KL Dragons to play in PBA D-League?

This appears on the PBA website

KL Dragons to play in PBA D-League?

by rick olivares

If things progress the way they are now, the Kuala Lumpur Dragons will be a guest team for the next year’s PBA D-League Foundation Cup.

During the recent NBA Global Games pre-season match between the Houston Rockets and the Indiana Pacers, Dragons head coach Ariel Vanguardia asked PBA Commissioner Chito Salud about the possibility of coming in as a guest team for one conference in the D-League. “Basketball is a growing sport in Malaysia and we want to give our players more exposure and that is learning from the best in the region, Filipinos,” explained Vanguardia who is on his third year as head coach of the Dragons.

The Dragons play in the Asean Basketball League where they have finished third in the last two seasons. The Kuala Lumpur-based squad, with Vanguardia at the helm, has amassed a 24-18 record.

On his part, Salud thought the idea of a guest team would be mutually beneficial to all parties. “Basketball isn’t the most popular sport in Malaysia. And from my understanding, the sport is growing. It would certainly be nice for the sport to continue to grow in the Southeast Asian region. The Malaysians would like to learn from us and this is a complement to the Filipino,” said the commissioner. “Conversely, our local players will learn also from playing against a foreign team. It adds spice to the league. So why not?”

“Management is fully supportive of this move to play in the Philippines,” enthused Vanguardia.

Management is team owner Ruben Emir Gnanalingam who is also a co-owner of English football team Queens Park Rangers. Gnanalingam, a Malaysian of Sri Lankan descent, was listed by Forbes as the 24^th richest man in the world in 2012.

To make the Dragons more competitive, Salud suggested to Vanguardia to field a team that is half-Malaysian and half-Filipino. “It will not help them if they field a wholly Malaysian squad then go 0-14 in the tournament. No one would have learned anything. Now I recommended to them to have seven Malaysians and seven Filipinos who have all played in the D-League and must not be older than 28 years old. Again, if you have older players it again defeats the purpose of developing our players. Plus, they may add one import.”

“Malaysia doesn't have a strong collegiate league such as the NCAA or the UAAP,” clarified Vanguardia who once coached Jose Rizal University. “All the local leagues last for only one week while the professional league, the Malaysian National Basketball League, lasts for a month.”

Some of the KL Dragons mainstays Kuek Tian Lian, Ong Chung Kee, and Lo Shee Fai are expected to be included in the roster should they compete in the Foundation Cup. They also have two Filipino-Americans in the line-up – 6’6” Moala Tautuaa and 6’1” Avery Scharer. San Mig Coffee draft pick Justin Melton suited up for the Dragons during the 2012 season before heading over to the PBA D-League.

Joining Vanguardia in his coaching staff are former University of the Philippines head coach Lito Vergara and Letran Knights assistant Tino Pinat.

31st Seaoil MMBL tips off this Saturday

This appears in philstar.com

31^st Seaoil MMBL tips off Saturday

by rick olivares

The 31^st edition of the Seaoil Metro Manila Basketball League, the secondary school post-season tournament will tip off this Saturday, November 9, 2013, at the San Beda College Gym in Manila. 

Forty-eight high schools spread will be participating in this tournament that will run all the way to January of 2014. These teams will be spread across four divisions for boys and one for girls.

San Beda High School’s legendary coach Ato Badolato founded the league as a means for high school players to continue their season that usually ended in October when the NCAA and UAAP tournaments were over. “We’ve grown from having seven or eight teams to now having over 50 schools participating,” said Badolato, who serves as MMBL commissioner, of the league’s growth. “And this is the second consecutive year where we are having a girls’ division where eight schools will be competing.”

Badolato acknowledges that it wasn’t easy getting the league started. The tournament coincidentally was organized not soon after San Beda took a sabbatical from the NCAA following on court violence in the late 1970s to the early 80s. “When we got it going, other schools we invited would ask, ‘Sino kasali diyan?’ And when we’d say, ‘San Beda, Ateneo, La Salle…’ they would back out.”

“The MMBL, as the name states, is for Metro Manila. Not only do you get to watch players from the NCAA or UAAP but due to the size of the league many less exposed schools get an opportunity to compete."

Eric Altamirano, Program Director of the Seaoil National Basketball Training Center said that as the official grassroots program of the SBP, their efforts to promote and grow the sport of basketball would be difficult without the sponsorship of oil company: “Seaoil is proud to partner with the Metro Manila Basketball League (MMBL) and is committed to sponsor the MMBL for the next four. "Coach Alex Compton and I believe that with this long-term partnership with Seaoil, it will greatly benefit more players and coaches especially the Schools in the NCR. This would assure the presence of NCR in National High School Championship. They will also be joined by the champion teams from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao."

Noted hoopsters who first got attention in the MMBL include Benjie Paras (San Beda) and Kirk Long (Faith Academy) to name a few.

The key matches in this Saturday’s tip-off include De La Salle Zobel taking on Chiang Kai Shek at 8am and St. Benilde International School facing Reedley International at 2:15pm at the San Beda Gym.

Defending Division Two champions Faith Academy play Valenzuela Christian Academy at 11:30am at the Faith Academy gym in Valley Golf, Antipolo.

International School Manila tries to defend its home turf when they play King’s Montessori School at their gym at Bonifacio Global City also at 11:30am.

On Sunday, November 10, current Division One champions, Hope Christian High School defend their crown when they play the Adamson Baby Falcons at 930am at San Beda Gym #2 while current UAAP champions National University Bullpups tangle with the Xavier Stallions at 9:30am at San Beda Gym #1.

The 30^th edition of the MMBL will be played on weekends at the Faith Academy Gym in Valley Golf, Antipolo; the International School of Manila gym at Bonifacio Global City in Taguig; the San Beda College Gym; and Xavier School Gym in San Juan, Manila.

High schools participating in this year’s MMBL include Adamson University, Ateneo de Manila University, Caritas Don Bosco School, Chiang Kai Shek College, Colegio de San Juan de Letran, Colegio San Agustin Biñan, Colegio San Benildo Rizal, De La Salle Lipa, De La Salle University Integrated School, De La Salle Zobel, Diliman Preparatory School, Emilio Aguinaldo College, Escuela de Sophia of Caloocan, Espiritu Santo Parochial School, Faith Academy, Far Eastern University, Hope Christian High School, International School Manila, Jubilee Christian Academy, Kings Montessori, La Salle College Antipolo, La Salle Greenhills, Lourdes School Mandaluyong, Malayan Institute of Technology, Marist School, National University, Our Lady of Fatima University, Quezon City Science High School, Reedley International School, Rich Golden Shower Montessori, San Beda College, San Beda College Alabang, St. James Academy, St. Jude Catholic School, St. Michael College Laguna, St. Stephen High School, St. Thomas More Academy, The Seed Montessori Academy, Trinity University, University of Perpetual Help Dalta System, University of Santo Tomas, University of the Philippines Integrated School, UNO High School, Valenzuela Christian School, and Xavier School.

Two more awards before the Sandman (Mariano Rivera) goes into that good night

Two more awards before the Sandman goes into that good night

by rick olivares

Last Monday, November 4, Mariano Rivera, who had already retired from Major League Baseball following the end of the New York Yankees’ season, was given two more trophies that make for a sweet bookend in an incredible career.

Rivera was named American League Comeback Player of the Year after posting a 6-2 win-loss record to go with 44 saves and a 2.11 ERA. The Panamanian national also was named the Marvin Miller Man of the Year “for excellence on and off the field.” The Marvin Miller Award is named after the founding executive director of the Baseball Player’s Association.

Rivera, who holds baseball’s all-time saves record with 652 career saves,  missed much of the 2012 season after tearing up his knee while shagging fly balls at centerfield at Kansas City. That year was supposed to be his last but the classy pitcher opted to go out on his terms while giving New York a much needed lift in what was a nightmarish season where almost ever player on the roster was injured at one point in time.

Those two awards will make an nifty addition to the Most Valuable Player Award he took home following the American League’s 3-0 win over the National League during last season’s All-Star Game that was held at Citifield, the home field of the crosstown rivals, the New York Mets.

Mo is the second Yankee to win the Comeback Player Award. In 2005, Jason Giambi was the co-inaugural winner along with the NL’s Ken Griffey Jr.

Giambi suffered through a subpar 2003 and 2004 season that was marked by his being diagnosed with a benign tumor that sent him to the disabled list. In the middle of the 2005 season, Giambi found his groove once more as he finished the season with a hot bat.  

When was the last time a retiring player was feted with a farewell tour? I could be wrong but the one I remember is the Baltimore Orioles Cal Ripken. After a prolonged strike that put off baseball fans, Ripken’s pursuit off Lou Gehrig’s Ironman record that lasted 56 year and spanned 2, 130 games, was followed by almost the entire United States. His willingness to work hard and play hard despite an assortment of injuries captivated fans. The crowds soon came back.

Rivera has been that way. He carried himself with dignity and pitched like a gentleman. He never got into any controversy in what is surely a Hall-of-Fame career. He never taunted opponents and simply pitched earning the respect of fans and foes alike. The manner is which he was celebrated in every ballpark this past season is testament to his class as a human being and an athlete.

To paraphrase Gehrig on his retirement day, I consider myself lucky to have watched Rivera both in Yankee Stadium and on television. I don’t have too many Yankee jerseys – Derek Jeter and Paul O’Neill are the other two. The third one is Mariano Rivera's.

Podcast interview with Greg Slaughter after his first official practice with Ginebra

Interview with Greg Slaughter after his first official practice as a member of Barangay Ginebra. Interview done at Chuck's Deli, Eastwood so forgive the food orders and slurping of soup.

Grading the 2013 PBA Draft Part 1

This appears in abs-cbnnews.com

Grading the 2013 PBA Draft Part 1

by rick olivares 

pic from ballerspinas.com

It was a banner and deep draft. When PBA Commissioner Chito Salud announced the first three picks, it was no surprise that three centers were taken one after another in Greg Slaughter, Ian Sangalang, and Raymond Almazan.

Not since the 2002 Draft when FedEx Express selected Yancy De Ocampo out of St. Francis, the Coca Cola Tigers picked Coppin State’s Rafi Reavis, and Sta. Lucia tabbed Mapua’s Omanzie Rodriguez have three slotmen gone 1-2-3.

After the first three picks, it was a crap shoot with some surprises here and there. Let’s take a look at the draft’s biggest winners and the twists and turns.

Barangay Ginebra San Miguel’s Draft haul: Greg Slaughter, James Forrester, John Usita, Alvin Padilla, and Jens Knuttel.

One of the league’s smallest lineups got a whole lot more stratospheric with the acquisition of the 7’0” Slaughter and 6’8” Usita. And they already have 6’10 Japeth Aguilar, 6’8” Jay-R Reyes, and 6’6” Billy Mamaril in tow.

If the bigs can become a scoring force for head coach Ato Agustin, then that will ease the scoring burden from their excellent wing and guard corps.

The exciting James Forrester will also improve Ginebra in another category – dunking. As it is, this team could be the PBA’s version of Lob City with Slaughter, Aguilar, Reyes, Forrester, and Chris Ellis all able to finish the game’s quick strike weapon – the alley-oop.

The trade for spitfire Emman Monfort will bolster their point guard slot that already has LA Tenorio and the steady and effective Josh Urbiztondo.

Ginebra has improved its lineup with trades and draft picks. The question now is, “Can they improve their playoff runs?”

Draft Grade: A+

San Mig Coffee’s Draft haul: Ian Sangalang, Justin Chua, Justin Brian Melton, and JR Cawaling.

Two centers and two swingmen. Head coach Tim Cone says that Ian Sangalang is the most PBA-ready of all the rookies. There is no questioning Sangalang’s talent. The question therefor is: Can he play that slot in Cone’s Triangle Offense?

I say yes. Remember he played with Ronald Pascual and Calvin Abueva in San Sebastian. That’s Mr. Outside Shot and Mr. Death-defying Drive respectively. The post-play in the triangle is crucial because the five has to recognize the defense, the cutters, and who is open. I’d say that Sangalang will help.

I do not want to go against Chua. When challenged, he showed that he could find his own niche. He led Blackwater to the D-League championship against a stacked N-Lex team. And now he’s been drafted.

Both center draft picks will only make Tim Cone’s front line stronger. And to think they already have Yancy De Ocampo, Rafi Reavis, Marc Pingris, Joe Devance, Jewel Ponferada, and Jerwin Gaco. Sangalang and Chua have good medium range shots; a must in Cone’s triangle offense.

Justin Melton despite his hops will really have to find a way to get in the flow of things as the guard spots have a tight rotation. The shooting guard position is pretty much locked down. It’s the PG spot where he can help out.

Draft Grade: A

GlobalPort’s draft haul: Terrence Romeo, RR Garcia, Isaac Holstein, Nico Salva, and Jopher Custodio.

This team is undergoing a manpower buildup and a youth movement.

If Isaac Holstein can prove to be steady in the slot then that will help their wingmen. As it is, Enrico Villanueva and Jondan Salvador are undersized now with all the height in the PBA.

Coach Junel Baculi will not have scoring sock in the backcourt with the addition of Terrence Romeo and RR Garcia. Of the two it would be interesting to see how Romeo plays in the PBA. Will his teammates be happy with his trigger happy ways? Can this team with a lot of scorers in the college game share the ball?

Having said that, if Romeo can be this team’s Mark Caguioa then they’ll be solid at the one, two and three-spots.

For Nico Salva to be effective he has to make good with his shots. At 6’2” he is small for the three-spot.

The final lineup will be very interesting for this team.

Draft Grade: B

Rain or Shine’s draft haul: Raymond Almazan, Alex Nuyles, Jeric Teng, Gayford Rodriguez, Ervic Vijandre.

A strong Elasto Painters lineup got more crowded. One thing is for sure, Almazan will solidify that front court position that will allow Beau Belga, JR Quiñahan, Jervy Cruz and Larry Rodriguez even slide back and forth to the four-spot. All these players can hit the medium range jumper. Belga, Quinahan, and Rodriguez have even better range. But Almazan will be the shotblocker this team needs to get out on the break. If he plays well, it will open up the floor for the other wing players of which head coach Yeng Guiao suddenly has a plethora of.

Over at the small forward position, Alex Nuyles will join Jireh Ibanes and Ronnie Matias. Nuyles, if he plays anywhere to his game while at Adamson could even own this spot.

At the two-guard spot, it would be interesting to see how Jeric Teng finds minutes with Jeff Chan and Ryan Araña getting the most minutes. Jonathan Uyloan is good but doesn’t get to showcase his skills as Chan and Araña are there.

The point guard slot is solid with Gabe Norwood, Chris Tiu and TY Tang.

Grade: A+

Alaska’s Draft Haul: Ryan Buenafe, Chris Exciminiano, and Raymond Ilagan

Taking a look at the two years in which Alaska has drafted under head coach Luigi Trillo, this team has gone from a primarily Fil-Am team to one that looks more “street”.

“Street” meaning more playground ball and tougher.

Does this mean that they are closer to the 1980s Alaska teams that featured the Bruise Brothers in Ricky Relosa and Yoyoy Villamin and a couple of tough hombres in Frankie Lim and Pongky Alolor?

Well, the Aces have Gabby Espinas, Calvin Abueva, and veteran Eddie Laure. Adding Buenafe brings more swagger to this Alaska team that if you ask me, resembles more of what Trillo’s kind of game is.

The Aces didn’t add too much. Trillo’s strategy is to keep his roster together in order to grow then add a few parts in the mix.

Ryan Buenafe was easily the biggest surprise of the first round. Buenafe gave a glimpse of his pro game in the past UAAP season where he opted to shoot more from the outside and set up his teammates. His assist totals went up but his shooting percentage wasn’t very good. But the thing about Buenafe is when he makes those shots.

Nevertheless, it would be interesting how he adjusts to the pro game that is faster, more physical and one that is increasingly being played above the rim.

With teammates who know how to move without the ball, Buenafe can find them. The problem for Buenafe will be guarding that small forward position that is home to some taller and quick players.

Exciminiano made his name as a defensive player for FEU (at that time they had scorers like Mark Barroca and RR Garcia so they only way he could really get playing time was as a stopper). Right now, Alaska has JV Casio, RJ Jazul, and Raffy Reyes to man the point. 

Draft haul grade: B-

Five Blue Eagles' Tweets/FB statuses after the PBA Draft!

First became friends with Greg Slaughter while he was with Smart Gilas. Usually sat in the back of the team bus with guys like Rey Guevarra, Dylan Ababou, and Jayvee Casio. But I hung out with Greg because we enjoyed listening to the same type of music (rock and all its sub-genres). To see him go to Ateneo was real cool. When he raised the "The Drive for Five ends here" poster I wrote up after Ateneo's five-peat two years ago, it was an even better moment. To see the Big Fella finally go to the pros is something I am happy about.

Here's something I wrote about raising expectations now in the Ginebra camp.

Ryan Buenafe is and will always be one of my favorite Blue Eagles. It might have not shown in the stats but what he gave was immeasurable. I know there are a lot of concerns on how he will fit the pro game. Hope springs eternal. Here's hoping that high basketball IQ will help him beat the odds. His Facebook status after the 2013 PBA Draft.... classic! Love it. 

Justin Chua. The dude has been wearing blue since he was in high school, college, and the D-League. Now in the pros, he still will be wearing blue. Sez Justin: "It's a sign." It's a sign too that your hard work will pay off. Proud of the dude.

Nico. What can I say? This has been not only his dream but his dad's. Met him while he was only in third year high school and I exclaimed, "He's only in high school? He can play in college already." Like Ryan Buenafe, there are concerns with Nico's height that is small for his position that is the SF spot. I know he will put in the work. He always has. Good luck! Proud of our Gatorade Brand Ambassador.

When you think about it -- Ryan, Justin, and Nico all entered Ateneo at the same time. And they are going to the PBA together. Awesome.

A terrific story! Am so happy for this guy who was not only a good athlete but he was an even better student. Playing for his "dad" in Norman Black... nice. He'll develop more.