PBA bigs says future is bright with Kai Sotto, other young guns around

A number of PBA big men all agreed that NBA G League bound Kai Sotto is among the future stars of Philippine basketball.

In an online talk, Marc Pingris, Asi Taulava, Poy Erram, June Mar Fajardo and Beau Belga, who all became part of the Philippine national team talked, about the upcoming stars who will take their place.

"For sure si Kai nandu'n," said San Miguel Beer star Fajardo. "Sobrang ganda ng training ni Kai ngayon, baka ako pa turuan nu'n."

Sotto, who recently announced he'll be joining the G League, has been part of Batang Gilas juniors team.

The 7-foot-2 center has shown vast potential that even former Gilas Pilipinas head coach Yeng Guiao listed him as part of the men's national pool in the run-up to the 2019 FIBA World Cup.

Besides Sotto, Taulava said Thirdy Ravena could be a future centerpiece, too, of Gilas.

"I think they're going to be the one or two who's going to be carrying the team," said Taulava.

Erram added: "Siyempre sila CJ Perez, hindi lang naman sa big man pero sa mga guards din. We stick to those guys (din) like sila CJ, sila Thirdy, sila (Robert) Bolick, sila Kiefer (Ravena)."

Meanwhile, Belga said Isaac Go could be an "enforcer" just like him.

"Excited ako sa kanya kasi nakasama ko siya sa Mighty (Sports). Naging roommate kami and nakita ko 'yung work ethic ng bata. Medyo aggressive siya para sa edad niya," Belga said.

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PBA: Ginebra holds off Meralco to win championship

Winning as many PBA championships as Tim Cone has, it’s difficult to say what makes one distinct from the others.

For the Barangay Ginebra coach, one look at the massive crowd at Philippine Arena and he knows immediately why the latest jewel in his untouchable legacy stands out.

“To be able to do it in front of these fans — even the Meralco fans — it's such a special thing to be able to do this,” Cone said.

LA Tenorio scored 26 points and Justin Brownlee added 23, as Barangay Ginebra held off Meralco 101-96 to win the Governors’ Cup championship in Bocaue, Bulacan on Friday.

Game 7 didn’t have the same dramatic ending as last year’s, but it wasn’t without its nervous moments.

Ginebra’s lead, which once stood as high as 20 points, shrunk to 4 with less than a minute to go after empty trips to the free-throw line and Meralco refusing to give up.

Given a chance to seal the win and atone for his teammates’ bungled charity attempts, Tenorio split his free throws to give Ginebra some breathing space.

In Meralco’s final possession, a 3-point attempt by Garvo Lanete bounced off the rim and into the hands of Kevin Ferrer to secure Ginebra’s 10th league title in front of the 54,086 spectators, the highest gate attendance in league history.

“Imagine, 54,000 people here? I never would’ve imagined this as a coach, having the opportunity to do this in front of so many people,” said Cone, who extended his own personal record to 20 PBA championships.

Ginebra was explosive right off the bat, going up 27-19 in the first quarter then pulling away 52-32 late in the second. At the end of the third quarter, Cone and his crew held an 81-64 lead.

The champs were still comfortably ahead 100-90 with 1:34 left in the game clock, until they started to brick their free throws.

Meralco took advantage of 4 straight misses, with Chris Newsome hitting a jumper and Jared Dillinger drilling a 3-pointer to make it 100-96 with 47 seconds left.

The Bolts looked ready to cut the deficit further after Tenorio front-rimmed a 3-point attempt, but Japeth Aguilar caught the rebound, forcing Meralco to foul to stop the clock. Tenorio then walked to the free-throw line where he went 1 out of 2.

Scottie Thompson contributed 14 points, 9 rebounds and 5 steals, while Greg Slaughter chipped in 12 points and 2 blocks. Brownlee added 3 blocks and was 3 of 4 from downtown.

Allen Durham finished with 26 points, 24 rebounds and 9 assists to lead Meralco, getting sufficient help from his teammates.

Dillinger, in his best game of the series, added 20 points and 5 assists, while Cliff Hodge had 14 points and 7 rebounds.

source: news.abs-cbn.com
 

Boracay Cup? 20 PBA stars on vacation

Boracay, for Pinoy basketball fans, is not a destination one aspires to visit. Instead, the term has become a long-running joke used for eliminated teams.

As the PBA Commissioner’s Cup nears its conclusion with early finalist Rain or Shine waiting for the semis winner between Purefoods Star and Talk ‘N Text, here's how the rest of the PBA teams making use of their so-called early vacation.

Check out how some of these stars are spending their break -- including a couple who really went to Boracay.

Mobile users can view the desktop version of the slideshow here.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

James Yap reacts to son Bimby's bashers

MANILA, Philippines -- PBA superstar James Yap merely shrugged off online comments of his son’s detractors.

For Yap, there are those who are out to criticize whatever he does -- and that this applies to his son Bimby as well, now that the boy is pursuing an acting career.

“Ganyan naman talaga, hindi mo hawak ang pag-iisip ng mga tao. Iki-criticize ka kahit ano ka,” said Yap. “Pero for me, wala namang problema. Kasi ako 'yung tatay na kung ano 'yung gusto ng anak ko, susuportahan ko.”

“Kung basketball man 'yan o showbiz, basta masaya siya sa ginagawa niya, 'yun ang importante,” he added.

His former wife, actress-TV host Aquino, recently lashed against online bullies for calling their son "toyab," the inverted form of "bayot," which is the Visayan word for gay.

The netizens made the comment after Aquino posted Bimby's birthday greeting for his "The Amazing Praybeyt Benjamin" co-star Alex Gonzaga.

"Alam niyo kung balak nyong bastusin ang anak ko, do it ng harap harapan. Kasi hindi ko kayo aatrasan. Super nag PRAY ako today, Pero kahit sinong naany kung anak na 7 years old ang aapihin, papatol at handang RUMESBAK," Aquino wrote on her Instagram page.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

June Mar willing to return to Gilas

MANILA, Philippines – San Miguel Beer’s big man June Mar Fajardo is very much willing to serve the country once again if he gets the call to re-join Gilas Pilipinas for the coming 2015 FIBA Asia Championship.

Fajardo was one of Gilas Pilipinas’ vital cogs during the Philippines second-place finish in the 2013 edition of the Asian tournament and there’s a big possibility that he would get summoned again when the country competes in China this September.

“Why not? Kasi Gilas 'yun eh, para sa bayan 'yun eh,” the amiable Cebuano said during San Migue Beer’s victory party on Wednesday. “Kung kukunin ako at papayagan ako ng San Miguel, why not?”

Aside from joining Gilas in the FIBA Asia tilt, Fajardo also played with the nationals in the FIBA Worlds and the Asian Games.

He said the Gilas experience taught him well when it comes to using his size and skills against taller foreign players.

“[‘Yung] international experience, nagagamit ko sa PBA eh. Kasi sa international competitions, malaki ang mga nakakaharap ko,” said Fajardo. “’Pag dating sa PBA hindi na gaanong malaki kaya yung kumpyansa mo tumataas.”

But for now, he said his main focus is to do well in the foreign-flavored PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

Fajardo said they will be playing against imports this time and will have to win more games to realize San Miguel’s Grand Slam dreams.

The Beermen have already pocketed the Philippine Cup crown and will still need to win the Commissioner’s Cup and Governors’ Cup to duplicate San Miguel’s 1989 Grand Slam.

“Focus muna ako sa second conference kasi malalaki ang kalaban eh,” he said.

San Miguel will have its first game against KIA Carnival, who has 7-foot-3 import Peter John Ramos.

Fajardo said all they need to do is to follow the system to take care of Ramos’ brilliant offense.

“May game plan naman si coach eh, kailangan lang sundin ang sistema ni coach kasi alam naman natin para sa team 'yun eh, hindi pwedeng gagawa gawa kami ng kanya kanyang plays eh. dapat sundin namin ang sistema ni coach,” he said.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

San Mig fans celebrate grand slam win

MANILA - The San Mig Coffee Mixers tormented their fans Wednesday night, missing four free throws that led to a thrilling end in the final game of the Philippine Basketball Association conference.

James Yap, along with Mark Barroca, missed several chances to extend their lead in the final seconds of the game against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters at the Araneta Coliseum.

Hundreds of fans outside the stadium, who were unlucky to secure tickets for the sold-out PBA Governors' Cup Finals game, had their hands clasped on top of their heads as they watched in disbelief.

The feeling of frustration, which was evident in the loud groans, soon turned to tension as Rain or Shine -- led by Paul Lee and the league's Best Import Arizona Reid -- tried to send the game into overtime.

Each three-point attempt by Rain or Shine players was met with silence as fans of the Coffee Mixers collectively held their breath.

Ecstatic cheers, however, soon followed as Reid missed his final shot with less than 3 seconds to go, eventually handing the trophy to the team in white.

It finally allowed the team's fans, who were sparsely jubilant throughout the game, to finally heave a sigh of relief.

"Grand slam! Grand slam!" a fan shouted at the top of his lungs to others in the crowd, as their team clinched its first franchise PBA grand slam.

Another held a banner that wrote: "It's all about San Miguel Coffee Mixers!"

And it was.

The Rain or Shine fans outside, if there were any, were clearly outnumbered.

Every shot by the eventual Most Valuable Player James Yap had everyone clapping, every block by Reid was met with cheers, and the final whistle had everyone jumping off their seats.

Those moments broke the otherwise quiet and still crowd, who were sitting in the concrete just outside where the game was being played.

The visible lack of confetti and balloons raining down on them was not important for fans of the team, who stayed unmoved in front of the four flat-screen television screens placed outside the venue.

Their team won.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

James Yap dedicates MVP award to son Bimby

MANILA - Star cager James Yap dedicated his Most Valuable Player award on Thursday to his son, James "Bimby" Yap Jr.

His team, San Mig Super Coffee Mixers, won the PBA Commissioner's Cup finals against Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters.

Bimby is Yap's son with his former wife, TV host Kris Aquino.

"Idine-dedicate ko itong award na ito sa anak ko, kay Bimby. Maraming salamat," said Yap as he received the award. He averaged 11.5 points, 4.25 rebounds and 1.7 assists in the title series.

Aside from Bimby, Yap also thanked his girlfriend, Michela Cazzola, for supporting him.

"Nagpapasalamat ako kay God and, of course, nandiyan 'yung teammates ko, nandiyan sila sumusuporta. Nagsa-struggle ako ng ilang games, nandiyan sila. And of course sa mga fans, wala kami rito kung hindi kayo sumusuporta sa amin," he said.

"Nagpapasalamat din ako sa girlfriend ko," he added.

Yap and Aquino tied the knot in 2005. Their marriage was annulled in 2012.

The former couple reunited last month during Bimby's seventh birthday.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Ex-PBA player dead in SLEX accident

MANILA –  Former UAAP and PBA player Bryan Gahol and a woman died in a multiple vehicle collision at the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) early Tuesday morning.

According to an initial investigation, a cargo jeep first hit a trailer truck, which subsequently bumped the Nissan Urvan carrying Gahol. The van lost control, causing it to overturn along the highway before it was hit by another vehicle.

Authorities said Gahol and his friends were on their way to Quezon City from Laguna to attend a wake when the accident happened.

Gasol’s other companions survived the incident.

The cargo jeep had come from San Jose, Occidental Mindoro with 11 passengers. Two of the cargo jeep’s passengers, identified as Johnny Bangsoy and Felix Gonatisie, were injured.

The driver of the cargo jeep and the trailer truck are now under the custody of the Highway Patrol Group.

The multiple vehicle collision caused heavy traffic along SLEX near Southwoods in Laguna.

The 6-foot-5 Gahol played for the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons in the UAAP during the late 1990s. He played six seasons in the PBA, suiting up for Mobiline, Red Bull, and San Miguel Beer, among other teams. – reports from Jerome Lantin, ABS-CBN News and Dennis Datu, dzMM

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Talk 'N Text beat Barako to move to 4-0

MANILA, Philippines – The Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters held off repeated rallies by the Barako Bull Energy to keep their record intact with a 101-96 win in the PBA Commissioners Cup Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum.

Jayson Castro had 25 points for TNT while import Richard Howell added 23 points, and three other Texters scored in double-digits.

Barako had a slim 68-67 lead after the third quarter, but Talk ‘N Text took the lead for good early in the final period off three free throws from Nino Canaleta.

The Energy made repeated rallies behind their import, Josh Dollard, but the Texters answered with key baskets from Larry Fonacier and Castro, while also making their charities to keep Barako at bay.

Dollard finished with 33 points for Barako, but it was not enough as the Energy slumped to their third defeat in four outings.

Ronjay Buenafe added 18 points, Denok Miranda had 14, and JC Intal scored 13 for Barako Bull.

The scores:

TALK N' TEXT 101 - Castro 25, Howell 23, Canaleta 18, Fonacier 16, De Ocampo 11, Alapag 6, Williams 2, Aban 0, Reyes 0, Baclao 0, Carey 0.

BARAKO 96 - Dollard 33, Buenafe 18, Miranda 14, Intal 13, Miller 11, Pennisi 3, Jensen 2, Pena 2, Deutchman 0, Fortuna 0, Marcelo 0.

Quarterscores: 24-30, 45-48, 67-68, 101-96

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Jaworski returning to Ginebra?

MANILA – Philippine basketball legend Robert “Sonny” Jaworski hinted he is open to returning to Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, a team he coached for 13 years.

In an interview with Spin.ph’s Snow Badua, the “Big J” said his itch for basketball remains even after leaving the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) to join politics in 1998.

“Yung competitive spirit natin is always there and maybe has multiplied. But all of us grow in different ways, you know,” said Jaworski, who is among the PBA’s 25 Greatest Players of All Time.

Jaworski’s name has been associated with the Ginebra franchise, where he espoused the “never say die” spirit to his players. He was able to steer Ginebra to four title finishes despite the lack of basketball superstars at his disposal.

Jaworski also cheered for Barangay Ginebra, when the team was battling San Mig Coffee in the semifinals of the recent PBA Philippine Cup. His pep talk during half time of Game 6 inspired the Gin Kings to beat the Mixers in that match.

The former playing-coach, however, said he’ll only return to the team that he loves dearly if he gets a clear picture of his role in Ginebra.

“Syempre 'pag minsan may nakikita ka na pwedeng matulungan o magampanan, you’re itching. Pero ang mahirap yung basta papasok ka dyan at hindi naman malinaw ang usapan,” he said.

“Full control is always relevant. What are you in control of? Ganun! Ang importante dyan, nagkakaintindihan kayo. Kailangan malinaw, what are you supposed to do?”

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

San Mig downs RoS to win Philippine Cup

MANILA, Philippines – The San Mig Super Coffee Mixers are the 2014 PBA Philippine Cup champions after beating the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 93-87, in Game 6 of the best-of-seven Finals Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum.

It is the 16th PBA title for San Mig head coach Tim Cone, who has now passed the record of legendary coach Baby Dalupan.

The game was nearly cut short when Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao and the Elasto Painters walked out in the second quarter after questioning a call on JR Quinahan.

They eventually returned after PBA Commissioner Chito Salud talked to the Rain or Shine team owners.

Guiao and the Elasto Painters were issued a warning by the game officials for delaying the game.

The Mixers tried to close out the E-Painters in Game 5 last Sunday, but Rain or Shine’s Jeff Chan rained triples at San Mig to force Game 6 with an 81-74 victory.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Elasto Painters win 3rd straight, rout Mixers

MANILA, Philippines – Rain or Shine ended 2013 with a three-game romp capped by an emphatic 101-77 win over San Mig Coffee that kept the Elasto Painters in strong contention for a twice-to-beat incentive in the quarterfinals of the PLDT MyDSL PBA Philippine Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City Sunday night.

The Elasto Painters were an explosive bomb in their pre-New Year’s Eve outing, blasting into pieces the San Mig Coffee Mixers and thus staying right behind the Barangay Ginebra Kings (9-1) and the Petron Blaze Boosters (8-2) with a 7-3 win-loss card heading into the January stretch of this all-Filipino tourney.

Aggressive and effective from the start, the E-Painters utterly dominated the Mixers in a lopsided match making San Mig coach Tim Cone – flabbergasted and frustrated – silent on their bench nearly the entire final half.

Staring at a 34-57 deficit at the half, Cone hardly said a word during the halftime break.

Cone later let assistant coach Jeffrey Cariaso do the talking during timeouts in the third and fourth quarters.

The multi-titled American mentor broke his silence only towards the end with his reserves playing the closing seconds.

But there’s simply no stopping Rain or Shine from notching a first three-game streak in the tourney.

Working on all cylinders all night, the Elasto Painters went “back-to-back-to-back” while dealing the Mixers a seventh loss against only three wins.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Japeth saves Kings anew at the buzzer

MANILA, Philippines -- Barangay Ginebra lit fireworks three nights ahead of New Year’s Eve as the Kings made an improbable comeback from five points down in the last 15 seconds and jolted the Meralco Bolts, 83-82, in the Petron Blaze-sponsored PBA Saturday Special at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

The PLDT MyDSL PBA Philippine Cup front-runners came through with the game-saving back-to-back three-pointers from unlikely sources JayR Reyes and Japeth Aguilar – the last one at the buzzer sending the predominantly Ginebra crowd to a great ecstasy.

Aguilar delivered the dagger trey off Reynel Hugnatan, providing a surreal climax to another night of dunking spree for the ultra-athletic 6-foot-9 forward.

Rising up from death bed, the Kings firmed up their hold of the lead with a sixth straight win and ninth in 10 games in all.

The Kings faced imminent loss against the very team that dealt them their lone defeat in the tourney as they stared at a five-point deficit, 77-82, with 15.1 ticks left.

Ginebra refused to lose, though, and as Reyes and Aguilar connected with the surprise three-point bombs, the Kings sent the Bolts reeling to a seventh loss against three wins.

“We’re just really lucky,” said Ginebra coach Ato Agustin.

True enough, the Kings pulled through just with the help of huge breaks at the finish.

For one, the Bolts bungled no less than five charities in the last 90 seconds of play.

Former Ginebra player John Wilson muffed three in the last 15 seconds, the last one enabling Ginebra to get final possession.

Actually, LA Tenorio nearly fumbled the ball before handing it out to Aguilar atop the key with three seconds to go.

With one dribble and side step, Aguilar gained some breathing room off Hugnatan, then launched the three-pointer that hit the target.

A little earlier, Reyes bombed away his own triple coming off the bench.

The Gins Kings totaled nine three-pointers in the game as against the Bolts’ three.

Even then, the Bolts dragged the heavily favored Kings to a battle and nearly repeated an upset with their good game plan.

“Meralco deserves credit they played great especially on defense. They were able to control our bigs, and they really made it difficult for us with their quickness,” Agustin also said.

The Bolts ran the breaks at every opportunity. Without an opening, they used the clock to find the best attempt possible.

In the end, they’re able to battle the Kings through 10 dead locks and 18 lead changes.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Seigle feels comfortable in Talk 'N Text

MANILA, Philippines – After making his debut with the Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters, veteran big man Danny Seigle is feeling comfortable and happy with his role on his new team.

Seigle scored 13 points and seven rebounds as the Texters defeated GlobalPort, 106-93, Tuesday night.

“These guys are great,” Seigle told PBA.ph following his first game. “They are warm in welcoming me. It’s like I was playing with them for a while now.”

Seigle said he is still working on getting back into rhythm and regaining his game shape, but feels comfortable in TNT’s run-and-gun offense.

“I know I have to get my rhythm and my legs back. It’s just being on the court again. I’ve been practicing for a few days and it’s going to take a while, but I’m really comfortable,” he said.

“I only had three practices, and that’s only three times on the court for the last three months. I kept myself in shape, but game shape is very different. It looks very good for a first game,” he added.

“It’s been a while since I’ve been in a run-and-gun team, but it’s fun.”

Seigle said he has been informed by TNT coach Norman Black that he has a supporting role in the line-up, something that he welcomes.

“I didn’t come here to disrupt anything,” he said. “I came here to complement them.”

“They’re heavily motivated and extremely focused. You could definitely tell that they’re a championship team. These guys are proven winners,” he added.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Menk says he'll spend rest of career in GlobalPort

MANILA – Former PBA Most Valuable Player Erik Menk said he is likely to retire as a GlobalPort Batang Pier after years of playing for Ginebra San Miguel.

The 39-year-old power forward recently signed up with GlobalPort, which secured his rights from the Gin Kings.

“This is my third team in the PBA. At this point of my career, it’ll just be nice to just stick [with this team],” he told Spin.ph’s Snow Badua.

Menk played his peak years with Ginebra, but declined after he got saddled by injuries.

He found new life outside the PBA by joining the San Miguel Beermen in the ASEAN Basketball League.

Menk, however, said he cherishes his years with Ginebra. “I had some of the best moments of my career and some of the best moments of my life wearing that uniform.”

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

GlobalPort working to get Menk: report

MANILA, Philippines – GlobalPort is reportedly working on a trade that might land them another big man in former PBA Most Valuable Player Erik Menk, according to an online report.

Spin.ph’s Snow Badua, quoting an unnamed source, reported that the GlobalPort management is eyeing the 6-foot-6 Filipino-American.

The 39-year-old recently teamed up with Asi Taulava to tow the San Miguel Beermen to the 2013 ASEAN Basketball League (ABL) championship.

Menk's presence is expected to beef up GlobalPort’s roster, which includes Jay Washington, Jondan Salvador, Enrico Villanueva and Kelly Nabong.

The Batang Pier is undergoing a re-building process with the acquisition of rookies Nico Salva, Terrence Romeo and RR Garcia.

It also recently got hold of rookie Justine Chua after shipping off Isaac Holstein to San Mig Coffee.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Slaughter is top pick in 2013 PBA Draft

Crowd-favorites Barangay Ginebra got their center of the future after drafting former Ateneo slotman Greg Slaughter with the first pick of the 2013 PBA Draft last Sunday at the Midtown Atrium of the Robinsons Place Manila.

Slaughter, the tallest rookie at nearly seven feet, had been the clear choice for the Gin Kings for some time now, as he famously visited the team's practice. Ginebra's star guard, Mark Caguioa, also made it known on Twitter that he preferred for the Kings to take Slaughter.

Slaughter was joined by nearly the entire Ginebra team at the stage, while the crowd at Robinsons Manila serenaded them with "Gi-ne-bra" chants.

"I definitely like the fans," said Slaughter, who won two championships with Ateneo before playing for NLEX in the PBA D-League. "I'm really excited to play."

Ginebra's frontline thus becomes more imposing, with Slaughter joining high-flying forward Japeth Aguilar.

With the second pick, the San Mig Coffee Mixers took former NCAA Most Valuable Player Ian Sangalang from San Sebastian College. Sangalang joins a frontline that features 2013 PBA Governors Cup Finals MVP Marc Pingris.

Sangalang is considered the most offensively polished big man in the draft.

With the third pick, the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters took Letran center Raymond Almazan, who joins the famed Rain or Shine frontline of JR Quinahan and Beau Belga, popularly known as "Extra Rice Inc."

At the start of the draft day, the Barako Bull Energy owned the fourth, fifth and sixth picks of the draft, but they engineered trades that sent those picks to different teams.

Barako traded the fourth pick of the draft to the Barangay Ginebra Kings in exchange for Rico Maierhofer and Willie Wilson. Ginebra then took James Forrester, from Arellano University, with the fourth pick.

The fifth pick was traded twice. Barako initially sent it to Petron in exchange for Magi Sison and Mark Isip. Petron then sent the pick to GlobalPort for Yousef Taha.

GlobalPort then picked UAAP Season 76 Most Valuable Player Terrence Romeo of the Far Eastern University (FEU) with the fifth pick in the draft.

Romeo was the top scorer in the UAAP last season, and led the Tamaraws to an appearance in the Final Four. He initially said he will return to FEU to play out his final year of eligibility but eventually decided to declare for the draft.

Barako Bull again traded the sixth pick of the draft, sending it to GlobalPort in exchange for Denok Miranda. GlobalPort then picked former UAAP MVP RR Garcia with the pick.

Garcia is thus reunited with college teammate Romeo, with whom he combined to form one of the most explosive backcourts in the UAAP.

The seventh and eight picks were somewhat surprising, as GlobalPort picked Isaac Holstein with the seventh pick, while the Alaska Aces selected former Ateneo Blue Eagles Ryan Buenafe with the eighth pick.

Rain or Shine then selected former Adamson swingman Alex Nuyles with the ninth pick of the draft.

To complete the first round of the PBA Draft, the San Mig Coffee Mixers selected former Ateneo big man Justin Chua.

Former Ateneo forward Nico Salva and University of Santo Tomas guard Jeric Teng, two players who were tabbed to go in the first round, did not have to wait for long as they were taken with the first two picks of the second round.

GlobalPort selected Salva, a two-time UAAP Finals MVP and a five-time UAAP champion, with the 11th overall pick. The selection sees him in the same team with Romeo, with whom he had a brief spat on Twitter during the recent men's basketball tournament.

Teng, who led the Growling Tigers to the UAAP Finals last season, was taken by Rain or Shine with the 12th pick.

The San Mig Coffee Mixers picked athletic guard Justin Melton with the 13th overall pick, while the Barako Bull Coffee Mixers took former UST guard Jeric Fortuna with the 14th pick.

The Alaska Aces then sent the 15th overall pick to the Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters, who used it to select former Ateneo center JP Erram.

Air21 then selected former Adamson forward Eric Camson with the 16th pick, and TNT used the 17th pick to select Robby Celiz.

The Alaska Aces picked former FEU guard Chris Exciminiano with the 18th pick, Rain or Shine selected Gayford Rodriguez with the 19th pick, and Barako Bull wrapped up the second round of the draft by selecting Carlo Lastimosa with the 20th pick.

Here's a summary of the first two rounds of the 2013 PBA Draft.

FIRST ROUND

1. Ginebra - Greg Slaughter
2. San Mig Coffee - Ian Sangalang
3. Rain or Shine - Raymond Almazan
4. Ginebra (from Barako Bull) - James Forrester
5. GlobalPort (from Barako Bull via Petron) - Terrence Romeo
6. GlobalPort (from Barako Bull) - RR Garcia
7. GlobalPort - Isaac Holstein
8. Alaska Aces - Ryan Buenafe
9. Rain or Shine - Alex Nuyles
10. San Mig Coffee - Justin Chua

SECOND ROUND

1. GlobalPort - Nico Salva
2. Rain or Shine - Jeric Teng
3. San Mig Coffee - Justin Melton
4. Barako Bull - Jeric Fortuna
5. Alaska - JP Erram
6. Air21 Express - Eric Camson
7. Talk N Text - Robby Celiz
8. Alaska - Chris Exciminiano
9. Rain or Shine - Gayford Rodriguez
10. Barako Bull - Carlo Lastimosa

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

San Mig Coffee wins Governors' Cup title

MANILA – San Mig Coffee drubbed Petron Blaze in the winner-take-all Game 7, 87-77, to clinch the PBA Governors’ Cup at a jam-packed Araneta Coliseum on Friday night.

San Mig Coffee took a 41-39 halftime lead before closing out Petron in the next two quarters.

The win enabled Mixers’ coach Tim Cone to match the all-time best record of 15 titles set by PBA coaching legend Virgilio “Baby” Dalupan.

San Mig Coffee also frustrated the campaign of Petron’s rookie coach Gee Abanilla, who steered the Boosters to a sensational 8-1 run in the eliminations only to lose in their best-of-7 title series versus the Mixers, 4-3.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Game 6 will be harder, says Cone

MANILA, Philippines – The San Mig Coffee Mixers are one game away from winning the PBA Governors Cup crown since 2002, but head coach Tim Cone expects the road to only get tougher from this point on.

San Mig defeated Petron, 114-103, in Game 5 behind a career performance from guard Mark Barroca, big shots from James Yap and another double-double from import Marqus Blakely.

The Coffee Mixers can clinch the title on Wednesday.

“The next game is going to be a lot harder than this one, that’s for sure,” Cone said in the PBA website. “We’ve got to find a way to keep them uncomfortable.” [http://pba.inquirer.net/32895/san-mig-coffee-takes-over-drivers-seat-3-2]

“Just play, that’s what we got to do in Game 6. Just play,” he added.

A victory on Wednesday will allow Cone to tie the PBA record for championships set by legendary coach Baby Dalupan, who won 15 PBA crowns.

The Blaze Boosters, meanwhile, figure to give the Coffee Mixers all they can handle.

“Right now, we’re down but certainly not out,” said Petron head coach Gee Abanilla. “We’ll regroup, and make use of the next two days to come up with a better game plan.”

Petron is hoping to get a better performance from league MVP Arwind Santos, who scored only two points in 18 minutes of action in Game 5.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Sorry ladies, Chris Tiu is already married

MANILA – It’s confirmed: basketball heartthrob and television host Chris Tiu tied the knot with his long-time girlfriend in a private wedding ceremony in Vancouver.

A reliable source, who refused to be named, made the confirmation to ABS-CBNnews.com on Wednesday.

“Yes, he got married last month in Vancouver to his long-time GF,” the source said.

Tiu’s first and only girlfriend, investment banker Clarisse Ong, studied in Vancouver for college and “grew up there for a time,” said the source, which explains the decision for them to get married in the Canadian city.

They have been a couple since Tiu was in third-year high school.

According to the source, Tiu is planning to let the public know about his marriage to Ong when the PBA season ends.

Tiu, a former member of the Philippine team Smart Gilas, is currently part of the Rain or Shine PBA basketball team.

“It’s no secret naman. He will be happy to tell you,” the source said.

Rumors swirled last month about Tiu tying the knot with Ong in a so-called secret wedding.

Citing a source, Rey Lachica of Manila Bulletin reported on Tuesday that Tiu held a wedding party in Makati over the weekend, inviting only close family members and friends.

In an interview with the entertainment website Pep.ph last year, Tiu hinted that he is already considering the idea of settling down with Ong.

“Siyempre, may plano ka in the next two years siguro, pero wala pang timetable talaga,” he said at the time.

But he was quick to add: “We’ll play it by ear. Pero sa ngayon, wala munang immediate plan.”

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com