PBA on NGETSTUDIO.com

PBA tackles sizzling Coke issue

2012-02-09 00:26:20.617558

MANILA, Philippines - PBA commissioner Chito Salud urged yesterday the league board of governors to discuss the speculations with regards the status of the Coca-Cola Bottlers franchise openly and with complete transparency for the best interest of the fans.

The PBA board discussed the “Coca-Cola issue” in an emergency meeting tomorrow morning at the PBA office in Libis, Quezon City.

At the moment, Salud, however, stressed that Coca-Cola remains a member of good standing entitled to all rights and obligations attendant to a regular PBA member.

But the league chief deferred a decision on the trade agreement reached by Powerade (Coca-Cola) and Petron Blaze involving Marcio Lassiter, Noy Baclao and Rey Guavarra.

Some teams want Salud to freeze Powerade players from any movement while speculations on the team’s status have yet to be resolved.

Reports said Coca-Cola and San Miguel Corp. have reached an agreement for the resale of the Coke franchise to the SMC Group.

“Any and all sales, transfers or assignments of team franchises will be valid only upon the approval of two-thirds of the 10 member teams. Formal notice must be sent to the office of the commissioner of any intention to sell by the transferor team. Short of these basic requisites, Coca-Colca remains a member of good standing,” said Salud in a text message.

“I look forward to our board meeting on Friday where these speculations can be discussed,” added Salud, who’s currently in Japan.

Powerade governor JB Baylon sent words he’ll try to catch the meeting. He’s now in Thailand.

Meanwhile, PBA stars agreed the performance of each team in the coming PBA Commissioner’s Cup will depend largely on the showing of its import.

“It’s hard to say who’ll be the top contenders. It will really depend a lot on the imports,” said Ginebra top gun Mark Caguioa.

Powerade’s Gary David, Alaska’s LA Tenorio, Meralco’s Mac Cardona and Air21’s Renren Ritualo concurred with the opinion of Caguioa.

As far as his team is concerned, Caguioa said they’re still working to develop in chemistry with all the new players they’ve got.

Cardona expressed confidence they can improve on their sixth place finish in the Philippine Cup.

“We’re playing well in practice. I think we can go places,” said Cardona during the pre-tournament press conference presented by AKTV at the Gateway Suites in Cubao, Quezon City yesterday.

David takes in stride the possible exit of Lassiter from Powerade.

“I can’t do anything about it since I’m just a player. I’ll just take care of things in my control, and it’s the game,” said David.

Tenorio said they’ve set aside the triangle and they’ll now start to play the own system of coach Joel Banal.

For Ritualo, Air21, after its last-place finish in the Philippine Cup, has nowhere to go but up.

Alaska abandons triangle, opts for run-and-gun game

2012-02-09 00:23:01.628867

AFTER 23 years, Alaska is abandoning the triangle offense and will be more of a free-wheeling squad in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup that unfolds tomorrow at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Aces playmaker LA Tenorio yesterday said the team agreed to set aside the system instituted by former head coach Tim Cone since 1989, adding the team will now be more of a run-and-gun type in a collective determined bid to bounce back from a dismal showing in the season-opening Philippine Cup.

"Meron pa ring mga set plays, pero more of basahan na lang kung ano ang depensa ng kalaban," related Tenorio. "Hindi na igigiit ‘yung triangle."

There will be instances the triangle will still be used, but those will be rare. "Nandu’n na naman iyun kaya madali ng ibalik kung kailangan," said Tenorio.

The switch was agreed on during a team-building session attended by franchise owner Wilfred Uytengsu and further expounded on in subsequent dialogues among head coach Joel Banal, Tenorio, skipper Tony dela Cruz and other team members.

"Ang usapan, tapos na ‘yung kay coach Tim, so kung ano ‘yung kay coach Joel, ‘yun ang dapat namang gawin namin ngayon," added Tenorio.

"Pumayag naman sina Boss Fred at coach Joel kaya ‘yun na ang system namin ngayon. Kung ibang teams nga, nakaka-survive na ganoon ang sistema, kami pa kaya?"

The system change came about after Alaska finished ninth with a woeful 3-11 slate and failed to make the Philippine Cup playoffs in Banal’s first conference as Cone’s replacement. It marked only the third time in 32 conferences the 13-time champion Aces failed to advance past the eliminations.

Frolicking most in the switch are Cyrus Baguio, Bonbon Custodio and the comebacking Nino Gelig, known more as open-court players.

"Tuwang-tuwa nga sila Cyrus at Bonbon dahil bagay sa style nila at mas gusto nila talaga ang takbuhan ng takbuhan ang laro," said Tenorio.

Even center-forward JR Reyes, according to Tenorio, has totally embraced the change and also took jabs at playing the 3-spot. "Panay nga ang tira sa tres," said Tenorio.

There is a downside, however.

"Medyo nawala ang post presence namin, especially for (centers) Sonny (Thoss) and Sam (Eman)," admitted Tenorio. "Pero siguradong may mga isisingit na plays para sa kanila si coach."

The Aces, with import Adam Parada, usher in the mid-season tourney against Barako Bull, with Cone and B-Meg tangling with Meralco in the nightcap.

"Kaya excited din kami, dahil gusto naming makabawi mula du’n sa Philippine Cup," said Tenorio. "Sana nga makabawi."

Sense of loss at Powerade

2012-02-09 00:19:31.772073

MANILA, Philippines — There is a sense of loss at Powerade, the PBA’s Cinderella team in the last conference, following reports that one of their star players, Marcio Lassiter, may soon leave them for powerhouse Petron Blaze.

The trade has been submitted to the office of PBA Commissioner Chito Salud but no action has been taken since Salud is reportedly out of the country.

Saddened most by the report that Lassiter has been offered for trade is the team’s top gun Gary David. Dejected he may be, David accepted the fact that things like these happen in the PBA.

“I feel sad of course, but we don’t have control on that,” said David whose swashbuckling play and consistent clutch performance earned him the Philippine Cup Best Player of the Conference.

David attended a press conference for PBA Franchise Players at the Gateway Suites of the Araneta Center Wednesday to drum up the opening of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup starting Friday.

“The only thing we have control is to play basketball, and for me, I’ll just continue playing hard,” David added. David, Lassiter and fellow rookie Jvee Casio were the architects who helped Powerade reach the finals of the Philippine Cup but lost 4-1 against defending champion Talk ’N Text in the best-of-seven series.

A few days after the finals, it was reported that US-based officials of Powerade – under The Coca-Cola Company – have agreed to sell the franchise to its previous owners, the San Miguel Corporation (SMC). Powerade representative to the PBA Board JB Baylon denied the reports.

But he did not deny that Lassiter has been offered to SMC in a trade that is both perplexing and surprising. Lassiter, a slasher and a major cog in Powerade’s ascent to the final, is being exchanged for Noy Baclao and Rey Guevara who are, more or less, bench players.

“Let’s just wait for the decision of the Commissioner,” David said sounding hopeful that the trade would be disapproved.

Besides David, also present during the press conference were Barangay Ginebra’s Mark Caguioa, Air21’s Renren Ritualo, Meralco’s Mark Cardona and Alaska’s LA Tenorio. There was no representaive from TNT, Shopinas and Rain or Shine.

The PBA Commissioner’s Cup will start tomorrow at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum, with the 10 squads to be reinforced by imports with unlimited height. The 10 ball clubs will play nine games each in the single round robin elimination.

The top two teams will earn outright semifinal slots, while the third to sixth teams will advance in the bestof- three quarterfinal playoffs. The last four will be automatically eliminated.

Powerade sale, trade raise alarm

2012-02-08 01:40:55.858708

MANILA, Philippines — The PBA Board of Governors will hold a special meeting on Friday to try and get a definitive answer on the question of whether Powerade has sold or plans to sell its basketball franchise to San Miguel Corporation.

PBA chairman Mert Mondragon of Rain or Shine said that if this is true, this will not be good for the league and might affect its image.

“Nakakabahala ang balita na iyan (sale of Powerade franchise) and the perception by the fans are not good, nakakasira sa image ng liga,” said Mondragon. “That’s why we will have a special meeting on Friday.”

“For the interest of the league, we have to be extra careful in making decisions, particularly this reported sale,” added Mondragon.

There had been news reports saying that Powerade’s basketball franchise, not the business firm, has been sold back to San Miguel which used to own the team until 2006. Powerade used to be known as Coca-Cola and won two championships under Chot Reyes – in 2002 and 2003.

Under the terms of sale, San Miguel reportedly has the right of first refusal in the event Coke wants to resell its PBA franchise.

But if this happens, Mondragon said it would violate league rules which forbid a member from owning four teams. San Miguel already has three teams in the PBA – Petron, BMeg and Ginebra.

To overcome the rule, San Miguel can ask for a vote and if it gets seven of 10 members to approve it, then it can have four teams.

The news broke out a few days after the Tigers lost to the Talk ’N Text Tropang Texters, 4-1 during the best-of-seven Philippine Cup championship series.

JB Baylon, Powerade’s representative to the PBA board, has denied that the team’s franchise is for sale. San Miguel has not commented on the report.

Also up for discussion in the coming board meeting will be the reported trade of Powerade rookie sensation Marcio Lassiter to Petron Blaze in exchange of seldom-used Nonoy Baclao and Rey Guevarra.

This also has raised an alarm from other league members who feel the trade is one-sided in favor of Petron since Lassiter is a player with far better skills than the two being offered by the Boosters.

This has led a team official that no trade should be consumated until the sale of Powerade is clarified.

“I think there should be some type of a freeze, or hold order in trading players if there’s truth to the reports that there’s a sale of the (Powerade) franchise,” said the official who requsted not to be identified. “We have to discuss first, we have to know the truth,” he added.

Commissioner Chito Salud is out of the country but sent a text message to his office, saying he will consider and evaluate that trade at the appropriate time.”

It can be recalled that when Sta. Lucia disbanded and sold its franchise to Meralco, two of its marquee players were traded first to Talk ’N Text, thus making the team owned by Manny V. Pangilinan one of the strongest squads in the league.

Mondragon has advised the Commissioner’s Office to be extra careful in the approval of trades since the image of the league is at stake. “We have intelligent fans, so they know what’s going around,” said Mondragon.

Texters rarin' to defend crown

2012-02-08 01:36:03.038749

MANILA, Philippines - Talk N Text looks forward to defending the PBA Commissioner’s Cup title, barely two weeks since successfully retaining the Philippine Cup championship.

Big men Ali Peek and Harvey Carey said despite the short break the team had since finishing off surprise package Powerade in five games during the All-Filipino Finals, the entire Tropang Texters are again getting ready to stake their title in the import-laden conference that reels off this Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“We’re up to the challenge, hopefully we can win more championships,” said Peek, who appeared with Carey for the very first time in yesterday’s PSA Forum at Shakey’s UN Ave.

“Winning has always been our ultimate goal,” added Carey, who, together with reigning PBA MVP Jimmy Alapag, is the only holdovers from the original Talk `N Text team that won its breakthrough title in the league in 2003.

The Tropang Texters parade 6-foot-11 Omar Hassan Samhan for their import in the Commissioner’s Cup, which they won last year at the expense of Barangay Ginebra, and with Paul Harris reinforcing them.

The team, however, hasn’t started practicing as a whole until Monday next week. The defending champs won’t have their first game until Feb. 17 against sister-team Meralco at the Astrodome.

“We start practicing Monday, but all of us are pretty much in shape as we’ve been out of play for just about a week,” said Carey, whose team won the Philippine Cup last Jan. 29 behind a 110-101 victory over the Tigers in the decisive Game 5 of the best-of-seven series.

Peek disclosed during the weekly session presented by Smart, Pagcor, and Shakey’s, that he thought about retiring during the critical stage of the Philippine Cup, shortly after he was shot in the nape at the parking area of the RFM gym that almost cost his life.

“I thought of retiring after I was shot,” admitted Peek as the bullet remained lodged at the back of his skull since removing it requires a very sensitive procedure.

But after two weeks of recuperating, he felt the itch to get back on the court again.

“I don’t want to let my team down. If it’s anything else, it’s my way of giving back to them as they had been there when I was down,” added the man-mountain, who’s turning 37 this year.

The end result had Peek playing a major part in Talk `N Text becoming the first team in the last 27 years to win the All-Filipino title in back-to-back fashion.

“It’s a great accomplishment,” said Carey of the special feat which Great Taste last did in 1984-85. “It’s already difficult to just win one, but to make it two in a row is really something special.”

Painters bringing in scoring ace

2012-02-08 01:31:12.738119

FOLLOWING Barako Bull’s cue, Rain or Shine has brought in a relatively smaller import for the PBA Commissioner’s Cup that starts this Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Willard "Duke" Crews is set to arrive tomorrow as a replacement for Jake Voshkul as the Elasto Painters became the second team to replace their original reinforcement this week.

The Alaska Aces have also given Matt Haryasz the pink slip and has enlisted the services of Mexican seven-footer Adam Parada, who saw action for Red Bull in the 2008 Fiesta Cup.

Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao could not be contacted for comment, but assistant Caloy Garcia said Crews is a more potent offensive player than Voshkul.

"Coach Yeng said we needed an import who can post up and score. That’s the problem with Voskuhl," explained Garcia. "Although he’s a solid defender and rebounder, he’s not known to be a scorer, so we believe it would be better for us to have Crews."

A hot prospect in his high school days, Crews is coming off a stint in Uruguay and has also seen extensive action in Europe.

The 2008 Fiesta was the last time the PBA had a tourney for imports with unlimited ceiling and, then known as Air21, Barako paraded 6-foot-8 Steven Thomas and made it all the way to the finals before bowing to Ginebra and seven-foot Chris Alexander in seven games.

Listed at 6-foot-8, Crews is a tad shorter than Barako’s DerMarr Johnson.

The mid-season Commissioner’s Cup allows the 10 teams to field imports of unlimited height and the rest of the squads have brought in reinforcements standing at least 6-foot-9.

"We’re not worried if he (Crews) is the smallest import in the tournament because we saw how Steve Thomas played before. Crews is an undersized big man, who can defend, score, and get the rebounds," said Garcia.

Long and athletic, Crews is a known inside operator and suited up for University of Tennessee before getting cut by Volunteers coach Bruce Pearl amid a marijuana violation and nagging injuries.

Crews transferred to Division II school Bowie State, where he performed well enough in his final two years of college to become a borderline NBA prospect.

Since leaving school, the 33-year-old has played in Europe and Uruguay, where he averaged 23.5 points and 10.7 rebounds with the Cader ballclub.

The other imports seeing action are Denzel Bowles (B-MEG), Alexander (Ginebra), Nick Fazekas (Petron Blaze), Jelani McCoy (Meralco), Omar Samhan (Talk N Text), Dwayne Jones (Powerade) and Marcus Douthit (Air 21, formerly Shopinas.com).

E-Painters, Aces to tap new imports

2012-02-08 01:28:38.378451

MANILA, Philippines - Alaska Milk and Rain or Shine have dismissed their original import choices without playing a single game with the Aces signing veteran PBA import Adam Parada in place of Jake Voskuhl and the Elasto Painters enlisting Duke Crews for Matt Haryasz.

Meralco is weighing its options with Jelani McCoy nursing a strained calf muscle.

Meanwhile, San Miguel Corp. has reportedly tapped former Smart Gilas coach Rajko Toroman as coaching consultant.

In another development, Powerade and Petron have forwarded to the PBA Commissioner’s Office the official document for their trade involving Tiger Marcio Lassiter and Boosters Noy Baclao and Rey Guevarra.

“I will consider and evaluate the trade at the appropriate time,” said PBA commissioner Chito Salud in a text message.

The league chieftain is currently out of the country. He’s returning in time for the PBA board meeting Friday where they tackle the reported resale of the Coca-Cola franchise to SMC.

Alaska and Rain or Shine quickly effected import change considering the PBA Commissioner’s Cup is a short tourney starting Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Aces battle the Barako Bull Energy at 5:15 p.m. while the Bolts clash with the B-Meg Llamados at 7:30 p.m. on opening day.

The next play date Sunday pits the Elasto Painters versus the Aces at 4:15 p.m. then the Petron Blaze Boosters against the Barangay Ginebra Kings at 6:30 p.m.

Each team plays only nine games in the elimination round with only the top six advancing to the playoffs.

It’s like a sprint race where the competing teams hardly have a room for mistake.

Having this in mind, the Aces brought in Parada, a tested player who helped Red Bull to a strong showing in 2008.

The seven-foot behemoth is likely to provide the Aces their needed inside presence, complementing backcourt stars LA Tenorio and Cyrus Baguio.

The Elasto Painters opted for real talent than size in signing up Crews, a 6-foot-7 forward out of Bowie State.

An All-American in high school, Crews had a one-year stint with University of Tennessee before moving over to Bowie State. He’s a vital cog in Tennessee’s run to the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2007.

He was dismissed at Tennessee for violating team rules after a search of his campus apartment turned up what university police said was a “minor” amount of marijuana.

At Bowie State, Crews performed well enough in his final two years of college to become an NBA prospect.

Other imports seeing action in the Commissioner’s Cup are Denzel Bowles for B-Meg, DeMarr Johnson for Barako Bull, Chris Alexander for Ginebra, Nick Fazekas for Petron Blaze, Omar Samhan for Talk N Text, Dwayne Jones for Powerade and Marcus Douthit for Air 21.

Peek mulled retiring after he was shot

2012-02-08 01:24:49.838978

SHORTLY after he was shot in the nape last year, Talk N Text center Ali Peek contemplated retiring but the itch to continue playing prevailed.

"I thought of retiring after I was shot," Peek said yesterday in the PSA Forum at Shakey’s Ave. where he showed up with frontline partner Harvey Carey.

The bullet that almost cost Peek his life is still lodged at the back of his skull. Removing it requires a very sensitive procedure.

After recuperating for two weeks, Peek decided to return to action and help the Tropang Texters in their PBA Philippine Cup campaign.

"I didn’t want to let my team down. It was my way of giving back as they had been there when I was down," added the man-mountain, who will turn 37 this year.

Peek played a major part in the Texters’ semis battle against Petron Blaze and sustained his impressive play in the finals against Powerade as TNT became the first team in 27 years to win the All-Filipino title in back-to-back fashion.

"It’s a great accomplishment," said Carey of the special feat the now defunct Great Taste squad last completed in 1984-85. "It’s already difficult to just win one, but to make it two in a row is really something special."

Despite the short break the team enjoyed since finishing off surprise package Powerade in five games in the All-Filipino Finals, the Tropang Texters are getting ready to stake their title in the Commissioner’s Cup set to reel off this Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

"We’re up to the challenge, hopefully we can win more championships," said Peek.

"Winning has always been our ultimate goal," said Carey, who, together with reigning PBA MVP Jimmy Alapag, is the only holdover from the original TNT team that won its breakthrough title in the league in 2003.

Clash of the titans

2012-02-07 00:13:10.301505

IT’S going to be a virtual “Clash of the Titans” when the 2012 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup opens shop on Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The last team to win a PBA conference with imports of unlimited height was Barangay Ginebra with 7’1” Chris Alexander during 2008 PBA Fiesta Conference. The Gin Kings beat the Steven Thomas-led Air21 Express in seven games to annex the championship.

So, even though technically, the defending champions are the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters, as far as I’m concerned, the real defending champions are the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings, who incidentally have returned Alexander on board.

Another giant returnee is 7’0” Adam Parada, who led Red Bull to the semifinals of that 2008 PBA Fiesta Conference, but who will now suit up for the Alaska Aces.

Parada was born in Alta Toma, California. He is a Mexican though, who led his national team to a silver-medal finish in the 2011 Pan American Fames in Guadalajara, Mexico.

He played four years at the University of California, Irvine, but was never drafted by any NBA team. He is a competent center and has been a many-time Mexican national team member.

Parada and the Alaska Aces start their campaign in the 2012 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup when they meet the Barako Bull Energy in the 5:15 p.m. opening game at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Friday.

As usual, I’ve made the rounds of the PBA teams’ practices. While the biggest monsters are Alexander and Parada, the most impressive has to be former National Basketball Association first round pick DerMarr Johnson, who will play for Barako Bull Energy.

In a recent practice game at the Reyes Gym in Mandaluyong, Johnson unloaded 39 points to tow the Barako Bull Energy past Alaska, 90-97.

I saw Barako Bull erect an early lead, but Alaska came charging back late in the game. Cyrus Baguio streaked past all Barako defenders to convert a fastbreak layup to cap a 12-0 run and push Alaska within three points of the Barako lead, 75-78, with still 6:20 to go in the match.

Johnson then went to work, scoring from all angles, to keep the Aces at bay. Johnson scored 12 of Barako’s next 15 points in a four-minute span, which virtually sealed the outcome of the match, 93-86, with less than two minutes to go.

First, Johnson drained a triple from the top of the keyhole to push Barako ahead by eight points, 75-83. Alaska’s Bonbon Custodio countered with his own jumper to cut the gap, 77-83. Johnson then scored back-to-back jumpshots as Barako erected a 10-point cushion, 77-87, with 4:14 to go in the match.

Fans may find this a bit of hyperbole, but Johnson reminds me of Kevin Durant right down to the long, long arms and stooped, hunched shoulders. He plays like Durant too, and can from score from anywhere in the playing court.

Japeth, Lutz contracts expiring this year

2012-02-07 00:09:30.536470

Petron rookie Chris Lutz and Talk ‘N’ Text frontliner Japeth Aguilar are hoping for contract extensions when their pacts expire in August but they’re also open to offers from other PBA teams, disclosed their agents Matthew Manotoc and Marvin Espiritu yesterday.

Lutz, who turns 27 on Saturday, averaged 17.5 points in 16 games for Petron in the recently-concluded Philippine Cup. He sat out seven games in the eliminations due to a hamstring strain but didn’t miss a single contest in the playoffs. Lutz was the only player in the league to score in double figures in every game. The former Marshall University guard also led the conference in free throw conversions and average minutes at 37.9. Aguilar, 25, was the PBA’s first overall draft pick in 2009. After playing a single game for Burger King in 2009-10 and an extended stay with the Smart Gilas national squad, the 6-9 beanpole from Western Kentucky University returned to the PBA this past conference, averaging 8.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, a league-high 1.8 blocked shots and 19.8 minutes in 26 outings with the Texters.

Another player whose contract is expiring in August under Manotoc and Espiritu is Alaska rookie guard Julius Pasculado who saw action in only one game during the Philippine Cup.

“It’s just a matter of time before Japeth breaks out,” said Manotoc, a psychology graduate from Claremont McKenna College in Los Angeles. “Clearly, there’s no Filipino as fast, agile and athletic with his size. He’s excited to play and sometimes, his immaturity shows because when he has the ball, the first thing that comes to his mind is to dunk. He’s still raw. Japeth needs to develop mental toughness but with more experience, he’ll get there. His drawback is right now, he doesn’t let go of his lapses and carries them over. He’s got to learn to move ahead because no one in the league has a bigger upside.”

* * * *

As for Lutz, Manotoc said he was signed to a one-year contract by Petron. “The challenge is for Chris to prove himself,” said Manotoc. “With what he showed in the first conference, there’s no doubt he’s an impact player. We’re looking forward to a longer contract with Petron.”

Manotoc said Pasculado, 24, is a work in progress. “Nobody works harder in the gym than Julius,” said Manotoc. “He was born in Cebu but grew up in Chicago. Even during winter in Chicago, he would bike a half-hour in snow just to practice in the gym. He’s a driven player. He’ll be a PBA star for sure if only he gets a chance. He’s a deadly three-point shooter. He’s got the quickest first step I’ve ever seen. He’s coachable. He reminds me of a young Jay-Jay Helterbrand with the appeal of a Mark Caguioa.” In the rookie camp last year, Paculado led the pack in the shooting contest from five spots on the floor, knocking down 19-of-25.

Manotoc and Espiritu are also engaged in signing up commercial endorsements for Alex Cabagnot (Hanford underwear), Arwind Santos (in a tie-up with Viva), Bobby Ray Parks (Burlington socks), Kirk Long (Regatta) and Gary David. Expected to join the stable is Marcio Lassiter.

Manotoc, 23, and Espiritu, 34, formed their sports management company last year. “We feel there’s a lot more that can be done for our athletes,” said Manotoc whose father Tommy is a former PBA grand slam coach and mother Imee is Ilocos Norte governor. “We’re offering our professional services to relieve athletes of the pressure of negotiating contracts, finding commercial endorsements and planning for the future. We want athletes to concentrate on what they do best – perform on the court. Our athletes are like our brothers. I’ve been involved in investing funds since I was a teenager so I use my experience in designing financial plans for our athletes.”

* * * *

Espiritu said he is full-time into managing athletes after entrusting his ice retail business to a partner and a retail wine/liquor store near the Baclaran church to his wife. “My father Danny is considered the pioneer and premier sports agent in the country with several marquee players in his care like Jayson Castro, Gary, Mark Caguioa, Cyrus Baguio, Mac Cardona, Arwind and Alex,” said Espiritu. “He’s given us the go-signal to maximize the earning potentials of his athletes. We realize basketball is their bread-and-butter but we want to transform our PBA stars into mainstream celebrities, to bring back the days when players were so popular they would come out in movies and TV series. If we succeed, this will benefit the PBA as a whole.”

Espiritu and Manotoc said their approach is different from other sports agents. “We love and play sports ourselves,” said Manotoc. “I used to play competitive golf. I box. Marvin and I play pick-up ball with Japeth, Julius and other guys. In the coming draft, we’ll be representing 6-8 Yousef Taha, a Filipino-Jordanian from Mapua, and Fil-Am Jason Deutchman of San Diego State.”

Texters enjoy the break

2012-02-07 00:07:27.479177

FOR a team that entered the championship round of the last four conferences, Talk ‘N Text deserves to have a break.

Back-to-back Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup champion Talk ‘N Text, undoubtedly the best team in the last two seasons, having won three of the last four titles, is savoring its rest as much as enjoying the taste of its last victory.

“Pahinga muna kami. Nakakapagod din, kasi wala talaga kaming pahinga since last season. We played until the finals of the last four conferences and after last season, hindi din halos nakapahinga kasi punta kaagad sa Wuhan, China for FIBA-Asia, so we really enjoy this break,’’ said Talk ‘N Text coach Chot Reyes, who is currently in Baguio.

After winning and defending the All-Filipino crown last week, the Tropang Texters immediately took a two-week vacation away from basketball, before plunging back to action in preparation for their Commissioner’s Cup title defense.

Reyes also knows how important it is to refresh the entire team’s minds heading into the next conference, as they attempt to prolong their league dominance.

“It’s important for us to recharge individually as a group so that when we come back, we’re not mentally drained and our mindset is back to where it needs to be,’’ added Reyes.

PBA tackles Powerade sale

2012-02-07 00:05:50.283710

PRO league chairman Mamerto Mondragon has called for a special board meeting on Friday to discuss, among others, the reported sale of the Powerade Tigers to San Miguel Corp. and its repercussions.

Mondragon also wants to discuss the reported trade of rising Tigers star Marco Lassiter to Petron Blaze.

The meeting is set to start mid-morning and the governors hope to wrap up the proceedings before the opening of the mid-season Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum later in the day.

"We’re worried, of course," said Mondragon, admitting he and other concerned league governors have burned the telephone lines since reports of the sale and trade spread like wild fire.

"We cannot prevent the sale of a franchise, especially if there has been a previous agreement between the parties," said the Rain or Shine representative. "But we have to study first the effects such moves will have on the league in the long run."

It has been reported Powerade has been sold back to SMC, which used to own the PBA franchise before selling it to SMC in 2006. The conglomerate has the right of first refusal if Coke wants to sell its PBA franchise.

The transfer of ownership is supposed to take place before the start of the next season wherein, coincidentally, JB Baylon, Powerade’s representative to the board, is set to assume the chairmanship.

Lassiter is reportedly being traded to SMC flagship franchise Petron Blaze in exchange for seldom-used Rey Guevarra and NoyNoy Baclao.

Officials of SMC and Coca-Cola Bottlers Phils., refused to comment on the reports while PBA Media Bureau chief Willie Marcial said no papers on the trade have reached the league offices as of yesterday.

Any trade has to be approved by Commissioner Chito Salud, who is currently out of the country and returns only on Thursday.

Mondragon said the reported trade of Lassiter, one of the major factors in Powerade’s run to the finals of the Philippine Cup, could cast the league’s integrity in doubt.

"Matatalino na ang mga fans natin," said Mondragon. "They’re not just watching the games; they also know what’s going on around the league. Baka magkaroon bigla ng negatibong epekto sa kanila and they won’t follow us anymore," he said.

Other governors also readily expressed their concern.

"If it’s true, then the move is definitely dangerous for the PBA and the fans," said Meralco representative Ramon Segismundo.

Joaqui Trillo, Alaska’s team manager and PBA board representative, said there had been formal talks among governors against a company owning four teams.

"If I remember it right, we’ve already discussed in one of our board meetings that a member team won’t be allowed to own more than three squads," said Trillo.

Raymond Yu, co-owner of Rain or Shine along with Terry Que, said having one group own four teams in the league could affect parity and balance in the league.

"It will not be fair for the independent squads like us if it’s true," said Yu.

The Elasto Painters are just one of only three teams without a sister team, along with Powerade and Alaska. SMC controls B-Meg, Ginebra, and Petron, the Manuel V. Pangilinan group bankrolls Meralco and Talk N Text, while the Bert Lina group owns Barako Bull and Air21.

Texters-Tigers battle grosses P39M in sales

2012-02-07 00:03:30.352874

ALTHOUGH it was billed as a lopsided contest, the recent finals battle between Talk N Text and Powerade for the PBA Philippine Cup crown amassed a staggering P39 million in ticket sales, figures released by the pro league showed.

The figure surpassed by three perfect last year’s earnings for the same conference in which the semifinals and the championship battles included the league’s four most popular ball clubs–TNT, Petron, Barangay Ginebra and B-Meg. Last year’s All-Filipino conference grossed P38 million.

"This is very encouraging for the league. And we owe it to our fans…they are the barometer of our success. The success of the Philippine Cup is a testament the fans enjoyed watching the games. Hopefully, we will have another banner year," said PBA chairman Mamerto Mondragon.

Mondragon said fans can expect a lot more exciting games in the Commissioner’s Cup that starts on Feb.10 largely because of the presence of top caliber imports, most of them with NBA experience.

Willie Marcial, the league’s media bureau chief and assistant to Commissioner Chito Salud, also revealed total gross sales in the Philippine Cup were nine percent higher than the league’s projected target earnings of P36 million.

"We would like to emphasize the split of games during the semifinals helped boost the conference’s gate receipts and attendance but more importantly, it provided a well-deserved exposure for the two powerhouse contenders (TNT and Petron) and the two up-and-coming teams (Powerade and Rain or Shine)," Marcial said.

"AKTV, our coveror, is upbeat and has agreed to do it again during the semifinals of the second conference. We just have to make certain our traditional game venues (Smart Araneta Coliseum and Astrodome) can accommodate the daily schedule," he added.

Marcial said this year’s Philippine Cup drew 340,000 fans at the turnstiles, matching the 2011 AFC total gate attendance.

The Tropang Texters defeated the Tigers in five games of their scheduled best-of-seven titular series to become the first team in 27 years to repeat as All-Filipino champions.

Why Lucky Larry Fonacier makes TNT tick

2012-02-06 00:21:54.829777

MANILA, Philippines—Larry Fonacier has been called a lot of names—from being a “Baby-Faced Assassin,” to simply “Lucky Larry.”

And to end all debates, his coach at Talk ‘N Text, Chot Reyes, has given him the perfect moniker.

“I’d like to call him the perfect teammate,” Reyes said before a round of golf with sports scribes last week. “He does everything the team needs, subs for his teammates who get injured, and looks to pass first before shooting.

“What sets him apart is his teammanship,” Reyes continued. “You never underestimate the value of being a good teammate. He’s not a go-to guy, he’s a go-through player.”

Fonacier broke new ground in his professional basketball career recently after helping the Tropang Texters annex the Philippine Cup over the Powerade Tigers and winning the Best Player of the Conference award over fancied teammates Jimmy Alapag and Jason Castro.

“You guys (PBA Press Corps members) couldn’t have made a better choice,” Reyes said. “He was there for the team all the time—knocking down shots, defending. And he was the only player in my lineup that didn’t miss a game (in the conference).”

Fonacier averaged a shade over 16 points and six rebounds and was the most exposed Texter in the Finals with over 34 minutes a game. Talk ‘N Text withstood a dogged stand by the Tigers to prevail, 4-1, in the best-of-seven series.

Being associated with the word “lucky” has everything to do with Fonacier being a winner.

After winning the Rookie of the Year award with Red Bull in 2005 and helping the team win two championships under Yeng Guiao, Fonacier moved to Alaska and won two titles again under Tim Cone.

His transfer to the Texters at the start of last season definitely made Talk ‘N Text a more complete team. It almost completed a Grand Slam last year and is now the only team in position to achieve the feat again this year.

With a feared shooting touch, and the work ethic that is the envy of many, Talk ‘N Text seems to be the lucky one with Larry.

Petron acquires Lassiter

2012-02-06 00:08:47.232351

THE wheeling and dealing before the start of the Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup continue. Now, there’s another blockbuster transaction on the table.

According to sources, a deal was finalized yesterday sending talented rookie Marcio Lassiter to Petron Blaze and Nonoy Baclao and Rey Guevarra to Philippine Cup runner-up Powerade.

San Miguel Corporation sports official Noli Eala was the one who handled the deal for Petron, confirming it on his Twitter account.

“Trade is a ‘’significant’’ move to shore up Petron’s wings while ensuring our future. We are excited to get a certified two-way star,’’ said Eala on his Twitter account.

The teams involved will now have to wait league Commissioner Chito Salud’s decision on whether it will be given a green light or will be required a revision.

Salud is currently in Japan right now and Media Bureau Chief Willie Marcial is handling his chores for the meantime.

Powerade players immediately reacted via their Twitter accounts.

“Disappointed! What’s happening? This is unfair! No idea with what’s happening with the team,’’ said Powerade star Gary David on his Twitter account.

Sean Anthony likewise felt the same.

Lassiter headed to Petron?

2012-02-06 00:06:17.571325

POWERADE seems bent on making the most of the player market before turning over its franchise to the San Miguel group next season.

Reports are rife the Tigers are sending prized guard Marcio Lassiter to Petron Blaze in exchange for Noy Baclao and Rey Guevarra, further fueling reports the Tigers are playing their last season under the Powerade banner.

The Tigers flew under the radar in the PBA Philippine Cup, eliminating favored B-Meg in the quarterfinals and outlasting Rain or Shine in a gripping seven-game semis showdown before bowing to eventual back-to-back champion Talk N Text in five games in the finals.

A slice of their Cinderella run should be credited to Lassiter, 24, the fourth pick in last year’s draft who has quickly emerged as one of the league’s up-and-coming stars.

A product of California State-Fullerton, Lassiter saw action in 28 games with the Tigers, posting game-averages of 16.9 points on 36.1 percent shooting from beyond the arc along with six rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.4 steals in 36.3 minutes.

A hard-nosed defender and also a reliable offensive weapon, Lassiter has blended well with fellow rookie JV Casio and scoring dynamo Gary David, creating the newest "Big 3" in the league.

If the deal gets the approval of Commissioner Chito Salud, who is currently out of the country, the Boosters would get another vital cog in their rotation while unloading seldom-used players.

Guevarra played 10 games in the Philippine Cup, posting 2.9 points and 1.4 boards in 12.6 minutes, while Baclao, the top pick in the 2010 draft, saw action in 21 games and averaged just 2.0 markers and 3.1 rebounds in 11.3 minutes of play.

The Boosters wound up third in the Philippine Cup after squandering a 3-1 semis lead against the Texters.

Tough sked faces Bolts; Ryan unfazed

2012-02-06 00:04:24.588132

THE big challenge posed by starting the PBA Commissioner’s Cup with a depleted lineup and against three favored teams at that hardly dampens Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio’s optimism.

"We can do nothing less than keep on competing and I’m confident we can," said Gregorio yesterday, six days before the Bolts open their mid-season campaign against B-Meg at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

After battling the Llamados, Meralco plays Petron Blaze on Feb. 15 before taking on recent Philippine Cup champion and defending titlist Talk N Text two days later.

"It’s going to be very challenging again, but I’m used to this," he added.

Meralco will play without ace guard Sol Mercado, who recently underwent minor knee surgery and will be out for two more weeks, and measles-struck Jason Ballesteros.

Even center Asi Taulava has failed to practice with the team to attend the burial of his father in Tonga. He is expected to arrive only on Wednesday, missing a total eight days of practice.

For Gregorio, the situation is nothing new. The Bolts also started the season-opening Philippine Cup without five key players, but managed to make it as far as the quarterfinals before bowing to Petron in two games.

"A depleted lineup has always been part of my start in a conference. We just need to be really creative again," said Gregorio, referring to his remaining players and coaching staff bolstered by the entry of new consultant Jong Uichico.

There is little room for error, however. Tournament format calls for a nine-game eliminations with only the top six teams advancing to the playoffs.

"It’s really a very tough conference format, especially for us, considering we’re not as strong as the other top-tier teams," he pointed out. "But I can’t cry about it since everybody’s dealt the same cards."

Chris Ross and import Jelani McCoy should play key roles, at least in the initial week of Meralco’s schedule.

After missing majority of the last two conferences due to a torn anterior cruciate ligament, Ross has been described by Gregorio as starting to play top-notch basketball again while McCoy has been superb in the team’s two won tune-up games against Ginebra and Rain or Shine.

"With him being an NBA veteran, you know what to expect from McCoy, which is maturity and knowing how to win," said Gregorio.

Long appeals case for entry to PBA draft

2012-02-03 21:46:53.700302

MANILA, Philippines - Kirk Long, an American born and raised in the country who has played out his collegiate basketball eligibility with Ateneo, will make an appeal that he be considered a special case to be allowed to join the next PBA draft.

Arben Santos, an Ateneo backer who handles some former Ateneo players in the pros, said he would appeal to PBA officials on Long’s behalf.

Under PBA rules, Long isn’t eligible for the pro draft since he has no Filipino bloodline. The draft is only open to Filipino citizens.

Santos, however, feels Long deserves some consideration, having lived all his life in the Philippines, played high school and varsity ball in the country and being a role model on the court.

Santos mentioned the “Model National Collegiate Player of the Year award” accorded by the PCCL to the Ateneo team captain.

“Kirk Long has practically served nine years of residency in Philippine basketball. He’s been a role model and he’s not dominant,” said Santos.

Ateneo coach Norman Black also hopes that his player be given consideration.

“I think the PBA should consider allowing foreign players who’ve played high school and college in the country to join the draft. That would mean an eight or nine-year residence, disqualifying those who come in only to play in the seniors,” Black said.

Santos said Long has a noble goal why he wants to make the PBA.

“He wants to be known so he can spread the words of God easier,” said Santos.

Kirk’s father Jeff is a pastor with Faith Academy. The younger Long intends to follow in the footsteps of his father.

Powerade assistant coach Alex Campton, also an American born in the country, has been given special concession by the PBA, once allowed to play for Rain or Shine as “special import.”

“If Alex was given special consideration, why not Kirk? Kirk has spent all his life here. Alex was born here but attended school in the US,” said Santos.

Compton played for the Madison West High School basketball squad then suited up with the Cornell U team.

Tigers gear up for Commish Cup

2012-02-03 01:03:53.051625

DESPITE reports the Powerade franchise has been reacquired by San Miguel Corp., the team’s representative to the PBA board yesterday claimed the squad "remains a property of Coca-Cola Bottlers Phils. and is now preparing for the Commissioner’s Cup" set to start on Feb. 10.

JB Baylon, the vice president and director for public affairs and communications of Coca-Cola Phils., also claimed SMC’s reacquisition of Powerade is not yet a done deal but didn’t give specifics.

Reports persisted yesterday that SMC has exercised its option to a right-of-first refusal deal with Coca-Cola Phils. The deal was part of the package when the country’s leading food and beverage sold the franchise to Coca-Cola Phils. in 2004.

Baylon’s claim the Tigers are in the thick of preparations for the Commissioner’s Cup also gave credence to reports the team will remain intact only up to the end of the league’s 37th season.

Meanwhile, Air21 team manager Jovie Saddul yesterday confirmed they have reached a deal with Marcus Douthit to reinforce the team in the coming conference.

"Wala na kaming problem with Douthit. He will be here before we play our first game," said Saddul.

Douthit is currently playing with the also-ran Foshan Dralions in the Chinese Basketball Association and would reportedly be freed up by Feb. 16 at the earliest.

Air21, formerly known as Shopinas.com, emerged winless after 14 games in its debut in the Philippine Cup.

Coach Franz Pumaren said his team’s fortunes could turn around with the help of Douthit, a 6-foot-11 naturalized Filipino who powered the Smart Gilas national squad to a fourth place finish in the last FIBA-Asia tournament.

"We’ll be fine with Marcus, but right now it’s really a long process," said Pumaren. "We still need one more point guard and a real big man to help us."

The Express tried to fill up their need for a center by getting out feelers to get back Rabeh Al-Hussaini from Petron Blaze, but the deal fell through.

"It was brought to the table, but there were other complications as they (Boosters) are trying to involve other players," said Saddul.

According to an insider, Petron wanted Air21’s first round draft pick in September as well as other players, but refused to elaborate further.

Al-Hussaini is recovering from an ACL tear he suffered in last season’s Governors’ Cup. He was drafted by the original Air 21 franchise (now Barako Bull) before being sent to San Miguel Beer (now Petron) in a blockbuster trade midway through his rookie year.

Instead, the Express closed a deal with Meralco that netted them Nelbert Omolon and Mark Isip in exchange for Mark Canlas, Dennis Daa and a 2012 first round pick.

Air21 has been given exclusive rights by the PBA Board to deal with Douthit. In case that didn’t work out, the Express have a standby choice in Taj Gray.

"He’s 6-foot-8 and we were thinking carefully if ever he can match up with the other big imports," said Saddul of Gray, a veteran campaigner in the European leagues.

"On the other hand, we also need an import who’s a noted scorer."

In the 2008-09 season, Gray averaged 19.5 points and 7.3 rebounds for Chorale Roanne in France.

"We know what Marcus can do and if we get him, hindi na kami mag-gamble because we already know what to expect from him," Pumaren has said. (With a report from Noli Cortez)

Tigers stay for the rest of season

2012-02-03 01:01:46.979318

MANILA, Philippines - Powerade governor JB Baylon has urged their team to stay focused on the job even as factions within Coca-Cola Bottlers Inc. were reportedly at odds on the move to maintain the PBA ball club.

Baylon stressed the Coca-Cola franchise will still be in the local pro league at least for the remainder of the season.

“I’m telling my players to ‘look at me, don’t look around, focus, let’s do it (their Philippine Cup Cinderella run) again in the second and in the third conferences,’” said Baylon in an interview by Sports Radio.

“Let’s continue to be the team the fans have started to love, then let the gods decide,” Baylon added.

He said there’s a continuing “tension” within their company, and he’s not losing hope they would decide to stay on in the PBA.

“Kung matanggal sila, madapa sila, mahulog sa hagdanan, mabukulan. Di mo masabi (They might be transferred, get tripped, fall from the stairs, get bumps. You can never tell),” said Baylon.

Apparently, the oppositions have grown bigger with the change of leadership in Coca-Cola Phils. Former chief operating officer Baring Olofsson, a foreigner married to a Mindanaoan and who’s with the group backing the Tigers team, has retired.

“The issue isn’t that simple. Some are saying we should sponsor the league not a team. Some came from countries which don’t play basketball,” said Baylon.

Meanwhile, PBA board chairman Mamerto Mondragon expressed concern on reports that Coca-Cola and San Miguel Corp. have reached an agreement for the resale of the Tigers team to the SMC group.

“If it’s true that San Miguel has brought back or regained the Powerade franchise, that’s very disturbing,” said Mondragon.

“It would have a big effect on the balance of the league if it’s true,” Mondragon added.

PBA commissioner Chito Salud, meanwhile, reserved making a comment until it officially reaches his office, if ever.

“There’s no official communication from either party. If it’s true, it’s an issue to be debated and discussed by the board,” said Salud.