Friday, September 30, 2011

New town for the Nets

WELCOME TO BROOKLYN
While the lock-out is still hurting the NBA, there are few things that can be done while everyone is busy resolving the issue. Nets welcome their new town, their new name and their new uniform with their part owner Jay-Z.

Brooklyn Nets Logo
Image by the NBA

It's official! New Jersey Nets no more and welcome to your new Brooklyn Nets. The new arena of the Brooklyn Nets will be open by a concert of their part owner Jay-Z, and speaking of Jay-Z, he will also be the designer of their new uniform. They plan that it should look like more of an urban design to complement Brooklyn, that should look good.

BUT we will just see it if there is an NBA season this year.

Thursday, September 29, 2011

PBA Teams 2011-2012 Line-Up (Brgy. Ginebra Kings)

A complete Line-Up of your favorite PBA team for this incoming 2011-12 season.

                                Analysis.
                       Overview.
                                                and Predictions

Of your favorite team/s will be discuss. How will they maximize their talent? Who will be the strongest and the weakest team? Who will be favored to win the first conference? More questions will be ask but we will give you the answers with every team in the league.

If everything is ready. Let's start with the crowd favorite.

Barangay Ginebra Kings
Co-Head Coach: Joseph Uichico
                         Siot Tanquingcen

#      Players
1      Mike Cortez
2      Billy Mamaril
Image by the PBA
4      Jimbo Aquino
5      Robert Labagala
6      JC Intal
9      Nino Canaleta
13    Jay-jay Helterbrand
18    Yancy de Ocampo
20     Reil Cervantes
23     Rico Villanueva
24     John Wilson
27     Willy Wilson
47     Mark Caguioa
71     Ronald Tubid
RESERVED/INJURED LIST
30     Eric Menk

They still have the solid line-up with Mark "The Spark" Caguioa, Helterbrand, Tubid and Villanueva. They also have the young talents that can be ready for the re-building of the team, namely, Jimbo Aquino, John Wilson and JC Intal.

But Gin Kings really in-need of Big Men, especially now that Eric Menk is out and they lost Rudy Hatfield. They need to pick up an additional big guy that can fight position inside the paint.

PBA Teams 2011-2012 Line-Up (B-Meg Llamados)

B-MEG LLAMADOS
Head Coach: Tim Cone

#          Player
0          Jonas Villanueva
1          Rico Maierhofer
Image by the PBA
2          Josh Urbiztondo
3          Mark Barroca
4          Rafi Reavis
8          PJ Simon
13        Roger Yap
15        Marc Pingris
18        James Yap
19        Jerwin Gaco
35        Kerby Raymundo
38        Joe Devance
55        John Ferriols
60        Hezy Val Acuna

With a new Head Coach, in the person of Tim Cone, this will be a new dimension for the Llamados. They still have the core fire power, James Yap, Simon, JDV, Pingris, and a new guard Mark Barroca.

PBA Teams 2011-2012 Line-Up (Powerade Tigers)

POWERADE TIGERS
Head Coach: Bo Perasol


#           Players
1           Celino Cruz
Image by the PBA
3           James Martinez
4           Rudy Lingganay
8           Francis Allera
10         Sean Anthony
13         Marcio Lassiter
17         Rommel Adducul
18         Doug Kramer
20         Gary David
22         Joshua Vanlandingham
24         Ricky Calimag
34         Will Antonio
42         JV Casio
43         Alex Crisano


They had the No. 1 pick of the recent draft, JV Casio. Tigers are loaded of very young but reliable players. Casio, Lassiter, Martinez, Anthony and Vanlandingham, this sets of players are not just players that came out of nowhere. They have a very reputable record in International Tournament, College career and PBADL experience. They may be 'rookies' but I don't think so they will play like rookie.

I can say that this team is a well balance team with regards to talent and experience. Gary David, Celino Cruz, Ricky Calimag, Will Antonio and Rommel Adducul have the wisdom and experience that can complement the young talent of their new players.

PBA Teams 2011-2012 Line-Up (Barako Bull Energy)

BARAKO BULL ENERGY
Head Coach: Edmundo Baculi, Jr.


#            Players
4            Dorian Pena
Image by the PBA
5            Jondan Salvador
8            Don Allado
11          Willie Miller
14          Leo Najorda
16          Paul Artadi
18          Allein Maliksi
19          Wynne Arboleda
26          Paul Sorongon
33          Dylan Ababou
42          Danny Seigle
80          Sunday Salvacion
88          Mick Pennisi
95          Leo Avenido
RESERVE/INJURED LIST
Lou Gatumbato
Ken Acibar

The renewed Barako Team, they could be the surprise of the season. Why? This Barako Bull is a team that have the youth that are 'ready' for a higher level of basketball. Maliksi and Ababou both have an MVP on their resume, Maliksi in PBADL and Ababou in UAAP. They also have a former PBA MVP Willie Miller with a combination of Danny Seigle and veteran Wynne Arboleda.

PBA Teams 2011-2012 Line-Up (Meralco Bolts)

MERALCO BOLTS
Head Coach: Ryan Gregorio

#            Players
2            Chris Timberlake
Image by the PBA
3            Sol Mercado
5            Asi Taulava
7            Nelbert Omolon
8            Mark Yee
9            Yousif Aljamal
10          Gabby Espinas
12          Mark Isip
14          Mac Cardona
15          Gilbert Bulawan
16          Jason Ballesteros
26          Chico Lanete
80          Mark Macapagal
0            Bryan Faundo
RESERVE/INJURED LIST
Chris Ross
Reynel Hugnatan

Bolts is still struggling especially inside the paint. There is no question on their perimeter game, with Sol Mercado, Nelbert Omolon and Mac Cardona they are safe outside, with the addition of Chico Lanete and the streak shooter Mark Macapagal they strengthen their outside game but how will they maximize their outside shot if that is the only way that they can score, it will easily be defended, it will be quite obvious.

Gabby Espinas is maybe the only one that can play a more effective low post game compare to the veteran Asi Taulava and a more face-up player Mark Isip. Jason Ballesteros is an additional big guy but can he play in the post and banged bodies inside the paint?

PBA Teams 2011-2012 Line-Up (Shopinas.com Clickers)

SHOPINAS.COM CLICKERS
Head Coach: Franz Pumaren


Image by the PBA
#              Players
1              Brian Ilad
5              Jojo Duncil
7              Mark Angelo Canlas
9              Elmer Espiritu
10            Magi Sison
12            Paulo Hubalde
13            RJ Jazul
14            Ren-Ren Ritualo
15            Rogemar Menor
33            Vaughn Canta
41            Khazim Mirza
52            Dennis Daa


They are the newest and the youngest team in the league. Clickers are the most inexperience team among all the team, three of them might have championship experience in the PBA, namely, Jojo Duncil, Paulo Hubalde and Ren-Ren Ritualo but that's it, nothing more.

PBA Teams 2011-2012 Line-Up (TNT Tropang Texters)

TALK 'N TEXT TROPANG TEXTERS
Head Coach: Chot Reyes


#              Players
Image by the PBA
3              Jimmy Alapag
4              Harvey Carey
10            Ryan Reyes
12            Larry Fonacier
16            Pamboy Raymundo
17            Jason Castro
20            Jared Dilinger
21            Kelly Williams
35            Japeth Aguilar
33            Ranidel de Ocampo
34            Ali Peek
40            Rich Alvares
51            Aaron Aban
98            Gilbert Lao


They are the strongest team in papers. If you will just base the winnings in the list of players, TNT will win it all. NO DOUBT! Tropang Texters never move a finger in their line up, the only move they made was the addition of a very good prospect in the point guard position, Pamboy Raymundo. Japeth Aguilar was already in their line up before but they gave way for the Philippine Team.

I expect them to have a very good run this coming Conference. They have arguably the strongest and most talented All-Filipino line up for this season. They will have the 'MOST ATHLETIC' front line, ofcourse I'm not talking about Ali Peek, It's Kelly Williams and Japeth Aguilar. Can you imagine dunk after dunk for this two high flying players?

PBA Teams 2011-2012 Line-Up (RoS Ealsto Painters)

RAIN OR SHINE ELASTO PAINTERS
Head Coach: Yeng Guiao

#              Players
1              Jonathan Uyloan
3              Paul Lee
5              Larry Rodriguez
Image by the PBA
6              Jireh Ibanes
8              Ronjay Buenafe
10            Gabe Norwood
11            Tyrone Tang
16            Jeff Chan
18            Ryan Arana
20            Jervy Cruz
21            Chito Jaime
30            Beau Belga
33            Ronnie Matias
48            Ronald Quinahan


Elasto Painters could also be the another dark horse in this coming Conference. They have their own core three Ronjay Buenafe, Ryan Arana and Gabe Norwood, they can be the difference maker. They also have a solid back up, with Jeff Chan, Beau Belga, Larry Rodriguez and Jervy Cruz.

The addition of Paul Lee in the line up will mean a more stable point guard for the team. He can create for his teammate and also create his own shot. They also have big guys that are willing to fight inside the paint and sacrifice their own body for the rebound.

PBA Teams 2011-2012 Line-Up (Alaska Aces)

ALASKA ACES
Head Coach: Joel Banal


#           Players
0           Julius Pasculado
3           Cyrus Baguio
Image by the PBA
4           Jay-R Reyes
5           LA Tenorio
7           Sonny Thoss
10         Mac Baracael
12         Eric Salamat
13         Bon-Bon Custodio
21         Paolo Bugia
24         Brandon Cablay
26         Ariel Mepana
33         Sam Eman
34         Wesley Gonzales
35         Tony Dela Cruz
RESERVE/INJURED LIST
Hans Thiele
Ervin Sotto


Without Tim Cone? Alaska will still be ready to fight, Coach Joel Banal will still be doing the Triangle Offense that most of the players know how to do it. Offense will not be a problem at all because Triangle Offense is a continues offense and Aces know how to adjust.

With the addition of the Julius Pasculado, Eric Salamat and Mac Baracael, Aces will have a new set of fire power. They said that Pascualdo could be the steal of the recent draft, so, let's see if he is. Salamat is a good physical player especially in his position as a point guard, and Baracael, the international experience of his will be an advantage for his game and also for the team.

PBA Teams 2011-2012 Line-Up (Petron Blaze Boosters)

PETRON BLAZE BOOSTERS
Head Coach: Ato Agustin

#            Players
3            Chris Lutz
4            Marc Agustin
Image by the PBA
5            Alex Cabagnot
6            Rey Guevarra
7            Dondon Hontiveros
10          Danny Ildefonso
11          Rabeh Al-Hussaini
18          Joseph Yeo
23          Jay Washington
27          Siverino Baclao
29          Arwind Santos
32          Dennis Miranda
34          Carlo Sharma

The Grand Slam stopper and the last Conference Champion, They have a high moral and momentum. With the returning "Cebuano Hotshot" Dondon Hontiveros, they will be on top shape again. Additional outside shooter and great defender, a huge lift especially that Washington and Al-Hussaini will be coming from injuries.

Monday, September 26, 2011

Team Pilipinas Historic Run

SMART Gilas Team Pilipinas
After a long... long... long drought.

FINALLY!

The Philippine Team broke the elusive Final Four in the FIBA ASIA. It has been 24 long years when we had a chance to enter the Top Four in the FIBA Tournament. The last time we got it was in 1987.

Even it turned out to be not quite pretty for the team, still it could be considered as a success.

We beat Chinese Taipei in the Quarterfinals, 95-78 but we were beaten by the Jordan Team in the Semi Finals, 75-61. Again, we had a chance in the Bronze Medal Game, but unfortunately, Korea beat us in a thriller, 70-68. This achievement for the Philippine Team was a Milestone for everyone. Although, we didn't get any medal, the fact that we made it in the top four was already a huge accomplishment for the program.

Now we can say that Filipino Ballers have the ability AGAIN to play in the world division. We can beat international teams and play in a high level of basketball.

Test of 'Bones'

Image by UFC
It happened at the Pepsi Center in Denver, the first test for the reigning Light Heavyweight Champion of UFC. Jones, prove that his 'Bones' can submit the top shaped Rampage.

The fight was dictated by the long reach of the Champion. Jones' boxing was undeniably good at that night, and he showed an improved striking skill.

Jon Jones unorthodox striking worked in his favor, he hit Jackson with his patented spinning back elbow in the early rounds. Leg kicks and knee kicks disrupted the attack of Rampage and it created openings for Jones.

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Eagles in Game 1

Nico Salva
(image by UAAP Sports)
ONE WIN AWAY
Eagles clinched their first win in the Best-of-Three Finals against FEU Tams, 82-64.

MR. PERFECT
Nico 'Salvage' Salva did no wrong in Game 1 of the UAAP Finals last Saturday(Sept.24). He scored a huge 24 points, grabbed 5 boards, dished 3 assists, got 2 blocks and became the Best Player of that game.

Salva had a perfect overall shooting game. He made 8 of 8 in the field and 8 of 8 in the free throw line. He never wasted any shot to helped his team secure their first win of the Finals.

In the first part of the opening quarter, Tams made a few jitters, turned the ball over a couple of times and the Eagles took advantage of that and scored quick 6 points. Garcia retaliates and attacked the defense of Eagles and Tams tied the game at 6 a piece. Romeo the anchor of Tams scored 10 points, with 3 rebounds and 2 assists in the first quarter alone, a big lift for the Tams. They shot 60% to start the game and made a strong act for by ending the first 10 minutes up by 5, 19-14.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Redeem or Four-peat?

RENEWED RIVALRY
FEU is again in the position to stop Ateneo from writing an amazing history.

FEU and ADMU for the third time in the UAAP Finals
since the start of Final-4 format in 1994

Image by the UAAP Sports
Tams and Blue Eagles met twice in the Finals since the start of the Final-4 format in 1994, it was in 2003 and 2010. They have a 1-1 record in their head-to-head match up in the Finals. In 2003 season of UAAP, Tams beat the Blue Eagles in a convincing fashion, the Morayta based team swept the Ateneans that year in their Best-of-Three Finals. They met again in 2010, this time, the Katipunan based squad never won a single game against the Tams in the elimination but they return the favor to the Tamaraws, Blue Eagles swept the Tams in the Finals, 2-0, and it became sweeter for the Ateneans because FEU was not successful in stopping the rare Three-peat of ADMU.

In this 74th season of UAAP it's a REMATCH! but this time we have the reverse situation. The Morayta squad never won a single game in the elimination against the Blue Eagles this year, can FEU retaliate?

Sunday, September 18, 2011

FEU's Complete Assault

FEU Tamaraws
(image by UAAP Sports)
TEAM EFFORT
It was a complete ambush made by the Tamaraws. It was their Rebounding and their Defense that helped them out to secure the last Finals berth in the Season 74 of UAAP. Tolomia, Romeo, Escoto, Ramos, Garcia and the rest of the team gave their best and pulled out a 78-74 win over the No.2 AdU Falcons. It was a thriller from start to finish but Tams prevailed and outplayed the more motivated and more eager Falcons. FEU was the 7th team to beat the No.2 seed and went straight to the Finals. Now, they will face again the Blue Eagles in the Finals for a re-match and they have a chance to redeem their last year performance.

It was a hard fought game, no one wants to end their season there. AdU led by two points after two quarters, 33-35. Tams pulled away in the last part of the 3rd quarter and had their largest lead with 11 points, 59-70, but AdU came back again in the last 2 minutes of the game, they scored a quick 9 points and brought down the lead of Tams to 3 points, 71-74 and put FEU in limbo. Falcons had their chances but Tams rebounding dictated the outcome of the game.

Mayweather KOed Otiz: "Cheap" Knock-Out?

Mayweather K.O. Ortiz in the 4th round
(image by INTERAKTV/Reuters)
CHEAP SHOTS?
Mental lapses on the side of now the former WBC Welterweight Champion Victor Ortiz (29-3-2 with 22 KOs). It was in the 4th Round where Ortiz made his rage and became the aggressor in the fight, but som much eagerness caused him a lot, in fact too much. Ortiz threw a headbutt to Mayweather and it was clearly saw by the Referee Joe Cortez.

He stopped the fight and deducted a point to Victor Ortiz, then he put the time "IN" and resumed the fight, the Mexican Boxer was caught off guard by the undefeated Mayweather. Floyd's left and right combination finished the fight and put Ortiz in the mat.

Friday, September 16, 2011

Blue Eagles fly to the Finals

"The Phenom" Kiefer Ravena
Image by the UAAP Sports
"THE PHENOM"-ENAL
FINALS TCIKET
Blue Eagles knock-off the Growling Tigers in a close-tight game 69-66. With the strong effort of "The Phenom" Kiefer Ravena. He was awarded as the best player of the game with, 15pts. 2rebs. 2assts.

It was a hardly contested game from start to finish. In the first quarter it seemed UST would control the ball game and keep Blue Eagles on a chased down but the Ateneans refused to be on that spot and came back in the second quarter and ended the first half leading by 8-points, 30-38.

ADMU's lead ballooned to 15-points in the third quarter, their largest lead in the ball game but the UST Growling Tigers fought back and brought the lead to 12-points after three quarters, 52-40.

In the early part of the fourth and final quarter everyone thought that the Blue Eagles would easily take this one out of Uste. ADMU led the whole game, but they relaxed a bit and Uste took advantage of that and made their last and strong run to salvage their position in the Final 4 playoff and forced the Blue Eagles to a sudden death game this coming Sunday but ADMU denied that run.

Tamaraws forced Knock-Out Game

Terrence Romeo
Image by the UAAP Sports
ROMEO OH! ROMEO
He was part of the core three of the Tams with Garcia and Ramos. Terrence Romeo was the least expected to handle and carry his team in their game against the No.2 AdU Falcons, he was hitting all cylinder and burning nets. He was awarded the best player of the game with an outstanding 19 points.


Romeo's clutch game emerged when the team needed the most. After the tight game in the first half, Romeo, pulled it off, he hit a BIG 3-point shot that brought their lead to 13 points, 27-40. That was an answer to the 2-3 Zone Defense of the Falcons. That fueled the 17-4 run by the FEU in the third quarter and they posted their biggest lead in the game with 21 points, 31-52. The confidence and poise of this young Tam showed up in the game. He also played a very very good defense to Lester Alvares and limit the AdU's point guard production especially outside the 3-point line.

Thursday, September 15, 2011

NBA (N.o B.asketball A.greement)


2011-12 NBA SEASON

No results. No deals. No paychecks. No Basketball.

Billy Hunter the Union Executive Director sat with his board of players in a meeting held in midtown Manhattan. They waited 3-hours for the owners and Commissioner David Stern in the room and they expected that they would get result from the debate of the owners that day. Well, they did get the result, unfortunately bad result. Still, the owners stick to their plan and they wanted the union to be dissolved, because they believed that they could win this agreement and there's no need for them to compromised anything.



Players were expecting to have a better result after that meeting but Hunter, will fly to Vegas on Wednesday with nothing. How will this scenario affect the season? Especially the players that will eventually suffer from not receiving paychecks. With a wrong speculation of Hunter that Stern would help them to have a better result, the union suffer from it, because Stern, didn't.

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Unstoppable Djokovic, Won US Open 2011

Resiliency.
Mental Toughness.
Steady Game.

Novak Djokovic won the US Open 2011
These were the weapons of Novak Djokovic who won his Third Grand Slam this year. He beat his arch rival, the No.2 rank Rafa Nadal in four set, 6-2, 6-3, 6-7, 6-1.

The Serbian Champion improved his record to 64-2 in this season and 6-0 against Nadal.

The Spaniard Rafa Nadal made an early surged and lead 0-2 in the early part of the first and second set. He was full of motivation to redeem himself and beat Djokovic in their head-to-head match up. But, the resilient Serbian never lose his focus and got back in the game and won both sets.

Monday, September 12, 2011

The Final Four

Let the Playoff Begins!

Elimination is over, and now we have the Four Teams that standout.

Image by the UAAP Sports
Ateneo Blue Eagles
The No.1 team in this season 13-1 (W-L). They have the lethal combination of "The Phenom" Kiefer Ravena and the big Greg Slaughter. They also have the athletic Nico Salva in their line up, this is their own "Big Three", with their Champion Coach, Norman Black, this team will be the team to beat in this playoff. Why? Because they simply know how to be a Champion, they will not have a rare three-peat if they don't have what it takes. Their match up with UST Growling Tigers (No.4) will have a big obstacle to overcome, ADMU have the twice to beat advantage and this is huge for them. Can they win another Championship? and go for a very very rare and almost impossible four straight titles? The Blue Eagles create this "Dynasty" in this league and became the barometer of all the team that want to win a title. They have the talent and capability to win it, BUT! will the other three teams allow them to get it? How will the "Big Slaughter" keep his production in the paint and dictate the game inside the shaded area?

Djokovic's unbelievable comeback!

Novak Djokovic
He's on FIRE!

The young champion of the Tennis World made another strong statement by coming back from 2 rounds down and won the US Open Semi Finals against the former No.1 (currently World No. 3) Roger Federer.

Federer made an early run by winning the first 2 rounds, 7-6, 6-4 but the resilient Djokovic came back in the 3rd and 4th round by winning 6-3, 6-2.

The current No.1 Djokovic and  his opponent Federer exchanged  ball in the early part of the 5th round but after the 3-3 point, Djokovic collapsed in the 4th and 5th set. Federer got the respective set by scoring 40-0, 40-0 and he led 5-3 over Djokovic, it's a set match for Federer.

BUT

Saturday, September 10, 2011

NO SWEEP!

Image by the UAAP Sports
Falcons got the better of the Blue Eagles.

NO SWEEP!
That's the battle cry of the AdU Falcons when they fought the Ateneo Blue Eagles earlier this day. A lot were at stake in that game. Adamson had a 29 losing streak against ADMU from 1997 until their win today. 0-11, the record of Coach Leo Austria when he go head to head with Coach Norman Black, Coach Austria beat all the coaches in the UAAP except one, Coach Norman Black.

Falcons soared high in their fight with the Blue Eagles.

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Alaska without Tim Cone


Coach Tim Cone
(Image buy the PBA)
It's official!

Coach Tim Cone ended his contract with the Alaska Aces.
Yes, you read it right it is true, it's Coach Tim Cone.

It's really hard to imagine an Alaska team with out a Coach Tim Cone, but according to the story in Teledyaryo Sports, Coach Tim wants to explore new challenges outside Alaska, and The Team Management of Alaska accepted it and they assigned Coach Joel Banal as the new Head Coach of the team.

But who is Coach Tim Cone for Alaska?

Azkals, Back in Form!

It's been a month when we last saw our very own FutBol team. They took a rest after their game against Kuwait. Now they start preparing for the Long Teng Cup in Taiwan. This Cup is also important because this will give them points for the FIFA World Rankings.

Azkals have a new player.