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http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?artic...ubCategoryId=69

Raymundo, Pingris out for season
By Nelson Beltran (The Philippine Star) Updated September 02, 2010 12:00 AM
MANILA, Philippines - Kerby Raymundo and Marc Pingris, two of the main cogs of B-Meg Derby Ace’s All-Filipino champion team, will not be around when the team defends its crown in the coming 2010-2011 PBA season.

Rene Pardo, the current PBA board chairman from Derby
Ace, said Raymundo and Pingris are both set to undergo arthroscopic surgery at the famed Kerlan Jobe Clinic in Los Angeles, California.

They would need four to five months to fully recover from the operation, according to Pardo.

In their absence, rookie draftees Pari Llagas and Val Acuna are likely to be signed up to fill their spots. The team is also looking at the free agent pool to beef up their frontcourt.

Raymundo, who sat out most of the recent Fiesta Conference due to an assortment of injuries, is already in the US, accompanied by team physical therapist Nick Ocampo. Pingris is set to leave in the next few days.

Both players endured pains in their effort to help the team in their triumphant ride in the 2010 Philippine Cup but the rigors of pushing themselves beyond the limit have taken their toll on them.

Pingris even took injections just to be able to continue playing during the Fiesta Cup playoffs.

“The two were living embodiment of heart and character,” said Pardo of the two warriors.

Most of the team’s core players were absent when Derby Ace held its first practice under new coach Jorge Gallent at The Arena in San Juan yesterday.

James Yap and Rafi Reavis are both on vacation in the US. Reavis, however, has agreed to a two-year contract-extension deal with the team.

Yap, meanwhile, is set to sign a new three-year pact worth P12.6 million upon his return.

With Raymundo and Pingris out, it’s highly unlikely Derby Ace would agree to loan Yap to Smart Gilas for the Asian Games in Guangzhou, China in November.

Yap himself has said he might decline invitation to play for the team.
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http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?artic...ubCategoryId=95

Samantala, inaasahan namang makakaapekto sa pagdedepensa ng Derby Ace sa kanilang All-Filipino crown para sa darating na 2010-2011 PBA season ang injury nina Kerby Raymundo at Marc Pingris.

Kapwa sasailalim ang 6’6 na si Raymundo at ang 6’5 na si Pingris sa isang arthroscopic surgery sa Kerlan Jobe Clinic sa Los Angeles, California.

Para punan ang nabakanteng posisyon nina Raymundo at Pingris, hinugot ng Llamados ng bagong coach na si Jorge Gallent sina 6’4 rookie draftees Parri Llagas at 6’2 Val Acuna bukod pa ang pagtingin sa free agent pool.

Nakatakda nang pirmahan ni 2006 PBA MVP James Yap ang isang three-year, P12.6 million contract sa Derby Ace, habang pumayag na si 6’7 Rafi Reavis sa isang two-year contract extension sa kanilang pagbabalik mula sa US.
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http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/insideS...010/september/1

Llamados need replacement players

B-MEG Derby Ace will be busy scrounging for replacement players after both Kerby Raymundo and Marc Pingris were declared unfit to play, at least for the coming Philippine Basketball Association All-Filipino Conference.

Raymundo and Marc Pingris will both undergo surgeries in the United States before the next season starts. Raymundo missed most of the Fiesta Conference due to a recurring leg injury, playing sparingly in B-MEG’s quarterfinals series against Rain or Shine and aggravating his injury.

Pingris tore his ITB muscle in the homestretch of the Fiesta Conference, but continued playing despite being hurt. It also worsened his injury.

B-MEG said that it will be looking for possible options to strengthen its weakened frontline.

“We were informed that they might miss a big part of the All-Filipino conference if not the whole of it. We are the defending champions and we still want to defend our crown,’’ said new B-MEG Derby Ace coach Jorge Gallent. “Management is planning on making some moves to help fill the spot of the two. It would be tough.’’

B-MEG Derby Ace governor Rene Pardo said they will not wait for their forwards’ recovery because the team will eventually suffer, but will instead make the necessary moves to keep their front-court competitive for the next conference.

“Mahihirapan kami na wala ‘yung dalawa. Kailangan naming lumaban sa loob kaya necessary na mag-trade kami ng isa or dalawang players namin para makakuha ng quality power forward habang wala pa ‘yung dalawa. Sa ngayon wala pang specifics. Tinitignan pa namin, pero we have to do something about it,’’ said Pardo.

The only healthy frontliners for B-MEG at the moment are center Rafi Reavis, forwards Don Allado and Nino Canaleta.

The Llamados also selected power forward Narciso Llagas from the University of the East as their first-round selection to help remedy their problems inside.

Meanwhile, Rain or Shine prepped up its frontline by signing free agents John Ferriols and Paolo Bugia, two underrated players who didn’t see much action in the past conference.

Ferriols was a regular part of Alaska ’s rotation in last season’s Philippine Cup, but was sent packing to Ginebra after the all-Filipino tournament. But Ferriols didn’t see considerable minutes for the Kings.

Bugia, meanwhile, is a journeyman still trying to find a home in the league. He spent two seasons with Ginebra, where he played limited minutes and was later relegated as a practice player.

He also saw action for B-MEG before going to Ginebra.

After failing to get past the quarterfinals of the last conference, the Elasto Painters quickly grabbed forward Doug Kramer from Air21 in a trade for guard Marcy Arellano as its first move in upgrading its frontline. Jeric Lopez
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http://www.gmanews.tv/story/200001/powerad...gilas-for-asiad

Powerade allows Asi to join Gilas for Asiad
Rey Joble, GMANews.TV
09/02/2010 | 12:04 AM

Asi Taulava might be suiting up for the Smart-Gilas national developmental team to the Guangzhou Asian Games this November.

This after the management of Powerade agreed to loan the services of the 6-foot-9 Fil-Tongan for the second time.

Taulava reinforced the decimated national team aspirants in the tough Stankovic Cup where the Filipinos placed fourth. The fourth-place finish was enough to land the Philippines a spot in the Olympic-qualifying FIBA Asia Championship next year.

But JB Baylon, Powerade board governor in the Philippine Basketball Association, told GMANews.TV in an online interview that the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas’ request to get the services of Taulava, a former PBA MVP, two-time MVP James Yap of B-Meg Derby Ace and 2008 MVP Kelly Williams, will need the league’s board approval.

“It still depends on the board," said Baylon.

The SBP, through its president Manny V. Pangilinan, wrote the PBA and requested the league to loan Taulava, Yap and Williams to the national developmental squad composed of some of the finest amateur cagers in the land.

Pangilinan was also the one who requested the PBA to allow Taulava to play for Smart-Gilas in the Stankovic Cup, which the league agreed.

But the PBA had already made an exit plan regarding its involvement in international basketball competitions. As a matter of fact, the league reverted to its original three-conference format starting its 36th season on October 3 and replace the existing two-conference, one season format.

“I believe the PBA had already made an exit plan, that’s why, the PBA which will now be headed by new commissioner Chito Salud, is now back to a three-conference format," said outgoing PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios.

“Also, the league’s main thrust in the coming 36th season is to improve the gate attendance. With some of the stars not seeing action, it might have an effect in gate attendance," added Barrios.

Williams is likely to be loaned by his mother team, Talk N Text, as the franchise is a sister company of Smart Communications under the Philippine Long Distance Telephone company.

But Yap’s availability hangs in the balance, not only for his team Derby Ace, but also because of the player's personal legal problems.

With Kerby Raymundo and Marc Pingris, two marquee players of the Llamados and key figures in the team’s drive to winning the Philippine Cup last season, Yap will be tasked to do much of the scoring load.

The 6-foot-2 reigning MVP is also mandated to attend hearings on his marital problems with estranged wife, popular television and movie personality Kris Aquino, youngest sister of President Noynoy Aquino. - GMANews.TV

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http://www.gmanews.tv/story/200088/no-gila...mados-next-week

No Gilas stint for Yap; Villanueva to join Llamados next week
Rey Joble, GMANews.TV
09/02/2010 | 09:50 PM

Two-time Philippine Basketball Association Most Valuable Player James Yap will beg off from joining the Smart-Gilas national developmental team in the Asian Games.

That’s because B-Meg Derby Ace will have a depleted lineup at the start of the league’s 36th season on Oct. 3.

B-Meg Derby Ace is the defending champion of the Philippine Cup, but its title retention bid is in peril as the squad will miss the services of main frontliners Kerby Raymundo and Marc Pingris, who will undergo surgeries in the United States anytime soon.

“I told Mr. (Rene) Pardo that it will be really difficult for us if we will allow James to play for Smart-Gilas in the Asian Games. We will already miss our two frontliners, so it will really be a tough task for us to defend the crown," said B-Meg Derby Ace coach Jorge Gallent.

“Right now, we only have two big men in our team, Raffi Reavis and Jondan Salvador as Don Allado has yet to sign a contract because he’s in the United States while Romel Adducul’s status remains up in the air because the team wants to have younger guys," he added.

Yap is also in the United States vacationing and will most likely join the team’s first full practice session two weeks from now.

The 6-foot-2, reigning MVP, is one of those being requested by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas to join the Smart-Gilas national developmental team to the Guanzhou Asian Games along with other former PBA MVPs Asi Taulava and Kelly Williams.

Taulava was already given the green light by his mother team, Powerade, while Williams, whose team, Talk N Text is a sister company of Smart Communications, will most likely be allowed as well.

Still, their participation in the Asian Games to reinforce the all-amateur national developmental squad coached by Rajko Toroman, will need approval from the PBA board.

Aside from being hard pressed to help his decimated squad, Yap is not keen on joining the national team aspirants as the cager will also need to attend to other personal matters.

A close associate of Yap, who requested anonymity, said the cager is mandated to attend hearings on his marital problems with estranged wife, popular movie and television personality Kris Aquino, youngest sister of President Noynoy Aquino.

Gallent also clarified that Jonas Villanueva will join the squad next week and attend the September 9 practice.

“We’ve talked on the phone," said Gallent. “He’s still in the United States and he will arrive on September 8."

Villanueva will join B-Meg Derby Ace via a three-way trade involving San Miguel Beer and Air21. The Beermen will get Paul Artadi while the Express will secure a future second-round pick from the Llamados.

The Express have yet to decide who will be the player to be unloaded. The team has excessive players on its roster, which include former Rookie of the Year Rich Alvarez and Wesley Gonzales.

“We have yet to finalize the player who will be involved in that trade," said Air21 team manager Allan Gregorio. “We have yet to discuss that." - GMANews.TV
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http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/275265/bmeg-...-yap-play-gilas

B-Meg May Not Allow Yap to Play for Gilas
By WAYLON GALVEZ
September 2, 2010, 7:11pm

With a depleted roster going to the 2010 PBA Season, it’s uncertain whether B-Meg Derby Ace will allow superstar guard James Yap to play for the Smart-Gilas Pilipinas in the Asian Games in Guangzhou, China this November.

A high-ranking team official said yesterday that management is having second thoughts of loaning Yap to the RP team.

“It’s not a hundred percent thing,” said the B-Meg official, who asked not to be named.

The Llamados will start to defend their Philippine Cup championship starting this October without veteran forward Kerby Raymundo, who will undergo hip operation in the United States and is expected to miss the rest of the 2010-11 Season.

“For sure, without Kerby things will be difficult. Then if you take James out of the roster, I don’t know what will happen to the team,” said the same source.

Aside from Raymundo, who was sidelined in the Fiesta Cup, B-Meg Derby Ace – now with new mentor Jorge Gallent (who took over from now Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio) – forward Marc Jean Pingris (right leg injury) is also doubtful for the season.

The 6-foot-1 Yap, together with the 6-foot-9 Asi Taulava of PowerAde and the the 6-foot-7 Kelly Williams of Talk ’N Text were requested by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) to be loaned to the Smart-Gilas Pilipinas for the Asian Games.

Incoming PBA Commissioner Chito Salud is expected to make a recommendation and the PBA board, chaired by Rene Pardo of B-Meg, will decide on the SBP request in its 3-day board meeting in Bangkok, Thailand beginning September 15.

It was Rajko Toroman, the Serbian mentor of Smart-Gilas, who asked the SBP to request the PBA to loan Yap, Taulava and Williams to the national team.

Meantime, PowerAde’s coach Bo Perasol that while he considers it a big loss if in case the PBA board decides to allow Taulava to play for the national team, he said that he has no problem with that since it is for flag and country.

“Although magiging malaking kawalan kung sakaling matuloy si Asi sa Gilas, we know naman it’s for national interest,” he said.
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http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?artic...ubCategoryId=69

PBA returns to old format
By Nelson Beltran (The Philippine Star) Updated September 03, 2010 12:00 AM

MANILA, Philippines - Newly appointed PBA commissioner Chito Salud expects quality games throughout the coming season as non-bearing matches are likely to be eliminated on the league’s return to the old three-conference format.

“The stats show the gates suffer in a long elimination round. In a long elims, there are non-bearing games that are not attractive to the fans. We’ll try to remove that,” Salud told The STAR.

The PBA addressed that concern in mounting the league calendar for the 2010-11 season, which fires off next month.

The league reverts to its tried and tested three-conference format featuring one all-Filipino tourney and two import-reinforced conferences.

The 36th PBA season starts with a shortened Philippine Cup where the 10 teams play only 14 games each in the eliminations, then the top eight advance to the playoffs.

The elims will be inter-intra where the 10 teams are divided into two groups. Group-mates meet each other once and play the teams in the other group twice.

The bottom two after the preliminary round are automatically out, leaving eight teams to battle it out in the playoffs.

The top two carry a twice-to-beat advantage over the No. 7 and No. 8 teams in the quarterfinals. The other pairings – No. 3 versus No. 6 and No. 4 versus No. 5 – figure in a best-of-three series. The semis and the finals will be best-of-seven showdowns.

The two import-laden tourneys carry different formats.

Meanwhile, San Miguel Beer and B-MEG Derby Ace finally completed a trade transaction yesterday that sent Jonas Villanueva to the Llamados in exchange for Paul Artadi.

The sister ball clubs struck the deal with Air21 serving as conduit. The Express acquired Derby Ace’s 2014 first round pick in exchange for their 2013 second round pick.

At the same time, Air21 and Ginebra formalized their own deal that brought Billy Mamaril back to the Kings in exchange for a future pick.

In the second conference, the 10 teams figure in a single round robin affair in the elims with only six teams advancing to the playoffs.

The top two gain automatic semifinals entry with the next four settling for spots in two best-of-five quarterfinals matchups.

The third conference will have a different post-elims play format. After the one round robin elims, six teams advance to the next phase where they play another round, carrying over their elims win-loss records. A team which wins four of five games in the second round (regardless of their overall record) gets automatic playoff crack at a finals berth.

The first reinforced tourney will feature imports with the same height limitation. The other import-laden conference will adopt a height limitation handicapping system based on the performances of the teams in the first two conferences.

“I foresee a slam-bang affair from the elims to the finals with these formats,” said Salud.

“We’ll really try to meet the expectation of our fans in terms of quality of the games. In terms of maximizing the potential of the players, we’ll allow them to play their game,” said Salud.

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http://www.pba.com.ph/topstories/smb-b-meg...aril-back-kings

SMB, B-MEG SWAP COURT GENERALS; MAMARIL BACK WITH THE KINGS

Fri, 09/03/2010 - 15:22 — junior

San Miguel Beer and B-MEG Derby Ace have changed the make-up of their backcourts by figuring in a trade deal involving Jonas Villanueva and Paul Artadi.

The Beermen and the Llamados, sister ballclubs under the giant SMC umbrella, consummated the deal with the Air21 Express serving as the third party.

The Express benefited from being the conduit as they acquired the Llamados' 2014 first round pick in exchange for their 2013 second round selection.

At the same time, Air21 and Barangay Ginebra formalized a separate deal that sent Billy Mamaril back to the Kings. The Express acquired a future draft pick in this transaction.

Towards the end of the 2010 Fiesta Conference, the Express got Mamaril from the Kings in a futile bid to prolong their season.

Despite their acquisition of Mamaril and the arrival of import LeRoy Hickerson, the Express couldn't get past the wildcard plays.

Meanwhile, San Miguel was looking for quickness and hustle in enlisting Artadi.

"The coaches talked about it. They believed it's a win-win trade for both teams," said Rene Pardo, the current PBA Board chair from Derby Ace.

"Kailangan ng San Miguel ng quickness. Kami okay lang pakawalan si Paul dahil meron pa kaming Chris Timberlake," Pardo added.

Denok Miranda is staying with San Miguel, having just signed a fresh two-year pact. (SB)

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Villanueva dinala ng San Miguel sa Derby Ace
(Pilipino Star Ngayon) Updated September 04, 2010 12:00 AM Comments (0) View comments

MANILA, Philippines - Sa kanyang pag-uwi sa Pilipinas ay ang uniporme na ng Derby Ace ang isusuot ni pointguard Jonas Villanueva.

Ito ay matapos siyang dalhin ng San Miguel sa Derby Ace kapalit ni pointguard Paul Artadi sa isang three-team, three-player trade sangkot ang Air21.

Sa naturang trade, makukuha ng Express, magbabandera kina No. 1 at No. 2 overall picks Nonoy Baclao at Rabeh Al-Hussaini sa 36th season ng PBA sa Oktubre, ang future second-round pick ng Llamados.

Posible ring ipamigay ng Air21 sa Derby Ace ang sinuman kina Wesley Gonzales at Rich Alvarez.

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http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?artic...ubCategoryId=95

Reunion ng mga Warriors
FREETHROWS Ni AC Zaldivar (Pilipino Star Ngayon) Updated September 04, 2010 12:00 AM Comments (0) View comments

Malamang mahirapan si James Yap na pasanin ang B-Meg Derby Ace sa 36th season ng Philippine Basketball Association dahil sa hindi niya makakasama ang mga big men na sina Kerby Raymundo at Marc Pingris.

Ang dalawang ito’y sasailalim sa operasyon sa Estados Unidos at hindi bababa sa anim na buwan ang rehabilitation process. Kung sakali, baka sa third confe­rence pa makabalik sina Raymundo at Pingris.

Alam naman ng lahat na sina Yap at Raymundo ang 1-2 punch ng Llamados. Kapag sabay sila sa hardcourt, kahit paano’y nahihirapan ang kalabang koponan na dumepensa. Pero pag mag-isa lang si Yap, itututok ng kabilang koponan ang buong pwersa ng depensa sa kanya.

Ito namang si Pingris ay isang pambihirang workhorse. Monster rebounder at mahusay dumepensa laban sa sentro ng kabilang team. Nakapagbibigay siya ng kakaibang energy sa kanyang mga kakampi.

Mahirap punan ang pusisyong babakantehin ng dalawa.

Pero umaasa ang bagong B-Meg head coach na si Jorge Galent na makakatulong ang mga manlalarong nasikwat niya sa 2010 PBA Rookie Draft na sina Narciso Llagas at Hezy Val Acuña.

Bagamat undersized si Llagas, okay din naman itong makipaglaban para sa mga rebounds. Si Acuna naman ay isang mahusay na shooter.

Ang kapuna-puna dito’y parehong produktong Uni­versity of the East Warriors sina Llagas at Acuña. E, si Yap ay dating manlalaro din ng UE. Gayundin si Niño Canaleta. Sayang nga lang at ipinamigay ng B-Meg Derby Ace ang isa pa’ng dating UE Warrior na si Paul Artadi sa San Miguel Beer kapalit ni Jonas Villanueva, isang dating Most Improved Player awardee. Kumpleto sana ang reunion.

So, parang nagkaroon ng reunion ang mga Warriors sa kampo ng Llamados. Magkaibang batch nga lang. Pero nevertheless, pareho ang kanilang kulay.

Malamang na si Llagas ang maging karelyebo ni Rico Maierhofer na itinanghal na Rookie of the Year at si Acuna naman ang makakapalitan ni Canaleta.

Anuman ang mangyari, tiyak na mamamayagpag ang mga Warriors sa B-Meg Derby Ace.

Kung titingnan nga’y parang pareho ang landas na tinatahak ng B-Meg Derby Ace at Alaska Milk. Nag-stack up din ng mga dating UE Warriors si Alaska coach Tim Cone nang kunin niya sina Bonbon Custodio buhat sa Meralco at Elmer Espiritu bilang No. 4 pick sa nakaraang Draft. Makakasama nila sa kampo ng Aces ang dating Warrior na si Mark Borboran na mabibigyan na ng mahabang playing time ngayon matapos magretiro si Jeffrey Cariaso.

Marahil, sa pangyayaring napanalunan ni James Yap ang kanyang ikalawang Most Valuable Player award noong nakaraang season, biglang bumango at naging sought-after ang mga Warriors.

Pero kung nagiging matagumpay ang mga Warriors na pumanhik sa PBA ngayon, medyo sinamang-palad naman ang UE sa kasalukuyang 73rd UAAP men’s bas­ketball tournament dahil sa nabigo itong makarating sa Final Four.

You can’t have it all, ‘ika nga!

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http://www.gmanews.tv/story/200362/llamado...nt-pennisi-next

Llamados tab free agent Gaco, want Pennisi next
Rey Joble, GMANews.TV
09/06/2010 | 04:12 PM

Look who’s being eyed by new B-Meg Derby Ace coach Jorge Gallent.

Mick Pennisi, a 6-foot-9, grizzled veteran slotman, is now on top of the wish list of the Llamados, who want to shore up their decimated frontline and boost their title retention bid in the PBA Philippine Cup.

The Philippine Cup is the opening conference of the Philippine Basketball Association’s 36th season, which begins October 3.

“He’s (Mick) first in our wish list. We really need a five man right now," Gallent told GMANews.TV in a telephone interview. “But we’re also looking at other options, including signing up veteran free agent center Romel Adducul.

Adducul is one those players, whose contract expired. The 6-foot-5, many-time national team member, is still practicing with the team and Gallent is keeping an open mind of including him on the roster.

“No assurance that we will get Romel, but right now, I would say there’s a 70-percent chance B-Meg Derby Ace might get him," added Gallent.

The Llamados have yet to sign up another frontliner, Don Allado, who just arrived from a vacation in the United States.

But the possible inclusion of Pennisi is one of the things being anticipated in the off season.

Still, the Llamados will need to get a third team to act as conduit in able to get Pennisi from his current squad, San Miguel Beer. Under PBA rules, sister teams like B-Meg Derby Ace and San Miguel Beer cannot trade directly and a third team is needed in order for the trade to push through.

Pennisi is seriously being considered by the Llamados as two of their main frontliners – Kerby Raymundo and Marc Pingris – underwent operation.

Just recently, the Llamados were able to tab the services of free agent Jerwin Gaco from Barako Bull.

The 6-foot-4 Gaco played for Gallent’s multi-titled Harbour Centre team in the Philippine Basketball League.

“He’s a free agent, so we were able to secure his services," said Gallent. “Right now, we really need to shore up our frontline with the absence of Kerby and Ping." - GMANews.TV
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http://www.malaya.com.ph/09072010/sports2.html

Tigers, Llamados also eyeing big men
BY NOLI CORTEZ

ASIDE from Meralco, Powerade and defending champion B-Meg Derby Ace are also searching for another big man.

The Tigers are willing to shop around for a frontliner who could take the place of slotman Asi Taulava if and when the latter is permitted by the PBA Board to join the Smart Gilas team seeing action in the Guangzhou Asian Games in November.

The Llamados are on the lookout for a power forward who could augment their frontline in the absence of the injured Kerby Raymundo and Marc Pingris.

The two teams are merely following the lead of Meralco head coach Ryan Gregorio, who the other day told Malaya he wants another big man to backstop centers Marlou Aquino and Beau Belga and power forwards Gabby Espinas and Dennis Daa.

"We haven’t really thought about replacements for Asi," related Powerade coach Bo Perasol. "Our options will definitely be in the free agents’ pool. We don’t know as of yet kung sino ang available."

Derby Ace seems to have the inside track as head coach Jorge Gallent yesterday bared team management is seriously considering Jerwin Gaco, formerly of Barako Bull, as partial solution to his frontline woes.

"We are thinking of getting him pero wala pang final decision," said Gallent. "Within the week pa namin malalaman kung papipirmahin siya."

Gallent and Gaco are no strangers to each other as they have teamed up with the Harbour Centre team in the PBL where they won six titles together.

The Llamados are reportedly working on a deal with Ginebra for 6-foot-6 Billy Mamaril but they are still searching for a third team to make it happen.

Derby Ace and the Kings are sister teams and are barred from directly trading with each other.

Gallent denied knowledge of any deal in progress, but admitted Gaco will be a big help in their title-retention bid. "Jerwin will be a big help. He will be the banger inside and get those loose balls," he said.

Gaco saw action with Barako last season, playing 15 games and averaging 5.3 points and 3.5 rebounds. He was reportedly headed to the Philippine Patriots for the ABL, but may opt for the PBA if signed.

The 29-year-old forward also had a stint with the Laguna Stallions in Liga Pilipinas before bringing his act to the Energy Coffee Masters in the Fiesta Conference, when the George Chua-owned franchise tied up with Harbour Centre.

Derby Ace selected a pair of big men in the last rookie draft in Pari Llagas and Val Acuna, but the former UE stalwarts are not expected to make an immediate impact for the team.
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http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/sports/09/05/10...y-return-action

MVP James Yap ready to return to action
abs-cbnNEWS.com
Posted at 09/05/2010 4:04 PM | Updated as of 09/06/2010 10:13 AM

MANILA, Philippines – B-MEG Derby Ace Llamados superstar James Yap is ready to hit the hard court again for the upcoming 36th PBA Season next month.

The 2010 PBA Fiesta Conference Most Valuable Player (MVP) said he will to return to practice on Monday after his two-week vacation in the United States.

Yap was joined in the US by teammates KG Canaleta and Rico Maierhofer. They arrived on Sunday from Los Angeles, California.

Yap related that his US vacation was breather after his grueling PBA season, plus the collapse of his 5-year marriage to actress-TV host Kris Aquino.

Canaleta earlier told ABS-CBN News that they decided to take a break because of the planned return of the three-conference format next season.

“Baka ito na ‘yung last break namin. Baka mag-3 conference na next season,” he said.

PBA Commissioner Chito Salud confirmed that the league will have 3 conferences again, an all-Filipino conference and 2 import-reinforced tournaments.

“The stats show the gates suffer in a long elimination round. In a long elims, there are those non-bearing games that are not attractive to the fans. We’ll try to remove that,” Salud said in a PBA.com.ph report.

Salud explained the PBA’s shift to the old three-conference format would maintain the leagues commercial viability by giving fans exciting games.

B-MEG lineup changed

Meanwhile, Yap’s former University of the East (UE) Red Warriors teammate Paul Artadi is now his former Derby Ace teammate.

Artadi was traded for Jonas Villanueva of San Miguel Beer (SMB).

Rene Pardo, the current PBA Board chair from Derby Ace, commented that it was a win-win trade for both squads which are sister teams under San Miguel Corporation.

“Kailangan ng San Miguel ng quickness. Kami okay lang pakawalan si Paul dahil meron pa kaming Chris Timberlake,” he told PBA.com.ph.

SMB and B-MEG completed the deal with Air21 Express as the third party.

Air21, meantime, got B-MEG’s 2014 first round selection in exchange for their 2013 2nd round pick. – With reports from Ginger Conejero, ABS-CBN News and PBA.com.ph
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http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?artic...ubCategoryId=95

Villanueva pakakawalan na ng SMBeer
Ni RCadayona (Pilipino Star Ngayon) Updated September 07, 2010 12:00 AM Comments

MANILA, Philippines - Si pointguard Jonas Villanueva na marahil ang pinakahuling Beermen na pakakawalan ng San Miguel.

Sa panayam kahapon ni Snow Badua sa kanyang radio program na “Re­liable Source” sa DZ­SR Sports Radio, sinabi ni assistant coach Gee Abanilla na wala na siyang nalalaman na papa­sukang trade ng SMC fran­chise sa ngayon.

“Kausap ko nga si team manager Hector Cal­ma at wala naman si­yang nababanggit sa amin,” sabi ni Abanilla sa galaw ng San Miguel.

Dinala ng Beermen si Villanueva sa Derby Ace Llamados para kay pointguard Paul Artadi sangkot ang Air21 Express bilang ‘conduit’ dahilan sa pagbabawal ng PBA na diretsahang mag-trade ang mga sister teams.

Isang future draft pick ang nakuha ng Air21 mula sa Derby Ace bilang kapalit.Magsisimula ang en­sa­­yo ng San Miguel sa Set­yem­bre 15 kung saan si Abanilla muna ang mama­mahala sa mga Beermen habang hinihintay pang matapos ang 86th NCAA season kung saan minamandohan ni coach Ato Agustin ang nagdedepensang San Sebastian College-Recoletos.

Nawala sa San Miguel ang korona ng nakaraang PBA Fiesta Conference matapos matalo sa nagkampeong Alaska, 4-2, sa kanilang best-of-seven championship series.

Samantala, kinuha naman ng Derby Ace si 6-foot-4 power forward Jerwin Gaco para takpan ang butas sa shaded lane ma­tapos malaman na hindi pa makakalaro sina 6’6 Kerby Raymundo at 6’5 Marc Pingris.
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http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php/sports...-on-alaska.html

All eyes on Alaska
by Zean Macamay
Monday, 06 September 2010 19:39
ALASKA wasn’t given much of a chance in the Fiesta Conference yet won.

Now coaches seem to rate the Aces as the team to beat once the Philippine Cup kicks off.

Two coaches with a combined 13 championships and another about to take over a powerhouse ball club have all regarded Alaska as the premier team in the PBA’s most prestigious tournament that opens on Oct. 3.

Jong Uichico of Ginebra, Talk ‘N Text’s Chot Reyes, and Ato Agustin of San Miguel Beer all project the Aces to make another run at the championship even though the ball club known for its systematic triangle offense had just came out from an exhausting title series against the Beermen last month.

“You can see how consistent they (Aces) are,” said Uichico, an eight-time champion. “They’ve always been there. For the past four conferences, they have been in the Finals three times. You can’t ask for more. And for sure, they will be a force to be reckoned with once again in the Philippine Cup.

“Maski wala na si (Diamon) Simpson, malalaki pa rin sila. They have Sonny Thoss, and (Samigue) Eman is expected to play more minutes in the Philippine Cup.”

Reyes also rated Alaska as his No. 1 choice when asked for a projection, while Agustin, who was named to replace Siot Tanquingcen days after San Miguel’s defeat to the Aces in the Fiesta Conference Finals (4-2), is also giving the Aces high chances to making it back-to-back.

“You can never count out Alaska. Maganda ang organization nila,” said Agustin.

Jorge Gallent of Derby Ace also listed Alaska as his first team, but later on said that the teams he mentioned like San Miguel Beer, Talk ‘N Text, Ginebra and his own squad are just spur-of-the-moment picks and not necessarily in that order.

San Miguel Beer, the team that failed to win a championship last season despite having a collection of big names, is seeded No. 2 by four coaches – Uichico, Bo Perasol of Powerade, Agustin, and Reyes — while rated third by Meralco mentor Ryan Gregorio.

The Tropang Texters, on the other hand, was seeded first by Perasol while the Llamados were the highest rated by Gregorio, their former coach.

Upon learning that Marc Pingris and Kerby Raymundo will not play for at least five months, though, Gregorio said that that factor will be big in the franchise’s campaign to become the first team in 25 years to repeat as Philippine Cup champions since Great Taste in 1985.

“Oh that’s big. That’s very big,” said Gregorio.

Shortly after winning its 13th championship, Alaska coach Tim Cone said that they are ‘excited’ to play in the season-opening conference. Cone said that he is expecting Thoss to fully recover from his knee injury and is eager how well Eman will figure.

The Aces are also expected to see more of Mark Borboran, who is anticipated to have added minutes after Alaska traded Larry Fonacier to Talk ‘N Text in exchange for the Texters’ fourth-round pick the Aces used to acquire another UE standout Elmer Espiritu.

In a related development, Powerade finally signed up Sean Michael Anthony yesterday, according to coach Perasol, while Beau Belga inked a two-year deal with the Bolts.

Perasol, however, did not divulge details over the amount and length of the contract.

“I don’t have the details but I don’t think we are going to give him the maximum contract for a rookie,” said Perasol.

Anthony was picked sixth overall by Air21 Express last Aug. 29 in the Annual Draft, but was sent to the Tigers along with Ren-Ren Ritualo on the same day in exchange for a first-round pick next year.
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http://www.bworldonline.com/main/content.php?id=17255

Give And Go -- By Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Old format

The days of the "grand slam" champions in the Philippine Basketball Association are back as the league returns to its old three-conference format starting next season.

Hoping to eliminate "non-bearing" games which are unappealing to the fans, the PBA had decided to bring back the tri-tourney season not seen since 2003.

From 2004 up to last season, the league went for the two-conference format beginning in October to accommodate international tournaments that PBA players were asked to participate in. It was also said to be the league’s way in channelling the focus of the basketball public to the big local collegiate leagues whose seasons run from June to October each year.

For the PBA’s 36th season which fires off next month, it will once again feature one all-Filipino tournament and two import-laced conferences from one all-Pinoy and one import-reinforced tourney the previous six years.

The all-Filipino Philippine Cup this time around will have a shortened 14-game elimination schedule per team, from 18. The 10-team field will engage in an inter-intra elimination setup where they will be divided into two groups. Those in the same group will face each other once in the elims and play the teams in the other bracket twice.

Only eight teams advance after the elimination round with the top two teams getting a twice-to-beat advantage over the no. 7 and 8 teams, respectively, in the quarterfinals. The other pairings -- no. 3 vs. no. 6 and no. 4 vs. no. 5 -- engage in a best-of-three quarters series. The semifinals and finals will be best-of-seven affairs.

The two import-flavored tournaments have different formats from that of the Philippine Cup.

For the second conference, with reinforcements with the same height limit (still to be determined), the 10 teams will engage in a single round-robin affair in the elimination. Only six teams get to advance into the play-offs with the top two going straight to the semifinals and the remaining four paired in two best-of-five quarterfinal matchups.

The third conference, which will have a handicapped system as per imports’ height cap depending on the performances of the teams in the previous two conferences, will also feature a single round-robin elimination phase. Six teams get to advance in the next round as well but this time they will still play another round carrying their win-loss records from the elimination round. A team which wins four of five games in the second round -- irrespective of its overall record -- gets an automatic play-off crack at a finals berth.

Returning to a "tried-and-tested" format, we should very well expect more exciting fares from the PBA. Angling not to make the games a drag, I think the league did just that with their tweaking of the league calendar in more ways than one. Will we see another grand slam winner? That and other questions we get to answer starting next season.