PBA All-Star 2013 at Digos City, Davao Del Sur Events Participants

The PBA Semifinals takes a break with the PBA All-Star Weekend to be held at Digos City, Davao Del Sur on May 1-6.

PBA All Star Participants:

* OBSTACLE CHALLENGE
1. Jvee Casio
2. Ronald Tubid
3. Simon Atkins
4. Mark Barroca
5. Pamboy Raymundo
6. Ronjay Buenafe
7. Willie Miller
8. Paul Lee
9. Chris Ellis
10. Jonas Villanueva

* 3-PT SHOOTOUT
1. Jvee Casio
2. Marcio Lassiter
3. Mark Caguioa
4. James Yap
5. KG Canaleta
6. Ronjay Buenafe
7. Willie Miller
8. Chris Tiu
9. Mark Macapagal

* SLAMDUNK CONTEST
1. Arwind Santos
2. Calvin Abueva
3. Chris Ellis
4. JC Intal
5. Cliff Hodge
6. Rey Guevarra
7. Elmer Espiritu

Read more »

Toroman's role: Active Team Consultant in Barako Bull Energy Cola

Former National Team Coach Rajko Toroman is set to sign a 1 year contract as an active team consultant with Barako Bull Energy Cola with Coach Bong Ramos formally assuming the head coaching position.

Toroman would be playing the same role he played with Petron at the same time being spared from the rule of Basketball Coaches Association of the Philippines against hiring foreign coaches in the pro league.

Coach Bong Ramos, Rajko Toroman and the retooled Barako Bull Energy Cola will be tested on Friday, February 8 when they battle the defending champs Mixers at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

[photo: philstar.com]  

Read more »

Approved PBA Trades - Japeth gets wish to be traded

The PBA Office has approved the following trades which involve Global Port Batang Pier (on 2 different transactions)

1. A direct swap that brings Rabeh Al Hussaini to Talk and Text for the very controversial Japeth Aguilar who gets his wish to be traded, He is now with Global Port Batang Pier. 
 

2. Meralco dealt Solomon Mercado, JP Belencion, Yousif Aljamal and Kelly Nabong for Global Port's Rey Guevarra, Josh Vanlandingham, Vic Manuel and a 2015 draft pick.

Both camps, Meralco and Global Port find this trade healthy as it is their way of rebuilding their team. 

Sol Mercado has expressed on his Twitter account that he has been grateful for the playing time/growth given to him by Meralco and expressed his excitement as he plays with Batang Pier stars Gary David and Willie Miller. 

Meanwhile, Rabeh Al Hussaini would be reunited with college mentor Norman Black in Tropang Texters.  

With the trade, Japeth should play his A-game with Batang Pier because this is what he wanted. 
 

Who wins? That we can find out as PBA Commissioner's Cup tips off February 8 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

[Photo: AKTV/Paul Ryan Tan] 

Read more »

PBA 2013 Final Update of Commissioner's Cup Imports

 

Here's my final update for 2013 PBA Commissioner's Cup Imports which is set to kick-off on Friday, February 8, 2013 where San Mig Coffee is set to defend its Commissioner's Cup crown.

1. Global Port Batang Pier - Justin Williams
2. Talk and Text Tropang Texters - Keith Benson
3. Air 21 Express - Michael Dunnigan
4. San Mig Coffee Mixers - Matt Rogers
5. Petron Blaze Boosters - Renaldo Balkman
6. Ginebra San Miguel - Herbert Hill
7. Barako Bull Energy Cola - Evan Brock
8. Rain or Shine Elasto Painters - Bruno Sundov
9. Meralco Bolts - Eric Dawson
10. Alaska Aces - Robert Dozier 

Read more »

PBA Commissioner's Cup Updates

Just as Philippine Cup finals tend to heat up (as of presstime TNT leads 1-0), the 8 teams out for contention for the title have made changes to their teams to prepare for the first import laden conference set on February 8, 2013

COACHING CHANGES:

 

Junel Baculi, as expected will now be leading the charge in the bench for Global Port Batang Pier

As expected after his departure with Barako Bull Energy, Junel Baculi would be heading to the Global Port Batang Pier squad for the Commissioner's Cup. The Mikee Romero squad didn't place well in its first conference at 1 - 13 and Coach Junel hopes to change all that. Global Port would still be bannered by Gar David and Willie Miller.

Former national team head coach Rajko Toroman is now with Barako Bull Energy

After the co-coaching experiment with Petron Blaze Boosters didn't work (which lead to naming Olsen Racela as the sole head coach), Rajko Toroman went out of the spotlight for the SMC teams. He however has continuously expressed his desire to coach - which probably lead to the 2 year deal with Barako Bull Energy. It is a welcome addition for the team, however with one call in mind - they wish Coach Rajko will go easy on its aging players. 

 

Probably the most dramatic coaching change, Alfrancis Chua takes over head coaching duties for Ginebra, Siot demoted to lead assistant

The league's most popular team has not made it to the finals for a long time and a coaching change was deemed by the management necessary for Barangay Ginebra San Miguel to rise - now we would see Alfrancis Chua calling the shots for Ginebra, and Siot again was "demoted" to lead assistant. Whatever this change would bring, the Barangay Ginebra faithfuls would hope that it would bring their team back to the promise land.

PBA TRADES [to be updated]

CONFIRMED IMPORTS:
1. Petron Blaze - Renaldo Balkman
2. Air 21 Express - Michael Dunnigan
3. Barako Bull Energy Cola - Evan Brock
4. Rain or Shine Elasto Painters - Bruno Sundov
5. Global Port Batang Pier - Justin Williams
6. Alaska Aces -
7. San Mig Coffee Mixers -
8. Talk and Text Tropang Texters -
9. Meralco Bolts - Eric Dawson
10. Barangay Ginebra San Miguel - Herbert Hill

[Photos: Google Images - all rights credited to the owners]

Read more »

PBA Commissioner's Cup Import Update

[3rd Update]  We're not that excited (yeah)  and new year has not happened yet but we're here giving you the updates fresh as we know it on the teams and their imports for the upcoming PBA Commissioner's Cup which would start on February 8.

Ex-NBA player Renaldo Balkman is expected to banner Petron Blaze Boosters' Commissioner's Cup Tourney

1) Petron Blaze - RENALDO BALKMAN

Renaldo Balkman is the 20th Overall Pick of the New York Knicks in 2006. The 28-year-old moved to the Denver Nuggets in the 2008-2010 season before being reacquired by the Knicks in the 2010-2011 season. He is listed as 6-8 and was described by SMC Sports Director Noli Eala as "solid worker, hard nose defender and energy guy" for the Boosters.

2) Ginebra - HERBERT HILL
The 6-10 Hill is expected to help in the post-presence of Ginebra, who bowed out of contention in the PBA Philippine Cup. He was  second round at 55th overall by the Utah Jazz in the 2007 draft before he was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers.

3) Rain or Shine Elasto Painters - BRUNO SUNDOV
The 7-3 import Bruno Sundov is Rain or Shine's help for Commissioner's Cup. The Croatian caught the interest of other teams but landed into Rain or Shine and is considered by ROS Team Manager Boy Lapid as the perfect fit to Coach Yeng's system as they need a role player and someone who can shoot threes.

They also enjoy the opportunity of having Jamelle Cornley in town (former import of ROS during the last Governors Cup) to prepare Sundov. Jamelle chose to remain to the Philippines to recuperate from his ACL injury.

4) Global Port Batang Pier - JUSTIN WILLIAMS

Justin Williams is a PF/C who played for 2 NBA teams (Sacramento Kings and Houston Rockets). He last played for NBA D-League for the Los Angeles D-Fenders. He would banner the Commissioner's Cup campaign of Global Port Batang Pier.


5. SAN MIG COFFEE MIXERS - Matt Rogers

6. MERALCO BOLTS - Eric Dawson

7. TALK and TEXT TROPANG TEXTERS - Keith Benson

8. AIR 21 EXPRESS - Michael Dunnigan

9. ALASKA ACES - Robert Dozier

10. BARAKO BULL ENERGY -Evan Brock

 [This is the final list of imports - Admin's Note]




Read more »

Official Standings After Elimination Round

OFFICIAL TEAM STANDINGS

~1. *Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters: 12-2
~2. *San Mig Coffee Mixers: 10-4
~3. *Rain or Shine Elasto Painters: 9-5
~4. *Meralco Bolts: 8 -6

~5. *Alaska Aces: 8-6
~6. *Barangay Ginebra San Miguel: 7-7
~7. *Petron Blaze Boosters: 6-8
~8. *Air21 Express: 5-9
~9. ^Barako Bull Energy Cola: 4-10
~10. ^GlobalPort Batang Pier: 1-13
*-Qualified at Quarter Finals; ^-Eliminated; ~-Sure Spot

Read more »

To Trade or Not To Trade: Petron's Jay Washington

      File Photo: www.interaktv.com

After the win of Petron Blaze versus Rain or Shine last night (November 14), Jay Washington confirms of the trade talks that he may be involve in, that he knew about it and is just ready to play basketball.

There are 2 rumors afloating: A straight up trade between him and Global Port's Gary David and a three-team trade which would bring him to Ginebra, Gary to Petron and Kerby Raymundo to Global Port.

There has been questions on Jay's ability to play lately: Can he coexist with Arwind Santos? Where did his BPC numbers go a few years back? Petroniverse fans observed him very lazy on court that some even compared his game to Global's Rabeh Al Hussaini, who has been a cause of headache of his coaches. 

But a very different Washington showed up Wednesday against the E-Painters, it was like the Jay it used to be...

To trade or not to trade? That is the question...   

 

Read more »

A Review of the Philippine Cup Format

An inter-intra format clusters the Air21 Express, Meralco Bolts, Petron Blaze Boosters, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings, and San Mig Coffee Mixers (formerly B-Meg) in Group A, and the Alaska Aces, Barako Bull Energy Cola, Global Port Batang Pier, Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, and the defending champion Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters in Group B.

Teams in each group will meet the other twice (10 games) and members of the other group once (4), completing the elimination phase. Fans will therefore be treated with the spectacle of crowd heavy Ginebra squaring off with Petron and San Mig Coffee twice while tangling with TNT, Alaska and Rain or Shine once and vice versa.

The top eight teams based on their cumulative win-loss records advance to the quarterfinals, while the 9th- and 10th-ranked teams get dropped from contention.

Rewarding the top two quarterfinalists with twice-to-beat advantage, QF1 has the No. 1 team battling No. 8 and No. 2 tangling with No. 7 in QF2.

A wringer awaits the four other qualifiers: No. 3 takes on No. 6 (QF3) and No. 4 faces No. 5 (QF4), both via best-of-three playoffs.

The four emerging playoff winners then move to the best-of-7 semifinal series under this matchup: QF1 winner vs. QF4 winner and QF2 winner vs. QF3 winner.

The championship series will also be a best-of-7 showdown.

Reposted: http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php/sports/38486-pba-unveils-format-for-philippine-cup

Read more »

Highlights of Petron Blaze Boosters Team Building in Cebu

After their game with CESAFI, the Petron Blaze Boosters had their team building in Cebu. Here are some highlights:

 

 

Considered to be the team to beat, there are a lot to come for Olsen Racela and the gang.

 

 

Credits: PBB Facebook Page, @thebigOls, Alex Cabagnot's twitter. 

Read more »

PBA Draft 2012 Results and Trade Updates

The 38th Season of the PBA goes underway as the rookie draft is stated today, August 19 at Robinson's Midtown Manila. Following the success of last season, Commissioner Chito Salud and Newly-Elected PBA Chairman Robert Non of Barangay Ginebra tend to go a notch higher and what a way to start with the draft pool of 57 talents bannered by Junemar Fajardo of University of Cebu who is set to be the newest acquisition of the Top Pick Team Petron Blaze Boosters.

As expected, Junemar Fajardo is 2012 PBA Top Draftee (Photo: Spin.PH)

This blog post is devoted to the results of the PBA Draft and the Trade Updates that may happen on draft day.

The Top 3 Picks of the 2012 Draft: Alex Mallari (3rd Pick PBB), Junemar Fajardo (1st Pick PBB), Calvin Abueva (2nd Pick, ALA) - Photo by Sir Nuki Sabio

1st Round:
1. Petron Blaze Boosters - Junemar Fajardo
2. Alaska Aces - Calvin Abueva
3. Petron Blaze Boosters - Alex Mallari
4. Meralco Bolts - Cliff Hodge
5. Barako Bull Energy selected, now B-Meg Llamados - Aldrech Ramos
6. Barangay Ginebra San Miguel - Chris Ellis
7. Rain or Shine Elasto Painters - Chris Tiu
8. Barangay Ginebra San Miguel - Keith Jensen
9. B-Meg Llamados trades this pick to Global Port along with Val Acuna for Sean Anthony, Global Port selects Vic Manuel
10. Global Port Batang Pier - Jason Deutchman

2nd Round:
1. Air 21 Express - Yousef Taha
2. B-Meg Llamados trades Sean Anthony and this pick to Barako Bull for Barako Bull pick Aldrech Ramos  Sean Anthony, Barako Bull selects Dave Marcelo
3. B-Meg Llamados - Jewel Ponferada
4. Global Port Batang Pier - AJ Mandani
5. Barako Bull Energy - Lester Alvarez
6. Barako Bull Energy - Emman Monfort
7. Rain or Shine Elasto Painters trades this pick for the second round pick of Meralco Bolts in 2015, Meralco selects Kelly Nabong
8. Barako Bull Energy - Woody Co
9. Alaska Aces - Raffy Reyes
10. Talk and Text Tropang Texters - Jaypee Belencion

3rd Round
1. Air 21 Express - Simon Atkins
2. Alaska Aces - Karl Dehesa
3. Barako Bull Energy - Ryan Boado
4. Meralco Bolts - Janus Lozada
5. Petron Blaze Boosters - Mark Saranggay
6. Global Port Batang Pier - Macky Acosta
7. Rain or Shine Elasto Painters - Bacon Austria
8. Barangay Ginebra San Miguel - Jerick Canada
9. B-Meg Llamados - Gian Chiu
10. Talk and Text Tropang Texters - Jason Escueta

4th Round
1. Air 21 Express - PASS
2. Alaska Aces - PASS
3. Barako Bull Energy - Kokoy Hermosisima
4. Meralco Bolts - Erick Suigitan
5. Petron Blaze Boosters - PASS
6. Global Port Batang Pier - Jan Colina
7. Rain or Shine Elasto Painters - Jewel Palomique
8. Barangay Ginebra San Miguel - Paul Zamar
9. B-Meg Llamados - Ramon Mabayo
10. Talk and Text Tropang Texters - PASS

5th Round
6. Global Port Batang Pier - VJ Serios
8. Barangay Ginebra San Miguel - JR Buencuseso

6th Round
8. Ginebra San Miguel - Elliott Tan

PBA Draft Day Trades:
1. Val Acuna of B-Meg was traded along with their 9th pick to Global Port in exchange for Sean Anthony.
2. B-Meg trades their #12 pick along with Sean Anthony to Barako Bull for Barako Bull #5 Pick Aldrech Ramos.

Coaching Additions/ Changes before the 38th Season started
1. Louie Alas and Alex Compton joins Alaska Aces coaching staff
2. Olsen Racela is officially the Petron coach
3. Norman Black takes over coaching duties in Talk and Text

Read more »