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Brownlee formula
The issue surrounding Justin Brownlee is a major blackeye to Philippine basketball. It is yet another heartbreaker for Filipinos, who were hoping and praying to see the national team reassert its dominance in the international arena. For the longest time, the Filipinos had struggled internationally. In the Asian Games, for instance, the Philippines emerged victorious in its first four editions — 1951 in New Delhi, 1954 in Manila, 1958 in Tokyo, and 1962 in Jakarta before suffering a string of frustrating finishes. The closest we got to the gold medal was in 1990 when the Basketball Association of the Philippines tasked the Philippine Basketball Association with assembling a team that would reclaim our Asian glory. It was a tall order at the time as the Philippines was coming off a bitter setback at the hands of Malaysia in the 1989 Southeast Asian Games in Kuala Lumpur. The BAP knew that only an Asian crown would soothe the pain of a nation craving revenge. But it didn’t happen. Coached by Robert “Sonny” Jaworski, the team bannered by Allan Caidic, Benjie Paras, Ramon Fernandez, Samboy Lim, and Chito Loyzaga surrendered to powerhouse China featuring Shan Tao and Ma Jian in the gold medal match. Eight years later, Tim Cone was given the marching orders to assemble another star-studded squad to represent the country in the Bangkok Asian Games in 1998. But like Jaworski, his bitter coaching nemesis at the time, Cone was also unsuccessful as his Centennial Team had to settle for bronze behind China and South Korea. In the next edition in Busan in 2002, hopes were high. Despite a sudden coaching change after American mentor Ron Jacobs suffered a stroke in the final stretch of preparations, Jong Uichico was still able to form a solid team that had a mix of Filipino-foreign stars like Asi Taulava, Eric Menk, and Rudy Hatfield, as well as homegrown stars like Olsen Racela, Kenneth Duremdes, and Danny Ildefonso. But fate wrote a cruel script. The Philippines was ahead, 68-66, in the final 23.9 seconds of the semifinal clash against South Korea. A victory would have sent the Filipinos to the gold medal match against China, while a setback would relegate them to a battle for bronze against Kazakhstan. Racela was at the charity stripe for a chance to ice the game and seal the victory. But he missed both free shots. In a shocking — and heartbreaking — turn of events, Korean gunner Lee Sang Min buried a long three-pointer off a broken play at the buzzer that sent the host country to the finals. The players were crushed while a river of tears flowed through the streets of Manila as the entire country couldn’t believe how merciless the basketball gods could be. Since then, Philippine basketball has been reduced to a mere footnote in Asian basketball. We bombed out of the medal podium in Doha in 2006 and Guangzhou in 2010. We even suffered international embarrassment when head coach Chot Reyes instructed naturalized player Marcus Douthit to shoot at our own basket in Incheon in 2014. In 2018, a legitimate National Basketball Association campaigner, Jordan Clarkson, came along and was billed as the hero who would save Philippine basketball. But he was unsuccessful. The Filipinos’ string of misfortunes continued as Gilas Pilipinas settled for fifth place. Then here came Brownlee, tapped to see action as a naturalized player in the Hangzhou Asian Games. The 35-year-old American was tasked to power a team already familiar to him — guys he had been playing with for more than five years. The coach — Cone — had been his mentor since he arrived in Manila in 2016 and led Barangay Ginebra San Miguel to six PBA titles while winning three Best Import honors. There was no honeymoon period to speak of. He hit the ground running. The result was impressive as Brownlee dropped 36 points to lead Gilas Pilipinas to a razor-thin 84-83 win over Iran in the quarterfinals, before dropping back-to-back three-point bombs in their miraculous 77-76 victory over host China in the semifinals. The Filipinos won their first gold medal in 61 years following a 70-60 victory over Jordan in the final, but an asterisk was attached to the victory after Brownlee tested positive for Carboxy-THC, a banned substance linked to the use of cannabis. At this point, it is unknown whether Brownlee will contest the findings or how long his possible suspension will be. What is clear is that Brownlee made a tremendous impact on Philippine basketball as he proved that the best way to win an international title is to field a naturalized player who is very familiar with the Filipinos’ style of play. Brownlee may not be as exciting and flashy as Clarkson or as tall as Douthit and Blatche, but he knows Philippine basketball like the back of his hand. It’s time for the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas to create more Justin Brownlees by recruiting young foreign players who are willing to stay in the country for a longer period — not just to earn and play as imports in the PBA — but to win the hearts and minds of these basketball-crazy Filipinos. Brownlee’s professional career is in great peril, and we may not see him don the Gilas or Ginebra jerseys again. But we should always remember his most significant contribution to Philippine basketball. Nope, it wasn’t the incredible play he delivered against China or how he stood his ground against Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and the powerful Jordanians that led to the country’s first Asian Games title in 61 years. His most important contribution was the idea that to gain international success, the federation must recruit a naturalized player not based on skills, height, or popularity but on his love, respect, and dedication to the country he wishes to represent. The post Brownlee formula appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Our team
The 19th Asian Games have yet to start, but Gilas Pilipinas is already winning the hearts and minds of Filipinos. Gilas coach Tim Cone swept local fans off their feet when he allowed them to watch their joint training session with the Gilas Women team last Thursday at the PhilSports Arena. After their workout, San Miguel Corporation director Alfrancis Chua gave the fans five minutes to have their pictures taken with their basketball idols. But when Cone approached Chua, he suddenly changed his mind and increased the allotted time to 15 minutes. Seeing Gilas — a collection of the country’s most popular and wealthiest athletes — go out of their way to mingle with fans is truly heartwarming. And it won’t be the last time they will see their basketball heroes as Cone has invited them anew to watch their friendly match against Changwon LG Sakers on Friday. But just a few weeks ago, this beautiful bond between Gilas and their fans was unthinkable. Gilas struggled to gain public support during the country’s hosting of the FIBA Basketball World Cup. At the same time, their head coach, Chot Reyes, was being bashed and heckled mercilessly due to their forgettable performance. Fans questioned Reyes’s integrity as a coach, especially when he benched Kai Sotto in their first game against the Dominican Republic. He was also criticized for relying too much on National Basketball Association star Jordan Clarkson, raising speculations that he was unprepared for the world’s biggest and most prestigious basketball event. The fans inside the Smart Araneta Coliseum made their presence felt. They booed Reyes during the player introductions against Italy, prompting some of his players, like Kiefer Ravena, Rhenz Abando and Clarkson, to rush to his defense. Even Reyes’s outfit didn’t escape the eyes of the public. Social media exploded with insults, adverse reactions, and comments after Reyes flaunted an ultra-expensive Thom Browne suit during their game against Angola. The money he spent, reportedly around P200,000, wasn’t worth it as Gilas suffered a 70-80 loss to the Angolans, dealing a major blow to their chances of advancing to the knockout stages. But his manner of coaching and posh outfit were not the only reasons Reyes struggled to deodorize his public image. When Gilas was preparing for the World Cup, Reyes shut the doors of their practice facility to fans and sportswriters. Instead of making the team available, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas assigned a media liaison who disseminated information and narrated what was happening through short videos and photos regularly posted on social media. That was the practice when Gilas trained at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, as well as when they were in Estonia and Lithuania. Gilas also played friendly matches against Ivory Coast, Mexico, and Montenegro at the PhilSports Arena with no one but a very few team staffers and federation officials in attendance. With the friendly matches being inaccessible, sportswriters had to resort to checking the social media pages of Gilas’s opponents and the SBP to get information and avoid the wrath of their editors. They jokingly called it “socmed journalism.” That’s why the appointment of Cone as Gilas’ head coach is a breath of fresh air. The 65-year-old Cone may be an American, but he knows the importance of gaining public approval. In fact, he started his career as a villain in the eyes of the masses after engaging with the charismatic Robert Jaworski in numerous coaching battles. But he let his coaching do the talking as he led Alaska to a grand slam in 1996 before winning another triple crown with San Mig Coffee in 2014. At Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, the most popular professional team in the country, Cone further cemented his reputation as a well-loved, well-respected coach when he turned the likes of LA Tenorio, Japeth Aguilar, Scottie Thompson and Justin Brownlee into fan favorites. Now, Cone is at the helm of Gilas Pilipinas, armed with a mission of not only winning an Asian Games medal but also bringing the national players closer to the public. It’s a tough order. But Cone is carrying it out to perfection. The post Our team appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Cone ‘best man’ as new Gilas coach
Former coach Chot Reyes couldn’t be happier with the appointment of the new man at Gilas Pilipinas helm, saying multi-titled Tim Cone is “the best man for the job.”.....»»
Cone to coach Gilas in Asiad
Tim Cone has been appointed as head coach of Gilas Pilipinas in the 19th Asian Games following the resignation of Chot Reyes. According to a DAILY TRIBUNE source, Cone’s appointment had been formalized during a meeting among Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Al Panlilio, Philippine Basketball Association commissioner Willie Marcial, PBA chairman Ricky Vargas and PBA vice chairman Bobby Rosales last Tuesday in Makati City. Also present in the meeting brokered by San Miguel Corporation president Ramon Ang was SMC sports director Alfrancis Chua. Cone will be assisted by his deputy at Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in Richard del Rosario while Chua will serve as team manager. It’s going to be Cone’s first time to coach the national squad in the Asian Games after leading the Centennial Team to a bronze medal in the 1998 Asian Games in Bangkok. He also coached the Nationals to a gold medal in the 30th Southeast Asian Games that the country hosted in 2019. The post Cone to coach Gilas in Asiad appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Quo Vadis Gilas?
Over the past week, basketball crazy FIBA co-host Philippines has been the mecca for world basketball. Hordes of foreign basketball fans eager to support their teams have trooped to our country, and along with thousands of local fans, including yours truly, have endured the hardships of hours long traffic, bewildering weather of humidity, heat and massive rainfall melding intermittently all within the day enroute to the venues, just to witness live the World Cup’s top hoopsters. Despite what I felt were atrociously expensive tickets for the lower box sections, being an incorrigible basketball fanatic, I just felt that I could not pass up the chance to be part of the once in a lifetime World Cup experience, particularly since I would be in the company of family friends, businessman basketball-sportscaster Dominic Uy who shared his insightful off-court commentaries and who was responsible for getting us some great seats, my erstwhile golfing partner Cookie la’O who had partnered with me decades back to bag the prestigious Mango Tee Tournament championship in Alabang, and my son-in-law, noted New Balance shoe designer Gabe la’O, who flew all the way from New Hampshire to watch some top-notch games. Never mind that they are all as La Salle Green as can be but their youthful energies in cheering their hearts out for every basket, block, steal and mad breakaway was infectious. I watched the US-Greece and Gilas-Italy games live and the experience did not disappoint. The highlights of those games in consonance with the tremendous roars of the fans will be replayed in my memory bank over and over again for a long time to come. But, of course, like all true-blue basketball aficionados, recounting and analyzing the wows of a won game and the what-ifs of a heartbreaker and the future of Gilas is par for the course. So here goes. Despite the four heartbreaking defeats to the Dominican Republic, Angola, Italy and South Sudan, the last game of Gilas winning against the undisputed Asian champion, China, has given us a slight glimmer of hope, again, to have a chance to make it to Paris next year. Although the win was masterfully achieved as a team effort, undoubtedly it was Jordan Clarkson who practically carried Gilas on his shoulders with his hot 3-point shooting in the third quarter. Even China’s coach Sasha Dordevic and NBA star Li Kaier of the Minneapolis Timberwolves pointed to Clarkson as the main reason for their never-before lopsided loss to Gilas. Because of this win, Gilas is ranked 24th out of the 32 participating countries, enough to allow us to participate in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament and so the buzz over Gilas’ chances continues. What changes are needed? As far as the team composition is concerned, unless there are injuries, I believe the current line-up is as good as it can get. All are unquestionably standouts. On the other hand, as far as the coaching leadership is concerned, Chot Reyes already declared immediately after the win over China that he is stepping down because the incessant social media abuse from his critics has been “brutal” for him and his family. Kudos to Chot for his service to the country and for making this move rightly expected of any leader who has not delivered on the goals. The options, however, are limited. And worse, there is an extremely short timeline to make the choice because the Asian Games starts on 23 September. Tab Baldwin of course is the popular clamor, but the UAAP season begins as well this September and I don’t think he will leave the Blue Eagles coachless. Also it seems that there could be some pushback from certain SBA and PBA quarters who might not be too keen on Tab’s up front in your face style. Tim Cone is my own bet because not only is he an equally great coach but also for continuity since he is already in the Gilas coaching staff. Regardless of the choice, however, the problem of conflicting schedules of the players with their home teams will continue to be an obstacle to building a Gilas team that needs to be properly honed with significant playing time together. PBA and SBP will have to somehow firmly reach an understanding, otherwise Gilas fans will have to face up to the reality of more heartbreaks. Quo Vadis Gilas? Until next week… OBF! For comments, email bing_matoto@yahoo.com The post Quo Vadis Gilas? appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Gilas poised to make a stand
About a week from now, the FIBA Basketball World Cup, one of the most anticipated sporting events on the global stage, is set to unfold to captivate basketball fans around the world. As teams prepare to showcase their skills and compete for the coveted title, the Philippine national basketball team, known as “Gilas Pilipinas,” has been generating significant buzz and raising hopes among its passionate fan base. With a rich basketball history and a growing pool of talented players, the Philippines is poised to make a statement in the upcoming tournament it is co-hosting with Japan and Indonesia. The Philippines has a deep-rooted love for basketball, often referred to as the national sport. The passion for the game runs through the veins of Filipino enthusiasts, making every international competition a matter of immense national pride. Although the country has faced challenges in recent FIBA World Cup editions, the fervent support of the fans and the dedication of the players and coaching staff continue to fuel hopes for a successful campaign this time around. Gilas Pilipinas has faced strong opposition in the past, often contending against teams boasting of NBA-level talent and sophisticated basketball programs. Despite these challenges, the Philippine team exhibited remarkable resilience, showcasing flashes of brilliance that demonstrated its potential on the world stage. In 2014, the country snapped 36 years of futility and earned a ticket to the FIBA World Cup in Spain, capped by a historic win over Senegal that meant all the world to Filipino fans. The upcoming FIBA World Cup presents another opportunity for Gilas Pilipinas to further evolve and make a lasting impression, with the potential to upset more established basketball powerhouses. One key factor contributing to the optimism surrounding the Philippine team is the growing talent pool of Filipino basketball players. The Philippines has produced numerous skilled athletes who have excelled in various basketball leagues both domestically and internationally. Led by Fil-Am Jordan Clarkson, 7-foot-3 Kai Sotto, and World Cup veterans Junmar Fajardo and Japeth Aguilar, the team boasts of skilled players with height, a big factor in the international circuit. Along with a slew of talented players, many of whom honed their skills in collegiate leagues and professional basketball circuits, many think that they will give the opposition a run for their money. Their experience, combined with their familiarity with high-level competition, positions the team to perform at their best during the World Cup. The Philippine basketball community is also benefiting from the increasing support and investment in grassroots basketball development. Basketball courts dot the Philippine landscape, serving as breeding grounds for young talents who aspire to don the national team’s jersey someday. The Philippine Basketball Association continues to play a pivotal role in nurturing homegrown talents, with initiatives aimed at fostering youth basketball and grassroots programs. While optimism is running high, it’s essential to acknowledge the fierce competition that awaits Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA World Cup. Teams from traditional basketball powerhouses, such as the United States, Spain, and France, will be formidable opponents. These teams boast exceptional talent, extensive experience, and robust basketball infrastructure that has consistently propelled them to the upper echelons of international basketball. To increase its chances of success, Gilas Pilipinas must focus on meticulous preparation, effective strategies, and a strong team spirit. The coaching staff, led by Chot Reyes, Tim Cone and Jong Uichico, will play a crucial role in devising game plans that will capitalize on the team’s strengths and exploit opponents’ weaknesses. In all, the upcoming FIBA Basketball World Cup presents an exciting opportunity for Gilas Pilipinas to showcase its skills, passion, and resilience on the global stage. While challenges abound, the spirit of competition, national pride and the love of the game will undoubtedly drive the team to give its all and leave an indelible mark on the world of basketball. E-mail:mannyangeles27@gmail.com The post Gilas poised to make a stand appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Reyes, Cone perfect pair for Gilas
For PBA MVP Scottie Thompson, Gilas head coach Chot Reyes and assistant Tim Cone are a perfect combination for the national team in the coming FIBA World Cup......»»
SBG lauds Pinoy athletes’ 32nd SEA Games performance
Sen. Bong Go, Chair of the Senate Committee on Sports, lauded Filipino athletes for their outstanding performances in the recently concluded Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia from 5 to 7 May. In an interview on Thursday, 8 May, Go highlighted that after bagging 58 gold medals, the Filipinos’ success is a testament to the indomitable spirit and determination of the Philippine sporting community. “Bilang chairman po ng Committee on Sports, congratulations po sa ating mga atleta! Mayroon na po tayong 58 gold medals. Nakakatuwa (dahil) ang target natin ay nakamtan natin na umabot po ng 50 gold medals,” he cited. “Congratulations sa lahat ng atleta, naka-gold, naka-silver, naka-bronze. Lahat po ng atleta natin, congratulations sa inyo. Kahit hindi nanalo, congratulations pa rin po sa inyong lahat dahil ginawa n’yo ang lahat ng inyong makakaya para mairepresenta ang ating bansa. You did your best. Iyan po ang tinatawag na pusong Pinoy na palaging lumalaban,” he continued. As an avid sports fan, Go also extended his warm congratulations to the national basketball team, Gilas Pilipinas, for their exceptional 80-69 victory against Cambodia to reclaim their SEA Games gold. “Isa pang nakakatuwa na na-redeem talaga ng team, itong Gilas Pilipinas basketball team natin. Tinalo tayo nu’ng elimination ng team ng Cambodia… Limang naturalized players po ang nag-reinforce sa kanila, talagang malakas. Pero alam n’yo, nu’ng nandoon po ako, binulungan ko po sina Coach Chot (Reyes), sina Coach Jong (Joseph Enrique Uichico), Team Manager Coach Antonio, Coach Tim Cone, sabi ko bawi tayo. Mas masarap ang pakiramdam na nakabawi tayo,” shared Go. “Andoon po ako nu’ng nakaraang weekend sa Cambodia, sa Southeast Asian Games sa laban po versus Singapore. Doon ko po inengganyo ang ating basketball team na sabi ko, babawi tayo. Sabi ko, huwag po kayong mawalan ng pag-asa. Mas masarap ang pakiramdam kapag makabawi tayo at tuluyan ngang nanalo tayo against Indonesia sa crossover semis. Ito pong Indonesia ang tumalo sa atin last year, nakabawi tayo. Team Cambodia tumalo sa atin nu’ng elimination, nakabawi tayo sa finals, nasungkit pa natin ang gintong medalya sa basketball,” he enthused. On May 12 to 13, Go personally visited Cambodia and showed his support for the Filipino athletes competing in the SEA Games, together with his colleagues Senate President Miguel “Migz” Zubiri and Senator Francis “Tol” Tolentino, among other officials. In total, the Philippines has bagged 58 gold, 85 silver, and 117 bronze medals. The post SBG lauds Pinoy athletes’ 32nd SEA Games performance appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Gilas training intensifies
Gilas Pilipinas shifts its training to high gear in preparation for the 32nd Southeast Asian Games. Gilas team manager Butch Antonio told Daily Tribune that they will have an intense nine-day training in Manila before leaving for Phnom Penh on 6 May, just in time for the opening of the men’s basketball event on 9 May at the Elephant Hall 2 inside the Morodok Techo Stadium. “We will practice on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Then, we’ll take a break on Saturday. We will resume on Sunday until before departure on 6 May,” Antonio said. Leading the way for Gilas Pilipinas will be players from TNT Tropang Giga and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel – the protagonists in the Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup best-of-seven finals series that wrapped up last week. Tropang Giga stars Calvin Oftana and Poy Erram as well as Kings stars Japeth Aguilar, Stanley Pringle, Christian Standhardinger, Jeremiah Gray, Scottie Thompson, and naturalized player Justin Brownlee will be at the helm when the Filipinos reclaim the glory they lost to Indonesia in the previous edition of the Games in Hanoi. For good measure, Gilas coach Chot Reyes invited Filipino-American hotshot Mikey Williams to be part of the pool following the absence of injured Roger Pogoy. Playing for the national team has been a dream of the 31-year-old gunner from Los Angeles. The closest thing he ever got to represent the country was when he played for Mighty Sports in the William Jones Cup and the Dubai International Tournament. Pogoy was supposed to join the aspirants but was sidelined by a fractured pinky he suffered in the middle of their championship series. He was reduced into a mere cheerleader starting Game 4 and was ruled out for the biennial meet. Also sitting out will be June Mar Fajardo, who suffered a torn medial collateral ligament during his stint with San Miguel Beer in the East Asia Super League last March. Although the six-time PBA Most Valuable Player is already doing strengthening procedures, he has yet to do some on-court workouts and scrimmages. A member of the national team program for a decade now, Fajardo confirmed to Daily Tribune that he will not be able to see action in the biennial meet. “I haven’t had hard court activities yet because I’m still doing some strengthening exercises,” said Fajardo, who appeared fit when he showed up as one of the local ambassadors of FIBA World Cup during the partnership launching of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, San Miguel Beer and Cignal/TV5. “I haven’t even touched a basketball as I’m more focused on my rehab.” While Pogoy and Fajardo won’t be able to see action, returning Ginebra veteran forward Japeth Aguilar is determined to rejoin the team, according to Kings coach Tim Cone, who serves as one of the assistant coaches of Reyes at Gilas along with the younger Reyes and Jong Uichico. “He certainly wants to join and play,” wrote Cone in a Viber message. “But only if he’s 100 percent fit and that is to be determined by the SBP medical team.” Aguilar is also coming off a knee injury and he only returned to action midway the championship series. Other PBA players included in the Gilas pool are CJ Perez, Marcio Lassiter and Chris Ross of San Miguel Beer, Arvin Tolentino of NorthPort, Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser of NLEX, Chris Newsome, Aaron Black and Raymond Almazan of Meralco, collegiate stars Michael and Ben Phillips and Kevin Quiambao of La Salle, incoming Ateneo forward Mason Amos and Adamson’s Jerom Lastimosa. The post Gilas training intensifies appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Chot sees solid turnout
The buildup of the Gilas Pilipinas team tasked to regain supremacy of the Southeast Asian Games next month in Cambodia intensifies this Wednesday. Head coach Chot Reyes was thinking of holding a workout Monday but he opted to call it off and scheduled a scrimmage instead on Wednesday so all the invited players can attend. Key players from newly-crowned Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup champion TNT and Barangay Ginebra are expected to show up as the preparations for the 5 to 17 May sportsfest enters the twilight zone. “We’re not yet complete (by Monday), so most likely we will hold it on Wednesday,” Reyes said. ‘Hopefully I’ll get selected.’ Whether this is going to be the start of the daily workout remains to be seen. “That’s the plan,” Jong Uichico, another Gilas assistant coach, said. Mikey Williams, who just won his second title and second Finals Most Valuable Player award in the process, will lead the Gilas pool players coming from TNT and he will be joined by Calvin Oftana and Poy Erram. For Oftana, getting selected and being able to play for Gilas in the SEA Games will be a dream come true. “Hopefully I’ll get selected,” said Oftana, who just won his first championship in the PBA right in his first finals appearance. Roger Pogoy, who was originally included in the expanded pool, will miss the action in the SEA Games as he suffered a fractured pinky which will sideline him for the next six weeks. Justin Brownlee, the beloved Barangay Ginebra import, and the Philippine team’s newest naturalized player, will once again backstop Gilas’ campaign along with fellow Gin Kings Scottie Thompson, Governors’ Cup Best Player of the Conference winner Christian Standhardinger, highly-athletic wingman Jamie Malonzo, Jeremiah Gray and returning 6-foot-9 center/forward Japeth Aguilar. Aguilar is coming off a knee injury which forced him to miss the sixth and final window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers held a few months ago at the Philippine Arena. “In the meantime, it’s going to be back to work for us, Justin, Scottie, Jamie, Christian and hopefully Japeth, he can continue to get better,” said Ginebra coach Tim Cone, who also serves as one of the assistant coaches of Reyes. “It’s back to work for us, so no rest for the weary.” But Gilas also have several other prospects outside of the two protagonists in the recent championship series. San Miguel Beer stars CJ Perez, Marcio Lassiter and Chris Ross are eager play as well as Arvin Tolentino of NorthPort, a long-time member of the pool. Meralco stars Chris Newsome and Aaron Black had also worked out in the previous training session, so as brothers Michael and Ben Philipps from La Salle and incoming Ateneo freshman Mason Amos. Last year, the Philippines was dethroned as king of the SEA Games after losing the gold medal match to Indonesia in Hanoi. The post Chot sees solid turnout appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Pingris ‘one of a kind’
For veteran coaches Chot Reyes and Tim Cone, newly-retired Gilas Pilipinas and PBA superstar Marc Pingris embodies that type of player every bench strategist would love to have in the toughest of battles......»»
Players, coaches understand PBA pay-slash move
TNT coach Chot Reyes and Barangay Ginebra counterpart Tim Cone perfectly understood PBA’s hard decision to impose a 20-percent salary cut as teams continue to feel the effects of the protracted pandemic......»»
Cone, Black brace for wars vs returning TNT coach
Rival coaches are bracing for topnotch battles with comebacking strategist Chot Reyes and his high-powered TNT Tropang Giga team in the coming PBA season......»»
PBA: Chot says it would have been 'cool' to coach Ginebra
Coach Chot Reyes' greatest PBA success was with Talk 'N Text, the flagship MVP franchise. But over the course of his career in the PBA, which spanned two decades, Coach Chot also did his rounds with the SMC teams. He started his career with Purefoods, winning an All-Filipino title in his first conference in 1993. Reyes also had one random stop with San Miguel Beer, coaching the Beermen all the way to the 2007 Philippine Cup Finals. Now long-retired from professional basketball, Coach Chot wishes he could have had the chance to handle Barangay Ginebra, the only SMC team he missed. "I always thought it would be cool to coach Ginebra," Reyes said on Coaches Unfiltered. "Having that NSD [Never Say Die] behind you every night behind you, we always talk about that with coach Tim [Cone]. Sabi ko swerte mo. And he's [Cone] enjoying, he's really having the time of his life. I've always been intrigued by the chance to coach Ginebra," he added. While being the Gin Kings coach would have been nice, Reyes mentions another team in his list of what ifs. Reyes was the Ateneo coach back in the early 1990s, and he regrets not being able to lead the Blue Eagles to a UAAP championship. "The one thing I rue is not being able to give a championship for the Ateneo in the college level," Coach Chot said. "I coached Ateneo to a juniors championship, and I coached Ateneo for three years in the UAAP seniors, 1990-92, but those were the down years. We had to raise our own money to even buy our stuff and equipment. That's like sayang, if I had that opportunity when I was coaching Ateneo but I don't that's going to happen anymore now and I'm at peace with that," he added. — Follow this writer on Twitter, @paullintag8.....»»
PBA: 'Perfect team' allowed Asi Taulava to dominate 2003 season
Asi Taulava is going strong heading into his 21st PBA season. The Ageless one is trying to become the first local player to play in the league for four separate decades. Taulava is one of the best players the PBA has ever seen and his banner year came in 2003 when Asi went full "The Rock" mode to dominate the league. In the 2003 season, Asi was the PBA's Most Valuable Player and was in the All-PBA 1st team and All-Defensive Team. In that year's All-Filipino, Taulava was the Best Player of the Conference and Finals MVP after leading the Talk 'N Text Phone Pals to their first championship. Even during one of the best single-season performances in the PBA, it was a "perfect team" that helped Asi stamp his class in 2003. "I had a perfect team," Taulava said on 2OT with PBA broadcasters Magoo Marjon and Carlo Pamintuan. "My first 3-4 years, remember at the time Mobiline just bought the franchise from Pepsi. The franchise was moving through cultures. The MVP group came in and now we started getting pieces," he added. As Talk 'N Text built its team, the Phone Pals ended up surrounding Asi with veterans like Vic Pablo, Bong Ravena, Mark Telan, Patrick Fran, and Donbel Belano. Talk 'N Text also added rookies Harvey Carey and Jimmy Alapag via Draft. "The big piece was bringing in Vic Pablo from Shell. Then Bong Ravena, Patrick Fran... then we added Jimmy Alapag and Harvey Carey. Bringing those guys in plugged those holes that we had," Taulava said. "We couldn't believe Jimmy fell to 10th in that Draft," Taulava added as Alapag became the final pick of the first round in the 2003 Draft. Carey was the fourth selection. Coached by Joel Banal, the Phone Pals beat Tim Cone's Alaska Aces after five grueling games in the semifinals. In the Finals, Talk 'N Text overcame a 0-2 deficit to tame Chot Reyes' Coca-Cola Tigers in six for the title. "Coke was really good at the time, they had Rudy [Hatfield], Johnny [Abarrientos], Rafi [Reavis], they had all these guys that knew how to win and at the time, they were in the semis majority of the time. That team was built to win," Taulava said. "We just happened to catch them [off guard]. I think they thought the series was over when we went down 0-2, they never thought we would fight back. Everything just happened. Lucky for us everything fell into place, because it could have easily been a 4-0 sweep," Asi added. — Follow this writer on Twitter, @paullintag8.....»»
ANZ raises Philippine inflation forecast to 3.8% this year
ANZ Research hiked its inflation forecast for the Philippines to 3.8 percent this year, from 3.5 percent previously, as risks may drive inflation up to above the central bank’s two to four percent target in the coming months......»»
Cebu topnotcher shares secret to success: Strong support system of family, friends
CEBU CITY, Philippines — A good support system of family and friends is Elijah Cabase’s secret to his placing 5th in the March 2024 Medical Technologists Licensure Examinations (MTLE). This 23-year-old University of Cebu-Banilad alumnus said that he was not even expecting to pass because he described himself as a confessed procrastinator — or one.....»»
Beijing 2008 Olympics: one world, one dream
For the 2008 Olympic Games, Beijing advocated the idea of "One World, One Dream." However, the dream of the Chinese government is not the dream of everyone. In a vast social system long known for its tight control over its population, it's difficult for controllers and the controlled to share the same ideas.It had been a dream for Beijing to host the Olympic Games ever since the International Olympic Committee (.....»»
Davao Metro Shuttle declines offer to manage bus system
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 24 March) — The Davao Metro Shuttle Corporation has declined the offer of the City Government of Davao to operate the Davao City Public Transport Modernization Project (DCPTMP), a public mass transportation project that will replace the jeepneys with buses, an executive of the bus company said. In an interview at […].....»»
Davao City Council moves hearing on traffic-causing road construction works
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews – 26 March) – The Davao City Council rescheduled to Tuesday, April 2, the second hearing on the suspended road construction works in the locality after key officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) – Davao region failed to show up Friday. The DPWH-Davao key officials are reportedly in […].....»»