Stags go for 11th straight win

SAN Sebastian College faces Perpetual Help today, with the Stags favored to notch their 11th straight win, while defending champion San Beda College tries to remain in solo second when it battles struggling Mapua today in the 85th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.

The Stags, jolted to their senses by the Angeles U Foundation Great Danes before scoring an 81-69 win last Monday, clash with the Altas at 4 p.m. as they try to inch closer to a two-round sweep of the eliminations.

Giants finalize roster, ready to contend anew

PUREFOODS has sealed deals with six key players, leaving the team with some minor tinkering to complete its upgrade.

Thus said Giants coach Ryan Gregorio, who said yesterday his team’s youth-laden lineup has what it takes to duplicate, if not surpass, its previous best results in the pro league.

4 SBP teams unscathed

LA Salle Greenhills-A and Ateneo scored big victories recently and continued to show the way, along with two other squads with unscathed records, in the Small Basketeers Philippines division of the SBP-Passerelle tournaments at the Xavier School gym.

Amando Emmanuel San Juan III had 12 points as LSGH-A beat Notre Dame of Greater Manila 57-42 for the team’s third straight win in as many games. La Salle leads the SBP-C group while NDGM dropped to 2-1.

Tams gain piece of lead

REIL Cervantes and Andy Barroca exploded for 14 points apiece as Far Eastern University turned back National University yesterday 76-66 to seize a share of the lead in the 72nd UAAP men’s basketball tournament at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Tamaraws clamped down on the Bulldogs in the second quarter to turn what started as a tight match into a lopsided contest and post their eighth straight win against a lone defeat, moving into a tie for the lead with defending champion Ateneo.

Caidic, Uichico believe RP Gilas cage program on right track

Allan Caidic and Jong Uichico, both products of the fabled Northern Consolidated-backed Philippine men’s basketball team, are two success stories in the sport.Ron Jacobs helped mold Caidic as a player and Uichico as a coach in the 80s where the Philippines has been dominating the Asian region.

Herd's Lutz playing with Philippines national team

HUNTINGTON -- Marshall University guard Chris Lutz is playing basketball in the Philippines, but he isn't participating in the FIBA Asia Championships.
The Herald-Dispatch incorrectly reported this week that Lutz was with the Philippines National Team at the FIBA tournament in Tianjin, China. Lutz cleared up the confusion Friday night in a Facebook response.

GenSan-MP routs Quezon in Liga 3 hoop

The GenSan-MP Warriors did not need Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao to knock their opponents out. Instead, they utilized their efficient running game and red-hot three-point shooting to down the Quezon Red Oilers, 81-65, at the start of the 2009 Smart Liga Pilipinas Conference 3 yesterday at the Cebu Coliseum.

Four RP cagers shine in China

Cyrus Baguio, Sonny Thoss and Willie Miller bloomed at the time the Philippines needed them the most and, together with Jared Dillinger, gave the country some bright spots in the 16-nation tournament.
According to Guiao, James Yap was not a disappointment offensively, Asi Taulava and Mick Pennisi played their roles, Japeth Aguilar failed in his acid test two months before his first pro game, and Jayjay Helterbrand struggled from the start he had little confidence left in the end.
Guiao said Gabe Norwood improved offensively, Kerby Raymundo found his mark when it was all too late, and Arwind Santos lacked the physique to matter in Tianjin and thus could not play his real game.

Smart Gilas will be better, says Toroman

With the right ingredients, I feel that we will be competitive next year,” said Serbian coach Rajko Toroman, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas men’s team project director.
“The team (Gilas) will be even more competitive than the Powerade-RP team,” added Toroman, the genius behind Iran’s championship run in the 2007 Fiba Asia Championship that brought the Iranians to the Olympics for the first time in 60 years.

The Final Score: RP Basketball and Deep-Fried Tempura

Should we love basketball any less after watching the Philippines finish 8th in Tianjin? No sir. Should we be disappointed that we didn’t land in the top 5? I suppose it’s understandable. Should we totally give up trying to reclaim Asian throne? That’s up for basketball officials to decide but I say keep fighting the good fight. Will I support the National Team, whether it’s Smart Gilas of a PBA selection, in its next international tournament? But of course. Will I still continue my love affair with hoops after the 2009 FIBA-Asia Championships?

Squires score 10th straight win

MANILA, Philippines - Letran routed Emilio Aguinaldo College, 125-61, Wednesday to remain unbeaten in the NCAA juniors basketball tournament.

Jarelan Tampus, who ranks third in point production in the juniors division, topscored with 31 points for the Squires, still on top in the eliminations at 10-0.

Letran gets back at Emilio Aguinaldo

ColLegio de San Juan de Letran blasted Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC), 92-66, to remain at fourth spot in the 85th National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament Wednesday at The Arena in San Juan City.

Letran leaned on the heroic efforts of RJ Jazul and Rey Guevarra, members of the national developmental pool, as they sizzled with 21 points apiece and carried the Knights to their sixth win in 10 games. Jazul also scored a season-high 13 assists, 5 rebounds and 4 steals.

Eala’s views get support from league

TWO members of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) board—Joaqui Trillo of Alaska and Ricky Vargas of Talk ‘N Text—agree in principle that the Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas (SBP) spearhead the country’s participation in international basketball tournaments.

The two team governors said that Noli Eala, the executive director of Samahang Basketbol, is correct in his view that his organization is the only legitimate basketball body in the country that could form the national squad that would compete in events like the World Basketball Championship or the Olympics.

4 games kick off UCAA

Games on Thursday

(DLSU-Dasmarinas gym)

10 a.m. - DLSU-D vs UC11:30 a.m. - EAC-Dasmarinas vs TIP

1 p.m. - Olivarez College vs PSBA

2:30 p.m.- Colegio de Sta. Monica vs Trace-Laguna

Defending champion Universal College of Las Pinas Dragons will banner a near-intact lineup when the eighth season of the Universities and Colleges Athletic Association (UCAA) basketball tournament starts on Thursday at the Ugnayang La Salle gymnasium of the DLSU-Dasmarinas campus in Cavite.

Powerade willing to help RP 5 again

BEIJING, China - Given a chance to help the training and international exposure of the national basketball team, Powerade, a brand under the banner of Coca-Cola, is willing to do it all over again.
Coca-Cola’s Jose Bayani “JB” Baylon said the Powerade-Team Pilipinas’ failure to earn one of the three seats to the World Championship next year in Turkey does not signal the end of their participation.

Letran revives NCAA Final Four hope

Letran College flaunted vintage form and unleashed its smothering defense in the second period to frustrate Emilio Aguinaldo College, 92-66, in the 85th NCAA men’s basketball tournament yesterday at The Arena in San Juan.
The Knights, a team which thrives on the defense, limited the Generals to only eight points in the second period to capture their sixth victory in 10 games, putting them on the verge of booking a return flight to the Final Four.

Aguilar to seal P8.5 million three-year contract

MANILA, Philippines - Japeth Aguilar, the top draft pick who was a member of Powerade Team Pilipinas in the Tianjin FIBA Asia Championship, meets with Burger King officials today to formalize a three-year deal worth P8.55 million.

Knights, Chiefs fan semis bids

MANILA, Philippines - Letran and Arellano U called on their mainstays to down Emilio Aguinaldo and St. Benilde, respectively, yesterday, and remain in strong contention for the Final Four in the 85th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

Muslim-Christian group to stage cage tourney

MANILA, Philippines - The Muslim-Christian Advocates of Genuine Unity for Peace and Development will stage the Villar-ADD Movement Cup Ramadhan Celebration Basketball Tournament Aug. 22-Sept. 22 at the Verdant covered court at Pamplona Tres, Las Piñas.

UCAA cage tourney on at DLSU-Dasmariñas

MANILA, Philippines - The defending champion Universal College of Las Piñas Dragons will banner a near-intact lineup when the eighth season of the Universities and Colleges Athletic Association (UCAA) men’s basketball tournament starts today at the Ugnayang La Salle gymnasium of the DLSU-Dasmariñas campus in Cavite.