Tag Archives: Smart Gilas

Smart Gilas wins 2012 William Jones Cup after defeating USA, 76-75!!

26 Aug

Miraculous comebacks have been the patent of the 2012 Smart Gilas Team coached by Chot Reyes.  To win the championship, a comeback has to be required.  The Gilas led by L.A. Tenorio obliged to give the Philippines a 76-75 win over Team USA to win the William Jones Cup for the 4th time. By winning against the taller Americans, the Smart Gilas team upped their record to an unreachable 7-1 to assure the team of 1st place.  It is the first Jones Cup title for the country since the Centennial team swept the competitions in 1998.

In today’s game, the Philippines found themselves down by 13 at 55-42 in the closing minutes of the third period. Tenorio conspired with Jeff Chan to trim down the deficit to just 8 points going into the final period at 59-51.  Tenorio waxed hot in the opening minute of final quarter by scoring 5 points.  A three-pointer by Gabe Norwood tied the ballgame at 59-all.  Tenorio gave the Smart Gilas its first lead since the first quarter after hitting a floater.  The game was knotted at 68 a piece after a jump shot by Curtis Marshall. James Justice gave the Americans another lead at 73-72 after a clutch three-point shot.  Marcus Douthit took back the lead for the Gilas at 74-73 with 87 seonds left with a score in the paint.   Jermaine Dearman gave the Americans their last lead at 75-74 with only 36 seconds left in the game clock.  After a timeout, the Philippines took back the lead after Tenorio hiting a jumper off a two-man game with Douthit with just 16 seconds left.  The Americans went empty-handed in the next possession with Tenorio grabbing the important rebound.  USA was forced to foul Jeff Chan with 1.9 seconds left.  Chan missed the first and he intentionally missed the second to slash more time off the game clock.  The Americans had 0.9 seconds left to make a shot from a baseline inbound.  The long heave went to the hands of Freddie Williams but his desperation shot was off the mark giving the Philippines the title.

The trio of Tenorio, Chan, and Douthit starred for the champions by combining 55 points. Tenorio topped the scoring with 20 including 11 in the final quarter. Chan had 5 triples while Douthit manned the paint with authority finishing with 17 points and 12 boards. Wayne Arnold and Justice had 17 each for the Americans who fell to 5-3 for the tournament.

The scores:

SMART GILAS-PILIPINAS 76 – Tenorio 20, Chan 18, Douthit 17, Fonacier 9, Norwood 5, David 5, De Ocampo 2, Thoss 0, Mercado 0.

UNITED STATES 75 – Arnold 17, Justice 17, Marshall 14, Barnes 13, Dearman 10, Vandermeer 2, Reese 0, Williams 0.

Quarters: 12-13, 23-34, 51-59, 76-75.

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Greg Slaughter eyed for SEA Games Basketball team

3 Oct
Southeast Asian Games

Image via Wikipedia

Norman Black, the coach of the National Men’s basketball team for the Southeast Asian(SEA) Games, has included Filipino-American Greg Slaughter in the initial list of players he wants to participate in the Philippine’s defense of the SEA games basketball crown.

The other players in the short list are:

  1. Ateneo’s Nico Salva
  2. Ateneo’s Emman Monfort
  3. Naturalized Center Marcus Douthit
  4. Smart Gilas guard Chris Tiu
  5. Ateneo’s Keifer Ravena
  6. FEU’s RR Garcia
  7. SSC’s Roland Pascual
  8. NLEX’s Cliff Hodge
  9. NLEX’s Chris Ellis
  10. San Beda’s Garvo Lanete
  11. San Beda’s Jake Pascual
  12. FEU’s Aldrech Ramos
  13. SSC’s Calvin Abueva
  14. UST’s Jeric Fortuna
  15. Letran’s Kevin Alas
  16. NU’s Ray Parks
The final selection will be announced soon as they SEA games competitions will start on November 11. The Philippines is expected to dominate the competition but the SBP believes that there is a need to send a strong team owing to the improvement of skills of our Southeast Asian neighbors. The Asean Basketball League (ABL) has been instrumental in upgrading the level of competition in the region. In SEA games history though, the Philippines won all the gold medals except in 1989.
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Hontiveros quits national team

19 Aug

Cebuano hotshot Hontiveros quits Gilas

Cebu PBA stalwart Dondon Hontiveros decided to back out from his commitment to the Smart-Gilas Philippine Men’s National Basketball Team after playing in the recent William Jones Cup were the Gilas placed 3rd. Smart-Gilas coach Rajko Toroman tied to convince him to stay on for the FIBA-Asia Championships but 34 year old former University of Cebu star wanted to rest and focus on the upcoming PBA season. The Smart-Gilas played 9 games in 9 days as part of their preparations for the olympic qualifiers.

Coach Toroman will most likely replace Hontiveros with a player from the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters. Three TNT players are set to join the team: PBA MVP Jimmy Alapag, high-leaping Kelly Williams and shooting big man Ranidel De Ocampo. The fourth player to join the Gilas will most likely be Ryan Reyes or Larry Fonacier.

Net up for the Gilas is four team pocket tournament starting on August 24.

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Jones Cup: Hontiveros scores in double digits as Gilas capture 3rd place

14 Aug
Philippine Developmental National Basketball T...

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For the second straight game, Cebuano basketball star Dondon Hontiveros scored in double figures for the Smart-Gilas team that beat hosts Chinese Taipei, 82-72 to capture 3rd place of the 33rd William Jones Cup.  Hontiveros is one of the 2 PBA reinforcements for the Smart-Gilas. He was recruited to provide leadership and veteran presence in the young team. His shooting was needed when Smart Gilas coach Rajko Toroman sidelined star shooter  JV Casio and Fil-Am Chris Lutz due to injuries. The former University of Cebu star responded with 13 points this game to support Marcus Douhit (28 pts 11 rebs) and Marcio Lassiter (16 pts).

The 3rd place finish matched the ranking of the 2005 and 2007 teams led by now Talk ‘N Text coach Chot Reyes.

Final Rankings:

1st : IRAN

2nd: KOREA

3rd: PHILIPPINES

4th: TAIPEI

5th: JAPAN

6th: JORDAN

The scores:
PHILIPPINES 82—Douthit 28, Lassiter 16, Hontiveros 13, Barroca 10, Baracael 5, Taulava 5, Aguilar 4, Ababou 0
TAIPEI 72—Chien C. 26, Chen S. 13, Su 9, Lee 6, Chen H. 4, Lu 4, Creighton 3, Chang 2, Ho 2
Quarters: 22-16; 43-34; 62-49; 82-72

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Hontiveros helps Gilas reach Jones Cup semifinals

13 Aug
Philippine Developmental National Basketball T...

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Cebuano Dondon Hontiveros was instrumental in clinching a semifinals berth for the Smart Gilas in the 33rd William Jones Cup after helping the Philippines beat a tough Japanese 5 94-78.

With the Philippines trailing 65-68 after a buzzer-beater at the end of the 3rd quarter, Hontiveros hit 2 long bombs to turn the deficit into a 9 point lead with 4 minutes left in the game. The Gilas then coasted to victory and clinched a emifinals berth against Iran.

Hontiveros scored 14 points for his best outing in this year’s competition. Hontiveros along with Asi Taulava were recruited from the PBA to reinforce the Smart Gilas and give some veteran leadership. Hontiveros was a college star at University of Cebu and lead the Cebu Gems in the defunct MBA before going to the PBA and winning titles with the San Miguel Beer team. He has been a member of the National Men’s Basketball Team for many years.

Scores:

Smart-Gilas Pilipinas 94 — Douthit 32, Hontiveros 14, Tiu 11, Lassiter 11, Lutz 9, Barroca 8, Aguilar 7, Taulava 2, Casio 0, Baracael 0, Ballesteros 0, Ababou 0.

Japan 78 — Matsui 27, Nishimura 11, Okada 9, Hinkley 8, Ota 7, Shonaka 5, Togashi 5, Ito 4, Arao 2, Kamata 0, Noguchi 0, Sakai 0.

Quarter scores: 24-20; 49-44; 65-68; 94-78.

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Ultimate Sports Weekend in the Philippines starts Today

22 Jul

If you follow popular team sports like basketball and football, then this will be a busy weekend for you. The Pinoy fan’s world will be rocked by the arrival of NBA star like Kobe Bryant, Chris Paul, and Kevin Durant (thank God for the lockout!!). There are UAAP games this weekend and also there is the Azkals who will battle Kuwait in a World Cup qualifying match. 



How I wish that I can be in Manila right now to watch the NBA stars live. I just have to be contended to watch them on them playing against a selection of the best and the popular Filipino hoops stars. The stars that will play with Kobe, Chris, and Kevin are Tyreke Evans, MVP  Derrick Rose, Derek Fisher, James Harden, Rookie Derrick Williams, and Javale McGee.  They will first have a game with a crack PBA line-up composed of James Yap, Marc Pingris, Mark Caguiao, JC Intal, Arwind Santos, Rabeh Al-Hussaini, Jason Castro, Ryan Reyes, Larry Fonacier, Sonny Thoss, LA Tenorio, Sol Mercado, Gary David, Gabe Norwood and Danny Siegle. Tomorrow, they will slug it out with the Smart-Gilas National Team.


This game is all about entertainment and thanks to one of the richest Filipinos Manny V. Pangilinan (MVP), Filipinos will have an opportunity to see the best players in the world up close and personal. I expect a lot of dunks, loose defense, alley-oops, and some Harlem Globetrotter-like basketball maneuvers. Kids of all ages will surely enjoy the game.



On a more serious note, the Philippine Football Team otherwise known as the Azkals will be playing in Kuwait for the 1st leg of their FIFA World Cup qualifiers 2nd Rd match. The Kuwaitis are ranked way ahead of us but with the way the Azkals have been playing lately, I am sure it will have its competitive moments. If we score a goal that would surely be a big achievement. A 1-3 loss would be still be acceptable compared to the routs that we receive in the past years. A draw will bring the Philippines to the FIFA World map.  Go Azkals.


Indeed it will be a fun weekend. I might just be stuck on my couch to watch TV. UAAP in the afternoon (Studi 23), All-Star Game in earning evening (IBC-13), and the Azkals at dawn. ;) I better go back to sleep and rest my eyes. ;)

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Slaughter leads Ateneo in UAAP Debut

10 Jul
UAAP Season 74: Ateneo Blue Eagles vs. Adamson...

Image by inboundpass via Flickr

Former Green Lancer and perennial CESAFI MVP Greg Slaughter debuted in the UAAP with a bang by leading the defending champions Ateneo Blue Eagles to a win over a tough Adamson Soaring Falcons 55-51. Slaughter who looked very dominating at times, scored 23 points, grabbed 8 rebounds, dished out 2 assists, and blocked 2 shots.

With 6:58 to go in the game, Adamson was leading 51-44. Ateneo did not allow the Falcons to score again. Slaughter led the comeback by scoring a three point play to cut the deficit to 4 and he eventually made 2 free throws to tie the game.  The Smart-Gilas stalwart also made a key block to douse any chance of an Adamson comeback.

It was an exciting debut for the Cebuano and a lot more will be expected of him in the coming games.  With the win, Ateneo joins Far Eastern University Tamaraws who earlier beat DLSU Green Archers as the early leaders of the Season 74 basketball tournament.

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Greg Slaughter cleared to play in UAAP 74

6 Jul

From Lancer to Eagle (pic from adlsu.com)

Former University of the Visayas Green Lancers and CESAFI MVP Greg Slaughter has been cleared by the UAAP board to play for the Ateneo BLue Eagles in the 2011 UAAP Basketball season. Some were questioning his eligibility after he saw action for the Smart Gilas- Philippine National Basketball Team in the second conference of the Philippine Basketball Association. The National team was a guest team in the PBA as part of their preparation for their quest to qualify for the 2012 London Olympics. Some quarters believed that he violated the rule that prohibits players to play in commercial leagues. The board was convinced that his participation in the PBA was for a greater goal rather than for personal financial gain.

Days ago, Slaughter got a recommendation from the UAAP eligibility committee head by University of the Philippines‘ Lailani Gonzales and his eligibility was affirmed in the final meeting before the new season starts.

It will be a very exciting UAAP season and Greg Slaughter is expected to banner the 4-peat bid of the Blue Eagles. There are also other exciting rookies for the league as Keifer Ravena (ADMU) and Bobby Ray Parks, Jr. (NU) playing in the college level for the first time. Cebuano Mark Jayven Tallo would have been in the Ateneo line-up this year but his family decided to forego the opportunity.

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Contrasting Tales of 2 Cebuano Blue Eagles

13 Jun
The Blue Eagle, the university's adopted symbo...

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The University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) is the premier collegiate athletic league in the country. UAAP Basketball has been dominated by the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles.  The 4-peat seeking Blue Eagles recruited 2 Cebuanos for the 2011 UAAP cage wars: Gregory Slaughter  and Mark Jayven Tallo.

Two years ago, Slaughter was the CESAFI Seniors MVP playing for the University of the Visayas Green Lancers while Tallo was the Juniors MVP donning the Cebu Institute Technology (CIT) Wildkittens uniform.  Both did not play last season since both transferred schools. Slaughter has to sit out one season after transferring to Ateneo while Tallo moved to Cebu Eastern Colleges after differences with the CIT High School Coach.  Slaughter was also busy with the national quintet Smart Gilas and he even helped the Gilas cause in tough tournaments like the Asian Games and the recent PBA conference.  With the entry of the 2, Ateneo would have been loaded with two of the most promising Cebuano ballers in the country.

Ateneo is a very strong team and many young students would aspire to join its celebrated Team A.  Winning the last 3 UAAP hoops title is a testament of the quality of players and management that the school has. The team is supported by MVP (Manny V. Pangilinan) and ably coached by PBA legend Norman Black.

A few days ago, Greg Slaughter scored 14 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead Ateneo to its first Filoil Flying V preseason crown by beating NCAA Champs San Beda Red Lions. Slaughter is on its way to stardom and he will likely dominate the lane in the upcoming UAAP wars. Cebuanos remember him fondly of his match-ups with University of Cebu‘s Junmar Fajardo.  Cebu will be so proud when Slaughter starts to have Shaq-like (circa 2000) performances in the Araneta Coliseum. He will probably become one of the cornerstones of the national team in the years to come and we will definitely see him in the PBA in the near future.

As for Tallo, newspapers reported his apparent departure from the Eagles camp.  He packed his bags and went home to Cebu. He left citing loss of confidence caused by the lack of playing time. He has been riding the bench of Ateneo for the whole pre-season and he wanted to show the people what he can do in the court.  Other UAAP teams has expressed interest for his talents but the news article noted that he was keen on skipping this season.

caloycomment: First, it is great to see that Greg Slaughter has been leading the Eagles in the pre-season.  Being a part of the Smart Gilas it is expected that he dominate the shaded lane.  The playing time at Ateneo will help him develop confidence and improve his performance during clutch situations.  A UAAP Championship will add luster to his outstanding basketball resume.

For Mark Jayven Tallo, another year of missing competitive basketball will not be helpful to him. It is rare for someone to be recruited and immediately elevated to Ateneo Team A.  They are so many Ateneo Junior Eaglets who wished to take his slot on the team. As a freshman though it was expected that he has to learn the system and sit out many games.  The Blue Eagles are loaded especially with guards.  It does not help his cause also that Ateneo just elevated another super freshman guard and national juniors team mainstay Keifer Ravena. I just wish him well in his plans but he should know that he could help a lot of teams out there and a scholarship that will lead to a degree is also very important.

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Greg Slaughter helps Smart Gilas beat Qatar in the Asian Games

17 Nov
Smart Gilas logo

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Greg Slaughter, the former star of the vaunted University of the Visayas Green Lancers helped the Smart Gilas Philippine Men’s Basketball Team beat Qatar 90-68.  Slaughter was one of the 6 players who scored in double figures.  He had 12 points and 5 rebounds.  The ex-Green Lancer is slowly becoming of the most dependable big men in Philippine basketball.

caloycomment: The Cesafi missed him this season and his transfer probably is the biggest reason why UV is not the champs this year.  Even if his departure left some hurt feelings to some Cebuanos, I am sure that they are proud that Slaughter is doing well in the international level. I hope basketball fans will always remember that Greg Slaughter started his Philippine basketball career in Cebu. Way to go, Greg! I hope Junmar Fajardo will join you soon in the national team.

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