PBA Season 2009-2010

[bolabasket2]

Coca-Cola loses to Smart Gilas in no-bearing game
06 Nov 2009

The noisy celebration inside the Smart Gilas locker room after the game sounded as if the Philippine national basketball team has just sealed a spot for the 2012 London Olympics.

Chris Tiu turned in 18 points, nine rebounds and nine assists as the Nationals, who are playing as a guest team in the 2009-10 KFC-PBA Philippine Cup, held off the Coca-Cola Tigers for a 98-93 decision Friday at the Cuneta Astrodome.

The result was enough reason for the Nationals to rejoice. While it was the first of their last seven games in the conference that were recently decided to have no bearing in the standings for the PBA teams, it still marked their first win and more importantly snapped a three-game losing run.

“We really had bad games against Talk ‘N Text and Ginebra so this win is really important to us,” said Smart Gilas head coach Rajko Toroman.

The Serbian tactician said his troops have been making great progress the past two weeks.

“If we continue winning it will help us improve more,” he said.

Mark Barroca scored 15 points, Japeth Aguilar had 14, Rabeh Al-hussaini added 12 and C.J. Giles 11 for Smart Gilas, whose stint in the conference is part of their training for future international tournaments.

Playing comfortably under FIBA rules, the Nationals controlled the game throughout and led by as many as 13 points several times in the second quarter.

Coca-Cola came out aggressive in the second half to keep the game close but the absence of Asi Taulava, Ken Bono, Ricky Calimag and rookie Chris Ross due to various injuries took its toll on the Tigers down the wire.

“We made a run and tried to win but we’re so depleted it hurt our rotation,” said Coca-Cola head coach Kenneth Duremdes.

Back-to-back baskets by Dennis Espino (23 points) led to an 8-6 run and put the Tigers ahead, 16-14 with 4:32 left in he first quarter.

But Tiu, Barroca and Al-Hussaini sparked a 30-16 run bridging the second and third quarters as the Nationals stormed ahead for good with 6:55 to play in the second period. (DBC) - pba.ph

The scores:

Smart-Gilas 98 - Tiu 18, Barroca 15, Aguilar 14, Al-Hussaini 12, Ababou 12, Giles 11, Ramos 7, Baracael 6, Casio 3, Cawaling 0, Ballesteros 0, Jazul 0.

Coca-Cola 93 - Espino 23, Macapagal 15, Roriguez 14, Gonzales N. 13, Rizada 10, Gozales W. 7, Cabagnot 3, Cruz 3, Allera 3, Catli 2, Santos 0.

Quarterscores: 28-20, 53-49, 74-70, 98-93.

 

[ogre2]

Why watch only Kelly Williams? There are a lot of exciting players in the PBA as if you are watching the best of the best, the NBA. Like Mark Cagiuoa-PBA's Kobe Bryant, or Helterbrand-PBA's Chris Paul, or Willie Miller-PBA's Tony Parker, or Willie Arboleda-PBA's Ron Artest... you gotta love the PBA..

Oh god! Laos ka na bro, have you been in a long coma or a decades long human cyropreservation? We're already in the new millenium! In the 70's to the 90's you're not "IN" and "chic" if you're not one of the PBA's avid followers.

Now, try to say that to a knowledgeable basketball fan and the only thing you'll get is that strange look as if you're a moron.

 

[Pating03092]

Wow!

Congrats to Smart Gilas! I was there when they bagged their first win!
It's really nice to see them play.

I believe in them! I believe in the coach! I believe in the program!
Thank you SBP!


OT: wanna see them play in LONDON2012.. I'll be there.. so, see you guys.

 

[gambitx2]

Coca-Cola loses to Smart Gilas in no-bearing game
06 Nov 2009

The noisy celebration inside the Smart Gilas locker room after the game sounded as if the Philippine national basketball team has just sealed a spot for the 2012 London Olympics.

Chris Tiu turned in 18 points, nine rebounds and nine assists as the Nationals, who are playing as a guest team in the 2009-10 KFC-PBA Philippine Cup, held off the Coca-Cola Tigers for a 98-93 decision Friday at the Cuneta Astrodome.

The result was enough reason for the Nationals to rejoice. While it was the first of their last seven games in the conference that were recently decided to have no bearing in the standings for the PBA teams, it still marked their first win and more importantly snapped a three-game losing run.

“We really had bad games against Talk ‘N Text and Ginebra so this win is really important to us,” said Smart Gilas head coach Rajko Toroman.

The Serbian tactician said his troops have been making great progress the past two weeks.

“If we continue winning it will help us improve more,” he said.

Mark Barroca scored 15 points, Japeth Aguilar had 14, Rabeh Al-hussaini added 12 and C.J. Giles 11 for Smart Gilas, whose stint in the conference is part of their training for future international tournaments.

Playing comfortably under FIBA rules, the Nationals controlled the game throughout and led by as many as 13 points several times in the second quarter.

Coca-Cola came out aggressive in the second half to keep the game close but the absence of Asi Taulava, Ken Bono, Ricky Calimag and rookie Chris Ross due to various injuries took its toll on the Tigers down the wire.

“We made a run and tried to win but we’re so depleted it hurt our rotation,” said Coca-Cola head coach Kenneth Duremdes.

Back-to-back baskets by Dennis Espino (23 points) led to an 8-6 run and put the Tigers ahead, 16-14 with 4:32 left in he first quarter.

But Tiu, Barroca and Al-Hussaini sparked a 30-16 run bridging the second and third quarters as the Nationals stormed ahead for good with 6:55 to play in the second period. (DBC) - pba.ph

The scores:

Smart-Gilas 98 - Tiu 18, Barroca 15, Aguilar 14, Al-Hussaini 12, Ababou 12, Giles 11, Ramos 7, Baracael 6, Casio 3, Cawaling 0, Ballesteros 0, Jazul 0.

Coca-Cola 93 - Espino 23, Macapagal 15, Roriguez 14, Gonzales N. 13, Rizada 10, Gozales W. 7, Cabagnot 3, Cruz 3, Allera 3, Catli 2, Santos 0.

Quarterscores: 28-20, 53-49, 74-70, 98-93.

Not to mention they have a better jersey/uniform now..

 

[LordOfLeyte2]

Not to mention they have a better jersey/uniform now..

Are those Smart Gilas jerseys available in NIKE outlets over at the Metro? I have SMC RP - NT jersey and POWERADE NT. Smart Gilas jerseys would be a great addition to my collections. My thanks in advance.

 

[CoJ2]

Are those Smart Gilas jerseys available in NIKE outlets over at the Metro? I have SMC RP - NT jersey and POWERADE NT. Smart Gilas jerseys would be a great addition to my collections. My thanks in advance.

the nike jersey is available in any nike store, but there are shops that would print special logos/names on the jerseys..forgot which branch it was....

 

[Big Ticket2]

man there are hardcore pba fans in this forum. it does not mean that if they are loyal pba fans then they think and post the way loyski does.

correct, PBA fans need not to stoop to that kind of level...so does gilas fans...i really wonder why these fans need to fight, we are all here to support philippine basketball in general....

 

[LordOfLeyte2]

RoS 77 Ginebra 86

Purefoods 108 TnT 102

 

[LordOfLeyte2]

the nike jersey is available in any nike store, but there are shops that would print special logos/names on the jerseys..forgot which branch it was....

Thank you, I'll be sure to purchase a Smart Gilas jersey when I'm in Metro Manila. I hope supplies last.

 

[Pating03092]

Thank you, I'll be sure to purchase a Smart Gilas jersey when I'm in Metro Manila. I hope supplies last.

Me too!

I really hope Nike will issue as early as now. I really like the design of Gilas jersey. Their shirt is also cool. Hope Nike sell Gilas T shirts as well.
I think Smart Gilas will be very marketable.

 

[jolas]

The Incredible Shrinking Basketball Players How to make it as a hoops star in the Philippines. Step one: Get shorter.
By Rafe Bartholomew, 2007

Everywhere you look in the Philippines, there's a jerry-built basketball game. In farming towns without paved courts, kids dribble on dirt and bank shots off of two-by-fours lashed to coconut trees. On Manila street corners, players who can't afford sneakers run the court in flip-flops or bare feet. The country's professional players, however, play on state-of-the-art courts and wear top-notch apparel. Still, the Philippine Basketball Association is missing something just as fundamental to the game: height.

Basketball is a tall man's game. But in the Philippines, where men are short and hoops is an obsession, something's got to give. Several native "big men" are barely taller than 6 feet 3 inches, the standard height for NBA guards. Dunks are so rare in the PBA that the league has toyed with the idea of making slams worth three points. The league adds a dash of high-wire athleticism by allowing each team to hire one foreign-born star. But permitting American 7-footers to play would wreak havoc among the Lilliputian locals. As a result, the PBA bans imports taller than 6 feet 6 inches.

The rule works. The PBA's foreigners are a versatile bunch: pure shooters, workhorses who do a little of everything, burly inside operators. But while the imports typically dominate games, they still leave room for the best Filipino players—guards who whirl through defenses and score on twisting layups—to do what they do best.

The height limit may be good for the PBA, but it forces tall players into a Catch-22. After a lifetime spent exaggerating their height to look more appealing to scouts, players must try to become shorter to play in the Philippines. The teams, too, have an incentive to sneak in over-height imports—every inch gives you a competitive advantage. As a result, foreigners in the PBA, and the franchises who bring them over, have come up with several shrinking techniques. Some of the methods are tricky, some are pseudoscientific, and others are just plain batty.

The league's original height-altering technique was a trip to the barber. Weeks before he died of a heart attack in March, former PBA Commissioner Jun Bernardino told me that in the 1970s and 1980s, teams tried to shave inches by shaving players' heads. This practice has lapsed somewhat as large hairstyles—Afros, shags, flat tops—have gone out of fashion. The technique isn't foolproof, either. As teams sometimes discovered, it's not big hair but pointy skulls that disqualified their imports.

Need a quick fix, and a shaved head won't cut it? Coaches swear that intense exercise in the hours before a measurement will knock as much as an inch off a player's everyday height. Conventional wisdom in the PBA holds that shoulder presses and squats compress a player's bone structure, while running in the tropical heat will shrink you via dehydration.

The science behind this notion is, well, nonexistent. A quick survey of orthopedic surgeons at New York University Medical Center revealed a mix of outright contempt and polite skepticism. "We know of no method to shrink people," replied Dr. Joseph Bosco. The kinder, gentler Dr. Donald J. Rose offered this explanation: Weightlifting could compress the soft, fluid-filled disks between the vertebrae, and aerobic exercise could cause dehydration-related shrinkage in the disks. The resulting loss in height would be in millimeters, not inches, though.

The easiest way to shrink a basketball player has proven the most effective. Before the league allows a player to suit up, he must pass an official measurement. To appear shorter, players simply hunch over and bend their knees. Other temporary shrinking techniques include tucking your head into your chest and wearing billowing shorts that conceal bowed knees. Since as early as 1990, the PBA tried to counteract this technique by hiring men to push on players' knees and attempt to straighten their joints. Despite the straighteners' best efforts, the hunching player would hold the position and claim it was his natural posture.

Players and coaches get overcome with giddiness when discussing these finer points of height manipulation. Nic Belasco, a 10-year PBA veteran, gleefully re-enacted the bent-knees, tucked-chin stance for me after practice one afternoon. Tim Cone, head coach of the Alaska Aces, demonstrated how an import could lose an inch or two by leaning against a wall.

Alaska's current import, Rosell Ellis, has displayed a miraculous ability to shrink and grow over his five PBA seasons. In 2001, the league capped height at 6 feet 4 inches, and Ellis measured a shade over 6 feet 2 and a half. This season, with a 6-foot-6-inches height limit, he came in at almost 6 feet 5 inches. It's safe to say that Ellis, 32, didn't have a growth spurt. He told me that before his measurement in 2001, a coach advised him to make himself as short as possible so he could play in tournaments with even lower height limits. Ellis recalled the PBA's knee-pushing henchmen doing their darnedest to straighten him out, but he locked his joints and pushed his head down toward the base of his neck. Behold, the amazing, adjustable-height basketball player!

The PBA is well beyond the stage of questioning the logic behind its habitual athlete shrinking. The important thing is that it's always worked: If a team wanted to sneak in a tall import, it could always finagle a way to do it. That's starting to change now. Just before the current season got underway in March, former Seton Hall standout Kelly Whitney got the boot for being too tall. Whitney was done in by a new measuring technique. In 2005, the PBA began measuring imports lying down. Players are forced to lie flat on the ground with their feet against a board, while league employees pin down their knees, shoulders and heads. As of yet, nobody's figured out how to cheat this new system.

When you think about it, it's a wonder that the PBA permitted height fraud throughout most of its 32-year history when such a simple solution was available. Bernardino told me that when he was commissioner in the 1990s and early 2000s, every team was allowed to witness the measurements and thus couldn't complain about the results. Coaches who watched players droop and bend their way into the league acquired a bemused fatalism similar to the outlook many Filipinos have toward their famously corrupt politicians—they couldn't stop the cheating, so they laughed at it. The recent change to lying-down measurements seems to have been motivated by nothing more than a changing of the guard. Perry Martinez, head of PBA officials, told me that when his office took over measurement duties in 2005, they chose the new method because it yielded the most accurate heights.

There have been no official complaints about the stricter rules, but there have been unintended consequences. Last season, Alaska signed Victor Thomas, a two-time veteran of the PBA's 6-foot-6-inches-and-under tournaments. His coaches assumed that Thomas would make height and didn't bother attending his measurement. Shockingly, Thomas had sprouted and now stood taller than the limit. Alaska brought in a less-experienced player and was eventually swept in the playoffs. Thomas, for his part, found that being too tall for Philippine basketball was no career kiss of death. An Argentine team scooped him up shortly after his dismissal from the PBA, and he's since gotten another gig in Brazil. Victor Thomas may be too small for the NBA and too big for Southeast Asia, but in South America, he's just right.

 

[nardy2]

In Huddle
Injury cuts short return of Johnny A
By Beth Celis
First Posted 00:12:00 11/08/2009

TOO BAD THE FLYING A’S COMEBACK in the PBA was short-lived.

I can’t even remember the last time I saw him play, but last Friday, with two or three key Ginebra Kings sidelined, Johnny Abarrientos had to suit up for the game against Barako Bull to fill in the void.

Unfortunately, while fans were still hailing his comeback, Johnny severely injured his left index finger.

“For a moment there, he felt like the tip had been torn off,” said one of the scribes who went to the locker room where Johnny was being administered first aid.

The scribe said he could not stand the gore. “The wound was bleeding profusely and it would not stop,” he reported.

Johnny was attempting a steal when his finger caught in what they call a baller band Barako Bull’s Paulo Hubalde was wearing on his wrist.

Johnny had to be rushed to the hospital.

* * *

Yesterday, I contacted members of the Ginebra coaching staff to inquire about the condition of Johnny’s finger.

Allan Caidic said seven stitches were required to sew together the torn parts.

“Is it true that the tip was almost ripped off?” I asked Allan.

“Kinda,” was his brief reply.

While the finger has been treated and is whole again, Ginebra coach Jong Uichico said Johnny will not be able to play for awhile.

Ginebra is up against the winless Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the main game of tonight’s doubleheader at the Araneta Coliseum.

* * *

No wonder Rain or Shine coach Caloy Garcia was at the Cuneta Astrodome scouting last Friday night. At least that’s what the broadcast panelists said.

In the Elasto Painters’ game against San Miguel Beer last Wednesday, assistant coach Richard Del Rosario subbed for Caloy who was advised by his physicians to rest for a few days following a vehicular accident where he figured in last Monday night.

Caloy should be reporting for active duty tonight. He has vowed to break the Painters, five-game losing streak, and with a depleted Ginebra lineup following the Abarrientos injury, he has a good chance of accomplishing this.

Incidentally, fans have been asking why Alex Compton is no longer with the Rain or Shine coaching staff.

According to Rain or Shine alternate governor Carlo Quevada, Alex had been having difficulty dividing his time between his job with the SBP and his job as assistant coach of Rain or Shine.

Alex and Eric Altamirano are on top of the SBP’s youth program which requires a lot of time, work and out-of-town trips.

Carlo said Alex chose to give up his job with Rain or Shine in favor of his position with the SBP. Richard Del Rosario took over the post he vacated, explained Carlo.

* * *

If the job with SBP is that demanding, could Altamirano still be in a position to accept a coaching offer from the National University, assuming it comes his way?

From what I gathered, NU sports director Junel Baculi is on the lookout for a new Bulldogs coach and Altamirano is in his short list.

The two others are Louie Alas and Jorge Gallent, his former co-coaches at Harbour Centre.

 

[Red Baron2]

In Huddle
Injury cuts short return of Johnny A
By Beth Celis
First Posted 00:12:00 11/08/2009

TOO BAD THE FLYING A’S COMEBACK in the PBA was short-lived.

I can’t even remember the last time I saw him play, but last Friday, with two or three key Ginebra Kings sidelined, Johnny Abarrientos had to suit up for the game against Barako Bull to fill in the void.

Unfortunately, while fans were still hailing his comeback, Johnny severely injured his left index finger.

“For a moment there, he felt like the tip had been torn off,” said one of the scribes who went to the locker room where Johnny was being administered first aid.

The scribe said he could not stand the gore. “The wound was bleeding profusely and it would not stop,” he reported.

Johnny was attempting a steal when his finger caught in what they call a baller band Barako Bull’s Paulo Hubalde was wearing on his wrist.

Johnny had to be rushed to the hospital.

* * *

Yesterday, I contacted members of the Ginebra coaching staff to inquire about the condition of Johnny’s finger.

Allan Caidic said seven stitches were required to sew together the torn parts.

“Is it true that the tip was almost ripped off?” I asked Allan.

“Kinda,” was his brief reply.

While the finger has been treated and is whole again, Ginebra coach Jong Uichico said Johnny will not be able to play for awhile.

Ginebra is up against the winless Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the main game of tonight’s doubleheader at the Araneta Coliseum.

* * *

No wonder Rain or Shine coach Caloy Garcia was at the Cuneta Astrodome scouting last Friday night. At least that’s what the broadcast panelists said.

In the Elasto Painters’ game against San Miguel Beer last Wednesday, assistant coach Richard Del Rosario subbed for Caloy who was advised by his physicians to rest for a few days following a vehicular accident where he figured in last Monday night.

Caloy should be reporting for active duty tonight. He has vowed to break the Painters, five-game losing streak, and with a depleted Ginebra lineup following the Abarrientos injury, he has a good chance of accomplishing this.

Incidentally, fans have been asking why Alex Compton is no longer with the Rain or Shine coaching staff.

According to Rain or Shine alternate governor Carlo Quevada, Alex had been having difficulty dividing his time between his job with the SBP and his job as assistant coach of Rain or Shine.

Alex and Eric Altamirano are on top of the SBP’s youth program which requires a lot of time, work and out-of-town trips.

Carlo said Alex chose to give up his job with Rain or Shine in favor of his position with the SBP. Richard Del Rosario took over the post he vacated, explained Carlo.

* * *

If the job with SBP is that demanding, could Altamirano still be in a position to accept a coaching offer from the National University, assuming it comes his way?

From what I gathered, NU sports director Junel Baculi is on the lookout for a new Bulldogs coach and Altamirano is in his short list.

The two others are Louie Alas and Jorge Gallent, his former co-coaches at Harbour Centre.

I really feel bad for Johnny A... I'm been a fan of alaska since 1990 and i feel Johnny A. is a phenomenal player and the real anchor of the alaska in the 90's even though i think JOLAS is still the heart and soul of the team.. For you Johnny A. God Bless...

Smart Gilas God Bless

 

[karirista2]

PBA must have switched radio partners...

I heard an announcement earlier from DZRJ-AM that beginning this afternoon Radyo PBA will be heard on that station, where we all know that DZSR is the radio partner of the PBA until I think last Sunday.

 

[karirista2]

Confirmed

Confirmed

Beginning today, DZRJ Radyo Bandido 810 KHz will be the new carrying station/radio partner of PBA, where the PBA games will be broadcast live on that station on PBA gamedays.

DZRJ replaces DZSR Sports Radio 918 as the carrying station.

Even I'm wondering what happened, when in fact they should be doing a good job there at SR, but this is what Jay P. Mercado of Pex had to say:

"Reports have it that negotiations for the contract renewal of PBA Radyo with DZSR-AM bogged down, forcing Ed Picson and his group to tie up with DZRJ-AM. I'm assuming the cost of having the games covered by RJ-AM is significantly cheaper compared to what DZSR-AM is asking for."

 

[FlaByNyt2]

Speaking of Radio..Anybody out there in the Philippines know if there is a radio station that talks all about sports? Sir Nardy? Im based here in South Florida for several years now and i just cant remember of one there. I know there are a lot of sports freaks out there especially basketball. Wouldn't it be nice people calling in and talking about the PBA, Smart Gilas, SBP/BAP, boxing, football, volleyball, etc... I know there are TV shows like Basketball Crazy, The Basketball Show (the one with Bill Velasco?), HardBall(?) ...but not a sports radio...im not talking about sport segments in a radio station but a pure sports radio station.. Just Curious.....Anyway thank God for this Forum!

 

[denbote2]

Speaking of Radio..Anybody out there in the Philippines know if there is a radio station that talks all about sports? Sir Nardy? Im based here in South Florida for several years now and i just cant remember of one there. I know there are a lot of sports freaks out there especially basketball. Wouldn't it be nice people calling in and talking about the PBA, Smart Gilas, SBP/BAP, boxing, football, volleyball, etc... I know there are TV shows like Basketball Crazy, The Basketball Show (the one with Bill Velasco?), HardBall(?) ...but not a sports radio...im not talking about sport segments in a radio station but a pure sports radio station.. Just Curious.....Anyway thank God for this Forum!

you can try this Radio Station
http://netvision.com.ph/radio.php?a=Sports Radio

 

[FlaByNyt2]

Thanks Denbote..i'll try the link!

 

[nardy2]

Speaking of Radio..Anybody out there in the Philippines know if there is a radio station that talks all about sports? Sir Nardy? Im based here in South Florida for several years now and i just cant remember of one there. I know there are a lot of sports freaks out there especially basketball. Wouldn't it be nice people calling in and talking about the PBA, Smart Gilas, SBP/BAP, boxing, football, volleyball, etc... I know there are TV shows like Basketball Crazy, The Basketball Show (the one with Bill Velasco?), HardBall(?) ...but not a sports radio...im not talking about sport segments in a radio station but a pure sports radio station.. Just Curious.....Anyway thank God for this Forum!

the only one I know here in RP which comes near is AM Station DZSR Sports Radio 918. Then there's also a Radio Sports Program called Sportstalk which is hosted by ex-Senator Freddie Webb also Former Basketball Olympian with sexy Gretchen Fullido who is a former champion varsity swimmer at AM Station DZMM 630 which airs from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM, Saturdays Manila Time.

http://amfmph.com/sports-radio-dzsr-918-khz.html

http://www.dzmm.com.ph/dzmm-stream.html

 

[chimeara272]

smart gilas

smart gilas

ang smart gilas ba ay naglalaro pa sa PBA?