M. Lhuillier-Cebu Niños beat Smart Gilas Pilipinas in second exhibition game

The M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Niños displayed the poise of a veteran to avenge a frustrating defeat last Thursday with pulsating 79-76 victory over the Smart-Gilas Pilipinas National Men’s Team at the Cebu Coliseum friday night.

The win wrapped up a two-game exhibition series and the Niños will again host two matches against the Talk ‘N Tex Phone Pals on March 8 and 9 at the Cebu Coliseum.

Yesterday, the M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala squad stamped its dominance over the youthful Gilas, 2-1 in their head-to-head match-up, though Smart Sports director Patrick Gregorio said Gilas could be back for more matches.

“Definitely we will be back. Gilas will travel to Australia, Serbia and Las Vegas in the coming days. But we will be back,” Gregorio told Sun.Star Cebu.

Despite the defeat, Gilas achieved what they came for--generate support and bring the national team closer to the fans outside of Manila.

“The reason we came here is to bring the team closer to the people in the provinces and you can see how they turned up in this game in terms of support. Tinalikuran nila
yung M. Lhuillier and they rooted for Gilas,” added Gregorio.

The crowd booed the Niños and cheered every Gilas basket and defensive stop.

The Niños were shooting like crazy early as they sank four triples en route to a 22-10 lead after the first quarter.

Gilas was struggling all throughout the first half and allowed the Niños to erect their biggest lead, 46-26, early in the third period.

It was at this situation when the nationals changed gears, holding Cebu to just two points in the next 5:10 to make it within 48-45 with 4:17 to play in the third.

The Niños answered with a short 5-0 blitz but Gilas countered with a 9-0 rally to take the lead for the first time back since 8-7 in the first quarter.

The Niños held their slim lead all throughout the final period, thanks to the all out games of Stephen Padilla, Bruce Dacia and reinforcement Jason Dixon.

Dacia, who scored only four, last Thursday, finished with 19 points, while Padilla had 21 points including five triples.

The Scores:

M.Lhuillier-Cebu (79) - Padilla 21, Dacia 19, Dixon 15, Mepana 8, Santos 4, Saladaga 4, Basco 3, Ababon 2, Enriquez 2

RP Gilas (76) –Baracael 15, Barroca 13, Lassiter 10, Casio 9, Abubou 9, Ballesteros 7, Aguilar 7, Tui 4

Quarters: 22-10, 43-26, 54-54, 79-76

Source: Rommel Manlosa  | StarSun Cebu

M. Lhuillier hits back at Gilas

CEBU, Philippines - The M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Niños wasted away a 20-point lead in the third quarter, but toiled hard when it mattered most to scrape through a 79-76 victory and get even with the Smart Gilas Team Pilipinas in their two-day exhibition match before a sizeable crowd last night at the Cebu Coliseum.

After closing the first half with a buzzer-beating triple, streak-shooter Stephen Padilla opened the third period with another 3-point bomb to give the Niños of team owner Michel J. Lhuillier and coach Raul “Yayoy” D. Alcoseba their largest lead at 46-26.

That huge advantage, however, suddenly disappeared as the Nationals of Serbian coach Rajko Toroman suddenly turned red-hot and whipped up a furious 28-7 rally to briefly snatch the driver’s seat, 54-53, their first since getting off to a 6-3 start.

After a 54-all standoff going into the final canto, the two protagonists figured in an intense hardcourt battle that left the large throng of spectators holding their breath until the final buzzer.

Smart Gilas could only tie the score at 65-all at the spirited M. Lhuillier stalwarts bravely guarded at lead five points edge, the last was at 76-71 with 36 seconds left to play.

At that point, the Niños nearly flirted with disaster after import Jason Dixon was whistled for a technical foul for throwing the ball at Barroca.

In that swing though, Gilas could only make two points on Barroca’s free throw as they commited a costly miscue in their possession.

Smart Gilas, showing the courage and fortitude that made them worthy to fight for the flag and country in major international competitions and hopefully in the 2012 London Olympics, threatened for the last time at 76-77 on Casio’s trey with only four second to go.

In the ensuing sequence, Dixon was quickly fouled by Greg Slaughter and the former NCAA star and one-time PBA import calmly deliver the goods to give M. Lhuillier a 79-76 cushion.

Still, Smart Gilas has a chance to square the count, but Casio, who found an open spot from the right wing, misfired his 3-point attempt, with Ariel Mepaña securing the ball as the final buzzer honked, leaving the entire M. Lhuillier bench and their legion of fans to burst into frenzied celebration.

Padilla exploded with 21 points, Bruce Dacia added 19 and Dixon finished with 15 points for the Niños, who will face next PBA’s Talk N’ Txt Phone Pals on March 8 to 9 at the Cebu Coliseum.

Afterwhich, the Niños will take on the Brgy. Ginebra Kings on March 12 at the USC-Main Gym.

The Scores:

M.Lhuillier-Cebu (79) - Padilla 21, Dacia 19, Dixon 15, Mepana 8, Santos 4, Saladaga 4, Basco 3, Ababon 2, Enriquez 2

RP Gilas (76) –Baracael 15, Barroca 13, Lassiter 10, Casio 9, Abubou 9, Ballesteros 7, Aguilar 7, Tui 4

Quarters: 22-10, 43-26, 54-54, 79-76

Source: Author Unknown  | Philstar.com

Smart Gilas Pilipinas defeats M. Lhuillier-Cebu Niños in first exhibition game

CEBU, Philippines - RP Smart Gilas bounced back with and 83-71 victory last night to beat M. Lhuillier-Cebu Niños in the first game of their two-part exhibition at the Cebu Coliseum.

The win actually evens things up for both teams as the Cebuanos stopped the national squad in their first meeting last year.

Today’s game set at 5 p.m. will be some sort of a decider.

The RP Smart Gilas came in full force with stars Chris Tiu, Japeth Aguilar and Marcio Lassiter joining the squad for this Cebu stint.

The Niños, however, took command in the early going and were up by as much as 12 points before Gilas broke the ice.

The presence of import Jason Dixon added some muscle to coach Yayoy Alcoseba’s team at the start, but later in the game, this also appeared to have been to their disadvantage.

After a strong start, Dixon failed to deliver the points later in the game and veteran point guard Woodrow Enriquez also lost his cool when he was slapped a foul.

Game officials awarded Gilas two technical freethrows plus ball possession after Enriquez flared up, which helped turn the game around.

Dylan Ababou, Tiu, Mac Baracael and JV Casio stepped up and powered Gilas’ 13-0 run to help their team go up by 12, 61-49.

The Niños tried to get back the lead, but seemed to lack the firepower.

Gilas’ Japhet Aguilar made a back-to-back slam dunks and Cebuano Greg Slaughter also chipped in for the nationals to the delight of the spectators.

There were some calls that went in favor of the Niños, that RP coach Rajko Taroman threatened not to finish the game with six minutes and 28 seconds left.

The proverbial cooler heads prevailed and the game continued.

The scores:

RP GILAS (83 ) – Tiu16, Casio 14, Lassiter 14, Baracael 11, Ababou 10, Aguilar 10, Slaughter 6 Barroca 2

MLKP NIÑOS (71 ) – Dixon 19, Padilla 13, Santos 10, Poligrates 8, Mepaña 7, Dacia 4, Magsumbol 3, Basco 2, Enriquez 2.

Source: Author Unknown  | Philstar.com

Smart Gilas just too good

THE Smart-Gilas Pilipinas team displayed a variety of offensive weapons and showed no mercy to the M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Niños, 83-71, in the first of their two-game exhibition matches at the Cebu Coliseum last night.

The victory evened the head-to-head match-up between the Nationals and the Niños, who hired American Jason Dixon for the exhibition matches, at one game each.

The Niños won their first encounter, 82-76, in February last year and the two will get to settle the score at 5 p.m. still at the Cebu Coliseum.

Gilas’ win also ended the Niños’ string of 26 victories dating back to the Liga Pilipinas regular season.

Coming in full force, Gilas showed the Cebuanos the brand of basketball they will display in the various international competitions, including the Asian Games this November, and they didn’t disappoint.

From the basic half-court execution and outside shooting, to the razzle-dazzle fast break plays, the Gilas brought put the Cebuano fans to the edge of their seats from the start to finish.

Japeth Aguilar provided the highlights of the games with two alley-oop dunks to make sure of another full house game today.

However, the game also had its drama.

With 6:28 left, Gilas coach Rajko Toroman motioned his players to proceed to the dugout after team captain Chris Tiu was called for an offensive foul.

However, he did not carry out the plan and instead pleaded his case to the referees for almost five minutes before deciding to continue with the game.

Following that incident, Aguilar brought the house down with back-to-back alley-hoop dunks that secured the game for the Gilas.

The Niños, however, did not give away the game in a silver platter and even managed to hold on to the lead until the 7:30 mark of the third.

Source: Rommel Manlosa  | StarSun Cebu

League merger seen as long-term solution

MANILA, Philippines - Even as the PBL has launched its new season, SBP executive director Noli Eala said yesterday talks are ongoing to merge the country’s premier semi-pro league and the regional Liga Pilipinas with the view of finding a long-term solution to the economic problem of staying commercially viable under difficult business conditions.

“We’re certainly not undermining the ongoing PBL conference,” said Eala. “In fact, the SBP congratulates the PBL Board, led by chairman Ding Camua, and commissioner Chino Trinidad, for successfully opening the new season with eight clubs. We’ve got a core group designated to discuss the terms of reference in a merger and we’re moving forward, trying to meet every week to talk about eligibility rules, formats, schedules, pay scales and drafting procedures.”

Among those involved in the merger discussions are prime mover PBA chairman Lito Alvarez, Camua, Chito Loyzaga, Robert Non, Patrick Gregorio, Yayoy Alcoseba, Joe Soberano, Trinidad and Eala.

“We’ve got the support of San Miguel Corp. and PLDT to proceed,” said Eala. “We’re looking at creating a new corporate structure for the merger, perhaps to involve a third party contributing equity, maybe, a TV partner. We’re sorting out a timetable.”

As for Liga, Eala said it recently held a preseason tournament with Cebu, Mandaue, Laguna and General Santos City in Cebu City but has put the next conference on hold to await the results of the merger talks.


“Liga is ready to start the next conference with at least eight teams,” said Eala. “Two more teams are close to joining. To conserve resources, Liga decided to hold off the opening of the next conference until there is some clarity on the merger. But we’re preparing just the same for our opening with live radio and delayed TV coverage.”

Eala said if the merger is good for Philippine basketball, then the SBP will support it all the way.

“This could be the best solution to the economic difficulties of running a basketball league,” said Eala.

Trinidad said the important thing is to agree on basic principles with the merger being mutually beneficial to the two leagues.

“I can’t see a hindrance to working together,” said Trinidad. “It’s a matter of finding the middle ground. If the PBL Board agrees, then by all means, let’s establish a relationship between the two leagues, conceptualize, rationalize and take it a step further.”

Eala said at the moment, the SBP is focusing on developing programs for women and the youth. He has also been in close contact with former FIBA president Carl Ching Men Ky in preparing for the SEABA Congress next month and the FIBA-Asia Congress in April.

Eala also mentioned Bernie Atienza, Butch Antonio, Rico Meneses and Joey Bautista continue to be involved in Smart-Gilas’ affairs.

Source: Joaquin Henson  | Philstar.com

Smart Gilas vs. Cebu Niños match moved

The two-day exhibition matches between the Smart-Gilas Pilipinas and the M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Niños is moved to March 5 and 6 still at the Cebu Coliseum.

From the original Feb. 26 and 27 date, the much anticipated game between the country’s representatives to the Asian Games in November, was moved a week later.




Replacement

Toroman and team manager Frankie Lim went in the US in search for a replacement of the problematic Jamal Sampson who was dumped by the SBP heirarchy after a mediocre performance at the Dubai International Basketball tournament late in January.

Toroman has made sure that he can now find a worthy pivot player who can help the Gilas in its campaign in international competition, especially in the country’s bid to earn a ticket to the London Olympics in 2012.

Slaughter

The coming of the Gilas is to give Cebuanos a closer look at the national team, which is composed mostly of collegiate players that include Cebu’s Greg Slaughter who has improved a lot since he decided to leave the University of the Visayas Green Lancers to concentrate on his task in helping the team earn a slot to the London Olympics.

The Niños meanwhile had been boosting its rooster to make it bigger and quicker in its effort to duplicate its 82-76 win over the youthful Gilas in Feb. 28 last year.

SBP is aiming to bring the Gilas to the rest of the country, as part of its effort to bring the team closer to the Filipinos.

Source: Rommel Manlosa  | StarSun Cebu

After surviving crisis, PBL opens anew on Feb 16

After weathering a crisis, the Philippine Basketball League (PBL) is set to unfurl its new season with 8 teams. Now on its 27th year, the Philippines' oldest amateur league will open the PG Flex-UK Derm Open Conference on February 16, said PBL Commissioner Chino Trinidad.

Trinidad thanked Pascual Laboratories and Asia Brewery for saving PBL for fielding two teams each after league contenders San Miguel Corp., Harbour Centre, Hapee Toothpaste, and Toyota Otis took a leave of absence.

“Actually ‘yung ginawa nilang ito, ultimate sacrifice. This is not only for the PBL but also for the players,” Trinidad said during Tuesday’s PSA Forum at Shakey’s UN Avenue branch, Manila.

Under Pascual Laboratories are Ascof Lagundi and Parex B Complex. Playing under Asia Brewery’s banner are Cobra Energy Drink and Cossack Vodka.

The other teams are Add-Mix, Agri Nurture, Fern-C, and Excel Roof.

The PBL games will take place at the Makati Coliseum and will be aired through Basketball TV on Sky Cable's Channel 71.

PBL-Liga Pilipinas merger

PBL chairman Jappy Pascual of Pascual Laboratories, meanwhile, said it is premature to talk about the “merger” with Liga Pilipinas.

Liga Pilipinas is a regional basketball league sanctioned by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, the country's national basketball federation.

“It’s premature to call it a merger because we do not know what the proposal of Liga Pilipinas is,” he said.

Pascual, however, said the PBL board is open to anything that will benefit the league.

“If it’s a merger or putting up a new league or an alliance, we’re open to listening to all of the proposals and then we’ll make a decision as a board,” he said.

Officials of PBL and Liga Pilipinas reportedly met last week in Makati City to pursue a possible merger.

Source: Dennis Gasgonia  | abs-cbnnew.com

PBL-Liga merger talks ongoing

MANILA, Philippines - A second meeting was held in Makati the other day to pursue a possible merger between the Philippine Basketball League (PBL) and Liga Pilipinas with PBA chairman Lito Alvarez, SBP executive director Noli Eala, PBL commissioner Chino Trinidad, SBP deputy executive director Bernie Atienza and SBP technical director Perry Martinez coming together to discuss a modus vivendi.

Trinidad said he will bring up the concept of a proposed merger to the PBL Board, chaired by Jappy Pascual, in a meeting this Tuesday. Aside from Pascual, others expected to attend are representatives of San Miguel Corp., Harbour Centre, Hapee Toothpaste, Toyota Otis and Burger King-Air21.

“We’re at the stage of rationalizing a merger, whether it will benefit both leagues,” said Trinidad. “We’re not even into discussing the issues of difference which include Liga’s regional thrust and our commercial orientation and the age disparity of players. Definitely, the merger talks are alive. We in the PBL aren’t closing the doors to a merger. But our immediate priority is to keep our own league alive. A merger won’t make sense if the PBL, or Liga for that matter, has nothing to offer on the table.”

Trinidad said the PBL is determined to push through with its season-opening conference on Feb. 13 at the San Juan Arena. It will kick-start the campaign and lead into the next conference on April 11.

At the moment, Trinidad disclosed that he’s optimistic of playing eight teams in the first conference----Ascof Lagundi, Cobra Energy Drink, Excel Coil, Admix, Agri Nurture Corp., Fern-C, Cossack Vodka and Pharex B Complex. Pascual Laboratories owns Ascof Lagundi and Pharex B Complex while Asia Brewery is fielding Cobra and Cassock as sister teams.


The new franchises include Admix which markets a tile adhesive, Agri Nurture which is a large vegetable wholesaler and Fern-C which is a vitamin endorsed by the PBA.

“We’ve got six entries and two supplementals as Pharex and Asia Brewery are bringing in a second team each,” said Trinidad. “We might even be able to convince our teams on leave to reactivate, like Harbour, Hapee, San Miguel and Toyota Otis. We’re still not out of the woods. We still don’t know if we’ll survive the next two to three years. We’re just looking at this season. This may be a band-aid solution but if we’re able to cross the bridge this year, our future will be secure.”

Trinidad said Eala mentioned during the last meeting that San Miguel Corp. and PLDT-Smart will support a merger.

“Anytime you get an assurance of support from Mr. (Ramon) Ang and Mr. (Manny) Pangilinan, you’re on solid ground,” continued Trinidad. “There are certainly long-term repercussions if their support is guaranteed. We’ll be assured of subsidy for our operating costs and a TV contract. The merger will also allow us to expand. But first things first. I’ve got to present the idea to our Board and if there is approval, then we will begin to work on the details of a merger. I’m just a conduit in the negotiations. The PBL Board will decide whether or not to pursue a merger.”

Trinidad said it’s possible that the PBL second conference and Liga’s next tournament could open side by side on April 11.

“We could do parallel conferences and PBL teams could participate in a Liga leg in Metro Manila with the PBL champion facing the Liga champion in a super title series,” said Trinidad. “Arranging a working relationship shouldn’t be difficult. The important thing is we agree on basic principles and the merger is mutually beneficial.”

Trinidad said in hammering out the details of a merger, pride shouldn’t be in the equation.

“If this is good for Philippine basketball, then we shouldn’t hesitate to swallow our pride in pushing for the merger, assuming pride is involved,” said Trinidad. “Personally, I can’t see a hindrance to working together. It’s a matter of finding the middle ground. If the PBL Board agrees, then by all means, let’s establish a relationship between the two leagues, conceptualize, rationalize and take it a step further.

Source: Joaquin Henson  | Philstar.com

PBL, Liga to discuss merger

MANILA, Philippines - PBL commissioner Chino Trinidad yesterday confirmed a meeting will be held to discuss a possible merger or working relationship with Liga Pilipinas this Monday even as the 27-year-old league prepares to open its new season on Feb. 13 with at least five teams at the San Juan Arena.

Trinidad, on his 11th year as the PBL commissioner, disclosed that PBA chairman Lito Alvarez phoned the other day to suggest a merger and will preside in the Monday meeting where Liga president and SBP executive director Noli Eala is expected to attend.

Trinidad also said the two leagues’ operations directors – the PBL’s Butch Maniego and Liga’s Butch Antonio – are in close contact, conferring with each other on possible points of working together for the good of basketball.

“We’re looking for a middle ground,” said Trinidad. “At the moment, our two leagues are moving in two separate directions. The PBL is developmental with an age limit of 25 and Metro Manila-based while Liga is a vehicle for players of all ages in major cities all over the country. Even before we talk about a merger, it’s important to agree on concepts. Are we still relevant? Are we just out to survive or do we want to expand? Only after we lay down the directions for both leagues can we begin to discuss how to work together.”

Trinidad said a working relationship between the PBL and Liga is possible even without a merger.


“Liga plays pocket tournaments all over the country and the PBL could participate in the Metro Manila leg,” said Trinidad. “Basically, the PBL would like to stay in Metro Manila because that’s where our franchises are based but I think it’s an attractive proposition to play outside of Metro Manila, too, in terms of expanding markets for our sponsors.”

Trinidad said aside from Alvarez, Robert Non of San Miguel Corp. and Buddy Encarnado of Sta. Lucia Realty are backing up talks of a merger. San Miguel Corp. and Encarnado himself, then representing ESQ Marketing, were active participants in forming the PBL, initially known as the Philippine Amateur Basketball League, in 1983.

Trinidad admitted that only three clubs are confirmed to play in the PBL this season but at least four prospects are waiting in the wings to enlist.

“If we survive 2010, then the PBL is here to stay,” said Trinidad. “We’ve got a strong tradition to uphold and we’re determined to cross the bridge. We just have to set things in motion. Step 1 means we’ll push through with our season on Feb. 13, maybe a short conference, and Step 2 means we’ll restart in mid-April, possibly a longer conference with Liga. I see no problem in agreeing to a working relationship. We all share a passion for basketball and we’re doing this for the love of the game.”

Trinidad said PBL chairman Jappy Pascual of Pharex has given the go-signal to pursue other teams to get the season going.

“We’re not at liberty to make disclosures at this point but we’ve got four prospects lined up,” said Trinidad. “So far, committed to play are Pharex, Galvastar and Asia Brewery. A team that used to be a PBL mainstay may come back. Another team on leave may reconsider and play. Phoenix Oil was ready to join with the nucleus of the Adamson team under coach Leo Austria and I think there’s a sponsor willing to take over. Then, there’s another team waiting for more teams to join.”

Trinidad said former PBL chairman Dioceldo Sy of Ever Bilena would’ve returned to the fold but decided to stay focused on supporting the SBP’s national women’s program.

“For Mr. Sy, it was one or the other,” said Trinidad. “He’s now involved with the national women’s team and it’s a higher calling. We fully support Mr. Sy’s decision and in any way we can assist him, we will.”

Source: Joaquin Henson  | Philstar.com