Team Pilipinas UPDATES

RP quintet wants to learn from Nash, Suns

The Philippine Star 03/27/2007

The RP-San Miguel basketball team, raring to catch Steve Nash and the Phoenix Suns play, is working double time to secure tickets for the LA Lakers-Suns game in the NBA on April 8 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

"Thats the plan, and the players are trying very hard to get tickets even through the Internet," said national coach Chot Reyes, who already has two courtesy of Tex Winters, assistant to Lakers coach Phil Jackson and architect of the triangle offense from their Chicago Bulls days.

To watch Nash and the Suns is what the national team is actually looking forward to, said Reyes.

"Its not so much Kobe Bryant and the Lakers, because its the Suns game that we want to pattern ours."

The Suns are currently the No. 2 top team in the NBA, having clinched the Pacific Division title with a 52-17 (win-loss) record, next to Southwest Division pacesetter Dallas Mavericks (58-11).

The Nationals depart for a two-week camp in Carson City on Thursday as it starts its buildup for the SEABA tournament in Thailand in May and the FIBA-Asian Mens Championship in Japan in July.

Reyes, however, added that they are also looking forward to meeting with the Lakers, currently on a five-win streak.

"Were also trying to arrange a meeting with the Lakers through Tex but it will depend of course on the mood of Phil," said Reyes, referring to LA Lakers coach Phil Jackson.

The RP teams schedule is hectic, starting at 7:30 in the morning when the Nationals leave Holiday Inn-Torrance for the short walk to the training center, and lasting up to 7:30 at night, Monday to Saturday.

The players have Sunday off.

The day starts with a two-hour skills work followed by an hour break for lunch. Next is a two-hour session for lifting weights and conditioning, a 60-minute second skills drill, capped by a two-hour scrimmage with teams from the National Basketball Development League.

Individual skills training, team bonding and the opportunity to play versus tough competition in scrimmages are what Reyes hopes to achieve for the team in the course of the two-week camp.

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RP 5 will do the impossible, says Reyes doing things other people say we shouldnt be doing. Lets not wait until July to do the things people say we couldnt do."

Reyes said beating China seems to be a mission impossible but hes not resigned to it.

"Well never know until we try," he said. "We shouldnt wait until July to start doing the impossible. We need to start now to do the impossible, even in little ways. Because when we start training our bodies and minds to do the impossible, to do the things we shouldnt be doing today then we will be better prepared to do the impossible later."

Reyes said hes impressed by the dedication and effort the players showed on the first day at camp. "Im proud to be here with you," he told the players. "Great work. Get your rest and lets come back and do even better tomorrow."

In the morning session, Reyes split the 11-man squad into guards and bigs. Jimmy Alapag, Jay-Jay Helterbrand, Mark Caguioa, RenRen Ritualo and Dondon Hontiveros began with performance movement training followed by a series of individual drills in shooting, footwork, balance and ballhandling. The big men Asi Taulava, Ranidel de Ocampo, Mick Pennisi, Kerby Raymundo, Danny Seigle and Tony de la Cruz hit the weights and did flexibility training. Then, the guards went to the weight room and the bigs went through the individual skills modules.

In the afternoon, the team did more shooting, ballhandling and footwork exercises then broke into 3-on-3 drills focusing on ballscreens, hand-off executions and reading the defense. Interspersed were agility drills and a lot of running.

"To say the day was exhausting is an understatement," said Reyes. "Thats why I championed their efforts at the end of the session."
 
RP-SAN MIGUEL WHIPS ABAS HOLLYWOOD FAME IN 1ST TUNEUP GAME
Helterbrand, Hontiveros, Pennisi strike hard vs Bryon Russell-led squaded connecting.

Ritualo and Pennisi then engineered a scorching rally that wiped out the deficit as the Fame went into the locker room holding a 51-50 edge.

The second half was RP-San Miguel all the way, with Pennisi and Dondon Hontiveros delivering long-distance bombs and Helterbrand shredding the Fame defense in setting up Tony de la Cruz from the perimeter.

The Americans trailed by 10 at the start of the fourth quarter and went into a full court press which the Nationals easily broke down with superb ball-handling.

A rematch is set Tuesday with Russell, best remembered as the Utah Jazz defender faked out of position by Michael Jordan, then still with the Chicago Bulls, for that picture-perfect winning jumper, vowing revenge, as the Filipinos superior ballhandling rendered their fullcourt press useless.

"More impressive than our shooting, conditioning, and quickness was the fact that we did not give up even when we were down by 18 early," said Reyes. "We struggled early, but the players found a way to overcome the soreness and fatigue they felt from the morning's workouts"

Reyes added the Nationals "communicated very effectively, and their genuine concern for each other was inspiring. Overall, I am quite satisfied with this, our first game ever as a unit."
 
US team rips RP-SMC five to even series of the second half, but the Fame A had an answer this time courtesy of Lamar Gayle and Mo Spillers who countered with a 10-2 run for a 76-55 advantage going to the final period.

Team Pilipinas mounted a last-ditch effort to turn the game around midway in the fourth, but again the Fame struck with guards Dino Tanner and Kevin Bradley draining clutch 3-pointers to smother the rally.

Scores:

HOLLYWOOD FAME 100 Gayle 21, Tanner 17, Bradley 15, Spillerse 14, Russel 9, Banks 9, Aftalion 5, Whyte 4, Williams 4, Anderson 2.

RP-SAN MIGUEL Caguioa 15, Seigle 11, Taulava 10, Ritualo 8, Dela Cruz 6, Pennisi 6, Helterbrand 4, Alapag 4, Hontiveros 4, De Ocampo 4, Raymundo 4.

Quarters: 28-16; 54-36; 76-55; 100-76
 
RP-SAN MIGUEL DOWNS CAL STATE-DOMINGUEZ
Caguioa shines in impressive wining lineup comprised of Jayjay Helterbrand, Mark Caguioa, Tony de la Cruz, Ranidel de Ocampo and Asi Taulava set the tone for the match, opening a 7-0 lead that appeared to surprise the Dominguez Hills Toros.

Caguioa finished with 22 points while Danny Seigle came off the bench with 14.

Behind their leader Jamel Barnes, the Toros closed the gap halfway through the period. But the Nationals second unit Jimmy Alapag, Dondon Hontiveros, Kerby Raymundo, Mick Pennisi and Seigle restored the advantage and set Team RP on the road to a 31-16 first quarter breakaway.

The Toros tried to rattle the Filipinos with a 1-3-1 defense, but Renren Ritualo, Hontiveros and Pennisi brought Cal-State right out of the zone with long-range bombs from beyond the arc.

The lead was 48-28 at the half, a bulge RP-San Miguel maintained at the end of three quarters, 70-50.

Unlike the first two games when our mentality was just to compete and execute, we went into this game with the mindset that we were out to win, said RP coach Chot Reyes.

We practiced only until 12 noon yesterday, and got everyone back at 12 noon today, thus giving everyone a 24-hour break, and it showed in the energy. More than the win, what pleased me was our ball movement and the players' selflessness.

The RP-San Miguel squad returns to the gym for its three-a-day practice Saturday.

Well see how well we play with fatigue next game, Reyes said.

The scores:

RP-SAN MIGUEL 90 Caguioa 22, Seigle 16, De la Cruz 14, Pennisi 9, Raymundo 8, Taulava 6, Hontiveros 4, Ritualo 3, Alapag 3, De Ocampo 3, Helterbrand 2.

CAL STATE-DOMINGUEZ Ward 16, Walton 14, Steed 10, Nibo 9, Barnes 6, Love 4, Isaac 4, Fowler 2, Ramey 2, Duhon 2, Johnson 0.

Quarters: 31-16; 48-28; 70-50; 90-71.
 
NATIONALS SHOW OFF POTENTIAL NEW FIL-AM RECRUIT, WALLOPS ABA-USBL SELECTIONing with the same unit as the last game, the Nationals raced to a quick 12-0 lead, forcing the opposing coach to call an early timeout. Inspired by the presence of his relatives, Mark Caguioa opened up scoring with a three-point shot, before Asi Taulava and Ranidel de Ocampo took turns attacking the hoop for that dozen-point spread.


The Americans came back strong behind CCA all-conference member Johntae Vincent and ABA veteran Phil Givens to close out the first-quarter down by only 30-24.


Shortly before the quarter ended, Norwood, whose late grandfather hails from Pangasinan and grandmother Frances Villoria is from Camiling Tarlac entered the game. The 6-5 Norwood played point guard for GMU, which advanced to last year's NCAA Final Four but failed to make it this year. Gabe flew in from Virginia and joined the Nationals in their 3-a-days last Friday. He also practiced with the team Saturday morning before playing the same night.


But the way he seamlessly blended in, you would think he 's been playing with the team for a long time. Alternating between the point and off-guard spots, Norwood immediately made his presence felt via a thunderous slam off a behind the back pass from Jimmy Alapag early in the 2nd quarter that drove the pro-Pinoy crowd wild. Gabe went on to score on a variety of jumpers while running the offense and passing off for six assists, prompting his teammates to give their "thumbs-up" on his potential as a probable national team member.


The combination of Norwood, Danny Seigle, Caguioa, Mick Pennisi and Kerby Raymundo conspired to tow RP to a commanding 58-42 advantage at halftime.


The Americans opened the third quarter with a 12-2 run to threaten at 60-54. After a timeout, RP threw a surprise half-court trapping defense that led to successive baskets with Seigle scoring eight points as the quarter ended with SMB-RP comfortably back on top, 79-61.


This seemed to take the fight out of the Americans as they never got any closer the rest of the way as Team Pilipinas continued applying the pressure until the final buzzer.


CHOTS THOUGHTS: This RP Team has great size and talent, but is more of an All-Star selection, and not really a team. Still, I thought we did well in terms of ball movement and overall effort. More importantly, we finally had a chance to see how Gabe fits in with us, and from seeing this game, his work ethic in the weight room and court drills, and his instant rapport with his teammates, I would say that he is a great fit. He flies back to attend school Sunday night, so it will be interesting to see how we play against legitimate Division I teams on Tuesday (Cal State Fullerton) and Wednesday (Long Beach State).


The scores:


RP-San Miguel Seigle 21, Caguioa 18, Pennisi 13, de Ocampo 11, Helterbrand 10, Taulava 8, Norwood 8, Raymundo 4, Alapag 4, dela Cruz 2, Ritualo 2. (Hontiveros DNP due to injury)


US Selection Vincent 21, Givens 15, Bewer 10, Yamatz 8, Bryant 8, Meiller 4, Rivers 4, Lawrence 4, Hamilton 0.
 
Reyes cites gains in US camped with the team doing weights at 8 a.m. From the weights room, the players reported for court work at 9 a.m. then drilled with coach Don Casey on zone defense at 10:30. Reyes described the grind as the usual "killer sked."

Abunassar charged a discounted rate of $1,250 a player (compared to $25,000 for an NBA cager). The price was well worth it as the camp was the first step in setting the team on track for the SEABA championships on May 24-28 in Ratchaburi, Thailand, and the FIBA-Asia qualifiers for the Beijing Olympics on July 28-Aug. 5 in Tokushima, Japan.

Reyes said as a result of keeping together for two weeks, familiarity and bonding were now "very evident" among the players.

"We found out about Abunassar from Norman Black as this is the camp that Talk N Text and several Alaska players attended when it was still a part of the IMG (International Management Group) center in Florida," said Reyes.

"Koreas Bang Soon Yung and five Chinese national players led by Yi Jianlian are the most prominent camp attendees from Asia, giving us an idea of how learning is helpful for the international game."

Reyes said Abunassar, who has spent eight years as a coach in the NCAA Division I level, personally tracked the development of each player with performance training specialist Kevin Elsey.

For two weeks, the team reported for workouts at the Home Depot Center gym which is equipped with three NBA regulation courts, 18 teaching stations, a state-of-the-art weight room and performance facility in a 125-acre complex. Abunassar operates a similar center in Las Vegas.

Giving the players a rest from the exhausting regimen, Reyes allowed a day off on their first Sunday. Jimmy Alapag, Tony de la Cruz, Asi Taulava and Mark Caguioa visited family in the Los Angeles area. Reyes drove to Las Vegas to visit his mother and mark his fathers first death anniversary. Ranidel de Ocampo and Pennisi, first-timers in the US, were taken for a tour by teammates familiar with the city sights.

Abunassar is an Indiana University graduate who is certified by the National Strength and Conditioning Association. He served in coach Joby Wrights staff at the University of Wyoming for four seasons. Abunassar also worked with Bobby Knights teams at Indiana as manager.

"We make players better at all levels by covering every aspect of every physical and mental areas of the game," said Abunassar. "Two weeks in the program will completely change the way a player approaches his training and shape the remainder of his career. Performance training, corrective exercises, nutritional knowledge and an understanding of recovery are essential keys to improving on the court."

As director for basketball at IMG Academies, Abunassar developed a progra m for dedicated athletes. He revolutionized the way players worked out, employing a comprehensive multi-level system designed by physical therapists, athletic trainers and performance coaches.

"My program has everything to do with nutrition and performance because without that, the basketball isnt going to be as effective," said Abunassar. "Skills development and performance advancements are the keys to offseason training for players of all ages. Our program is unparalleled and will produce fast results."

Among the NBA players who are Abunassar graduates are Chauncey Billups, Tayshaun Prince, Kevin Garnett, Al Harrington, Vince Carter, Erick Dampier, Sebastian Telfair and Jared Jeffries. Abunassar has worked with over 50 NBA cagers, including six All-Stars.
 
Indons give RP rude awakening
By Nelson Beltran
The Philippine Star 04/13/2007

JAKARTA Harbour Centre-Philippines came to realize Wednesday night what SM Britama-Indonesia could offer in a preview of their title clash in the SEABA Champions Cup Saturday.

The Nationals got a rude awakening after being beaten by the host team, 74-79, before a good crowd at the Britama Arena here.

Harbour Centre-RP lost the battle but not the war, with the team still a cinch to make it to the final with an expected rout of Vietnam today. The Vietnamese lost their first two games in the tourney by a whopping average losing margin of 80 points.

SM-Britama, meanwhile, still has a tough assignment in Petronas-Malaysia on the final day of the elimination round. A loss by 11 points or more would ease the Indons out of the title match.

"We lost the game alright but theres a silver lining in this defeat. Its better that were beaten by the Indons now. At least, we now know what theyre capable of doing," said coach Junel Baculi.

"They cant beat us twice," said import Julius Nwosu, confident they can get back at the hosts in the finale.

Nwosu and Vidal Massiah were outplayed by Ian Crosswhite and Kueth Duany, and the entire Harbour Centre-RP team was outfought by Indonesia with a resolute zone defense and a fluid motion offense.

The Nationals actually took control at the start but faltered in the second quarter and couldnt get the momentum for a full-blown rally in the final half.

After falling behind by 12, 38-50, the best the Nationals could do was get within one, 52-53.

Still within striking distance at 69-72 with 2:41 left to play, Harbour Centre-RP faded for good as it went without a basket in the next 1:30 of play.

Guard Faisal Julius Achmad rifled in back-to-back triples just as the Philippines threatened at 52-53.

But Crosswhite and Duany proved to be the biggest thorns on Harbour Centre-RPs bid with the former scattering a game-high 23 points that went with 16 rebounds and four assists and the latter adding 19 points and seven rebounds.

Nwosu was good for only 18 points and 17 rebounds with Massiah, a PBA discard, chipping in only 11 points and later complaining of a bruised knee.

Still, the Nationals put up a good fight, except that they couldnt break the Indons zone defense.

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SMB-RP LOSES BY 3 TO CAL STATE-FULLERTON
Pennisi misses triple in endgame as Division 1 team escapes with wining to develop their identity. Teammanship is impressive, he said.

Alapag added 14 points while Seigle and Taulava tallied 13 and 10, respectively, against the Titans, who had a 21-9 record in the Big West Conference last season.

Cal-State Fullerton raced to a 12-5 lead at the start of the game as their players showed tremendous athletic ability, quickness, and outside shooting befitting their D-I
status.

Meanwhile, as part of the teams practice itinerary Monday morning, Team RP learned a couple of new things from former LA Clippers and New Jersey Nets head coach Don Casey, who came in to brief the team on his zone defense principles and ran some drills with the Nationals.
A day earlier, the Nationals were at the Staples Center to watch the Lakers-Suns game.
 
SMB-RP STUNS LONG BEACH STATE
Caguioa, Seigle & Alapag star in Nationals final US tune-up game
Saturday, 14 April 2007

CARSON CITY, CA Mark Caguioa scored 23 points and Danny Seigle added 21 Friday as RP-San Miguel wrapped up its two-week training in the States by shocking the Long Beach State 49ers, a US NCAA Division I school, 93-89, at the Home Depot Center.
Caguioa and Seigle carried the brunt of the Nationals' second half comeback from double-digit deficits against the bigger, faster 49ers, but it was dervish of a point guard Jimmy Alapag who brought the rally to a heart-stopping climax.

Alapag tied the game 89-all with a three-point shot and Seigle hit two free throws with 20 seconds remaining, following a Long Beach miss, to give RP-San Miguel a 91-89 lead.

Long Beach called time to diagram an offense designed, as it turned out, for a zone. But national coach Chot Reyes switched to a man-to-man and the 49ers' star Kevin Houston, a second team All-American, was unable to attack the defense on isolation.

A hurried shot and an ensuing baseline turnover gave possession to the Nationals and Alapag, fouled with four seconds left, sank two free throws to ice the game.

Asi Taulava contributed 15 points, Renren Ritualo 14, Alapag 9, Mick Pennisi 6, Kerby Raymundo 3, and Dondon Hontiveros 2 for the Nationals who missed the services of Ranidel de Ocampo who had flown back to Manila earlier to attend to his college graduation.

RP-San Miguel trailed 12-25 in the first quarter, 34-48 at the half and 64-70 after three quarters before turning hot.

"This game showed our resilience. We simply would not quit," said Reyes. "They constantly talked about pride in the huddles, especially when they were down."

The win, Reyes said, also justified Ritualo's inclusion in the team.

"He gets us back into games quickly. The key is his acceptance of his role. He may be the last person off the bench, but he doesn't allow this to bother him."

Reyes said the three basic objectives for the FIBA Asia-bound national team's going to Carson City one, to get top-caliber conditioning and skills training; two, know each other more personally and connect and bond more cohesively; and three, play against high quality competition were all met.

"We still have quite a ways to go before being in top shape for the FIBA qualifiers in July, but I am confident we are moving in the right direction," Reyes said.

Long Beach went up early, 15-4, using its size and speed to the hilt.

"They ran well, shot from deep, and rebounded relentlessly," Reyes reported. "But the most impressive thing was their defense we could not break anyone down off the dribble, forcing us to shorten our rotation by shuffling guys in and out faster than normal."

Caguioa and Seigle then found their range to bring down a 48-34 Long Beach lead to six points going to the fourth quarter.
There Ritualo took over, gunning down three consecutive 3-pointers to set up the nerve-fraying finish.

The Nationals are expected to be back in the Manila Sunday.
 
The Philippines is definitely back on the international basketball arena with a top podium finish.

The Filipinos' sterling reentry into the international cage scene was punctuated by an 85-67 victory scored by Team Harbour Centre-RP over SM-Indonesia Saturday for the 2007 SEABA Club Championship crown at the Britama Arena here.

Diminutive spitfire Marvin Cruz set up the table and hulking import Julius Nwosu cleared it up, leading the total demolition job on the erstwhile imprudent Indons and paving the way for the Nationals' emphatic return to the international scene following a two-year suspension imposed by the FIBA.

It could only get better.

The win ensured the Filipinos' stint in the FIBA-Asia Champions Club tournament set May 12-20 in Tehran, Iran, and the importance was stressed no end by FIBA-Asia secretary-general Dato Yeoh Choo Hock during the awarding ceremony.

"This is your ticket to Tehran," Choo Hock told Harbour owner Mikee Romero while handing over copies of the entry form for the FIBA Asian Club Championship. "This is historic."

The forms, to be filled out and submitted to FIBA no later than April 20, will be handed over by Romero to the BAP-Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, which will then send an all-pro team currently training under coach Chot Reyes to the club tournament the Filipinos have won four times before, the last two under current Harbour-RP coach Junel Baculi.

"Kahit na SEABA lang, ito pa rin ang pinakamasarap sa lahat since this is the country's first international title following the FIBA suspension. At the same time, we paved the way for coach Chot's team to compete in the FIBA-Asia Champions Cup and there's no more gratifying other than that," said Baculi.

"Mission accomplished!" Romero gushed at the final buzzer of the rugged, at times rough, championship game which the PBL-backed team led by 15 points at the half and as many as 20 the rest of the way.

Business tycoon and SBP head Manny V. Pangilinan, PBA Commissioner Noli Eala, PBL counterpart Chino Trinidad and the amateur league's other officials led those who immediately sent congratulatory messages to the Nationals here, but none were prouder than Romero and PBL chairman Gil Angeles.

The Port Masters, now called "Batang Pier," have twice emerged champion in the PBL but Romero maintains nothing compares to winning this one for the country.

"This makes us all proud to be Filipinos," Romero said while the entire team basked in the adulation of a motley group of raucous Filipino supporters who personally witnessed the match and helped take away some of the hosts' home crowd advantage.

This one is worth savoring over and over again.

The Filipinos were prevented from scoring a four-game sweep of the tournament following a 74-79 loss to the Indons last Wednesday. But their confidence never wavered and was in fact further boosted by defensive and defensive strategies drawn up by Baculi and chief assistant Louie Alas and some input by the other PBL mentors present here.

The 5-foor-8 Cruz, named tournament MVP and assist leader, led the Nationals with 20 points on 6-of-13 shooting, hitting all eight of his free throws and rising up when it became clearly obvious he was the primary target of the Indonesians' ire.

His teammates readily took the cue, coming out blazing for a 10-2 lead, stretching it to 16-4, before settling for a 22-8 count after the first quarter, right there taking the hometown crowd that included some local dignitaries out of the match.

"He's cool, with a gangster's mentality," Nwosu said of Toyota-Balintawak's star playmaker. "He'd like, if he had a gun, he'd shoot everybody, go to the funeral and give some money to the victims' family."

The statement was borne of Cruz draining the hosts' morale with his daredevil drives and nifty passes while throwing blank stares at those who knocked him down or gave him a hard foul.

Nwosu, voted the final's best player, divided his time hammering 6-foot-11 Australian Ian Crosswhite at the blocks, taking away the Indonesian import's low post plays, and stepping up to whoever was bullying Cruz.

Nwosu, who has won championships from Russia to Greece, the PBA (Red Bull) to Romania, added another glittering entry to his resume after finishing with 18 points and 16 rebounds, and was the recipient of the game's highlight play, an inbounds alley-oop pass from fellow reinforcement Vidal Massiah (10 rebounds), catching and dunking the ball for a three-point play that made it 83-64.

"I call it perfect," said Massiah of his pass.

It could also be called "For all the pain to go away," as he is still has an aching gimpy knee, the hurt he feels compounded by the passing away of his grandmother, who raised him, the other day.

Jonathan Fernandez and JC Intal were major contributors to the winning effort with five triples between them, Intal twice beating the shot clock from beyond the arc.

Ryan Arana, not utilized in the teams' first meeting, chipped in seven points but did more by initializing the tough defense on Indonesia's other import, Kueth Duany.

Duany still led Indonesia with 23 points, while Crosswhite added 17. But much of their effectiveness was taken away by the Nationals' stingy defense, 11 of 13 free throws, and 59-40 rebounding edge.

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"He's cool, with a gangster's mentality," Nwosu said of Toyota-Balintawak's star playmaker. "He'd like, if he had a gun, he'd shoot everybody, go to the funeral and give some money to the victims' family."


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VILLANUEVA CATCHES LAST PLANE TO IRAN
Red Bull slotman gets 12th spot on RP-SMC squad
Thursday, 03 May 2007

Rico Villanueva was speechless when he learned about the news.

Red Bull team manager Tony Chua on Wednesday announced the club is giving its blessings for their star center to join the Philippine Team as its 12th member.

By all means, said Chua, adding Red Bull would never stand in the way of the national team.

I just hope coach Chot Reyes will use him extensively.

Red Bulls announcement was timely. The RP-SMC squad is set to leave for Tehran, Iran next week to compete in the FIBA-Asia Champions Cup from May 12-20.

Villanueva, who has been religiously practicing with the Nationals despite his tight schedule with his mother ballclub, said he has mixed feelings.

I would still want to help my team but its an honor to play for the country, said Villanueva, who will fill the spot vacated by Fil-Am forward Rudy Hatfield.

After its game against Talk N Text on Wednesday (May 4), Red Bull plays San Miguel Beer on May 12 in Cebu City but is free until it meets Welcoat Paints on May 18 and Air21 on May 20.

If Villanueva decides to join the Nationals in its scheduled May 11 departure, he will be missing three games in the ongoing 2007 Talk N Text PBA Fiesta Conference and it could be costly for Red Bull.

But Reyes said the Red Bull star can opt to play against San Miguel and leave the next day.

Reyes said the Champions Cup is a critical tune-up for the RP-San Miguel Team before it flies to Ratchaburi, Thailand May 24-28 for the Southeast Asian Basketball Association Mens Championship, the elimination phase for the Olympic-qualifying FIBA Asia Mens Championship in Tokushima, Japan in late July.

Champions Cup organizers have yet to release the official schedule but teams from Lebanon, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Jordan, India, Kazakhstan, Syria, Kuwait and host Iran have confirmed participation.

Before they depart for the Middle East tourney, the Nationals will take on an all-import PBA squad on May 8 at the Araneta Coliseum.

Testing the mettle of the national team are Rod Nealy of Ginebra, James Penny of Red Bull, Galen Young of San Miguel, Wayland White and Alex Compton of Welcoat, Marquin Chandler of Purefoods, Shawn Daniels of Air21, Rosell Ellis of Alaska, Jeff Varem of Coca-Cola, J.J. Sullinger of Talk N Text, and Jamaal Williams of Sta. Lucia Realty.
 
All-import five tests SMC-RP team
By Nelson Beltran
The Philippine Star 05/08/2007

The SMC-Philippine team, which will soon embark on an Olympic berth quest, steps up its buildup as it plays the all-PBA import squad in an exhibition tiff at the Araneta Coliseum tonight.

Coach Chot Reyes and the Nationals consider the 7 p.m. encounter with the PBA imports as a good opportunity to test their mettle as they prime themselves up for the FIBA-Asia Champions Cup in Tehran, Iran.

"Were looking forward to playing the imports because our last competition game was back on April 12," said Reyes.

"While we realize they may not have the benefit of playing together, theres no question that they will give us problems due to their size, talent and athleticism," added Reyes, seeing a formidable rival in the all-imports team carrying the banner of Welcoat.

Coach Leo Austria promised to give the Nationals the challenge they badly need.

"Well take the game seriously because we intend to help the national team in its cause," said Austria.

Austria will have at his disposal playing-assistant coach Alex Compton, Rod Nealy of Ginebra, Galen Young of San Miguel Beer, J.J. Sullinger of Talk n Text, Rosell Ellis of Alaska, Marquin Chandler of Purefoods, Shawn Daniels of Air21, James Penny of Red Bull, Jamaal Williams of Sta. Lucia Realty, James Varem of Coca-Cola, and Wayland White of Welcoat.

The game will be officiated by two PBA referees and one from BARECOM, and will make use of rules used in international play, including four 10-minute quarters.

On the heels of their successful two-week stint in the United States, taking on top collegiate teams and selections from the National Basketball Development League, the Nationals are competing in the Asian Club Championship slated May 12-20 then in the SEABA mens championship from May 24-28.

Teams are allowed to field in two imports each in the Champions Cup but the Philippines is opting not to play one so as to step up its training for the FIBA-Asia Olympic qualifier in Tokushima, Japan in July.

"Tomorrows game is significant as this will be the first public appearance of the national team since it was formally organized in March," said PBA commissioner Noli Eala.

"Im sure the game will be exciting and fun as well as a good indicator of how far our team has already prepared. I hope everyone will come and watch the game and support our national teams campaign to win basketball glory for the country," Eala added.
 
SMC-RP TEAM TROUNCES ALL-IMPORTS SQUAD
Danny S, Hontiveros lead Nationals to down-the-wire wined to miss their shots in the last five minutes of the second quarter enabling the imports to catch up.



The game may be just an exhibition but the imports didn't treat it as such and gamely played with pride.



The scores:



RP 103 Seigle 25, Hontoveros 18, Caguioa 18, Helterbrand 11, Alapag 9, Villanueva 8, Pennisi 4, Raymundo 4, Dela Cruz 4, Taulava 2, De Ocampo 0.



Imports 100 -- Ellis 23, Nealy 17, Chandler 12, Sullinger 10, Young 10, Compton 10, Daniels 8, White 7, Williams 3.
Quarterscores: 28-23, 46-43, 76-79, 103-100.
 
It would have been better if the imports gave it their all. From my view, they were playing at around 50%, even less.

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Thais pose biggest threat
By Nelson Beltran
The Philippine Star 05/10/2007

A breeze or an ambush awaits SMC-Team Philippines in Ratchaburi, Thailand as it plays the host team, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore in a single-round, no-final competition to dispute the SEABA mens championship from May 24-28.

The Nationals take opening-day bye on the 24th, then tackle Singapore on the 25th, Malaysia on the 26th, Indonesia on the 27th and Thailand on the 28th.

The team with the best record after the single round robin is automatically declared the champion. Ties will be resolved by the quotient system of tiebreak.

"The schedule and the format of competition obviously were designed to favor the host team. They scheduled us to play four straight games with them as our final opponent. Theyre looking for an ambush," said PBA commissioner Noli Eala.

PBA coaches say the host apparently is thinking thats the best way to upset the Philippines, resigned to the fact that they cant beat the Filipinos twice.

But coach Junel Baculi, a new addition to coach Chot Reyes staff, believes theres no way the all-pro RP team can be beaten in SEABA.

The Nationals cant afford not to win the SEABA championship as it serves as the qualifier among Southeast Asian countries for the FIBA-Asia championship in Tokoshima, Japan in July.

The team warms up for SEABA and the FIBA-Asia Championship as it leaves tomorrow for Tehran, Iran for the Fiba-Asia Champions Cup from May 12-22.

"Were not going to Tehran to win. Were going there to get better," said RP team coach Chot Reyes on his decision not to exercise their right to play with an import in the Champions Cup.

Twelfth man Enrico Villanueva, accompanied by RP team assistant coach Nash Racela, follows the RP team in Tehran right after Red Bulls out-of-town game in Cebu versus San Miguel Beer Saturday.

Right after the Red Bull-San Miguel game, Villanueva takes the 9:30 p.m. Cebu Pacific flight to Manila then tries to catch the 12:20 a.m. Emirates Air to Tehran.

Still uncertain is Villanuevas stint in the SEABA mens championship.

The Thais, who have reportedly recruited two Thai-American players, could well offer the toughest challenge to the Nationals in SEABA. They didnt expose their recruits as they opted not to play in the recent SEABA Champions Cup in Jakarta.
 
Quote:
Irans Saba powers past Philippine San Miguel
TEHRAN, May 13 (MNA) Irans Saba Battery handed the Philippines San Miguel a 101-88 defeat at the Asian basketball tournament in the court of Azadi Sports Complex in western Tehran Sunday.

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Click to expand...
 
Jalaa (Syria) just made it 0-3 a few minutes ago.

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Got a win, finally. Against Al Muharraq of Bahrain. 99-80. Bahrain ended up with zero wins. SMC moving to the QF against Blue Stars - Lebanon.

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