27th FIBA Asia Championship [Manila, Philippines, Aug 1-11]

[cerow0]

Gilas players laud Alapag's leadership
ABS-CBNnews.com
Posted at 07/03/2013 6:32 PM | Updated as of 07/03/2013 6:32 PM

                               


MANILA, Philippines – Ask members of the Gilas Pilipinas pool who’s the most deserving to play for the Philippine flag and they’d point to PBA vet Jimmy Alapag.

Naturalized player Marcus Douthit told PBA.ph that this year’s FIBA Asia Championship will complete Alapag’s career.

“He has given his heart and soul to this country and this is the only way he can go out with a bang and to let his name be a part of history,” he said of the Talk ‘N Text stalwart.

LA Tenorio and Gary David both agreed that Alapag’s leadership is important for the team, which is why the squad needs the 35-year-old playmaker.
 
Tenorio also believes that Alapag’s wealth of experience will be beneficial for Gilas Pilipinas.

“Sobrang laking bagay ni Jimmy sa team. Not only his talent, but he’s also the leader of the team. And with his experience, malaking bagay yun. Isa siya sa buhay ng team kaya dapat lang andun siya sa final lineup,” he said.

“Yung leadership niya ang malaking bagay talaga. Kaya dapat andyan siya sa final 12,” David said for his part.

Asi Taulava and former Gilas team captain Chris Tiu agreed.

“Of course, he deserves to be on that team. He’s the leader and young guys need his leadership. They need a veteran like Jimmy,” said Taulava, a former team mate of Alapag.

Tiu said one thing he admired in Alapag was his courage.

“He’s called Mighty Mouse, but he has the lion’s heart,” said Tiu. “There’s no question that Jimmy Alapag is the leader of the national team and he should be included in the final lineup.”

[cerow0]

                 

03/07/2013
LIB - Lebanon leave home shores full of hope
 
BEIRUT, Lebanon (27th FIBA Asia Championship): The Lebanese National Team left Beirut for Chinese Taipei for the William Jones Cup en route to 27th FIBA Asia Championship to be played in Manila from Aug 1-11 with loads of prayers from their fans backing them.

Right now, prayers of the fans is one of the driving forces that is powering the Cedars forward after tumultuous phase of preparation of the roster. Now that the talismanic Fadi El Khatib in on the plane to Taipei and the naturalized American Lo Woods promising to join the team in East Asia, coach Ghassan Sarkis can at least heave a partial sigh of relief.

Yet the injury to Elie Rustom and the uncertainty around the availability of Julian Khazzouh is enough to keep Sarkis on his toes for the next few days till Lebanon will be forced to submit their roster of 12 for the 27th FIBA Asia Championship.

Lebanon are drawn with Qatar, Japan and Hong Kong in Group B of Prelim Round competition at the 27th FIBA Asia Championship. Lebanon will start their campaign with a game against Hong Kong. Complete schedule of the 27th FIBA Asia Championship

FIBA Asia

                                                     

[cerow0]

Gilas flexes muscles against Barako Bull in tuneup game, draws praises from Rajko Toroman
Rey Joble, InterAKTV · Saturday, July 6, 2013 · 10:13 pm
                               


Sports5/Paul Mata
The Philippine national men’s basketball team displayed a preview of its lethal form, making quick work of the PBA’s Barako Bull Energy Colas, 84-67, in a tuneup game on Saturday at the Ynares Sports Center.

Big men June Mar Fajardo, Marcus Douthit, and Ranidel de Ocampo took turns pouncing their smaller Barako Bull counterparts while Gary David, Jayson Castro, and Beau Belga hit their stride from the perimeter, as their balanced offense was simply too much for the Energy Colas, who played without an import and three key local players.

The Philippine team led from start to finish and two three-pointers by Belga in the last four minutes simply kept Barako Bull at bay.

Apart from allowing the national players to play a new team, the game also allowed Barako Bull team consultant Rajko Toroman to take a look at the squad. Toroman, a former coach of SMART-Gilas Pilipinas and a veteran of international basketball, has been sharing his insights to the coach Chot Reyes and the national team coaching staff.

Toroman was impressed.

“That’s a very tall team. I think, never in the history of the Philippine basketball that they had such a tall team,” said Toroman, who called the shots for Barako Bull during the game.

“They have everything. They have size, they have player on the position No. 4 who can shoot the ball, like Ranidel, they can spread the floor. They have great defenders. They’re a tough class to play.”

The Energy Colas missed the services of swingman Allein Maliksi (swollen knee) and Eman Monfort (ankle).

Mick Pennisi, Barako Bull’s starting center, also did not play due to a personal commitment in Pampanga.

The Energy Colas are still waiting for the arrival of their import Mike Singletary on July 10.

Toroman noted that even though Barako Bull was still out of shape, the team was able to give Gilas a workout.

Amid all the praises for the team, Reyes said the team still needs a lot of improvement with the FIBA Asia Championship less than a month away.

“I thought we played with a lot of effort. Some good things on offense and defense, but still a lot of things to work on,” said Reyes.

“But we need to play games like this to be able to surface those things. No matter how hard we practice, nothing simulates games like this.”

               

                                             

                                                                                                               

[cerow0]

'Unscouted' Castro hopes to be an ace up Gilas'
Richard Dy
July 07, 2013, 05:22 pm
                           
                               

Gilas Pilipinas guard Jason Castro is an athletic small man who has evolved into a complete player for Talk 'N Text with his much-improved perimeter shooting. Jerome Ascano   Gilas Pilipinas guard Jason Castro is an athletic small man who has evolved into a complete player for Talk 'N Text with his much-improved perimeter shooting. Jerome Ascano

JASON Castro may just be the ace up the sleeve of Gilas Pilipinas in the Fiba-Asia Championship.

The 5-foot-11 guard is one of the few unscouted members of the national team in international competition and is likely to play a key role in the nationals’ bid to land one of the top three spots in the August 1-11 tournament for a berth in the Fiba-World Basketball Championship next year.

National coach Chot Reyes said Gilas' failure to defend its Jones Cup championship in Taipei may end up as a blessing in disguise since it leaves other teams in the dark on the final makeup of the host team.

“We would like to keep our cards close to our chest,” Reyes told the Inquirer on Saturday. “Not being invited to the Jones Cup will keep everyone in the dark, as far as our team’s composition is concerned. Let’s keep it that way for as long as we can.”

One of those "surprises" should be Castro, an athletic small man who has evolved into a complete player for Talk 'N Text with his much-improved perimeter shooting.

The former Philippine Christian University star, however, was quick to play down expectations, saying the fact that he is largely unexposed in tournaments overseas comes with negatives as well since he has to make adjustments on the fly.

“Parang sa akin, `yun nga ang sinasabi na may advantage ako dahil sa bilis ko and hindi pa ako scouted ng ibang teams,” said Castro when Spin.ph caught up with him on Saturday night following Gilas’ 84-67 win over Barako Bull in a practice game at the Ynares Center in Pasig.

"Pero tingin ko at the same time, may disadvantage din kasi experience ko di pa gaano kalaki sa international (competitions)," he added.

Castro said his training with Gilas has been a long adjustment period as he gets used to international play. He even had to get used to the more stringent Fiba rules on travelling violation after being called for errors thrice during one Gilas game in Lithuania.

“May game na tatlong beses ako nag-travel sa Lithuania kaya number one na in-adjust ko talaga `yun. Sana naman maging advantage ako sa team para magamit ko quickness ko,” he added.

Castro and the rest of Gilas Pilipinas is set to leave on Tuesday afternoon for a 10-day training camp and series of tune-up matches in New Zealand.

[cerow0]

 When:Tue 16 Jul, 7:00pm
Where:Te Rauparaha Arena, 17 Parumoana St, Porirua - Mana Show map
Restrictions:All Ages
Tickets:
Adult: $12.00
Child (5 - 15yrs): $5.00
Family (2A &3C): $30.00
VIP: $25.00
Buy Tickets – 0800 224 224
Website:www.terauparaha-are ... pines-gilas



International basketball is hitting the courts of Porirua!

A Wellington Saints Invitation team, which includes Tall Blacks legend Phil Jones and your Saints favourites Dillon Boucher and Bryant Markson, will be playing a one off game against the Smart Gilas, the national team of the Philippines.

This is a one off game and the only game they will be playing in the lower North Island. It is the first time ever the Smart Gilas have ever played in New Zealand and will be bringing a full strength team here as they prepare for their Asian World Championship Qualifiers.

The Smart Gilas includes Marcus Douthit, an ex-NBA centre with the experience of playing in the best leagues throughout the world.

Don't miss out on the opportunity to catch these two teams battle it out on court!

Doors Open: 6:30pm
Tip-off: 7:00pm


                 

                                         

[jamesbond]

   salamat sa thread na toh... i just hope and pray na sana maka-third man lang tayo... pero yung inaasam asam na mag-champion tayo eh malabo.... common sense dictates that basketball is a sport for taller men and well-financed teams... sino ba naman ang ayaw na mag-champion ang Gilas team natin pero sa tingin ko hanggang pagho-host na lang tayo ng mga ganitong events.... I think Iran is the team to beat... yung dream natin na sana one day ay makapasok tayo sa basketball Olympics eh yun nga, just a dream.... take note, makapasok lang sa Olympics ha hindi pa yung maka-Gold ang pangarap natin.... kulang pa tayo sa athleticism at height... yeah, magaling si Jason Castro no doubt about it kaso kulang naman sa height... meron tayong Douthit kaso american yun at naturalized lang, so even though may marating ang team Gilas wala pa din bearing yun at may halong american ang team natin, haaaayysss.......  Just hoping for the best for our team..... 

[cerow0]

Who's odd man out? Players in bubble await as Chot makes final Gilas cut

By Snow Badua
July 10, 2013, 09:14 pm
             
             

Larry Fonacier, left, Japeth  Aguilar, and Beau Belga are among the players in the bubble as Gilas Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes makes the final cut in his team for the Fiba-Asia championships. Jerome Ascano   Larry Fonacier, left, Japeth  Aguilar, and Beau Belga are among the players in the bubble as Gilas Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes makes the final cut in his team for the Fiba-Asia championships. Jerome Ascano

NATIONAL coach Chot Reyes will make the final cut in the Gilas Pilipinas team to the Fiba-Asia championships on Thursday, taking out one player from the current 13-man pool that is now deep in training in New Zealand.

And who could that be? Spin.ph asked around and this is what we came up with.

Big men June Mar Fajardo and Ranidel de Ocampo are shoo-ins to join naturalized center Marcus Douthit in the Gilas frontline.

The backcourt will definitely have combo guard Gabe Norwood, Jones Cup MVP LA Tenorio and Reyes' favorite slasher Jason Castro.

On the other hand, Gary David and Jeff Chan’s ability to hit from long range and attack the basket give them the edge over other players in the two-guard position.

That leaves Marc Pingris, Beau Belga, Japeth Aguilar, Jimmy Alapag and Larry Fonacier in the bubble.

Belga was the last addition to what was originally a 17-man pool but has been showing a lot of upsides for the national team since he was drafted five weeks ago.

Even Douthit has been very vocal in vouching for the big guy.

“He is pushing every single body on the floor. He gives up his body for everyone. I think it’ll be a great decision for coach Chot to keep him in the roster,” said Douthit of Belga, who also has the longest shooting range among the Gilas big men.

Pingris maybe an undersized forward when thrown against Asian counterparts, but Barako Bull Energy Cola coach Bong Ramos believes the Pangasinense will be a valuable piece for Gilas in the Manila showpiece.

“Energy guy si Marc. Mahusay pumuwesto sa rebound, magaling an timing. Saka iba yung hustle niya sa depensa. Maraming pwedeng gulating Asyano iyan,” said Ramos, a longtime international coach.

Former Gilas coach Rajko Toroman thinks Alapag can still be the "glue guy" of the team.

“Jimmy is an experienced point guard, he is deadly in the pick and roll. He can shoot long range. He has a high IQ,” said Toroman, who handled Alapag in the first Gilas Pilipinas team.

“Defensively he might have a problem because of the size, but he is the most veteran in the pool and that will be very important,” added the Serb.

Meanwhile, 2009 Team Pilipinas mentor Yeng Guiao sees his former player, Fonacier, as a "cold-blooded assassin" who can shoot down opponents once he hit his stride.

“Everybody knows the capabilities of Larry and how he has won games with his clutch shots,” said Guiao, who said the former Ateneo star has the ability on defense to "cover all angles."

Lastly, there's Aguilar, who was used sparingly by Toroman in the last Gilas team to the Fiba-Asia wars and was under-utilized by Reyes during his time with Talk 'N Text.

However, Aguilar’s last coach in the PBA, Junel Baculi, believes Japeth’s athleticism will make a difference for the national team.

“His athleticism for a 6-foot-9 guy, malaking bagay 'yun. Help side defense niya will be a plus for us. Saka yung mga malalaking guard at wingmen ng ibang bansa, he has the agility para sumabay sa mga yun,” said Baculi.

But Baculi said there is also a downside to Aguilar’s game: “Inexperience niya minsan sa paglalaro, yun ang downside. But in international play I’m sure nasanay na rin siya kasi matagal sa Gilas since Toroman pa di ba?”

[cerow0]

  salamat sa thread na toh... i just hope and pray na sana maka-third man lang tayo... pero yung inaasam asam na mag-champion tayo eh malabo.... common sense dictates that basketball is a sport for taller men and well-financed teams... sino ba naman ang ayaw na mag-champion ang Gilas team natin pero sa tingin ko hanggang pagho-host na lang tayo ng mga ganitong events.... I think Iran is the team to beat... yung dream natin na sana one day ay makapasok tayo sa basketball Olympics eh yun nga, just a dream.... take note, makapasok lang sa Olympics ha hindi pa yung maka-Gold ang pangarap natin.... kulang pa tayo sa athleticism at height... yeah, magaling si Jason Castro no doubt about it kaso kulang naman sa height... meron tayong Douthit kaso american yun at naturalized lang, so even though may marating ang team Gilas wala pa din bearing yun at may halong american ang team natin, haaaayysss.......  Just hoping for the best for our team..... 

thnx for sharing sir ....


sana nga kahit 3rd place man lng ...... mahirap cguro pero possible din
tutal tayo ang host kaya malaking bagay din ang home court advantage 
ang naturalized player nmn ay legal at allowed ng Fiba basta isa lang.
manalo matalo basta lumalaban proud ako sa team Pilipinas .......

[cerow0]

finally.......

Gilas releases final lineup for FIBA Asia Championship; Beau Belga last cut
Rey Joble, InterAKTV · Thursday, July 11, 2013 · 12:33 pm
Photo courtesy of Chot Reyes

                         

InterAKTV has learned that the Philippine national men’s basketball team has made forward Beau Belga the final cut to trim the team down to the required 12 names with the deadline of final lineups for the 2013 FIBA Asia Championships in Manila fast approaching.

Gilas now has its final 12 in naturalized center Marcus Douthit, Jimmy Alapag, Jayson Castro, Ranidel De Ocampo and Larry Fonacier of Talk ‘N Text, Rain or Shine’s Jeff Chan and Gabe Norwood, Ginebra’s LA Tenorio and Japeth Aguilar, GlobalPort’s Gary David, San Mig Coffee forward Marc Pingris and rookie June Mar Fajardo of Petron Blaze.

Gilas coach Chot Reyes included the input of several people in the process, but admitted the decision remained tough.

“(It was) very difficult. We talked to the players involved, and even included coach Kestutis (Kemzura) and (coach Tab Baldwin) in the process,” Reyes said in a text message.
                         
“I just e-mailed final 12 to SBP.”
               
Coaches Kemzura and Baldwin lent Gilas a hand in their training camps in Lithuania and New Zealand, respectively.

[cerow0]

 Gilas Pilipinas final 12......

                     




 
                     

[kingjames24szupladoh]

Check out the Gilas Pilipinas lineup for FIBA-Asia Championships here: http://www.rappler.com/sports/specials/311-team-pilipinas/33494-gilas-pilipinas-fiba-asia-2013-final-lineup

[cerow0]

Here's a link for photos of the game between Gilas and The Wellington Saints

http://photowellington.photoshelter.com/gallery/20130716-International-Basketball-Saints-Invitaton-Team-v-Pilipinas-Gilas/G0000wkd7rvn8QAg/

[silverado]

go gilas for gold! or bronze puwedeng puwede na

[cerow0]

PHI - Douthit sits out, but rousing win for Gilas Pilipinas

                       
 
AUCKLAND, New Zealand (27th FIBA Asia Championship): Buoyed by a sellout crowd, Philippines made light of the Marcus Douthit’s absence to post a rousing 95-77 win over Super City Rangers on Wednesday in the penultimate game of their tour Down Under in preparation to host the 27th FIBA Asia Championship to be played in Manila from Aug 1-11.

Douthit, the naturalized center who holds the key to Philippines hopes of a top-three finish at the 27th FIBA Asia Championship, took a break keeping in mind the visitors’ game against the Tall Blacks on Thursday.

“We rested Marcus for tomorrow’s game against the Tall Blacks, but this win is going to be a good preparation against them,” Philippines coach Chot Reyes told InterAKTV.

Assistant coach Josh Reyes paid tribute to the warm support from the Filipino fans based in New Zealand.

“Thanks to all the Pinoys here on Auckland who came out and supported,” Josh Reyes said.

The Rangers, who missed the National Basketball League playoffs, saw their roster rehauled with players from other teams including the Tall Blacks legend Dillon Boucher.

“It was an honor to coach in what may be Boucher’s last international game. What a class act!” Chot Reyes said on twitter account.

Philippines as hosts have used their right of choice opting to play in Group A of the Prelim Round competition against Jordan, Chinese Taipei and Saudi Arabia. Philippines open their campaign with a game against Saudi Arabia. Complete schedule of the 27th FIBA Asia Championship.

FIBA Asia


Smart gilas vs auckland rangers

                 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwYq21_00QM#ws

                 

[cerow0]

Gilas Pilipinas vs. NZ Tall Blacks

                       

                       

 New Zealand NT (Tall Blacks) defeat Gilas by 1 pt. 77-76