Tag Archives: PBA

PBA: SMC to re-evaluate participation

11 Mar

Following the Renaldo Balkman saga, San Miguel Corporation (SMC) is re-evaluating its participation in the country’s no.1 professional basketball league.  SMC currently has three teams in the PBA; Petron Blaze Boosters, the defending Commissioner’s Cup champ San Mig Coffee Mixers, and the crowd favorite Barangay Ginebra Kings.  SMC is one of the league’s pioneers and if it withdraws from the league, it will leave a big void that could spell the end of Asia’s first play for pay basketball league. Here is a statement from SMC (taken from interaktv):

San Miguel Corporation would like to apologize to basketball fans and the Philippine Basketball Association, for the unsportsmanlike conduct shown by its import, Renaldo Balkman, last Friday, March 8. We accept the decision to ban Mr. Balkman for life from the league.

We do not condone his actions. The mandate of our basketball operations has always been to entertain basketball fans and foster camaraderie and a spirit of healthy competition. We pride ourselves in having great teams who serve as good role models to the youth and community.

Unfortunately, the incident has been blown out of proportion and has damaged our good name. Already, news of the incident has spread throughout the country and overseas through traditional and online media.

Our reputation is of utmost importance to us because we have worked hard to cultivate this good name through the decades. But it takes only one unfortunate incident like this to undo all our efforts.

As such, given the possible long-term effect of this incident to the San Miguel organization’s image, and in consideration of our need to preserve our good reputation, Management has decided to re-evaluate the company’s continuing participation in the PBA.

Moving forward, we believe sports is a pillar of Philippine society and we will continue to support it and Filipino athletes in general in meaningful ways in and out of the PBA.

The Petron Blaze Boosters (PBB) is the team of Cebuano rookie June Mar Fajardo.  Last friday in their match against Alaska Aces, PBB import Renaldo Balkman went bonkers as he pushed an assistant coach and two teammates before ending up choking Arwind Santos in national TV.  The sad incident prompted Commissioner Chito Salud to fine the former NBA first round pick 250,000 pesos and banned him from the PBA for life.  SMC felt that the incident somehow tarnished their name and made them think about their future in the league and as one of the biggest basketball sponsors in the country.

caloycomment: What’s next in the Petronovela?

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2012 PBA Rookie Draft: Petron gets first pick; Junmar Fajardo could enter draft

23 Jul

The Petron Blaze Boosters got a big consolation from a very disappointing year as they are set to pick this year’s No.1 and No.3 overall in the 2012 PBA Rookie Draft. The final 2 spots were decided at half-time of Game 1 of the 2012 Governor’s Cup Finals between Rain or Shine Elasto Painters and B-Meg Llamados. Actually, the winner of the lottery was Air 21 but apparently the rights for their first round pick in this year’s draft was acquired by Petron in a previous trade. Set to pick 2nd is the Alaska Aces.

Many pundits are now waiting for the next move of the big man from Pinamungahan, Cebu Junmar Fajardo.  The former star of the University of Cebu Webmasters told reporters a month ago that he will only enter the draft if Petron gets the No.1 pick this year.  Well, his prayers were answered last Sunday. After a year of seasoning in the ABL playing for the  San Miguel Beermen that finished runners-up in their inaugural season, Fajardo could be another key player for the Petron team that did not get finals slot in all 3 conferences this year despite of its star-studded line-up.  Fajardo’s ceiling is quiet high and he could be the next dominant big man in the PBA but some quarters also feel that he could just be a shade better than Samigue Eman if he falls to the wrong team.

The 2012 Annual Rookie Draft will be held at the Robinsons Midtown Mall in Manila on August 19.

Here is the 2012 PBA draft order:

1st Round

1. Air21 Express (to Petron Blaze Boosters)
2. Alaska Aces
3. Barako Bull Energy (to Petron Blaze Boosters)
4. Meralco Bolts
5. Petron Blaze Boosters (to Barako Bull Energy)
6. Powerade Tigers (to Barangay Ginebra Kings)
7. Rain or Shine Elasto Painters
8. Barangay Ginebra Kings
9. B-MEG Llamados
10. Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters (to Powerade Tigers)

2nd Round

1. Air21 Express
2. Alaska Aces
3. Barako Bull Energy
4. Meralco Bolts
5. Petron Blaze Boosters
6. Powerade Tigers
7. Rain or Shine Elasto Painters
8. Barangay Ginebra Kings
9. B-MEG Llamados
10. Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters

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2012 PBA Governor’s Cup Semifinals: Quinahan helps Rain or Shine reach finals

18 Jul

The wait is finally over for the Asia Coating franchise to reach the finals of any Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) conference.  It took them 6 long years to finally have a chance to fight for an elusive first PBA title. In the early 2000′s, the Welcoat team of Terrry Que and Raymund Yu were the most dominant team in the Philippine Basketball League (PBL) before strutting their stuff in the PBA.  They finally can breathe a sigh of relief that their championship tradition has transitioned to the biggest basketball league in the land after beating the 2012 PBA Commissioner’s Cup champs B-Meg Llamados, 92-82, to clinch the first slot in the 2012 Governor’s Cup Finals.

Among the players who were instrumental for the Rain or Shine Elasto Painter’s win was former University of the Visayas Green Lancers star J.R. Quinahan.  Quinahan of Mandaue City is probably the only CESAFI bigman who lasted this long in Asia’s first play for pay league.  During his tenure at UV, the Lancers bagged the local collegiate title in every year. He will have a chance also to continue his winning tradition should the Painters win it all this year. In last night’s game, Quinahan scored 7 points and he anchored the defense of RoS when B-Meg started its final rally in the 4th quarter. He was able to get timely rebounds and blocks to take fight away from the feisty Llamados. He even hit a baseline jumper late in the quarter to somehow make it harder for B-Meg to catch up.

B-Meg was still able to cut down the lead to 6 eventually with less than a minute left after a basket by import Marcus Blakely.  Ros, however, got the crucial rebounds at crunch time and were very steady in the charity lane to hold on for the win.

After the win, Coach Yeng Guiao gave a shout out to the team owners.

“Nothing could be more satisfying than to make the finals for a dedicated team [and] owners,” Guiao said. “Kaya naman pala kahit isang maliit na team na naniniwala na dito sa ligang ito, mapakita yung buti ng mga tao behind the organization.

The victory was, indeed, a testament to the balance in the league as Rain or Shine is the 4th different team who made it to the finals in this year’s season. Owner Terry Que who recently turned 62 just got one of the best birthday gifts of his life and only a championship could probably top it.

Jeffrey Chan was judged as the best player of the game finishing with 25 points. Jamelle Cornley had a big night with 16 points along with same number of boards. Marcus Blakely led B-Meg with 18 points.

B-Meg will play sister team Barangay Ginebra Kings on Friday for the right to meet the Painters in the finals. Game One of the Governor’s Cup Finals will be played this Sunday.

The scores:

Rain or Shine 92 – Chan 25, Cornley 16, Buenafe 11, Cruz 9, Lee 8, Norwood 7, Belga 7, Quinahan 7, Ibanes 2, Tang 0, Arana 0.

B-MEG 82 – Blakely 18, Yap 12, Villanueva 11, Barroca 10, Simon 9, Pingris 8, De Ocampo 6, Gaco 4, Reavis 4, Urbiztondo 0.

Quarter scoring: 23-20, 49-41, 74-58, 92-82

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Cebuanos in the PBA: Quinahan almost cost RoS the opening game victory

2 Oct
JR Quinahan

Ex-UV Green Lancer JR Quiñahan played well in his first game as part of the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters. He scored, he rebounded, he did some good things to merit 26 minutes of playing time. It was a very satisfactory performance save for the last play of the game. With Ginebra down by 3, 91-94, in the dying seconds of the game, Quinahan fouled JC Intal who was attempting a desperation three point shot. The foul sent Intal to the line with a chance to tie the game with 1.3 seconds left. The former Blue Eagle made the first two gift shots. He missed the third but teammate John Wilson got the rebound and made an attempt as the buzzer sounded. Fortunately for Rain or Shine and Quinahan, Wilson’s shot was offline.

A loss would have spoiled the debut of Paul Lee who managed to score 21 points along with 8 assists. JR Quinahan finished the game with 7 points, 1 of 1 in the 3 pt region, 7 boards, 2 dishes and 2 blocks in 26 minutes of play. Fellow Cebuano Robert Labagala of Tangke, Talisay finished the game with 5 points in 4 minutes of action.

The scores:

Rain or Shine 94 – Lee 21, Chan 18, Norwood 11, Buenafe 10, Cruz 8, Quinahan 7, Matias 6, Belga 4, Rodriguez 4, Ibanes 4, Arana 1.

Ginebra 93 – Intal 16, Caguioa 16, Helterbrand 11, Tubid 8, Cortez 8, Wilson J. 6, Canaleta 6, Villanueva 6, Labagala 5, Mamaril 5, Wilson W. 4, De Ocampo 2, Cervantes 0.

Quarters: 20-19, 44-37, 77-62, 94-93

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Hontiveros back in San Miguel’s squad

29 Aug

After playing years with San Miguel franchise, Dondon Hontiveros was traded to Air 21 last season in a blockbuster trade that saw Danny Seigle, Paul Artadi, Noy Baclao, and Rabeh Al-Husseini switch teams. The end of the 2011 PBA season brought back Hontiveros to the SMC franchise a sGovernor’s Cup  Petron Blaze Boosters choose to trade Mick Pennisi, Sunday Salvacion, the 8th pick of the draft plus multiple future draft picks for the Cebuano hotshot along with Carlo Sharma and this year’s 3rd pick.

It was a sweet homecoming for Hontiveros after a very hectic season for him. He played 3 conferences and he reinforced the Smart-Gilas in several tournaments. He recently gave up his spot in the Gilas and has decided to take a little vacation before the new season starts. It will be a curios season for him as he will be competing with some younger Petron players who just upset Talk ‘N Text in the Governor’s Cup.

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UC’s Junmar Fajardo targeted to lead ABL campaign

8 Jul
ASEAN Basketball League

Image via Wikipedia

Cebuano behemoth Junmar Fajardo has committed to play for the University of Cebu Webmasters until December of this year. He will finish the CESAFI season and would probably spearhead UC’s campaign in the Philippine Collegiate Champion’s League (PCCL). After that, he can pursue his lifelong dram of becoming a professional basketball players.  It also means that he will not be entering the 2011 PBA Draft.

These developments made him an attractive target for San Miguel Corporation who will be fielding a team in the next season of the Asean Basketball League (ABL).   The SMC team will be the country’s second entry to the 2 year old league after Mikee Romero’s Harbour Center Team.  The team will be coached by legendary import Bobby Parks and they are planning to form a team composed of PBA free agents and reserves.  If negotiations are successful, Fajardo will be the centerpiece of the team.

Junmar Fajardo has dominated the Cebu college leagues for years already and he is ready to take on bigger challenges on and off the court.  A successful ABL campaign could lead him to become the top pick of the 2012 PBA draft barring the entry of Smart-Gilas players. There is also a possibility that he might be recruited to play for the Gilas instead. The future is looking bright indeed for this baller from Pinamungahan.

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3 Former UV stalwarts lead MisOr’s Game 1 Victory over Cebu Niños

7 Sep

Patrick Cabahug, Neil Raneses, and Reed Juntilla combined for 61 points in leading the Meteors to a 1-0 lead in the best of five finals of the Tournament of the Philippines. It was a great homecoming for these 3 former CESAFI stars.  Game 2 is slated tonight.

Caloycomment: It was great Game 1. Hopefully PBA scouts are watching and they will sign these stars to contracts. It would be great to see more Cebuano ballplayers in Asia’s first professional basketball league.

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Roger Yap voted in All-PBA 2nd Team and All-Defensive Team

11 Aug

Roger Yap in Action

Roger Yap of Cebu was recently included in the Mythical 2nd Team in the PBA. He was also voted to be part of the All-Defensive Team for the 2009-2010 Season.  He was instrumental along with fellow Bisaya James Yap in securing the All-Filipino Cup Championship for Purefoods. James Yap from Escalante, Negros Occidental incidentally won the MVP award for this season.

The 6’O” Roger Yap is a former USJ-R Jaguar and plays both guard positions.

August 19, 2010: Roger Yap inked a new 2 year pact with the Derby Ace Llamados.

*Pic from Purefoodsbasketball.com

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