source: Nelson Beltran | philstar.com
The just-concluded 31st William Jones Cup competition in Taipei showed Middle Eastern countries as emerging powerhouse teams or new threats to China for supremacy in Asian basketball.
RP-Powerade coach Yeng Guiao made this assessment at the close of the nine-day, nine-nation event dominated by Middle East neighbors Iran, Lebanon and Jordan.
The Iranians, the reigning Fiba-Asia champions, won the crown by beating the Lebanese and the Jordanians in the tiebreak.
Powerade Team Pilipinas, with only two wins against six losses, placed sixth - the lowest finish by a PBA selection in the annual tourney ruled by the Filipinos in 1981, 1985 and 1998.
“With their size, their NBA players, their naturalized players and their big improvement, these Middle East teams are now really tough to beat,” said Guiao.
“It’s (the Jones Cup experience) a realization that the Asian countries are beatable. We can beat them with little preparation. Against the Middle East teams, we have to have luck on our side. We need exceptional three-point shooting to beat them,” Guiao said.
The fiery national mentor, however, remains confident of the Nationals’ chances in the upcoming Fiba-Asia Championship.
“It’s a big task but not a mission impossible,” said Guiao whose team needs to make the Top Three in the Tianjin, China competition to gain a return stint to the Turkey World Championship next year.
“We already had the luck in the draw. Assuming we can’t beat Iran (in the A and B cluster), I think all others (Korea, Japan, Sri Lanka, Uzbekistan, Chinese-Taipei and Kuwait) are beatable. We have a realistic chance to make the quarters. But after that, things would already be doubly tough for us,” Guiao said.
Returning from the Taipei competition yesterday, the Nationals will immediately buckle down to work starting today.
“We have asked the boys to eat, drink and think Fiba-Asia in this final week of our training. We’ll have twice-a-day practice, including viewing session. We will really go hard on them in practice until our departure for Tianjin,” said Guiao.
“Definitely, we have to make changes in terms of our approach to our rivals. We have to run screen plays. They don’t call these on international play. We’ll push the guys to get in better shape and we’ll sharpen up our three-point shooting,” Guiao said.
If plans push through, the Nationals will play the Lebanese in a tune-up match at the Ynares Sports Complex Sunday.
The Lebanon team took the same flight with RP-Powerade from Taipei. As in 2007 Fiba-Asia, the Lebanese are laying over in Manila, doing their final training here before proceeding to Tianjin.
With two NBA veterans in Jackson Vroman and Matt Freije, Lebanon is among the favorites to figure prominently in the championship race in the Asian joust.
Lebanon lost to Iran and Jordan in the Jones Cup as Vroman and Freije arrived late for the tourney.
Middle East fives loom new Asian powers
Ryan Reyes may still play in FIBA-Asia meet
source: gmanews.tv
It’s all up to Ryan Reyes.
Powerade-Team Pilipinas coach Yeng Guiao said it would be Reyes’ call and not his whether or not to reinsert the injured guard into the RP team roster that will fly to Tianjin, China next week for the 25th FIBA-Asia men’s basketball championship.
Rules allow teams to alter the lineups they submitted last Friday until three days before the tournament comes off the wraps on Aug. 6.
“If Ryan tells me he’s O.K. to play, then I’ll find a way for him," said Guiao, who earlier named Reyes and Talk ‘N Text forward Ranidel de Ocampo as alternates.
The 25-year-old Reyes, who played for California State-Fullerton and was drafted third overall by the Sta. Lucia Realtors, pulled a hamstring muscle in his left thigh during the 8th SEABA Men’s Championship in Medan last June and has been listed as day-to-day since.
“If I don’t feel I’m 90 percent healthy, then I’d rather not play because I don’t want to bring the team down," said Reyes, who has an appointment with noted sports medicine specialist and orthopedic surgeon Dr. Raul Canlas after the RP team returns home Monday.
A sharp pain that shot up his thigh while doing lateral exercises a couple of days ago, Reyes said, prompted him to inform Guiao of his condition.
Guiao, who has repeatedly said he wanted Reyes on his team, accepted Reyes’ decision to be stricken off the 12-man team but left the door ajar for any eventuality.
“All Ryan has to do is say it," said Guiao, who refused to discuss whose spot Reyes would take over if he turns up fine within the next seven days.
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Yeng Guiao disclosed the final line-up of the Powerade-RP Team to the 25th FIBA Asia Men’s Championship set Aug. 6-16 in Tianjin, China.
The team will be composed of Jayjay Helterbrand, Willie Miller, Gabe Norwood, Arwind Santos, Jared Dillinger, Cyrus Baguio, Japeth Aguilar, Kerby Raymundo, Sonny Thoss, James Yap, Asi Taulava, and Mick Pennisi. (thanks sir Rick!)
FIBA ASIA Schedule
Aug 6 (RP vs. Sri Lanka 9AM), Aug 7 (RP vs. Japan 9PM) , Aug 8 (RP vs. Korea 9PM)
FIBA ASIA TV Broadcast & Free Live Streaming (August 6-16, 2009)
Solar / Basketball TV Channel, CCTV5, Aljazeera, TeamPilipinas.info - RNHalawi.com
NOTES: “Tie A Yellow Ribbon,” the ‘70s pop hit by Tony Orlando and The Dawn and the unofficial anthem for former Sen. Benigno Aquino on his ill-fated arrival from Taiwan in 1983, was played during the pre-game introductions for the RP-Taiwan match Saturday…Organizers apparently found out the reason for the strips of yellow adhesives taped on the Philippine team’s uniforms and dug out the song from their music archives…Jordan’s Portuguese coach Mario Palma, whose decision to walk out of their game with Iran might have cost his team a third straight championship here, remains furious over the incident, branding it “a shame” and calling the two Taiwanese referees in that game “cowards.”...Grief befell the RP team before the Iran game when news reached the players that Wynne Arboleda's father had passed away. - PBA.ph
"We extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to the family of Wynne Arboleda.."
Iran NT defeat Powerade Team Pilipinas, 85-60 (Game Replay Videos and Photos)
(source: GMAnews.tv) Powerade-Team Pilipinas simply had no answer to Iran’s might and height, yielding an 85-60 setback to the reigning FIBA-Asia men’s champion as it closed its campaign in the 31st William Jones Cup tournament on a losing note Sunday in Taipei .
The Nationals found themselves trailing early on, 14-7, and eventually got buried at the half, 51-23.
Game over.
“Game was very easy, no problem," said Iran coach Vaselin Matic, who inherited the post from Rajko Toroman, now the mentor of the RP Smart Gilas team.
The meeting was the first between the two teams since the 2007 FIBA-Asia Men’s Championship – an Olympic qualifying tournament – in Tokushima, Japan, which the Iranians eventually ruled. Iran also prevailed during that game, 75-69.
We had no solution to their height advantage, we just couldn’t match up with their size," said national coach Yeng Guiao.
The Nationals wrapped up their campaign with a 2-6 slate, good for sixth spot, three rungs lower than the third place finish of their 2007 predecessors.
They are set to return to the country on Monday.
Shrugging off a hit sustained from Ranidel de Ocampo that produced a bruise above his right eye, Iran’s 7-foot-3 behemoth Hamed Ehadadi proved to be the key to Iran’s complete dominance in every aspect of the game.
The Memphis Grizzlies big man finished with 19 points and 12 rebounds.
With Toroman, who coached them in Tokushima, watching at sideline of the Hsinchuang gym, the Iranians delivered an awesome performance that installed them as a force to reckon with in the 25th FIBA Asia Men’s Championship in Tianjin, China next month.
In an earlier game, Japan, reduced to five players, including the veteran Takehiko Orimo, after the rest of the team succumbed to intestinal flu, fell to Taiwan-B, 97-91.
Food poisoning also claimed players from other teams, including Ehadadi who was brought to the hospital and was absent when host Taiwan stunned Iran, 80-76, Saturday.
With Iran’s second loss, Jordan, which walked out of its Thursday game with the Iranians in disgust over officiating, revived its bid for a third straight championship.
Lebanon, on the other hand, scuttled the hopes of South Korea after Matt Freije unloaded 39 points and hauled down 11 rebounds in a 97-79 rout.
The Jordanians (6-1) were to aim for the title against Kazakhstan after the RP-Iran game. -
The scores:
Iran 85 - Ehadadi 19 Bahrami 18, Afagh 14, Tadjik 11, Kamrany 9, Sahakian 6, Amini 3, Davoudi 2, Davarpanah 2, Akbari 1, Doraghi 0, Davari 0.
Team Pilipinas 60 - Thoss 13, Baguio 12, Santos 9, Aguilar 7, Dillinger 5, De Ocampo 4, Raymundo 3, Miller 3, Taulava 2, Norwood 2.
Quarterscores: 25-12; 41-23; 74-43; 85-60
Taiwan B (97) vs. Japan (91)
RP (60) vs. Iran (85)
Korea (74) vs. Taiwan A (81)
Kazakhstan vs. Jordan (6PM)
Closing Ceremony (8PM)
RP vs. Iran Game Replay Video (thanks to OnePunch)
Watch Complete Game Replay here (RP vs. Iran)
(photos: JonesCupOfficialWebsite)
NOTES: “Tie A Yellow Ribbon,” the ‘70s pop hit by Tony Orlando and The Dawn and the unofficial anthem for former Sen. Benigno Aquino on his ill-fated arrival from Taiwan in 1983, was played during the pre-game introductions for the RP-Taiwan match Saturday…Organizers apparently found out the reason for the strips of yellow adhesives taped on the Philippine team’s uniforms and dug out the song from their music archives…Jordan’s Portuguese coach Mario Palma, whose decision to walk out of their game with Iran might have cost his team a third straight championship here, remains furious over the incident, branding it “a shame” and calling the two Taiwanese referees in that game “cowards.”...Grief befell the RP team before the Iran game when news reached the players that Wynne Arboleda's father had passed away.
(source: PBA.ph)
Team Pilipinas defeat Taiwan team B, 94-90 (Game Replay Videos and Photos)
(source: PBA.ph) TAIPEI – Powerade-Team Pilipinas found some reason to breath easier before it faces league-leading Iran at the close of the 31st William Jones Cup, getting past Taiwan-B, 94-90, Saturday at the Hsinchuang gym.
Willie Miller scored 22 points, Arwind Santos added 16 and Jared Dillinger 13 points as the Nationals, who had strips of yellow adhesives taped to their jerseys in honor of ailing former president Corazon C. Aquino, ended a three-game losing streak in improving to 2-5.
Taiwan’s second team absorbed its sixth loss in seven games but not after giving the RP team, which led 92-81 on Miller’s free throws with less than two minutes remaining, another endgame scare.
The Nationals were more up to the task this time despite national coach Yeng Guiao’s decision to turn the last few minutes of the game into a practicum for Dillinger, Santos and Japeth Aguilar.
“I wanted to see how they would react in the end without the benefit of a timeout or key players with them inside,” said Guiao.
Dillinger and Aguilar missed four free throws in succession, leaving Taiwan-B within 92-88, but Santos, a consistent member of the PBA’s All-Defensive team, stole the ball from forward Chang Tsung and converted a breakaway layup for 94-88 with 35 seconds to go.
“Taiwan is a tough team to beat because of its quickness,” Guiao said. “They broke down our individual defense. And when we tried to play a zone, they shot well from the outside and so we had to revert to the man-to-man.”
In an earlier game, Jordan, which forfeited its Thursday’s game with Iran in protest over officiating, crushed Japan, 93-58, for its sixth win in seven outings.
Meanwhile, PBA commissioner Renauld ‘Sonny’ Barrios exhorted the national players early in the morning to “shape up for the mission ahead,” reminding them that only an “optimum performance” can spell success in the 25th FIBA Asia Men’s Basketball Championship in Tianjin, China two weeks from now.
Speaking to team members, including national coach Yeng Guiao and manager JB Baylon, after a Mass offered at the Sunworld Dynasty Hotel for the recovery of Mrs. Aquino who is gravely ill, Barrios addressed the need for the players to get in top condition and to work on their outside shooting and free throws.
“Do it for yourselves, the PBA, and – take this seriously for they are not empty words – for flag and country,” Barrios said.
Quoting excepts from “Values of the Game,” a book written by NBA legend and former 3-term United States senator Bill Bradley, Barrios spoke of the essentials required to excel in the game.
“If you can’t run, you can’t win,” Barrios said, reading from the paperback. “And the only way to improve your shooting is to shoot.”
In the book, Bradley wrote about his personal off-season shooting regimen: taking 25 shots from five different spots.
“He shoots 25 from one area and he has to make them all,” Barrios told the players. “If he misses on the 23rd, then he returns to No. 1. That’s the kind of discipline and dedication Bill Bradley put to improve his game.”
The starting forward of the ‘70s New York Knicks also recalled the time Hubie Brown, then an assistant coach with the 1972 Milwaukee Bucks, went to practice an hour and a half ahead of schedule with the intention of impressing head coach Larry Costello.
“Lo and behold! Who was there when Hubie Brown arrived? Kareem Abdul Jabbar, practicing his skyhook,” Barrios said. “And what Kareem did, according to the book, was put a smaller rim inside the regular ring and shoot through it.”
Barrios brought to the RP players’ attention percentages gathered from the 2007 RP-Tokushima team coached by Chot Reyes, the latest season of the NBA and the PBA, and the Powerade-RP’s performance in the 8th SEABA Men’s Championship in Medan last June.
“Sad to say, guys, we’re lagging behind, fourth and last, in combined field goal percentage, especially in three-point conversion, and in free throw shooting,” he said. “So now you know what kind of work you have to cram into the last 10 days.”
The coaching staff’s decision to name Ryan Reyes and Ranidel de Ocampo as alternates was also brought up.
“We would have submitted all 14 players to the FIBA Asia but the requirement was just for 12,” Barrios said. “However, this we told the two guys and this I share to all of you now: the coach has the discretion to change anybody in the lineup three days before the tournament begins if he feels a need for it.
“So I’m urging all of you to shape up and be in the best condition that you can be within the next few days.”
Barrios paid tribute, first to Wynne Arboleda, the veteran Burger King playmaker, for “being around to help the team,” and then to the rest of the RP, acknowledging “you work so hard within very limited parameters.”
Expressing his “faith” in them, Barrios concluded by saying, “We shall sink or swim with this team, but we have to play as one.”
The Mass, originally scheduled Sunday, was officiated by Fr. Joy Tajonera. M.M., a native of Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro, and was arranged through the Sacred Heart of Joes & the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Chapel and UGNAYAN, a migrant and immigrant ministry based here.
The scores:
POWERADE-RP 94 – Miller 22, Santos 16, Dillinger 13, Baguio 12, Raymundo 6, Taulava 6, Norwood 6, Aguilar 6, De Ocampo 4, Thoss 2, Arboleda 2.
TAIWAN-B 90 – Chang T.H. 24, Kin 17, Chen 12, Lin 8, Chen Y.A. 8, Lu 6, Lo 5, Tsai 4, Hung 3, Wang 3, Lin C.J. 0.
Quarterscores: 28-22; 48-41; 69-67; 94-90
RP vs. Taiwan B - 4th Quarter Replay (thanks to OnePunch)
click here to watch full video replay
(photo: jonescupofficialwebsite)
(Follow the Instructions - Internet Explorer version)
click here for Hiqh Quality Stream - IE only
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Final line-up of the Powerade-RP Team to the 25th FIBA Asia Men’s Championship set Aug. 6-16 in Tianjin, China.
The team will be composed of Jayjay Helterbrand, Willie Miller, Gabe Norwood, Arwind Santos, Jared Dillinger, Cyrus Baguio, Japeth Aguilar, Kerby Raymundo, Sonny Thoss, James Yap, Asi Taulava, and Mick Pennisi.
FIBA ASIA Schedule (Round 1)
Aug 6 (RP vs. Sri Lanka 9AM), Aug 7 (RP vs. Japan 9PM) , Aug 8 (RP vs. Korea 9PM)
TEAM PILIPINAS PHOTOS & VIDEOS:
(click the image below)
Always, there’s winning in time of losing
source: Al Mendoza | sunstar.com.ph
When was the last time you wanted to lose more than win?
In my case, I couldn’t remember.
OK, OK, in games I had played with my younger brothers, my son and other relatives of mine much younger than me, I almost always wanted to lose more than win.
The Big Brother thing is inherent in me: I hate to defeat rivals younger than me.
Most of the time, I knew I could beat most of them. But I’ve learned much from Nixon’s ping pong diplomacy, if not from Tom Hanks’s Forrest Gump movie.
In losing, you could also end up winning.
So, against junior kin, I always played to lose.
The winning is in the heart, never in the final score.
I cite this in view of what’s going on in the Jones Cup in Taipei.
We’ve been losing a lot in that tournament we are now deep down the cellar.
Scary?
Not to the coaching staff—seemingly.
If you haven’t sensed it yet, I can understand all this teeth-gritting from you, guys. Even cussing.
But if you ask me, I’ve long ago known—no, had this hunch—that we went to Taipei not necessarily to win the trophy.
Rather, we flew a yet-to-be assembled national squad to the Jones Cup to use the joust in assembling a crew for a war of future significance to flag and country.
If we won one or two, that’d just be a bonus.
Now, to come down to it, we are in Taiwan to finally select the RP Team to the Fiba-Asia World Championship qualifier in Tianjin, China, set to begin in barely two weeks.
Two players would be dropped—if they haven’t been nudged out yet.
Too expensive a game plan, you might say?
Going overseas just to form a national team?
Not really.
We are there shooting two birds with one stone, to use a cliché.
We compete and next select.
The competition is added tune-up for our intrepid warriors, the selection gaining the ultimate in the journey.
So, quit blabbing now, please? Stop the wailing.
Instead, let’s cheer them on even.
At times, the meaning of life is also measured in the losses we incur.
As the saying goes, “It’s not in the rising but in the falling.”
(alsol47@yahoo.com)
Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on July 25, 2009.
Racela thinks Alapag, Hontiveros are RP team material
source: gmanews.tv
To the eyes of Olsen Racela Jimmy Alapag and Dondon Hontiveros were two players left out in the Powerade-Team Pilipinas’ lineup.
Team Pilipinas, who will be competing in next month’s FIBA Asia Men’s Basketball Championship, is currently playing in the 31st William Jones Cup in Taipei.
“We lacked a great point guard and we don’t have enough shooters," Racela, who is a two-time member of the all-pro RP squad to the Asian Games, told GMANews.TV.
“Jimmy was the most consistent among all Filipino players in Tokushima and perhaps the most effective point guard at that time. Jayjay (Helterbrand) was only a backup for Jimmy," said the former Ateneo stalwart.
“Dondon helped opened up the middle with his long-ranged jumpers and could become an asset to the RP team now. I truly felt they deserved spots in the RP team."
Alapag was the most consistent RP team player in the country’s previous participation in the FIBA Asia Championship while Hontiveros, aside from being an outside threat, was a decent defender at the big guard position during his two previous stints with the Nationals.
Unfortunately, these two key players weren’t included in the Powerade-RP quintet handled by Yeng Guiao.
Guiao said Alapag was close to making the team. He was the third choice for the point guard spot, which is now occupied by Helterbrand sophomore Ryan Reyes of Sta. Lucia.
Other players like Fil-Ams Jared Dillinger and Gabe Norwood as well as two-time MVP Willie Miller can also play the point guard post.
Alapag’s non-inclusion, according to Guiao, was also based on the match up situations as taller guards are playing in the international level.
As for Hontiveros, the big guard spot is so congested, which is the reason why he failed to represent the country for the third time and join Asi Taulava and Mick Pennisi as the longest-tenured players in the RP team roster.
Racela, on the other hand, praised Jong Uichico’s inclusion in Guiao’s coaching staff. “What people don’t know about coach Jong is how good he is in terms of scouting and game preparations."
“Grabe yung game preparation ni coach Jong. He is really a hardworking mentor. Broken down to details talaga yung nasa notes niya. He will be a big help for coach Yeng and his experience in the international is also a big plus."
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Final line-up of the Powerade-RP Team to the 25th FIBA Asia Men’s Championship set Aug. 6-16 in Tianjin, China.
The team will be composed of Jayjay Helterbrand, Willie Miller, Gabe Norwood, Arwind Santos, Jared Dillinger, Cyrus Baguio, Japeth Aguilar, Kerby Raymundo, Sonny Thoss, James Yap, Asi Taulava, and Mick Pennisi.
FIBA ASIA Schedule (Round 1)
Aug 6 (RP vs. Sri Lanka 9AM), Aug 7 (RP vs. Japan 9PM) , Aug 8 (RP vs. Korea 9PM)
Purefoods offers 3 top players for Aguilar
source: Nelson Beltran | philstar.com
Purefoods joined the tug-of-war for the services of Japeth Aguilar the day after the 6-foot-9 behemoth officially made himself available for the coming PBA draft.
Burger King governor and team manager Lito Alvarez told The STAR in an overseas call that they’ve been approached by Purefoods offering a trade deal involving the Whoppers’ rights for the No. 1 pick.
Alvarez said they could have Enrico Villanueva, Peter June Simon, Rich Alvarez and Purefoods’ No. 3 pick in exchange for Aguilar.
“Both teams are studying the matter. On our part, we’ll make the final decision upon coach Yeng Guiao’s arrival (from the Jones Cup competition),” said Alvarez.
“The question right now is whether Japeth is really that good. We would get practically a first five on what’s being offered to us,” Alvarez added.
If they trade picks with Purefoods, Burger King would instead get Rico Maierhofer.
“It’s a tempting offer but based on newspaper reports, it appears coach Yeng really wants Japeth,” Alvarez said.
Talk n Text coach Chot Reyes has also said they want Aguilar. Their problem is what to offer to Burger King in exchange for the promising young player.
Powerade-Team Pilipinas to Tianjin named
Yeng Guiao disclosed the final line-up of the Powerade-RP Team to the 25th FIBA Asia Men’s Championship set Aug. 6-16 in Tianjin, China.
The team will be composed of Jayjay Helterbrand, Willie Miller, Gabe Norwood, Arwind Santos, Jared Dillinger, Cyrus Baguio, Japeth Aguilar, Kerby Raymundo, Sonny Thoss, James Yap, Asi Taulava, and Mick Pennisi. (thanks sir Rick!)
FIBA ASIA Schedule
Aug 6 (RP vs. Sri Lanka 9AM), Aug 7 (RP vs. Japan 9PM) , Aug 8 (RP vs. Korea 9PM)
Undersized De Ocampo, injured Reyes out of RP Team roster
(source: GMANews.tv) Ranidel De Ocampo and Ryan Reyes were the two players cut by Yeng Guiao in the Powerade Team Pilipinas’ official lineup for the 25th FIBA Asia Men’s Championship in Tianjin, China next month.
Shortly before the Nationals went into practice Friday in the 31st William Jones Cup tournament in Taipei, Guiao named the final 12.
Included in the list are Jayjay Helterbrand, Willie Miller, Gabe Norwood, Arwind Santos, Jared Dillinger, Cyrus Baguio, Japeth Aguilar, Kerby Raymundo, Sonny Thoss, James Yap, Asi Taulava and Mick Pennisi.
A shoo-in at the point guard spot, Reyes reportedly asked to be excluded from the roster due to continuing pain in his left hamstring muscle. The Sta. Lucia guard suffered the injury during the 8th SEABA Championship in Medan, Indonesia two months ago.
De Ocampo, clearly undersized against opponents playing his position, was also placed in reserve, the same role he had when the RP men’s squad saw action in the FIBA-Asia meet two years ago in Tokushima, Japan.
Injuries could shake up the lineup, of which Guiao is keeping his fingers crossed. “We’re not discounting that possibility. I understand we can still change any injured player three days before the tournament begins."
Guiao has been consulting with his coaching staff, including former national mentor Jong Uichico, who has since left, for the past few days and the group reached a “consensus" Thursday night.
“It wasn’t really difficult," Guiao said.
PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios, who arrived with RP team manager JB Baylon Thursday in time for the South Korea match, said it was imperative a final 12 be submitted to the FIBA Asia organizers.
“We had to beat the deadline," Barrios said.
With Helterbrand playing intermittently because of recurring tightness in his hamstring, the point guard spot remains a vulnerable area for the RP team, forcing Guiao to leave the door open for Reyes’ return.
“I would’ve preferred to have Ryan in the team but he admitted he won’t be 100 percent in Tianjin," said Guiao, adding, however, “pero pag naramdaman niyang okey na siya, then we’ll find a way for him."
Guiao didn’t say who Reyes will replace in the lineup.
TEAM PILIPINAS PHOTOS & VIDEOS:
(click the image below)
Yap skips RP 5's last 2 games to be with Aquino family
source: gmanews.tv
Don’t look for James Yap suiting up for the Powerade-Team Pilipinas in its final two outings in the 31st William Jones Cup tournament in Taipei.
Yap, coach Yeng Guiao's starting forward and designated outside gunner, took an emergency flight out of the Taiwan capital Friday on his way to Manila to be with his wife, popular movie and television personality Kris Aquino.
Aquino's mother, former president Corazon C. Aquino, is gravely ill.
The Purefoods hotshot, who suffered a whiplash after getting hit in the forehead during the Kazakhstan game last Monday, has been in constant communication with his wife ever since Mrs. Aquino’s condition took a turn for the worse as the national team left Manila Saturday.
Yap's absence will be an added blow to Team Pilipinas' Jones Cup campaign since the former University of the East King Warrior is a vital part in Guiao's rotation.
The PBA-backed RP team is currently tied with Kazakhstan from eighth to ninth spots holding similar 1-5 slates.
Team Pilipinas had a rough start in the tournament, opening up with a 90-59 loss to two-time defending champion Jordan then suffered another sorry 86-77 setback to host Taiwan. The Philippines vented its frustrations against Kazakhstan to romp off with an 85-67 win to end a two-game slide.
The following day, Team Pilipinas squandered a 19-point lead and bowed to Japan, 87-85, then absorbed two more defeats after that against Lebanon (95-83) and Korea (83-80).
Reports said that RP 5 team manager JB Baylon drove Yap from the Powerade-Team Pilipinas' hotel to the Chiang Kai Shek International Airport.
The former President is currently confined at the Makati Medical Center after being diagnosed with colon cancer last year.
PBA media bureau chief Willy Marcial said a healing Mass for the former president will be offered by the RP team Sunday before its closing game with Iran.
National team coach Yeng Guiao is Mrs. Aquino’s wedding godson.
The Nationals rested Friday prior to their game against Taiwan-B on Saturday at the Hsinchuang gym.
Japeth makes formal bid for PBA draft
source: Nelson Beltran | philstar.com
TAIPEI – Japeth Aguilar, the towering former Ateneo player who is expected to be the next dominant big man in Philippine basketball, has decided to join the coming PBA draft.
Aguilar, 22, formalized his draft application yesterday after playing five games with Powerade Team Pilipinas – a selection of PBA stars – in the ongoing Jones Cup competition here.
He left his application papers in a sealed envelope in Manila before joining the Nationals in their trip here. He told PBA officials here it’s now an official application after deciding with finality that he’s making himself available for the draft set Aug. 2 in Market! Market! in Taguig.
“It’s a family decision. It’s for my future. We’ve thought it’s better for me to join the PBA now,” said Japeth, son of former national and pro player Peter.
“My parents have thought I would be better off here than in the (United) States. We felt I would earn more in the PBA with my salary there and possible endorsements,” said Aguilar.
PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios welcomed Aguilar’s decision.
“The PBA family welcomes Japeth Aguilar to the premier basketball league of the country. I am confident he will be an asset not only to his team but also to the PBA while he showcases his basketball talent and skills,” said Barrios.
“I wish him all the best as I join all PBA fans eagerly waiting for his debut in the games this coming October,” Barrios added.
Aguilar is expected to become the league’s first homegrown player drafted No. 1 overall in the PBA since Yancy de Ocampo in 2002. And he could well be the league’s next Ramon Fernandez or Alvin Patrimonio.
“For sure, he will become a PBA superstar,” said RP team coach Yeng Guiao of Aguilar who averages 8.4 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.6 shot blocks here.
Guiao said he’s been assured by Burger King governor and team manager Lito Alvarez that they will keep their rights on the No. 1 pick and they will use it on Aguilar.
Aguilar, however, admitted that another team is interested in enlisting him, giving an option of having a mother club in the PBA and playing for RP Smart Gilas during PBA off-season.
Korea defeats Powerade Team Pilipinas, 83-80 (Game Highlight Videos and Photos)
(source: GMANews.tv) Losses kept piling one after the other for Powerade-Team Pilipinas in the 31st William Jones Cup tournament.
South Korea was the latest to inflict a setback on the PBA-backed Nationals with an 83-80 win Thursday at the Hsinchuang gym in Taipei.
After blowing a 19-point second quarter lead to Japan, which is bracketed with the Philippines, South Korea and Sri Lanka in Group A of the 25th FIBA Asia Men’s Championship in Tianjin, China next month, the Nationals were looking to redeem themselves against one of the deadliest teams in the region.
They were within 78-76 following a Ranidel De Ocampo three-pointer and a Sonny Thoss turn-around jumper with one minute and 50 seconds remaining.
But Oh Se-Keun came out of timeout to bury a three-pointer – his first attempt from beyond the arc – with 1:25 remaining for an 81-76 lead, while Yang Dong-Geun negated Arwind Santos’ breakaway dunk with a leaning jumper against Willie Miller to make it 83-78 with 43 seconds to go.
The win lifted the South Koreans – who beat an all-amateur RP team in the semifinal of the 1986 Asian Games in Seoul and again in the 2002 Busan Asian Games semis on a buzzer-beating three-pointer – to a share of the lead with a 4-1 slate.
Team RP absorbed its fifth loss in six games.
“We shot a little better from last night and that’s the reason we were able to keep the game close," said national coach Yeng Guiao. “It’s good to be able to feel and study the Koreans because I think they will be our toughest competition in Tianjin."
The Philippines takes a break Friday before taking on Taiwan-B at 3 p.m. Saturday and winding up the campaign against Iran at 1 p.m. Sunday.
Meanwhile, the annual invitational tournament, held in honor of the International Basketball Federation’s (FIBA) founding secretary-general, was thrown into chaos when a bench-emptying brawl between Jordan and Iran resulted in the Jordanians walking out and forfeiting the match.
The forfeiture, ordered by a furious Mario Palma, the defending champions’ Portuguese coach, cost them their first loss after four lopsided victories that sent them into a four-way jam atop the standings with the Iranians, South Koreans and Lebanese.
“The Iranian player, he made a big aggression on our player," said a fuming Palma. “He hit our player in the head and then pushed him to the floor."
Palma was referring to Iran’s 7-foot-3 center Hamed Haddadi, who brought an elbow down the back of the head of Jordan’s Jamal Abu Shamala during a rebound play two minutes into the game with the Jordanians ahead, 2-0.
Shamala responded with an elbow of his own, hitting Ehadadi on the chest. The Iranian behemoth retaliated by grabbing Shamala in the head with two hands and throwing him down, bringing both teams into the fray.
The mercurial Palma also questioned why a Korean referee, who reportedly called a technical on a Jordanian player, has been assigned to officiate the game.
The Iranians were handed the game via a score of 20-0, which could proved critical in breaking ties.
The scores:
KOREA 83 – Kang 16, Kim M.S. 15, Kim J.S. 10, Oh 10, Yang 8, Yang D.G. 7, Lee D.J. 5, Lee J.S. 5, Lee K.S. 3, Joo 3,
RP 80 – Santos 22, Miller 4 14, Thoss 13, De Ocampo 9, Raymundo 6, Norwood 6, Aguilar 4, Dillinger 2, Yap 2, Taulava 2, Helterbrand 0, Baguio 0.
Quarterscores: 22-17; 38-35; 59-57; 85-83.
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TEAM PILIPINAS PHOTOS & VIDEOS:
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FIBA ASIA Schedule
Aug 6 (RP vs. Sri Lanka 9AM)
Aug 7 (RP vs. Japan 9PM)
Aug 8 (RP vs. Korea 9PM)
-Live here and at BTV channel (FIBA ASIA)
Yeng yet to bare RP Fiba-Asia lineup
source: Musong R. Castillo | sports.inquirer.net
TAIPEI— The final 12 members of the Powerade-Pilipinas squad have been determined late Tuesday night, but coach Yeng Guiao refused to bare the lineup until later in the week, or just before the 31st William Jones Cup nears its end here.
Guiao said the two players who will be dropped from the RP squad for the Fiba-Asia World Championship qualifier in Tianjin, China, in two weeks were “unanimous choices” by members of the coaching staff.
Officials of the Philippine Basketball Association relayed the list to the governing Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas early yesterday morning. The SBP will, in turn, forward the list to the Fiba-Asia organizing committee.
updates to follow...
RP vs. Korea (Today at 5PM) - watch here
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FIBA ASIA Schedule
Aug 6 (RP vs. Sri Lanka 9AM)
Aug 7 (RP vs. Japan 9PM)
Aug 8 (RP vs. Korea 9PM)
-Live here and at BTV channel (FIBA ASIA)
TEAM PILIPINAS PHOTOS & VIDEOS:
(click the image below)
PBA 37th Season (PHL Cup)
UFL Cup 2012 (Division 1)
