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Scorpions get back at Dolphins
Centro Escolar University exacted sweet revenge versus Philippine Christian University-Dasmariñas, 62-53, and boosted its bid for a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarters of the Universities and Colleges Athletic League-PG Flex Linoleum Season Thursday at the Paco Arena in San Juan......»»
CEU gets back at PCU, boosts bid for UCAL semis bonus
Centro Escolar University exacted sweet revenge over Philippine Christian University-Dasmarinas, 62-53, and boosted its bid for a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarters of the Universities and Colleges Athletic League-PG Flex Linoleum Season 6 held Thursday at the Paco Arena in San Juan......»»
13-year-old becomes first player to beat Tetris
Vince Clemente, CEO of Classic Tetris World Championship, says 'Developers didn't think anyone would ever make it that far and now the game has officially been beaten by a human being'.....»»
Panabo’s FM Arca shares leaderboard
Fide Master Christian Gian Karlo Arca of the Philippines has taken the lead in the Eastern Asia Juniors and Girls Chess Championship 2023. Arca defeated Muhd Faqih Aminuddin of Malaysia to share the top spot after four rounds. He now has 3.5 points, the same as IM Daniel Quizon, IM Michael Concio Jr., and FM Munkhdalai Amilal. Arca, a 14-year-old student, is seeking his second or third IM norm. In the girls' division, Woman National Masters Ruelle Canino and Ma. Elayza Villa of the Philippines rebounded with victories to stay in contention. The championship is being held in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia......»»
Panabo’s FM Arca eyes IM norm in Sabah, Malaysia
Fide Master Christian Gian Karlo Arca from Panabo City, Philippines, is aiming to achieve his second International Master (IM) norm in the Eastern Asia Juniors and Girls Chess Championships in Sabah, Malaysia. Arca recently won first place and the gold medal in the Open Blitz event of the Fide World Youth Chess Championship in Italy. He expressed his gratitude for the support of his family and sponsors and vowed to work even harder to attain the IM title. Arca needs three IM norms from tournaments with rated players to achieve his goal. He previously earned his first IM norm in the 18th IGB Dato' Arthur Tan Malaysian Open Chess Championship. Arca is part of the Dasmariñas Chess Academy, along with International Master Daniel Quizon and International Master Michael Concio Jr. The team is supported by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines and various government agencies......»»
SWU Cobras beat CRMC Mustangs in their last Cesafi season game
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Southwestern University (SWU)-Phinma Cobras, the former Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc., (CESAFI) men’s basketball champions, may had a forgettable season, but they made sure to wrap it up by putting up a good fight. The Cobras may not be the same as its 2019 championship team, but the boys of head.....»»
Panabo s FM Arca third in Fide World youth chess
Filipino Fide master Christian Gian Karlo Arca of Panabo City secured a third-place finish in the Fide World Youth Chess Championship in Montesilvano, Italy. Arca's victory over Norwegian chesser Isak Vinh Brattgjerd in the Caro-Kann Defense created a four-way tie for third place in the Boys under-14 section. With a total of 5.0 points, Arca joined Fide Master Magnus Ermitsch of Germany, FM Edgar Mamedov of Kazakhstan, and FM Pawel Sowinski of Poland. In the Boys under-18 section, FM Master Mark Jay Bacojo of the Philippines drew with Grandmaster Volodar Murzin of Russia, remaining in contention with 4.5 points. The Philippine chess team's strong start in the championship is supported by various organizations and officials in the country......»»
Gourd guy
Briton Peter Glazebrook should be the undisputed heavyweight champion in vegetable gardening. The Nottinghamshire, England resident holds the Guinness World Record titles for the heaviest potato at 4.98 kilograms, the heaviest cauliflower at 27.48 kg, and the heaviest aubergine at 3.362 kg. The 79-year-old has been participating in a local contest for giant vegetables, the Canna UK National Giant Vegetables Championship, at the Malvern Autumn Show. He holds more than 17 records in the contest, The Independent reported. In the 23 to 25 September contest, Glazebrook won in five categories. He produced the longest cucumber at 1.069 meters, the heaviest aubergine at 2.77 kg, the heaviest onion at 7.3 kg, the heaviest cantaloupe melon at 11.43 kg, the three heaviest onions at 20.4 kg, and the heaviest pepper at 0.75 kg. Glazebrook has many clones. Some vegetable growers beat him in other categories of the competition. Outside the United Kingdom, there are even more giant vegetable growers, and Travis Gienger is among them. Gienger won at the Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival in California last 9 October to take home the $30,000 grand prize. In its 50th year, the contest pits growers of mega-gourds from all over North America against each other to see who can produce the biggest berry. In the recent contest, Gienger, from Minnesota, pipped his nearest rival by a hefty 113.4 kg to walk away with this year’s title. Contest organizers said he also notched a new world record in the process, besting an Italian effort from 2021 that tipped the scales at a relatively svelte 1,226 kg. Gienger’s enormous pumpkin weighed in at an improbable 1,247 kg. That is the same weight as a hippopotamus. WITH AFP The post Gourd guy appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Lady Tams twice to beat
Vengeful Far Eastern U poured its wrath on University of the East, 25-23, 25-17, 27-25, to clinch a twice-to-beat incentive in the quarterfinals of the Shakey’s Super League Collegiate Pre-Season Championship yesterday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum......»»
Villanueva files reso commending Gilas Pilipinas for its victory in Asian Games
Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva on Monday filed a resolution urging the Senate to commend the Philippine men’s national basketball team Gilas Pilipinas for winning the gold medal in the recently concluded 19th Asian Games. In filing Proposed Resolution No. 822, Villanueva congratulated Gilas Pilipinas for their victory in the 5x5 basketball event of the 19th Asian Games held in Hangzhou, China from 25 September to 6 October 2023. “[T]his is the country’s fifth gold medal in the basketball tournament of the quadrennial regional games and the first since the 1962 Asian Games, ending the country’s 61-year title drought,” he said. “Gilas Pilipinas brought great pride and honor to the country, delighting millions of Filipino basketball followers around the world as they once again ruled Asian basketball after more than six decades,” he added. He continued: “Gilas Pilipinas displayed determination, discipline, resilience, and perseverance and their outstanding performance deserves the highest praise, recognition, and commendation as they showed the world the indefatigable spirit of Filipino basketball excellence.” The 12-man Gilas Pilipinas won the 19th Asian Games basketball championship, bringing the title back to the Philippines after more than 60 years since its last victory in 1962. The basketball team is composed of Japeth Aguilar, Kevin Louie Alas, Justin Brownlee, Junemar Fajardo, Angelo Kouame, Marcio Lassiter, Chris Newsome, Calvin Oftana, Christian Jaymar “CJ” Perez, Christopher Ross, Earl Scottie Thompson, and Arvin Tolentino. Gilas Pilipinas was led by head coach Earl Timothy Cone and assistant coaches Richard del Rosario, Jong Uichico, Josh Reyes, and LA Tenorio. The post Villanueva files reso commending Gilas Pilipinas for its victory in Asian Games appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Phl glitters after Gilas routs China
Although the aspirational campaign of the Philippines for a berth in the Paris Olympics in 2024 is all over, the 38,155 Filipinos and millions of others are hurting. Why should Gilas Pilipinas suffer four straight losses before waking up to the reality that we are the host of the world’s most prestigious basketball tournament? National interest should have been the guiding principle in preparing for this global affair that our people love so much. In deference to the presence of our guests let us wait after they have left to discuss in this column the various other interests that may have spoiled our preparation for FIBA World Cup 2023 Philippines. Meanwhile, let us share and enjoy together the blessings that this thing called sport has provided us in celebration of humanity in our country. It was midway through the third quarter before Jordan Clarkson took over with his fantastic shooting, with four straight three-point shots that put Gilas ahead 73-51 at the end of the third, maintaining that lead until the end of the fourth, with the final score, Philippines 96, China 75. Clarkson scored 34, Rhenz Abando 14, Kai Sotto 12, Dwight Ramos 11, Jun Mar Fajardo 9, Roger Ray Pogoy 7, AJ Edu 5, Scottie Thompson 4, Kiefer Ravena 0, Japeth Aguilar 0. This situation was similar in the first game of Gilas with the Dominican Republic, except that had Chot paced Clarkson and allowed him some rest before the fourth quarter, the inaugural game could have been an easy win for the home team. The colossal defeat devastated the 38,115 basketball-crazy fans present. The attendance at the world’s largest indoor coliseum in the country registered in the Guinness World Records the biggest numbers for a single FIBA World Cup basketball match. It took Chot and his players to play “and practice” four times and lose on thin margins — in the Philippine Arena, Mall of Asia, and Araneta Coliseum — before the watchful eyes of basketball enthusiasts from all over the sports capitals of the world. It was only after the fourth loss that Chot gained mastery of the plays that could clinch a victory, and he did it wonderfully. It was a massacre. Gilas registered its biggest win ever, at home, in FIBA World Cup history. The fault, perhaps, for Gilas’ four losses lay in a lack of practice. Had the team had sufficient time to practice their winning combinations, it might have been a different story. No sports team in the world can win a championship without practice. Practice makes perfect. Jordan Clarkson saved the Philippines from another winless FIBA World Cup run, salvaging a lackluster team performance. The third-place finish of the national team in the 1954 FIBA World Cup in Brazil has remained unsurpassed by any Asian country until now. The 1954 squad will always be remembered for having been inducted into the Philippine Sports Hall of Fame of the Philippine Sports Commission. The feat of the immortal squad included winning six and losing only two. The Philippines beat the following countries: Paraguay 64-52; Taipei 48-38; Uruguay 67-63; Canada 83-76; Israel 90-56; and France 66-60. The Philippines lost to: Brazil 62-99; and USA 43-56. The scoring leader was Carlos Loyzaga with an average score of 16.4 points per game. The captain ball was Lauro Mumar and the coach was Herminio Silva. Player and senator-to-be Ambrosio Padilla headed the 1954 national basketball team. The post Phl glitters after Gilas routs China appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
China beats Philippines at Asian Women s Volleyball Championship
BANGKOK, Aug. 31 (Xinhua) -- China's women's volleyball team beat the Philippines to secure its second group win at the 22nd Asian Women's Championship in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand on Thursday. China encountered little resistance from its opponents to take its second victory 25-15, 25-20 and 25-17. The Championship features 14 teams divided into four groups. Each team faces every other team in their gro.....»»
China beat Philippines at Asian Women s Volleyball Championship
China's women's volleyball team beat the Philippines to secure their second group win at the 22nd Asian Women's Championship in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand on Thursday. Team China encountered little resistance from their Thai opponents and ended the match in three sets, 25-15, 25-20 and 25-17. China's Wu Mengjie scored a match-high 18 points from 15 attacks, 2 blocks and one ace, while Zhong Hui and Yang.....»»
Jose Mari Chan on becoming Phl’s ‘Christmas icon’
While Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” is known as one of the most popular Christmas anthems, and South Korean mega group Exo’s “First Snow” revisits South Korean charts as the Christmas season approaches, the Philippines takes pride in Jose Mari Chan, who is known by many as the “Father of Philippine Christmas Music.” As soon as September approaches, Filipinos gear up for the Christmas spirit by starting their Christmas countdown, buying and setting up Christmas decorations, playing holiday playlists, or sharing Christmas-related posts. Known for the songs “Christmas in Our Hearts,” “Mary’s Boy Child,” and more, Jose Mari Chan is considered the Philippines’ Christmas Icon. The Christmas icon In Boy Abunda’s talk show segment, Fast Talk with Boy Abunda, aired on 1 September, the singer said that he was initially confused with Internet memes about him, but it still gave him a good laugh. However, Chan does not want to be called “The King of Christmas” by Filipinos. “Because there is only one King of Christmas and that is our Lord Jesus Christ,” Chan said. He also confessed that he did not expect the massive success of his song “Christmas in Our Hearts,” noting that his producers suggested a romantic Christmas song instead of a Christian-themed song, but suddenly “Christmas in Our Hearts” became a popular hit at radio stations. Although his songs are booming in popularity as the holidays are fast approaching, the singer admitted that he does not earn much from his songs anymore. “The technology has changed: Nobody buys records, nobody buys CDs, nobody buys cassettes anymore,” he said. “We earn a little bit from Spotify, [but] not too much… and also from endorsements and doing shows, that’s all.” Still, Chan is overjoyed that Filipinos continue to associate him with Christmas up to this day. “How nice to be associated with [the] Christmas season. I mean, it’s the biggest season in the Philippines, and it’s the best-loved season.” he said. Despite the busy schedule due to endorsements and upcoming shows until the end of the year, the singer celebrates what truly matters in his life: being married to his wife for more than 50 years and a healthy, beaming grandfather of nine grandchildren. [caption id="attachment_178686" align="aligncenter" width="680"] Jose Mari Chan | SCREENGRAB FROM YOUTUBE.COM/NINONG RY TV[/caption] Jose Mari Chan-approved Christmas content Aside from the Internet memes and posts of Jose Mari Chan peeking through almost everything as a reminder that Christmas is fast approaching, there is already an abundance of content with the 78-year-old singer that will make you feel the Christmas spirit. On 30 August, social media personality Yasmin Asistido, more popularly known as Kween Yasmin, posted a duet with Chan. Both dressed in red, the duo sang the chorus of “Christmas in our Hearts.” As of writing, the video garnered over 120,000 likes and 1.5 million views on Facebook. Meanwhile, chef and social media personality Ninong Ry and Chan collaborated in a 24-minute-vlog titled, “JOSE MARI CHAN x NINONG RY — ANO PA ANG KULANG SA PASKO?” on 1 September. In the vlog, the two prepared staple Noche Buena dishes such as macaroni salad, roast chicken, and embutido, while discussing what matters the most during Christmas — keeping the tradition and spending the holiday with our family and loved ones. Chan is also set to appear on the weekend variety show ASAP Natin ‘To along with Jamie Rivera, the World Hip Hop Dance Championship 2023 Adult Division winners, the cast of the youth-oriented show Senior High and more. Some might say that Christmas does not feel like how it used to be in the past due to the advent of social media, the loss of someone special, the continuous deterioration of quality of life and the economy, or how it becomes a reminder that we are all growing older and we have adult responsibilities to face. Still, entertainers like Jose Mari Chan give us a wave of nostalgia for what Christmas should truly feel like — that the holidays should feel warm and festive even in the smallest of ways. Celebrating Christmas does not have to be glamorous every time, but it should always feel like a comforting hug, an exciting tune to a familiar Christmas song, or a hopeful reminder that we all made it through the end of the year.ac The post Jose Mari Chan on becoming Phl’s ‘Christmas icon’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Golden sports opportunities
Dominican Republic led by Karl Anthony Towns won over Gilas of the Philippines by a score of 87-81. I felt sad for our country. It should have been an easy win for us, for an outright berth to the Paris Olympics in 2024. If coached skillfully, our 2023 Gilas Five, the best basketball team the Philippines has ever assembled in over half a century, could have “slaughtered” the opposition. The team suffered from lapses in coaching, faulty substitutions and, worst of all, failure to execute to our best advantage the alley-oop arc passes to Kai Sotto. Many times in the past, I witnessed Sotto perform this move with amazing success. All the Gilas players led by Jordan Clarkson have the skill to make the arc pass for an alley-oop shot to the basket. But how can we have the alley-oop when Sotto was benched in the crucial quarter of the game? The fourth quarter belonged to us. What was surprising was why, with five minutes remaining, Sotto, our 7-foot-2 superstar, was not sent in to help control the board, to stop Karl Anthony Towns from scoring from long range, and to save our most precious player, Jordan Clarkson, from fouling out. With Kai Sotto out of the court, what I feared would happen did happen. The Dominicans controlled the board, 17 for them, only 3 for us. Towns went to town scoring, and Jordan Clarkson, in a desperate bid to stop him, fouled out. We lost the game and the outright berth to the Olympics in Paris in 2024. The Philippines–Dominican Republic game, the most watched last Friday, 25 August, established a new world record of 38,115 fans in attendance, surpassing the 32,616 that witnessed the US-Russia final at the 1994 World Cup in Toronto, Canada. Our defeat at the hands of Karl Anthony Towns and his team dashed any hopes of repeating or surpassing what happened seventy years ago. The world was sweeter then. That was once upon a time when bronze glittered like gold, when the Philippines in a stunning performance at the 1954 World Basketball Championship — now known as the FIBA World Cup — in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil beat France for third place to achieve the highest finish ever by an Asian team on the world stage. The 6-foot-3 center, Carlos Loyzaga, led the golden age of Philippine basketball back in the 1950s. His best record was that bronze finish in 1954 — to date the country’s, or any Asian country’s for that matter, best in global basketball. Loyzaga fired 19 points to steer the Herminio Silva-mentored Philippine squad to victory over France, 66-60. Still, let us celebrate the victory of the Dominican Republic. Playing basketball in a global setting is a celebration of humanity, regardless of faith, race, culture, belief, gender and ability. Basketball brings us together — to meet across borders and boundaries, to learn to compete as friends, to respect and trust one another even in opposition. After the game, Karl Anthony Towns was warmly congratulated by the Filipino fans, young and old alike, who shook his hand, saying, “Mabuhay ka Karl Anthony” (Long live Karl Anthony). The big tall man responded, “Salamat po. Mabuhay kayo lahat.” (Thank you, long live to all). The Dominican Republic may have captured the game, but the Filipinos captured the heart of its captain. Sport is always the winner! The post Golden sports opportunities appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Gilas Pilipinas’ sweet, vengeful SEA Games win
GILAS Pilipinas’ vengeful win against an import-laden Cambodian basketball team marked its return to the top spot of the Southeast Asian Games or SEAG men’s basketball championships. It was a sweet victory for the Philippines men’s basketball team, as it was glaring how the Cambodians, the 32nd SEAG’s host country, took advantage of the rules by fielding more naturalized players than other competing countries. Though this may be allowed, it does not bode well for the tournament and the sport. Why so? Other countries, including the Philippines, continue to identify and develop players from the grassroots levels. And if tournaments, such as the recent SEAG Men’s Basketball competition, allow host countries to field more naturalized players than others, how does this promote fair play among competing nations? Luckily, after losing to Cambodia in the early group stage, Gilas booked a rematch against the home team for the gold medal. And this time, the Philippine squad came prepared with a sound plan despite unfavorable court conditions and the lopsided lineup of mainly naturalized Cambodian players. Gilas’ offensive and defensive strategy helped them stave off comeback attempts and left the Cambodians to settle for a silver medal. The three-point shooting of naturalized forward Justin Brownlee, Marcio Lassiter, Chris Newsome, and CJ Perez helped Gilas spread the floor, allowing our big men to dominate and score in the shaded area. Gilas shot slightly better with its 47.8 percent field goal percentage versus Cambodia’s 41.9 percent. Gilas also outrebounded the Cambodians by four boards at 40 rebounds versus 36 rebounds. The intense shooting, ability to draw fouls, minimizing turnovers, the solid defensive performance resulting in six steals and three blocked shots helped propel Gilas Pilipinas to win its 19th Southeast Asian Games Gold Medal. ‘This is a reminder to our country and the Southeast Asian Region that upholding the values of fair play, sportsmanship, and the love for country triumphs all’ In his congratulatory message to Coach Chot Reyes, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas Chairman Emeritus Manuel V. Pangilinan said he was happy to be proven wrong with the gold medal victory of Gilas. MVP earlier tweeted his concern over Gilas’ defeat to Cambodia in the group stage. SBP President Alfredo S. Panlilio also commended Gilas, saying, “Gilas showed that the pride of fighting for our country is stronger than any motivation. The team played through substandard conditions in the court under the sweltering heat and overcame bumps and bruises to make us all proud.” He added, “This is a reminder to our country and the Southeast Asian Region that upholding the values of fair play, sportsmanship, and the love for country triumphs all.” Gilas Head Coach Chot Reyes acknowledged that the earlier defeat to Cambodia brought the team together. “They’re united, and they stuck together. I’m just so proud of what we’ve done. We came here for the gold medal, and we’ve done it.” SBP also expressed gratitude to the Philippine Basketball Association and the University Athletic Association of the Philippines for allowing players from both leagues to represent the country in the 32nd SEAG. “On behalf of the SBP, I would like to thank UAAP, the PBA, its team owners, and the Board of Governors again for allowing its players to be part of the Gilas Team that won the Gold Medal in a hard-fought match against the host country,” Panlilio said in his letter to the two basketball associations. He added that SBP is aware of the PBA’s contribution to basketball’s growth, development, and success in the country. “The competitiveness in the league allowed Gilas to rise above the challenge it faced in Cambodia,” Panlillio added. The PBA players participating in the SEA Games were Justin Brownlee, CJ Perez, Christian Standhardinger, Chris Ross, Calvin Oftana, Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, Marcio Lassiter, Arvin Tolentino, and Chris Newsome. Among the UAAP collegiate players were Adamson’s Jerome Lastimosa, Ateneo’s Mason Amos, and La Salle’s Michael Philips. As the country prepares to host the most prestigious World Cup FIBA basketball championship in August this year, Panlilio calls on all basketball stakeholders to unite in supporting Gilas Pilipinas as we compete in the international arena. Gilas Pilipinas’ strong performance, fueled by its heart and will to succeed, should inspire every Filipino to give their best in all the challenges they meet in life. The post Gilas Pilipinas’ sweet, vengeful SEA Games win 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......»»
‘Redeem Team?’
Whether the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas admits it or not, the preparation of Gilas Pilipinas for the 32nd Southeast Asian Games is very problematic. Dubbed the “Redeem Team” for its ultimate goal of reclaiming the gold medal in the biennial meet, Gilas Pilipinas struggled to launch its training program as most of its players were still playing in the finals of the Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup. Gilas kicked off their training program on a promising note. Although cornerstones Japeth Aguilar and June Mar Fajardo were not around, the majority of the pool members showed up led by naturalized players Justin Brownlee, Jamie Malonzo, Christian Standhardinger, and Jeremiah Gray as well as Roger Pogoy, Calvin Oftana, Aaron Black, Marcio Lassiter and Kevin Alas. There were also some new faces in Mike and Ben Phillips, and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser as well as returning pool members Mason Amos and Schonny Winston. For good measure, Gilas coach Chot Reyes invited defensive lynchpin Sean Anthony to provide an additional warm body that would give him a chance to study the combinations that he will use in the tourney that is set in Phnom Penh from 5 to 17 May. It wasn’t perfect, but it was a good start. Everybody was in high spirits. But not for long. When Reyes called another training session, only seven players confirmed, prompting him to call off the supposedly once-a-week workout. Reyes called another training last Monday and only 11 players from the 28-man pool attended. The following day, Gilas convened anew and the same faces — except for Lassiter who had to fly to the United States — were in attendance, giving Reyes and his coaching staff the “luxury” of holding scrimmages and running through the plays. “That’s a luxury,” Reyes said in a report. “We get every opportunity that we have to form a team of at least 10 players then we go out and hold a practice session.” Reyes also branded the development of having at least 10 players as “real progress.” “But at least we were able to put in some offensive things, defensive concepts, and there’s some real progress that is being made.” Luxury? Progress? If your national team is preparing for a major international event that will open two weeks from now with only 10, or 11 players, then you have a big problem. For a country that eats, drinks, and sleeps basketball, losing the SEA Games gold medal is a crime. Failing to win it the following year, however, is a mortal sin. The Filipinos have been ruling the men’s basketball event of the SEA Games with an iron hand. In fact, before losing the gold medal in the Hanoi edition of the Games in 2022, the only times that they didn’t win the SEA Games title since the event was held in 1977 were in 1979 and 1985. And their wins were not just simple victories. It was a massacre, total devastation made by a team usually composed of college kids, journeymen, and amateur stars. The Philippines was so dominant that universities and clubs in Indonesia, Vietnam and Malaysia were lining up just to “import” Filipino coaches who could teach them the basics of the game. But those days are gone. Since the emergence of the Asean Basketball League in 2009 and the explosion of social media and other online platforms, other Southeast Asian countries have discovered the formula for how to beat the Filipinos. They opened their eyes and started hiring international coaches and technical instructors while naturalizing foreign-born players to reinforce them in major events. Believe it or not, when Indonesia shocked the Philippines in the SEA Games final last year, it wasn’t represented by some skinny kids from Sulawesi or Sumatra. They were reinforced by United States-trained Marques Bolden, Derrick Michael Xzavierro, and Brandon Jawato with Serbian head coach Rajko Toroman manning the bench. The war in Phnom Penh is just two weeks away. While reigning champion Indonesia is deep in its training in Australia, Gilas Pilipinas is still figuring out how to put at least half of its 28-man pool on the floor. That’s a real problem. When the team for the SEA Games was formed, fans and media were quick to baptize it with a neat moniker of “Redeem Team” as it was armed with a mission of reclaiming the lost jewel in the country’s crown — the men’s basketball title. But with the way things are going, Gilas Pilipinas will be fortunate to make it to the semifinals. The post ‘Redeem Team?’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Alido rallies with fiery 64, wins by one
Ira Alido did the unthinkable the way girlfriend Chanelle Avaricio essayed a highly improbable come-from-behind win in the women’s side of the ICTSI Negros Occidental Golf Classic presented by MORE Power, charging back from five shots down to beat Tony Lascuña and Rupert Zaragosa by one for the hotly-disputed championship here yesterday......»»