FIBA World Qualifiers 2018

Guiao names Gilas Final 12 versus Kazakhstan

November 28, 2018

FIBA World Qualifiers News 2018: Coach Yeng Guiao finalized the Gilas Pilipinas Final 12 that will battle Kazakhstan in the fifth window of the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers this Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena. The Philippines is currently ranked 3rd in the heap with a 5-3 slate, while the Kazakhs are at fifth with a 3-5 record.

Notes:

➤ The Filipinos will not have a legitimate naturalized player as Guiao opted to not include NBA veteran and Gilas mainstay Andray Blatche in the fifth window roster. Blatche is also coming off the suspension sanctioned by FIBA to Gilas players after the infamous RP-Australia brawl.

➤ The magic twelve of Guiao includes PBA behemoths Junemar Fajardo, Greg Slaughter, Poy Erram and Japeth Aguilar. The guard rotation will have Stanley Pringle, LA Tenorio, Alex Cabagnot and Scottie Thompson. Rounding-up the cast will be forwards Gabe Norwood, Matthew Wright, Marcio Lassiter, and Beau Belga.

➤ Out of the final line-up were Jayson Castro and Troy Rosario, both serving FIBA suspensions, and Ricci Rivero, Kai Sotto, Ian Sangalang, Paul Lee, Arwind Santos, and Christian Stanhardinger.

Guiao also stated that Stanhardinger will be the likely naturalized player for the next game against Iran. Pringle and Stanhardinger are considered naturalized due to a FIBA residency ruling despite both being legitimate Filipinos.

➤ The Pinoys are in a must-win situation against Kazakhstan as they are in a precarious third place spot in the qualifiers. A loss may put them behind Qatar or Japan, who are both trailing behind at 4th place. Only the first three qualifiers from Asia will advance to the World Cup 2019.

Posted on November 29, 2018

Written by Rock Punzalan for Philippine Basketball News Team

UAAP Final Four 2018:

UP pulls off Adamson shocker, enters Finals

November 28, 2018 – Araneta Coliseum

UAAP Finals 2017: Ateneo draws first blood, defeats DLSU 76-70
The UP Fighting Maroons

UAAP Final Four News 2018: UP Fighting Maroons upset the Adamson Soaring Falcons, 89-87 in overtime to enter the Finals of the 2018 UAAP Season 81 men’s basketball this Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum. Paul Desiderio once again pulled-off a superb clutch performance after hitting the game-winning jumper with 6.6 ticks remaining. He also finished the game with 16 buckets and 11 boards.

Notes:

➤ The University of the Philippines gatecrashed the UAAP Finals after missing the party for 32 long years. They also beat a shoo-in Adamson squad, expected to be the strongest challenge to Ateneo for the championship plum. The stunning victory proved the mettle of the Maroons, who were coming off the biggest of upsets by eliminating the DLSU Green Archers.

Juan Gomez de Llano led UP with his career-high 30 markers and 6 caroms, while import Bright Akhuetie made 13 points.

➤ The Maroons were trailing Adamson, 84-78 in overtime, but UP kept on knocking at the door as an Akhuetie conversion tied the game at 84. The rest is history as mythical Desiderio delivered in crunchtime five clutch points to seal the momentous win for UP.

Jerrick Ahanmisi backstopped the losing Falcons with 20 points and 3 rebounds, while Jerom Lastimosa chimed in 17 buckets and 7 boards. Meanwhile, Sean Manganti was a disappointment this time around as he only registered 6 points the whole game.

➤ The Fighting Maroons will next battle the Ateneo Blue Eagles for Game 1 of the UAAP best-of-three Finals at the Mall of Asia Arena this Saturday, December 1.

Game Scores:
Quarters: 26-16, 51-42, 64-67, 78-78, 89-87.

up: 89

Gomez de Liaño Ju. 30, Desiderio 16, Akhuetie 13, Gomez de Liaño Ja. 8, Prado 6, Tungcab 6, Dario 5, Manzo 4, Jaboneta 1, Vito 0, Lim 0.

adamson: 87

Ahanmisi 20, Lastimosa 17, Sarr 16, Camacho 10, Pingoy 7, Magbuhos V. 6, Manganti 6, Mojica 2, Espeleta 2, Bernardo 1.

Posted on November 29, 2018 - Araneta Coliseum

Written by Rock Punzalan for Philippine Basketball News Team

Philippine Basketball 2018:

Lebanon overpowers Gilas, 71-60

November 25, 2018 – Meralco Gym

Philippine Basketball News 2018: Lebanon national team overpowered Gilas Pilipinas, 71-60 once again to leave the Filipinos win-less in their tuneup games against the Western Asian power as buildup for the FIBA World Qualifiers at the Meralco Gym this Sunday.

Notes:

Pilipinas ended its’ campaign with a 1-3 win-loss record, absorbing two losses against the Lebanese while breaking even with the Jordanians.

RP Five will face Kazakhstan this Friday, November 30 at the Mall of Asia Arena in continuation of their FIBA World Qualifiers series.

Posted on November 25, 2018 - Meralco Gym

Written by Rock Punzalan for Philippine Basketball News Team

UAAP Final Four 2018:

Unstoppable Ateneo smashes FEU, enters Finals

November 25, 2018 – Mall of Asia Arena
UAAP Finals 2017: Ateneo draws first blood, defeats DLSU 76-70
Ateneo Blue Eagles

UAAP Final Four News 2018: Unstoppable Ateneo Blue Eagles smashed the FEU Tamaraws, 80-61 to enter the Finals of the 2018 UAAP Season 81 Men’s basketball this Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum. Thirdy Ravena led the Eagles hot offense with 22 buckets, 7 caroms, and 4 dimes, while import Angelo Kouame dominated with his 18 markers, 11 rebounds, and 4 swats.

Notes:

➤ The Blue Eagles clamped down on defense as they limited all FEU players from scoring in double digits. They also blitzed to an early lead as they registered an 8-0 offensive blast over the Tamaraws.

➤ Barkley Eboña had the highest output for FEU with nine buckets, while Prince Orizu and RJ Ramirez had 7 points apiece. Arvin Tolentino was a non-factor the whole game as he was held to only five points.

➤ Ateneo will have a long rest as they await the victor between Adamson and UP in the last Semis pairing this Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum.

Game Scores:
Quarters: 17-9, 38-24, 59-36, 80-61.

ateneo: 80

Ravena 22, Kouame 18, Verano 7, Go 6, Nieto Ma 6, Nieto Mi 5, Belangel 4, Asistio 3, Mamuyac 3, Mendoza 3, Black 2, Tio 1, Andrade 0, Daves 0, Wong 0, Navarro 0.

feu: 63

Ebona 9, Ramirez 7, Orizu 7, Gonzales 6, Tolentino 5, Inigo 5, Stockton 5, Escoto 4, Tuffin 4, Parker 4, Comboy 3, Cani 2, Nunag 0, Bayquin 0, Bienes 0, Jopia 0.

Posted on November 25, 2018 - Mall of Asia Arena

Written by Rock Punzalan for Philippine Basketball News Team

UAAP Final Four 2018:

UP Maroons stuns Adamson, 73-71

November 24, 2018 – Mall of Asia Arena

UAAP Final Four 2018 News: University of the Philippines stunned second-seeded Adamson University, 73-71 to take Game 1 of their Best-of-Three series in the 2018 UAAP Season 81 Final Four Semifinals this Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena. Import Bright Akhuetie converted the game-winner for the Fighting Maroons with 2.6 ticks remaining in the game. He finished with 6 buckets, while Paul Desiderio and Juan Gomez de Liaño led UP with 19 points apiece each.

Notes:

➤ UAAP MVP Akhuetie made the go-ahead shot after an inbound play by UP to break the deadlock at 71-all.

➤ The Maroons made a historic run by gaining entry to the Final Four after 21 years and may have the chance to reach the UAAP Season 81 Finals if they beat Adamson once more in Game 2.

➤ Meanwhile, reinforcement Papi Sarr backstopped the losing Falcons with 23 markers and 9 rebounds, as Sean Manganti made 15 buckets. Ace sniper Jerrick Ahanmisi was limited to only 9 points after a 1-of-8 three-point shooting total.

➤ UP and Adamson will duke it out again on at the Araneta Coliseum this Wednesday, November 28.

Game Scores:
Quarters: 17-16, 28-29, 54-43, 73-71.

up: 73

Desiderio 19, Gomez de Liaño Ju 19, Gomez de Liaño Ja 9, Manzo 9, Akhuetie 6, Prado 4, Dario 3, Vito 2, Jaboneta 2, Tungcab 0, Gozum 0, Murrell 0, Lim 0.

adamson: 71

Sarr 23, Manganti 15, Ahanmisi 9, Camacho 8, Lastimosa 7, Espeleta 5, Magbuhos V 4, Mojica 0, Bernardo 0, Pingoy 0, Catapusan 0.

Posted on November 25, 2018 - Mall of Asia Arena

Written by Rock Punzalan for Philippine Basketball News Team

Philippine Basketball 2018:

Lebanon subdues Gilas, 74-68

November 23, 2018 – Epsilon Chi Center, UP Diliman

Philippine Basketball News 2018: Lebanon national team subdued Gilas Pilipinas, 74-68 to take Game 1 of their tuneup game for the FIBA World Qualifiers this Friday at Epsilon Chi Center in UP Diliman. Ali Haidar led the Lebanese side with his 20 buckets, while Ater Majok had 13 markers.

Notes:

➤ Pilipinas basketball team managed to trim the gap from 19 points deficit to a single digit at 59-60, courtesy of an Arwind Santos layup, but the Lebanese side kept their composure en route to victory.

➤ Japeth Aguilar led the Filipinos with his 16 points as San Miguel duo of Marcio Lassiter and Junemar Fajardo also finished with 13 and 9 points each.

➤ Missing from the action are the other members of Gilas pool which includes Christian Stanhardinger, Kai Sotto, Scottie Thompson, Alex Cabagnot and Beau Belga.

➤ Gilas and Lebanon will face each other once more for Game 2 this Sunday.

Game Scores:
Quarters: 20-16, 44-28, 57-55, 74-68

lebanon: 74

Haidar 20, Majok 13, Saoud 10, Abdel Nour 9, Bawji 6, Mehzer 5, Rustom 4, Akl 3, Ibrahim 2, Fares 0, Khalil 0, Tabet 0.

gilas pilipinas: 68

Aguilar 16, Lassiter 11, Fajardo 9, Santos 6, Rosario 5, Tenorio 4, Slaughter 4, Pringle 4, Lee 3, Wright 3, Rivero 2, Thompson 1, Erram 0, Castro 0.

Posted on November 24, 2018 - Epsilon Chi Center, UP Diliman

Written by Rock Punzalan for Philippine Basketball News Team

Philippine Basketball 2018:

Gilas blasts Jordan in Game 2, 82-73

November 21, 2018 – Meralco Gym

Philippine Basketball News 2018: Gilas Pilipinas blasted Jordan national team 82-73, in Game 2 of their exhibition game as buildup for the FIBA World Qualifying Tournament this Wednesday at the Meralco Gym. The game was unceremoniously ended as Jordan walked out of the playing court after a verbal altercation between coach Yeng Guiao and Jordan mentor Joey Steibing.

Notes:

➤ A near brawl was triggered after a Jordanian cager threw a ball at Scottie Thompson during a dead ball. Poy Erram also had an altercation with another Jordanian after a rebound play.

➤ Tempers flared for Jordan after the Philippine basketball team rallied from a 19 point deficit, and continued by mounting a double-digit lead thanks to a 31-4 unanswered blast.

➤ The game was halted with 6:23 remaining in the fourth quarter as entire Jordan basketball team headed straight into the locker room. Gilas was officially awarded the game by default.

➤ Gilas will play Lebanon NT this Friday and on Saturday to continue their buildup for the upcoming FIBA qualifiers.

Posted on November 21, 2018 - Meralco Gym

Written by Rock Punzalan for Philippine Basketball News Team

UAAP 2018:

FEU trounces La Salle, 71-70

November 21, 2018 – Araneta Coliseum

UAAP 2018 News: FEU Tamaraws trounced the La Salle Green Archers, 71-70 to book the last UAAP Final Four ticket in the 2018 UAAP Season 81 men’s basketball this Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum. Arvin Tolentino sank the game-winning trey and led the Tamaraws with 15 markers total, while Kevin Ebona also finished with 12 points and 16 boards.

Notes:

Tolentino converted the clutch three-point bomb for FEU with 3.1 seconds remaining in crunch time. Santi Santillan had a chance to steal the game for DLSU but failed to drain the shot due to FEU’s stifling defense.

➤ The Far Eastern University is now on their sixth straight Final Four appearance in the UAAP.

➤ Meanwhile, Santillan paced the eliminated La Salle with his 20 buckets and 6 caroms, while Aljun Melecio had 9 points and 6 assists.

➤ The FEU Tamaraws will next battle the number one Ateneo Blue Eagles for the UAAP Final Four this Sunday, November 25. Defending champion Ateneo will have the twice-to-beat advantage in their semifinals showdown.

Game Scores:
Quarters: 22-21, 36-38, 54-51, 71-70.

feu: 71

Tolentino 15, Ebona 12, Tuffin 11, Escoto 10, Comboy 8, Parker 7, Inigo 5, Cani 2, Orizu 1, Bienes 0, Stockton 0, Gonzales 0.

la salle: 70

Santillan 20, Caracut 9, Melecio 9, Montalbo 7, Baltazar 6, Manuel 5, Samuel 4, Go 3, Dyke 3, Serrano 2, Bates 2.

Posted on November 21, 2018 - Araneta Coliseum

Written by Rock Punzalan for Philippine Basketball News Team

Philippine Basketball 2018:

Gilas falls to Jordan quintet, 92-98

November 19, 2018 – Meralco Gym

Philippine Basketball News 2018: Gilas Pilipinas fell to Jordan national team, 92-98 in a tuneup game for the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament this Monday at the Meralco Gym. Veteran Zaid Abbas led the Jordanians with 24 buckets, while Mousa Al Awadi and Abu Hawwas Amin chipped-in 18 and 16 points each.

Notes:

Christian Standhardinger dropped 21 points for the Philippine Basketball Team, while hitman Marcio Lassiter made 14. Coming back from injury, Jayson Castro also added 13 points for the Filipinos. It was also the first game as a Gilas senior for Ricci Rivero, who chimed-in four buckets total.

➤ Coach Yeng Guiao fielded in 12 players out of the 20-man pool total as the majority of the Nationals are still playing in the PBA Governors’ Cup playoffs. Missing out from the pool were Paul Lee, Ian Sangalang, Scottie Thompson, Japeth Aguilar, Greg Slaughter, LA Tenorio, Stanley Pringle, and Kai Sotto.

➤ The 7-foot-1 Sotto did not suit for the game due to academic responsibilities.

Gilas and Jordan will resume hostilities on Wednesday, November 21 for their second exhibition game.

Game Scores:
Quarters: 25-13, 46-44, 70-67, 98-82.

jordan: 98

Abbas 24, Al Awadi 18, Amin 16, Dentmon 11, Hussein 10, Yousef 8, Obeid 8, Kanaan 3, Sinan 0, Abdeen 0, Dasuq 0, Ahmad 0, Hasoneh 0.

gilas pilipinas: 92

Standhardinger 21, Lassiter 14, Castro 13, Wright 7, Belga 7, Rosario 7, Fajardo 6, Santos 5, Cabagnot 5, Rivero 4, Erram 4, Norwood 0.

Posted on November 19, 2018 - Meralco Gym

Written by Rock Punzalan for Philippine Basketball News Team

PBA Semifinals 2018:

Alaska KOs Meralco, enters Finals anew

November 17, 2018 – Cuneta Astrodome

PBA Semifinals News 2018: Alaska Aces knocked out the Meralco Bolts, 99-92 to enter the Finals of the 2018 PBA Governors’ Cup this Saturday at the Cuneta Astrodome. Reinforcement Mike Harris starred for Alaska with his 27 buckets and 14 rebounds, while JVee Casio made 14 points.

Notes:

➤ It was an all-around team effort for the Aces as Vic Manuel, Jeron Teng, and Kevin Racal all made 10 buckets apiece. Alaska is poised to reenter the PBA Finals after missing the cut for two years straight.

➤ Import Allen Durham powered the Bolts with his 31 points and 14 rebounds but fell short of leading them to a third straight Governors’ Cup championship appearance. Veteran Reynel Hugnatan also added 13 markers for Meralco.

Alaska and Magnolia will battle for Game 1 of the best-of-seven PBA Finals series on December 5.

Game Scores:
Quarters: 21-28, 47-48, 68-60, 99-92.

alaska: 99

Harris 27, Casio 14, Manuel 10, Teng 10, Racal 10, Banchero 9, Enciso 7, Baclao 4, Thoss 4, Pascual 4, Potts 0, Exciminiano 0.

meralco: 92

Durham 31, Hugnatan 13, Newsome 12, Amer 10, Salva 10, Lanete 7, Caram 7, Hodge 2, Tolomia 0, Faundo 0, Canaleta 0, Dillinger 0.

Posted on November 17, 2018 - Cuneta Astrodome

Written by Rock Punzalan for Philippine Basketball News Team

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