source PHILstar.com
TIANJIN - Powerade Team Pilipinas, once the dominant team in Asia, battles emerging power Jordan today, looking for an upset win to stay in the hunt for a ticket to the World Championship in Turkey next year.
Powerade RP has avoided an early showdown with China but is setting out the underdog just the same against the Jordan team, which the Nationals have not beaten in their last three meetings.
The Nationals and the Jordanians clash at 2 p.m. for one of the coveted Final Four slots in the 25th FIBA Asia Championship, which stakes three seats to the Turkey world meet.
“Masyadong malakas, pero may silat yan (They’re so strong but don’t discount an upset),” said RP coach Yeng Guiao after seeing the Jordanians in their tough stand against the top seeded Chinese Wednesday night.
“If we beat Chinese-Taipei on our 50-percent three-point shooting, I think we have to shoot 60 percent to beat Jordan. That’s how tough they are,” said assistant coach Rhoel Nadurata.
The winner of the RP-Jordan duel will meet the victor of the Iran-Qatar match-up in the semis.
The other quarterfinal tiffs pit China against Chinese-Taipei and Korea versus Lebanon.
The Nationals are two wins away from achieving their goal of a stint in the 2010 world meet. But they are definitely in for rough sailing.
Jordan was the same team that crushed the Philippines’ hopes in the last Asian meet in Tokushima, Japan, toppling the Filipinos in a virtual knockout duel in the final day of the elimination round.
This was also the same team that walloped the Philippines, 90-59, in the recent Jones Cup competition in Taipei.
A tall, agile team made more potent by naturalized player Rasheim Wright, the Jordanians impressed everyone here with their brave stand against the Chinese, narrowly losing the match, 83-89.
Jordan went without a loss here before bowing to China. In the recent Jones Cup, the Jordanians swept all their assignments, except the one against the Iranians which was halted by a fight just a minute into the game. Jordan lost the match by forfeiture.
“They beat us by (more than) 30 points in the Jones Cup and I don’t know if we have improved by 30 points by this time. It’s going to be tough but we’re not giving up,” said Guiao.
The Nationals tried to polish their game in practice Wednesday evening and yesterday morning. The team was to watch a video and plot its game plan last night.
“Most probably, we would just let Wright to do his thing while trying to do our best to stop the others. He’s so good, we’ll just hope he gets tired,” said Guiao.
“He’s unstoppable going to the right. When forced to go to the left, he’s good at pulling up,” Guiao said.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
PHI – We want to push it as far as we can: Guiao
TIANJIN (FIBA Asia Championship): Stating basketball is a religion in Philippines might be an understatement considering massive fan following in the South East Asian nation.
And the performance of the National Team in the 25th FIBA Asia Championship must surely have warmed the cockles of the fans’ heart.
S Mageshwaran of FIBA Asia caught up with the Head Coach Joseller Guiao after Philippines finished their eight-final round games.
Can you analyze the performance of Philippines so far?
Considering everything worked we are pretty satisfied with what has happened so far. We have already improved upon our ninth place in Tokushima.
But we want to push it as far as we can.
We’ll now probably need a miracle now to make it to the top four.
We are up against either China or Jordan.
If we take it as Jordan, we lost to Jordan by 30 points in the William Jones Cup. Now, I don’t know if we have improved by 30 points in such a short period of time.
But we are not giving up on it.
We are going to be there and see what’s the best way we can give ourselves a chance of making it to the top four.
Can you elaborate more about this improvement beyond the ranking?
Yes ranking wise we will finish at least eighth, which is better than Tokushima. And this team has been together only for a couple of months and practicing just once a week.
The other thing is I’m really happy we have readjusting to the FIBA rules. We don’t the whole year experience that some teams have of playing in this style and officiating.
I think the PBA has to put in place a program where we will continuously participate in international tournaments. Just so we don’t get lost in the shuffle.
Now you are looking at not just rising up to the local standard but trying to rise to the Asian standards and probably the world standard.
Instead of merely trying to beat each other in the professional league, the whole league can have the perspective of beating the Korean league or the Japanese league.
How difficult was this adjustment? How did you manage it?
It was very difficult.
Even the week we left for the Jones Cup, some guys were still playing the league finals.
We had just seven-eight players practicing with us and we had to wait for the others to join us.
They come from different systems and different teams.
And when under pressure they go back to their old methods.
But a lot of such resorting to such methods happened in the Jones Cup. It’s got a lot lesser here.
May be that’s why we are performing a lot better.
But I don’t think it’s enough. That’s why I am suggesting that we should have such an experience and exposure the whole year.
On the court, what is the one single point of improvement that has impressed you?
The resilience with which this team has adjusted has been amazing.
We were struggling without three-pointer shooting at the start. But I think our three-point shooting has improved remarkably from our first game.
There’s no way we can win games or survive if we don’t make our outside shots. We are too small to post up any team here.
Is there any player you are pleasantly surprised by the way he has played here?
Cyrus Baguio has been really consistent.
And of course, Willie Miller.
Miller does not play point guard in the Philippines. He plays No 2.
I had to convert him into a point guard because one of our natural point guards could not play.
So Miller had to take up the position. And he has handled the new responsibility really well.
And the performance of the National Team in the 25th FIBA Asia Championship must surely have warmed the cockles of the fans’ heart.
S Mageshwaran of FIBA Asia caught up with the Head Coach Joseller Guiao after Philippines finished their eight-final round games.
Can you analyze the performance of Philippines so far?
Considering everything worked we are pretty satisfied with what has happened so far. We have already improved upon our ninth place in Tokushima.
But we want to push it as far as we can.
We’ll now probably need a miracle now to make it to the top four.
We are up against either China or Jordan.
If we take it as Jordan, we lost to Jordan by 30 points in the William Jones Cup. Now, I don’t know if we have improved by 30 points in such a short period of time.
But we are not giving up on it.
We are going to be there and see what’s the best way we can give ourselves a chance of making it to the top four.
Can you elaborate more about this improvement beyond the ranking?
Yes ranking wise we will finish at least eighth, which is better than Tokushima. And this team has been together only for a couple of months and practicing just once a week.
The other thing is I’m really happy we have readjusting to the FIBA rules. We don’t the whole year experience that some teams have of playing in this style and officiating.
I think the PBA has to put in place a program where we will continuously participate in international tournaments. Just so we don’t get lost in the shuffle.
Now you are looking at not just rising up to the local standard but trying to rise to the Asian standards and probably the world standard.
Instead of merely trying to beat each other in the professional league, the whole league can have the perspective of beating the Korean league or the Japanese league.
How difficult was this adjustment? How did you manage it?
It was very difficult.
Even the week we left for the Jones Cup, some guys were still playing the league finals.
We had just seven-eight players practicing with us and we had to wait for the others to join us.
They come from different systems and different teams.
And when under pressure they go back to their old methods.
But a lot of such resorting to such methods happened in the Jones Cup. It’s got a lot lesser here.
May be that’s why we are performing a lot better.
But I don’t think it’s enough. That’s why I am suggesting that we should have such an experience and exposure the whole year.
On the court, what is the one single point of improvement that has impressed you?
The resilience with which this team has adjusted has been amazing.
We were struggling without three-pointer shooting at the start. But I think our three-point shooting has improved remarkably from our first game.
There’s no way we can win games or survive if we don’t make our outside shots. We are too small to post up any team here.
Is there any player you are pleasantly surprised by the way he has played here?
Cyrus Baguio has been really consistent.
And of course, Willie Miller.
Miller does not play point guard in the Philippines. He plays No 2.
I had to convert him into a point guard because one of our natural point guards could not play.
So Miller had to take up the position. And he has handled the new responsibility really well.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Menk to reunite with Telan at Rain or Shine?
A possible reunion looms for former Tanduay Rhum stalwarts Mark Telan and Eric Menk.
This as Rain or Shine, Telan's new team, expressed its intention to tab the former Philippine Basketball Association Most Valuable Player, who's one of the free agents left unsigned by the Ginebra Kings.
Team co-owner Raymond Yu told GMANews.TV that the team is considering Menk in their bid to shore up Rain or Shine's small frontline.
"We are always open to opportunities," said Yu, referring to Menk as one of the players in their short list of big men.
Aside from Menk, the Elasto Painters are also looking at center Carlo Sharma and forward Ken Bono of Burger King to join Telan, whom Rain or Shine recently signed to a one-year deal, at the fort.
Telan and Menk had previously teamed up for the Rhum Masters during the franchise's dominance in the Philippine Basketball League. They were two of the players elevated by coach Alfrancis Chua to the PBA when the franchise rejoined the PBA in 1999.
Menk could provide experience and toughness to a young Elasto Painters squad built around promising forward Jay-R Reyes, sophomores Gabe Norwood, Sol Mercado, TY Tang, new recruit Jeff Chan, third-year pro Ryan Arana and rookies Jervy Cruz and Marcy Arellano, who were both signed up by the squad last week.
"We're excited with our team right now. We tried to strengthen our weakening positions and we have added a veteran in Telan," said Yu. GMANews.TV
This as Rain or Shine, Telan's new team, expressed its intention to tab the former Philippine Basketball Association Most Valuable Player, who's one of the free agents left unsigned by the Ginebra Kings.
Team co-owner Raymond Yu told GMANews.TV that the team is considering Menk in their bid to shore up Rain or Shine's small frontline.
"We are always open to opportunities," said Yu, referring to Menk as one of the players in their short list of big men.
Aside from Menk, the Elasto Painters are also looking at center Carlo Sharma and forward Ken Bono of Burger King to join Telan, whom Rain or Shine recently signed to a one-year deal, at the fort.
Telan and Menk had previously teamed up for the Rhum Masters during the franchise's dominance in the Philippine Basketball League. They were two of the players elevated by coach Alfrancis Chua to the PBA when the franchise rejoined the PBA in 1999.
Menk could provide experience and toughness to a young Elasto Painters squad built around promising forward Jay-R Reyes, sophomores Gabe Norwood, Sol Mercado, TY Tang, new recruit Jeff Chan, third-year pro Ryan Arana and rookies Jervy Cruz and Marcy Arellano, who were both signed up by the squad last week.
"We're excited with our team right now. We tried to strengthen our weakening positions and we have added a veteran in Telan," said Yu. GMANews.TV
Powerade Team Pilipinas defeats Kuwait, 85-71 formally Advances to the Quarterfinal Round
source: gmanews.tv
The Powerade-Team Pilipinas ended its elimination campaign with an 85-71 win over Kuwait on Wednesday in the 25th FIBA Asia men’s championship in Tianjin, China.
With the win, the Filipinos wound up with a 3-2 win-loss slate and formally advanced to the quarterfinal round.
As the No. 3 finisher in Group E, the RP cagers next face the No. 2 team in Group F or the loser of the Jordan-China match later Wednesday. The host Chinese and the Jordanians are locked in a tie for first in Group F with identical 4-0 cards and would determine the top finisher in their group in their 7 p.m. match.
With a Last 8 slot already assured since Tuesday, Team Pilipinas played Kuwait with little pressure, seizing control in the first half which ended with the Filipinos on top, 40-29.
The Yeng Guiao-mentored squad went up by as many as 19 points, the last time at 83-64 on a basket by Japeth Aguilar, never allowing the Kuwaitis to go closer than eight points.
So much in control were the Filipinos that Guiao fielded in 11 players for at least 11 minutes each and gave regular big man Mick Pennisi a rest.
Four Filipinos finished in double figures - Cyrus Baguio with 14, Asi Taulava with 12, and Jared Dillinger and Kerby Raymundo with 10 apiece. Taulava also hauled down 10 rebounds.
Kuwait, which lost all its five games in the preliminaries, was led by Rashed Alrabah and Mohammad Ashkanani, who fired a game-high 20 markers each.
The scores:
Team Pilipinas 85 - Baguio 14, Taulava 12, Dillinger 10, Raymundo 10, Yap 9, Aguilar 9, Santos 9, Thoss 6, Norwood 3, Helterbrand 3, Miller 0.
Kuwait 71 - Alrabah 20, Ashkanani 20, Saeed 12, Fadhel 6, Alsaeid 4, Alhamidi 4, Alkhabbaz 3, Fahdel 2, Jamal 0.
Quarterscores: 17-13; 40-29; 60-51; 85-71
The Powerade-Team Pilipinas ended its elimination campaign with an 85-71 win over Kuwait on Wednesday in the 25th FIBA Asia men’s championship in Tianjin, China.
With the win, the Filipinos wound up with a 3-2 win-loss slate and formally advanced to the quarterfinal round.
As the No. 3 finisher in Group E, the RP cagers next face the No. 2 team in Group F or the loser of the Jordan-China match later Wednesday. The host Chinese and the Jordanians are locked in a tie for first in Group F with identical 4-0 cards and would determine the top finisher in their group in their 7 p.m. match.
With a Last 8 slot already assured since Tuesday, Team Pilipinas played Kuwait with little pressure, seizing control in the first half which ended with the Filipinos on top, 40-29.
The Yeng Guiao-mentored squad went up by as many as 19 points, the last time at 83-64 on a basket by Japeth Aguilar, never allowing the Kuwaitis to go closer than eight points.
So much in control were the Filipinos that Guiao fielded in 11 players for at least 11 minutes each and gave regular big man Mick Pennisi a rest.
Four Filipinos finished in double figures - Cyrus Baguio with 14, Asi Taulava with 12, and Jared Dillinger and Kerby Raymundo with 10 apiece. Taulava also hauled down 10 rebounds.
Kuwait, which lost all its five games in the preliminaries, was led by Rashed Alrabah and Mohammad Ashkanani, who fired a game-high 20 markers each.
The scores:
Team Pilipinas 85 - Baguio 14, Taulava 12, Dillinger 10, Raymundo 10, Yap 9, Aguilar 9, Santos 9, Thoss 6, Norwood 3, Helterbrand 3, Miller 0.
Kuwait 71 - Alrabah 20, Ashkanani 20, Saeed 12, Fadhel 6, Alsaeid 4, Alhamidi 4, Alkhabbaz 3, Fahdel 2, Jamal 0.
Quarterscores: 17-13; 40-29; 60-51; 85-71
Update Team Pilipinas defeats Kuwait, 85-71
Our very own Powerade Team Pilipinas defeats Kuwait 85-71 which officially sends them to the knockout round to face the looser of the Jordan Vs China Game later this day.
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