Huey, Mamiit Lose Doubles Match!

Treat Huey and Cecil Mamiit gave it all they could but they could not come away with the win as they fell to Chinese Taipei 3-6, 6-4, 2-6, 6-3, 8-6.

Yi Chu Huan and Lee Hsin Han were also the same doubles team who beat Mamiit and Huey at the Guangzhou Asian Games.

The Philippines must win both reverse singles matches tomorrow to avoid being relegated to Group II.

More on this story here.

Near Fight Between China And Gilas Sparked By Arrogant American Coach.

Bob Donewald, you are despicable.

China's arrogant American coach showed just how classless he is by uttering distasteful remarks against his Philippine counterpart Rajko Toroman.

Filipino assistant coaches Ryan Gregorio and Chot Reyes were inflamed when they heard Donewald utter "We're just too big, they're just too small. And he's an a$&hole.", refering to Toroman.  

Here's hoping we get another crack at China. Maybe then, Douthit, Aguilar, Williams and the rest of the Nationals can give a shot across the bows.

More on this story here.

Aguilar Goes Amuck On Bahrain, Gilas Wins 113-71!

In the previous two games, Japeth Aguilar played a total of 8 minutes, all of them during garbage time. A lot of Gilas watchers were wondering why the former starting PF was suddenly out of the rotation, whether he had attitude problems, an injury or was just being outplayed by Ranidel de Ocampo and Kelly Williams.

China 75, Gilas 60!

What seemed to be a rout turned into a spirited game due to the Gilas nationals' never-say-die spirit.

Gilas had a great 4th quarter, forcing the Chinese into fouls, grabbing their fair share of rebounds and hitting some shots they are supposed to hit.

That being said, the Philippines still need some work as turnovers and offensive cohesiveness are the major problem areas for them. what is really puzzling now is Coach Rajko's use of Japeth Aguilar. This was a game where Japeth had an impact in his 3mins and I can only wonder how much of an impact he would have had if he played 20 minutes.

I mean hats off to Ranidel and Kelly but Japeth was made for this game. Well, we'll see what Coach Rajko decides to do tomorrow.

China 43, Gilas 21!

The story of the game? Turnovers.

My eyes literally popped out as JV Casio, Mark Barroca, Jimmy Alapag and Marcus Douthit were all afflicted by butterfingers, losing the ballover and over again.

Of course, the fact that Casio, Barroca, Tiu, Baracael, de Ocampo, Williams and Alapag are all severely undersized compared to their Chinese counterparts. Amongst them, only Barroca and Tiu seem to have any kind of success, Barroca doing it with speed, Tiu with his brain.

Douthit is feeling the pressure, twice missing lay ups trying to avoid Chinese defenders who put up token defense.

And I really hate to second guess Coach Rajko for for God's sake, play Japeth Aguilar. He may not be the smartest player out there but he can physically match up to the Chinese. He'll grab rebounds, block shots, play defense and maybe get an alleyoop or two.

Anyway, let's hope Gilas makes it a more respectable score in the second half!

Gilas 13, China 22 At The End Of The First Quarter!

It was 12-13 with 3 minutes left but 3 straight turnovers by the Gilas guards plus a converted and-1 placed China up 20-12.

China adds one more fastbreak basket before Chris Tiu hits an FT.

Gilas Turns Ball Over 3 Straight Times!

China leads 20-12!

Gilas Holds Fast 9-11!

Credit Jimmy Alapag and Marcus Douthit for keeping Gilas right in the thick of it. 

Mamiit Loses But Huey Wins!

It's tied at 1-1, folks!

Cecil Mamiit lost a 4 hour tennis-thon to Ti Chen 7-6 (2), 2-6, 6-7 (6), 3-6 but Treat Huey saved the day for the Philippines with a 6-4, 6-4, 63 victory over Jimmy Wang!

The Pinoy duo go for the all important tiebreaker tomorrow!

Younghusbands To Play In Long Teng Cup!

Despite their personal tragedy, football sibling James and Phil Younghusband plan to don the Philippine colors in the upcoming Long Teng Cup.

The Younghusbands lost their mother, Susan, who suffered from a heart attack last Saturday and passed away on the same day.

More on this story here.

Dindo Pumaren Resigns As DLSU Coach!

The Archers' less-than-stellar season has claimed another victim.

Dindo Pumaren has resigned as the Archers' coach after failing to lead the team to a Final Four berth.

The Archers posted a mere 5 wins this season, including several heartbreaking losses to teams they were expected to beat. Add to that the immense promise of DLSU rookies like Arnold Van Opstal and Norbert Torres and one can see why the Archers doomed season failed on so many fronts.

More on this story here.

Gilas Wins Over UAE 92-52!

The Gilas Nationals vented their rage and fury over the disqualification of Fil-Ams Chris Lutz and Marcio Lassiter on a hapless UAE side, winning 92-52.

The Filipinos were actually off to a bad start, looking sluggish and out of sync as UAE led 9-2. But the timely substitution of Kelly Williams for Ranidel de Ocampo and Asi Taulava for Marcus Douthit seemed to fuel the Filipino rage as the dup immediately made their presence felt on both sides of the court.

Gilas Leads 16-10!

With no Lutz and Lassiter in the lineup, the Gilas Nationals started the game in disarray, allowing lay ups and open shots, and turned the ball over 3 straight times.

Ranidel de Ocampo started for tGilas and he marked his debut by missing two open lay ups. Douthit was baited by a UAE player into an unsportsmanlike foul and both soon found themselves on the bench.

But Mark Barroca decided to take matters into his own hands, grabbing two offensive rebounds and two putbacks that resulted into three point plays. Asi Taulava proved his worth once again, scoring inside with a power drive then collaring defensive rebounds and turning them into fastbreak opportunities.

Lassiter, Lutz Declared Ineligible!

Unbelievable. The Lebanese have won.

Gilas starters Marcio Lassiter and Chris Lutz have been declared ineligible to play in the FIBA Asia Championships, dealing an immense blow to the Philippines' campaign.

Lutz andLassiter are tough-nosed defenders who are also deadeye shooters and slashers. Their departure leaves Mac Baracael as the only true small forward on the team. This means Ranidal de Ocampo, Kelly Williams or Japeth aguilar must slide over to the SF position.


More from coach chot reyes's twitter!

More on this story here!

Jordan Beats Syria, Iran Beats Chinese Taipei!

The Fiba Asia Championships started with a couple of expected victories from favorites Jordan and Iran.

Jordan overcame a stubborn Syria 71-58, led by Rasheim Wright's 20 points.

Iran, on the other hand, were led by Samad Nikkha Bahrami's 28 point in their hard fought 49-37 victory over Chinese Taipei.


More results here.

Taiwanese Davis Cup Arrive Without Top Players!

And the tennis gods smiled on the Philippines today.

Cecil Mamiit, Treat Huey and the rest of the Philippine Davis Cup team were surprised, then delighted at the prospect of playing a much weaker Chinese Taipei team who arrived last Monday without its top stars.

Lu Yen Sun and Yang Tsung Hua, Taipei's top ranked players, decided to play in the Challenger Tournament in China, instead of playing in the Davis Cup matches here.

Yang led the Taiwanese to a 4-1 victory over the Philippines last year. This year, the momentous task falls to replacements Ti Chen and Jimmy Wang as well as Lee Hsin Han and Yi Chu Huan.

Mamiit and Huey are joined by two rookies, Ruben Gonzales and Jeson Patrombon.


More on this story here.

Lebanese Files protest Against Gilas!

And the basketball politics begin.

Even before Gilas sets foot on court, their lineup has been put under protest by FIBA Asia deputy secretary Hagop Kharijan of Lebanon.

The protest comes as a big surprise as the players placed under protest, Marcio Lassiter and Chris Lutz, have been playing for the Philippine national team for the past two years, having competed in several international tournaments including the FIBA-Asia Champions Cup, the Stankovic Cup, the SEABA and the Asian Games.  

Basketball observers opined that the protest is part of tactics to sabotage the Gilas Nationals, as Lebanon is one of the teams that Gilas could meet in the latter rounds.

My opinion: Kharijan doesn't think Lebanon can beat us on the court so he's trying to beat us off it?

More on this story here.

Nike Take It To The Next Level Commercial!

I love this commercial. It has everything: action, drama, romance, famous stars...

Fantastic Nike Commercial 2011!

Wow. Free yourself, man.

Douthit, Slaughter, Parks, Ravena To Banner SEAG Team!

Marcus Douthit, Greg Slaughter, Kiefer Ravena and Bobby Ray Parks. That's a pretty decent starting lineup for the Philippines, no matter who play at shooting guard.

These four, including collegiate standouts RR Garcia, Aldrech Ramos, Ronald Pascual, Garvo Lanete, Elvin Pascual, Emman Monfort and Nico Salva will form the backbone of the basketball team the SBP will send to the SEA games this December.

Other possible members for the team are Gilas skipper Chris Tiu, Fil-Ams Clifford Hodge and Chris Ellis as well as collegiate stars, Jerick Fortuna, Calvin Abueva and Kevin Alas.

More on this story here.

Gilas Roster To Be finalized Today!

One day before the start of the FIBA Asia Championships and the final lineup for Gilas depends on one body part.

JV Casio's knee.

The high scoring point guard is still dealing with a swollen left knee, prompting the coaching staff to take a closer look at possible scenarios that include Casio not playing.

Coach Rajko Toroman will pose the question today to Casio, who must decide if he's fit enough to play or not.

If Casio decides to sit this tournament out, especially with his status as a PBA top draftee, it will spell disaster for the Philippines. Despite the fact that Mark Barroca has shown he can run the team effectively and Jimmy Alapag is certainly a top-caliber poit guard, Casio's unmatched shooting skills and defensive prowess as well as his ballhandling and passing skills are hard to match.

The Philippines' roster currently stands at 14, with 12 players being named to the active list by today.

More on this story here.

Davis Cup Team Prepares In Cebu!

This time, it's win or get relegated.

For Cecil Mamiit, Treat Huey, Ruben Gonzales, Jeson Patrombon and Johnny Arcilla, it's a matter of Pinoy pride.

Because the winner of this weekend's tie in Cebu between the Philippines and Chinese Taipei gets to stay in Group 1 while the loser drops down to Group 2. And that is something that the Pinoy netters do not want to do, after working so hard to lift the Philippines back to Group 1 after falling to Group 3 a couple of years ago.


More on this story here.

To my fellow Pinoys in Cebu, it's time to band up and support the boys! Let's go!

Argentina Wins 2011 FIBA Americas!

Olympic berth? Check.
Win FIBA Americas crown on home ground? Doubke check.
Payback for a heartbreaking loss a week before? Triple check.

Argentina closed a highly successful FIBA Americas campaign by emerging as champions in the 2-week long tournament. They beat 2nd round tormentor Brazil 80-75 on their home court, sparking wide spread celebrations all over the country.

The Argentines were led by Luis Scola's 32 points while Brazil was led by Marcus Vinicuis' 17points.

Both teams clinched berths in the 2012 London Olympics.

In the consolation round, the Dominican Republic pulled off an upset of sorts by beating Puerto Rico 103-89. The Dominican Republic were led by Al Horford's 23 points.

More on this story here.

Gilas Not Yet 100% Ready For Wuhan!

The best has yet to come.

That is the message of Gilas Coach Rajko Toroman as the Gilas Nationals first defeated Qatar 69-52, then followed it up with another win over Jordan 80-71.

But, despite the victories, Toroman believes that the Gilas team has yet to play to their full potential. He cites the lack of practice time with PBA reinforcements Kelly Williams, Ranidel de Ocampo and Jimmy Alapag as cause for concern.

Pressed to give a timetable of his wards' improvement, Toroman said that he hopes the Nationals will be 100% ready by the second round of the Wuhan tournament.


More on this story here.