OFFICIAL PBA THREAD

well they still have pj simon and roger yap

anyway more pba news:

[table][tr][td]TEAM PILIPINAS TO JOIN SBP MINI-TOURNEY IN FEB[/td] [/tr][tr][td]We'll know if we're doing it right with this team or not - Guiao[/td] [/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Tuesday, 27 January 2009[/td] [/tr][tr][td]
Overlapping schedules continues to keep national coach Yeng Guiao from enjoying a full attendance in his RP/PBA-FIBA Asia team three weeks before a mini-tournament arranged by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.
"We still have a problem completing the lineup in practice," bared Guiao, who nonetheless worked with James Yap, Arwind Santos, Asi Taulava, Kerby Raymundo, Gabe Norwood and Cyrus Baguio Monday evening at The Arena in San Juan.
Three players from the 14-man roster - Kelly Williams and Ryan Reyes of Sta. Lucia Realty and Mick Pennisi of San Miguel Beer - are expected in practice Thursday with three days rest following the grueling Philippine Cup semifinals.

Four others who are in the Finals - Willie Miller and Sonny Thoss of Alaska and Ranidel de Ocampo and Jared Dillinger of Talk 'N Text - will be joining the RP team later, while Jayjay Helterbrand of Barangay Ginebra is to be back from the States early next month.

"If we can get nine or 10 players, it will be good enough for us," Guiao said. "I don't expect 100 percent attendance at this point. But after the Finals, maybe by then we can impose on them, compel them to be present."

Asked if one of two new candidates, outside Fil-American Japeth Aguilar who is due in May, can be expected in light of the attendance concern, Guiao said: "I'm not thinking or replacements or anything like that. We'll just put a little pressure for the players to attend."

Guiao said the planned mini-tournament, which would bring together the all-PBA squad against the Singapore Slingers, a Puerto Rican team and Serbian coach Rajko Toroman's developmental RP team around the third week of February, should allow them to measure their progress - limited though it may be.

"We have to feel some sense of urgency," said Guiao. "I know it's early, but unless you're competing or getting prepared for a competition, wala pa talaga yung urgency."

A tournament, not just an exhibition game, Guiao said, is what his team needs.

"Mentally, it's going to give us that sense. Mailalabas din nila yung kanilang competitive juices."

More important, Guiao feels the four-team competition, about six weeks ahead of the Southeast Asian Basketball Association tournament in Kuala Lumpur, followed by an invitational in Qatar and the Jones Cup in Taipei in July, will give them ample time to make the necessary adjustments.

"We'll know if we're doing it right with this team or not," he said.
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[table][tr][td]FRIENDSHIP TAKES A BACKSEAT FOR NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS[/td] [/tr][tr][td]Buddies Tim Cone & Chot Reyes to give each other hell[/td] [/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Tuesday, 27 January 2009[/td] [/tr][tr][td]
AT lunch during the 2008-09 KFC PBA Philippine Cup Finals press conference last Monday, Tim Cone was asked if he has come across who it was between bosom buddies Magic Johnson and Isiah Thomas that said: "We are friends before and after [a championship series], not during."

Cone paused, looked at the sportswriter, and said: "That was Magic."

The Alaska Aces coach need not say more. But from what transpired at the media briefing it could be surmised that his friendship with Chot Reyes, the Talk 'N Text mentor and his main adversary, might be taking a backseat in the best-of-seven series the way a similar relationship between the two NBA legends was set aside - momentarily - while both men pursued individual excellence.

Though neither presumably would get fired up so as to come close to not shaking each other's hand after a game - a mutual snub engaged in by Cone and Sta. Lucia Realty's Boyet Fernandez a year back - a psychological warfare could erupt between the two.

Already some kind of mind game has been set into motion in that luncheon event.

Traditionally, coaches, along with their star players, would grace the pre-Finals press conference to answer questions for the reporters' Game One advancer and the sidelight stories that go with it.

That day, Cone, explaining that his team was deep into serious viewing of game footage, came alone, took a seat at a table occupied by members of the PBA Press Corps, and there held court.

By design or not, Reyes, for his part, kept Cone waiting long after the Grand Slam champion coach was through eating, arriving about an hour late before mouthing off gems of quotes at the presidential table.

Asked if he thought Cone was trying to put one over him by coming alone, Reyes, whose advance party included Jimmy Alapag, Jared Dillinger, Yancy and Ranidel de Ocampo, and Mark Cardona, laughed and said: "That's Tim! I knew they had practice and that he wouldn't be bringing any of his players."

Cone said the rivalry with his former assistant would be "friendly" at best.

"I beat him, he beats me," the Aces mentor said. "It's kind of bittersweet. He's a friend of mine. I don't want him to be sad, angry and disappointed. But it's harder on our wives than with us."

In the spirit of competition, Cone said, their wives have agreed not to call or talk to each other for the duration of the Finals.

"Then they can go shopping together. And the winner will have to pay the bill."

Reyes, who had Cone as one of his assistants when he coached the RP team in the Olympic qualifier two years ago in Tokushima, hinted that the fiery nature of the Finals could be all-consuming.

"It's the Finals and we'll go hammer and thongs to win," he announced.

To which Cone responded by raising both fists and whooping in mock celebration when PBA commissioner Renauld 'Sonny' Barrios announced that the younger De Ocampo will miss today's opener after committing a Flagrant 2 foul in Game Six of their semifinal series with San Miguel Beer last Sunday.

It was Charles Barkley, I think, who once said: "You have to hate the other guys a little in order to beat them."

Friendship aside, a small dose of hostility can go a long way into making this Finals of contrasting styles and superlative talent and skills into a great championship experience.

Take it from Sir Charles, who once cost his team a playoff win by not hammering an opposing player as he was about to take the winning shot.

The player's name? Michael Jordan.
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[table][tr][td]IT'S A GO FOR BURGER KING[/td] [/tr][tr][td]Team to shoot for top right away, signs Daniels for Fiesta Conf.[/td] [/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Tuesday, 27 January 2009[/td] [/tr][tr][td]
The PBA Board of Governors finally gave the thumbs up on Linaheim Corp. on its intention to switch team name from Air21 to Burger King next conference.

The Board unanimously gave its approval during their monthly meeting held at the PBA Headquarters in Libis, Quezon City Tuesday.

Board chairman Joaqui Trillo of Alaska said the process will not require any transfer fee. He added documents submitted by Lito Alvarez, Air21's representative to the Board, showed that Bert Lina is the majority owner of Burger King.

"Everything was in order. The documents were reviewed by our legal department. It's all that we wanted," Trillo said.

Alvarez, who is also the league's vice-chairman, said he is now relieved that the issue is over and done with. He said the deed of assignment and shares clearly certifies that the Lina Family owns Air21 and Burger King and the Board acknowledged it.

"We expected this from the very start and we're happy that the Board finally approved our intention to change the teams's name," Alvarez said.

After the league approval of the name change, Alvarez revealed their plan to continue a rebuilding process in an effort to form a real competitive team and make a big impact right in its first year of participation in the pro league.

On Monday, the team had trade deals with Purefoods and Barangay Ginebra, acquiring Beau Belga and Chad Alonzo plus future draft picks in exchange for KG Canaleta, Don Allado, JC Intal and Doug Kramer.

Much earlier, the team signed up Yeng Guiao as their new head coach. Also coming to be part of the staff are Jorge Gallent and Junel Baculi.

"You've not seen the last of our trades. There will still be some movements as we're determined to form a competitive team and aspire for a championship in Burger King's first tournament," said Alvarez.

The team top honcho explained they want Burger King to make an impact right in its initial salvo in the PBA to help create awareness for the product.

Harbour Centre's Mikee Romero is coming in to help the team with a plan of completely taking over at the helm in a year's time.

"We're very transparent. I've been saying before that we'll increase Burger King's presence in the market. To do that, you need capital infusion, and there's where Mikee will come in. That's the direction we're looking at. Once Mikee becomes the majority owner, that's the time we'll pay the transfer fee," said Alvarez.

At present, Burger King has only 23 outlets. Alvarez said they plan to increase it to 60 in three to four years time.

Burger King is partly owned by Talk n Text owner Manny V. Pangilinan. That being the case, Alvarez said they volunteered that Burger King and Talk n Text be considered sister ballclubs with restrictions in trade deals.


Meanwhile, Alvarez revealed that Shawn Daniels is returning for a tour of duty with Burger King in the import-laced Fiesta Conference which kicks off on Feb. 28.

During his two conference stint with the Express, Daniels averaged 19.4 points and 15.1 rebounds. He will hit town on Feb. 15.
[table][tr][td]OFFENSE VS DEFENSE SHOWCASE IN BEST-OF-7 FINALS[/td] [/tr][tr][td]Free Upper B tickets for Smart, TNT, Red SIM card owners; prizes galore[/td] [/tr][/table][table][tr][td]Tuesday, 27 January 2009[/td] [/tr][tr][td]
Alaskaand Talk N Text cross paths again in a titular series that features the league's top defensive team against the most prolific ballclub.

Game 1 of the best-of-seven series for the 2008-09 KFC PBA Philippine Cup championship is scheduled at 7:30 Wednesday night at the Araneta Coliseum. It follows the 5 p.m. knockout match for third place between Sta. Lucia Realty and San Miguel Beer.

The series - also supported by Alaska, Talk N Text, Dickies, Solar Sports and the Araneta Center - is a rematch of the two team's 2007 Fiesta Conference Finals won by the Aces in six games.

"But we're dealing with a different team now. The players are new as well as their coaching staff," Cone said of the Tropang Texters, who are seeking just their second league championship.

The acquisition of rookies Jared Dilinger, Jason Castro and Rob Reyes provided TNT with bench depth and with Ranidel de Ocampo coming in late in the conference, the Tropang Texters just got a lot better offensively.

The Aces underscored their defensive skills in the semifinals by limiting dethroned champion Sta. Lucia Realty to an average of 81 points on the way to a 4-2 victory.

In contrast, the Tropang Texters showcased their offense against the San Miguel Beermen, averaging 113 points a night en route to also wrapping up their semifinal series in six games.

Cone and TNT coach Chot Reyes agree that imposing their styles will be a key in the series that entitles the first 1,500 fans using Smart, Talk N Text or Red Mobile SIM cards to free Upper B section tickets.

"It's going to be a battle of contrasting styles, a series to be dictated by tempo," said Cone, making his 20th Finals appearance while celebrating his 20th season with Alaska. "We'll try to impose our tempo on them, and they will try to impose their tempo on us."

As for Reyes, who plays to the strength of his personnel, it all boils down to two things: "Can we score against Alaska's defense? Or can we play defense against their scorers?"

While Alaska has in its possession two-time league Most Valuable Player (MVP) in Willie Miller and a veteran defensive stopper in Jeffrey Cariaso, Cone remains wary of Talk `N Text hotshot Mac Cardona.

The former La Sallestalwart, one of the leading candidates for Best Player of the Conference honors, torched the Beermen in the Final Four by averaging a team-high 19.3 points, including 34 markers in the series clinching overtime win in Game 6 Sunday night, 116-115.

"We have to skin him," Cone said smiling. "Definitely, Jeff (Cariaso) has to stop him. But we're looking at stopping him with not just one person. We hope to give him a lot of defensive looks."

Admitting that he's not really a coach that likes to match up, Reyes said how L.A. Tenorio would play against Jimmy Alapag could be a vital factor for the Tropang Texters' bid to end a six-year title drought.

"It's definitely the prime match up (Tenorio-Alapag) in the series. L.A. is definitely playing wonderfully for Alaska especially during the semis," said the Talk `N Text mentor.

The 5-foot-9 Alapag has delivered big-time for the Tropang Texters in the playoffs, averaging 18.7 points (second best in the team) and 7.3 assists.

Meanwhile, Tenorio has also blossomed under Alaska's Triangle Offense since being traded by San Miguel for Mike Cortez last year, norming 11.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.4 assists. (DBC)
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Either Allado or Canaleta could have been a nice addition to the Ginebra franchise. Intal, Kramer, Lanete is a welcome addition though. Im still hoping forsomewhat another shake-up in the line-up, the Ginebra crew is somehow aging, especially in the front court. They should bring in a good replacement for Menk...we all know he's old and nearing the end of his career.
 
wow both sta lucia and alaska won, parehong ayoko na team
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MVP was livid at courtside.
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he was cussing the refs like hell. word to mark cuban.

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@ Willie Miller's clutch 3.

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@ Harvey Carey's play. Dude is all heart. Leaves everything on the court.
 
Originally Posted by Gameover2

MVP was livid at courtside.
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he was cussing the refs like hell. word to mark cuban.

eek.gif
@ Willie Miller's clutch 3.

pimp.gif
@ Harvey Carey's play. Dude is all heart. Leaves everything on the court.
hope they bounce back i can't stand alaska
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Originally Posted by jepeh21

Originally Posted by Gameover2

MVP was livid at courtside.
laugh.gif
he was cussing the refs like hell. word to mark cuban.

eek.gif
@ Willie Miller's clutch 3.

pimp.gif
@ Harvey Carey's play. Dude is all heart. Leaves everything on the court.
hope they bounce back i can't stand alaska
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I like Alaska but TNT needs to step it up man. They're due for a ring man, with the kind of teams they've been fielding these past few years theyreally should've been contenders for like the past 6 conferences.

TDC just locked MacMac down man, 5 steals or something for the game
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@ MacMac trying to get his offense going instead of doing otherthings like play defense, basically killing TNT's Rhythm when he was on the floor.

HARVEY CAREY IS A BEAST.

Basically.Dude averages 15 boards per game in the conference or something out playing fools like Thoss and Rey Hugnatan.
95 points for a team that averages 100.5 points in the conference. Alaska made a statement with their defense.

I hope TNT bounces back with the kind of offensive onslaught that will negate any defensive ploy Tim Cone throws @ them.

The SMB Game 1 Semi-Final Blow-out kind of offense.
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Oh and Chot should never take Jason Castro out of the game.Never.
 
i think tnt will win game 3 coz if they don't its over...once again for them...and SMB fans will have their time with Cardona!
 
im no fan of both teams...but alaska's system of play is the best in the pba...they seem to have the ability to develop good players into great ones.they're no highlight team compared to the others but one can learn offensive and defensive plays from them by just watching their games.
 
Originally Posted by normanesque

im no fan of both teams...but alaska's system of play is the best in the pba...they seem to have the ability to develop good players into great ones. they're no highlight team compared to the others but one can learn offensive and defensive plays from them by just watching their games.
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Word... I remember Bong Hawkins' jump, parang Alpinelang pero nakakarebound over guys taller than him...
Or maybe he's just too "magulang"...
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Originally Posted by normanesque

i think tnt will win game 3 coz if they don't its over...once again for them...and SMB fans will have their time with Cardona!
ano meron between smb fans and macmac?
 
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