Pinoy Basketball Fan

Garnett, Lebron, Kobe, Tony and Boozer,

The 2008 Smart PBA Fiesta Conference resumes later at the Big Dome when league leaders Coca Cola and Red Bull face each other for the solo number 1 spot. It’s going to be good match up between the Jason Dixon and Adam Parada whose numbers are quite impressive. Rich Alvarez, despite a  nose injury will still suit up for the Barakos. It would be remembered that Alaska import Randy Holcomb hit Alvarez’s nose on April 19 in an out of town game.

Meanwhile, Barangay Ginebra will be parading its new import on Friday. Seven-foot-one Chris Alexander,  replaced Ernest Brown who played for a couple of games for the GinKings.

Playoffs Madness

Everyone’s going crazy with this NBA Playoffs going on. Lakers fans are surely on a high when they didn’t give the Denver Nuggets a chance to live another day. I was quite surprised to see the Atlanta Hawks win over the Boston Celtics yesterday, the series is tied at 2-2. Today we’ll see if the New Orleans Hornets can finally finish the series over the Mavericks. Same situation goes for San Antonio Spurs against the Phoenix Suns

Just in case you wanna know, this is James Yap’s first kid. His name’s Joaquin.

Don’t you just miss those days?

PBA All Star Weekend’s gonna end tonight with the North All-Star vs South All-Star. Over the weekend we saw some highlights of the Rookies vs Sophomore and other side events like the Slam Dunk contest and Three point shootout.

We saw Ronjay Buenafe win the MVP for the Rookies as they won over the Sophomores, 101-97. Could it be that KG Canaleta’s absence gave way for Kelly William’s victory in the Slam dunk contest? And did Jimmy Alapag gave Renren Ritualo the chance to win the 3-point shootout?

PBL News

The Pharex Medics handed Harbour Centre its first loss with the presence of Mikee Romero yesterday at The Arena in San Juan. It was a close end-game with .8 seconds left when the Portmasters had the chance to tie the game. Harbour failed to force an overtime. Jason Castro scored 31 pts. while pllayer of the game Richard Salagada made 26 points for the Pharex Medics.

I almost forgot that I talked to one of the best point guards of the UAAP last month. It’s my second time to talk to him since that Championship celebration at the Embassy last year. This time around, I asked him some questions, like questions I never heard others ask him.
PBF: Whats the greatest perk you get from playing basketball?
JV: For me, it’s the scholarship. It’s a help for my family kasi instead they won’t have to spend for my tuition anymore.

PBF: Do you regret transferring from San Beda to La Salle?
JV: Of course not. After all of what’s been hapenning to me here in La Salle, there’s no point of being remorseful. And besides, it’s my dream to actually play as a green archer. In fairness to San Beda, that’s where I started playing basketball so I have so much respect for my mentors there.
PBF: You don’t stay in the player’s quarters. What’s up?
JV: I go home everyday sa Paranaque kasi I live with my sister (or brother? I’m not sure, I forgot sorry - PBF) and I have to look after her. Our parents aren’t here kasi.

PBF: What’s that greatest basketball thingy that’s gonna be most remembered?
JV: It’s not a championship game but it was kinda like a crucial game. I was in high school and I was like a bench player at that time. Then I nailed a buzzer beater shot, and we won.
PBF: We know Jackie’s your lovely girlfriend, but who’s your showbiz crush anyway?
JV: Angeline Jolie

While there’s no PBA games in Manila this weekend, you might want to visit the FEU gym to watch the Nike Summer League. Who knows, the next PBA superstar will be coming from this league.

Schedule: APRIL 25, 2008 FRIDAY

8:30 AM LA SALLE-ZOBEL VS JASMS Juniors - A
10:00 AM DLSU VS MMC Seniors - A
11:30 AM RP YOUTH VS PWU Seniors-D
1:00 PM SBC-ALABANG VS LYCEUM-CALAMBA Seniors - C
2:30 PM FEATI VS NU Seniors-D
4:00PM LYCEUM-MANILA VS UPHDS Seniors - B
5:30PM TRINITY VS DBTC Seniors-D

APRIL 26, 2008

8:30 AM JRU VS UST Juniors - A
10:00 AM MAPUA VS LA SALLE - LIPA Juniors - B
11:30 AM NOTRE DAME VS PUP Juniors - C
1:00 PM UE VS GRACE Juniors-D
2:30 PM CSB VS RP YOUTH Womens - A
4:00PM UP VS DBTI Juniors - C
5:30PM UPHDS VS NU Juniors - B

APRIL 27, 2008

8:30 AM ATENEO VS SBC Juniors - C
10:00 AM LSGH VS DBTC Juniors - A
11:30 AM LA SALLE - LIPA VS PUP Womens - A
1:00 PM ATENEO VS FEU Womens - A
2:30 PM FEATI VS SBC-ALABANG Womens - A
4:00PM UST VS PWU Womens - B
5:30PM ADAMSON VS NU Womens - B

Lots of activities are lined up for the PBA stars in Bacolod. The players started arriving in the city Wednesday morning. Aside from the traditional Rookie vs Sophomore and the North vs South basketball matches, the PBA idols will do some campus, mall and radio tours, basketball clinics tree planting sessions, etc.

The South All-Star Team headed by Coach Boyet Fernandez is composed of James Yap, Asi Taulava, Jimmy Alapag, Kelly Williams, Cyrus Baguio, John Ferriols, Dondon Hontiveros, Reynel Hugnatan, Peter June Simon, Sonny Thoss and Junthy Valenzuela. On the other hand, Ryan Gregorio will mentor the North All-Star team. Mark Caguiao, Jayjay Helterbrand, Mark Pingris, Lordy Tugade, Kerby Raymundo, Nic Belasco, Mac Cardona, Ranidel de Ocampo, Willie Miller, Arwind Santos, Rico Villanueva and rookie Ryan Reyes make the line up.

Friday afternoon, the activities will be aired on ABC-5.

Actually most of basketball players are into making their muscles big. Though I know some who don’t really work out after practice, their bodies will tell. They are actually my inspiration why I enrolled in the school fitness center. Here’s Sonny Thoss, working his ass out in Eclipse, a 24/7 gym in Malate and Shaw.

No PBA games today, Friday and Sunday. But for those who want to see some basketball action, here are some suggestions:

 Fil-Oil Basketball Schedule

April 23, Wed (Arena)
12 PM  MIT vs ADU
2  PM  UPHSD vs NU
4  PM  JRU vs. FEU

        
APRIL 24 (THU) – ORETA SPORTS COMPLEX

2:00PM Bacchus Energy Drink vs. Hapee Toothpaste
4:00PM Toyota Otis vs. Pharex Medics