FIBA World Qualifiers 2018:

Depleted Iran flattens Guiao-led Gilas, 78-70

December 3, 2018 – Mall of Asia Arena
Australia Boomers stops Gilas Pilipinas, 84-68
photo courtesy of FIBA

FIBA World Qualifiers News 2018: A depleted Iran NT flattened the Gilas Pilipinas squad coached by Yeng Guiao, 78-70 in the fifth window of the 2018 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers this Monday at the Mall of Asia Arena. Gilas lost to a weakened Iranian five without its’ main stars Hamed Haddadi and Samad Nikkhah Bahrami.

Notes:

➤ Iran’s Mohammad Jamshidi pummeled Gilas with 26 big buckets, with 20 coming off the 4th quarter combined with 7 assists while guard Behnam Yakhchali poured 21 points and 7 boards.

➤ The Filipinos squandered the sure chance to qualify for the World Cup as it fell to fourth place with a 5-5 slate, just below Japan. They need to win their two remaining games and hope that the Hayabusa Five loses at least a game to even out the rankings. Only the top-three teams will qualify for the FIBA Worlds and the Philippines may now need a miracle to advance.

➤ Home-court advantage did not work wonders for RP Five this time around, as Guiao’s system is yet to be proven effective in international tournaments. To sum it all up: Gilas was relegated to fifth place in the recent Asian Games with Jordan Clarkson in tow, lost to a mediocre Kazakhstan team without a legitimate star, and fell twice to an Iranian team that never fielded the behemoth Hamed Haddadi.

➤ If there was any consolation for Guiao, it was the extremely short preparation time of Gilas. This resulted to a disjointed team pitted against Asia’s powerhouse squads with less than a decade of team chemistry. However, Yeng could have opted to field-in the battle-tested Gilas five, but chose to play with an untested roster of mostly aging cagers instead.

➤ Compounding the Gilas hullabaloo was the preposterous exclusion of vital cog Andray Blatche. The former New Jersey Nets center would have terrorized Iran and Kazakhstan in the paint and be unstoppable from the perimeter. Blatche’s defense also would have been a lethal weapon for Gilas, but his unceremonial ejection from the roster proved fatal for the Filipinos.

➤ Meanwhile, Jayson Castro, who just back from FIBA suspension, powered Gilas with 19 markers and 5 caroms while Christian Standhardinger finished with 17 points and 8 boards.

➤ The Philippine basketball team will next face Qatar and Kazakhstan in the sixth window both in away games to continue Gilas’ journey in the FIBA World Cup qualifiers.

Game Scores:
Quarters: 19-20, 35-39, 50-54, 78-70.

iran nt: 78

Jamshidijafarabadi 26, Yakhchalidehkordi 21, Mirzaeitalarposhti 11, Arghavan 8, Hassanzadeh 7, Mozafarivanani 3, Hosseizadeh 2, Sedighi 0, Davoudichegani 0, Torabi 0, Rezaeifar 0.

gilas pilipinas: 70

Castro William 19, Standhardinger 17, Lassiter 12, Fajardo 8, Wright 4, Belga 3, Rosario 3, Santos 2, Aguilar 2, Tenorio 0, Norwood 0, Thompson 0.

Posted on December 4, 2018 - Mall of Asia Arena

Written by Rock Punzalan for Philippine Basketball News Team

PBA 2018:

Ginebra bags No. 1, demolishes Talk 'N Text, 112-93

November 4, 2018 – Araneta Coliseum

PBA News 2018: Barangay Ginebra bagged the No. 1 ranking, as it demolished the Talk ‘N Text KaTropa, 112-93 to begin their quarterfinals campaign in the 2018 PBA Governors’ Cup this Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum. Import Justin Brownlee blasted TNT with his triple-double of 31 buckets, 16 boards, and 11 assists, while big man Greg Slaughter finished with 25 points and 4 caroms.

Notes:

➤ Flashy guard Scottie Thompson also submitted 11 points and 8 rebounds for the Gin Kings.

➤ Barangay moved the ball better overall with 34 assists compared to TNT’s 24 total dimes and shot better with 38 of 66 shots made in field goals (57%) opposed to KaTropa’s 36 of 97 (37%).

Ginebra is now the leader of the Governors’ Cup pack as they registered a 9-2 win-loss slate and are assured of a twice-to-beat advantage once the playoffs commence. The Gin Kings will battle 8th placer NLEX in the quarters.

➤ Import Marqus Blakely paced the defeated TNT with 23 points and 15 rebounds, while RR Pogoy chipped-in 22 points. Ace guard Jayson Castro also added 12 points and 12 dimes.

➤ TNT missed the services of star player Terrence Romeo who was out due to sickness. The KaTropa are now effectively out of contention in the Governors’ Cup after losing their third straight and dropping to a 4-7 win-loss slate.

Game Scores:
Quarters: 24-22, 54-45, 82-69, 112-93.

ginebra: 112

Brownlee 31, Slaughter 25, Thompson 11, J. Aguilar 10, Ferrer 9, Mariano 9, Tenorio 7, Mercado 4, Chan 3, Dela Cruz 3, R. Aguilar 0, Caperal 0, Manuel 0, Caguioa 0.

talk 'n text: 93

Blakely 23, Pogoy 22, Castro 12, Rosario 11, Reyes 8, Cruz 7, Trollano 4, Williams 2, Carey 2, Tamsi 2, Garcia 0, Golla 0, Paredes 0, Taha 0.

Posted on November 5, 2018 - Araneta Coliseum

Written by Rock Punzalan for Philippine Basketball News Team

PBA 2018:

Magnolia secures top-seed, mangles TNT, 116-103

October 26, 2018 – Ynares Center

PBA News 2018: Magnolia Hotshots secured the top-seed as it cracked Talk ‘N Text KaTropa, 116-103, in the 2018 PBA Governors’ Cup this Friday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo. Low-post operator Ian Sangalang paced the Hotshots with his 28 markers and 6 boards while Mark Barroca chipped-in 21 points.

Notes:

➤ Ace guard Paul Lee also added 19 points, 8 dimes and 8 caroms for Magnolia, while import Romeo Travis made 18 buckets.

Magnolia outmuscled TNT in the paint as they hauled 62 rebounds against TNT’s 38, and also shot better from the trey territory making 11 of 24 (45%) three points to KaTropa’s 12 of 35 (34%).

Terrence Romeo starred for the losing KaTropa as he dropped 23 markers, while Troy Rosario contributed 21 points. Reinforcement and former Hotshots import Marcus Blakely had a triple-double as he registered 17 goals, 18 rebounds, and 11 dishes.

➤ National mainstay Jayson Castro who returned from bone spurs foot injury managed to add 13 points for Talk ‘N Text.

➤ League leader Magnolia (8-2) just booked a twice-to-beat advantage as they enter the conference quarterfinals. Meanwhile, TNT who dropped to 4-6, is now in a must-win situation as they battle Ginebra on Sunday, November 4 for a possible entry into Governors’ Cup quarterfinals.

Game Scores:
Quarters: 33-30, 62-48, 89-78, 116-103.

magnolia: 116

Sangalang 28, Barroca 21, Lee 19, Travis 18, Jalalon 9, Melton 9, Reavis 4, Brondial 4, Herndon 2, Dela Rosa 2.

talk 'n text: 103

Romeo 23, Rosario 21, Blakely 17, Castro 13, Cruz 8, Trollano 7, Pogoy 6, Williams 4, Carey 4, Reyes 0, Garcia 0, Golla 0.

Posted on October 27, 2018 - Ynares Center - Pasay

Written by Rock Punzalan for Philippine Basketball News Team

PBA 2018:

TNT arrests skid, socks Columbian, 118-114

September 2, 2018 – Araneta Coliseum

PBA 2018: Talk ‘N Text KaTropa arrested a three game losing skid, and socked Columbian Dyip, 118-114 in the 2018 PBA Governors’ Cup this Sunday evening at the Araneta Coliseum. “The Blur” Jayson Castro starred for the resurgent Talk ‘N Text with his 25 points and 7 assists, while “The Bro” Terrence Romeo contributed 22 buckets and 6 dishes.

Notes:

TNT played minus coach Nash Racela who was replaced by Eric Gonzales as he was on leave.

➤ Romeo could have won the game in the waning seconds of the fourth, but missed the clutch lay-up against the defense of Akeem Wright. Regulation ended at 107 all.

➤ Terrence and Dyip guard Rashawn McCarthy almost figured into a feisty fight in the overtime period. McCarthy confronted Romeo who retaliated with a headbutt. Romeo was called for a technical foul and later engaged in a shouting exchange with McCarthy. Cooler heads eventually prevailed as both later shook hands.

➤ KaTropa is now at 2-4 slate registering only its second win after losing the last three with import Stacy Davis. TNT is now on the hunt for a new import as Davis proved slow to adapting to TNT’s system.

➤ Meanwhile, Jerramy King backstopped the losing Dyip with his 26 markers and 9 caroms, while import Wright made 24 buckets, 9 rebounds and 9 dimes.

➤ Dyip is still winless in the Governors’ Cup and is sporting a regrettable 20 PBA game losing streak.

Game Scores:
Quarters: 40-26, 61-48, 84-77, 107-107, 118-114 OT.

Talk 'n text: 118

Castro 25, Romeo 22, Pogoy 16, Semerad 15, Davis 11, Garcia 9, Rosario 7, Williams 4, Trollano 3, Carey 2, Cruz 2, Paredes 2, Reyes 0, Golla 0.

columbian: 114

King 26, Wright 24, McCarthy 18, Escoto 15, Lastimosa 6, Camson 6, Ababou 5, Gabriel 4, Khobuntin 4, Cabrera 3, Reyes 2, Sara 1, Cahilig 0.

Posted on September 3, 2018 - Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City

Written by Rock Punzalan for Philippine Basketball News Team

PBA 2018:

Import-less Talk 'N Text dumps Meralco, 92-90

August 20, 2018 – Ynares

PBA 2018: Talk ‘N Text KaTropa shocked sister team the Meralco Bolts, 92-90, in a come-from-behind win in the 2018 PBA Governor’s Cup eliminations this Sunday at the Ynares Center. Terrence Romeo led TNT with his 23 points, 10 assists and 8 rebounds, while RR Pogoy chipped-in 19 buckets.

Notes:

➤ National mainstay Jayson Castro also added 16 buckets and 6 assists for the KaTropa.

➤ TNT won the game despite having no reinforcement. They let go of import Mike Glover after a dismal performance against the NLEX Road Warriors, who had import Olu Ashaolu playing with almost one leg due to patellar injury.

Allen Durham paced the losing Bolts with his 27 points, 22 boards and 8 dishes, while local Baser Amer contributed 18 markers.

Both TNT and Meralco sport identical 1-1 win-loss slate in the PBA Governors’ Cup.

Game Scores:
Quarters: 23-23, 43-41, 68-61, 92-90.

Talk 'n text: 92

Romeo 23, Pogoy 19, Castro 16, Rosario 13, Williams 7, Garcia 7, Semerad 3, Golla 2, Tamsi 2, Paredes 0, Carey 0.

meralco: 90

Durham 27, Amer 18, Newsome 10, Hodge 9, Canaleta 9, Tolomia 8, Caram 6, de Ocampo 2, Hugnata 1, Salva 0, Sedurifa 0, Lanete 0.

Posted on August 20, 2018 - Ynares Center

Written by Rock Punzalan for Philippine Basketball News Team

PBA 2018:

Ashaolu leads NLEX over TNT, 103-90

August 17, 2018 – Ynares Arena

PBA News 2018: Olu Ashaolu led the NLEX Road Warriors over sister team TNT KaTropa, 103-90, to start their eliminations stint in the 2018 PBA Governors’ Cup this Friday at the Ynares Arena in Pasig. The NLEX import exploded with big 33 points, 23 rebounds and 3 assists, while Mark Tallo did not disappoint with his 16 buckets.

Notes:

➤ NLEX veteran Larry Fonacier meanwhile dropped 14 goals and 4 boards, while new Road Warrior Philip Paniamogan impressed with 11 markers.

➤ Talk ‘N Text relied mainly on Terrence Romeo who made 27 points, 5 caroms and 3 dishes, while Jayson Castro chipped-in 15 points, 5 assists and 2 steals.

➤ KaTropa import Michael Glover was limited to a forgettable 11 markers and 15 boards.

NLEX won the court-side battle sans coach Yeng Guiao who’s currently preoccupied with the Gilas Pilipinas in the Jakarta Asian Games.

Game Scores:
Quarters: 23-17, 54-45, 78-74, 103-90.

NLEX: 103

Ashaolu 33, Tallo 16, Fonacier 14, Paniamogan 11, Galanza 9, Quinahan 5, Mallari 5, Tiongson 5, Baguio 3, Miranda 2, Marcelo 0.

TNT: 90

Romeo 27, Castro 15, Pogoy 13, Glover 11, Semerad 10, Rosario 5, Williams 4, Garcia 3, Tamsi 2, Golla 0.

Posted on August 18, 2018 - Ynares Arena Pasig

Written by Rock Punzalan for Philippine Basketball News Team

Pilipinas Basketball:

FIBA issues suspensions on Philippines and Australia

July 19, 2018 – 3PM Manila Time

Pilipinas Basketball 2018 News: FIBA officially issued punishments and suspensions to the Philippines and Australia  basketball organizations, officials, coaches, players and participating referees this Thursday 3 PM Manila time July 19. No lifetime bans were meted out but mostly five game suspensions and monetary penalties were handed out.

Notes:

➤ 3 players from Australia and 10 from Gilas Pilipinas were punished.

➤ Australian players included Aaron Kickert (5 games suspended), Thon Maker (3 games suspended) and Chris Goulding (1 game suspended)

➤ Gilas players included Calvin Abueva (6 games suspended, including one past offense), Roger Pogoy (5 games suspended),  Carl Bryan Cruz (5 games suspended), Jio Jalalon (5 games suspended), Terrence Romeo ( 3 games suspended), Jayson Castro William (3 games suspended), Andray Blatche (3 games suspended), Troy Rosario (3 games suspended), Japeth Aguilar (1 game suspended) and Matthew Wright (1 game suspended),

➤ Both Basketball organizations from Australia and Philippines were given sanctions. Basketball Australia was fined with $134,887.20, while SBP or Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas was fined $337,208.19 dollars.

➤ Coaches from the Philippines were also disciplined. Coach Jong Uichico was suspended 3 games for participation in the brawl, while Coach Chot Reyes was suspended one game and fined $13,521.88 dollars for inciting unsportsmanlike behavior. Reyes later denied the accusation of inciting (in a Twitter post), but accepts the punishment nonetheless.

➤ Participating referees were also axed as they failed to control the situation during the Australia – Philippines qualifiers match last July 2 at Philippine Arena in Bulacan. The referees from Korea, China and Malaysia were suspended one year from officiating FIBA international tournaments.

➤ The Philippines basketball will also be under three years probation. All three home games of Pilipinas Basketball will be strictly played privately outside of the viewing public.

➤ All suspensions only applies to international games. Games played in the NBA, Australian NBL or the Philippine’s PBA will not be affected.

➤ No suspensions or punishments were mentioned regarding acts committed by Aussie players including racial slurs.

July 19, 2018 - 3PM Manila Time

Written by Rock Punzalan for Philippine Basketball News Team

Asian Qualifiers 2018:

Rumble at the Arena – Australia romps over Gilas, 89-53

July 2, 2018 – Bulacan Arena

FIBA Asian Qualifiers 2018 News: Australia romped over Gilas Pilipinas, 89-53, but the highlight of the World Cup 2019 qualifier this Monday at the Bulacan Philippine Arena was the all-out bench-clearing brawl between the Aussies and Filipinos. Roger Pogoy was at the center of the melee after an offensive play altercation with Christopher James Goulding. Consequently, Daniel Kickert retaliated with a sucker elbow and decked Pogoy that resulted to the chaotic court rumble. 

Notes:
James Goulding carried the Boomers with 23 points on 4 of 5 Three Point shooting (80% clip).

Andray Blatche led the losing Gilas with 12 points and 10 rebounds.

➤ The Filipinos later lost the game by default as it lost the majority of players due to ejection, and later the remaining players being disqualified due to fouls.

➤ The game was halted by the brawl in the third quarter with 04:01 remaining and Australia ahead big, 79-48. In all, nine Filipino players and four Aussies were ejected from the game. It was later continued with Pilipinas Basketball team being limited to only three players: June Mar Fajardo, Baser Amer, and Gabe Norwood.

Fajardo was saddled with early foul trouble and was limited to only 10 points.

➤ It was revealed by Coach Chot Reyes that Daniel Kickert was taunting and physically hitting Filipino players even during the shootaround warm-up period.

➤ Australia is now up with a 5-1 win-loss slate in the first round of the Qualifiers to top Group B while the Philippine basketball team settles for second with a 4-2 record. Both teams automatically advance to the second round together with third placer Japan beginning this September.

Game Scores:
Quarters: 23-18, 57-32, 89-53.

australia: 89

Goulding 20, Kickert 12, Dellavedova 9, Maker 8, Brandt 8, Lisch 7, Sobey 7, Kay 7, Gliddon 6, Drmic 5, McCarron 0, Cadee 0.

gilas pilipinas: 53

Blatche 12, Fajardo 10, Castro 8, Romeo 6, Aguilar 6, Norwood 4, Pogoy 4, Amer 3, Abueva 0, Wright 0, Rosario 0 .

July 3, 2018 - The Arena, Bulacan

Written by Rock Punzalan for Philippine Basketball News Team

Asian Qualifiers 2018:

Gilas Pilipinas batters Chinese Taipei, 91-73

June 30, 2018 – Taiwan

Asian Qualifiers 2018: Gilas Pilipinas whacked Chinese Taipei, 91-73, in the ongoing Asian Qualifiers 2018 for the FIBA World Cup 2019 this Friday in Taiwan. June Mar Fajardo led the Filipinos with 23 buckets and 4 rebounds, while Jayson Castro and Terrence Romeo contributed 15 and 14 points each.
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