PBA Scores, News and Updates

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PBA CommCup Preview: San Miguel Beermen

They’re back! After three years of being missed, the name San Miguel Beermen is once again in the PBA. It might just be a name-change but this could be the best move of the franchise over the conference break. The name San Miguel Beermen has experienced championships and success in different leagues and different eras. Can this bunch carry on the legacy?

PhilCup Recap

Coming into the Philippine Cup, the then Petron Blaze Boosters were fresh from what could be called an upset defeat in the 2013 Governor’s Cup Finals. Everyone expected them to bounce back strong with June Mar Fajardo leading the charge. True enough, they boosted out of the gates and started the PhilCup with a streak of wins. Then Fajardo got hurt. With that, the team was hurt as well. They started losing games and looked lost without their premier big man.

They would find a way to get back on track, though. Just in time, too. They earned a 3rd place finish in the elims and breezed through the quarters to meet Rain or Shine in the semis. There, the Boosters’ fall began. Again, they started looking confused on the court. It seemed like they only had one gameplan – feed June Mar. It worked for some time. But when Coach Yeng checked it already, they still kept going there. Obviously, they should have done something else.

Additions: Coach Biboy Ravanes, Sol Mercado, Rico Maierhofer

Subtractions: Alex Cabagnot, Jason Deutchman

Alex Cabagnot was undoubtedly a key guy with Petron. He paved the way for many wins by taking over crucial situations. But they always fell short of a championship. Something had to be done. Unfortunately, Alex was the chosen one. He was shipped for Sol Mercado.

Many Beermen fans were against the move. They said Sol will be the “ballhog that he is” and will hinder the maximization of SMB’s powerhouse line-up. I believe otherwise. See, Sol was never really on a championship contending team. And his previous squads, he had to be the main man. He forced shots because he had too. Look at how he played when Terrence Romeo, another scorer, played alongside him last conference. DId he try to prevent Romeo from scoring? No. He even mentored the youngin.

Merc isn’t all about his own game. He was coerced to it. With numerous options in his new team, expect him to play facilitator. Expect a deadly, and I mean deadly, pick-and-roll game between Sol and June Mar. Aside from that, Sol’s ability to get right at the rim will be essential. Life will be much easier for Fajardo because of that.

Let’s not forget about the addition of Rico Maierhofer, too. They got a scrappy, versatile forward who can play the 3 or the 4. This allows Arwind to play the high post without leaving a hole in the paint. At least, now, there’s a guy on this team who will actually try to go after loose balls and 50-50 possessions. They have been needing the puso factor for a long time. Rico can provide that.

Import

On paper, Josh Boone is easily the most impressive among the initial imports in the Commissioner’s Cup. He was drafted 23rd overall by the New Jersey Nets in the 2006 NBA draft and played four years in the league. And while his stint didn’t jump out of the box, it’s nothing to be ashamed of either. In his sophomore year, at 23 years old, he averaged 8.2 points and 7.3 rebounds while playing alongside Jason Kidd, Vince Carter, Richard Jefferson and Devin Harris. Oh, and Stromile Swift, too, in case you cared.

However, Boone admits that he is still in the process of adjusting to the timezone and climate of the Philippines. In their preseason game against Barako Bull, he put up a rather disappointing display. He racked up 16 points only while counterpart, Josh Dollard, posted 41. But hey, that was the preseason.

You know what bothers me? This situation seems familiar. Remember the last time this franchise brought in an NBA first rounder, best-on-paper import? I bet you do. Yup, Renaldo Balkman.

Oh geez. Please, no déjà vu.

Prediction

Provided the drama was left behind with the Petron name, things should look up for the Beermen. They have a new guard who opens up a lot of opportunities for them. They have a new lengthy forward who brings to the table something that has been missing from this team. They have a new coach. And most of all, they have a new name – one that associates itself with something much better than a telenovela.

A finals appearance wouldn’t be too far from reach for SMB. But saying they’ll win the championship is speaking far too soon. You can’t deny that it’s possible, though. Given that this team is stacked and has three of the top 10 players in the league right now, not making the semis should be considered a disappointment.

From SLAM Philippines

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Air21 spoils Jarencio's Globalport coaching debut behind import Lamizana's second half explosion (1st game of the Commissioner's Cup - 03/05/14)

MPORT Herve Lamizana came alive in the second half, while Mark Borboran had a crucial steal and two pressure-packed free throws down the stretch as Air21 subdued Globalport, 83-78, and spoil the PBA coaching debut of Pido Jarencio at the start of the Commissioner’s Cup Wednesday night at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The 33-year-old Lamizana exploded for 20 of his 22 points in the final 24 minutes to make up for an anemic first half. He also added 10 rebounds and had five block shots, the last of which came at the expense of a driving Globalport import Evan Brock just when the Batang Pier was trailing, 79-78.

Borboran meanwhile, sank two free throws and then stripped Mark Macapagal of the basketball to preserve the hard-earned win for the Express.

“It’s a good thing in the second half, our import stepped up his game. I was kind of hard at him at halftime, so I told him that this is an import-laden conference so the import should take over,” Air21 coach Franz Pumaren said after the game.

The 6-foot-9 Lamizana took the cue from there, taking charge in a scorching third quarter effort that saw him score 16 of Air21’s 26 points to turn a five-point halftime deficit into a 66-56 lead entering the final quarter.

The Batang Pier crawled their way back in the final period and managed to grab the upperhand at 78-77 on a split free throw by Brock.

But they failed to convert on their last five attempts inside the final minute that hastened their downfall.

Joseph Yeo added 21 points for the Express, while Asi Taulava and Macmac Cardona chipped in 14 and 11, respectively.

Brock led the Batang Pier with a 20-20 effort, finishing with 28 points and 26 rebounds.

New recruit Alex Cabagnot debuted for Globalport with four points, four rebounds, and eight assists.

 
The scores

Air21 (83) -- Lamizana 22, Yeo 21, Taulava 14, Cardona 11, Borboran 6, Villanueva 4, Burtscher 2, Sharma 2, Jaime 0, Poligrates 0, Matias 0, Camson 0, Manuel 0.

Globalport (78) -- Brock 28, Chua 10, Washington 9, Macapagal 8, Custodio 8, Cabagnot 4, Garcia 4, Romeo 3, Yee 2, Salva 2, Nabong 0, Ponferada 0, Salvador 0.

Quarterscores: 22-14; 40-45; 66-56; 83-78.

From SPIN.ph

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Talk 'N Text throws wrench in Alaska's title defense bid (03/05/14)

MANILA, Philippines - The Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters sent defending champions Alaska Aces to a horrible start in the PLDT Home TVolution Commissioner's Cup with a convincing 85-72 drubbing on Wednesday, March 5 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Texters relied on teamwork behind the leadership of veteran guard Jimmy Alapag with his energy on defense. He had 11 points and 6 assists.

"He really orchestrated the team well today. He was ahead of our defense, he was the one pressuring their point guards," TNT head coach Norman Black commended Alapag.

He added: "It's a great start for us. I'm happy for the team, I'm happy for our import."

Texters import Richard Howell had a good debut, finishing with 15 points.

"He's not really a great offensive player. But he's a good defender and a good rebounder," explained Black.

True enough, the 6-foot-8 Howell collared 30 rebounds all on his own.

The Texters pulled away in the second and never looked back, even as Alaska repeatedly pressured them.

Entering the fourth, Alaska tried spearheading a fightback as they quickly scored 6 straight points to make it 73-59. Alaska came as close as 75-62 on a Calvin Abueva triple before completed and-one plays from Alapag and Howell doused water on whatever momentum the 2013 Commissioner's Cup champions had.

The 20-point hole, 73-53, that TNT built after 3 quarters proved too much to overcome for an Alaska squad raring to bounce back from a lackluster Philippine Cup.

The Texters were searing from three-point land (9-of-25) that by the third period, as Alaska was clawing back up from 11 points down, a pair of triples from KG Canaleta and Alapag broke Alaska's back at the 2:33 mark of the third. Howell then scored another two points in the ensuing play as the lead climbed up to 69-52 once again.

A gritty opening canto featured Alaska and Talk 'N Text in a standoff for who could break the other first and pull away. The first 12 minutes ended in a deadlock at 22.

By the second period, Alaska continued being horrible at the stripe, going 6-of-15 for the entire first half. Their field goals weren't good enough, too, as the Aces settled for 13 points in the second frame. While the Texters improved from the first period with 23 points as they finished the first half up 45-35.

Ranidel de Ocampo paced the Texters with 21 points--16 of which he poured in the first 24 minutes--to go with 10 rebounds.

Alaska import Rob Dozier, who bagged the Best Import plum of the 2013 Commissioner's Cup, registered 16 points and 10 rebounds. Calvin Abueva notched multiple attempts to turn things around for his team but couldn't get the job done. He ended up with 16 points and 14 boards.

Scores:

Talk 'N Text (85): De Ocampo 21, Howell 15, Castro 12, Alapag 11, Canaleta 9, Reyes Ry. 8, Fonacier 5, Reyes Ro. 2, Carey 2, Baclao 0.

Alaska (72): Dozier 16, Abueva 16, Baguio 13, Thoss 8, Jazul 7, Casio 5, Espinas 3, Dela Cruz 2, Hontiveros 2.

Quarters: 22-22, 45-35, 73-53, 85-72.

From Rappler.com

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PBA CommCup Preview: Meralco Bolts

The Meralco Bolts had some electrifying moments back in the Philippine Cup, like when they shocked Barangay Ginebra in their first meeting and almost had them beat in another if not for Japeth Aguilar’s buzzer beater, or that time Gary David engaged KG Canaleta (then with Air21) in a shootout, but there really wasn’t much else. Save for that moment when Jared Dillinger almost laid the smack down on Calvin Abueva, the Bolts have to live up to their name and develop an identity if they want to be competitive for the Commissioner’s Cup.

Philippine Cup Recap: 5-9 (lost in do-or-die game vs Alaska for last spot in the quarterfinals)

Meralco had to fight for every inch of victory that they had in the Philippine Cup with a crew that had to battle various injuries, at one point having no healthy point guard that Jared Dillinger had to slide down to the 1 and sacrifice his scoring to run the offense for the team. They went through a losing streak with games that could have gone either way, they’ve had wins that required Gary David exploding for 30+ points, and went toe-to-toe with runners up Rain or Shine in a do-or-die game that needed a heckuva buzzer beater from JR Quinahan to finally put the Bolts away. Meralco showed they can pack a wallop, in the Commissioner’s Cup, they need to show they can knock teams out.

If Mike Cortez’s knee isn’t good to go, Jared Dillinger will have to get used to playing the point full-time, and I’m sure Coach Ronnie Magsanoc will be happy to preach the point guard gospel to JD. The onus will be on Rey Guevarra, Sunday Salvacion, and John Wilson to try and make sure production doesn’t dip at the small forward spot.

Additions/Subtractions: None

As of the moment Meralco seems intent on developing chemistry with all the new acquisitions and the team vets, and that’s not too bad. The combination of Cliff Hodge, Reynel Hugnatan, and John Wilson makes Meralco the Juan Manuel Marquez of the PBA. Like Dinamita, these three players can confuse and disrupt opponents with their signature style of play. Just like a kontrapelo counterpuncher. Hodge’s motor and athleticism baffles bigger, slower frontliners. Ditto with Reynel and his low-post craftiness. And hey, name one defender in the league that’s figured out that it doesn’t matter how quick and athletic you are, you WILL be hypnotized by the behind-the-head, slow-mo catapult shooting motion of John Wilson and he will blow past you if you bite the bait.

If Cliff Hodge and Reynel Hugnatan stay healthy, Meralco’s frontline has a chance against the league’s giants. Hodge got hurt early last conference with a badly sprained ankle and that left the Bolts without their best rebounder and intangibles guy for a long stretch. Health will be an issue for the Bolts. The Daredevil experiment at point guard will very interesting to watch as the Bolts try to ride the hot shooting hands of El Granada heading into the Commissioner’s Cup.

Import: Brian Butch (played NCAA ball for Wisconsin, former NBA D-League All Star, All-Star MVP, played for various NBA teams during the preseason)

6-11 center Brian Butch will be the Bolts’ reinforcement for the Commissioner’s Cup, a former NBA D-League All Star MVP who put up over 14 points and 8 rebounds a game during his D-League tenure. He reminds me somewhat of former Petron Blaze import Nick Fazekas, a crafty finisher in the post who can knock down jumpers from mid-range all the way out.

Prediction: Semifinals at best, especially if Gary David torches the league anew and Brian Butch proves to be a strong center. Bottom 2 at worst if injuries take toll on key guys.

From SLAM Philippines

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PBA CommCup Preview: Alaska Aces

Time to try and re-create that championship magic and defend the crown for the Alaska Aces. They’re bringing the old band back, Rob Dozier Jr.’s in it for one more ride, and the Gatas Republik are thirsty for something to cheer for.

Philippine Cup Recap: 5-9 (Quarterfinals, lost to Barangay Ginebra San Miguel)

In the recently concluded Philippine Cup, the Alaska Aces still had familiar names on the floor, but their game just didn’t look the same. There were flashes of brilliance, especially when they survived multiple sudden death games, but for the most part of the season the Aces suffered through a forgettable conference. The team just didn’t have the necessary oomph. Hopefully the return of reigning Best Import Robert Dozier Jr. will give them back that winning feeling as the defending PBA Commissioner’s Cup champions try to protect the throne.

I ran into JVee Casio at the Hoop Center on the way to the Slam Rising Stars Challenge, and the hotshot point man had a simple analysis on the Aces Philippine Cup woes: “Minsan late kami nagigising sa laro. Paggising namin, either nahabol na kami or nalamangan na kami. Andun naman yung execution and teamwork, we just have to keep playing together and really finish the job.”

Gabby Espinas had a similar take on it. “Kailangan bawat isa sa amin, nanghahawa ng energy. Lalo na nga lumakas yung mga team sa PBA, kami ang magagawa namin, magtiwala sa isa’t-isa, doblehin ang sipag. Kaya naman eh.”

Additions/Subtractions: None

Alaska has to prove that they can keep up with a league where almost every team has reloaded. Sonny has to face 6’10″ local bigs. JVee has to deal with big guards like Sol Mercado and young guns like Terrence Romeo. This conference, I am expecting coach Luigi Trillo to utilize Chris Exciminiano, Ryan Buenafe, and Aldrech Ramos more, only to be unpredictable. People already know what the veterans will be bringing every night, and the productivity of those guys could be the shot in the arm the Aces need especially in grind-it-out games. Exciminiano’s name is synonymous with defense, but this guy can create his own shot if you trust him with the rock. Buenafe brings ball-handling and court vision to the 3-spot. Ramos has extended his range and is a solid rebounder and weak-side shotblocker. If the locals play like they did during the quarterfinals when they survived multiple do-or-die games to force another one against a very powerful Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, utilizing physicality and razor-sharp execution, then Robert Dozier won’t have to do too much for the team. When they swept their way to the title last season, Dozier didn’t have to be a lone gunslinger trying to shoot every damn time; he had a very dangerous inside threat in Sonny Thoss, an even more deadly outside threat in a healthy combination of JVee Casio and Dondon Hontiveros, a hard-to-guard Cyrus Baguio who did damage from everywhere, a solid operator in Gabby Espinas, and a focused Calvin Abueva. The Beast is AWESOME when he’s just zoned in on playing ball. All those flagrant fouls and unnecessary physical play don’t get him or his team anywhere. Now it doesn’t excuse other players from being extremely physical against him, but Calvin has to rise above that because his inexhaustible effort allows him to drive his team to greater heights.

Import: Rob Dozier Jr. (returning import, reigning Commissioner’s Cup Best Import)

Now this gets tricky: Rob Dozier has been inactive for months, having played his last professional game during the title clincher of last year’s Commissioner’s Cup Finals (!!!) and only scrimmaging during his offseason after a deal with a league in China didn’t push through. On one hand, he could be rusty, depending on what workout he did and how competitive his scrimmages were. On the other, there’s the fact that he’s fresh and injury free, ready to be that swiss army knife Luigi Trillo can use to plug the holes in the Aces’ system.

Prediction: Finals at best, Quarterfinals at worst.

If the new guys can find ways to get into the rotation and be productive, then the veterans won’t have to play heavy minutes and Alaska will suddenly be a deeper team. Barring health issues from one of the league’s deadliest guard-big man combos in Casio and Thoss, and should the Bruise Brothers Part 2 of Espinas and Abueva find a way to be productive while staying out of trouble, I’d say the Alaska Aces may find themselves back on the big stage for the last dance.

From SLAM Philippines

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NLEX files letter of intent to formalize bid to put up PBA expansion team

PERENNIAL D-League champion NLEX has made official its intention to join the PBA.

No less than NLEX team manager Ronald Dulatre confirmed the development to Spin.ph a day after he personally submitted the letter of intent to the PBA Commissioner’s Office on Wednesday noon.

“It has been submitted. Yes, we want to elevate the level of this team. Everybody knows naman how successful our run in the D-League is. So I guess, it’s time for us to move up and join the prime league in the country … that’s the PBA,” said Dulatre.

“We firmly believe that the PBA is a good medium to showcase the talent of our players as well as the brand name of our companies under Metro Pacific, Investments,” said the youthful team official.

The jump to the pro ranks seemed a logical next step for the Road Warriors, who have won five of the first six championships contested in the PBA's developmental league.

NLEX is the third team to pass a Letter of Intent to join the pro league after Blackwater Sports and Kia Motors, whose applications are being discussed by the league board at posting time.

If ever, NLEX will become the third team under the MVP group to join the league after Talk 'N Text and Meralco.

Dulatre has long backed the move to bring the Road Warriors to the PBA, having broached the idea to Spin.ph as early as December of 2012.

“Matagal naman nang ripe ang team na ito sa pro ranks. In fact, dapat noon pa. Andami naming players na malalaki dati that we could have brought up,” said Dulatre while naming Ian Sangalang, Gregory Slaughter, Calvin Abueva, Clifford Hodge and Chris Ellis, among others.

“Sa ngayon, we feel we are ready. We still have marquee players in our fold,” he said.

The current core of NLEX is made up of reserve players of the national team under the Gilas cadet program, namely Kevin Louie Alas, Matt Ganuelas, Jakes Pascual, Ronald Pascual and Garvo Lanete.

“If given the chance, we can bring them with us and assure PBA fans that we can immediately compete with the PBA holdovers and the new teams coming in,” bared the soft-spoken team manager who has built and rebuilt the NLEX squad since the D-League began four years ago.

Once accepted into the PBA fold, Dulatre said the Road Warriors plans to carry the colors of Metro Pacific, Investments, which also controls Maynilad, St. Luke’s Hospital  and other utilities and services under the Manny V. Pangilinan group.

“Ito ang alam naming medium to help promote the other companies of the group,” said Dulatre.

From SPIN.ph

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PBA board to tackle proposal to let Gilas play as guest team in Governors Cup

PBA commissioner Chito Salud said the league is more than willing to revisit a proposal to have Gilas Pilipinas play as a guest team in the season-ending Governors Cup after it was brought up again in the board's meeting on Thursday.

Salud admitted a guest appearance for the World Cup-bound Gilas has been the subject of formal and informal talks in the board in recent months, and it was brought to the fore again when league chairman Mon Segismundo made the proposal in Thursday's meeting.

"The possibility of Gilas team joining the third conference has been discussed (in the board meeting). And the idea has already been discussed in the past, both formally and informally," Salud said after emerging from the board's monthly board meeting at the PBA office in Libis, Quezon City.

Salud classified Gilas' case as "important," owing to the national squad's legitimate need to prepare for the world championships in Spain and the Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea.

The Fiba world basketball showpiece is slated from late August 30-September 14, while the Asian Games is set from September 19-October 4.

"It (Gilas joining the Governors Cup) was re-proposed again today (Thursday), as proposed by chairman (Seuigsmundo). So the board will revisit it with the due importance it deserves and will deliberate on it with openness and creativity," stressed Salud.

The practice of having the national team play as a guest entry in the pro league has been done several times in the past, the being the Smart Gilas team under then Serbian coach Rajko Toroman which  joined the 2009-10 PBA Philippine Cup.

The Toroman-led Smart Gilas squad finished the tournament with a 3-6 win-loss record.

From SPIN.ph

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The road to PBA expansion

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) played its first game in 1975. They had 9 teams then. Now, 39 years later, the PBA has 10 teams—only one more than when they first started all those decades ago.

Like any organization that has stood the test of time, the PBA also experienced its ups and downs. These days, Asia’s oldest professional basketball league is going through a tremendous resurgence as it makes its way back into the public's main stream of consciousness. As a result, the demand for expansion has never been greater.


Rising demand

In 2012, 71 rookies applied for the annual PBA Rookie Draft, where teams can select a new breed of young players. Of the 71 applicants, 58 were eligible and 39 rookies were selected.

For 2013, the number of rookie hopefuls rose to 85 as the draft reached a seventh round. Only 44 rookies were drafted. Moreover, even those with contracts found themselves on the reserve list since each team is allowed to play only 14 players at any given conference.

Jens Knuttel, a former FEU Tamaraw who took time in the PBA Developmental League or D-League after graduation, was one of the 44 rookies of 2013. The 5-foot-9 guard graduated in 2010 and was the last pick by Barangay Ginebra San Miguel. He has a contract but is not lined up.

He isn’t quite here or there yet in the PBA.

“I came from the D-League. Hindi pa rin ako nakalaro ng first game ko sa PBA,” he said. (I came from the D-League. I have not yet played my first game in the PBA.)

Seasoned veterans have also slowly slipped through the cracks to make way for new blood.

For these reasons, the league has long been urged by many to add more teams. But the influx of young talented cagers in 2013 turns the idea of expansion from a gentle suggestion to widespread clamor.

According to long-time sports agent Danny Espiritu, the abundance of talent should be enough reason for the PBA to welcome more teams.

“Sana magdagdag sila ng teams kasi sayang ang mga players eh. Ang daming players na walang trabaho dahil sa kulang yung teams natin,” he said. (I hope they add teams because there are plenty of players. So many players are without jobs because we have no teams.)

The clamor is underscored by the league’s skyrocketing popularity over the past year. The historic feat achieved by national men’s basketball team Gilas Pilipinas—a team bannered by PBA professional players—in the 2013 FIBA Asia tourney drew even more attention to the PBA.

Without question, this is the most opportune time to actively campaign for new teams—if only to continue cultivating Filipino basketball talent.


The players’ plight

Does the name Ken Bono still ring a bell? What about Reil Cervantes, still remember him?

Those names used to reverberate throughout an entire arena not long ago, with strangers screaming the syllables in unison as some included it in whispered prayers. Others threw it in between conversations of their school basketball teams.

But now those names can probably be found on a “Where Are They Now?” list.

Both Bono and Cervantes wanted to carry their college momentum as they headed for the pro league. But for one reason or another, neither was able to sustain it.

Bono, 29, was a former Adamson Soaring Falcons star named UAAP Most Valuable Player in 2006. He was then drafted 6th overall by the Alaska Aces in 2007. The 6-foot-5 forward/center was expected to flourish in the pros. But it was the complete opposite.

“Unsteady,” Bono summarized his 7-year PBA journey. “Sometimes (I’m on the) lineup, sometimes reserve. So far now, (I’m a) reserve for almost a year already.”

In his 7 years, Bono admits he lost the confidence he once flaunted in the amateur ranks. His expectations were far from reality, too.

“Kasi nung time na yun (2007) I have a confidence na magagamit ako ng PBA noon eh,” he explained. “But no. Hindi naman natin hawak lahat.” (At that time I had confidence that I will be used in the PBA. But no. We don’t have control over everything.)

Bono, who has played for 5 teams so far in the PBA, has been with the San Mig Super Coffee franchise for almost two years now. But his contract expired at the end of the recently concluded Philippine Cup, leaving him, as of this writing, in a state of limbo as he waits to be renewed or to be let go.

“I don't know kung ano mangyayari sa akin ngayon,” he said. “Pag wala (contract), hanap ako ng ibang team.” (I don’t know what will happen to me now. If there’s no contract, I’ll just look for another team.)

Either way, he must find a way to play and earn in order to support his 2-year old son.

The 27-year old Cervantes, on the other hand, achieved his dream of playing in the PBA when he was drafted 9th overall by the Barangay Ginebra Kings in 2011. The dream was cut short after his two-year contract expired and was never renewed.

When the former FEU standout was drafted, Cervantes recalled looking forward to a long career in the pros. But the 6-foot-4 forward/center is biding time in the D-League once again, working his way to a return to the PBA.

“Hindi ako nabigyan ng opportunity. Pero trabaho pa rin para mabigyan ulit ng chance sa pro.” (I wasn’t given the opportunity. But I’ll still work hard to get another chance at the pros.)

It’s players like Bono, Cervantes and Knuttel who will greatly benefit from at least a couple of new teams. They are the ones anxiously waiting in the wings for a break in their respective careers—perhaps with an all-new team.


New franchises knocking

It’s not as if the PBA has been deaf to the appeals for expansion.

Current PBA Chairman Ramon Seguismundo has made it his priority to add new teams during his term.

“One of our objectives, in accordance with our establishing a vibrant and dynamic basketball nation, is to create employment opportunities,” he explained.

“The PBA is at its height. We think of the players. We have such an abundance of supply of great players.”

PBA Commissioner Chito Salud, the league’s eighth commissioner, has also been very open to new team applications.

In fact, Salud says the PBA is eyeing to add at least one team in the next two years.

“Within the next 2 years, a team. And in the next 5 years, two teams,” Salud said.

But 5 years may have come early.

Asia’s first play-for-pay league has already received letters of intent from two potential new franchises: Blackwater Sports (Ever Bilena Cosmetics Inc.) and Kia Motors Corporation.

Seguismundo confirmed the PBA board will convene on Thursday, March 6 to discuss and evaluate the addition of the two prospective members.

Blackwater will be making its leap from the D-League, where it won a championship just last year. While Kia will be building a team from the ground up.

Seguismundo also said the MVP-owned NLEX Road Warriors, a 5-time champion in the D-League, is mulling jumping to the PBA. He mentioned another possible prospect that has not yet submitted a formal letter of intent to join the league, but is already making preliminary inquiries.

All applicants will undergo what Seguismundo describes as a “holistic evaluation.”

Seguismundo elaborated: “We look at the financial capability, we look at the willingness of the prospective team owners. Do they really have a genuine interest in basketball, do they really want to help the country?”

The news of Kia and Blackwater possibly joining automatically puts a smile on the face of Cervantes.

“Advantage din sa akin yun,” he said. “Sana makasama ako sa bagong team, makaakyat ako.” (That’s an advantage for me. I hope I can join the new team and return to the PBA.)

The expansion also seems to come at a perfect time for Bono.

“Kung hindi ako mabigyan ng contract dito (SMC) baka mag-tryout ako (for the new teams),” Bono remarked. (If I won’t be given a contract I might try out.)

Knuttel echoes the same sentiment, saying that while he still has a one-year contract with Ginebra, at least he knows there are more opportunities he can explore.

“Mas maraming teams, mas maraming opportunity for players.” (More teams mean more opportunities for players.)

Since being Commissioner in 2010, Salud welcomed a new team in GlobalPort Batang Pier in 2012 as a replacement to the Poweraide Tigers.

Salud believes the league is at the brink of expanding and exploring how far it can go.

“We have improved on our viewership. Record-breaking gate attendance and gate receipts,” he said. “I really believe that one or two teams would be easily, easily accommodated.”


Why only now?

While it is good that concrete steps are already being taken toward expanding, there is still the pressing question of why has it taken this long?

One major issue, Salud shares, is the rarity of legitimate takers.

"Inquiries, preliminary inquiries there are many," said Salud. "I have yet to see real, serious, legitimate intentions to join."

Seguismundo, on the other hand, cites the general lack of public knowledge about it.

“Maybe we just didn't tell the public that we were open,” he said.

“I think there's a sense of willingness on the part of the member teams right now to really be inclusive. Really broaden the participation and really raise the level of excitement.”

Another factor, and perhaps the most pressing one, is the undeniable fact that building a basketball franchise and running its operations requires a wealth of resources.

But what, exactly, does it take to start and run a team? What are the considerations?

First of all, according to Salud, anyone who wishes to put together a team and join the league must pay the franchise fee of P100 million. And from there, factor in operation costs.

“A new franchise is a hundred million. That's the franchise fee and then of course on a yearly basis you'll have your operating costs,” Salud explained.

A hundred million is not the end of it. For a team to run smooth operations for an entire year, one may either double or triple that amount, depending on expenses.

According to GlobalPort team owner Mikee Romero, the cost of team operations annually varies from team to team.

“Iba-iba yan eh (It varies), anywhere from a hundred to 200 million per team for a year. Nag-iiba iba yan (It changes),” he said.

There’s also the matter of personnel. “Manpower, players, and good coaches,” Salud said.

According to him, each team now has about 18 to 20 players in their rosters. But only 14 can be played while the rest are relegated to the reserve list.

This means about 40 to 60 players “may not be playing in any given tournament in the year,” and can be available for potential new teams.

Aside from those players, there is also plenty of talent in the previous draft pool to go with the abundance of ballers found in the D-League, which has 14 teams and about 13 players in each team.

Despite the high cost and huge effort of maintaining a PBA franchise, Romero says the returns are very much worth it. The public remembers the brand and players are walking advertisements.

“Yung recall naman on the company and the brand, talagang you will get it,” he said. “You will get the media mileage on the brand.” (You will really get the recall on the company and the brand.)

Seguismundo reiterates this point: “The PBA is a great investment. Look at it as the equivalent to an advertising expenditure. There are a lot of tangible and intangible benefits.”

The intense publicity, more than anything, should be enough to lure in brands. Rain or Shine is one brand reaping high rewards from their PBA investment.

“Rain or Shine, they're the market leader in their industry,” Seguismundo said.

“You can say that's all because of basketball, their exposure.”


Sharing a team

Bankrolling and managing a team is obviously no easy feat. Sports agent Espiritu offers an idea he thinks can lower the cost for corporate entities.

“Kung hindi kaya ng isang corporate entity na mag-maintain ng isang team, pwede naman sila mag-combine with another corporate entity with products na hindi competing,” he said. (If a corporate entity cannot maintain a team, it can combine with another corporate entity with non-competing products.)

Expounding further, Espiritu says that brands can share the team name, alternating every few conferences or seasons.

If this option is to prosper, two very willing parties must go through plenty of details especially when it comes to branding.

Exactly how much mileage this kind of setup can produce is still unknown, considering that teams will be changing names every so often. The public’s perception will also be a factor.

Though both Seguismundo and Salud are open to the idea.

“Well, that has never been done before. But that doesn’t mean it’s not possible,” Salud said.

Seguismundo added: “Usually it's one team owner. I think it's better that way but if there's people willing to band together I don't see any reason why we can't evaluate that.”

No threat to existing teams

Unbalanced exposure, Salud says, isn’t something teams should worry about.

According to him, “it’s just a matter of reconfiguring the format” and making sure that broadcast exposure is equally divided among all teams whether they qualify for the playoffs or not.

“Exposure-wise, that's covered,” he assured. “I don't think there will be any kind of delusion when it comes to exposure even if two teams were to come in today.”

Romero, for one, is looking forward to having a new team on board and is not at all concerned about sharing exposure.

“Very welcome. I hope that a new franchise will open soon.”

Kaye Cabal, a longtime PBA fan, also believes the benefits of a couple of new franchises far outweigh any disadvantages.

“Medyo matagal na rin yung 10-team setup. Ang daming rookies naga-apply every year and ang dami rin nadi-displace na veterans in the process,” Cabal, 22, shared her thoughts. “Siyempre hindi lang ito passion for the athletes, source of income din for their family.”

(We’ve had the 10-team setup for a while already. Plenty of rookies apply every year and plenty of veterans are displaced in the process. Of course this isn’t just passion for the athletes, it’s also a source of income for their family.”

She added: “I think PBA is ready for at least two more teams. More exciting games for the fans. In the end, more pros than cons for all.”

This necessary growth for the PBA is 39 years in the making. But the long wait may finally be over.

From Rappler.com

[tonistork]

yon naman pala eh, clamor na ng karamihan. . EXPANSION na. Ano pa inaantay mo Komi?

[Zurca]

Countdown to April as PBA weighs three companies' application for membership

PHILIPPINE Basketball Association (PBA) commissioner Chito Salud has set an April deadline to decide on the applications of three top companies for expansion franchises in the league.

The decision was reached on Thursday following the regular meeting of the league board under chairman Ramon Segismundo where the league tackled the letter of intents from Columbian Autocar Corp., and Ever Bilena Inc. and  Metro Pacific Investment Corp, the mother company of NLEX.

Of the three, Salud said only NLEX has yet to submit its company profile, having tendered its letter of intent to the PBA office just last Wednesday.

Columbian Autocar Corp. is the local distributor of Kia while Ever Bilena is the parent company of the Blackwater Sports team of Dioceldo Sy in the D-League.

Once everything have been received by his office, Salud said he’ll start conducting due diligence on the financial capacity of these three corporations and determine whether or not the applicants are capable of "sustaining, operating, and maintaining a competitive team in the PBA in the long range."

“And after only I am done with that due diligence of looking at their financial, liquidity, and growth rate, then that’s the only time I will make a formal recommendation to the board for its decision,” said Salud shortly after the meeting at the PBA office that lasted almost three hours.

He added, “The approval of this application would be April of this year. And until such time, we will have no further statement because we do not want to preempt our board.”

As expansion team, Salud said accepted applicants will be required to pay a new standard franchise fee of P100 million.

The approval of the three new franchise holders will need at least three-fourth votes from the existing membership of the league which is made up of 10 teams.

“That means eight votes to get in,” Salud stressed.

The recommendation of Salud will be presented to the board in time for its regular meeting in April after which, it will be determined whether a new expansion team or teams for that matter are going to be accepted in time for the league’s 40th season in October of this year.

From SPIN.ph

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Boom or bust? Boone under scrutiny in debut as SMB brings in new import, says online report

San Miguel Beer import Josh Boone could be playing his first and last game on Friday night if he fails to impress when the new-look Beermen debut against the Meralco Bolts in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

According to a report posted by online sports site RealGM, NBA veteran Kevin Jones has left his D-League club to join the Beermen in the Philippines even before Boone could make his debut for the team.

The online report said Jones, who spent a part of last season with the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA, has already left D-League side Canton Charge with the intention of signing with the Beermen soon.

Sought for confirmation by Spin.ph, newly appointed San Miguel coach Biboy Ravanes neither confirmed nor denied the report, saying Boone remains the team's import until management decides otherwise.

“Josh Boone is our player until we say otherwise,” Ravanes told Spin.ph on Friday. “Any other personnel questions can be directed to management.”

Team insiders admitted the 6-9 Boone, who played four seasons for the New Jersey Nets in the NBA, is struggling to regain top form after a long layoff due to a knee injury last year.

In the team’s only pre-conference tuneup game against Barako Bull which San Miguel lost, 110-114, Boone scored just 16 points and was totally outplayed by counterpart Josh Dollard.

The former member of the 2004 US NCAA champions Connecticut Huskies is set to debut on Friday evening against the Bolts, where he’ll be ranged against Meralco’s reinforcement Brian Butch.

On how he'll fare in that game will most likely dictate his fate with the Beermen.

According to RealGM, Jones’ NBA D-League stats include 16.9 points and 8.0 rebounds in 30.5 minutes per game for the Canton Charge.

The former West Virginia stalwart also appeared in 32 games with the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2012-13 season where he averaged 3.0 points and 2.4 rebounds in 10.5 minutes a game.

From SPIN.ph

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Tim Cone says 'deeper, mentally tough' San Mig hungry for more PBA championships

Multi-titled coach Tim Cone said winning back-to-back PBA titles has in no way diminished San Mig Super Coffee’s drive to win more championships even though veterans like James Yap, Peter June Simon, Marc Pingris and Joe Devance have been slowed down this season due to injuries.

In fact, Cone said he has reasons to believe that his current roster is much deeper compared to what he had the past two seasons - and therefore better equipped to cope with the demands of another title run.

“I don’t think motivation is an issue for these guys (Mixers). They enjoy winning (championships). They will just come out and play at a high level,” Cone told Spin.ph during the Mixers’ victory party on Thursday night held at the San Miguel Corp. head office in Pasig.

With rookies Ian Sangalang, Justin Melton and sophomore guard Alex Mallari playing big off the bench during the Philippine Cup playoffs leading to the franchise’s 11th PBA title overall, the 56-year-old San Mig coach believes they have enough energy to sustain their title aspirations this season.

“Our second group should be able to maintain the energy. We have a combination of a veteran core and young group,” he added.

Cone has steered San Mig to back-to-back PBA titles, having won the Governors Cup last season via a 4-3 conquest of Petron, before the team’s 4-2 Finals win over Rain or Shine last week.

In all, the American mentor has now won 16 PBA championships, making him the all-time most successful coach in the history of Asia’s first play-for-pay basketball league, surpassing his idol, the venerable Baby Dalupan.

The Mixers were already back in practice on Thursday as they begin preparing for their first game in the mid-season conference against the GlobalPort Batang Pier next Wednesday.

Cone believes incoming import James Mays is a nice fit for the Mixers in the import-spiced conference.

“We like him (Mays) a lot. He can play with great energy. He defends well,” said Cone of their American reinforcement.

Cone said he doesn’t need Mays to light up the scoreboard for the Mixers given the numerous gunners they have in the team.

“I don’t think he’s a guy who will score 45 points for us. But I think he’ll do a lot of things and help us,” he added.

Mays, who arrived in Manila last January, played for the Springfield Armor in the NBA Development League in the 2012-13 season where he was eventually named to the Prospects All-Star roster for the 2013 NBA D-League All-Star Game.

He also had stops with the Maine Red Claws before being traded to the Sioux Falls Skyforce in exchange for Gabe Pruitt.

He also joined the San Antonio Spurs for the 2013 NBA Summer League.

The 230-pound Mays is also no stranger to overseas basketball, having played for the Beijing Ducks in China followed by stints in Puerto Rico and Turkey.

From SPIN.ph

[Zurca]

Beermen return with a bang, pummel Meralco (03/07/14)

MANILA, Philippines - The comebacking San Miguel Beermen sent out a loud and clear message to the rest of the league in their first game back with the iconic team name.

The Beermen, who switched back to their famous name at the end of the Philippine Cup after carrying the Petron Blaze Boosters name from 2011-2014, came out firing in their debut in the 2014 PLDT Home TVolusion Commissioner's Cup as they pummeled the Meralco Bolts, 94-76, on Friday, March 7 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

"Talagang we need this win, there's a lot of pressure for us, dahil Petron and San Miguel," said newly appointed coach Biboy Ravanes after the game. "We just told our players to just play our game." (We really need this win, there's a lot if pressure for us because of Petron and San Miguel.)

"Just really happy for the win. We're just trying to create some chemistry," added active consultant Todd Purves.

San Miguel remained consistent with their offense in the first half, dropping 20 points each in the first two periods. But it was their defense that handed them their first victory in the import-laden conference as they allowed Meralco only 9 points in the second frame.

The Beermen managed to be dominant despite playing without sophomore bigman June Mar Fajardo who sat out due to a left ankle sprain.

Their import Josh Boone, who reportedly will be replaced with a new import, was also out for long stretches of the game due to foul trouble. He finished with 16 points and 16 rebounds.

"I'd like to commend our import Josh," said Ravanes. "Alam niyang papalitan siya but he still played. We appreciate his professionalism." (He knows he will be replaced but he still played.)

Ravanes and Purves made no announcement just yet of a replacement import.

San Miguel sizzled from rainbow country in the second half, drilling 5 of their 6 triples.

Chris Lutz notched the biggest lead of the game at the 6:29 mark of the fourth with a completed 4-point play to make it 80-60.

San Miguel also produced 26 second-chance points as they dominated the boards 56-49.

The Bolts failed to space the floor and execute sufficient ball movement, registering a dismal 8 assists for the entire game. Whereas San Miguel dished out 27.

Arwind Santos and Doug Kramer added 16 and 14 markers, respectively, for San Miguel.

While Meralco import Brian Butch carried the Bolts with a double-double of 29 points and 21 rebounds. Gary David chipped in 20 markers as well.

Scores:

San Miguel: 94: Boone 16, Santos 16, Kramer 14, Lassiter 12, Mercado 8, Tubid 7, Duncil 6, Lutz 6, Hubalde 4, Ross 4, Maierhofer 1, Taha 0.

Meralco 76: Butch 29, David 20, Hugnatan 8, Hodge 7, Wilson 5, Al-Hussaini 4, Caram 2, Artadi 1, Ildefonso 0, Salvacion 0, Guevarra 0, Dillinger 0.

Quarter scores: 20-20, 40-29, 69-52, 94-76.

From Rappler.com

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Ginebra pounces on Barako Bull lapses, Dollard disqualification to win in OT (03/07/14)

BARANGAY Ginebra pounced on crucial lapses by Barako Bull as well as the disqualification on fouls of import Joshua Dollard to pull off a 108-104 win in overtime in the two teams' debuts in the PBA Commissioner's Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Gin Kings made a hard slog of the match and struggled to put away a Barako Bull side that played rookies Jeric Fortuna and Carlo Lastimosa for much of the final stretch, needing a clutch three-pointer from sophomore Chris Ellis to send the game to overtime.

Not until Dollard picked up his sixth and final foul off Japeth Aguilar entering the final minute of extra time did Ginebra finally take control of a match that, curiously, had assistant coach Juno Sauler - and not Ato Agustin - mapping out the plays on the Kings bench.

“Iyung breaks went to our side, especially yung crucial part ng game. Of course, yung adjustment namin sa new system, eh kasi, nag-iba yung plays namin,” said Ginebra coach Ato Agustin.

Dollard led all scorers with 45 points but could only watch from the bench when Leon Rodgers made two free throws and LA Tenorio another charity to put the game away for Ginebra, 108-104.

In between, Fortuna, the former starting guard of University of Santo Tomas in the college leagues, missed on a three-pointer that could have tied the score for Barako Bull.

Still, Ginebra needed all the breaks it could get to pull off the victory. They got one in overtime when Denok Miranda called a timeout which Barako didn't have, leading to a Rodgers free throw.

Barako Bull, which led by five points late in regulation, also failed to control the rebound after two misses from beyond the three-point arc by Japeth Aguilar and Mark Caguioa, setting the stage for Ellis' trey that sent the game into overtime.

Agustin said for the early part of the import-spiced conference, he will allow Sauler to map out the plays during timeouts, though he reiterated that he’s simply reinforcing whatever they have talked about during the conference break.

“Lahat naman eh, collectively, nagtutulong-tulong ang mga coaches. Lahat ng mga ideas, we’re trying to change some of the plays kasi from last conference,” he added.

The Ginebra coach added that fans could expect Sauler to simply implement whatever game plan they have prepared in future games.

“Yes sa kanya (Sauler) na (game board).  Pero iyung preparation naman ng game plan, one page dapat kasi dun pa lang sa preparation. Ganun na talaga yung mangyayari for the future games,” he said.

Rodgers, who earned a reputation as a solid scorer in the Chinese Basketball Association, led the Gin Kings with 31 points, eight rebounds and four assists.

Chris Ellis added 17, including two huge three-point shots late in the game.

The scores:

Ginebra 108 - Rodgers 31, Ellis 17, Aguilar 14, Slaughter 12, Caguioa 12, Tenorio 9, Reyes 8, Mamaril 3, Urbiztondo 2, Baracael 0, Monfort 0.

Barako Bull 104 - Dollard 45, Pennisi 12, Lastimosa 10, Intal 7, Miranda 7, Wilson 6, Buenafe 6, Jensen 5, Fortuna 5, Pena 1, Deutchman 0, Isip 0, Miller 0, Marcelo 0.

Quarterscores: 22-23, 51-52, 73-70, 93-93, 108-104

From SPIN.ph

[Zurca]

Ginebra coaching set-up takes new twist as Sauler given a 'more active role'

THE coaching set-up at Barangay Ginebra had just gotten a new twist.

Longtime assistant Juno Sauler explained that he’s taken an 'active role’ in calling the shots for the Kings, stressing it was something that management wanted him to do at the start of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

Ato Agustin remains very much the head coach of the league’s most popular team as Sauler said he was merely tasked to 'implement’ the game plan during timeouts, a set-up that definitely puzzled a lot of people especially after Sauler was caught on live television mapping the plays for the Kings in their huddle during the game against Barako Bull Friday night.

“It’s just collective effort from everyone (in the coaching staff). It’s a sharing of ideas with the coaches present, so we’re active than usual,” Sauler told sports scribes just before leaving the dugout of Ginebra at the Smart Araneta Coliseum following the Kings’ 108-104 win over the Energy in overtime.

But Sauler explained the game plan was something the Ginebra coaching staff deliberated upon before and after practices to ensure they have a clear-cut approach to every game this conference.

“Before we practice and after practice. coaches have debates on what to do. It just so happened that I was tasked to have it implemented during games,” he said.

Calls for order at the Ginebra bench – with too many voices being heard during timeout huddles -- came following the Kings’ ouster in the semifinals of the Philippine Cup despite finishing the elimination round as the top seeded team.

Shortly after the disappointing finish, reports came out that Agustin resigned from his post, which San Miguel management quickly denied and said the former league MVP turned coach will still call the shots for the franchise.

Despite the sudden development, Sauler maintained he’s still committed to coaching La Salle in the coming UAAP season, saying his “active role” with the Kings is only at least for this conference as per management’s directive.

“Since it’s the offseason in the UAAP, now I have more time. They (management) asked me to have a bigger role and responsibility because during the UAAP season, I won’t be there (in the Ginebra practice),” explained the soft-spoken Sauler, who steered La Salle to the UAAP men’s championship last year.

“Ngayon, it depends on management. But I don’t know what will happen after this conference, especially when the UAAP starts.”

From SPIN.ph