Ateneo and SBC remain on top

Ateneo and San Beda are still unbeaten as they survived breathtaking matches in the 2013 FilOil Flying V Pre-season cup yesterday which was held at San Juan Arena.

San Beda toppled the JRU Heavy Bombers,67-55, Ola Adeogun and Rome Dela Rosa combined for 30 points for the Mendiola squad to keep
their place on top. Bombers leading scorer Paolo Pontejos, a former Red Lion, surprised his former team as he exploded 18 points. Help came from  newbie Marco Balagtas, who tallied 12 points for the Bombers.

Another unbeaten team, the Ateneo Blue Eagles were able to maintain their record as they vanquished the hopes of San Sebastian Golden Stags, 75-70.  Kiefer Ravena and his partner in crime, Chris Newsome, frustrated the Stags with the duo’s play.

UE scored their first win under their new head coach Zamar, they thrashed SWU Cobras, 81-62.

NBA 3X Philippines

On its 2nd year in the country, NBA 3X Philippines officially started last Friday, August 17, 2012, at SM Mall of Asia Music Hall.

The event was jumpstarted by the lovely Ladycats, the dance team of the Charlotte Bobcats and a two-time defending NBA’s best dance team. They performed a sizzling and energetic dance number that raised the energy of the audience and participating teams.

Also, the Orlando Magic Mascot – Stuff the Magic Dragon, showed his many talents like basketball shooting and break dancing. And of course, a legitimate NBA star graced the event. Brooklyn Nets’ Center, Brook Lopez was introduced and the crowd went wild.

Brook Lopez was present all throughout the 3-day event holding court in basketball clinics & other events and he gamely interacted with the fans and media. Again, the Ladycats and Stuff the Magic Dragon did numbers during halftime breaks.

Aside from NBA stars, Asia’s female pop group Blush was the featured artists on the final day of the event. Other highlights of the event are the celebrity hoops with stars like Fabio Ide, Marco Alcaraz and Cagayan Rising Suns Ervic Vijandre. The slamdunk contest was a treat too. And of course, pool games up the final games were full of action & surprises.

NBA 3X sponsors’ booths are open to the public and admission was free where they can play the shoot-outs, get freebies and photo opportunities.

Brook Lopez is a pretty good player and pretty off the court as well. He’ll be in his 4th year in the upcoming NBA season. He disclosed that if he did not become a basketball player, he will be a creative writer. He also said that his heart will stay on the Nets which, according to him, “has a great core and a great team”. He also shared his insights about his short stay in the Philippines, “I know it’s a beautiful place, and with great weather.” Meanwhile, the Lady Cats also enjoyed their stay in the Philippines saying, “we love it and we want to spend more time here.” They also loved the malls and they enjoyed taking pictures around town.

It’s a mutual thing going on, NBA stars and personalities love visiting the Philippines and we feel same way too. We can’t get enough of you guys and we’re looking forward to next year’s NBA 3X.

Erik Spoelstra presscon, notes & thoughts

Erik Spoelstra is a busy man. Despite the busy schedule – NBA events, preparations for the upcoming NBA season, family stuff – Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra still finds time to visit the Philippines. This is 4th visit.

Coach Spoelstra is the youngest and the only Filipino-blooded head coach in the NBA World. Being in the NBA and a champion coach, it’s a big achievement and gives honor to the Philippines.

The night before, coach Spo watched PBA Game 5 at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum and he had one word to describe the match “physicality”. “I watched the PBA Finals last night and it’s really physical, I love it!”, Spoelstra told the press and bloggers in attendance.

He admitted that the one and only regret in life was not being able to play in PBA. He was asked if he could turn back the time, he said, he would love to play in the PBA. “I regret not playing in the PBA. If I could turn back the clock, I will play there,” he said. He sees great things in the PBA and later said that “PBA is a great league, full of excitement. It was great to see, great to see the passion of the players.”

He wants this Philippine visit to be an annual thing and thinking of watching more PBA games and maybe college basketball game too.

Winning the NBA championship hasn’t changed his life that much. “I’m still doing similar things I do… It hasn’t changed my whole life.” Being a young coach is one of the challenges he faced when he started to coach the star-studded Miami Heat. He talks about showing guys the meaning of competition, reliability and trust. Coming from the school of Pat Riley management, he talked about the structured and disciplined system.

The conference ended on a light mood. With question like how his mother reacted when he won the title, he said, “She cried. She came after finals in Miami. She said that we lost last season since she was there to watch the game. But during this season’s finals, she stayed home in 4 games and we won.”

Erik Spoelstra is looking forward to start his program with the Miami Heat for the new season of the NBA. He’ll go back and be the coach, leader and motivator that he is. He’ll go back, defend the title, do battle with his core guys, Lebron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh and new recruits.

See you next year coach, and let’s see if in your next trip, along came new trophy.

Photo from NBA.com.

Stags win over Chiefs, 5th straight

San Sebastian Stags back at the top spot of the standings as they crippled the Arellano Chiefs today, 91-70, in the 1st round of the NCAA 88 held at The Arena in San Juan.

Ian Sangalang spearheaded the Stags as he collected 27 points, 17 rebounds and 3 steals that sent the Chiefs near the bottom of the standings.

James Forrester was the missing link for the Chiefs as he only tallied 7 points. However, AU rookie Nard Pinto stepped-up on this match as he led his team with his 18 points.

Stags pressured the Chiefs and forced turnovers resulting to a blown up lead by the Stags. Chiefs, in the third quarter, tried to trim the deficit but the Stags were unstoppable on the final quarter.

UST Tigers scratched Eagles

On their 1st face-off for the UAAP 75 played at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, UST Growling Tigers clipped ADMU Blue Eagles’ wings. Final score is 71-70.

ADMU soared in the 1st half from the efforts Kiefer Ravena and Nico Salva, scoring 13 points and 11 points, respectively. UST was down in double-digits early.

But UST growled in the 3rd quarter, it was a tie game at 52. Mariano and Teng sank back-to-back easy baskets for UST that gave them their 1st lead of the game, 58-54. Aljon Mariano, the player of the game, poured 21 points, 13 rebounds and 2 assists.

After 12 consecutive losses against ADMU, coach Pido Jarencio said that “darating din yung araw na liliwanag ang araw sa amin. At eto na nga yun”

Aljon Mariano, who missed playing last season, said that “Pinaghandaan ko yung game namin. Pinatunayan ko na dapat paghandaan ako. Sobrang pinaghandaan ko yung season na ito.”

UST will be back on Saturday to face the UP Fighting Maroons at 4pm while Ateneo will be seeing in action on Sunday at 4pm where both games will be held at MOA Arena.

Chiefs outrun Pirates

Arellano Chiefs registered their 2nd straight win as they ruled in the court against Lyceum Pirates, 83-52, for the 1st round of the
elimination of the NCAA season 88 held at San Juan Arena.

Fil-Canadian rookie James Forrester steered his squad as he tallied 19 points and 6 rebounds.

Coach Koy Banal revealed that “there’s nothing extraordinary we did against LPU… and just want to be consistent and improve
everything.”

Pirates’ Chris Cayabyab and Rich Guevarra (who fouled out after receiving his 5th foul in the 4th), tried to cut down the deficit but Vergel Zulueta halted the Pirates with his 12 second half points.

Gilas still at the peak in SEABA

Smart Gilas still riding high on their winning streak. They thumped the Malaysian squad yesterday, 85-50, for their 3rd match in 3rd SEABA Stankovic Cup held at 700 Years Stadium in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Gilas tallied their 3rd win with almost 30 point lead over their opponents since the cup opened last July 3. Former Red Lions, Garvo Lanete, led his team with his 14 points. Additional support was provided by Marcus Douthit who contributed double-double 11 points and 10 rebounds.

Gilas will face the home team, Thailand, for the gold medal match later at 4pm.