Nike Video: Pacman’s Laban

Nike Video: Dondon Hontiveros Cebu Hot Shot

James Yap: Galing Escalante, Naging MVP

Rivalry of Green vs. Blue

Senators, foreign diplomats, cabinet ministers, a smattering of Forbes’s 40 richest Filipinos, movie stars and enough professional basketball players to play five-on-five. They are the elite of Philippine society, and they all gather at Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City to watch the men’s basketball rivalry between the universities Ateneo de Manila and De La Salle. La Salle Coach Franz Pumaren said, “The janitors in Araneta always say, ‘If there’s an Ateneo-La Salle game, once everybody’s out of the coliseum, it still smells good because of the all the socialites watching.’ ”

Ateneo and La Salle are the most prestigious private universities in the country. The question of which institution provides a superior education is a toss-up; the tie breakers take place on the basketball court.

Although Ateneo and La Salle have similar upper-class student bodies, their respective basketball teams are very different. The Ateneo players have a squeaky-clean image. The team’s prize freshman, Kirk Long, came from Faith Academy, a high school in suburban Manila for the children of foreign missionaries. Guard Eric Salamat’s surname means thank you in Tagalog. La Salle’s players have a menacing swagger, with tattoos, headbands, shaved heads and chin-strap beards. In 2005, La Salle revealed that two of its players had used phony high school equivalency results in their applications, and the team was suspended for the 2006 season. Full Story…

Dark Horse Prospect Throws His Hat into the PBL Ring - Allan Aguilar

The highly-anticipated Philippine Basketball League (PBL draft) is next week. And as it appears so far, there is no shortage of Filipino talents showing up to enhance the level of play in Philippine basketball.

Here’s one of them.

Allan Aguilar, a 24 year-old point guard from San Diego, California, announces that he is declaring his intention to enter the draft this Friday, September 28, 2007. He has already turned in his application to the PBL office and has been cleared to participate in the PBL Rookie Camp on September 26.

When asked about this opportunity, Allan said that he has been preparing to focus make a career out of basketball all his life, and is anxious for the chance to play against the best amateur players in the Philippines. A graphic arts student who is finishing his degree this year, Allan has decided to put his education on hold so that he can follow his dream. Read more

It’s down to Blue Green and Red

Hold on tight UAAP fans, we’re now approaching the final chapter of the league. After 14 grueling games in the eliminations.. a couple of classification and knock out games, we’re now down to three teams. Ateneo, La Salle and UE.

How it came to be

The elimination round ended with UE sweeping all of their games.. thus gaining an automatic spot in the Championship. Adamson and UP were eliminated early, ending their season with 2-12 and 0-14 records respectively. The initial reaction of UP’s winless season was Coach Joe Lipa’s departure.

Next up the NU Bulldogs. They showed signs of breaking into the top four early in the season but eventually got booted out of contention with three straight loses to UE, UST and La Salle. However, they ended their season strong with a win against Ateneo, leaving every Atenean wanting to commit Azucena because that win should’ve given the eagles an automatic twice to beat advantage in the step ladder format. Read more

HITS AND MISSES: WNBA Finals, Three FIBA Slots, UAAP-NCAA News and Joe Lipa Sacked

SEPTEMBER 20, 2007

THE INTRO:

The cage-gods have bestowed the precious FIBA-EUROPE CROWN to Russia, led by Utah star Andrei Kirilenko. Now as we’ve read in Claysius’ blog, AK-47 wants out. I have to agree with this statement. Kirilenko is a natural power forward despite his size and his strengths are being wasted playing outside his comfort zone. Pinning it on Jerry Sloan though makes me cringe. Sloan, an NBA fixture for more than four decades is virtually untouchable. Making him sound like a devil incarnate is not great for his image. One can wonder if this public bashing will affect his chances to upgrade his last season performance.

WELCOME TO HITS AND MISSES.

1) THE EAGLE HAS LANDED… PERMANENTLY

Andy Seigle tore his ACL attending the Red Bull camp, which could very well mark an abrupt end of his injury-plagued career. The former rookie of the year was released by Ginebra when he asked for a maximum pay salary despite his weakened status. Well, if this was Seigle circa late 90’s, the Gins would have surely signed him. Yeng Guiao, the Red Bull coach recalled Seigle as an out-of-shape talent because of his injuries. He could have had a career rebirth since the Barakos are looking for size to fill in the center spot. He’ll join the likes of Jun Limpot, Vic Pablo, and Poch Juinio as former stars without a team. Read more

Ivan Drago Kirilenko Desires New Music

Andrei Kirilenko rejects Jazz.

After topping the European Basketball Wars and after being named the top gun, AK47 more than ever, feels, he CAN be the man. Or to be conservative, he CAN NOT be an 8 points - 5 rebounds - 2 blocks man in the NBA. Thus, he wants out.

QUOTE - “In a week, I need to join the Utah Jazz again but quite frankly I’m not really happy about that. The past season was bad for me and I was really disappointed. I’ve thought about it a lot and I came to a decision. I want to leave Utah Jazz. The European championships that just ended became sort of a test for me and now I think I know what I want to do.

“Coach Sloan is one of the reasons. It’s not the only reason. … [Sloan's] main method to motivate players is to create a feeling of guilt. Our wages, our errors in games and whatever we do beyond playing for the Jazz is also an excuse to criticize us. I want to play basketball. I want to be happy playing basketball, but I don’t want to be a robot in Sloan’s system.” - UNQUOTE

Him wanting to be out is not the same as Kobe Bryant’s. Kobe Bryant wanted out because he feels the management is not making the necessary moves for the Lakers to contend. Meanwhile, Kirilenko wants out because he doesn’t want the coach. He wants out because he had a bad individual season. Now, that’s un-pro! Read more

Monday Basketball Links: Celtics Pose, Bowie 2.0, Marbury Truck Sex and Jaworski Update

Celtic Trio Gallery

For Boston Celtics fans, check out this gallery. The trio of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen looks imposing and promising.

And so Mr. Simmons Could Be Right

In one article before the 2007 NBA Draft, Bill Simmons typed 12,756 words in putting up a case why Portland should take Durant over Oden. After Oden going down, he only needed 756 words in explaining why Portland perhaps just made a Bowie 2.0.

Marbury Is Holding Court

Since day 1, Stephon is an offensive player but the guy is now playing defense inside another court. He’s playing defense in support of his sued coach Isaiah Thomas. Side story, Stephon Marbury’s truck sex with an intern. Story.

Top Five Hottest WNBA Stars

This link is for SYDMAN. Nuff said.

Moses Malone Overlooked

The Hoops Journalist has this story.

Jaworski to Air21 Update

Robert Jaworski will most probably accept the Air21 coaching job in the Philippine Basketball Association, hopefully in time for the opening of the coming Philippine Cup. Story.

Houston Prefers Knicks

Forget Cavs, forget Nets, forget Miami, Allan Houston will land in New York Knicks still. Trouble off-court for Isaiah and incoming on-court trouble for him in case he’d take Houston back. They are loaded at backcourt! Story.

HITS AND MISSES: Yeo Traded, Go Johnny Go, Coach of Fame, O-Down and San Beda vs Letran

The Intro:

During that Ill-fated Joseph Estrada term, Philippine Basketball had an upright bounce. The MBA was at its peak, taking out several PBA benchwarmers but the biggest hit the PBA took was the pillaging of the amateur ranks. Romel Adducul, Eddie Laure, Willie Miller, Gherome Ejercito, Chris Calaguio, Omanzie Rodriguez, Ronald Magtulis, Dale Singson were amongst the stars taken out from Manila. This prompted the PBA to hunt down players with foreign blood to add furious play in their league. While the MBA disintegrated a year after Erap got the boot, players like John Ferriols, Reynel Hugnatan, Peter Simon, and Dondon Hontiveros could have never been known had not for the MBA.

Welcome to Hits and Misses.

1) NINJA VANISH!

Dimmed as the saving grace of the Coca-Cola Tigers Joseph Yeo has now been sent to the Sta. Lucia Realtors in exchange for Mark Isip and Cesar Catli. Yeo’s rookie season was disappointing. He shot blanks day in and day out and Binky Favis lost interest on him during the Fiesta Cup. He could gain renewed spurt under Boyet Fernandez’ guidance. However, he needs to take out his arrogance because if he thinks Enrico Villanueva is such a tough nut to crack, wait ‘til he gets on Dennis Espino and Marlou Aquino’s nerves.

2) THE CONQUEROR CONQUERED; MAIN MAN NO MORE.

Following the acquisition of San Beda Lion Yousif Aljamal, Vic Pablo has been taken out of the Talk N Text roster. The former FEU Tamaraw was a former second pick overall of the Baranggay Ginebra Kings (he was dealt to Pepsi for Manny Victorino) in 1993. He played in various teams like Pepsi, SMB (traded for Alvin Teng), Shell (traded for Bong Alvarez), and TNT (traded for Mark Telan). On the other hand, 1993’s top pick Jun Limpot also got the boot from the Purefoods camp. Last year was disastrous for the Real Deal. Injuries and old age, and a too late understanding that BANGING is part of being a power forward soured his chances to finish his career as a Giant. He started out as a Sta. Lucia Realtor and then he was dealt to Ginebra for the pipe-like Marlou Aquino before moving to Purefoods for Andy Seigle and Rodney Santos. Lucky for Olsen Racela, who’ll likely end up in the SMC Management, and Johnny Abarrientos (Playing for Ginebra but could finish his career as an Alaska Ace), as they are the oldest in the PBA. Read more

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