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Look at Globar Port making blockbuster trade for a 3/4 player
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To SMC or MVP teams!Originally posted by all_about View PostNot only does God play dice, but sometimes he throws the dice where we can’t see them.
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Toroman, Racela to work in tandem
By Joaquin Henson The Philippine Star Updated August 25, 2012 12:00 AM 2 comments to this post
MANILA, Philippines - In the same way Ron Jacobs used to work with Jong Uichico, Petron will open the PBA’s 38th season combining the coaching expertise of Serbian veteran Rajko Toroman and Olsen Racela to lead the Blaze Boosters back to title contention.
Petron failed to qualify for the finals in the previous three conferences and hasn’t waltzed in the Last Dance since claiming the Governors Cup trophy in 2010-11. With Ato Agustin making way for the Toroman-Racela tandem, things are looking up for the Blaze Boosters particularly as Marcio Lassiter is finally reunited with former Smart Gilas teammate Chris Lutz. Lassiter was traded to Petron before the start of the Governors Cup last season but sat out the entire conference with a broken right hand. Agustin relinquished his head coaching post to focus on his political career in San Fernando, Pampanga, but will remain with the San Miguel organization as ABL consultant.
The Blaze Boosters opened training camp at the Acropolis Gym last Wednesday with first overall draft pick June Mar Fajardo, a legitimate 6-10 center, impressing the coaching staff. Aside from Fajardo, Petron welcomes third overall choice 6-3 Alex Mallari and 6-7 Magi Sison via a trade with Air 21. R. J. Rizada and newly-reacquired Paolo Hubalde will likely be relegated to the San Miguel Beer roster in the ABL while reserve guard Axel Doruelo has been cut. Back in the fold are Arwind Santos, Alex Cabagnot, Lutz, Denok Miranda, Jay Washington, Dorian Peña, Joseph Yeo, Chico Lanete, Danny Ildefonso, Dondon Hontiveros and Jojo Duncil. Traded to Air 21 were Rob Reyes and Noy Baclao.
Racela, 41, has been designated Petron head coach with Toroman as consultant but they’ll be working closely together almost like father-and-son. “We like to think that two heads are better than one,” said San Miguel director of sports Noli Eala. “It was Olsen himself who requested if Rajko could be co-coach. Rajko has been given an expanded and active role with the team. He’s handling the practices. They’ll consult each other when it comes to game-planning and strategizing.”
Toroman, 57, began sitting on the Petron bench last conference. He brings a wealth of basketball experience to the table, having piloted Iran to the FIBA-Asia title in 2007 and a ticket to the Beijing Olympics the next year. Formerly with Smart Gilas, Toroman is expected to bring the San Miguel group’s flagship team back to championship form.
“We need to build chemistry but we’re excited,” said Eala. “We won’t rush June Mar but by the middle of the first conference, we expect him to be playing major minutes. We’ll break him in slowly. We’re also high on Alex Mallari who’s a tall point guard. Alex is quick and a slasher. He plays like Jared Dillinger. We’ll use a tight rotation and for sure, Alex will be in that rotation with Marcio and Chris.”
No less than San Miguel Corp. president Ramon Ang has summoned the Petron coaching staff for a meeting to express his all-out support. “We’ve talked to the players about Olsen and Rajko working together and everyone’s excited,” said Eala. Backing up Racela and Toroman are assistant coaches Gee Abanilla, Biboy Ravanes, Jorge Gallent, Peter Martin and Bobby Parks.
As for San Miguel’s squad in the ABL, Eala said coach Parks is now laying the groundwork to beef up the second place finisher. The Beermen made a sensational debut in the ABL last season, barging into the finals and bowing to Indonesia in a best-of-three series that went the distance. Chris Banchero and Leo Avenido will be back. Rizada and Hubalde will join from the PBA. Former FEU and Smart Gilas swingman J. R. Cawaling and Adamson star Alex Nuyles, still nursing a shoulder injury, are being recruited. There is also a possibility that Don Allado, suspended for one PBA conference, and Eric Menk might be signed up.
“We understand Don is open to playing in the ABL,” said Eala. “As for Eric, he’s willing to play in the ABL, too. He’s been in and out of the Ginebra lineup but if he stays, he might be given a role like Johnny Abarrientos before. Eric could be part of the Ginebra coaching staff but will be available for reactivation if a regular player gets injured. I think Eric can contribute and help our team in the ABL. It just won’t be a roster spot for him. If we can work out a deal, we’ll bring Eric in.”
Eala declined to reveal details of deals in the pipeline involving Ginebra but said coach Siot Tanquingcen is working overtime to beef up the cast. Six players were picked in the recent draft – Chris Ellis, Keith Jensen, Jerick Canada, Paul Zamar, J. R. Buensuceso and Elliott Tan. K.G. Canaleta and John Wilson were traded to Air 21. A big man is en route to being traded while a small man is on the verge of enlisting.“I never realised that to be a jockey you had to be a horse first.”
-Arrigo SacchiComment
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A big man is en route to being traded while a small man is on the verge of enlisting.
kerby for tubid?Comment
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with the rumors coming out i think japeth is on his way out of TnT camp. Looking for a coach who will use his talent and height.
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snow badua @snowbadua
A defensive guard from MORAYTA was offered last week for the now SUPERSTAR GUARD. But the COACH reportedly said NO, THANKS.Tenorio's stock just got higher.snow badua @snowbadua
The SUPERSTAR GUARD is now the country's newest hero.
The message you have entered is too short. Please lengthen your message to at least 5 characters.Comment
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Denok for LA? Seems one-sided to me...surely, Petron could have offered someone more significant.Comment
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how about if they changed it to cabagnot for tenorio? would that be fair?Originally posted by Jay P. Mercado View PostThe message you have entered is too short. Please lengthen your message to at least 5 characters.Comment
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Not fair for Petron.Originally posted by digitalsuperman View Post
If there is no basketball in heaven, i am NOT going.
SMALLBALL, bitches..Comment
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Sure DT...Petron is always the aggrieved party in your Blaze Booster-tinted glasses!
Cabagnot for Tenorio is ok although I doubt it will happen. They made a huge mistake in the past when they traded Tenorio to Alaska for Mike Cortez, infuriating Henry Cojuangco who wasn't around to approve that deal. It was a blot on the record of Robert Non and Siot Tanquincen especially since Tenorio was supposedly San Miguel Beer's future. They eventually got Cabagnot, another most-sought after player by the Beermen even during his rookie year with Sta. Lucia.
Here's the thing though - count out any possibility for now for Alaska to make a trade arrangement with any of the SMC teams unless they will truly benefit from this. Alaska has made an open secret alliance with ROS as the two independent teams who'll be willing to work with each other in fair trades. Notice how WSU made a pitch for ROS' championship as something that he truly wanted to happen. That statement actually spoke volumes...Comment
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Haha. Talent for talent it's about a wash. Both about the same age too so it's really a fair deal. Defensively, i'd go with the taller Cabagnot though. So all in all, i want Petron to stick with him. Fact is any more major changes (like changing court generals for your team) will hurt Petron even more at this stage. Again, talent-wise it's almost equal so no argument there. More on continuity is the reasoning for the statement: Not fair for PetronOriginally posted by Jay P. Mercado View PostSure DT...Petron is always the aggrieved party in your Blaze Booster-tinted glasses!
Cabagnot for Tenorio is ok although I doubt it will happen. They made a huge mistake in the past when they traded Tenorio to Alaska for Mike Cortez, infuriating Henry Cojuangco who wasn't around to approve that deal. It was a blot on the record of Robert Non and Siot Tanquincen especially since Tenorio was supposedly San Miguel Beer's future. They eventually got Cabagnot, another most-sought after player by the Beermen even during his rookie year with Sta. Lucia.
Here's the thing though - count out any possibility for now for Alaska to make a trade arrangement with any of the SMC teams unless they will truly benefit from this. Alaska has made an open secret alliance with ROS as the two independent teams who'll be willing to work with each other in fair trades. Notice how WSU made a pitch for ROS' championship as something that he truly wanted to happen. That statement actually spoke volumes...
If there is no basketball in heaven, i am NOT going.
SMALLBALL, bitches..Comment
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I believe they're asking to include Mallari but PBB won't bite!Originally posted by Jay P. Mercado View PostNot only does God play dice, but sometimes he throws the dice where we can’t see them.Comment
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Ronjay Buenafe traded to meralco for its 2014 1st round pick....Comment
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Buenafe is a good player though but.......Originally posted by Big Ticket View Post
What in the world is Meralco DOINGGGGGGGGGG?..To becomes Asia's Best, we need to compete against the World's Best..
1 Big 4 small > 5 out offense.Comment
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