Chris Tiu, Jayvee Casio & Dylan Ababou @ the FIBA Asia Champions Cup

Snapshots from the 20th FIBA Asia Champions Cup Tournament

This was taken before we all headed to the game venue for the final game. Greg copied a bunch of stuff from my iTunes for his iPod. Jayvee and I chatted about the games here and what the whole experience means to him. He was teasing me about the name of the blog. "Bleachers Blue" dapat pangalan daw. Hahahaha. "I said if that were so then I can't write about anyone who isn't of blue pedigree.

I'm with Arynnn here. She writes for the Indonesian version of SLAM magazine and is an immense hoops junkie. I don't have a picture with this guy whose handle is "Insane." Insane is the top streetballer in Indonesia and is a huge PBA fan. In fact he watched all the Smart Gilas team's matches here. During the final battle with Indonesia, he came to the Britama Arena wearing a Danny Ildefonso San Miguel Beer jersey. He asked me a favor if I could hook him up with his new idol, Mark Barroca. They had their picture taken after the win against Indonesia. Said Insane, "We learn the game from Filipinos! I am a big fan!"

You're all right, brother!

Rashad Dominic Powell and Nakeia Jovon Miller both play for Satria Muda Indonesia. They are two of the most competitive players you will ever meet. In fact, Miller is fun to watch because he totally leaves his heart on the floor. I chatted with him after their quarterfinals loss and he was devastated that he let his team down. He isn't one of the most consistent players in this tournament for nothing. This was in the morning shootaround where both Americans were playing a game of horse from the halfcourt line.

When we go down for breakfast, our usual na kasabay was the Korean team. Every team hads its own set of tables and there was hardly any intermingling save for the coaches. I was the only nosy one who would move from table to table chatting and making friends with the other teams. The Korean Coaches Lee Jun Hae (left) and Jang Chang Gon (right). On Tuesday morning, Comm Noli Eala sent a box of Ponkan to their table (courtesy of a friend of Gerry Tiu). So over Ponkan we spoke about Korea (not hoops) but its tense relations with its northern neighbor. Who said that life is just hoops?

This was truly a great experience for me. And one of the best things about it was making friends in the foreign media from Lebanon to India to Indonesia to Iran. Here are my friends from Indonesia (L-R: Valentino, me, Arnold & Jul) who are all Liverpool FC fans. Between writing stories and press conferences, we talked about football and the Reds who we all worship. The cool thing is we will all see each other in Singapore this July to watch LFC play there! YNWA!

By the way, the guy who snapped this shot -- one of the media relations guys -- is a MUFC fan. He was ribbing us about his team winning the Premiership for the 11th time. I said, I don't care if you won, you still all suck! We had a big laugh.

Hey, Valentino! Thanks for the Alessandro Del Piero shirt! I also am a fan of Juventus.

Last Monday, I joined the Kuwaiti team shopping first at the Mall of Indonesia then at the Mal Kalapa Gading. This is the tres cool entrance of MOI with Qadsia's Macedonian Coach Jordancho Davitkov. On the first day, I nicknamed him, "Don Nelson" and the code name stuck. But you really have to ask everyone about Coach Davitkov, one of the true characters of this tournament. After all, he did turn Jayvee Casio into an "addict." Bwahahaha. Ask him about it or anyone on the team -- Davitkov.

Notes: I have two more stories to tell about the Smart Gilas team. One is about CJ Giles and the other is about the American imports who played in the tournament. The latter story might be broken into two with one used for my Monday column in Business Mirror.

For the story, I'll feature Joe Box of Qadsia Kuwait, Chris Charles of Al Riyadi Lebanon, Priest Lauderdale of Mahram Iran, and Joshua Jones of Al Arabi Qatar.

Oh I also have a short piece on Mario Palma, head coach of Jordan and formerly National Coach for Angola.

Rey Guevarra sends notice to Korea during warm-ups

Here's the other part of the warm-ups by the Gilas team. You'll see in this short vid national teamer Rey Guevarra dunking again and again. It was a harbinger of a great game for him and his one-handed stuff that brought the house down. I missed some of his spectacular slams that had CJ Giles yelling, "Yo, boy!" again and again.

Smart Gilas cops 5th Place in FIBA Champions Cup

http://businessmirror.com.ph/home/sports/10662-they-played-like-champions.html

Smart Gilas cops 5th Place in FIBA Champions Cup
Beats Indonesia 112-107
by rick olivares pic by Jun Mendoza & rick

“The Philippines plays the most exciting basketball in this tournament.”

Whether that was a pronouncement or a question, one cannot be sure what the Indonesian journalist was trying to say in the post game press conference. But for sure, the Smart Gilas Philippines and Satria Muda Indonesia played the best, no, the most scintillating match of the 20th FIBA Asia Champions Challenge Cup in Jakarta that the Filipinos took 112-107 in the only overtime game of the competition.

The two Southeast Asian countries, eliminated from championship contention during quarterfinals play, nearly stole the thunder from the eventual coronation of tournament champion Mahram Iran which beat Zain Jordan 78-68 in the Finals.

Satria Muda bucked the disqualification of one of its American imports in former University of Idaho Vandal Rashad Powell when Yemeni referee Mohammed Amer whistled him for throwing an elbow at the throat of Filipino JR Cawaling with barely four minutes gone by.

Powell’s ejection forced Indonesia Coach Fictor Gideon Roring to urge his locals to give their best.

Roring is Satria Muda’s former star center who learned his coaching chops from former PBA coach Nat Canson who also coached the club to an Indonesian championship. And the local champions responded in a way they have not have all tournament long as they threw everything – almost including the kitchen sink – at the Filipinos who lost a late 10-point lead due to questionable officiating.

Smart Gilas’ forward Dylan Ababou who along with Jayvee Casio have providing scoring sock off the bench, engaged Indonesian point guard Julius Achmed Faisal who nailed five three balls (to the Filipino’s four) in a torrid second half that saw the two squads combine for 97 points before the match went into overtime.

Indonesia’s remaining American, former Iona Gael center Nakeia Jovon Miller, the tournament’s leading rebounder, waged a personal battle with his Smart Gilas counterpart CJ Giles.

Miller notched a game high 41 points, 21 rebounds, and 3 block shots while Giles mailed 24, 17, and 3 respectively including four highlight slams that worked up the Wednesday evening crowd at the Britama Sports Arena.

With 1:39 left in regulation and the Philippines up 88-78, Indonesia got plenty of help from some suspect calls by the referee that they parlayed into 16 points with five treys. Ababou and Gilas’ captain Chris Tiu chipped in 6 of 8 free throws to stave off an upset.

Come overtime, Gilas took over as they tightened their defense and forced Miller into his fifth and final foul.

With Jayvee Casio hampered by foul trouble all game long, it was up to the slippery and dazzling Mark Barroca to take the team home. He played 36 out of the possible 45 minutes showed why he is easily one of the stars of the tournament as he expertly quarterbacked his team during the gut-check overtime period. On his way to a team high 31 points, 6 rebounds, 10 assists, and 2 steals, he broke the ankles of Faisal and his backup Agung Sonarko three times with his version of a killer crossover that led to a basket and a pair of alley-oop rim rattlers by Giles. “Ayoko matalo,” he said after the match. “Tama na yung dalawa (to Iran and Qatar). Ayoko na maka-experience nang ganon kasakit na talo kaya ginawa ko ang lahat para manalo.”

But he wasn’t alone for he had plenty of help including from the team’s head captain. Tiu who has been battling an assortment of injuries overcame a bad shooting day by playing tough defense as he pulled down four boards and had four steals – two coming off inbound passes by Indonesia. His four free throws in the waning of seconds of overtime helped seal the win and fifth place in Smart Gilas’ inaugural foray into international competition.

Said the Philippines’ Head Coach Rajko Toroman, “I am satisfied with what we showed. Maybe if we had a little more experience we might have placed higher. It is obvious that we need help upfront. We are three players away from being competitive with everyone. And if we can bring back CJ in some way then that would be great for our program.”

The Philippines’ placed second in Group 3-1 behind Mahram Iran which was undefeated at 4-0. But in the crossover quarterfinals, the Gilas team came up one rally short to lose to Al Arabi Qatar 76-71.

Joshua Jones, the American import of Qatar, who watched the RP-Indonesia match with players from Lebanon, Iran, and Jordan proclaimed afterwards, “No matter who wins this tournament, I’ll tell you that the Philippines played like champions and is definitely the best team to watch here in Jakarta.”

Scores:
Philippines 112 – Barroca 31, Giles 24, Ababou 20, Ramos 14, Tiu 14, Cawaling 3, Baracael 4, Cawaling 3, Casio 2, Ballesteros 0, Guevarra 0, Jazul 0

Indonesia 107 – Miller 41, Faisal 23, Prihantono 17, Sitepu 13, Sunarko 5, Situmorang 3, Powell 2, Sondakh 2, Wijaya 1, Jati 0, G. Gunawan 0, R. Gunawan 0

in the huddle of the Gilas team in the tournament

Notes: Smart Gilas import CJ Giles has reportedly drawn the interest of several Middle Eastern teams including Lebanon and Jordan. When Giles returns to the Philippines, SBP will discuss his future with the team… The West Asian teams have also expressed great admiration for Andy Mark Barroca… SBP team officials are hoping that collegiate standouts Rabeh Al-Hussaini and Japeth Aguilar will suit up for the Gilas team along with Fil-American Chris Lutz… The team will play a four game exhibition series in Japan next week as guests of the Japanese basketball Association who recommended by FIBA Asia officials for their sterling play in the 20th FIBA Asia Champions Challenge Cup in Jakarta… The team will break for the college basketball season but graduates Jayvee Casio, Chris Tiu, Jason Ballesteros, and Mac Baracael will continue their training. Gilas Head Coach Rajko Toroman and his coaching staff were upset after reviewing the tape of the Philippines’ game versus Qatar where the Ukrainian referee made seven dubious calls against the Filipinos in the game’s waning moments.

Warmups and notes about the Smart Gilas RP Team

Prior to the Smart Gilas RP Team's sixth game of the tournament against Korea, during warmups, Rey Guevarra was dunking like crazy. First time he did that in this competition. He had been playing much better as he was finally grasping the intricacies of the team's system. It was hard for Rey early on not getting much playing time, but he stuck with it and kept his head up high.

In his best game so far, Guevarra did a little bit of everything. Including grabbing a loose ball after an errant pass that slipped passed RJ Jazul that he collared then skied for a freaking one-handed jam! CJ Giles bounded up and screamed, "Yo, booooooy!"

Man, all of us at the media section near went ape shit. Bwahaha!

Jayvee Casio has thrived playing backup point guard. In fact, it has not detracted from his scoring abilities as he has shown he could pretty much light them up. I have the post match interviews from Dylan, Jayvee, and Coach Rajko along with a lengthy interview with Chris Tiu. I also have interviews with the Lebanese Coach Fouad Abou Chakra and Jordan's Portuguese Coach, the great Mario Palma. Last night, I had quite a long chat with Coach Palma at the coffee shop where we spoke about hoops. I'll be writing something about him when I get back.

I think that has been one of the great sidelights of this experience. I've managed to befriend many of the other teams and can chat and hangout with them including Lebanon, Kuwait, Qatar, Korea, and Iran. The Middle Eastern ones have been most helpful and very gracious; always eager to talk and even share food. Hmm. I'm going to put on some added weight here. Bwahahaha! 

I also made a lot of friends in the international media from India to Lebanon to Indonesia and Iran. 

But back to the team. 

JR Cawaling doesn't always dominate the box score and he always finds ways to help. That is why he starts for this team as Rajko (pronounce it this way Rai-ko) Toroman knows and sees his potential. At the start of the fourth quarter yesterday versus Korea, JR's three consecutive assists were truly superb passes; not your typical pass then the recipient shoots. Nope. That bounce pass from the right side of the court went through two Korean defenders that found Jayvee cutting in for a deuce. The others including his wrap around pass -- damn! 

Mac Baracael is a fountain of energy for this team. The way he has played since joining this team, it does not compare to what he showed while with FEU. Undersized for a power forward, I see now what Toroman has been saying. It's the quality of the player. I never thought that Mac would be fun to watch but you just have to see this guy. He is freaking awesome! He plays like his idol Scottie Pippen and after games, he switches jerseys and wear's Pip's Bulls #33. In one match he was fouled on the way up. That was tough because he nearly stuffed it in with a mighty one-handed throwdown. 

Mark Barroca. We we table mates last night in our nightly laptop chat sessions. He expressed happiness playing for this team. "Ito ang best ko ever," he admits. It's the system and his teammates. The whole experience has been one big dream for him here. I'd say he should make the Mythical Selection here. Anyone else would be a joke. 

CJ Giles has been a magnificent teammate for the guys. A bundle of energy and laughs too. He has fit in quite well for this team. Last night's chat session, he was yakking with someone in Las Vegas. Coincidentally the Ateneo Blue Eagles were in practice and we could see them in the webcam. Hahahaha. 

When people ask why is it that the team has only one American reinforcement that is because Toroman wants to give more playing time to Filipinos. Will CJ be naturalized? Time will tell.

The team will go to Manila for a few days for some rest then head to Japan for four exhibition games versus the Japanese National Team. After their consecutive emotional wins against Lebanon and Kuwait, FIBA Asia was so impressed (as was Japan) that they invited the team to visit and to pay for all their expenses!

Except that the only ones not making the trip will be RJ Jazul and Rey Guevarra who now have to return to playing for Letran in the NCAA.

Jason Ballesteros had a near two-handed stuff but was fouled too! Jason's nickname... Gagamba Boy. And Dylan Ababou is "Hercules!" You have to ask Mac Baracael why. He's the official jokester around these parts. Ho-kay! Eka nga ni Rey, "May sariling tono si Baracael." Bwahahaha!

When at the team bus, I usually share seats with Dylan or Rey. Once in a while JR or the tall dudes Greg Slaughter and CJ who own the way back back seats.

More notes on the team soon.

The Coffee Shop where we (Smart Gilas RP) hang out

The wifi connection in the room costs US $10 a day and considering we've been here for two weeks now that still a lot of money. What we all do is hang out in the coffee shop at the Sunlake Hotel where the wifi is free.

Aside from us media guys and team officials, the players who regularly bring their laptops here to chat, email, download or do whatever are: CJ Giles, Jayvee Casio, Mark Barroca, and Greg Slaughter. The others like RJ Jazul and Dylan Ababou occasionally go here. 

We're usually here first thing in the morning, after every meal unless we're out, and nighttime until the wee hours of dawn. Hahaha. Nightowls.

Our two week stay is winding up and we will all be back in Manila on Thursday. The last game is tomorrow 4pm (5pm Manila time) against the home team Indonesia. It's their two Americans who make their team go along with their top three locals. After that, their bench is pretty much thin. But of course, no one expects it to be easy. It's going to be a dogfight.

Thanks for the good cheer!

We had quite a crowd from Friday to Sunday. Everyone was cheering on Team Philippines. Even those from the other teams. It was sure nice to see our fellow Filipinos come out to cheer and wave the flag. This one was taken by Jun Mendoza who constantly patrols the court. Us writers are in the upper box where the rest of the media contingent is.

RP beats Korea again to salvage fight for 5th Place

RP beats Korea again to salvage fight for 5^th Place

words by rick olivares

pic by jun mendoza

JAKARTA, INDONESIA -- The Smart Gilas Philippine Men’s Basketball Team shook off the sting of last Sunday’s debilitating loss to Qatar in the quarterfinals of the 20^th FIBA Asia Champions Challenge Cup to beat Sangmoo Korea 98-78 at the Britama Sports Arena in Jakarta, Indonesia.

The 76-71 loss to Al Arabi Qatar ended Smart Gilas’ dreams of barging into the semifinals that now features an all West Asian cast of top-seeded Iran, Jordan, Lebanon, and Qatar.

The win over Korea will send the Philippines to a battle for fifth place in the ten-team field and will take on tournament host Indonesia which beat India.

The match between the Philippines and Korea was their second in the tournament. In Gilas’ first match of the competition, the Filipinos turned to point guard Andy Mark Barroca and American reinforcement, center Chester Jarrel Giles to turn back the basketball team of the Korean Army 90-76.

Sangmoo Head Coach Chae Dae Keun’s team who are all military personnel undergoes live fire training once a year but that doesn’t mean on the hardcourt their artillery isn’t accurate. Korea unloaded three triples in the game’s early minutes as they lead 21-17 after 10 minutes of play.

With Gilas’ first five misfiring, the second squad, playing All-Filipino, rode the hot shooting by Jayvee Casio, Rey Guevarra, and Dylan Ababou (while forward-centers Jason Ballesteros and Aldrech Ramos held the fort inside) to score 31 points in the second quarter to seize a lead at the half they would not relinquish. 48-38 Philippines.

With Barroca in foul trouble, Casio once more proved to be a superb quarterback for the team as he passed off for 5 assists to only 1 turnover in 22 minutes of basketball.

At the start of the final period, JR Cawaling made his presence felt by dishing off for three consecutive assists – the first, a nifty bounce pass to the left side that found a cutting Casio for a lay-up off the window, the second a wrap-around pass to Mac Baracael for another deuce, and a third to CJ Giles for a back rim-bending dunk to hike the lead to 78-65.

Cawaling punctuated his heroics with a three from the left corner pocket to keep the three-point mad Koreans at bay. Sangmoo, unable to carve space inside the lane due to the presence of the elongated Giles who swatted away four shots, turned to the court of last resort – the three-point range – for succor. Except that they shot a dismal 13-30.

With 1:23 left in the game, Rey Guevarra put an exclamation on his wondrous game with a dunk of his own after a misplay by his teammates to give the Philippines it’s biggest lead at 96-74.

All 12 Filipinos scored in the match, the first time the Smart Gilas accomplished the feat in the tournament. “We played one of our best games today,” said Philippines Head Coach Rajko Toroman.

Philippines 98 – Giles 16, Casio 14, Ababou 11, Jazul 10, Baracael 10, Guevarra 9, Ramos 8, Barroca 7, Cawaling 5, Ballesteros 3, Tiu 3, Slaughter 2

Korea 78 – Beom 24, Jung W. 14, Kyong 12, Gu 7, Hee 5, Byung 5, Jae 4, Tae 4, Jung K 3, Se 0, Bong 0, Sang 0

Smart Gilas goes to Outback or Happy Birthday, Greg Slaughter!

Monday was Rest Day for all the teams. Seems kind of odd that the rest day was held one day after the quarterfinals. In a perfect world it should have been right before but they were going to miss the Sunday crowd. Nevertheless, they should have still ended the eliminations on a Sunday.

The team went shopping in some tiangge that was a waste of time for some of them since there was only an hour to look around. They spent more time inside the bus than walking around. They should have instead gone to Mal Kelapa Gading which is like three malls in one. It will remind one of Robinson's Ermita but with a touch of Shangri-La.

For dinner, the team went to Outback in Central Jakarta and that meant another hour's drive going there with all the rush hour traffic. It's like going from Cubao to Makati but taking C5 with all the traffic.

The dinner was feted by one of the team's Indonesian friends and it was also a celebration for center Greg Slaughter whose actual birthday is today Tuesday. Happy Birthday, Big Fella!

During our ride to Central, Greg who is 21 today, borrowed my iPod Touch. We have so many things in common with regards to musical tastes. Since the ride was long, I had the Bloc Party, New Radicals, Zwan, and Interpol playing.

Dinner was fab. Onions rings, mushroom soup, and baked mushrooms with onion dip were the appetizers. Then everyone was served steaks. Wow, that has to be shaken off now, huh? And the vanilla ice cream with chocolate brownies for dessert was a perfect way to top it off.

On the subject of pretty girls in Indonesia, yes they have too. Take Widja, one of the waitresses here. Pretty much everyone wanted to have their pictures taken with her. I did but beside that damn fake crocodile! Yes, it is fake.

The disappointment of the loss to Qatar is still there. No one expected anything from this team and the modest goal was to advance to the quarters and not get sent home packing. All the wins raised expectations but after two consecutive highly-emotional games with no rest in between (plus a superb game by the Qataris) just finished off the team.

Up to last night it was still pretty much the conversation amongst the coaching staff, team officials, and the players. Even all the other teams were concerned (genuinely I might add as they were really shocked that we lost). Mahram Iran's Priest Lauderdale who has become one of my chat buddies here asked for the skinny on the game outside his hotel room (I'm on the 6th floor with two other Filipinos) as the Iran, Qatar, and Korean teams.


There was a huge disparity in calls and free throws attempted. More than double! But still the team had its chances but I guess this is where inexperience really kicked in.

Smart Gilas plays Korea a second time. If we win we will play another squad for 5th place in the standings.

Game time is 2pm (3pm Manila time).

Wish us luck and that it will be truly be a Happy Birthday for Greg and a nifty comeback win for the Philippines!

In the meantime, I'm writing a piece on the American imports here: Iran's Priest Lauderdale, Qatar's Joshua Jones, Kuwait's Joel Box (whose brother will be playing in Kansas this coming season), and Lebanon's Chris Charles. I've become friends with the dudes on the Arab teams here. In fact, some of them joined me yesterday in the mall. Shayee Saeed bought the England national football kit that was on sale at rp 160-240! I wanted to get the Everton jersey (yes, I know I super root for Liverpool but it would be cool to wear an Everton during the coming UAAP games. Except that they ran out of XLs. Hmm.

Is she pretty enough?

Some guys in the shoutbox were asking me if there were any pretty girls in Indonesia. I decided to take them up on it and so... Rick meet Julie Estelle, one of Indonesia's popular young actresses.

I thought that the girl on the Guess posters here was pretty then I saw her nearby, did a double take then said, "Sonuvagun, Rick... that's her!"

So I introduced myself and there you go!

Qatar Ends Gilas’ Magical Run

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/home/sports/10468-qatar-ends-gilas-magical-run.html

Qatar Ends Gilas’ Magical Run

Loses to Qatar 76-71 in Quarterfinals

by rick olivares

There was no endgame magic on this night. Not even the collective wills, cheering, and exhortations of three thousand plus people could lift the Smart Gilas RP Men’s National Team to another come-from-behind victory as Al Arabi Qatar ambushed the Filipinos’ semifinals dream 76-71 in the 20^th FIBA Asia Champions Challenge Cup at the Britama Sports Arena in Jakarta Indonesia.

The Qatari club, decimated by injuries to its roster, fielded only six players but they all stood an average of 6’6” and were of the athletic type that could play multiple positions.

Al Arabi has been relatively unimpressive in the elimination round but that was simply a part of the strategy according to the club’s Australian Coach David Ingham. “We needed to conserve the strength of our players. When said that when we make it to the quarterfinals, we would show our true character.” he said afterwards.

For the second consecutive playing day, the opposing team threw a different defense on the Filipinos as they played man-to-man (Kuwait defended with a shifting box-and-one and a triangle-and-two). Ingham put the 6’5” Maurice Hargrow on Gilas’ Andy Mark Barroca and 6’6” Joshua Jones on Chris Tiu and it once more played havoc on the RP team’s offense necessitating the early entrance of sparkplug Jayvee Casio and RJ Jazul.

The Philippines’ bench steadied the ship and Gilas’ 6’10” American reinforcement CJ Giles, who showed no after-effects from the knee strain he suffered against Lebanon, turned the shaded area into his personal playground for a team high 20 points, 18 rebounds, and 2 block shots.

But the taller Qataris kept the Filipinos in foul trouble and as a result, Gilas couldn’t find a rhythm all game long and they oft misfired from the field. The Philippines shot 46.9% from the two-point area and were horrendous at the arc shooting at 17.1%.

Although both teams committed 13 turnovers each, it was more costly for the Philippines as they came in the closing minutes with the game on the line.

“We picked the wrong time to play a bad game,” lamented Gilas coach Rajko Toroman and it showed as Al Arabi posted an 11-point lead as the coaches from six other countries watched and took notes.

The start of the second quarter saw the Philippines get untracked as Barroca finally found the degree of separation to blow by his defender, the taller Khalid Abdi. The Filipino guard scored on some big times drives while receiving a lot of help from Jazul and Giles. The two connected for a nifty lob pass that the American converted into a monstrous slam dunk that was the highlight of a 23-8 blast that propelled Gilas to a 35-29 halftime lead.

However, upon the resumption of the game, the Qataris tightened up their man-to-man defense and attacked the Filipinos’ interior. And they netted a big fish when Giles was whistled for his fourth barely a minute into the fourth quarter with the Philippines up 52-50, Ingham told his charges to renew their inside sorties. “Attack them now. They don’t have size inside.”

Al Arabi seized the opportunity as they went up by nine 61-52 prompting the return of Giles to action. With Giles back in harness, Barroca and Mac Baracael returned the favor by repeatedly driving to the basket.

When a Barroca incursion over the 6’ 6” Efran Saeed brought the Filipinos closer 67-66 time down to the last two minutes, the arena erupted into a deafening cheer. But a series of offensive miscues dampened the Filipinos’ momentum.

With time down to 33.7 seconds, Ali Ali found himself some 27 feet out with his man CJ Giles inside protecting the basket from drop passes or drives. The Qatari swingman who sometimes has to play center had been shooting terribly from the arc in the previous four matches. But for this game, he found the range as he went 4-9. Giles took a quick look and saw no one double out so by the time he rushed out – a second too late – Ali threw up his 21^st shot of the game that was all net. 70-66 Qatar.

From there, they connected on their next six free throws to five more points by the Philippines (a putback by Giles and a late three by Dylan Ababou) to end the scoring.

Al Arabi, battered and all, outscored the Philippines, 47-36 in the second half to barge into the semifinals with powerful Zain Jordan.

The Philippines has two more matches to snatch fifth place in the ten-team tournament but first Smart Gilas will once more square off with Sangmoo Korea on Tuesday at 2pm to advance once more.

Al Arabi Qatar 76 – Saeed 20, Jones 18, Ali 17, Hargrow 16, Abdi 3, Salem 2

Smart Gilas Philippines 71 – Giles 20, Barroca 16, Ababou 12, Baracael 9, Casio 7, Jazul 7, Ramos 0, Tiu 0, Ballesteros 0, Guevarra 0, Cawaling 0

Badge of Honor

Global Stars

The Smart Gilas RP Men's Team have become the crowd darlings here in Jakarta. It isn't solely the Indonesian and Filipino community that cheers on the team. When CJ Giles went down with an injury versus Lebanon, former San Miguel import Nate Johnson showed great compassion in looking out for his compatriot. Even the others like Priest Lauderdale who is a gentle giant was offering words of comfort and encouragement.

After the games, the players have been getting their share of photo ops and autograph signing sessions. 

When I asked Chris Tiu about the fans who have come out to support them, he said, "It's nice and to see the whole team get it. It's fantastic."

Even when CJ Giles was stretched out with Coach Jim Saret checking him out in that game versus Lebanon, some of the other paramedics were having their pictures taken with CJ, who is clearly one of two most exciting Americans here next to Iran's Jackson Vroman.

When I ride in the team bus, I'm usually beside Dylan Ababou or Rey Guevarra in the back row (with Jayvee Casio in front of us) and the three say that it has been an eye popping experience for them. Even the publicity they have gotten is incredible. And it couldn't happen to a better bunch of guys -- these 12.

Like I said the other day, one of the Indonesian journalists I befriended told me that she had to write her story on the team. She sent me the transcript of it except that it's in Bahasa. I forwarded it to Noli Eala and Joey Bautista so it may be put up in the Gilas site that's in the works.

Here are just some of those photos. And no surprise... Chris Tiu still gets the biggest ovation during introductions.

Cream pies and WWE championship belts! Let's go, Yankees!

They've started a new tradition in Yankee Stadium thanks to AJ Burnett. 

It's been one spectacular weekend in the Bronx with New York rattling off the straight walk-off wins over the hardluck Minnesota Twins. Each time, pitcher AJ Burnett moshed a cream pie on the game's best player -- first Melky Cabrera (two-run single to end the game in the ninth) then to Alex Rodriguez (two-run homer in the eleventh) and now Johnny Damon who hit a home run to the right field porch in the 11th to give the Yankees a 3-2 win and 20-17 slate.

The cream pie tradition is on the field for all the fans to see. Inside the dugout, they've been passing a replica WWE championship belt around for the game's best player.

Said Johnny Damon who is leading the team with 10 home runs , "Best family entertainment going."

Yeah, boy! I agree.

India's Young Cagers: The Young and the Restless

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/home/sports/10467-the-young-and-the-restless.html

The Young and the Restless

by rick olivares

JAKARTA, INDONESIA -- Aleksandar Bucan is a long way from Serbia. After plying his trade in his native country where he played for Partizan, Radivoj Korac, and Zemun and coaching in Europe, the Belgrade native now finds himself in India coaching its basketball national team.

On the way to the Britama Arena, he sits quietly thinking of the storm that is coming. His Young Cagers are truthfully that both in name and in age.

India is far from a basketball country. The sport is so far down the line of priority that Bucan wryly notes that “we just have scraps.”

The roster of the Young Cagers isn’t even the best of India. Many of its best players play for the corporations that employ them. So they are part time hoopsters and part time white-collar workers. Government support is a pittance and when the national team is training, their allowance totals a measly $9 a day.

“What can you do with $9?” says Bucan throwing his hands up in exasperation. “No one will be motivated to play.”

But how is one motivated when there is no professional league. There are no proper basketball courts and facilities to train. For many of the cagers, the FIBA Asia Champions Cup is one big adventure until they figure out that it’s time to get a real job.

That the team advanced to the quarterfinals is victory in itself and Bucan is willing to swallow his pride at the coming beaten by Iran that has been making a name for itself in Asia as a basketball power. “But it is opportunity.”

He commends the Philippines for its love of the game and has plenty of good words for its head Coach Rajko Toroman. “Step in the right direction for Filipinos. In India…” His voice trails off. “It is opportunity.”

On the way to Britama Arena, forward Trideep Rai has his feet perched atop the high seats of the bus. He smiles at his teammates and tells a joke.

Bucan closes his eyes and lets out a sigh that no one hears.

Against Iran, its dangerous forward Nikkah Bahrami fakes Rai out of his Air Jordans then throws up a three-pointer that is all net. With 1:17 left in the first quarter, Iran is up by 20. Rai has a sheepish grin then looks at Bucan. Bucan cocks an eyebrow and gestures to his player. “That’s why you shouldn’t stay too far from your man.”

With point guard Talwinderjeet Singh taken out by the tight guarding His opposite Mahdi Kamrany, India’s offense goes south quick. Center Jagdeep Singh who his oft the beneficiary of drop passes by Tal cannot buy a shot.

Iran’s high-flying American reinforcement Jackson Vroman and Bahrami take apart the Indians’ defense.

Bucan takes a seat, folds his arms, and leans back. “It’s for experience, he would later say.

His Iranian opposite Mostafa Hashemi meantime remains standing. He has not sat down all match long as if his team was far behind. It’s Iran 44 India 20 with 5:15 left in the second quarter.

With 2:03 left in the second quarter Talwinderjeet fouls out. He throws his headband on the bench in disgust and mutters in his native tongue. Bucan looks at him.

Hashemi pulls out Vroman not even bothering to send 7’2” Priest Luaderdale into the game. “We’ve got two more matches,” blurts out Vroman on his way back to the bench.

Iran leads by 26 at the half 50-24 and they don’t even bother to go to the locker room at the half. They know it’s over.

Jagdeep Singh refuses to give up. He talks trash to Iran’s 6’11” Hooman Razaee who points a finger at him. “Don’t do that to me again or else…” he warns the Indian about his roughhousing. Singh looks back and on the next possession buries a turnaround jumper with Razaee all over him. He beats on his chest.

On the next trip back, Iran buries India with an artillery barrage from medium and long range.

Bucan’s Young Cagers in the meantime are no longer laughing. They’re sucking in air and looking bewildered. Rai would later exclaim, “When people ask me what I do, I say I play basketball for national team. Then they ask, ‘We have national team?’ So I say yes and they look at me like I am joking.”

But no one on the team is laughing and outside the rain is coming down in Jakarta.

India's campaign in the 20th FIBA Asia Champions Challenge Cup:

lost 63-88 Al Arabi Qatar

beat Al Wasil UAE 82-76

lost to Zain Jordan 59-90

lost to Satria Muda Britama Indonesia 59-79

lost to Mahram Iran 73-97

lost to Sangmoo Korea 61-72

Smart Gilas rallies past Kuwait for third win

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/home/sports/10404-rp-5-continues-surge.html

Standing Tall

Smart Gilas Philippines rallies past Kuwait 98-93

by rick olivares

Rey Guevarra was praying for an opportunity to contribute to the Smart Gilas Men’s Basketball Team’s campaign in the 20^th FIBA Asia Champions Cup in Jakarta, Indonesia. So far he racked up one Did Not Play-Coach’s Decision and a cameo appearance where he laid a perfect bounce pass to a cutting Mark Barroca (that lead to a basket against Lebanon) and a missed point blank lay-up.

When Guevarra entered the match at the start of the fourth quarter, Qadsia Kuwait held a 78-69 lead. After giving up a foul on the defensive end, the high leaping forward buried consecutive three-pointers that found nothing but the bottom of the net.

Guevarra coolly raced back on defense as if to say that it was just another day at the office. But the baskets were huge as they brought the lead down to three with 8:17 left and lit a fire once more underneath the Gilas squad that given up its second 16-point deficit of the match.

And the treys stirred the Saturday crowd at the Britama Sports Arena had rallied behind the Gilas team that was playing Qadsia Kuwait without two players -- American reinforcement CJ Giles who was resting a strained knee and team captain Chris Tiu.

It was the final game for the Philippines and Kuwait yet Gilas Head Coach Rajko Toroman preached caution (the result had not bearings on the Filipino’s quarterfinal seeding) in elimination round play. The Philippines was second behind undefeated Iran while Kuwait was winless after three outings. But that’s what made them dangerous, underscored Toroman because they have nothing to lose.

The match came one day after an emotional win against Lebanon where the team stared defeat in the eye and snatched an unbelievable 98-93 victory before a couple of thousand cheering fans.

Against Kuwait that had its two American imports Joel Box and Michael Harris, the odds were slightly stacked against the Philippines.

Qadsia’s Macedonian Coach Jordancho Davitkov threw a box-and-one and mixed it up with a triangle-and-two defense that thoroughly confused the Filipinos at the beginning.

All tournament long, opposing teams played a straight up 2-3 zone and the new look forced Toroman to call a time out barely two minutes into the match.

The last time Mark Barroca faced such a defense was against Mapua in the Collegiate Champions League. It forced him out of his rhythm but his team, the Far Eastern University Tamaraws found a way to win. “Bwisit to,” he said to himself as he struggled early on.

Kuwait spotted the Philippines a 16-point lead at 20-4 with under three minutes left in the first quarter. Toroman sent in Jayvee Casio for Barroca and Dylan Ababou for JR Cawaling, and Greg Slaughter for Jason Ballesteros.

Their entrance infused the team with a badly needed dose of energy as Slaughter battled Harris inside and scored his first points of the tournament and the deceptive Ababou hit four treys from either side of the corner pocket and a floater.

From a 31-16 first quarter deficit, Gilas scored 30 second quarter points to come within striking distance at 49-46 that was punctuated by a death-defying lay-up by Mac Baracael right before the half-time buzzer. Baracael scattered 13 points of his own during the run.

The halftime break cooled down the Filipinos as they once more came out flat but the team clawed back before Guevarra’s dramatic treys.

A few seconds later, there was a tense moment when Mark Barroca laid down Kuwaiti point guard Shayee Saeed in retaliation for a sucker punch to the abdomen that the referees failed to catch. The stoppage prompted Davitkov and the Qadsia coaching staff to enter the court and threaten to pull out of the match. After FIBA officials placated the Kuwaitis, Davitkov was whistled for a technical foul for his entering the court.

The two free throws made by Casio, who played a scintillating game at point guard while adding scored 21 huge points, and the resulting ball possession sent the momentum the Philippines’ way.

From there on, an unshackled Barroca, Casio, Slaughter, and Ababou finished off Kuwait for the win as the Britama Sports Arena exploded with unrestrained emotion.

Said CJ Giles who was hollering, clapping, cheering, and coaching from the sidelines, “I didn’t think we could top last night’s game (against Lebanon) but we just did!”

The Philippines’ entered the tournament as virtual unknowns. No matter where they finish they have already won everyone’s respect and admiration.

Philippines 98 – Casio 21, Baracael 19, Ababou 16, Barroca 9, Jazul 9, Ramos 7, Slaughter 6, Guevarra 6, Ballesteros 5, Cawaling 0

Kuwait 93 – Harris 32, Box 21, Albrahim 12, Saeed 9, Al Himidi 9, Abdullah 2, Mohammad 2, Al Zafiri 0, Al Rashidih 0, Alajmi 0, Hassan 0

Smart Gilas Elimination Round Stats (4 matches)

Smart Gilas Philippines 

Elimination Round Statistics

Mark Barroca -18.75 ppg, 4.75 rpg, 3.75 apg

Aldrech Ramos - 6.0 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 1.25 apg

Jayvee Casio - 11.75 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 3.5 apg

Dylan Ababou - 12.75 ppg, 4.5 rpg, .5 apg

Chris Tiu - 9.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 1.33 apg

Greg Slaughter - 2.0 ppg, 3.3 rpg

Mac Baracael - 11.5 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 1.75 apg

CJ Giles - 17.6 ppg, 9.3 rpg, .66 apg

Jason Ballesteros - 2.25 ppg, .75 rpg,

Rey Guevarra - 2.0 ppg, .33 rpg, .33 apg

RJ Jazul - 4.25 ppg, 1.0 rpg, 1.5 apg

JR Cawaling - 1.25 ppg, .75 rpg, 1.25 apg

Smart Gilas RP -  91. 75 ppg, 37.0 rpg, 15. 25 apg

9 three-pointers (36 total) per game 43 steals total beating every squad so far in that statistic

Opponents - 88. 25 ppg, 44.75 rpg, 15.0 apg

Some notes on the FIBA Asia Champions Cup

The FIBA Asia Champions Cup is a great competition. Unfortunately, there are only four teams that really go out and compete every time they step on to the floor: Iran, Jordan, the Philippines, and Korea.

I was shocked the other day that Lebanon (a day after Coach Fouad Abou Chakra promised that they will not give Iran a gift of a win) did not field its tougher players against Iran. They got blasted by about 30 points and that really ticked off Rajko Toroman.

Before the Philippines' game against Kuwait yesterday, Qatar played Jordan and the score at the half was 40-35 in favor of the latter. But come the second half, the starters (save for Joshua Jones) played for a few minutes before going out. Then their Australian Coach David Ingham didn't even bother to call a single time out to stem the blitzkreig of Zain Jordan.

FIBA should fine and penalize these teams that tank to get more favorable foes in the quarterfinals that begin today (Sunday) at the Britama Sports Arena. What they are doing is a mockery and really points out to their lack of professionalism.

Iran could simply rest its players but they play hard every game and they field everyone. Same with Jordan. And the Philippines, even without CJ Giles and Chris Tiu, they really fought hard.

And that has endeared the team to the fans who have come out to watch the games. Even the technical and television crew made up of Indoensians have been cheering on the Gilas squad.

Revisit this post later tonight as I put up pix of the team members having the pictures taken with fans (some ask not just for autographs but phone numbers).

Whatta win! Tttttthhhheeeee Yankees win!

Yesterday, Saturday, I was glued to ESPN watching the New York Yankees play the Minnesota Twins at the new Stadium. I haven't watched the Yanks in a while and it was difficult to write with a match in progress. Unfortunately, except for a solo Derek Jeter home run not much was going New York's way. I had to content myself to saying, "It sure is nice to see Paul O'Niell and David Cone back in the Yankee broadcaster's booth."

Until another incredible rally that I hope will finally put them on a winning groove. That come from behind victory sure set up a nice and similar version by the RP Team yesterday. 

Oh, yes. I slept soundly for only five hours on a really soft and comfy bed.

Then when I woke up, Alex Rordiguez' hit a two-run HR to win New York's second consecutive match against the Twins 6-4. That was the Third baseman's eighth walk-off home run of his career. And a mighty one at that for not only did it raise his batting average after a slow start but it gave his club a 19-17 record.

Ah, baseball...

Okay, now I'm off to the swimming pool and the sauna (part of my daily routine here in Jakarta) content like anything.

Guts, Pride, and One Huge Step for Philippine Basketball

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/home/sports/10398-guts-pride-and-one-huge-step-for-philippine-basketball.html

Guts, Pride, and One Huge Step for Philippine Basketball

RP upends Lebanon 91-86

by rick olivares

The score at the end of three quarters of play was 65-all. The Smart Gilas RP Men’s Basketball Team had lost an impressive 16-point lead that it mounted early in the first half of their third match in the 20^th FIBA Asia Champions Cup. It brought to mind their previous match that they lost to Mahram Iran where they also posted a double-digit lead before the squad’s American reinforcement CJ Giles went out with foul trouble.

Giles had gone out once more but this time because of a knee injury while contesting a lay-up by former San Miguel Beer import Nate Johnson (who led the ballclub to a title in the PBA) who was now plying his trade with Al Riyadi Lebanon.

Gilas Head Coach Rajko Toroman put temporarily put aside his fears and concerns for Giles to attend to the task at hand. Lebanon, although missing a bunch of players because of injuries had the heart of a champion as they were coming off title runs in their home country and in Dubai. Al Riyadi, led by its American players Johnson and former Villanova center Chris Charles outscored the Philippines 31-16 to notch the match to only its second deadlock at 65-all.

There was some drama building up to the game. Both the Philippines and Lebanon were coming off losses (both to Iran coincidentally).

After the loss of the Smart Gilas RP Men’s National Team to Mahram, the Filipino’s American reinforcement CJ Giles wept. He even refused to eat afterwards as he blamed himself for letting the team down (Giles fouled out).

“At least he’s got character,” noted Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas Executive Director Noli Eala of the American’s emotions.

Toroman on the other hand seethed over Lebanon’s loss to Iran as Al Riyadi mentor Fouad Abou Chakra benched his banged up starters in favor of his bench. The Lebanese champs were subsequently blown away by more than 20 points.

The Serbian coach of Gilas thought it was a mockery as there was no attempt to win. Chakra thought it mere prudence to live and fight another day. Iran’s coach Mostafa Hashemi agreed with Toroman but was nevertheless glad to see his club remain undefeated to keep pace with old nemesis Zain Jordan, the leaders of Group B in the 20^th FIBA Asia Champions Challenge Cup.

Both teams needed to win in order to place well for the quarterfinals. A loss by the Philippines would give life to Sangmoo Korea that finally notched their first win against Kuwait Qadsia the day before.

A loss by Lebanon meant on the other hand meant that they could be on a collision course with either Al Arabi Qatar or Al Wasil UAE.

Having already gotten a taste of real competition, Smart Gilas shoed no fear as they took the game to West Asian country. Gilas point guard Andy Mark Barroca, averaging 16 points in the first two games, immediately put the cuffs on Al Riyadi guard Ali Mahmoud, who was stripped twice and whistled for three fouls in the first half.

Barroca and Giles combined for 16 points in the first ten minutes of play as Smart Gilas’ defense wreaked havoc on Al Riyadi’s guards who were unable to establish any sense of play. With their guards taken out, Chakra directed the ball to Johnson and let him create.

Johnson traded baskets and good-natured talk with his guard, forward Dylan Ababou who didn’t back down. “Got it tough?” asked Johnson after swishing a trey. The Filipino swingman responded by tipping in an offensive rebound for a 49-34 halftime lead.

After a hot start, the clamps were on him and Charles, the former Wildcats back-up center, picked up the slack to keep Lebanon in the game.

At 5:38 of the third quarter, with the Philippines holding 56-44 lead, Gilas captain Chris Tiu and Team Trainer and Conditioning Coach Jim Saret carried out Giles. As the Filipinos momentarily lost their wits, Toroman thought that it was a magnificent opportunity to show their true character.

At the start of the fourth quarter, Toroman fielded Aldrech Ramos, Jason Ballesteros, Jayvee Casio, Dylan Ababou, and Barroca. Al Riyadi had  Mohammad Ibrahim, Omar El Turk, Ali Fakhreddine, Johnson, and Charles opting for more height now that Giles was not on the floor.

In Lebanon’s first possession, they recovered the offensive rebound five times before Ibrahim scored on a lay-up that had the bass drum of the team’s supporters beating louder.

Ramos is one of the more quiet players on the team as he prefers to laugh at his teammates’ jokes. He played center and at time power forward averaging 4.5 points and 1.5 points in the first two matches.

On the next possession, Casio drove the lane then handed off a pass to Ramos who rolled in, pulled up with Charles’ hand in his face and buried a jumper. 67-all.

In the meantime, Giles was masterfully patched up by Saret (as the trainers of four countries looked on in amazement). “Just hold them off for two minutes, guys,” hollered the former Los Angeles Lakers draftee. “I’m coming back.”

The team’s Operations Manager, Butch Antonio, concerned that Giles might aggravate the injury ventured that maybe Giles conserve himself for the next match.

“No, I’m not going to let the team down.”

The Filipino team on the floor returned Lebanon the favor by regaining ball possession four times before Ramos swished in another jumper 69-67 RP.

Two free throws by Barroca and four points by Ramos sandwiched between a basket by El Turk gave the Philippines a 73-64 cushion when Giles pulled a Willis Reed and entered the court with 6:29 left in the fourth quarter.

The small Filipino crowd leader by team patron and business magnate Manuel Pangilinan, Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Harry Angping, Philippine Ambassador to ASEAN Orly Mercado, and Indofood Commissioner Albert del Rosario stood up and gave the team an ovation for their remaining steadfast in the face of the mounting pressure.

A miss by Lebanon and Giles pulled down the defensive board. On a gimpy knee, the American sprinted down, caught a pass from Barroca, whirled around with Johnson draped all over him for a magnificent lay-up that brought everyone (including the Indonesian and Jordanian crowd) to their feet.

At the 3:33 mark, Giles caught an alley-oop (once more from Barroca) for a death-defying two-handed slam that brought the house down 82-72 RP.

He followed that up with a nasty fadeaway shot from 18-feet out with Charles coming out a second too late to challenge it.

Al Riyadi still had one last charge in them as Johnson, who finished with 43 points, and Brian Feghali fought back. But this team, Gilas’ free throw shooting down the stretch held as Giles and Ababou added two apiece as they held on for a pulsating 91-86 win for a 2-1 record in Group A.

After the match, some of Iranian players, visibly impressed with the hard-earned victory went over to congratulate Toroman, their former national coach: “See you in the Finals!”

Toroman smiled, inquired about Giles (he was diagnosed with a knee strain), and went to the post-match press conference.

Philippines – Barroca 28, Giles 20, Ababou 17, Ramos 8, Tiu 8, Casio 6, Baracael 2, Cawaling 2

Lebanon – Johnson 43, Charles 21, Fahed 8, Mahmoud 6, Ibrahim 5, Feghali 6