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Philippine Basketball:

Chot Reyes yields post to Yeng Guiao

September 11, 2018 – Manila Time

by Rock Punzalan

Philippine Basketball News 2018: Coach Chot Reyes has stepped aside from the Gilas Pilpinas program and yielded the national mentor post to Yeng Guiao.

Notes:

➤ Chot stated via his Instagram account, “I came out of retirement to coach Gilas because MVP (Manny V. Pangilinan) asked me back in October 2016. Amid my growing responsibilities in [TV5] and other big projects, I accepted, because I have complete trust in MVP’s judgment and more importantly because it was an opportunity to serve the country,”

➤ He added, “We have long worked for full support from all of Philippine basketball’s major stakeholders – from Coach Rajko Toroman’s time to my stint in 2013 to 2014, then Coach Tab Baldwin, until my current tenure. Now that the PBA has opened its doors fully to the SBP and the national team, it is time for me to step aside and contribute in a different capacity, focusing on the 2023 program.”

Reyes steered the Philippine basketball team in the following years and events:

YearBasketball EventRecord
2005FIBA Asia Champions Cup5th
2005William Jones Cup3rd
2005Brunei Sultan Cup1st
2007William Jones Cup3rd
2012William Jones Cup1st
2013FIBA Asia Championship2nd
2014FIBA Asia Cup3rd
2014FIBA World Cup21st
2014Asian Games7th
2017SEABA Cup1st
2017FIBA Asia Cup4th
2018FIBA World Asian Qualifiers4-2

➤ Reyes was recently suspended as coach of Gilas Pilipinas following the regrettable brawl between the Philippines and Australia. 10 Filipinos and 3 Aussies players were suspended as punishment by the FIBA governing body. Additionally, Reyes got suspended for one game, for supposedly inciting violence on court.

➤ Guiao was then named as temporary replacement coach pending Reyes’ ban. Consequently, Yeng’s coaching performance during the 2018 Asian Games increased the public clamor for him to permanently hold the national coach post. Guiao barely had a week of preparation, but led the ROS-Pilipinas team to a respectable 5th place finish.

➤ Yeng is now in the thick of preparing the Team Pilipinas basketball team as they battle a dangerous Iran national team tomorrow Thursday (September 13), for the continuation of the FIBA World Asian qualifiers.

➤ “Together with all the players and coaches who have sacrificed and put their careers on the line for flag and country, we wish coach Yeng and the current team great success, as they continue the World Cup journey. We are with you. Once Gilas, always Gilas,” Reyes reiterated.

➤ Chot’s stint as coach of the national team produced the best performance of the Philippine basketball team in three decades or so in the FIBA Asia Championships, FIBA Asia Cup, Jones Cup and the FIBA Worlds. The lone exception was the regrettable 7th place finish in the 2014 Asian Games.

Posted September 12, 2018 - Manila Time

Written by Rock Punzalan for Philippine Basketball News Team

Philippine Basketball:

FIBA greenlights Slaughter

September 8, 2018 – Manila

by Rock Punzalan

Philippine Basketball News 2018: FIBA has officially recognized the eligibility of Filipino Greg Slaughter to play as a natural player for the Philippine basketball team. This development also allows Slaughter to play for the national team in the upcoming 2019 FIBA World Cup fourth qualifying window without restrictions against Iran and Qatar.

Notes:

➤ FIBA accepted the eligibility of the 7-foot Barangay Ginebra center despite presenting a Philippine passport shortly after the age of 16. The restriction is limited to the acquisition of passport before the age of 16 (article 3-21.a), showing FIBA’s leniency and consideration for the Fil-American.

➤ “We have taken note of the fact that the player is claiming to have acquired the legal nationality of Philippines before the age of 16 but has failed to present the respective passport with a date of issue before his sixteenth birthday,” FIBA stated through secretary general Patrick Baumann.

➤ Contributing factors to the decision of FIBA included the fact that Slaughter has resided in the Philippines since 2007 at age 19 and that he had studied locally while playing hoops for the last 11 years.

➤ SBP President Al Panlilio stated “We are happy to announce to the entire basketball loving Filipinos that SBP’s push to FIBA to prove that Greg Slaughter is a pure Filipino has been recognized.”

➤ “The SBP is elated with this development in our desire to come up with the best basketball roster for our flag and country,” he also added.

➤ Coach Yeng Guiao will now only be limited to choose between star guard Stanley Pringle and bullish forward Christian Standhardinger for a slot to play as a naturalized player in the upcoming qualifiers.

➤ Pilipinas Basketball will be pitted against Iran for the FIBA Qualifiers on Thursday September 13.

Posted on September 8, 2018 - Manila

Written by Rock Punzalan for Philippine Basketball News Team

Home ➤ Pilipinas Basketball News ➤ Pilipinas Basketball: NBA changes mind, allows Clarkson stint to Asiad

Pilipinas Basketball:

NBA changes mind, allows Clarkson stint to Asiad

August 14, 2018 – Manila

by Rock Punzalan

Pilipinas Basketball News 2018: The National Basketball Association finally heeded the massive call for reconsideration of its earlier decision to bar Filipino American Jordan Clarkson from playing for the Philippine basketball team. In a surprise twist, Clarkson is now officially part of the 12-man Gilas Pilipinas line-up, and will fly as early as Thursday for the battle against Kazakhstan.

Notes:

➤ Clarkson will also be tasked as the flag-bearer for the Philippines delegation during the opening of the Asian Games this coming Saturday.

➤ Don Trollano, who’s been in and out of the Filipino line-up will again be replaced by Clarkson this after the surprise announcement by the American professional basketball league.

➤ The Philippines Asian Games chef de mission Richard Gomez and Coach Yeng Guiao both confirmed the developments to Rappler and Inquirer.

➤ Gomez also intimated to Rappler that they made multiple appeals to the NBA to change their decision on Clarkson.

➤ Gilas Pilipinas will now play with a core of Rain or Shine players and select PBA cagers along with Cleveland Cavalier’s Clarkson.

Posted August 15, 2018 - Manila Time

Written by Rock Punzalan for Philippine Basketball News Team

Home ➤ Pilipinas Basketball News ➤ Pilipinas Basketball: NBA stops Clarkson Asiad stint, accused of partiality

Pilipinas Basketball:

NBA stops Clarkson Asiad stint, accused of partiality

August 13, 2018 – Manila

by Rock Punzalan

Pilipinas Basketball News 2018: The NBA – National Basketball Association officially stopped Fil-Am star Jordan Clarkson‘s Asiad stint, but was accused of partiality as it allowed China’s Zhou Qi. The Philippine basketball team will now brave the Asian Games sans Clarkson, a legitimate NBA star.

Notes:

➤ The NBA officially declared that Cleveland Cavaliers Clarkson will not be allowed to play in the Asian games citing their agreement with FIBA.

➤ “The NBA’s agreement with FIBA stipulates that NBA players can participate in the Olympics, the FIBA Basketball World Cup, Continental Cup competitions, and associated qualifying tournament. Because the Asian Games are not one of those competitions, NBA players are unable to participate. In accordance with the NBA’s agreement with FIBA, Jordan is welcome to represent the Philippines in the agreed-upon competitions,” stated NBA spokesman Tim Frank.

➤ However, this decision was criticized heavily as the NBA clearly showed double standard as it allowed China’s Qi to play for China in the Asiad, despite Qi being part of the Houston Rockets roster.

➤ POC Secretary General Patrick Gregorio couldn’t hide his dismay over the NBA’s position, “I am at a loss for words. All I can say is ‘NBA, YOU BROKE OUR HEARTS’. You broke the hearts of 100 million Filipinos, We will never forget this.”

➤ “We were one clearance away… from a dear friend of the Filipino people, The NBA. Or so we thought,” added Gregorio.

➤ SBP President Al Panlilio also expressed his disappointment after learning that the NBA allowed Zhou Qi to play, “Of course, very disappointed. I hope rule applies to all consistently.”

➤ Additionally, Special Assistant to the President Bong Go was quoted “While we respect their authority over their players, I cannot help but express my dismay over how one seemingly inconsistent rule allowed them to disregard a plea of a whole nation, Sana po walang double-standard at sana man lang, may puso ang NBA sa kanilang ginawang desisyon, lalong-lao na kung ang nakasalalay ay ang basketball hopes and dreams ng isang buong bansa.”

➤ Coach Yeng Guiao may now opt to continue going to the Asiad with only 11 players as Clarkson was part of the original 12-man line-up. It will be up to Olympic Council of Asia if they will allow Don Trollano as a replacement.

➤ The Filipinos fielded a new squad after it lost majority of it’s players due to the recent FIBA suspension.

➤ The 2018 Asiad line-up consists of Chris Tiu, Raymund Almazan, Maverick Ahinmisi, Gabe Norwood, Beau Belga, James Yap, Paul Lee, Stanley Pringle, Christian Stanhardinger, Asi Taulava and Poy Erram.

➤ RP Five will battle Kazakhstan this Sunday, August 16 to begin its Asiad campaign.

Posted August 13, 2018 - Manila

Written by Rock Punzalan for Philippine Basketball News Team

Home ➤ Pilipinas Basketball News ➤ Pilipinas Basketball: SBP opts to rejoin Asiad 2018 amid public clamor

Pilipinas Basketball:

SBP opts to rejoin Asiad 2018 amid public clamor

August 5, 2018 – Manila

by Rock Punzalan

Pilipinas Basketball News 2018: SBP or Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas opted to rejoin the Asian Games 2018 Basketball amid public clamor. Initially deciding to forego the quadrennial event due to multiple factors such as regrouping after the FIBA suspension, player availability and miscommunication on PBA teams lending of players, SBP had a change of heart and decided to send a national team instead.

Notes:

➤ As initially agreed upon, the nucleus of the team will have core players from PBA team Rain or Shine with the addition of some choice cagers from Coach Yeng Guiao.

➤ Gilas Pilipinas will have ROS players such as Maverick Ahinmisi, Raymund Almazan, Chris Tiu, Beau Belga, Gabe Norwood and James Yap.

➤ Other PBA players requested by Guiao include San Miguel’s Christian Stanhardinger, Magnolia’s Paul Lee, GlobalPort’s Stanley Pringle, TNT’s Don Trollano, NLEX’s Asi Taulava and BlackWater’s Poy Erram.

➤ Also for consideration were Gilas Cadet players Kobe Paras and Ricci Rivero.

➤ Only Ahinmisi, Erram, Trollano and Pringle are players who had not represented the national team as a Pro player. Pringle, however, was part of the recent FIBA 3 on 3 tournament.

➤ It will be a second national tour of duty for Chris Tiu who was a member of Rajko Toroman’s Smart Gilas in his amateur days. James Yap, meanwhile, will have another crack at an international cage tournament as he was also a member of Guiao’s 2009 FIBA Asia squad.
➤ Guiao will also be hard-pressed to better his 2009 FIBA Asia coaching stint after then Pilipinas Basketball team ended-up with a dismal 8th place in Tianjin.

Posted August 6, 2018 - Manila

Written by Rock Punzalan for Philippine Basketball News Team

Home ➤ Pilipinas Basketball News ➤ Pilipinas Basketball: Gilas Pilipinas to forego Asiad 2018

Pilipinas Basketball News:

Gilas Pilipinas to forego Asiad 2018

July 26, 2018 – Philippines

by Rock Punzalan

Pilipinas Basketball News 2018: Gilas Pilipinas will not participate in the upcoming 2018 Asian Games basketball as SBP – Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, opted late Thursday to shun the Asiad due to their pending appeal to the FIBA suspension and to refocus the national team’s priorities.

Notes:

➤ SBP Director Sonny Barrios confirmed via Twitter the SBP decision to forego the Asiad: “Prepare the process of appealing the FIBA Disciplinary Panel’s recent decision, and aim for sustainable success in future tournament…”

➤ Continuation of SBP statement: “However, to allow our National Team and our organization to regroup, prepare for the process of appealing the FIBA Disciplinary Panel’s recent Decision, and aim for sustainable success in future tournaments – including the upcoming FIBA World Cup Qualifiers and the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup—we have reached the conclusion that, with the forgoing considered and after consulting with the basketball community, the time and chance to participate in the 2018 Asian Games would not be optimal…”

➤ SBP’s decision coincides with the recent massive suspension of the Philippine Basketball Team by FIBA due to the infamous brawl at the Bulacan Arena in the last the Asian Qualifiers. FIBA suspended 3 Australian players and 10 Filipino cagers along with 2 Pinoy coaches. Both basketball federations were also fined heftily due to the forgettable melee.

➤ GIlas Pilipinas was supposed to tap the services of NLEX coach Yeng Guiao and acquire Rain or Shine players owned by Raymund Yu and Terry Que to don the national colors. Guiao was also vocal on recruiting other PBA stars such as Paul Lee, Jeff Chan, Marcio Lassiter, Stanley Pringle and even NBA player Jordan Clarkson.

➤ Scheduling conflict with the PBA was also the likely factor as players like Chan and Lassiter are presently playing for rivals Ginebra and San Miguel Beer in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals which begins Friday.

July 26, 2018 - Philippines

Written by Rock Punzalan for Philippine Basketball News Team

Home ➤ Pilipinas Basketball News ➤ Pilipinas Basketball 2018: Australia Boomers stops Gilas Pilipinas, 84-68

Pilipinas Basketball 2018:

Australia Boomers stops Gilas Pilipinas, 84-68

February 23, 2018 – Margaret Court Arena

by Rock Punzalan

Australia Boomers stops Gilas Pilipinas, 84-68

photo courtesy of FIBA

FIBA Asian Qualifiers 2019 World Cup News: Gilas Pilipinas failed to sustain an early first-half blitzkrieg as it fell to the towering Australia Boomers, 68-84, in the FIBA Asian Qualifiers for the 2019 World Cup yesterday Thursday at the Margaret Court Arena in Melbourne. Hot shooting Cameron Gliddon paced the Boomers with 16 points, while scrappy forward Mitch Creek contributed 12 markers and 11 caroms.

Notes:

➤ Pilipinas Basketball is now down to a 2-1 win-loss slate in the continuing second window of the qualifiers.

➤ Philippine Basketball Team held on to a proud 30-25 lead midway the second canto but the Boomers from the land down under answered with a fiery 12-2 run, catapulted by Nick Kay’s double treys, giving them the 37-32 lead before the half-time break.

➤ Australia continually pounded the hapless RP Five from the rainbow country as they built an insurmountable 18 point lead in the fourth quarter, 77-59.

➤ Gilas made a dismal showing in the free throw line as they missed 12 of 19 foul throws. Their field-goal percentage of 43.8 was hardly a factor throughout the ballgame as they also trailed in the rebounds department where the Aussies massacred them 50 to 30.

➤ “The Kraken” June Mar Fajardo led the losing Filipinos with 15 buckets, while Matthew Wright added 9 goals. Naturalized player Andray Blatche ran out of steam as he only managed to drop 8 points and 7 rebounds in 25 minutes.

➤ Gilas Pilipinas will next face rival Japan NT (Akatsuki Five) on February 25 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

➤ Filipino: FIBA Asian Qualifiers 2019 World Cup Balita • Hindi umubra ang paunang bulusok ng Gilas Pilipinas matapos itong pabagsakin ng Australia Boomers, 68-84, sa FIBA Asian Qualifiers para sa 2019 World Cup kahapon ng Huwebes sa Margaret Court Arena sa Melbourne. Tumikada para sa Boomers si Cameron Gliddon sa kanyang16 puntos, maging ang forward na si Mitch Creek ay nagtala ng 12 buslo at 11 rebounds.

Game Scores:
Quarters: 19-19, 37-32, 63-49, 84-68.

australia boomers: 84

Gliddon 16, Brandt 13, Creek 12, Lisch 12, Kay 7, Hodgson 6, Kickert 5, Norton 4, Wagstaff 4, Cadee 2, Sobey 2, McCarron 1.

gilas pilipinas: 68

Fajardo 15, Wright 9, Blatche 8, Pogoy 8, Norwood 7, Ravena 6, Alas 6, Abueva 5, Aguilar 2, Tratter 2, Cruz 0, Malicsi 0.

Posted on February 23, 2018 - Margaret Court Arena - Melbourne

Written by Rock Punzalan for Philippine Basketball News Team

Home ➤ Pilipinas Basketball News ➤ Gilas Pilipinas faces Australia Boomers sans Castro

Pilipinas Basketball 2018:

Gilas Pilipinas faces Australia Boomers sans Castro

February 21, 2018 – Manila

by Rock Punzalan
Gilas Pilipinas faces Australia Boomers sans Castro
photo courtesy of FIBA
FIBA Asian Qualifiers 2019 World Cup News: Gilas Pilipinas will battle a full strength Australia Boomers tomorrow Thursday minus ace Filipino Jayson Castro William. Castro recently injured his ankle during a game with Talk N Text KaTropa against Phoenix Fuel Masters last February 7 in the PBA. Kiefer Ravena and Kevin Alas will have to shoulder the pointguard duties for the FIBA Asian Qualifiers to the 2019 World Cup as Jio Jalalon was also relegated to the reserved list.

Notes:

➤ “As of yesterday, he (Castro) tried to go hard in last night’s practice and still, he was not there at all so we decided it wasn’t worth the risk. So Jayson is going to sit out together with Jio (Jalalon), who is also feeling a slight pain in his legs. We decided to play the guys not experiencing any nagging injuries at this point,” confirmed Reyes via Sports5 Facebook live video stream.

➤ The absence of “The Blur” Castro, once the Best Point Guard of Asia, leaves a big hole to the campaign of the Philippine Basketball team. His innate ability to slash and penetrate inside opponent defense will surely be missed. “The Phenom” Kiefer Ravena will have to bring in his bag of tricks to make up for the loss of Castro. He will have to team-up with point veteran Kevin Alas to steer Pilipinas Basketball as Jio Jalalon will also sit out due to injury.

➤ Meanwhile, “The Beast” Calvin Abueva is back to the Gilas fold as head coach Chot Reyes gave the green light to the fiery Kapampangan forward to return to the RP Five lineup. Abueva was previously axed from the roster together with beanpole Raymund Almazan after missing the Gilas first three practices. Nevertheless, Calvin proved his worth to the team as he attended the subsequent training sessions even without the assurance of inclusion.

➤ Coach Chot announced the reentry of Abueva as Troy Rosario and Mac Belo were placed on the reserved list also due to injuries. “Since then, even he (Abueva) knew he was not going to be in the final 12 for the second window, he never missed any practice, he did what we asked of him, whether as a practice player or member of the scouting team,” Reyes said.

➤ Gilas Pilipinas full line-up includes Andray Blatche, June Mar Fajardo, Abu Tratter, Kiefer Ravena, Kevin Alas, Matthew Wright, Roger Pogoy, Japeth Aguilar, Calvin Abueva, Allein Maliksi, Gabe Norwood and Carl Bryan Cruz.

Filipino: FIBA Asian Qualifiers 2019 World Cup Balita • Babanggain ng Gilas Pilipinas ang buong puwersa ng Australia Boomers bukas ng Huwebes ng hindi kasama ang pambatong si Jayson Castro William. Na-injure kamakailan sa gulugod si Castro matapos maglaro para sa Talk N Text Katropa noon Pebrero 7 kontra Phoenix Fuel Masters sa PBA. Dahil dito ay magtitimon na sina Kiefer Ravena at Kevin Alas bilang pointguards ng koponang pambansa ng Pilipinas sa FIBA Asian Qualifiers tungo sa 2019 World Cup, matapos na si Jio Jalalon ay mauwi rin sa injury.

Posted on February 21, 2018 - Manila

Written by Rock Punzalan for Philippine Basketball News Team

Home ➤ Pilipinas Basketball News ➤ Castro propels Gilas Pilipinas over Japan NT, 77-71

Pilipinas Basketball 2018:

Castro propels Gilas Pilipinas over Japan NT, 77-71

November 24, 2017 – Komazawa Olympic Park

by Rock Punzalan
Castro propels Gilas Pilipinas over Japan NT, 77-71
photo courtesy of FIBA
FIBA World Qualifiers 2017 News: Jayson Castro William’s all-game heroics lifted Gilas Pilipinas over a game Japan NT, 77-71, to register a win in the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers 2017 at the Komazawa Olympic Park in Tokyo this Friday. Castro spearheaded Pilipinas Basketball with 20 big points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists, while Andray Blatche chimed-in 13 buckets and 12 caroms for RP Five.

Notes:

➤ Asia’s two-time best point guard “The Blur” Castro-William, stabilized RP squad as the Japanese home-team mounted several uprisings. Jayson made Japan bleed making 5 out of the last 7 crucial points of Gilas in the final minute, especially the dagger trey at 1:14 remaining.

➤ Gilas Pilipinas led for most of the entire ballgame but Japan’s Akatsuki Five stayed uncomfortably close. Gilas built a large 14-point lead in the second quarter, 24-10, following Kiefer Ravena’s foul throw. The Japanese rallied back with a 12-0 blast in the third to pull ahead, 37-40, until the Filipino dribblers answered with their own 10-3 run to wrest back the lead, 53-46.

➤ Four Filipinos scored in double digits with Castro and Blatche leading with 20 and 13, while Matthew Wright had 12 and Gabe Norwood with 10.

➤ Japan ace Makoto Hiejima led the Nippon charge with huge 20 points and 5 rebounds, while naturalized Ira Brown contributed 10 buckets and 15 boards as well.

➤ Pilipinas Basketball will next face Taiwan (Chinese Taipei) this Monday, November 27 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Filipino: FIBA World Qualifiers 2017 Balita • Namayani si Jayson Castro William upang iangat ang Gilas Pilipinas kontra sa Japan NT, 77-71, at itala ang unang tagumpay nito sa FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers 2017 sa Komazawa Olympic Park in Tokyo ngayon Biyernes. Nanguna si Castro para sa Pilipinas Basketball sa kanyang 20 puntos, 7 rebounds at 6 na pasa, maging si Andray Blatche ay nag-ambag ng 13 buslo at 12 rebounds para sa koponang pambansa.
Game Scores:
Quarters: 18-10, 37-28, 59-55, 77-71.

gilas pilipinas: 77

Castro William 20, Blatche 13, Wright 12, Norwood 10, Fajardo 6, Aguilar 5, Abueva 5, Pogoy 5, Ravena 1, Alas 0, Rosario 0.

japan: 71

Hiejima 20, Brown 10, Tanaka 10, Togashi 8, Baba 7, Harimoto 7, Shinoyama 4, J. Takeuchi 3, Ota 2, Furukawa 0, Uto 0.

Posted on November 24, 2017 - Komazawa Olympic Park - Tokyo

Written by Rock Punzalan for Philippine Basketball News Team

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