PBA Fiesta Conference on: Kings, Texters renew grudge match

MANILA, Philippines - Barangay Ginebra and Talk n Text, two teams which figured in a highly charged, highly emotional all-Filipino quarterfinals confrontation, face each other again right on opening day of the 2010 PBA Fiesta Conference at the Araneta Coliseum today.

Emotions could still be high as the Kings and the Tropang Texters clash at 6:30 p.m., succeeding the 4 p.m. setto between Barako Energy Coffee (formerly Barako Bull) and Sta. Lucia Realty.

Noelle Cassandra, Asia’s only female harpist, singer and songwriter, and Christine Love, Viva record’s new female artist, provide entertainment during the halftime breaks.

The Kings and the Texters engaged in a passionate and melodramatic quarters battle in the recent Philippine Cup marked by Talk n Text’s infamous walkout in Game Four of the best-of-five series.

Both went short of their bids in the end, and they’re returning in the Fiesta Conference with retooled lineups, hoping to do better than what they achieved in the Philippine Cup.


After settling for fourth place in the all-Filipino tourney, the Kings made two trade deals, acquiring big men Yancy de Ocampo and John Ferriols. Ginebra also reactivated Junthy Valenzuela from the injured list.

Talk n Text, meanwhile, gave up De Ocampo and Renren Ritualo to get solid role players in JR Quinahan, Mark Yee and Aaron Aban.

Ginebra has NBA veteran Awvee Storey as import while Talk n Text will be reinforced by former Air21 resident import Shawn Daniels.

The opening game pits two teams which also effected changes in their lineups after the Philippine Cup.

Barako changed its coach and team name, then acquired four new players with hopes of regaining their old fire following back-to-back last-place finishes.

Junel Baculi makes his debut as PBA head coach, up against the Sta. Lucia team which is determined to redeem itself from a sorry playoffs fold-up in the Philippine Cup.

Sta. Lucia has given up wingman Joseph Yeo to soup up its backcourt with its acquisition of Bonbon Custodio.

The Realtors are upbeat as they’re reunited with versatile import Anthony Johnson.

The Energy Coffee Masters, however, have also high hopes on their import Sammy Monroe, known to be an energetic player remembered for smashing a backboard in the NBA-D League.

Derby Ace (formerly Purefoods), which completed a fairytale ride in the Philippine Cup, won’t see action in the tourney until April 4.

Coach Ryan Gregorio and his troops return to practice only today.

Source: Nelson Beltran  | Philstar.com

San Mig, Derby Ace teams to beat in Fiesta

MANILA, Philippines - San Miguel Beer, the defending champion, and Derby Ace (formerly Purefoods), the Philippine Cup winner, are among the teams to reckon with in the 2010 PBA Fiesta Conference, which comes off the wraps tomorrow at the Araneta Coliseum.

Coaches also pointed to Alaska Milk, Talk n Text and Barangay Ginebra as the teams likely to figure prominently in the fight for the championship in the event won by the Beermen over the Kings last year.

The others, however, are not totally discounted with the coaches stressing the imports role in the reinforced tourney.

They mentioned Rain or Shine last year when the Elasto Painters made the Final Four for the first time in franchise history behind hard-working import Jai Lewis

Barako Energy Coffee and Sta. Lucia Realty clash in the 4 p.m. curtain-raiser then Ginebra and Talk n Text collide in the 6:30 p.m. main setto on opening day.


On Wednesday also at the Big Dome, Barako squares off with Coca-Cola at 5 p.m. then Air21 tangles with San Miguel Beer at 7:30 p.m.

However, San Miguel, Derby Ace, Alaska, Ginebra and Talk n Text remain the favorites to fight it out for the crown.

Coaches say the Beermen, the Llamados, the Aces, the Kings and the Tropang Texters have the built-in advantage with their solid local crew.

Derby Ace coach Ryan Gregorio said San Miguel and Alaska are the teams to beat but the Llamados will be out there to contend for a possible double championship.

For Alaska coach Tim Cone, San Miguel, Derby Ace and Ginebra are the teams that could well pose biggest problems to his troops.

“It’s hard to make predictions without seeing all the imports, but the SMC teams (San Miguel, Derby Ace and Ginebra) will all be favored, especially SMB with returning import Gabe Freeman. Purefoods, as the all-Filipino champion, will be there as well as Ginebra since they went to last year’s Fiesta Conference finals,” said Alaska coach Tim Cone.

“But as I always say, it’s not about getting the best import. It’s about getting the import that best fits your team. San Miguel has shown that already,” Cone added.

Bo Perasol and Siot Tanquingcen are two coaches which rated Talk n Text in the Top Three. Chot Reyes and Boyet Fernandez, meanwhile, included Alaska Milk in their lists. Jong Uichico picked San Miguel, Derby Ace, Alaska and Talk n Text but not necessarily in that order.

“San Miguel should be there because it’s the defending champion, Purefoods should also be a top choice since it’s the all-Filipino champion, then there’s Alaska with its great import,” said Reyes.

“Purefoods should be there. Talk n Text is also tough with Shawn Daniels. Ginebra will be a tough contender with the return of Rudy Hatfield, the addition of Yancy de Ocampo, the continuous improvement of JC Intal and the presence of healthy Mark Caguioa and Jayjay Helterbrand. Rain or Shine, to me, is a contender with Jai Lewis and its young, energetic local crew,” said Tanquingcen.

“San Miguel, Talk n Text and Purefoods are strong contenders with their solid local lineups,” said Perasol.

Aside from Freeman, Daniels and Lewis, other imports seeing action in the tourney are James Penny for Coca-Cola, Anthony Johnson for Sta. Lucia, Lorrenzo Wade for Derby Ace, Keena Young for Air21, Diamon Simpson for Alaska, Sammy Monroe for Barako and Awvee Storey for Ginebra.

Source: Nelson Beltran  | Philstar.com

Bulls see better finish with new recruits, name

MANILA, Philippines - Barako Bull acquired four new players and changed its coach and team’s name in a bid to regain its old glory in the PBA.

The team will be known as Barako Energy Coffee as it looks to redeem itself from a poor showing in the recent Philippine Cup, hopeful of making a good run in the 2010 PBA Fiesta Conference which kicks off Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Energy Coffee Masters, now under coach Junel Baculi with four new recruits in Rob Wainwright, Jerwin Gaco, Al Vergara and Christian Coronel and with import Sammy Monroe, play the Sta. Lucia Realtors in the opening game.

Barako Energy Coffee also sees action in the next playdate on Wednesday as it battles Coca-Cola, also at the Big Dome.

“With the changes we’ve had, we look forward to a highly competitive campaign in the coming PBA tourney,” said team owner George Chua.


“We’re raring to improve on our poor showing in the recent Philippine Cup, determined to make good on the playing court and make an impact for the brand Barako Energy Coffee which we’re introducing to the public,” Chua said.

Chua also expressed gratitude to the Harbour Centre of Mikee Romero for their sponsorship deal for the duration of the season.

Yousif Aljamal, Rob Reyes, Gilbert Lao, Jojo Duncil, Aris Dimaunahan, Leo Najorda, Ogie Menor, Chad Alonzo and Ryan Faundo have been kept in the lineup of the team which has high expectation on import Monroe, a 6-5 1/16 forward out of Newberry U with a recent stint with the Austin Toros in the NBA Developmental League.

Monroe is a tremendous dunker, who smashed a backboard in the D-League.

He played one season at Newberry after spending first two years at Clinton Junior College in South Carolina and Tallahassee Community College in Florida.

He led Tallahassee in rebounding (6.5 rpg) and blocked shots (1.0 bpg) while ranking second in scoring (14.2 ppg) in 2005-06. He scored 20 or more points six times and posted four double-doubles.

At Clinton JC in 2003-04, he averaged 17 points, earned Second Team Region X honors while helping the team to a 22-10 record and a conference championship.

At the moment, only Raymond Celis is officially listed as assistant coach. The team is expected to name Louie Alas also as assistant coach in the next few days.

“We assure the PBA fans that our team will come out and give its best effort in each game we play. We intend to relive our winning tradition,” said Raffy Casyao, the team’s alternate representative to the PBA board.

The team joined the league as an expansion franchise in 2000 and has since won three championships.

Through the 2008-09 season, the team had a .536 winning performance (with 247 wins against 214 losses), better than the records of Coca-Cola (.504), Purefoods (.500), Ginebra (.482), Talk n Text (.469), Burger King (.469), Sta. Lucia (.455) and Rain or Shine (.314).

Then known as the Red Bull Barakos, the team nailed a championship right on its second year of participation in the league, ruling the 2001 Commissioner’s Cup under the tutelage of coach Yeng Guiao.

Source: Nelson Beltran  | Philstar.com

Llamados to feed on Giants tradition

MANILA, Philippines - The Purefoods TJ Giants have officially changed their name to the B-MEG Derby Ace Llamados then vowed to live to their monicker as they bid for a PBA double championship after topping the All Filipino Cup recently.

“The monicker Llamados in itself carries a badge of expectations which I’m sure my players would be very enthusiastic about. In line with this, we pledge to play our best and hearts out in every game. We will be the Llamados through and through,” said B-MEG Derby Ace coach Ryan Gregorio in the official launch of the B-MEG Derby Ace team at A-Venue Hall in Makati yesterday.

San Miguel Pure Foods Company president Butch Alejo was on hand to present the team to top officials and key personnel of B-MEG, a flagship brand of San Miguel Pure Foods’ feeds business.

“We believe that our B-MEG brand will benefit from the tremendous exposure PBA gave to the Purefoods TJ Giants. We expect the Derby Ace Llamados to carry on the winning tradition of the TJ Giants,” said Alejo.

“And being one of our flagship brands, we hope it delivers the message to our customers that San Miguel Pure Foods always produces high quality and affordable products, from farm to play, 24 hours a day, and we will do so in many years to come,” Alejo added.


“I assure our long-time supporters and the new fans of B-MEG, that we will continue to play our best and win their hearts in every game. Our combined skills, intense training and incessant passion to win will ultimately lead us to another victory,” said team manager Alvin Patrimonio.

Team governor Rene Pardo is confident they would keep their winning tradition as they’ve done while undergoing several name changes from Coney Island Ice Cream, Purefoods Oodles, Purefoods Chunkee to Purefoods Tender Juicy.

The franchise joined the pro league in 1988 and has since won eight championships, including five in all-Filipino tourneys.

Topping the last Philippine Cup, the team is raring to sustain its drive in the coming Fiesta Conference, hoping import Lorrenzo Wade would be perfect fit with team’s local crew.

Meanwhile, John Ferriols is set to move over to Barangay Ginebra after he was relegated to the unrestricted free agent pool at Alaska Milk.

The Aces were forced to drop Ferriols after activating new recruit Samigue Eman.

“Since John Ferriols is not in Alaska’s official lineup, we’re getting him for Barangay Ginebra. We already agreed with Ferriols that we’ll assume his UPC (existing contract with Alaska),” said SMC official Robert Non.

Ferriols is the second big man Ginebra acquired after the all-Filipino tourney. The Kings earlier got Yancy de Ocampo from Air21 in exchange for Doug Kramer and Rich Alvarez.

Source: Nelson Beltran  | Philstar.com

Import returnees spice up 'Fiesta'

MANILA, Philippines - Four returnees, headed by last year’s Best Import Gabe Freeman of San Miguel Beer, and six newcomers, including NBA veteran Awvee Storey of Barangay Ginebra, will be featured in the PBA Fiesta Conference which fires off Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum.

While Freeman is expected to dish out another solid performance for the Beermen, focus will be on Storey, the best-credentialed among the current batch of reinforcements, having played in three NBA teams – Washington, New Jersey and Milwaukee – for four seasons.

Storey was scheduled to be measured late yesterday along with Diamon Simpson of Alaska, Sammy Monroe of Barako Bull, Eric Cory Hicks of Talk n Text, according to PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios, who appeared at yesterday’s PSA Forum at the Shakey’s UN Ave. The height limit for imports is 6-6.

Simpson had a brief stint with Los Angeles D-Fenders in the NBA Developmental League while Monroe saw action with the Rochester Razorsharks in the little-known Premier Basketball League.

Hicks played college ball at the University of Cincinnati, before seeing action in the Belgian, Polish and Russian leagues.


Another newcomer is Greek League veteran Lorenzo Wade, who will backstop the All-Filipino champion Derby Ace Llamados (formerly Purefoods TJ Giants).

Air21, meanwhile, will parade Keena Young, who made good impression during the Express practice upon his arrival in the country Monday, according to team manager Lito Alvarez.

However, Alvarez rued their failure to enlist original choice Leroy Hickerson, who suffered injury after figuring in a car accident in Kentucky, a few days before his departure for Manila.

“It’s very unfortunate. Hickerson could’ve been the second coming of Billy Ray Bates,” said Alvarez.

“Hickerson is an exciting player with a good inside and outside game. You can’t give him a breathing space as he can shoot three-pointers. You can’t also give him an open lane as he has an explosive drive. He’s a good outside shooter and dunker, just like Billy Ray Bates,” Alvarez said.

Hickerson had just finished a stint in the Mexican league and already preparing for his trip to the Philippines when he met the accident and sustained an elbow injury.

“He underwent surgery, so it’s very unlikely he can still play for us in this tournament. What’s sure is that he’s a top option for us in the next import-reinforced tourney,” said Alvarez.

The Air21 top official said Hickerson is only 26, a flamboyant player who took the Mexican league by storm.

“I was told he has big billboards in Mexico. After the season, he was even given a testimonial dinner by his team,” said Alvarez.

“It’s really sad we lost him. He’s a big loss to the team and to the league,” Alvarez added.

Alvarez, however, stressed the Express are still upbeat as they got a good import replacement in Young.

“Young may not be as exciting as Hickerson, but he could be as effective and that’s important,” said Air21 coach Yeng Guiao.

“Like Hickerson, Young can also play an inside and outside game,” Guiao added.

Guiao said the team is raring to come out and compete in the coming tourney following the buildup they have undertaken.

“If our import blends well with the locals, then we can have a good run in the coming tourney,” added Guiao, who has new players in Mike Cortez, Renren Ritualo and Doug Kramer.

Aside from Freeman, other returning imports are Jai Lewis of Rain or Shine, James Penny of Coca-Cola and Anthony Johnson of Sta. Lucia.

Barako Bull clashes with Sta. Lucia while Talk n Text collides with Barangay Ginebra in Sunday’s opener.

Barrios also announced that the league has scheduled several road games for the upcoming conference, including a Coca- Cola-San Miguel showdown in Gingoog City on March 27 and the Ginebra-Rain or Shine tussle in Bacolod on April 10.

Barrios said the league is also staging road games in Cagayan de Oro, Batangas, Davao, Cebu, Ormoc, Tacloban and Dumaguete.

Source: Nelson Beltran  | Philstar.com

SMB sends Custodio to SLR for Yeo

MANILA, Philippines - San Miguel Beer continued to rebuild its aging lineup, acquiring Joseph Yeo from Sta. Lucia in exchange for Bonbon Custodio five days before the opening of the 2010 PBA Fiesta Conference at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Beermen, who settled for third place after losing to the eventual champions Purefoods Giants in the recent Philippine Cup, have bolstered their backcourt rotation with Yeo’s acquisition, which came on the heels of an earlier trade deal involving Alex Cabagnot and Mike Cortez.

Yeo, a former La Salle standout, blossomed into a fine playmaker with Sta. Lucia after a forgettable stint with Coca-Cola in the 2006-07 campaign.

In his second season with Sta. Lucia last year, Yeo effectively played his off-the-bench role, winding up as the team’s second-best scorer behind Kelly Williams with a 13.5-point average.

He also normed 3.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists in a remarkable season, prompting the team management to give him a three-year contract-extension worth the maximum pay allowed in the league.


Meanwhile, Custodio, a product of University of the East, is in his second year in the pro league, also playing the off-the-bench role creditably.

The only rookie in the star-studded, talent-laden Beermen squad last year, Custodio performed well to earn a spot on the All-Rookie selection by the PBA Press Corps. He played for San Miguel’s farm team in the PBL before being elevated to the pro ranks. He was the eighth pick in the 2008 annual draft.

Source: Nelson Beltran  | Philstar.com

Nobody but Wade for Giants

MANILA, Philippines - Purefoods, determined to get a good shot at a double championship, took a long while to enlist its lone choice for the coming PBA Fiesta Conference and tapped Lorenzo Wade, a 6-foot-6, 228-pound forward out of San Diego U.

“The Fiesta Conference will largely depend on the right import reinforcement. That is why I’m cautious and vigilant in choosing the right one so as not to dilute our championship chemistry,” said Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio.

Purefoods pulled off a stirring sweep of Alaska to capture the PBA All-Filipino Championship with the Giants vowing to go all out to complete a sweep of the season.

“We are determined to figure prominently in the next conference and hopefully complete a modern day grand slam,” Gregorio said.

The Purefoods mentor noted some teams have balanced their rosters with player movement, including Alaska Milk, San Miguel Beer, Barangay Ginebra and Air21. But he’s confident he has a roster that can compete against any team.


Meanwhile, Purefoods is still on vacation savoring its all-Filipino romp, less than a week before the opening of the second conference although the team will not see action until after the Holy Week.

“From my understanding, we won’t play till the fourth of April. That gives us close to two weeks to prepare for the coming tourney, and it would be just right,” said Gregorio.

“Remember that we played a total of 33 games and 15 straight in the all-Filipino playoffs. Some of my players played hurt in our championship run. Now is the time to rest their banged-up bodies,” Gregorio also said.

“The mind was also stretched, so this is a great time for us to quiet down, heal the body and relax the mind,” he added.

Team manager Alvin Patrimonio led the team’s search for the right import.

Patrimonio and Gregorio believe Wade would fit with the team.

“I think he can compliment the players that we have in our roster,” said Gregorio of Wade, who is fresh from his stint with the Greek team in the Euro league.

“His description is a lefty, open-court player, highly athletic and very skillful. He’s an incredible dunker, slasher with perimeter skills and decent three-point shooting,” Gregorio also said.

“He’s our one and only choice. So from all indications, everything is done except formal signing,” Gregorio added.

Source: Nelson Beltran  | Philstar.com

Barako maintains move to appoint Baculi legit; Air21 changes import

MANILA, Philippines - Barako Bull maintains its appointment of Junel Baculi as the team’s new head coach is completely aboveboard.

Meanwhile, Air21 enlisted former Brigham Young University standout Keena Young to replace original import choice LeRoy Hickerson who injured his elbow in a car accident.

Barako team owner George Chua made the assurance to PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios Thursday amidst fears from some quarters of possible violation by the ball club on the condition set by the league board allowing Harbour Centre’s entry as team sponsor.

“Mr. George Chua has called giving their commitment on strict compliance of the provision. He also assured us he’s still on top of the situation in running the affairs of the team,” Barrios told The STAR.

The league commissioner said it’s well and good since “the expectation of the board is for the two parties (Barako Bull and Harbour Centre) to take to heart the condition given them.”


Under the provision approved by the board, Harbour Centre will have no involvement in the team outside of placement of brand name in team uniform.

Harbour Centre is prohibited from “fielding any known Harbour Centre personalities in the team management, coaching staff personnel and the likes.”

Baculi had previous involvement with Harbour Centre, working as team consultant in its PBL stint and calling the shots for the Harbour Centre-RP team in a number of international competitions.

The former Mapua player, however, was no longer connected with Harbour Centre, but with Air21, prior to his appointment as Barako Bull coach.

He was an assistant to BK coach Yeng Guiao in the last Philippine Cup.

In another development, Guiao and the Express have lost the slam-dunking Hickerson to injury he suffered in Kentucky. He flew home for a brief rest after helping Air21 to a second-place finish in a recent Dubai invitational tourney.

Air21 tapped Young for Hickerson instead.

Young starred for BYU from 2004-2007. Before this, Young was a four-year letterman at Clifton J. Ozen High School in Beaumont, Texas. He was named All-Region three times and All-State twice.

As a senior, he averaged 18 points and 10 rebounds per game with his team winning the Texas State championship and earning a Top 10 national ranking.

Young was a high school teammate and friend of Kendrick Perkins. University of Memphis coach John Calipari offered scholarships to both Perkins and Young. Both players initially committed to play at Memphis, but Perkins changed his mind and entered the 2003 NBA Draft.

Source: Nelson Beltran  | Philstar.com

Patriots reap major awards

KUALA LUMPUR – The Philippine Patriots’ Warren Ybanez bagged the Finals MVP honors, Jason Dixon captured the Best Import award and the rest of the team received their championship rings in the ABL Championship Presentation Dinner here Tuesday.

Ybanez, a hard-nosed player who had had a stint with Red Bull in the PBA, beat teammates Rob Wainwright and Jerwin Gaco for the Finals MVP plum while Dixon was named Best Import, winning over Singapore’s Kyle Jeffers and Indonesia’s Nakiea Miller.

One award, however, slipped away from the Patriots as Thailand Tigers’ Attaporn Lertmalaiporn clinched the ABL League MVP title.

The biggest toast, however, belonged to the whole Philippine Patriots team for its triumphant campaign in the inaugural ABL season capped by its three-game sweep of the Satria Muda BritAma-Indonesia in the best-of-five finale.

Team owners Mikee Romero and Tony Boy Cojuangco were on hand to receive the championship trophy in the glittery rites graced by the other ABL team owners, sponsors and founding chief Tony Fernandes of Air Asia.


The team owners had a meeting before the awards ceremony, discussing how they can make ABL games more exciting for its second season starting October.

The plan is to allow the ball clubs to field one more import coming from Asian powerhouse teams like China, Lebanon, Iran and Korea.

In the inaugural tourney, the competing teams were allowed to field two international imports plus recruits from Asean neighbor countries. Thus, Filipino players like Kiko Adriano, Rensy Bajar, Rudy Lingganay, Don Camaso, Leo Avenido, Al Vergara and Axel Doruelo got the chance to play as imports for the other ABL squads.

More Filipino players are expected to see action in the second ABL season as another team from Indonesia and a new ball club from Vietnam have signified their intention to join the league.

Fernandes, a Malaysian billionaire who has also invested in F1 racing, said the ABL is committed to improve the growth of basketball in the region by implementing professional management and marketing savvy to promote and expand the fan base of the sport.

The Air Asia chief executive officer expects tremendous support and a huge profile of followers for ABL in the next few years.

Romero and Cojuangco, meanwhile, reaffirmed their commitment to the league.

The two Filipino businessmen-sportsmen may well become more active members of the league once they finalize a deal with Fernandes for their entry into Air Asia – a giant in budget flights in the Asian region.

Romero, Cojuangco and Fernandes have been talking for the establishment of Air Asia Philippines, starting with a fleet of five aircraft.

At present, Air Asia operates 92 planes, a huge improvement from the time Fernandes took over the business with only two aircraft eight years ago.

Source: Nelson Beltran  | Philstar.com

Baculi, Alas call shots for Barako Bull in PBA

MANILA, Philippines - Junel Baculi and Louie Alas, who coached the RP teams to the SEABA championship and the Southeast Asian Games, are again joining forces as taking over the coaching rein at Barako Bull in the PBA.

Baculi will be the new head coach with Alas as his chief deputy. Leo Isaac, the former coach, will help as consultant of the team.

The team roster will also be revamped, paving the way for the entry of new faces.

Sources said cinch for spots in the team are Rob Wainwright and Jerwin Gaco. Christian Coronel, Warren Ybanez, Al Vergara and Erwin Sta. Maria are set to try out with the team.

Owner George Chua is out to improve his team’s awful last-placed finish in the recent Philippine Cup.


With Harbour Centre coming in as sponsor, Barako Bull is looking forward for a better showing in the Fiesta Conference, which starts March 21 at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Energy Boosters play the Sta. Lucia Realtors in the opening game.

Meanwhile, Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio said they now have an import prospect in Lorenzo Wade, a 6-foot-6, 228-pound forward out of San Diego U.

Wade, said to be an open-court player, highly athletic and skillful, last played for the Greece team in the Euro League.

For Baculi, the long wait to be a head coach in the PBA is finally over. He believes he is more than ready for the job, having won championships in the local and international arenas.

He has also been exposed to PBA games, working as assistant to Yeng Guiao at Burger King (now Air21).

Alas had also been with the Talk n Text coaching staff. He is also a winner with championships in the MBA, NCAA, PBL and in the inaugural ABL tourney with the Philippine Patriots.

Source: Nelson Beltran  | Philstar.com

SLR upbeat on return of Reyes, import

MANILA, Philippines - Sta. Lucia stalwart Ryan Reyes, dogged by a recurring back injury in the last two conferences, has completed his rehab session in the United States and is ready to plunge back into action in the coming PBA Fiesta Conference.

Reyes, a reliable Fil-Am guard out of California-State Fullerton, returned last March 1, confident he can dish out the games that made him the league Rookie of the Year in the 2007-08 season.

“He’s (Reyes) doing great and we’re trying to get everybody in shape with hopes of getting a good run in the coming tournament,” said Sta. Lucia coach Boyet Fernandez.

The young Sta. Lucia mentor said the return of Reyes and their reacquisition of old import Anthony Johnson augured well for their stint in the coming Fiesta Conference which opens on March 21 at the Araneta Coliseum.

Johnson, a product of Louisiana-Lafayette, was last year’s runaway statistical champion. He could have been the hands-down choice as Best Import had Sta. Lucia made at least the Final Four.


He piled up impressive numbers of 28.7 points, 17.7 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game or an average of 52.2 statistical points an outing – five more than the average of eventual Best Import winner Gabe Freeman.

Johnson, a Coca-Coca recruit in 2007, is set to arrive Sunday.

Reyes is back in good health after undergoing series of therapy sessions in the US to heal a recurring back injury.

He has suffered several bad breaks in the last few months, including a hamstring pull causing him to miss the 2009 FIBA Asia men’s championship in Tianjin, China.

He was also hit by a back injury, a problem that affected Sta. Lucia’s campaign in the last all-Filipino tourney. The Realtors failed to make it past the wildcard round and eventually settled for eighth place.

Source: Nelson Beltran  | Philstar.com

Cortez, Alvarez, Kramer to Air21; Gins get Yancy

MANILA, Philippines - Air21 is about to close separate trade deals with Barangay Ginebra and San Miguel Beer, making its core lineup a mix of Ateneans and La Sallites with new acquisitions in Mike Cortez, Rich Alvarez and Doug Kramer.

The Lina Group ball club is to get Cortez from San Miguel for Alex Cabagnot and acquire Alvarez and Kramer from Ginebra for Yancy de Ocampo.

Air21 team manager Lito Alvarez said he’s likely to close the deals with the SMC group by tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Alaska coach Tim Cone said they have signed up Diamon Simpson as their import for the coming PBA Fiesta Conference.

Simpson, a product of Saint Mary’s U who’s fresh from a stint with the LA Defenders in the NBA D-League, arrives in the country today.


Alvarez resumed negotiation with the SMC management for their transactions upon their return from Dubai where the Air21 Express finished third in a four-team invitational tourney also featuring the Coca-Cola Tigers.

Alvarez said import Leroy Hickerson made good impression in the tourney where they placed second behind the UAE national team.

“The import we’ve got and the new players we’re about to get make me really excited about the coming tourney,” said Alvarez.

“Doug (Kramer) has played for us and I like his work ethic. I also like Rich Alvarez. The two are college teammates,” Alvarez added.

Kramer and Alvarez will be reunited in a team where they will be allied with former varsity rivals Cortez and Renren Ritualo. Air21 gave up De Ocampo without a single official game since his recent transfer from Talk n Text.

The 6-foot-9 De Ocampo was part of the Air21-Talk n Text trade also involving Renren Ritualo, JR Quinahan, Mark Yee and Aaron Aban.

“Definitely, Renren Ritualo will stay with us. Renren and Ronjay Buenafe will be our main men at off-guard spot,” said Alvarez.

Cabagnot, meanwhile, was able to play a few games with Burger King (now Air21) before finding himself being traded once again.

San Miguel will be Cabagnot’s fourth team after Sta. Lucia, Coca-Cola and Burger King.

Source: Nelson Beltran  | Philstar.com

Yap starts rehab, delays surgery

MANILA, Philippines - Purefoods top gun James Yap, enduring a sore back in the recent KFC PBA Philippine Cup finals, intends to rest for four more days before starting a rehabilitation procedure to get back in top shape and be ready for their Fiesta Conference grind starting April.

Also with a polyp problem giving him little discomfort in breathing, Yap wants this cured too, but he is willing to wait till the end of the season before undergoing surgery.

“I don’t want to miss a single game because I want to help my team achieve what it wants to accomplish in the season,” said Yap.

The Giants are now looking forward to score a season sweep after winning the Philippine Cup championship, beating the Alaska Milk Aces in four straight games in their title showdown.

Winning both the Best Player of the Conference honors and the Finals MVP plum has also put Yap in good position to earn a second season MVP award, but Yap insists foremost in his mind is to help his team achieve its goal.


“Who wouldn’t want individual awards? I love that. But I’ll be happier if my teammates are also happy. We win championship and we’ll all be happy. I know the individual award will come as your team starts winning,” Yap explained.

Yap, the 2006 MVP winner, said he’s suffering a recurring back injury as he has a minor scoliosis problem.

“Hindi naman grabe ang scoliosis ko, but it also gives me some discomfort,” he said.

Crispa, San Miguel and Alaska Milk are three teams which have scored a season sweep (three crowns) in the long history of the league but none has achieved the feat since Alaska pulled off its triple championship in 1996.

Meanwhile, Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio said they’re not yet decided on whom to field as import in the Fiesta Conference.

“Since we’re in the thick of the fight for the championship, I focused my mind on it, and the task of searching import prospects went to Boss Cap (team manager Alvin Patrimonio). He has yet to give us the names as we’re still enjoying our short break,” said Gregorio.

“We resume practice on the 22nd. Our import choice will join us two or three days later,” Gregorio added.

Source: Nelson Beltran  | Philstar.com

SMB, Ginebra mull trades

MANILA, Philippines - San Miguel Beer and Barangay Ginebra are working out possible trade deals with other ball clubs in search of a solution to problems stemming from injuries.

The Beermen hope to plug holes in their wing spots while the Kings are after players who could fill the void in their center and guard positions.

Both teams fell short in their bids to make the all-Filipino finals. Lordy Tugade and Danny Seigle are two key San Miguel players downed by injuries, while Eric Menk, Celino Cruz and Jayjay Helterbrand are among Ginebra mainstays with recurring injuries during the tourney.

A reliable source said San Miguel and Ginebra are likely to close their separate trade deals before the start of the import-laden Fiesta Conference on March 21.

SMC officials are keen on beefing up the San Miguel and Ginebra rosters, hoping for a follow-up to the strong showing of all their three ball clubs in the recent Philippine Cup.


The sister teams all made the semifinals, with the Purefoods Giants sweeping the Alaska Milk Aces in four games in the finale and the Beermen topping the Kings in their one-game playoff for third place.

All three teams have no intention of slowing it down in the second conference.

The Beermen seek back-to-back all-Filipino championships with import Gabe Freeman back in tow while the Giants go for a season sweep with Reggie Larry as reinforcement.

The Kings, runners-up behind the Beermen in the 2009 Fiesta Conference, field in Awvee Storey as their import.

Air21 is another team reportedly working out a trade.

The Express have earlier consummated a deal with the Talk n Text Tropang Texters, getting Renren Ritualo and Yancy de Ocampo for JR Quinahan, Mark Yee and Aaron Aban.

At Barako Bull, a tryout is ongoing with a number of Philippine Patriots joining the Energy Boosters in the camp.

The Fiesta Conference fires off March 21 with Barako Bull tangling with Sta. Lucia Realty and Barangay Ginebra going up against Talk n Text.

The second play date on March 24 pits Barako Bull versus Coca-Cola then San Miguel against Air21.

The start of the Fiesta Conference also marks the resumption of fan balloting for the 2010 All-Star Game set April 25 in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.

The PBA and the Puerto Princesa city government closed their agreement after PBA officials Rickie Santos and Willy Marcial visited the host city Thursday.

It will be a five-day extravaganza with the PBA stars holding several outreach programs, including beach-cleaning, road-painting and basketball clinic, leading to the All-Star Sunday.

Source: Nelson Beltran  | Philstar.com

H Centre to link up with Barako 5

MANILA, Philippines - Harbour Centre, an amateur ball club with great successes both in the local and international scenes, will have its initial foray in the pros as co-sponsor of Barako Bull in the coming PBA Fiesta Conference.

The PBA board of governors has approved Harbour Centre’s sponsorship of Barako Bull, a development that could well lead to the eventual entry of the Mikee Romero-owned team in the pro loop in the future.

The Energy Boosters will carry the Harbour Centre name at the back of their uniform in the import-laden PBA second conference.

“Mr. George Chua invited me as co-sponsor. We haven’t gone as far as talking about the franchise. For now, I’m a sponsor and observer. Who knows the next step might be a dream come true,” Romero told The STAR.

The Barako Bull team may be a mix of its old lineup and key players of the Philippine Patriots squad that ruled the inaugural Asean Basketball League championship.


Coaching staff of the two teams may also join forces. Leo Isaac is head coach of Barako Bull while Louie Alas is the Philippine Patriots’ chief tactician.

“The next ABL tourney won’t open until October. To stay in competitive shape, some of the Patriots will try it out with Barako. It’s up to the coaching staff, if they like the services of these players,” said Romero.

Among the Patriots who are PBA free agents are Rob Wainwright, Jerwin Gaco, Warren Ybanez and Christian Coronel. They can sign up with Barako anytime.

Romero, a businessman-sportsman who used to be a La Salle Green Archer, had his first attempt in joining the PBA with Burger King. Romero’s stint with the team was short lived as projected partnership with the Lina Group of Companies didn’t push through.

Romero, however, is confident he would still make the pros someday.

Barako Bull will be taking on Sta. Lucia Realty in the opener of the Fiesta Conference on March 21 at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Energy Boosters, the first team eliminated in the Philippine Cup, will also see action in the next Fiesta Conference play date on March 24, going up against Coca-Cola also at the Big Dome.

The opening twin bill also features Barangay Ginebra versus Talk n Text. The March 24 double-header, meanwhile, also pits San Miguel Beer against Air21.

It’s Talk n Text against Rain or Shine then Sta. Lucia versus Barangay Ginebra on March 26 at the Cuneta Astrodome.

Philippine Cup champion Purefoods and runner-up Alaska Milk won’t see action in the second conference until April.

Source: Nelson Beltran  | Philstar.com

Gregorio wants giant sweep of the season

MANILA, Philippines - No sooner after accomplishing a record PBA feat, the Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants now want to complete a sweep of the season.

The Giants made history by becoming the first team to score a sweep of the PBA All-Filipino finals, beating the Alaska Aces in four games capped by an 86-76 victory before a roaring crowd of over 16,000 at the Araneta Coliseum last Wednesday.

Now, they’re looking forward to achieving a feat never done in the PBA in over two decades - sweep the 2010 PBA season.

“We will definitely not wait for another four years, another winter Olympics to win another championship. Four years are far in between. We’ll continue to strive hard. We’ll try to be the best again (in the next conference),” said Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio.

The Giants will be setting out to break a cycle of winning a title only every after four years since 2002. And Gregorio believes he has the materials to accomplish the feat.


“It’s a gift from heaven. It has put us in a position to achieve a double-championship in the season, so why not give it a good try,” said Purefoods top gun James Yap.

“This (Philippine Cup) championship alone is great. This is something that can never be taken away from us for the rest of our lives,” added Yap, winner of both the Best Player of the Conference award and the Handy Fix Finals MVP honors.

Only three teams - the Crispa Redmanizers, the San Miguel Beermen and the Alaska Milk Aces - have swept all titles in a season in the long history of the country’s premier pro league. But no team has done it since Alaska pulled off its Triple Crown in 1996.

Purefoods, soon to be called Derby Aces Llamados, will begin its chase of the second jewel in the Fiesta Conference beginning March 21 with Reggie Larry as import.

Larry, a Boise State product, was Purefoods’ original choice as reinforcement last year but couldn’t play as he suffered an injury a few days before the tourney. He’s fresh from a stint with the Brunei Barracudas in the Asean Basketball League ruled by the Philippine Patriots.

Making it 2-0 versus Alaska’s Tim Cone in their personal championship duels, Gregorio said he’s able to do it because he’s been lucky to have the better team.

“I refuse to think it’s a battle between coach Tim Cone and Ryan Gregorio. If it’s one-on-one, I would’ve lost easily. I relied on my players. I used my team as my armor. I’m happy I always have the better team each time we go head-to-head,” said Gregorio.

“Coach Tim Cone is up there and nobody is close. I have no illusion that I’m better than him. He’s still the winningest active coach. He’s got 12 championships and I have only three, so no comparison,” added Gregorio.

The Purefoods mentor said everything fell into place after they reacquired Marc Pingris and Paul Artadi and got Rafi Reavis and KG Canaleta on trade deals then landed Rico Maierhofer from the rookie draft.

“Suddenly, I have my champion team back,” said Gregorio.

“Still, it’s not easy. What made this win sweeter was the way we started. We went on a roller coaster ride, winning and losing. Punctuating it with seven straight wins is close to impossible. But we did it. It made it more memorable,” Gregorio said.

“Our will and determination to survive can’t be described in words. We’re supposed to be tired and the inferior team. Yes, we’re tired on the court, we’re tired in practice but we prayed hard. And those prayers were answered,” Gregorio added.

But even after the smoke of the battle had cleared, Gregorio said he couldn’t believe they were able to get the job done in record fashion.

“We never talked about the sweep. We just wanted to compete and play a good series,” said Gregorio.

Source: Nelson Beltran  | Philstar.com

Giants claim historic sweep

MANILA, Philippines - Purefoods completed a fairytale ride in the 2009-2010 KFC Philippine Cup, conquering Alaska Milk in four straight games in their titular duel to nail a record-tying fifth all-Filipino crown before a roaring crowd of over 16,000 at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Giants outfought the Aces in a fierce battle for a fourth game in a row, hacking out an 86-76 victory to end a three-year title drought.

James Yap was named Best Player of the Conference before the game and was later adjudged the Handy Fix Finals MVP as he sustained a superb performance throughout the series, leading the Giants to the dream championship.

It was an improbable conquest of a third-seed playoff team which went all to win the crown, pulling the rug from under the second-ranked San Miguel Beer in the semifinals then stunning the first-seeded Alaska squad in the finals.

The Giants captured a fifth Philippine Cup title in winning their last seven games in the playoffs.


Purefoods distinguished itself as the first team in league history to score a four-game sweep in an all-Filipino tourney, blanking an Alaska team which itself scored a sweep of Barangay Ginebra in the semis.

“Chapter close, destination reached. Now we can celebrate,” said Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio.

“It’s not easy at all. The first three games could’ve all gone the other way. It’s a miraculous feat and I’m happy to be part of series,” Gregorio also said.

“We had a roller-coaster ride early on in the tournament. We started on the wrong foot then went up and down. To punctuate it with a seven-game run is incredible. But we did it. We got a very memorable feat,” Gregorio added.

“It’s one of a kind because it’s a sweep. A big credit belongs to our coach. He’s done a good job and we’re all happy,” said Purefoods president Butch Alejo amidst the din of wild victory celebration.

Team governor Rene Pardo said this championship is among the sweetest in their eight titular harvests. Purefoods is now tied with Barangay Ginebra as the fifth winningest ballclub in the league behind San Miguel Beer (with 18 crowns), Crispa (13), Alaska (12) and Toyota (nine).

Yap scored 18 points with his second and last three-pointer, breaking Alaska’s back at 84-76 with time down to 1:34.

Roger Yap, Kerby Raymundo and Rico Maierhofer also put in double-digit outputs, helping Purefoods complete the third four-game sweep in best-of-seven PBA finals.

Northern Cement and Swift Mighty Meaty were the first teams to do the feat, doing it in import-reinforced tourney.

Alaska lost the first three games just by a combined margin of six points. The Aces were beaten convincingly in the final game largely due to their poor free-throw shooting.

The tournament best foul shooting team fouled up from the line in this game, muffing a 15 of 32 tries - their worst in the tourney.

Source: Nelson Beltran  | Philstar.com

Purefoods takes shot at history against Alaska

MANILA, Philippines - No team has ever swept the PBA All-Filipino finals. But with the feat within reach, expect Purefoods to go for it.

“We are upbeat about our chances in Game Four. We expect a determined Alaska team to come out firing on all cylinders and we must equal if not surpass their effort,” said Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio.

The Giants take on the embattled Alaska Milk Aces in Game Four of the KFC PBA Philippine Cup titular showdown tonight, looking to become the first ball club in league history to score a 4-0 sweep in the all-Filipino finals.

Gametime is 7:30 p.m. at the Araneta Coliseum with the Giants also out to distinguish themselves the first team to win the prestigious tourney five times after the Crispa Redmanizers in the early years of the league.

The Best Player of the Conference will be named before the opening tip-off, and it could well be Purefoods top gun James Yap.


The Giants intend to step up their game to complete their mission of ending the team’s three-year title drought.

“It has been a defensive match-up. We will set the tone on defense. In the first three games, we’re able to disrupt the rhythm of their triangle offense. We intend to do the same in Game Four,” Gregorio added.

Alaska isn’t losing hope, though, despite being in a hole no team in league history has ever recovered from.

“Our attitude is that they beat us three straight so there’s no reason we can’t beat them three straight as well. We believe,” said Alaska coach Tim Cone.

The veteran Alaska mentor is confident they can still regain the impressive form they’ve shown in topping the elimination phase then sweeping past the Barangay Ginebra Kings in their best-of-seven semifinal showdown.

If not, the Aces would go down in history as a team swept in the finals after sweeping their way in the semis.

The Giants are raring to finish off the Aces, wary of fatigue since they’ve been playing without relief since the quarterfinals.

“The same intensity on defense and intelligence in our execution of offense are required if we’re to close out the series,” said Gregorio, on line to achieve a third personal championship.

Gregorio and his troops set out for today’s game riding the momentum of a six-game romp, the team’s longest streak since a 7-0 start in the 2007-08 Philippine Cup.

Purefoods is 3-0 in a best-of-seven series versus Alaska for the second time after posting the same advantage in their 1994 Commissioner’s Cup finals duel. The Hotdogs were stopped then in Game Four before eventually winning the series in the next game.

Alaska went down 0-3 the last time versus Gordon’s Gin in the 1997 Commissioner’s Cup finale. The Aces survived two knockout games before succumbing in Game Six.

Cone said they have to solve Purefoods’ defense if they’re to get another day to live.

Source: Nelson Beltran  | Philstar.com

5-player deal sends Yancy, Renren back to Air21

MANILA, Philippines - Air21 and Talk n Text closed a trade deal involving five players as soon as the PBA board, in a meeting yesterday, lifted the trade restrictions between the two teams.

Yancy de Ocampo and Renren Ritualo, FedEx’s prized draft acquisitions in 2002, rejoined the original team while JR Quinahan, Mark Yee and Aaron Aban went to Talk n Text.

This developed as the Lina Group decided to field back Air21 in favor of Burger King, a food chain partly owned by Talk n Text top bossman Manny Pangilinan.

Air21 and Talk n Text, thus, have been re-classified as two teams independent from one another.

De Ocampo and Ritualo, the No. 1 and No. 8 picks in the 2002 Rookie Draft, moved back to Air21 after helping Talk n Text win a second championship in the Philippine Cup last year.


De Ocampo, a 6-foot-8 center out of St. Francis of Assisi College, played five seasons with Talk n Text, having his most productive year in the 2006-07 campaign where he averaged 9.4 points a game.

Ritualo, meanwhile, had been with Talk n Text in the last four and a half seasons. He’d been TnT’s biggest outside threat until the arrival of former La Salle teammate Macmac Cardona.

Talk n Text gave up De Ocampo and Ritualo in exchange for Quinahan, Yee and Aban who are all young hard-nosed players.

Yee, an acquisition from Liga Pilipinas becoming the first player ever from San Sebastian-Cavite to make the PBA, is only in his second year in the majors.

Quinahan, from University of Visayas, is a third-year pro while Aban, from Letran, is in his fourth year.

Source: Nelson Beltran  | Philstar.com

Giants vow to finish off Aces in Game 4

MANILA, Philippines - For the Purefoods Giants, the best way to complete their mission in the KFC PBA Philippine Cup finale is to stay focused on the job at hand to complete a stirring sweep of Alaska Milk at the resumption of their series tomorrow.

Coach Ryan Gregorio said their mindset would just be to play hard and hope to accomplish the mission they have set out to do all conference long.

With a three-game-to-nil lead, the Giants take their first of four cracks at wrapping up the crown in Game Four at the Araneta Coliseum.

“We don’t want to give them breathing room. We don’t want them to regain their energy,” said Gregorio, determined to finish off the embattled Aces.

“We’ve got the right formula (of beating Alaska). It’s a matter of doing the formula night in and night out. We can’t give them a good rhythm when they run their triangle (offense),” Gregorio added.


No team in league history has ever come back from a 0-3 hole in a best-of-seven series, but the Aces are not yet about to throw in the towel.

Alaska coach Tim Cone said he would only take his hat off to the Giants once they complete the series win.

“The first order of business is going out and trying to win Wednesday,” said Cone.

The Alaska coach isn’t losing hope, noting the first three games were all close with each one going down to final execution of play in the stretch.

“We’re not separated by a lot. It could all go either way if we had better coaching,” said Cone.

Cone’s biggest worry is how to solve the Giants’ tough defense.

“I don’t think the series is coming down to energy. It’s their ability to defend and execute,” said Cone.

“They’re making it hard for us to run our patterns, making it break down to one-on-one. It’s falling down as the same as the San Miguel-Purefoods series.

Source: Nelson Beltran  | Philstar.com