2017 Filoil Flying V Premier Cup: Stags take the fight out of the Maroons

Stags take the fight out of the Maroons

by rick olivares

After this game, people will have to take notice.

All-Filipino. No legitimate center. The San Sebastian Golden Stags bagged a big fish when they defeated favored University of the Philippines, 64-51, in the Filoil Flying V Premier Cup.

With the score tied at 34-all at the halftime mark, the Stags dropped a 14-0 bomb to start the second half to seize control of the match, 48-34 at the 5:51 mark. During the run, second year Stags forward Jason David and point guard Ryan Costelo conspired for all 14 points. Andrew Harris broke the dry spell with a put back that helped ignite a 7-0 run for the Fighting Maroons to come within seven, 48-41, with four minutes left in the third period. But Stags center Justin Mercado hit a wide open triple to ease the pressure. Jerick Fabian drilled a triple with 23 seconds left in the period to give the Stags a 56-43 lead.

UP started off the fourth and final period behind center Ibrahim Quattara and veteran forward Paul Desiderio to once more come within seven, 56-49, with six to play. An offensive foul by point guard Jun Manzo and a huge bucket by Michael Calisaan against Noah Webb and Quattara who helped out, killed UP’s momentum.

San Sebastian held on for the win to give them the pole position of Group B in the tournament at 6-1. UP fell to 4-2.

“Jason is my secret weapon,” bared SSCR head coach Edgar Macaraya of his prized sophomore player who finished with 13 points, six assists, four rebounds, two steals, and one block with no turnovers in 24 minutes of play. “Jason can play up to four positons and his ability to do so helped us.”

Macaraya also added that the defense on Manzo, Desiderio, and shooting guard Diego Dario blunted UP’s high-octane offense. Although Dario scored 11 points, they were all in the first half of play while Desiderio scored only two with Manzo unable to enter the score sheet.

He also downplayed the win as a statement given basketball observers overlooking them in favor of NCAA defending champion San Beda and up and coming Lyceum of the Philippines University. “We’re just working hard to see how far we will go,” said the former San Sebastian star turned coach.

Quattara led UP with 14 points and 12 rebounds.

In other Filoil matches, the Arellano University Chiefs won their third straight match; a 68-58 triumph over reeling Mapua that is winless in seven starts. The Chiefs climbed to 3-4 and have to win their last match and hope that some of the top seeds drop a game for them to have the chance of getting into the quarterfinals.

Arellano’s three veterans – Kent Salado, Lervin Flores, and Zach Nicholls finally all played well to tow their side to a badly needed win. The Chiefs led from start to finish with their offense and defense holding the Cardinals at bay. Arellano posted multiple double digit leads in the first half but after a Cedric Pelayo free throw cut down a 10-point halftime lead to three, 41-38. With a chance to overhaul the lead, Mapua shot themselves in the foot with back-to-back three-point attempts that were both airballs. On the opposite end, Nicholls made them pay with a dead-eye triple and a jumper for a 46-57 lead with four minutes to play.

The Chiefs held them off the rest of the way for the victory.

Salado led Arellano with 17 points while Flores added 10 points and 20 rebounds to go with two assists and one block. Nicholls likewise added 10 markers.

For Mapua, Cedric Pelayo led the way with 13 points while Andrew Estrella and Lawrence Victoria chipped in 12 points each.

In other matches, the Ateneo Blue Eaglets won their fourth straight game in the Juniors division with a 70-62 victory over La Salle Greenhills. SJ Belangel top scored for Ateneo with 18 points while forward Jason Credo chalked up his second consecutive double double with 17 points and 13 rebounds. 

Game changers: Basketball players to look out for in the Filoil Flying V Premier Cup

Game changers: Basketball players to look out for in the Filoil Flying V Premier Cup

by rick olivares

The Filoil Flying V Premier Cup is heading into the second stage of the competition – the quarterfinals – and the cast is almost complete for the quarterfinals. However, there is still plenty of basketball to play and here are some players you should catch during the games.

RJ Ramirez, FEU Tamaraws

Through his sheer basketball intelligence, athleticism, and derring-do, this Fil-Canadian has made it to the starting five of Olsen Racela and made a huge impact for the Tamaraws. As two-way player, Racela has assigned him to the opposing team’s best player or top scorer (unless he’s a center). He’s built like a brick wall but has great speed.

In six matches played, Ramirez, who hails from Toronto, has averaged 10.2 points, 1.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.0 steals per game.

Jerie Pingoy, Adamson Soaring Falcons

After a multitude of stop-starts, the once-proclaimed future of college hoops is back. And how. With that talent-laden backcourt of the Falcons, it looks like that Koko will either start at the one-spot or come off the bench. And most likely, he’ll be on the floor come crunch time.

He is bigger now and he looks like he’s lost some speed. But none of the craftiness. The knack for the big play or the big shot or even the confidence is all on display. Even his stare downs are entertaining. If Rob Manalang is Adamson’s Cool Hand Luke, Koko is this team’s Swaggy P. P for Pingoy. And he brings some swagger to a team badly in need of it.

Jun Manzo, UP Fighting Maroons

This point guard from the Visayas who transferred to State U has brought his big game smarts to UP. While this team is older, maybe a little more mature, and even deeper at certain positions, Manzo has made this team go. What Jerie Pingoy brings to Adamson, Manzo does for UP. And he makes no bones about it. Check out that confidence.

In the Premier Cup, Manzo is averaging 9.8 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game.

Jayvee and Jaycee Marcelino, Lyceum Pirates

I used to think that the Domingo brothers of the College of St. Benilde Blazers (JJ and JS) were double trouble for opposing teams. I will have to amend that. Jaycee and Jayvee Marcelino have added a lot of dimension to a LPU team. They play pedal to the metal basketball. They push the pace, can score in a variety of ways, and play defense too. And their facial expressions do not change. They just play the game, baby.

They will give LPU a lift in challenging San Beda for the NCAA crown.

Jayvee is averaging 10.9 points, 2.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.0 steals per game while twin brother Jaycee norms 8.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.4 steals. Talk about making an immediate impact.

Sidney Onwubere, EAC Generals

Sidney can be a perplexing player. He has the talent, height, and athleticism to be a prime time player. Even a top draft pick in the pros. But he has to bring it every single day. He has to take it more to the basket where he can finish instead of jacking up treys (although he is shooting at 39% from that range).

This year, EAC is a dark horse Final Four contender in the NCAA. They have been tough to beat. Even with center Laminou Hamadou out of the tournament because of an injury, Onwubere has picked up this team.

Sidney is averaging 13.2 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in the Premier Cup.

Robert Bolick Jr., San Beda Red Lions

When he debuted with La Salle years ago, he showed he could play. He also had this misplaced swagger. After Kiefer Ravena torched him for 40-plus points, he sort of fell off the rotation and was eventually let go by La Salle. With San Beda, he has not only been reborn but is a totally different player.

He has played at a high Most Valuable Player level in both the NCAA, the PBA D-League, and the Premier Cup. As far as comeback stories are concerned, Bolick is tops. And you have to admire his maturity. Gone are the taunts that marked his years as DLSU. He’s more in control and plays the game with great intelligence.

Robert is putting up 14.0 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 5.4 assists for the Red Lions. Damn good numbers for someone who plays only 24 minutes a game.

Michael Calisaan, San Sebastian Stags

I’ll say this now. Is this guy the next coming of Allein Maliksi? Can play four positions. Can shoot, attack, rebound, pass, and play defense. Sticks the big shot. The maangas shot as we call it. Moves well without the ball. In this tourney, Michael is averaging 14.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.5 assists.

Matt Salem, National University Bulldogs

Another former Green Archer who played better after transferring schools. In DLSU, he was a three-point specialist. With NU, he’s an all-around player. Plays a more well-rounded brand of ball now with them. Rebounds, plays defense, posts-up, shows great leadership. What is not to like?

Salem is currently averaging 13.0 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in the Premier Cup.

The BaliPure Water Defenders on the eve of the PVL semis

The BaliPure Purest Water Defenders played extremely well during the first part of the ongoing Premier Volleyball League tourney. They have chalked up some huge wins over the past few weeks but they have looked somewhat vulnerable with the poor play by its reinforcements. 

No one expected BaliPure to be at this stage of the tournament Despite fielding a wholly new line-up,  they are back in the semi-finals. Just like the first edition of the team. They do have to match the third-place finish though. 

Some poor practices in the past few days has head coach Roger Gorayeb and management worried. These girls have to dig deep inside of them if they want it. The effort and attitude will make the difference. 

Akhuetie, Arafat & other college stars help out RP 3x3 team

College stars help out RP team in FIBA 3x3 preparations

by rick olivares

The team that will represent the country in the upcoming Fiba 3x3 World Cup in Nantes, France is already star-studded with Kobe Paras, JR Quiñahan, Kiefer Ravena, and Jeron Teng in the line-up not to mention its multi-titled head coach Eric Altamirano. Joining in the preparations are quite a few current and former college basketball stars who are just as happy to be here.

Participating in the practices are Bright Akhuetie of the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, former University of the East Red Warrior Moustapha Arafat, the Arellano University Chiefs’ Kevin Gabayni, and the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals’ Sidney Onwubere.

“We’re just happy to help out the Philippine team,” said Akhuetie. “It’s nice to be seen as a mere African studying and playing in the Philippines. We feel like we are a part of the community.”

Onwubere, the half-Nigerian Filipino who has starred for Emilio Aguinaldo College since high school and is currently in his final season for the Generals in the NCAA is hoping that his being asked to help out will lead to opportunities for himself. “It would be nice to be a part of any national team in any level,” quipped the high-flying forward in the vernacular. “I am happy for the team. I do hope I am given the chance one day.”

“We’re practicing every other day,” related Altamirano during the Wednesday night practice at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan. “We’re still trying to get used to the 3x3 competition rules and the ball that is smaller. The tall players like Bright, Moustapha, Kevin, and Sidney were chosen for their talent, height, and athleticism. They are great talents and a big help to the cause.”

Added the veteran coach, “Some of the nuances of 3x3 include -- when you’re up by five points what do you do? What do you do when you’re down? How to read the foul situations. When you get to the seventh foul. And 10^th foul which means free throws plus ball possession. There’s a lot.”

For his part, Quiñahan feels like slipping on a familiar and used glove. “Masarap yun feeling na magre-represent ka ng bayan mo. Nakaka-miss din kasi 2002 pa yung last ko. Sa 3x3 pa yun! Sa ngayon, ang ma-share ko lang kila Jeron at Kiefer ay yung experience ko. Top players naman sila. Mga kasama ko magagaling din.”

Teng smiled at the compliment of the PBA veteran. “JR gives us a lot of confidence,” he put succinctly. “Our mindset it’s different because it is one step higher in terms of competition. It’s exciting but also nerve wracking.”

With the guys at practice!