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

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

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

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

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

Rudy Hatfield retires after 11 seasons

MANILA, Philippines – Veteran forward Rudy Hatfield has decided to retire after 11 seasons in the Philippine Basketball Association.

Hatfield announced his retirement during an eventful practice for the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings and later confirmed it to PBA.ph.

He did not give details, however, as he still has to meet with team management.

The 35-year-old Hatfield averaged 10.9 points, 9.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.22 steals in 11 seasons of playing in the PBA.

The 6-foot-3 forward was originally drafted by the Tanduay Rhum Masters in 1999, but he also saw action for Pop Cola and Coca-Cola before joining the Gin Kings.

Hatfield was a Mythical First Team selection in 2003 and won the Best Player award in the 2003 Reinforced Conference. He was also the 2003 PBA Defensive Player of the Year.

In 2002, Hatfield led the Coca-Cola Tigers to the championship in the All-Filipino Cup, where he was named the Finals MVP. He also helped the team win the 2003 Reinforced Conference.

Hatfield’s retirement was overshadowed, however, when a few minutes later, Ginebra coach Alfrancis Chua announced that he was resigning from his post.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

PBA approves Japeth's transfer to Ginebra

MANILA, Philippines -- The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) has approved several player trades on Tuesday, including Japeth Aguilar’s transfer to Barangay Ginebra.


In an announcement, the league agreed to the five-player player trade that shipped the 6-foot-9 Aguilar to the Gin Kings. 

The player swap also involved four draft picks.

The trade saw GlobalPort releasing Aguilar to Ginebra in exchange for Yousif Taha and a 2014 first-round pick.

GlobalPort is also acquiring Petron’s Jay Washington for Jason Deutchman from Barangay Ginebra. The Batang Pier will be shipping Elmer Espiritu to Barako Bull for a draft pick.

GlobalPort acquired Aguilar from Talk ‘N Text last January following the player’s failed bid to join the NBA.

The Batang Pier, however, was forced to release the 26-year-old power forward when it was offered Taha, Washington and a draft pick.

Ginebra has long been pursuing Aguilar to add a tall player into its relatively shorter lineup.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Balkman gets lifetime ban from PBA

Petron Blaze import Renaldo Balkman has been slapped with a lifetime ban and fined P250,000 by the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) following a stunning meltdown that saw him choke teammate Arwind Santos.

Balkman, who previously played for the New York Knicks and the Denver Nuggets in the NBA, went berserk in the final seconds of the Boosters’ 73-83 loss to the Alaska Aces last Friday at the Araneta Coliseum.

After playing the worst game of his short PBA career and scoring only six points, Balkman wound up arguing with the game officials while protesting a non-call.

He shoved Petron's assistant coaches, who tried to calm him down, as well as teammates Ronald Tubid and Santos. When Santos pushed him back, Balkman shockingly choked the former Far Eastern University Tamaraw.

In a statement posted on the league website, Salud said he considered "Balkman's track record" in determining the sanction for the import.

"I took into consideration Balkman's track record including the head-butting incident during a FIBA-Americas game between Puerto Rico and Venezuela, and his altercation with the bench of the Alaska Aces during a pre-season game in Cebu City,” Salud said.

"I also took into consideration Balkman’s evident disregard for local and the host country’s sensibilities highlighted by his choking act on-court in full public view of his own teammate who was trying to pacify him," Salud added.

"Stiff as it maybe, this decision upholds the tenets of contextual accountability and the over-all interest of the league and fans."”

Supported by teammates, coaches

Balkman met with Salud in the PBA office earlier Monday and was accompanied by his Petron teammates and coaching staff.

The import had apologized to his teammates, as well as Santos' family, following Friday’s game. He also issued a public apology on his Twitter account and appeared on AKTV Center on Sunday to explain his actions.

"I just want to let the fans know, I know everybody has their own opinions, but I am human and everybody messes up one time in their life. I think this is the one time in my life that I messed up, and I truly apologize about it," Balkman said.

Balkman had said he was prepared to face the consequences of his actions.

"I have to deal with it. If I'm sent home I have to take it and deal with the consequences. I'm ready for that possibility," he said.

Santos, who also appeared on the TV show, said he was hopeful Balkman will get a second chance and stressed that he considers the import as a brother.

"Ang team namin ay parang isang pamilya. Natural lang na may girian ang mag-kuya," Santos said. "Balkman is like my brother. Natural lang na minsan hindi natin nako-control ang mga emosyon natin."

Petron coach Olsen Racela was also willing to give Balkman another chance, although he said the final decision will be left to his bosses.

"We're here as a family in support for Rey... He's been with us the past two months. We know the kind of person he is," Racela said, as quoted by the PBA’s official Twitter account.

Racela also said that Petron management will mete its own sanctions against Balkman.

Balkman was averaging 28.2 points per game coming into the game against Alaska and had led the Boosters to a 5-1 record.

Accountability

Not only was Balkman's meltdown witnessed by a nationwide audience, it was also picked up by international media, including the basketball blogs of Yahoo!, CBS Sports, and Deadspin.

The import told AKTV Center that he was only trying to explain his frustration to the referees, but the situation got out of hand.

"My main focus was to let the referees know I was frustrated throughout the game. It escalated to be something that shouldn't have happened, and I regret everything that happened out there," Balkman said.

In his statement, Salud said he "encourage(s) passion for the game, but I also want to firmly instill a culture of accountability among our players."

"If one does something that violates the rules and the norms of sportsmanship and decent behavior, he will be made accountable," Salud said.

The Petron management has yet to give an official response to Balkman's ban and fine. It remains to be seen who will take Balkman’s place as the Boosters’ import, although Spin.ph earlier reported that Rodney White is being considered as a potential replacement.

source: abs-cbnnews.com