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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......»»
La Salle mauls Ateneo, takes semis top seed
Games Wednesday: (FilOil EcoOil Centre) 9:00 a.m. --- UST vs NU (m) 11:00 a.m. --- UST vs NU (w) 3:00 p.m. --- UP vs UE (w) 5:00 p.m. --- UP vs UE (m) De La Salle University turned to rookie Shevana Laput in a masterful dismantling of also-ran Ateneo de Manila, 25-22, 25-19, 25-18, to secure the top seeding in the Final Four of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena. The 6-foot-2 opposite spiker picked the perfect time to drop her career-high 16 points, carrying the Lady Spikers to a 12-1 win-loss record and extending their head-to-head winning streak over their archrivals to 12 dating back to Season 79 spanning six years. Laput had an efficient 15-of-25 spiking clip and added one ace as a starter in all three sets in her breakout performance. La Salle assistant coach Noel Orcullo had to remind his wards of protecting their school pride after a rusty start. The Lady Spikers had to play chase in the early goings of the opening frame before eventually winning the set. It was all La Salle in the next two sets. “We had a slow start so we just reminded them to play with pride. That we can’t relax because Ateneo is fighting back. We told them not to wait for Ateneo to commit mistakes. We should be the ones creating our points, not them, they won’t do that for us,” Orcullo said. Angel Canino added 13 markers, 11 excellent receptions and five digs while Thea Gagate had 12 for La Salle, which will close its elims campaign on 29 April against winless University of the East. The Blue Eagles, who lost Lyann De Guzman to a left ankle sprain in the opening set, absorbed their fourth loss in a row for a 4-9 card. Vanie Gandler and Faith Nisperos scored 13 and 12 markers, respectively, while AC Miner posted 10 in a losing effort for Ateneo. The post La Salle mauls Ateneo, takes semis top seed appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Lady Spikers go for twice-to-beat
League-leading De La Salle University sets its sights on securing a Final Four twice-to-beat advantage in a clash with Adamson University in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena. Ahead of the pack sporting a 10-1 win-loss record, the Lady Spikers only need to hurdle the Lady Falcons in their 2 p.m. encounter to assure themselves of a Top 2 finish with just two weeks left before the elimination round closes. On the other hand, Adamson, which shares the second to fourth spot in the standings with an 8-3 card tied with idle University of Santo Tomas and defending champion National University, shoots for a semis berth. La Salle bounced back mightily from a sorry four-set setback at the hands of UST before the Holy Week break with a convincing, 25-15, 25-16, 25-16, win over University of the Philippines last Sunday. Rookie Angel Canino is expected to show the same aggressiveness she displayed in the Lady Spikers’ first round win over the Adamson, 22-25, 25-14, 25-16, 25-19, last 19 March when she dropped 21 points. Aside from Canino and usual scorers Thea Gagate, Fifi Sharma and Jolina dela Cruz, La Salle has also a new weapon in rookie opposite spiker Shevana Laput. The 6-foot-1 winger made an immediate impact in her first start last game as she poured in nine points. But despite their height and depth advantage and with the semis bonus within reach, Lady Spikers assistant coach Noel Orcullo doesn’t want his players to look too far ahead. “We need to continue the right things we are doing. Just take it one game at a time. Our mindset right now is to finish the second round the right way,” he said. The Lady Falcons are fresh from a 25-16, 25-19, 20-25, 27-25, victory over University of the East last Saturday. Adamson will rely on Kate Santiago, Trisha Tubu, Lorene Toring and setter Louie Romero to get back at La Salle. Meanwhile, Far Eastern University tries to salvage its semis bid in a must-win game against Ateneo de Manila University at 12 p.m. Holding a 5-6 card, the Lady Tamaraws need to sweep all of their remaining three games wish that one from the Lady Falcons, Tigresses and Lady Bulldogs won’t reach nine wins to force a playoff for the last Final Four seat. FEU beat Ateneo in five sets in the first round. Both teams are coming off setbacks with the Lady Tamaraws bowing down to the Lady Bulldogs in straight sets while the Blue Eagles missed the semis for the first time in 14 years after losing to the Tigresses in four frames. A win by Ateneo (4-7) will put the semis race to a close. In men’s play, Ateneo (5-6) and FEU (6-5) at 10 a.m. while La Salle (6-5) and Adamson (1-10) meet at 4 p.m. The post Lady Spikers go for twice-to-beat appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Laput makes heads turn
Rookie Shevana Laput did not disappoint on her first start for De La Salle University in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament. Fresh from a long Holy Week break, the semifinals-bound Lady Spikers turned to the Filipino-Australian recruit for points at the opposite position during their clinical 25-15, 25-16, 25-16 win over University of the Philippines on Sunday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City. The 6-foot-1 Laput, who saw limited minutes in La Salle’s first 10 games, produced nine points to help her squad get back on the winning track after seeing its nine-game winning streak snapped before the long lull. Long-time Lady Spikers assistant coach Noel Orcullo was not surprised at all with Laput’s output. La Salle did not waste time in developing Laput during the break as an added weapon on the wing to give head coach Ramil de Jesus another opposite spiker option besides veteran Baby Jyne Soreno with Leila Cruz sidelined for the rest of the season due to a right knee injury she sustained at the start of the second round. “Actually, we expected that performance from her since we focused on preparing her for the role during the Holy Week. So, we really expected her to deliver,” Orcullo said. Laput expressed gratitude for the trust given to her despite being one of the new members of the Lady Spikers, who are eyeing to reclaim the crown it last held back in 2018. “It feels great. It just shows that I developed and improved as a player and the coaches trust my abilities to have me play in the first six. It's great and it's an honor,” Laput said. The towering spiker played an inspired game with her family including brother James, who plays for Magnolia Hotshots in the Philippine Basketball Association, watching live. “It's a great feeling that my family is supporting me. My mom and my little sister, actually, surprised me this week. They came on Thursday. It's their first time watching a live game,” the head-turner said. “I'm definitely nervous having them there supporting me, it feels like I need to perform (well). It's a great feeling to know that your family is there supporting you.” With its 13th straight Final Four appearance secured, La Salle now shifts its sights on clinching a twice-to-beat advantage in the semis. The Lady Spikers battle Adamson University on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena to assure themselves of at least a playoff for a Final Four bonus. After that La Salle will face Ateneo de Manila University on 23 April before wrapping up the elimination round against winless University of the East on 29 April. Orcullo bared La Salle’s coaching staff has been preparing Laput to play a much bigger role in the coming games. “We need to build her confidence with the second round drawing to a close,” he said. “So that heading into the semifinals and hopefully in the finals, she will have that confidence in her and that anytime her number is called she’ll be able to deliver.” The post Laput makes heads turn appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Asst. coaches of Ateneo de Cebu, CBSAA suspended
CEBU CITY, Philippines—Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) commissioner Felix Tiukinhoy confirmed that the assistant coaches of both the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) Magis Eagles and the City of Bogo Science and Arts Academy (CBSAA) Trailblazers will be suspended. Magis Eagles assistant coach Francis Aoquico and Trailblazers’ Denzel Sabroso are suspended and will […] The post Asst. coaches of Ateneo de Cebu, CBSAA suspended appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
Si Coach Boc ang game-changer ko -- Dawn Macandili
If there is one person that multi-awarded libero Dawn Macandili would give credit to for all that she has achieved in her career aside from college coach Ramil de Jesus it would be assistant coach Benson Bocboc. The quiet and soft-spoken De La Salle University deputy has been De Jesus’ numbers guy on the Lady Spikers bench, his reliable scout and a trusted strategist. [Related story: DLSU's weapon against Ateneo: Clipboard and tablet] But for Macandili he is more than just DLSU’s man who crunches numbers or the one who prepares scouting reports. “Si Coach Boc ang game-changer ko,” Macandili said in her appearance on Volleyball DNA hosted by Anton Roxas and Denden Lazaro. Macandili said that when Bocboc went on board as the Lady Spikers prepared for Season 78 – the start of DLSU’s third three-peat – he immediately went down to work to help strengthen DLSU’s floor defense particularly focusing on liberos Macandili and CJ Saga. “Nu’ng dumating si Coach Boc, sobrang na-focus niya ang mga libero kasi ang style niya is Japanese training,” Macandili shared. “In-introduce niya kami sa mga drills na pang-Japanese. Sobrang na-amaze ako, ‘Wow Japanese style na defense.’” Macandili added that it was the first time since she joined the Lady Spikers that a practice session solely dedicated for liberos was added into their training schedule. “Ang daming drills na pinapagawa sa amin. Natutuwa ako kasi I’m always looking forward to learning something new,” she said. Bocboc according to Macandili was very technical, correcting them down to the smallest details. “Lagi niya kaming ini-introduce sa techniques. Gusto ko siyang ma-master. So every training may pinapagawa siya sa amin. Iba rin kasi talaga siyang mag-correct, to the slightest detail,” said the Tanauan, Batangas pride. “Dun ko na-realize na volleyball is very technical. Di lang basta na marunong kang mag-receive, marunong kang mag-dig pass. Hindi, kung marunong kang mag-receive kailangan ganito ang form mo, kailangan ganito kababa, mga ganoon.” He came into the team at the most critical time as DLSU was then shifting to a new approach to its system following two straight heartbreaking championship losses to the powerhouse Alyssa Valdez-led archrival Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles. “[Up to the] smallest details ang itinuturo niya sa amin and makikita mo talaga ang effect niya sa training and sa game,” said Macandili. Under Bocboc’s guidance, Macandili had her breakout season in 2016 as she played a key role in the Lady Spikers’ ascent back to the UAAP throne. Macandili in Season 78 was named Best Receiver, which she would win again the following year, and Best Digger while helping DLSU begin another three-year reign. Macandili would continue to rack in individual accolades, winning the Most Valuable Player award in the Philippine Superliga in 2016, being named the 2nd Best Libero in the 2017 AVC Asian Women’s Senior Championship as a member of the national team before wrapping up her UAAP career by bagging the Finals MVP in Season 80 - the first defense specialist to receive the honor. All thanks to the DLSU assistant coach. “Nag-iba talaga ang mindset ko nun sa volleyball na parang ang lawak niya na ang dami ko pang di alam. Doon ako na-engganyo na I want to learn more, more, more. I want to learn more talaga,” she said. --- Follow this writer on Twitter, @fromtheriles.....»»
WHAT IF Marck Espejo played for DLSU?
We all know what Marck Espejo brought to Ateneo when he donned the Blue Eagles jersey in the UAAP. He led the blue and white to three straight titles in five consecutive Finals appearances in indoor volleyball and captured Ateneo’s first and so far lone championship in beach volleyball. As a player, Espejo achieved a feat difficult to surpass if not replicate. A Rookie of the Year award, five straight Most Valuable Player honors aside from other individual accolades. The Marikina pride even registered the league’s most points in a game with 55 during his last tour of duty with the Blue Eagles in Season 80. Espejo’s impact left a lasting imprint not only to the Blue Eagles but also to the entire league. Arguably, his persona could even also be attributed to the renewed popularity of men’s volleyball in the country which for years failed to bask in the same limelight enjoyed by women’s play. Indeed, Ateneo found a precious gem in Espejo. But what if Espejo decided to take his talents to a different school? Let’s say, De La Salle University. After all the green and white was actually one of Espejo’s options heading into college. [Related story: DID YOU KNOW? Marck Espejo almost played for DLSU] If Espejo played for the Green Spikers, he would definitely be a game changer. The Ateneo-National University championship rivalry wouldn’t have happened. Instead, it would’ve been the Bulldogs and Green Spikers duking it out for the crown during Espejo’s UAAP stint. “Kung sa amin siya naglaro panigurado malaki ‘yung impact sa team namin kasi alam naman natin si Marck malakas talaga siya kahit buong team kaya niyang dalhin,” former DLSU setter and now assistant coach Geuel Asia told ABS-CBN Sports. Asia, who played for the Green Spikers from Season 75 to Season 79, added that he’s very familiar with Espejo's game as they were teammates when the National Capital Region ruled the 2012 Palarong Pambansa in Lingayen, Pangasinan. “So malakas ang impact niya sa DLSU kung sakali. Power and mind maglaro si Marck so malaki ang matutulong niya sa DLSU,” said the former national team playmaker and Espejo's Cignal HD Spikers teammate. "Fit din siya sa system. Kahit na anong sistema aayon sa kanya, magiging comfortable siya." In fact, with him on board DLSU in Season 76, the Green Spikers might have even gotten a trip to the Final Four. The Green Spikers, who finished third n Season 75, were eliminated by Adamson University in the playoff for no. 4 spot the following season. Imagine Espejo adding more firepower to DLSU, which already had Season 75 MVP Red Christensen, Raymark Woo, Aaron Calderon, Ralph Calasin and Philip Cerveza. “Sobrang lakas talaga kung nangyari ‘yung ganun. Kasi yun din time na yun malakas si Woo eh,” said Asia. With Espejo, who was second in scoring in his rookie year and was in the top 10 in spiking, blocking, service and digs, DLSU might not even need to go to the playoff for a semis spot. Heck, the Green Spikers might even land at no. 2 - just like how Espejo led Ateneo into the Finals in Season 76 to face NU – considering that Christensen, Woo and Cerveza that year were consistently producing big numbers and contributing well on defense. Of course, that team would still find it difficult to surpass the powerhouse Peter Torres-led Bulldogs in the championship. But at least that would’ve given DLSU the much-needed championship experience. Let’s say Woo didn’t suffer a knee injury during the pre-season while playing in a ligang labas that forced him to sit out year, then DLSU would have remained a solid contender in Season 77. There might even have been the possibility that the Green Spikers ended a decade-long title-drought that year as they would have been parading an experienced and solid lineup composed of Espejo, Woo, setters Brendon Santos and Asia, libero Jopet Movido, Calderon, Christensen, Mike Frey, Arjay Onia, Cris Dumago and Calasin. The possibility of DLSU winning another title or two in the next three seasons with Espejo at the helm might not be far from reality. But then of course Season 80 would be a different story. That year the Green Spikers would’ve parted ways with most of its veterans leaving Espejo, Onia, Dumago and Frey leading a young team piloted by third year setter Wayne Marco. Even if DLSU did manage to crawl its way back into the Finals in Espejo’s last year, it would be extremely difficult to hurdle the Bulldogs parading a tall and very talented crew led by ace hitter Bryan Bagunas, Kim Malabunga, Madzlan Gampong, James Natividad, Francis Saura, setter Kim Dayandante and libero Ricky Marcos. But then again, a DLSU squad bannered by Espejo in the UAAP would have definitely been a sight to behold. Too bad we could only imagine the what ifs. --- Follow this writer on Twitter, @fromtheriles.....»»
Indeed, defense won NU s first championship since 1954
National University won its first championship since 1954 at the expense of Far Eastern University. The iconic moment in that special season, however, was Alfred Aroga's big-time block on Kiefer Ravena. Aroga's rejection of Ravena's layup in the UAAP 77 Final Four thrust National University to a historic championship and thwarted Ateneo de Manila University's grand plans of redemption. That resounding rejection thrust the Bulldogs to a historic championship while also thwarting Ateneo de Manila University's grand plans of redemption. That wasn't the only defensive highlight the blue and gold had throughout that title run, though. In fact, their Season 77 was just one big defensive highlight. "Nung offseason, kasi nga, umalis si Ray, hindi namin alam identity namin tapos lahat, gustong mag-score kasi siyempre, gusto magpakita," pesky guard Pao Javelona said in last Friday's The Prospects Pod. "Pero nung patapos na yung preseason, doon namin nalaman na yung strength namin is yung defense. Kahit hindi kami maka-score, basta yung kalaban, hindi rin maka-score." That year, National U played without top gun Ray Parks Jr. for the first time in four seasons. Of course, the offense would take a step back. With that, head coach Eric Altamirano turned their full focus at the other end. "Tamang-tama yung sinabi ni Pao e. When the team started to embrace yung identity na mananalo kami sa depensa at hindi sa offense, doon nagsimula e," he said. One of the keys to do just that was making Troy Rosario and Glenn Khobuntin their starters at forward instead of substitutes for each other. "Sa akin, as a coach, ang pinaka-pivotal na ginawa kong decision was to put Glenn at 3 since when he started with us, lagi siyang 4. Nung ginawa na namin siyang 3, lumaki kami, naging defensive team kami, we can switch-all," the always amiable mentor said. From there, both Rosario and Khobuntin emerged as end-to-end players with Alfred Aroga protecting the rim and Javelona placing himself right at the grill of opposing guards. Steady Gelo Alolino completed the first five and, without a doubt, that first five was dominant on defense. Even Ravena himself could only acknowledge that fact. As he put it, "Kay Pao naman talaga ako hirap na hirap, pero what's harder is pag maiwan ko na si Pao, ang sasalubong sa akin, si Troy, si Glenn, tsaka si Alfred. Ang hirap talaga and minsan nga, nung mga panahong yun, tinitignan ko na lang sina (NU assistant) coach Joey [Guano] tsaka coach Vic [Ycasiano], sabi ko, 'Pashoot-in niyo naman ako, coach.'" He then continued, "Ang hirap talaga e. Parang nakikipagbiruan na lang ako sa kanila and that's a testament to how they really prepare." Indeed, so stout was that Bulldog defense that they won all four of their matchups that year opposite the Phenom-led Blue Eagles. And indeed, so stout was that Bulldog defense that up until now, Aroga is tattooed on the mind of Ravena. --- Follow this writer on Twitter, @riegogogo......»»
Tab Baldwin not in 'danger' of losing jobs says SBP
Following his controversial comments about the PBA last month, Tab Baldwin ended up being fined and suspended by the league. However, the TNT KaTropa have opted to relieve Baldwin of his duties as an assistant coach, pushing him out of the PBA altogether. [Related: PBA: Tab Baldwin no longer with TNT KaTropa] Nevertheless, Baldwin retained his spot as head coach for the three-time UAAP Champion Ateneo Blue Eagles and as program director for the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas. Those are Coach Tab's main roles for the time being, says the SBP. "Is he in danger [losing position], hindi naman palagay ko," SBP Executive Director Sonny Barrios said during the recent Philippine Sportswriters Association forum. "Not unless magsasalita ulit siya ng wala sa lugar. But sa ngayon, wala naman," Barrios added. [Related: Unfiltered Baldwin goes in on the PBA's "big mistake" regarding format] As far as the SBP is concerned, Baldwin is still a key factor as the Gilas Pilipinas program looks to function well enough. The goal is to ready the national team by the 2023 FIBA World Cup and beyond. "In fact, si President Al Panlilio wants to have a video conference with him [Baldwin] and the SBP team to address the moving forward of the program," Barrios said. "But in any given situation, nobody has a lock on position, not me, not anybody," the former PBA Commissioner added. — Follow this writer on Twitter, @paullintag8.....»»
TNT governor Vargas calls Baldwin’s apology a little bit insincere
PBA chairman Ricky Vargas is not buying the reason of Tab Baldwin for his controversial statements about the league. The TNT governor, speaking about the issue for the first time, said that he had accepted the apology of the embattled Ateneo de Manila University coach. “Nag-apologize si Tab eh. He apologized to me privately. I have accepted the apology,” said Vargas during the online session of the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum on Tuesday. But Vargas felt that it was a ‘bit insincere’ as Baldwin clarified that the statements he said during his appearance in the Coaches Unfiltered podcast last June 11 were taken out of context. “Ang impact sa akin nu’ng comment niya na ‘taken out of context’ after the apology he made was a little bit insincere,” said Vargas in the Forum presented by San Miguel Corporation, Go For Gold PH, Amelie Hotel Manila, Braska Restaurant, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and powered by Smart. Baldwin, who is also the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas program director, drew flak from the league after his comments on local coaches’ tactical immaturity, calling the PBA single-import conference a big mistake and accused referees of giving imports an advantage in officiating. The American-Kiwi mentor clarified that he was just talking about his first impression of basketball in the country but was taken out of context. “It was sort of saying I apologize but I was taken out of context so it tended to push to blaming others,” said Vargas. Baldwin already apologized to the league after his comments drew a firestorm affecting the professional and collegiate ranks. Some agreeing with his commentaries while some took offense of his observations. “The consequence of that statement ‘taken out of context’ became more divisive,” Vargas said. Baldwin was slapped with a P75,000 fine and a three-game suspension by the league two weeks ago. TNT also last Thursday relieved Baldwin of his post as KaTropa’s consultant and assistant coach. --- Follow this writer on Twitter, @fromtheriles .....»»
Baldwin relieved of duties with TNT
TNT KaTropa have relieved Tab Baldwin of his role as the team’s assistant coach/consultant to allow him to concentrate on his duties for Ateneo and Gilas Pilipinas......»»
PBA: Tab Baldwin no longer with TNT KaTropa
Tab Baldwin will no longer be part of the TNT KaTropa staff in the PBA. Team manager Gabby Cui confirmed Thursday the news that Baldwin is out as a consultant and assistant coach for the flagship MVP franchise. Nevertheless, Baldwin remains as head coach for the UAAP champion Ateneo Blue Eagles and as a program director for the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas. "Coach Tab will be focusing on his coaching chores in Ateneo and his role in SBP," Cui said. "We would like to thank Coach Tab and wish him well," he added. Baldwin was fined P75,000 and suspended for three games by the PBA last week for his comments on the Coaches Unfiltered podcast. [Related: PBA: Baldwin fined P75k and suspended for three games] However, the KaTropa implied that the decision to let Baldwin walk away from TNT was unrelated to the incident. "We decided on this transition way before the lockdown," Cui said. "The team is adapting well to the system of coach Bong Ravena and consultant Mark Dickel," he added. — Follow this writer on Twitter, @paullintag8.....»»
PBA: Baldwin fined P75k and suspended for three games
The PBA did not let Tab Baldwin off easily. On Tuesday, the league officially fined Baldwin for P75,000 and suspended him for three games for issuing statements "detrimental to the league." Last week, Coach Tab caused a stir when he said that the PBA's one-import tournament is a "big mistake" and that local coaches show "tactical immaturity" due to the advantages afforded to imports. Baldwin made the comments on the Coaches Unfiltered podcast. On Monday, Baldwin had an online meeting with PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial to explain his side. [Related: Baldwin in meeting with Commissioner Marcial: "I feel bad"] "I feel bad that has happened but that is not my intention," coach Tab said. Baldwin should serve his suspension when the PBA returns from the COVID-19 pandemic. On top of being Ateneo's head coach and the SBP's program director, Baldwin serves as an assistant coach for the TNT KaTropa. — Follow this writer on Twitter, @paullintag8.....»»
Unfiltered Baldwin goes in on the PBA s 'big mistake' regarding format
Ateneo head coach and Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas program director Tab Baldwin didn't hold back when he assessed the current landscape of basketball in the Philippines. Baldwin, the one-time Gilas coach who had the national team one win away from the Olympics, says that there is one glaring flaw with the way we do things here, particularly in the PBA. Coach Tab says that the PBA having only single-import conferences is a "big mistake." "We have one major flaw in the basketball landscape of the Philippines. It's a regulatory flaw and that is that in the PBA, we have three conferences with two of those are single-import conferences," Baldwin said. Coach Tab made the sizzling hot take on Coaches Unfiltered podcast. "This is a big mistake. We should never have a single import playing on a team," Baldwin added. The Ateneo mentor, who also serves as an assistant coach for the TNT KaTropa, says that imports here are given advantages by the league by way of officiating, which isn't the case for the very same imports should they play in other leagues. That inherently puts local players at a disadvantage. "So in other words, put it in layman's terms, a foul for a PBA player for a local player isn't a foul on an import, and the foul of an import, that same foul on a local player isn't a foul," Baldwin said. "So our local players are competitively disadvantaged in their ability to compete against the import players, and this is not the case in other countries," he added. Baldwin also went in on the PBA coaches, saying they're smart and doing the right thing by running their systems through the imports. However, Baldwin also said that PBA coaches can be way better if the import advantages are taken away and they're all forced to do more than just rely on one guy. "If you're a PBA coach, and you don't tactically run your systems through the import, you're pretty stupid because they are given all of the advantages. So the PBA coaches are smart lot. They're good basketball coaches," Baldwin said. "But they could be much better if they were forced to coach much more, I believe, I think then they would show their real talents. But I think that because of the way our imports are treated here, it's not sound thinking for a coach to not exploit what is obvious to every PBA coach, and that is to run your offensive systems through your import," he added. In the East Asian region, the PBA is the only major league that plays single-import tournaments. The CBA in China and the KBL in South Korea allows up to two imports per team. In the case of the CBA, teams can also employ Asian imports. The Japanese B.League allows up to three foreign players, not counting naturalized players that are considered as locals. For its 10th season, the ABL increased its import limit from two to three. The PBA likewise allowed up to two imports before, but has employed a single-import policy for a good two decades now. The 2016 Governors' Cup was the last conference when the PBA allowed teams to have two imports, with one having to be an Asian import. Not all 12 teams took the chance to employ one. Before that, the 2008 Fiesta Conference allowed the two lowest-ranked teams, then Welcoat and Coca-Cola, to have two imports but the second one had a height limit of 6'1". "I think that system it creates a false landscape for our basketball coaches and our basketball players," Baldwin said. "And I think it needs to be changed sooner rather than later," he added. Baldwin's comments on the podcast quickly drew the attention of the PBA, with Spin.ph chief Dodo Catacutan first reporting that PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial will issue a fine for Coach Tab for "statements detrimental to the league." A suspension for coach Tab is also being considered for his comments. — Follow this writer on Twitter, @paullintag8.....»»
Bryan Bagunas: Basketball s loss is volleyball s gain
Who would’ve thought that a flubbed lay-up in a basketball game would convince Bryan Bagunas to embrace a different sport that eventually brought him success? The Southeast Asian Games silver medalist shared on The Score’s Kalye Confessions an anecdote on how his volleyball career started. Just like most boys in this hoops-crazy nation, Bagunas initially found interest playing basketball. He tried volleyball just out of curiosity. During his sophomore year in high school, the Balayan, Batangas native joined both basketball and volleyball competitions in his school’s intramurals. A rather embarrassing moment made him realize that basketball may not be for him. “Naglaro ako ng basketball. Kaso nag-iisa na lang ako, nag-layup ako sablay,” recalled the Oita Miyoshi Weiss Adler import in the Japan V. Premier League. “Kaya sabi ko parang ayoko nang mag-basketball ah.” He fared better in volleyball. “Eh ‘di ‘yun sa volleyball naman. Nag-OK naman, second year high school ata kami nun nu’ng nag-champion kami nun sa Intrams eh,” he said. “Eh ‘di ‘yun kinuha na nila ako. Dun na nagsimula ‘yun.” From there he became a member of Balayan National High School’s volleyball team and was eventually chosen to represent Region IV-A in the 2014 Palarong Pambansa in Sta. Cruz, Laguna in his senior year. Although his team was booted out in the quarterfinals by eventual gold medalist Western Visayas, National University scouts noticed Bagunas' height and talent. Bulldogs head coach Dante Alinsurin and his assistant Jessie Lopez offered Bagunas a chance to play for the then reigning two-time UAAP men’s volleyball champion NU. “Si Coach Jessie siya pa kumuha ng phone number ko nun saka si Coach Dante. Tapos pinuntahan nila ako sa bahay sa Balayan, Batangas,” said Bagunas. His first three years with the Bulldogs resulted in heartbreaks as NU fell short in the Finals against the Marck Espejo-bannered Ateneo de Manila University. Bagunas finally won his first UAAP title in Season 80 when the Bulldogs knocked the crown off the Blue Eagles’ heads. He led NU to back-to-back titles the following year where he also bagged the Most Valuable Player award for a perfect collegiate career exit. Bagunas has been a member of the national team since 2017. In the 2019 SEA Games, Bagunas helped the Philippines establish history by taking the silver medal for the first time since 1977. He is also the second homegrown talent to be tapped as an import in Japan after Espejo. Bagunas is enjoying great success in volleyball, all thanks to a missed lay-up. --- Follow this writer on Twitter, @fromtheriles .....»»
Alinsunurin appointed Philippine men’s volleyball assistant coach
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Blue Eagles coach tempers Final Four expectations amid momentum
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Blue Eagles coach happy for being able to stand ground vs UST
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Former Magis Eagles coach Macasamat successfully organize major grassroots volleyball tilt
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Champion volleyball coach Jamel Macasamat drew over 24 teams in the inaugural Big Four Volleyball Tournament which is currently happening at the Warehouse Sports Lab in Mandaue City. To recall, Macasamat steered an all rookie-team of the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) Magis Eagles in winning the Cebu Schools Athletic.....»»