Black to Coach RP team in SEA Games

Source: Manila Bulletin

By WAYLON GALVEZ

September 27, 2010, 9:08pm

Ateneo’s multi-titled mentor Norman Black is set to be named head coach of the national team in next year’s Southeast Asian Games in Indonesia.

MANILA, Philippines — Ateneo’s multi-titled mentor Norman Black is set to be named head coach of the national team in next year’s Southeast Asian Games in Indonesia.

A ranking official of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) said the 52-year-old Black was the top choice from a short list of coaches because of his achievements, particularly the past five years with the Blue Eagles in the UAAP.

The Thrilla In Manila: Nate Robinson Talks About His Filipino Roots

By Gerald Narciso

“I hope to hear more from Nate Robinson. He is going to have an entire country looking up to him as an inspiration. I am part filipino as well and proud to say “I am pinoy.” – YouTube user Pacman344140Hagler

Manila might be more than a dozen time zones away from Los Angeles, but people in the Philippines are fully aware of what’s going on with the Lakers as well as the other 29 teams in the league. To put things bluntly, Filipinos are crazy for the NBA. And by crazy, I mean like what college football is to people in South Bend. Or what soccer is to people in England and what hockey is to folks in Toronto. Get the point? The league has also taken notice of the passion Filipinos have for basketball.

Smart Gilas eyes NBA vets, ex-import

by Joey Villar | philstar.com

Smart Gilas Pilipinas is looking at two NBA veterans and a former PBA import as candidates for naturalization and replacement for Jamal Sampson, who failed to meet the team officials’ expectations.

Earl Barron, a member of the 2006 NBA champion Miami Heat who suited up for Red Bull years ago, has been considered for inclusion to beef up the Filipinos’ ambitious Olympic bid.

The seven-foot Barron has averaged an impressive 13.6 points and 8.9 rebounds for the Iowa Energy in the NBA’s developmental league, the NBDL and should be the best bet since he’s only 28 years old.

Smart Gilas’ Serbian coach Rajko Toroman is also considering the 6-11 Courtney Sims, a 26-year-old forward who normed 9.5 points and 5.5 rebounds for the University of Michigan Wolverines. He also played for the Indiana Pacers in the NBA two years ago.

Jameel Watkins, who suited up for Shell, has also been included in the short list of candidates.

China, Korea next on Smart Gilas radar

source: tribune.net.ph

Now that Smart Gilas Team Pilipinas is already familiar with Middle Eastern brand of basketball, it’s now time for it to take a closer look at two other major rivals — China and Korea.

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) executive director Noli Eala yesterday declared readiness to face the “real” Chinese and Korean national squads in preparation for the big-time tourmanents ahead.

“At this point, it’s time for us to play China and Korea, and probably Kazakhstan because this teams will be important for the boys to have a mental note on,” Eala said.

Fresh from a third-place finish in the prestigious 21st Dubai International Tournament — the toughest cage tourney in the Middle East — Gilas gained a good insight of Middle Eastern teams, giving them a good shot at winning against legitimate contenders like Iran, Jordan and Lebanon in the 2011 Fiba-Asia Championship which stakes a single ticket to the 2012 London Olympics.

SBP wants Asian test for Smart Gilas five

source: June Navarro | inquirer.net

After checking out the field in the Middle East, the Smart Gilas Pilipinas national team now wants to size up Asian powerhouses China and Korea.

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director Noli Eala said Smart Gilas should now test its mettle against the Chinese and the Koreans to get a clear picture of the opposition in the Asian Games in November.

“At this point, it’s time for us to play against China and Korea, and probably Kazakhstan, because its important for our boys to take a mental note of these teams,” said Eala.

Smart Gilas may clinch Williams from Sta. Lucia, PBA

source: Julius Manicad | tribune.net.ph

Kelly Williams is a handshake away from becoming a member of Smart Gilas Team Pilipinas, or so it seems.

Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) commissioner Sonny Barrios yesterday said transferring Williams to the national team is possible, but Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) should make a formal request and bring it before the PBA board of governors.

“It will all depend if and they make such a request and make a formal representation to the PBA board,” said Barrios, reacting to SBP project director Rajko Toroman’s appeal to enlist the 6-foot-7 versatile forward from Sta. Lucia Realty.

Toroman, SBP want Williams on RP five

MANILA, Philippines—A new import, a foreigner with Filipino roots and Kelly Williams.

That’s what the Smart Gilas national squad needs to come up with a competitive team that will gun for a berth in the 2012 London Olympics.

And the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) is keen on bringing in all three for national coach Rajko Toroman.

“We will need one player from the PBA and it’s Kelly Williams,” Toroman said. “That’s my wish. He will be good for us in the FIBA (Asia) Championship (in 2011).”

Smart Gilas’ loss is Lebanon’s gain

source: Beth Celis | inquirer.net

Remember CJ Giles, the 6-FOOT-11 Smart Gilas import with an attitude, who was being groomed for naturalization as a Filipino?

As you all know, he was dropped from the team some months back because he proved too difficult to handle. Giles was unheard of until the recent Dubai Cup where he scored 29 points for Lebanon to beat his former team Smart Gilas.

The other day, I had the opportunity to chat with Giles’ Lebanese coach, Fouad Abouchacra, who’s here in Manila on business and a little pleasure.

PBL-Liga merger talks ongoing

source: Joaquin Henson | philstar.com

A second meeting was held in Makati the other day to pursue a possible merger between the Philippine Basketball League (PBL) and Liga Pilipinas with PBA chairman Lito Alvarez, SBP executive director Noli Eala, PBL commissioner Chino Trinidad, SBP deputy executive director Bernie Atienza and SBP technical director Perry Martinez coming together to discuss a modus vivendi.

Wide-open race seen in upcoming PBL season

source: gmanews.tv

Expect a wide-open race for the Philippine Basketball League’s (PBL) first conference crown when the 2010-11 season opens on Feb. 13.

This was the assessment given by Pharex coach Carlo Tan when asked about the Bidang Generix’s chances in the upcoming season-opening tournament.

“What makes this conference exciting is the fact that all teams are evenly balanced, manpower wise. Like them, we really don’t know yet the capabilities of our team and we have spent a considerable time teaching the players how we want to play. But lets see if they’ve truly figured it out come game time,” said Tan.