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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! )
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
