
Notwithstanding the losses, I think the boys learned valuable lessons in Asian international competition that will serve them well for the Olympic qualifiers later in Japan. If all the boys reach peak form and barring any freak injuries, I think we could sneak in just like the day they got past Lebanon in a surprise breakthrough performance.
Congratulations to the players, coaching and training staff. Keep on honing those hoop skills while I go grieve a little more for the Suns and watch an inevitable Spurs run to another NBA title.
After 2 games, 2 losses.
First game against SABA of host Iran, our boys simply could not get past Goliath. Our boys were out-rebounded (40-27) and had 20 turn-overs.
Bright spot. Field goal percentages were good although we could be better at the free throw line.
Against Astana of Kazakhstan the next game, the boys weren't lucky either losing 66-75. Seigle and Caguioa combined for 39 points to lead the offense although we probably lost, again, from the free throw line, missing 12 (7 of which by Caguioa himself). Wowaweewa.
Since we don't get to watch the games (and we're busy watching the NBA playoffs), we'll just have to settle for game stats found here. 1st game and 2nd game (both pdf files).
I don't think the boys have really shown how good they could be but a win the next game could provide the bounce in the step towards the right direction. Best of luck to them.
The team is already back from their training stint in California and as of today are in the midst of the festivities for this year's PBA All Star Game. Somehow got across a footage of the team while playing in California. It ends with each player introducing themselves and greeting families. I don't know but it felt weird having hearing these guys speak mostly about their home (and it sure isn't my native Philippines). Anyway, hats off to Coach Reyes for his message in Tagalog. Good to be reminded they are doing this for flag and country.
Just want to show you the roster of the last Philippine team to qualify for the Olympics. Notice the difference compared with the present one. 100% homegrown. I can identify with the true locals but I guess its evolution.
Before I forget, thanks to youtube user 'manoyl' for the video.
He was a vital cog in Geoge Mason's 2006 Final Four team and has his sights on making it to the NBA but just in case, Mr Eala would be more than pleased to have him playing here. I can see him dominating the locals with his athleticism the first time he visits the court and will surely raise the level of play in the PBA. More from Mr Henson.
Finally got our first international trophy after the FIBA sanction which is quite sweet especially for the PBL troops. It is time we send in the big boys now to Tehran for the Asia Champions Cup.
Our team added another pair of wins the past week. One against a decent team and finally over a US Div 1 team. More than that, though, is the discovery of Gabe Norwood, who may actually play for the team should the basketball gods continue to bless us. Who's he? Ok, past news on the team he recently played for.
Okay, Kevin Durant has declared he is moving to the NBA. He has been sensational in his first and only college stint at Texas and we just hope we'd have enough NBA games televised for whichever team gets to draft him. But why do I feel I like Greg Oden more. Maybe it's because of stories such as this one.
Just read that our P Team is scheduled to be back from their US stint. It wasn't that bad really and they had respectable showings against some teams they played with. But never thought they had that much dough to spend. It better bring us something or else... Thanks to Mr. Q Henson for the update.
I don't really know what to think of this but overkill might be close. To think we have imports playing with the team, in case we're overmatched?!
Our team is now 2-1, the latest coming from a commanding victory over a Division II, Cal State-Dominguez team. Maybe the rest and some adjustments from the lessons learned following their rematch with the Fame team, got the boys pumped up.
Looks like Mark Caguioa and Danny Seigle are shaping up to be the primary offensive options. It'll be nice to receive info about the over-all team play, though. Does anybody have any idea if Coach Chot keeps watch over certain stats to help the team gain perspective on their performances? Apparently, Pat Riley believes he's got statsheet that has a high percentage indicator whether the Heat will win or will lose.
Whoa, this is something, well, at least for the Philippine Hoop-lala! I hope to get more details, or footage, perhaps, to better gauge the team play. Better tune in to see how Bryon Russell plans to exact revenge in the rematch set for next week (not sure?). I'm not sure he knows but we have somebody who may be secretly working for our team, and he is not just a towel boy! Oh, wait, there could be another one - she who is reported to be the current flame of one of the team owners. Oh, gossip. Can't help it.
Not that I never wanted a shoe in my mouth, but Florida really has the firepower to annex a second title in NCAA hoops this year with a returning starting five (add that to a football title they currently own). My take:
1. Threes. OSU wasn't able to connect nor defend as much as they would have wanted and the result was devastating.
2. Team play. Is it Billy Donovan or the boys simply sticking around with each other and motivating themselves that manifested itself on court? I guess, it is both, plus a deeper bench and a whole lot of sacrifice. Brewer was the x-factor - shades of Pippen?!
OSU wasn't that bad either and you'd have to give it to fab frosh duo who showed they do have what it takes to play in a bigger stage. Big Oden calmly showed true form (and really showed up Florida's Big Three) in what may be his last collegiate game. Can't believe he lumbers quite slowly only to get lightning-quick whenever a Gator ball would go up his airspace - like frog-tongue to a fly! Conley, Jr. plowed the whole game and really had quick hands but the ball just wouldn't stay with them. Heck of a game, still!
NBA again, anyone?
The trash-talking Florida boys may just be too tough to beat. Even if the Ohio State Buckeyes are versatile enough to play with or without Oden, I don' think Mr. future-NBA No. 1 (or 2) pick and the rest of Coach Matta's crew has what it takes to keep the Gators from being the next NCAA repeat champs after Duke and UCLA. Unless, Oden becomes invisible to the refs, I think he'll be in even worse foul-trouble than the previous games. Anyway, I like both teams and I'm a sucker for miracles. I just hope we'll get treated to seeing how these excellent collegiate ballers display their skills and showcase the potential that we come to anticipate.
Brackets were almost right to a T, but it wasn't easy for these two No. 1's and two No. 2's. Do we have a repeat? Dunno, but it will be hard to bet against them.
Emilio 'Jun' Bernardino Jr. always looked approachable and never was intimidating. After all, he had a segment for the PBA basketball telecast called 'man on the ball' where he would often be at courtside speaking to the different basketball personalities. I was surprised that he was named commish since he never really looked the part and his demeanor was anything but 'bossy'. But, boy, was he on top of things and for the good of the league. He sure was a hard act to follow. More than than, I bet he was a good, human being. His passing, while attending a party he helped organize for a friend, came as a shock to everyone. This is sad news.
When former US NCAA basketball Coach Mike Jarvis issued a challenge to press the mute in my remote, I did and it opened my eyes to the nuances of the game. Now here's another interesting article courtesy of Blazers Edge. I'm getting schooled and I'm grateful for it!
I still cannot help equating the Wizards with MJ and Kwame even after all these years. But one Agent is helping me get over that. It really is a Takeover (and the best part is that he does seem like most of us except he's getting it done in the NBA). Although, I thought the Sonics deserved to win this one but won't mind getting a '0' jersey.
Congratulations! Coach Ron is in and so is Mr. Dante Silverio and 8 other Philippine basketball personalities. Read more about the second batch of inductees.
My guess is Mr. Mikee Romero of Harbour Center really loves his basketball or he wouldn't mind going to Nigeria and learn more about the team that participated in the Fiba championships. Anyway, I just hope his crew has done its work on the other participating teams or it would be quite an exile. Anybody has report on who the reinforcements will be for the other teams? At no other time has basketball been more emphasized as a team sport. Good to know that they don't expect this to be a walk in the park.
Since we're celebrating March Madness ( sorry Dukies), allow me to segue to the brilliance and tragedy of a basketball player and a person that is Pete Maravich - one of, if not, the greatest player to play college basketball.
More than an athlete, Pete was a tortured soul. There are plenty of great athletes but more than the beauty, it's the labour, both physically and mentally, that draws people to shake their heads and wonder how life is such a mystery after all the applause has died down. People like reading about achievements but it is the struggle which ultimately draws the connections with humankind - to remind everyone what it is to be human.
So please, if you've some money to spend and would like a great read on basketball, not just a sport but as an interesting story about a remarkable man, pick Maravich (and if you're through, send them to me). Fon now, I can only read Bill. And I could always wish for some more.
To think I had been pondering over setting up multiple kiddie hoop goals - but now resolve to delay teaching my daughter about basketball, not until she has been toilet-trained.
The NCAA tournament starts in a few hours and America will be glued to their box sets henceforth. Yet, the NBA isn't just about to roll over and succumb in envy to the hoopla. So, what do we get. It's Phoenix and Dallas in a memorable game. Pity to every fan who missed this one (just like Dirk missing those free throws that could've changed the outcome). The crowd was on its feet (and so was I at home). Plenty of highlights, skills-wise. Nash, Dirk, Jason, Dampier, Marion, Stackhouse, Howard, Bell, Barbosa played brilliantly but game ball belongs to Amare - not to the refs! MVP if awarded today? Nahhh. sshhh.... It may be different come April 1? Who knows?
Great prelude to the March Madness, don't you think! The NBA sends its regards, in exchange for a 2 freshmen playing for Texas and for Ohio State. Fair enough?
From what I've read, his size was the only exceptional thing one would notice at the junior varsity tournaments when he played here. His numbers weren't that noteworthy but look at what training and determination can accomplish. And he's got brains, too! Go, Gian!
Sure, there maybe other noteworthy Filipino players that should be included in our Hall of Fame but lets leave that to the experts and historians for now. In terms of giving a lot of effort to national hoops' cause (notwithstanding the hefty salary from San Miguel Corp top honcho Danding Cojuangco), I rank Coach Ron near the top of the list. No doubt that even with his quirks, he brought a different perspective and revolutionized basketball play here.
It has been 2 decades but he, along with Chip Engelland, Samboy Lim, Allan Caidic and Hector Calma represented the 'team' Philippines as never been done before. Winning the Jones Cup in 85 against a US Team coached by Gene Keady, participating in Europe where they emerged crowd darlings because of skills displayed despite lack of height were truly notable moments in my basketball memory (aside from watching in an old, beat up box of a TV set). Coach Ron was passionate yet scientific. Chip (now with the Spurs) was sure deadly as a shooter. Allan, Chip's protege, was to become the best outside shooter not just here but in Asia for years to come. Samboy was our MJ (except that Samboy's competitiveness was outshone by his almost saintly humility). And Hector Calma, a true point guard who was different at that time because he played heads-up at 5'8", fundamentally sound basics (even against the great Drazen Petrovic who guarded him), the most similar of which to describe him would be Chris Paul and no one else. I could go on and on . . .
So to Coach Ron. Hang in there and congratulations!
(To Wikipedia and its contributors, a big, big thanks)
Sleepers and busts - check out college teams that are likely to win it all during the March Madness. Comes handy especially if you're the betting-type. UNC. Kansas. Florida or Kansas or UCLA. or Greg Oden's Ohio State. Me, clueless as ever. I'm rooting for the underdogs.
I guess the future of basketball in the Philippines is quite secure. There's Ray Parks Jr and Justin Chua. Paging Coach Chot. This maybe old news but it certainly reeks of freshness and promise. He will also be the first Filipino to play in a US Division 1 college basketball program after sitting out the 2006-07 season due to transfer rules? Want to find out who? And this Hilltopper has got some hops, too!
Ever heard of Google Trends? With Google Trends, you can compare the world's interest in your favorite topics (or more specifically, it shows users' propensity to search for that topic). It displays how frequently your topics have appeared in Google News stories, and which geographic regions have searched for them most often. See for yourself. Type 'basketball' in the Search Trend box and see what region ranks the highest. So what? Nothing worth your dollar except that we like to type 'basketball' and search that in Google. Thanks to Hoopaddict.com for pointing this one out.
Sure, there'll be proms a plenty this month of March but that isn't what I meant by Big Dance. It maybe thousands of miles away from where we live (thank God for cable TV) but for every hoops fan, it may well be the best hoops tournament there is in terms of spilling guts on the hardwood and towel-draped, future millionaire-hopefuls shedding tears - win or lose. Want to read why the coming NBA draft is worth looking forward to, read now and go to ESPN Page 2 or CNNSI. Click away!
Now that the Team has started training, Coach Chot Reyes may learn a thing or two on how to beat a Chinese team with Yao Ming. It won't be easy but this may give us a clue . Anybody here has evidence that Leandro Barbossa may have Filipino blood. He'll be a shoo-in to the team.
Our Team had its first official training yesterday. No Hatfield (wedding), Reavis (shoulder repair) nor the fast and furious tandem of Ginebra, Jayjay Helterbrand and Mark Caguioa (still in the US but will play). Fortunately, it didn't dampen the commish's spirit one bit.
Coach Chot recently answered why James Yap wasn't included in the Team. Personally, I think Coach Chot and the advisers made the right choice although the Yap's recent on-air squabble certainly made things easier. Honest.
One player I was really pinning my hopes to elevate his performance and make a defensive impact for our Philippine Team is Rudy Hatfield. He is quite a burly pest for opposing teams with his game-long defensive pressure and would've been the starting small/power forward for our team. Alas, again luck (or lack of it) would rear its ugly head! Only this time, love is the culprit! Thanks to Mr. Nelson Beltran of Philstar for the scoop. Anyway, congratulations to Rudy and his bride!
They said he was trying to look for first Filipino to play in NBA but so far, no go. I've read how he was slammed for a lot of draft busts for the Raptors particularly Araujo (same 2004 draft where they missed Iguodala and Al Jefferson! Tsk.) and the following year taking big men Charlie Villanueva and Joey Graham over Danny Granger, David Lee and maybe Gerald Green. Hope they've learned their lessons though and got the best pick on the previous draft in the person of Andrea Barganani. Some animated discussion here on Jim's visit and the lack of NBA material a.k.a. height in the Philippines.
Another scoop courtesy of Gameface via Ms. Celis . Looks like Justin Chua is a future PBA No. 1 pick - not Greg Oden-big but tall for our standards and he's only 15. Guess, I will have to start watching more high school and college hoops to better see how RP basketball will be for years to come.
With all the Fil-Ams lording it over the PBA Pro-league, isn't it about time we have another part Filipino, part American talent worth salivating about? Basketball diva, Beth Celis, wrote some interesting tidbit about Mr. Bobby Parks' son by his Filipina wife. I guess, Ray (or Reyrey) was born here but now studying in Parks' homestate of Tennessee. I tried to dig other stories about this kid and here's one that I got!
Trivia: Did you know Bobby Parks had an NCAA Basketball Final Four appearance with the Memphis State (now Memphis) Tigers then was drafted by the Atlanta Hawks in the NBA. Here is something about the impressive and adopted Filipino from an article by Mr. Jason Smith.
Mighty bit too late but I have to start somewhere and I see nothing better than this one.
I don't know about other Filipinos but I admit I still have high hopes for RP basketball. Now that the FIBA suspension has been lifted (see how politics tend to improve everything it touches), it is time we start working to get that Olympic slot and make good on that 'Astig' motto.
Remember the 1996 Centenial team back then. I thought we had a formidable line-up capable of at least going to the Asian Games finals. But then the fates intervened. On a tune-up against the visiting Qataris (look how they fared in the recent Asian Games held in their own turf), Danny 'high-flying' Seigle landed badly and had a serious ankle sprain. But it didn't end there because in the semis, a prayer of a three by the dreaded Koreans, virtually sank the entire nation on its knees and left us out of gold medal contention. Anyway, I guess we still do have the skills to mix it up even if without the height.
So, do we have the best players on our new team? I think we have a crack team skills-wise but I would sleep better if these players would be able to play and jell as a team should in time for the Olympic qualifying in Japan. Do I hear doubters and naysayers? So what does Coach Chot Reyes has to say:
“We wanted to make sure that the team we picked is the best team, not necessarily the best players or the best talents, because in the end, the only way we’re going to win is if we have superior teamwork and if we have a lot of players willing to sacrifice their individual goals and interests for the good of the team.”
Is he a genius or what (score points for PR though)?! Read more about the entire line-up here .
Last question: I had to do a double take but did I miss James Yap's name on the list?! I admit I haven't seen how he played the last conference but wasn't he just the previous year's MVP? Uhhm, does his recent troubles with the missus have anything to do with this? I just HOPE everything turns out fine for them especially with their baby expected this April.
Go, Philippines!
