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Smart Gilas' saga continues to be interesting (or shall I say complicating?). Read the article below from

Philstar:

Smart 5 keen on enlisting Williams

By Nelson Beltran (The Philippine Star) Updated May 05, 2010 12:00 AM

“Kelly Williams is a marquee player..."

| Zoom MANILA, Philippines - Smart-PLDT yesterday vowed to pursue its plan to tap Kelly Williams for Smart Gilas as Sta. Lucia expressed willingness to release its star player to the RP training team provided it is properly compensated.

Ricky Vargas, vice president of Smart-PLDT and vice chairman of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, said they would certainly approach Sta. Lucia top official Buddy Encarnado to discuss the matter.

“First of all, we really like Kelly to play for Smart Gilas. If that’s (Sta. Lucia-Talk n Text trade involving Williams) the only way for Kelly to play for Smart, then we would grab the opportunity. We thank Buddy (Encarnado) for that,” said Vargas in an interview with NBN Sports.

“There’s no official talk yet. But with Buddy’s statement, I will immediately call him, thank him and seek a meeting. We will not let this opportunity get away,” Vargas added.

On Sunday, Encarnado told The STAR they would let Williams join Smart Gilas if their own need is satisfied.

Smart Gilas coach Rajko Toroman is keen on having Williams in his roster especially with Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas having a hard time looking for a naturalized player.

Toroman and his chargers are now in deep preparation for the coming FIBA Asia Champions Cup and the Asian Games. The same team would vie in the Asian Olympic qualifier next year.

“Kelly Williams is a marquee player. They have to understand that our team would be jeopardized if we give him up without anything in return,” said Encarnado.

“We’re amenable if we’re compensated. How? I don’t know. They have to think of ways dahil nanahimik kami,” Encarnado added.

Encarnado hinted at a trade between Sta. Lucia and Talk n Text, and that’s something Vargas wants to explore.

“That’s a good offer and Talk n Text is willing to do that. But, of course, it requires board action and for the commissioner to favor such action,” said Vargas.

“Coach Rajko is not only after Kelly. He also wants Jarred (Dillinger) from our team. So this would really be a board policy decision,” Vargas added.

The affable Smart-PLDT official said they could offer their big men (Ali Peek and Nic Belasco) in exchange for Williams.

“I don’t want to second guess Buddy. He knows better, but I think they need big men,” said Vargas discounting the possibility of giving away Jimmy Alapag, Macmac Cardona, Jason Castro and Harvey Carey.

Vargas stressed they would pursue a trade as they’re committed to do everything to make Smart Gilas a competitive team.

“Our chairman Mr. Manny Pangilinan is committed to this. That’s why the Smart Gilas team has become the most traveled group of players. We’re being patient. We’re taking time and taking risk,” Vargas said.

Wtih this development, unit-unting nadi-diffuse yung original cast na naghirap, nangarap din, at nag-sakripisyo from the start

sayang talaga si skyrus. all he needed with ginebra was the playing time he would've deserved. unfortunately coach jong (paging mr. cojuangco...marami nang nakikiusap na palitan ito) never saw the talent in baguio...or he never liked baguio to begin with.

 

ginebra's loss is alaska's gain. baguio has certainly found a new home in alaska.

Did you see how Skyrus was able to blend with Alaska's dreaded triangle offense? I can see that other teams will have headaches in dealing Alaska, with him bringing in another dimension of the system.

Sayang talaga si Skyrus...

But it's never too late- why not try other coach or do another trade/s

For Premium- CALTEX:

Our power plant Chemist relayed to us that Caltex has the best quality (I dunno their testing process and criteria, though) when evaluated with Shell, Petron, and Total. This was a pre-qualification procedure prior to procuring a bulk requirement for the power plant's start-up fuel.

I wonder why the Ginebra management opt to trade Cyrus Baguio for another guard whereas what they need now is a big man who could patrol the paint as we all know that their latest acquisitions Yancy de Ocampo and John Ferriols was a flop.

Good point! Remember they still have Junthy and Intal who could also play the 2.

Just hope Miller will fit in or will be 'reborn'

I like Miller's performance 'though in the Powerade Pilipinas stint...

I just hope maipasok ni Miller ang free throw down the stretch para di siya pagdudahan ng ibang fans

No doubt ..Miller is an explosive player but Alaska traded him because of questionable crunchtime performances in their losing finals stint in the AllFilipino conferences the past two years..the truth is he is on the trading block as early as last year..Alaska management is just too decent and proper not to divulge it- they have that way of making it a 'graceful' exit even for imports who hadn't passed their grade.

Sana lang wag sila magpasikatan nina Jayjay and Mark Caguiao- all three of them are scoring guards, are effective holding the ball from way out of the shaded lane, and are designated crunchtime go-to-guy player...

For Pork Inihaw and Prito - Suka with sibuyas, luya, and sili

For Fish Inihaw and Prito - Toyo with calamansi, sibuyas, and sili (pwede rin bagoong balayan in lieu of toyo)

For Fried Chicken - Gravy or Del Monte Catsup

Pad Thai

Bagoong Rice

Thai Iced Tea

Dean Henson's Report on his 'Sporting Chance'

Uichico’s gamble is Ambres will play with the same intensity he displayed in the D-League.

The downside is Ambres had a so-so varsity career. After averaging 21.2 points and 14 rebounds as a senior at Opelousas High School in 2001-02, Ambres joined the Louisiana State University varsity but couldn’t crack the lineup. He wound up sitting out two seasons before gaining eligibility at Southern Mississippi in 2004-05, averaging 7.7 points. In 2005-06, Ambres averaged 6.4 points in 31 games with the Golden Eagles then transferred to Southern Nazarene in the NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics).

At Southern Nazarene, Ambres finally hit his stride, averaging 15.2 points and 8.2 rebounds. He led the varsity to the Sooners Athletic Conference title, firing 24 points in Southern Nazarene’s 82-68 win over Northwestern Oklahoma State.

Ambres played for CSU Caudripol Brasov in Romania, averaging 18.1 points and 8.5 rebounds in 26 games in 2007-08 then suited up in the D-League.

Justin Timberlake's "Love, Sex, and Magic"

Ginebra has a new import by the name of Mildon Ambres anyone heard of this guy ?

From Philstar's sports news:

Derby Ace, Ginebra sign new imports

By Nelson Beltran (The Philippine Star) Updated April 26, 2010 12:00 AM

PUERTO PRINCESA, Philippines – B-MEG Derby Ace and Barangay Ginebra are two teams returning from the PBA All-Star break with new imports in tow.

The Llamados have signed Cliff Brown to take over from Lorenzo Wade while the Kings took in Mildon Ambres to replace Awvee Storey.

Brown, teammate of Jai Lewis with the Toyota Alvark in the Japanese league, is already in town, joining the Llamados in practice in Manila yesterday, according to team manager Alvin Patrimonio.

Wade has been put on the injured list, thus, he can be reactivated anytime the team wishes to.

Brown, 25, is listed as a 6-foot-7 power forward, who’s veteran of the European league.

Ambres is also 25, fresh from a stint with the Idaho Stampede in the NBA Developmental League.

The Kings and the Llamados are tied with the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters at fourth place with identical 3-2 win-loss cards.

San Miguel leads the tourney with a 5-1 record, followed by Talk n Text at 5-2 and Coca-Cola at 4-3.

I hope SG gets a naturalized shot-blocking and rebounding big man in time for the Asiad. If it does, a top 3 finish is probable.

Yah! That's the one missing in the puzzle...Let's hope they get one (with no attitude problem)

I go for the original Del Monte...just with ice...

There are still a lot of hardcore fanatic pineapple drinkers...due mainly to the rising awareness of wellness and fitness...You see, the unadultered pineapple juice (Del Monte is one) has a lot of fibers and nutrients plus it's high on the much important Vitamin C

Oh no ... latest news has it that Gilas may just play all Filipino in the FIBA ASIA CHAMPIONS CUP and possibly the ASIAN GAMES since they are having a hard time finding a naturalized candidate. un latest na target nila mukhang di nagkasundo sa negotiations.

 

Ok lang all filipino sa Champions Cup pero sana sa Asian Games meron na. Malaking bentahe pa rin ang may naturalized player.

They can make do with All-Filipino in the Fiba-Asia Champions Cup, but in Asian Games Toroman knows too well we need a naturalized player. Sana naman makakuha sila sayang lang ang magandang vision nila para sa RP basketball team. Their performance in the Asian Games will be the make-or-break, kasi halos lahat na ng formula ay nasubukan. I would like to think this formula (getting young excellent and dedicated players built around a solid and advance amateur system reinforced by a tall skillful naturalized player and trained for a considerable period of time to hone their coherence where they can breathe and live the visioned system of their competent coach) can work.

Read the news article below:

Gilas to play all-Filipino in FIBA-Asia

By Joey Villar (The Philippine Star) Updated April 23, 2010 12:00 AM

MANILA, Philippines - Without a talented foreign reinforcement in sight, Smart Gilas Pilipinas faces the specter of playing without a naturalized player in the FIBA-Asia Champions Cup next month and the Asian Games in Guangzhou, China this November.

RP’s Serbian coach Rajko Toroman said he is preparing the Nationals for the possibility of playing All-Filipino in both the 21st FIBA-Asia Champions Cup in Doha, Qatar and the Asiad without saying they’re giving up on their import hunt.

“We’ll play All-Filipino in Guangzhou if we don’t find an import in time,” said Toroman, who steered the Iranians to the 2007 FIBA-Asia Championship in Tokushima, Japan and the 2008 Beijing Olympics before accepting the RP coaching job.

Smart Gilas manager Frankie Lim, however, stressed he’s not giving up and is currently persuading some prospects in the Euro League to fill up the team’s need for an imposing big man.

“We’re not giving up, we’re doing all we can to find one,” said Lim.

If they couldn’t find an import before the Champions Cup slated May. 22-30, Toroman said they might tap a Serbian instead – 6’10” Milan Vucicevic.

Toroman also hopes Fil-Am Greg Slaughter will step up big for the team in these two big events.

“Since the FIBA-Asia Champions Cup last year when we finished fifth, Greg has improved tremendously. He’s now our first option at center position,” said Toroman.

“If we don’t find an import, we’ll be ready with Greg,” he added.

There were attempts at tapping several names but all of them opted to go for other teams. The latest was former UCLA standout seven-footer Michael Fey, who chose to go to China instead.

Bakit hindi na lang si freeman ang kunin nilang naturalized player

Freeman is better than most...but what is needed in the team, as been divulged by Coach Toroman, is a tall pure center who can crash the boards, swat shots near the baskets, intimate inside, and can match up with the Asian giants (who are now getting more skillful, plus their fearsome naturalized players with more than average court smarts)

oo nga! prang mei amnesia tlaga si Jong!

pag mainit binabangko!

 

tlaga nman oh! GRABE ANG GALING!

I totally agree as well...since proving to all non-believers that he's indeed a national player and not just a flashy show time player parang udlot and development ni skyrus. una tinapon ni coach yeng (ironically the coach who included him in the RP team), tapos parang konti lang minutes niya on the floor dito sa ginebra(dahil overload marahil sa 2 at 3)

I notice that everytime ibabalik siya sa bench parang may panghihinayang sa mukha niya...

Just my opinion 'though....

Good to see your observations on Japeth. At least am not really indifferent in my opinion.

Moreover, Japeth's court smarts has left much to be desired. I dunno presently if he has already acquired the needed court IQ's in their recent sojourn on various countries. It's something time will teach- the so-called experience and maturity. Think Kerby Raymundo, a young Dennis Espino, or a taller Philip Cezar in their respective heydays.

I heard nag-bogged down ang negotiation sa naturalized player. Naghahanap na naman sina Toroman at Frankie lim- Tsk Tsk Tsk!!!

1. clean face with pure unscented soap and water

2. drink a lot of water

3. exercise a lot

4. laughter

5. enough rest and sleep

6. moisturize

7. everything in moderation

8. balanced diet

Poor time management (Filipino time)

Inggitan at hatakan pababa (Crab mentality)

Superstitious and old school religious beliefs (paurong at anti-progress)

Bilib sa mga banyaga at bihisa sa ingles (Colonial mentality)

Misato in Metrowalk Pasig. ..

Word of caution, though, it's advisable that you go in group. Kasi big servings per viand.Thus, you could only partake of multi-viand in groupies.

One menu busog ka na sa dami

Babes,

Ah! Ilang baybay na nga ba natin sa gilid ng kahabaan ng EDSA at Roxas Boulevard? Sanlibong mixed nuts, Chippy, French fries na yata ang nakalilipas. Kapag tayo’y magkasama ay lagi na lamang tayong naka-HHWW hanggang halos dumulas at kumalas ang iyong mga palad sa pasmado kong kamay.Kapag daka’y kakain tayo ng pansit o hamburger habang dama ko ang masugid mong pakikinig sa mga salitang namumutawi sa aking bibig. Kahit sa pagkain ay ang ganda mong pagmasdan-yung maingat mong paghalo ng wasabi at Kikko-man, ang pag-ubos mo pati ng mga malambot na mga buto ng fried chicken ng nakakamay lamang, ang paghigop mo sa tasa, at pagta-lop ng saging. At di makalimutan ang magaling at mabilis mong pagtusok sa mga fishball habang namamangha sa yo si Manong at aalukin kang bigyan ng sariling sawsawan ngunit ikaw’y tumanggi. Kitang kita ko ang ngiti at pagkabilid sa yo ni Manong. Nuo’y hindi pa laganap ang computer at cellphone kung kaya’t sa telepono tayo nag cha-chat at inaabot tayo hanggang umaga. Minsan nga off topic na ang responses ko sa sobrang antok pero ikaw focus pa rin.. Bilib talaga ako sa tatag mo sa puyat. Bawat mahawakan kong papel-tissue, bus ticket, resibo, balat ng kendi ay aking sinusulatan ng love notes at ibinibigay ko sa iyo. Kaya nga puno ng basura ang malaki mong wallet.

Naaalala mo pa ba yung mga lihim nating pagkikita? Kung bakit kasi hadlang ang iyong mga magulang di dahil sa ayaw nila sa akin kundi dahil sa ating kaibhan ng religious inclination. Nakarating tayo hanggang Tagaytay sa pamamagitan lamang ng mga pampasaherong bus, dyip, at traysikel. Hindi tayo lilisan ng Tagaytay hangga’t hindi nakakain ng Mushroom Burger. Eh yung guwardya sa Intramuros na parang si Jaworski. Sigurado akong di mo malilimutan yun. Miss ko na rin yung paghiga natin sa ibabaw ng pader sa Fort Santiago habang tinititigan ang mga bituin at ulap ng di alintana ang paroo’t parito ng mga tao sa paligid na pumupuna sa ating mumunting kababawan. Madalas din tayong tumambay sa Jazz Rhythms sa Greenhills dahil di ko kaya sa mga upscale bars na may live bands at singers.

Minsan sinamahan mo ako sa SM Cubao para bumili ng pants ko. Nandun ka habang sinusukat ko ang mga pants at tinatanong ko sayo kung bagay na sa akin. Dyahe ka pa nga na tumingin habang hahawiin ko na ang harang na kurtina. Minsan kumain tayo sa may Magnolia Ice Cream House sa may Sta. Mesa at hindi tayo pwedeng magtagal dahil tunaw na yung sorbetes. Wala pang trapik nuon kaya mula Sta. Mesa manonood naman tayo ng sine sa may Makati o sa may Harrison Plaza. Pagkatapos babaybayin din natin ang kahabaan ng Ayala habang namamangha sa mga nagtataasang mga gusali.

Ngunit kapag matatapos na ang gimik natin ay malulungkot na naman ako. Idagdag mo pa rito ang isiping sa paghatid ko sa inyo’y hanggang kanto lamang ako. Minsan nga pinabababa mo na ako ng taksi or traysikel kahit malayo pa sa kanto. Hindi mo rin ako maipakilala sa iyong mga kaibigan na karamiha’y kasamahan mo sa pananampalataya. Sa kabila ng lahat, natitiyak kong napakaliit nitong suliranin upang magapi ng aking napakadakilang pagmamahal sa iyo. Sa loob-loob ko, iisang Diyos ang nakikinig sa atin at nalalaman niyang dalisay ang layunin ko sa iyo. Natitiyak ko nuong mga panahong iyon, tayo pa rin sa finals.

Kahit paulit-ulit nating harapin ang ngitngit at hinagpis ng mundo, alam kong susukob ako sa paraisong ating-atin lamang- duo’y nag-uumapaw ang mga ngiti at saya. Hindi mabilang ang mga araw at gabi na binulungan ko ang Diyos para alagaan ka higit pa sa makakayanan kong gawin. Ikaw ang nagturo sa akin na hindi sapat ang pag-ibig lamang, ngunit hindi rin masama na umapaw ito. Ikaw lamang ang nakatagpo sa tunay na ako. Tulad ng pagkilala ko sa mga kakulangan mong hindi bumabawas sa iyong pagkatao, bagkus lalong dumaragdag sa iyong payak na kagandahan.

Salamat sa mahigpit na paghawak mo sa aking kamay upang tayong dalawa’y sabay na tumalon sa anumang matarik na kabundukan taglay ang katiyakang magkaroon tayo ng pakpak paglusong paibaba upang tayo’y muling lumipad paimbulog sa kalawakan. Sasamahan kita…magkasama tayong babaybay hindi lamang sa Edsa, Roxas Blvd., at Ayala, kundi pati ang mga susunod pang lakbayin ng ating pagsasama.

Ang paglakad mo’y patungo sa akin..at ngayo’y abot kamay na kita at sabay na tutungo sa altar sa muli nating pagpapakasal habang masayang nakamasid ang malalaki na nating mga anak.

Cupcake.

GOOD AND BAD NEWS (from the 'Dean' as related by Coach Toroman):

Smart-Gilas national basketball team coach Rajko Toroman said the other day Greg Slaughter is maturing to become a dominant force at the slot and the 6-11 Fil-Am center has improved dramatically since joining the elite squad.

Slaughter, 21, is redshirting at Ateneo this year to be eligible for the UAAP next season but his priority will remain Gilas. He previously saw action for the University of Visayas. His American father William is 6-3 and his Filipina mother Emma Fuentes, 5-7. Born in the US, Slaughter has lived the last few years in his mother’s home province of Cebu.

“Greg went up against seven-foot players in our recent Serbia games and held his own,” said Toroman. “He’s ready for the PBA right now. He’s developed post-up moves and in the UAAP, I think he’ll dominate. He’s gaining confidence by the game. Marcio (Lassiter) and Jayvee (Casio) were our best players in Serbia. Jayvee, however, hurt his knee and we’re still not sure how bad is the injury. He’s due for another MRI and we’ll find out the extent of the damage. Marcio eventually wants to play in the PBA and right now, he’s under contract with us. He’s adjusted very well to our system. He’s much closer to his teammates now. Marcio is a tough defender and reliable scorer who can play two or three.”

As for Japeth Aguilar, Toroman said he’s still working to get in shape, mentally and physically. “He had one great game in Australia that showed his potential,” said Toroman. “We expect much more from Japeth. Because he didn’t play much in college, he needs more exposure to improve his decision-making on the court. As he gains confidence, we’ll see him improve.”

Every player in the squad has raised his level of play, continued Toroman, singling out Chris Tiu, Mac Baracael, Dylan Ababou, J. R. Cawaling, Mark Barroca and Jason Ballesteros. Center Rabeh Al-Hussaini missed the recent Australian and Serbian tours to recover from surgery to remove bone spurs in his left foot. If Al-Hussaini is ready to play, Toroman will bring him along for the coming US and Canada series.

Toroman said he’s not waiting for Cebu’s 6-10 Junmar Fajardo and UE’s Paul Lee to join Gilas. “We’ve been inviting Fajardo for two years but his school won’t allow him,” he said. “We haven’t progressed in negotiating to recruit him. As for Paul, it’s too late for him to join. His focus is on the UAAP, PBL and later the PBA.”

Toroman said convincing an import to sign up is proving more difficult than expected.

“We were close to bringing in Dwayne Jones but he was taken by the Phoenix Suns,” said Toroman. “It’s too bad because he just sits on the bench in the NBA. We were also interested in Earl Barron but he went to the New York Knicks and he’s doing very well. Brian Butch was picked up by Denver. The big guys are thinking NBA not about playing overseas so it’s been difficult convincing the top talents to consider us.”

Toroman said 6-10 center Jared Homan of Iowa State – the same school that produced Lebanese import Jackson Vroman – is now the top naturalization candidate to play for Gilas.

Toroman said from what he knows, FIBA-Asia has still to decide which city will host the 2011 Olympic qualifiers. Manila has expressed the intention to bid but Iran, Jordan and Lebanon are expected to provide stiff competition.

“We were more competitive in Serbia this year even if we won only once compared to two games last year,” said Toroman. “It was a good experience for us. There was only one game where we were blown out and it was against a team with three Serbian national players, one Slovenia national player, an American import and several national junior players, including the MVP of the under-20 selection. With more size and experience, we could’ve won more games.”

After the Love has Gone - Earth, Wind, and Fire

Groovy Kind of Love- Phil Collins

What a Fool Believes- Michael McDonald

You're not alone- MJ

Sana'y Maulit Muli- Gary V

Baliw- True Faith

Hanggang Ngayon- Kyla

The Old Song- Pomeranz

Basketball, Badminton, Running, and Swimming

A latest word from Coach Toroman:

“We’re 70 percent ready for the Asian Games in November,” said Toroman. “The balance of 30 percent will be covered by the import, other new recruits and small details in defense. I think we’re on target. In Australia last month, we played the best young players. In Serbia a week ago, we played tough pro teams with lots of experience and talent. We learned more from the competition in Serbia. Time is going fast. Before this month ends, we’ll leave for Las Vegas to play five games then move to Canada for three games. Then, it’s the Stankovic Cup in Beirut, the Jones Cup in Taipei and the Asian Games in Guangzhou.”

Searching for the elusive Mr. Right to shore up the middle as a naturalized import, Smart Gilas national basketball team coach Rajko Toroman said yesterday aside from picking Jared Homan of Iowa State, he is studying the option of adding a few more Fil-foreigners for the FIBA-Asia Champions Cup in Doha on May 22-30.

Toroman said other possible recruits in the pipeline are 6-6 Fil-Italian Nico Monacini, 6-8 Fil-German Christian Standhardinger who averaged 8.1 points for the University of Nebraska varsity this past season and 6-1 Fil-Italian Chris Banchero of Seattle Pacific University.Fil-Am guard Chris Lutz of Marshall University is completing his obligations in school and will be ready to join Smart-Gilas for the Doha tournament.

Two points:

1. parang cramming pa rin at di 100% formed

2. baka puro Fil-foreigners na lang matira

At 5'7" , I want it lean but mean...

ala Manny Pacquiao, Derek Ramsay, and/or Tom Cruise