UAAP: Tams charge into UAAP Finals

Tams charge into UAAP Finals

By Josiah Israel Albelda

16 September 2010

Terrence Romeo was still sweating profusely as he entered the press room. He just came from a battle that was not only bruising --- but draining as well. It was too much for a rookie. Too much for an 18-year-old.


Luckily for Far Eastern University, Romeo --- all five feet and nine inches of him --- was more than up to the challenge.


The newly-minted Rookie of the Year delivered in the clutch as the Tamaraws ousted host De La Salle University, 69 - 59, to barge into the Finals of Season 73 of the UAAP men's basketball tournament Thursday before a wild crowd at the Araneta Coliseum.


In a match that looked more like a slugfest in the early goings, Romeo showed the composure of a champion, draining a trey in the dying moments of the fourth quarter and leading the Morayta-based five's charge in overtime as they returned to the Finals for the first time since 2005.


"Masaya talaga ako dahil nakapasok na kami sa Finals," the Cebu native told reporters. "Hindi ko pa naranasan ito dati."


It was actually sweet revenge for Romeo, whose Baby Tamaraws were swept in the Final Four last season by the De La  Salle Zobel Junior Archers.


"Gusto ko talaga sila bawian," quipped the freshman, who finished with 12 points, five boards and two steals.


With the hard-earned win, FEU is on track to bring back home the trophy they have copped a record 19 times in league history.


It also brought four-year coach Glenn Capacio closer to his dream of getting a UAAP championship.


"Masarap pala makapasok sa Finals," the former PBA ace shared in jest. "Ipinakita talaga ng mga bata yung puso nila sa laban na ito. Hindi ako masaya sa officiating pero hindi ako bumitaw para sa kanila."


The game was so hotly contested that ace Tamaraw and Smart Gilas standout JR Cawaling was thrown out of the game in the second quarter after his shoving of Simon Atkins earned him an unsportsmanlike foul and a subsequent technical foul after warding off a referee who was calming them down.


Cawaling will likely be suspended for the first game of the Finals, which starts next Sunday.


Even Capacio lost his cool early in the fourth quarter, almost throwing a punch on a referee, that cost him a technical foul as the Green Archers took a 49-42 lead with around seven minutes remaining.


The Taft-based squad inflated the lead to nine at 51-42 before the Tamaraws came back charging behind Romeo and designated gunner Paul Sanga to send the game into extension at 55-all.


Then FEU took it from there, limiting La Salle to only four points in five minutes while scoring 14 themselves to set up a date with either defending back-to-back Ateneo de Manila or Adamson next week.


League Most Valuable Player Ryan Roose Garcia was dismal in his second Final Four stint as the Archers' pesky defense limited him to 11 points on a horrible five-of-19 shooting. He also had four turnovers in a back-breaking 40-minute turn.


The Zamboanga native, however, had nine rebounds as the Tamaraws defined board domination with 64 to their foes' 46.


Reil Cervantes pulled down a career-high 19 rebounds (eight offensive) while Aldrech Ramos grabbed 10 (four offensive).


Spider Webb tallied 15 points for the hosts, which have had a memorable season stopped short. No other player scored in double digits for La Salle.


Archer sharpshooters were terribly off-target with Simon Atkins, Samuel Marata and Joseph Tolentino combining for three-of-24 from rainbow territory. They shot five-of-34 overall.


Atkins bade goodbye to his UAAP career with seven points, four assists, three steals and a mind-boggling seven turnovers.


"We actually had control of the game," said Coach Dindo Pumaren, who admitted that his wards' relative inexperience and youth showed out in the endgame.


"But I am proud of my boys," he added. "Nobody expected us to be here but we almost got to the Finals. We had a dream but we were not able to fulfill it. I hope that next year we could get our act together."


The scores:


FEU (69) - Romeo 12, Sanga 12, Garcia 11, Ramos 9, Cervantes 9, Noundou 8, Mendoza 2, Bringas 2, Knuttel 2, Exciminiano 2, Cruz 0, Cawaling 0


DLSU (59) - Webb 15, Mendoza 7, Atkins 7, Andrada 7, Tolentino 6, Marata 6, Dela Paz 5, Vosotros 2, Tampus 2, Villanueva 2, Paredes 0, Ferdinand 0


Quarterscores: 20-12, 26-32, 40-44, 50-55, 69-59

UAAP: UP Pep Squad all set to reclaim cheer crown

Assistant coach: I-dedeliver namin sa mga manonood ay saya

UP Pep Squad all set to reclaim cheer crown

By Josiah Israel Albelda

Photo from iamvishnu.multiply.com

"The joy of a spirit is the measure of its power." - Ninon de Lenclos

With only less than 24 hours remaining before the 2010 UAAP Cheerdance Competition, the University of the Philippines (UP) Pep Squad, one of the most storied in history, is keeping its cards close to its chest.

One thing's for sure, however. They would leave fans and the UP community happy when they strut their stuff tomorrow in this annual cheering joust. 

Of course, the jaw-dropping stunts and the amazing array of moves that the squad has been known for will be there. But it's the feeling of  "joy" that would push State U back to the pinnacle.

"Gusto naming i-deliver sa mga manonood is yung saya," Assistant Coach Nino Jose Antonio told Bilog ang Bola. "Kung gaano kasaya yung isang routine, isang performance - doon umiikot ang piyesa namin."

The Diliman-based crew has moved on from their second-runner up finish and vowed to wow the crowd when eight cheering teams clash at the Araneta Coliseum at 2:00 pm.

"Hindi na namin iniisip yung last year," added Antonio, who's been with the team, first as a dancer and then a mentor, for 12 years now. 

Level competition, grueling preparation

And while most expect UP and defending champion Far Eastern University (FEU) Cheering Squad to dominate this Sunday's festivities, Antonio is not just one to count other teams out.


"Every team is a competitor," he said. "Walang team na mahina, walang team na sawsaw lang. Lahat malakas."

And what would separate State U from the rest of the pack?

"Mas maganda yung sorpresa na lang," Antonio shared. "Basta makikita pa rin nila kung paano mag-perform yung UP Pep Squad. Yung atake namin, iba."

The youthful mentor said that the group has been gradually preparing for the event since summer but only got the chance to complete their routine when classes started last June.


"Very tiring yung preparations namin," he added. "Hindi siya naging swift. We have new members. We have stunts na di ganoon ka-familiar sa mga tao. So it was really challenging."

With all these, expect UP to go all out tomorrow and help atone for the miserable season the state university's men's seniors and juniors basketball teams have had - both teams finished winless.

Antonio said, though, that this doesn't add pressure for the squad to win tomorrow.

"Nakapanalo na din naman tayo ng championships before," he said. "Having those is pressure enough. We want to add to that list of championships."

State U is gunning for its sixth championship, second in the all-time list behind Santo Tomas' eight.

"Gusto namin mapasaya yung UP community," Antonio closed. 

With no less than 20,000 spectators poised to fill the Big Dome to the rafters tomorrow, expect an unimaginable performance, powered by unparalleled prowess from an undisputed powerhouse in Philippine cheerleading.

The "Pep Squad ng Bayan" is sure to make you go home brimming with joy.

Blog Survey #4: UP Pep Squad, siguradong mananalo bukas

UP Pep Squad, magiging kampeon ng UAAP Cheerdance

Ni Josiah Israel Albelda

Pumangatlo man noong nakaraang taon, ang UP Pep Squad pa rin ang pinaniniwalaan ng Bilog ang Bola readers na magkakampeon sa UAAP Cheerdance Competition bukas.


Sampu (71%) sa 14 na bumoto sa week-long na botohan sa site ang nagsabi na ang Diliman crew ang magwawagi sa taunang patimpalak ng pinakamagagaling na cheering squad sa bansa.


Apat (28%) naman ang pumili sa defending champion FEU Cheering Squad para mabawi mula ang kanilang korona.


Bukas na ang labanan sa ganap na alas-dos ng hapon sa Araneta Coliseum. May ticket ka na ba?

UAAP: Eagles in escape act, clinch twice-to-beat

Almost but not quite

Eagles barely escape but come out with twice-to-beat advantage

By Josiah Israel Albelda

5 September 2010

With more than four minutes remaining and University of Santo Tomas down 55-70, a Growling Tigers assistant coach screamed on his players.


"Maghigpit naman tayo sa depensa!"


On the next play, Ateneo de Manila guard Chris de Chavez sank a three-pointer to push the Blue Eagles further up, 73 - 55.


The UST cagers, however, would have none of that anymore. 


The España-based squad locked down on the defending back-to-back champions and drilled three-pointer after three-pointer but fell really short as Ateneo escaped with a 81 - 77 victory to clinch a twice-to-beat advantage in the upcoming Final Four of the 73rd UAAP men's basketball tournament Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum.


"They started bombing us with three pointers," Coach Norman Black told reporters. "It's very difficult to defend a team that is shooting like that."


True enough, the Tigers almost completed the comeback but forward Melo Afuang missed a wide-open undergoal stab with 11.5 seconds remaining.


Kirk Long atoned for crucial miscues by splitting his charities as the Katipunan-based five chalked up their 10th win in the tournament and assured themselves of an advantage when the semifinals begin two weeks from now.


UST's searing comeback breathed fire into an otherwise sleepy afternoon with Ateneo seemingly cruising to an easy win when they put up their biggest lead, 68 - 49, a little over five minutes on the clock.


"We won the game, that's the most important thing," a relieved Black said.


The Eagles were in control of the match almost all throughout - thanks to Erik Salamat rediscovering his sharp shooting form and bench player Chris de Chavez providing offensive spark.


Salamat had 18 points, five assists and two steals for Ateneo while de Chavez added 12 markers. 


On the other hand, the Tigers looked uninterested at times but found refuge in their hustle and trifecta expertise to mount a comeback that nobody thought they would.


A win could've come as a perfect gift for UST Coach Pido Jarencio, who celebrated his 46th birthday.


It turned out to be a nightmare, though, for the Tigers as they continued their slide with this ninth loss in 13 matches.


Sophomores Jeric Teng and Clark Bautista outscored the Eagles in the fourth quarter and finished with a combined 39 points, seven rebounds and five assists. They had eight three-pointers.


All UST players suited up for the game but only seven of 15 scored.


The scores:


Ateneo (81) - Salamat 18, De Chavez 12, Chua 11, Long 10, Dela Cruz 6, Monfort 6, Buenafe 6, Golla 5, Salva 3, Tiongson 2, Austria 2, Escueta 0


UST (77) - Teng 23, Bautista 16, Daquioag 10, Afuang 10, Mariano 8, Fortuna 6, Pe 4, Wong 0, Tinte 0, Marata 0, Mamaril 0, Lo 0, Marquez 0, Camus 0, Aytona 0


Quarterscores: 17 - 13; 40 - 23; 60 - 45; 81 - 77

Blog Survey #3: FEU, mangunguna sa UAAP elims

Kahit nasa PBA na ako, #1 pa rin kami - Arwind Santos

Tams, mangunguna sa UAAP elims

Ni Josiah Israel Albelda

Larawan ni Karl de Leon

Pose ni Arwind Santos

Halos tatlo sa apat na Bilog ang Bola readers ang nagsabi na ang Far Eastern University Tamaraws ang mangunguna sa pagtatapos ng 73rd UAAP men's basketball tournament elimination round.

Walong (72%) boto ang nakuha ng Morayta-based team habang tatlo (27%) naman ang naibigay sa defending champion Ateneo de Manila University sa botohang naganap sa Bilog ang Bola.

Wala namang pumili sa De La Salle at Adamson, na kumumpleto sa Final Four cast ng liga.

Ngayong linggo, ang botohan sa Bilog ang Bola ay tungkol sa paparating na UAAP Cheerdance Competition.

Matatandaang nakuha ng FEU Cheering Squad ang kampeonato noong nakaraang taon habang pumangalawa naman ang Ateneo Blue Babble Battalion at pangatlo ang UP Pep Squad, na nanguna mula 2007 hanggang 2008.

UAAP: Tams punish Maroons

Tams punish Maroons, inch closer to top seed

FEU bench shames UP's, 36-4

By Josiah Israel Albelda

5 September 2010

No upset this time. Call it no mercy.


Far Eastern University inched closer to securing the top seed after crushing still-winless University of the Philippines, 70 - 48, for their 11th victory in the 73rd UAAP men's basketball tournament Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum.


There was no letting up for the Tamaraws as they bucked a slow start to drop a crippling 24-2 bomb bridging the first and second quarters that took the fight out of the luckless Fighting Maroons, which crashed to their 13th straight loss.


The win, likewise, served as a buffer for the Morayta-based five, who will meet rival and defending back-to-back champion Ateneo de Manila on Saturday.


"Mahirap pala if you play a non-bearing game and you have four players running for the Mythical Five," coach Glenn Capacio told reporters of his team's lackluster start.


"Nawala kami sa sistema."


Leading MVP candidates Ryan Roose Garcia and Aldrech Ramos, and standouts Terrence Romeo and Reil Cervantes are all slugging out for awards this season.


Fortunately for the Tamaraws, their bench, spearheaded by Gryann Mendoza and Pippo Noundou, stepped up big time and outscored the unproductive Maroons second-stringers, 36 - 4. 


"Happy ako kase nag step up ang second stringers ko," Capacio added.  


UP's four bench points was the lowest in seven years, the last when National University managed only two markers against the Blue Eagles in August 28, 2003.


The Maroons didn't help their cause by shooting awfully awful from beyond the arc, draining only two of 23 attempts in the worst shooting performance of the season.


Also reflecting the Diliman squad's struggles is the fact that only five out of the 12 players who entered the game broke into the scoreboard.


Now, they face the prospects of yet another fruitless season. As a matter of fact, they are staring at the reality of a second 0 -14 card in four years.


UP locks horns with a rejuvenated University of the East side next Saturday as they try to avert a sweep - a complete turnaround after not a few pundits put them into Final Four consideration in the preseason.


Injuries, bad luck and a horde of other reasons, however, sent the Maroons into their worst year in recent memory.


Four players did not dress up for the game due to - you got it right - injuries: Mark Lopez, Woody Co, Carlo Gomez and Miggy Maniego.


The scores: 


FEU (70) - Garcia 12, Cervantes 9, Mendoza 8, Noundou 8, Romeo 7, Bringas 6, Ramos 6, Knuttel 6, Cawaling 5, Guerrero 2, Exciminiano 1, Cruz 0, Sanga 0


UP (48) - Padilla 17, Sison 14, Reyes 9, Pascual 4, Juruena 4, Silungan 0, Saret 0, Manuel 0, Evangelista 0, Reyes 0, Hipolito 0, Gingerich 0


Quarterscores: 7 - 8; 28 - 18; 47 - 36; 70 - 48

Boxing: The Chicken Cackles

Floyd Mayweather Going in on Manny Pacquiao
Uploaded by dmotionuser10. - Check out more sports and extreme sports videos.

Hoy Floyd Mayweather! Lumaban ka na lang!

My Sports: I'm back!

Lucky 14

My students did well in Wednesday's competition. Our small school (which is really small compared to our "opponents") copped 14 awards - almost double from the eight we got last year in individual writing contests.


We did not fully accomplish what we set out to do (win the overall championship) but I'm more than satisfied with the way the kids performed in this annual writing joust.


Now, we have a month to prepare for the next level, the Quezon City-wide Division Secondary Schools Press Conference, where at least 1, 600 students will compete for honors.

My Sports: A Short Break

I'm taking a short break from posting here at Bilog Ang Bola. Would have to prepare my students for our first competition this school year, the 2010 District III Secondary Schools Press Conference on Wednesday at Carlos P. Garcia High School.

So please bear with me and please pray for my students. We are aiming for a top three slot in this year's tilt.

When I go back online on Thursday, I would shower you with posts. :)

I'm working on the following stories:
* Our varsity team's dismal stint at the QCAA
* My NBA August experience
* A Draft Report Card for each PBA Team
* My UAAP Final Four placing predictions
* A story on two UAAP courtside reporters

Please keep visiting! Thanks!

NBA: Ano raw? #4

Ano raw?

(Over) heard by Josiah Israel Albelda

28 August 2010

The Triggerman put on a shooting clinic last night, connecting on 14 of his 26 triples en route to 54 points and his Red team's 177 - 167 victory over White. The entire Araneta Coliseum crowd was on its feet every time Allan Caidic launched his trifecta attempts. And NBA legends Glen Rice and Gary Payton were major major fans themselves.


#3 "Parang may sakit yung mascot ng KFC. Dapat lutuin na yan." - a fan behind me chuckled when a lethargic Chuckie was drubbed by Burnie, the Miami Heat mascot, in their dance showdown.


#2 "Di na makayuko e. Haha. Ayan parang hihimatayin na." - another fan after Atoy Co missed his fifth consecutive shot. He finished with 10 points on five-of-21 shooting. At 59, the Fortune Cookie was able to run up and down for 13 minutes.


#1 "Trigger! I'm all about Trigger right now!" - Glen Rice proclaimed after seeing Caidic show the devastating form that made him the greatest shooter in Philippine basketball history.


#0.5 "But there's only one thing I could say now: Trigger! Trigger! Trigger!" - Rice, obviously enamoured, told reporters.


#0.25 "He's the truth." - Gary Payton said on Caidic's reputation of being a deadly long-range bomber.


#0 "Ayun maghahagis ng sapatos! Takbo! Takbo!" - a fan screamed when former PBA import and retiring D-Leaguer Richie Frahm threw his shoes to the stands.

Video #3: John Wall got served

Served

By Josiah Israel Albelda

Video from Balls is Life

Top high school prospect Austin Rivers blew by NBA #1 Draft Pick John Wall for an easy layup then stole off him in the next play - a preview of what could be one of the fiercest backcourt battles in the near future.

Find more videos like this on BALL IS LIFE

Blog Survey #2: Al-Hussaini, Espiritu, Baclao to be taken first three in PBA draft

Rabeh to be PBA's top draft pick

By Josiah Israel Albelda

Photos from Google Images

27 August 2010

With Air21 sorely lacking in ceiling in the coming PBA wars, Bilog ang Bola readers say that the Express will take the three best big men from college in Sunday's Draft at the Market! Market!


Former UAAP MVP Rabeh Al-Hussaini of Ateneo collected 23 out of 24 votes (95%) to top the week-long survey posted here. 


The six-foot-six slotman is also expected by pundits to be the top pick in the annual selection of rookies.


His Season 72 finals foe, the high-flying Elmer Espiritu, came in second with 14 votes (58%) while Al-Hussaini's frontcourt partner, Nonoy Baclao was third with 13 votes (54%).


While three ex-UAAP stars rounded up the top three vote-getters, former NCAA stalwarts occupied slots four to six.


San Sebastian's prolific scorer Jimbo Aquino got six votes (25%), last season's MVP John Wilson of Jose Rizal University had five (20%) and Letran's sharpshooting RJ Jazul finished with three (12%).


Borgie Hermida (San Beda), Pari Llagas (UE) and Rey Guevarra (Letran) had one vote (4%) each. Arellano's Gio Ciriacruz did not get any vote.


This week's survey would be on which team will top the elimination round of the UAAP.

NBA: Trigger, trigger, trigger

Triggerman Explosion

By Josiah Israel Albelda

27 August 2010

Legendary PBA marksman Allan Caidic left the visiting NBA stars in awe after draining 14 three-point shots to power the Red Team to a 177 - 167 trimming of the White Team in the 2010 NBA Asia Challenge tonight at the Araneta Coliseum.

The 47-year-old "Triggerman" led all scorers with 54 points in only 24 minutes as he and former NBA All-Stars Glen Rice and Gary Payton broke away early in the final quarter to post the victory over the quintet of Chris Webber and Mitch Richmond.

Ex-Crispa Redmanizer Atoy Co also stole the show with his on-court antics. He finished with 10 points on five-of-21 shooting.

(Full game story tomorrow)

The scores:

Red (177) - Caidic 54, Lazare 22, Rice 19, Santos 16, Meneses 16, Maierhofer 15, McCray 11, Co 10, Tenorio 7, Payton 7

White (167) - Frahm 24, Webber 24, Tyndale 22, Hontiveros 20, Paras 18, Magsanoc 16, Patrimonio 16, Richmond 16, Tubid 13

Quarterscores: 38 - 44; 92 - 94; 124 - 124; 177 - 167

UAAP: Easter Thursday

Easter Thursday
Warriors ground out-of-sync Eagles

By Josiah Israel Albelda

26 August 2010

Given up for dead after a dismal start, University of the East breathed life into its sagging campaign, slaying another giant in Ateneo de Manila University, 62 - 60, at the Araneta Coliseum Thursday.


Sharpshooting guard James Martinez connected on four three-pointers in the fourth quarter - including a dagger with under two minutes left - to send the Red Warriors to their second straight victory in the 73rd UAAP men's basketball tournament.


The Recto-based squad thus improved to four wins in 11 matches, only a week after stunning second-running Adamson University last Saturday.


Likewise, the victory kept UE alive in its bid to snatch the last Final Four spot from idle De La Salle University.


"I can compare this game to Easter Sunday," Coach Lawrence Chongson told reporters. "This is like a resurrection for us."


"We are playing like there's no tomorrow."


The Red Warriors kept the game close all throughout before hitting the baskets when they mattered most to send the Blue Eagles crashing back to earth following a demolition of their rivals last Sunday.


Martinez, Adrian Santos and Paul Lee conspired as UE dropped a 7 - 0 blast to start the final period and tie the game at 45 apiece.


Both squads traded baskets before the six-foot Martinez drained back-to-back treys to push the Red Warriors up, 56 - 50.


"Hinahanap talaga ako ng mga kakampi ko kaya naging open ako," the guard, coming back from an ACL injury that derailed him last season, said.


UE seemed to break away but the Blue Eagles came back, delivering their own 7 - 0 run capped by an Erik Salamat triple with a little over two minutes remaining.


Lee, who struggled for nine points on three-of-15 shooting, then sank two free throws before Martinez finished the Katipunan-based squad off with a desperation heave.


"Wala ng nangyayari nun, so tinira ko na," he added. "Buti pumasok."


Ateneo played without the vim and vigor it showed when it dismantled De La Salle, 74 - 57, last weekend and was held to an atrocious 27.7% shooting.


The Blue Eagles and Coach Norman Black complained a million times about what they saw as bum calls and were obviously out of focus the whole match.


On the other hand, Chongson viewed this game as their biggest of the season - and his boys were up to the task.


"Right now, we can still enter the Final Four," he shared. "We have to take care of what we can take of and God will do the rest."


Martinez finished with 22 points on six-of-10 three-point shooting while improving center Ezer Rosopa added 12 markers, eight boards and a career-high four blocked shots.


Meanwhile, Salamat led the Blue and White with 16 points while burly slotman Jumbo Escueta had his best game with 10 points, all in the first half.


The scores:


UE (62) - Martinez 22, Rosopa 12, Lee 9, Acibar 7, Reyes 6, Santos 2, Casajeros 2, Tagarda 2, Enguio 0, Zamar 0, Sumido 0, Duran 0


Ateneo (60) - Salamat 16, Escueta 10, Monfort 9, Chua 9, Buenafe 5, Long 4, Dela Cruz 3, Tiongson 2, Golla 2, Salva 0, Gonzaga 0, Austria 0


Quarterscores: 10 - 8; 27 - 27; 38 - 45; 62 - 60

UAAP: Ano raw? #3

Ano raw? 

(Over) heard by Josiah Israel Albelda

26 August 2010

Photo from Beautiful Times

While UE's 62-60 victory over Ateneo earlier today was stunning, hearing these people scream the following left us more amazed.


#3 "Lolo hindi mo nakita! Hindi mo nakita!" - a hysteric TV starlet and former UP volleybelle Jed Montero shouted at (probably) her grandfather after boyfriend and UE hotshot James Martinez drained a triple that put the Red Warriors ahead, 61-57 with one minute and 46 seconds left.


#2 "Hoy referee! G**o! G**o ka!!!" - an Ateneo fan blurted when the refs didn't call a foul on a blocked Jumbo Escueta attempt.


#3 I forgot the exact words but UAAP analyst Boom Gonzales said "major major" during his opening spiel with Mark Molina. 


Seems that there is a major major problem with our commentators now.

NBA: Sinong papalag?

Sinong Papalag?

Key match-ups in the 2010 NBA Asia Challenge

By Josiah Israel Albelda

Photos from Google Images

24 August 2010

Point Guard Advantage: Red 

Gary Payton vs. Ronnie Magsanoc

Shooting Guard Advantage: White

Allan Caidic vs. Mitch Richmond

Small Forward Advantage: Red

Arwind Santos vs. Alvin Patrimonio

Power Forward Advantage: White

Glen Rice vs. Rico Maierhofer

Center Advantage: White

Chris Webber vs. Mitch Richmond

NBA: Asia Challenge rosters

Red Team

Gary Payton (G 6'4" 180 lbs.)

Glen Rice (F 6'7" 215 lbs.)

Darnell Lazare (F 6'8" 240 lbs.)

Chris McCray (G 6'5" 192 lbs.)

Atoy Co (G/F 6'2" 180 lbs.)

Vergel Meneses (F 6'3" 190 lbs.)

Allan Caidic (F 6'2" 185 lbs.)

Asi Taulava (C 6'9" 250 lbs.)

LA Tenorio (G 5'8" 165 lbs.)

Arwind Santos (F 6'4" 175 lbs.)

Bilog's First Five: PG Payton, SG Caidic, SF Santos, PF Rice, C Taulava

White Team

Chris Webber (F 6'10" 245 lbs.)

Mitch Richmond (G 6''5" 215 lbs.)

Mark Tyndale (G/F 6'5" 210 lbs.)

Richie Frahm (G 6'5" 205 lbs.)

Alvin Patrimonio (F 6'3" 215 lbs.)

Benjie Paras (F/C 6'5" 215 lbs.)

Ronnie Magsanoc (G 5'9" 180 lbs.)

Ronald Tubid (G 6'1" 180 lbs.)

Rico Maierhofer (F 6'6" 175 lbs.)

Dondon Hontiveros (G 6'2" 180 lbs.)

Bilog's First Five: PG Magsanoc, SG Richmond, SF Patrimonio, PF Maierhofer, C Webber

NBA: Legends out to strutt stuff before Pinoys

NBA Asia Challenge

NBA Legends out to strut stuff before Pinoys

By Josiah Israel Albelda

24 August 2010

One by one, Mitch Richmond, Glen Rice, Chris Webber and Gary Payton stepped into the Fiesta San Miguel mezzanine at the Dusit Thani, smiling and waving to the applause of the starstruck (some will probably say they weren't) Philippine media.

Perhaps unmindful of the carnage that gripped the country last night, these four NBA legends are surely having a heck of a time here.

And they are to give us more.

The Fab Four, who boast of three championship rings, 23 All-Star appearances and 19 All-NBA team selections among them, will strut their stuff Friday in the 2010 NBA Asia Challenge at the Araneta Coliseum.

The quartet will be playing with six PBA legends, six current PBA stars and four NBA D-Leaguers, including former Talk N' Text import Richie Frahm.

Joining the cagers in this trip presented by KFC and Petron Turbo Diesel are six Miami Heat Dancers and Burnie, the team's mascot.

All four are excited about showing their skills in front of thousands of fans in this basketball-crazy nation and have assured that they will give their best to entertain Filipinos on August 27.

"Maybe I am expected to dunk," Webber said. "We'll see if I can do that."

Meralco assistant coach and legendary point guard Ronnie Magsanoc himself cannot hide his anticipation, repeatedly saying that he once dreamed of playing with these stars and it is now a reality.

As a matter of fact, he will welcome whatever Payton does to him - even if it will cost his limbs.

"Whatever Gary Payton does to me, I will welcome," Magsanoc told reporters, who broke into laughter."

(More on the NBA Asia Challenge in the next few days.)

Note: Frahm, who has since suited up for five NBA teams, said he is back for unfinished business. He, together with American coach Bill Bayno and Asi Taulava, was booted out in the first round of the 2002 PBA wars after topping the eliminations.

UAAP: Falcon Flowers

Falcon Flowers

Adamson die-hards share their story

By Josiah Israel Albelda

23 August 2010

Late in the third quarter of their game against De La Salle, Adamson forward Jan Colina skied high to block Luigi dela Paz. Colina was quite successful, erasing the rookie's layup attempt and earning screams from the crowd.

Then came a whistle. There was a foul.

Hector Tabuzo, waving his shiny blue Jan Colina streamer, ran amuck and threw invectives at the referee. "Ayusin mo tawag mo ref! Ayusin mooooooo!" he screamed as he lunged through the steel fence separating the playing court from the ringside seats.

Not a few eyes were fixed on this gay man, who has been doing this for the past seven seasons.

Behind him was Teddy, a chubby "lass" with spiked hair and a face reddened by whitening soap. He was echoing the same thing: "Ayusin mo tawag mo ref!"

Hector and Teddy might be a couple of big reasons why the Adamson Falcons have soared beyond expectations in the first round of Season 73 of the UAAP men's basketball tournament.

Their courtside antics, which draw the ire of opposing fans and the support of the Adamson faithful, have added spice to the already flavorful world of UAAP hoops.

"Go Adamson! Fight! Fight! Fight!" the duo screamed as the Falcons inched closer to the Green Archers.

'Mababait sila'

Many may wonder why these people shout, scream and dance their hearts out for the San Marcelino squad. Hector, according to Teddy, has a day job at the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology while the latter maintains a small eatery with his sister.

"Mababait sila at magagaling," said Hector, who has been cheering for the team since Season 66. Teddy shared the same sentiment. "Kahit sa amin, mabait sila."

This kindness might have been the very reason why the two go all out every time Adamson has a game. They are the epitomes of energy, endlessly jumping, gyrating and, sometimes, even rolling on the floor for their beloved team.

As a matter of fact, the two have been so immersed in the Falcons' lair that Hector was given his own UAAP ID, usually reserved for athletics officials, the media and the league's sponsors.

Hector, also an irrepressible Alaska fan, said that he was tagged along by former head coach Luigi Trillo, who is now an assistant to Leo Austria, after Trillo saw his dedication as an Aces diehard.

A bright future

For all the woes that Adamson has gone through -- a string of Final Four misses and scores of losses -- over the past few years, Hector and Teddy see a bright future for the Falcons.

"I believe that we can go through all the way to the finals," Teddy proudly exclaimed. "Alex Nuyles, Jan Colina and Lester Alvarez are all great players."

Hector also envisions nothing short of a Final Four appearance for this stacked squad. "Sigurado na kami sa Final Four. And of course, I think we could go all the way."

On the court, Alvarez drained a trey. The Falcons slowly took the driver's seat and never relinquished it. Adamson streaked to its fifth win, good for second in a tournament where they were not one of the favorites.

I turned around. There they were, waving their Lester Alvarez streamer and gyrating to the beat of the Adamson Pep Squad, in seventh heaven because of yet another win.

"Go Adamson! Fight! Fight! Fight!"

As fans slowly walked out of the PhilSports Arena on a rainy Sunday afternoon, someone shouted at Hector: "Hector! Panalo ka na naman."

The Falcon Flower just laughed, looked at his partner Teddy, and proceeded to the Adamson dugout.

It's party time.