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 ~ aN oNlInE sCrApBoOk FoR nAnInG ~
dIs BlOg WaS cReAteD sOlElY tO bE ernani epondulan's UnOfFiCiAl SiTe. In ThE nExT cOuPlE oF dAyS, nEwS aRtIcLeS aNd AnYtHiNg AbOuT ernani wIlL bE fEaTuReD hErE.
tHe AuThoR wOuLd LiKe To EmPhAsIzE tHaT tHe SuBjEcT, uNlEsS nOtIfIed, Is NoT aWaRe Of ThIs BlOg'S eXiStEnCe. AnY aNd AlL eNtRiEs ApPeArInG hErE aRe SoLe ReSpOnSiBiLiTy Of ThE aUtHoR.
~ WARNING LABEL ~ | Informationi | | ernani epondulan is a RESTRICTED AREA. Authorised personnel only. Enter at your own risk. |
  | How to make a NANING cocktail |
Ingredients:
1 part intelligence
5 parts self-sufficiency
2 parts understanding
3 parts patience |
Method:
Combine in a tall glass half filled with crushed ice. Serve with a slice of caring, a quarter of self-preservation and a pinch of salt. Yum! |
~ an INVITATION ~
It doesn't interest me what you do for a living. I want to know what you ache for, and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart's longing.
It doesn't interest me how old you are. I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for love, for your dreams, for the adventure of being alive.
It doesn't interest me what planets are squaring your moon. I want to know if you have touched the center of your own sorrow, if you have been opened by life's betrayals or have become shriveled and closed from fear of further pain. I want to know if you can sit with pain, mine or your own, without moving to hide it or fade it or fix it.
I want to know if you can be with joy, mine or your own, if you can dance with wildness and let the ecstasy fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes without cautioning us to be careful, to be realistic, to remember the limitations of being human.
It doesn't interest me if the story you are telling me is true. I want to know if you can disappoint another to be true to yourself; if you can bear the accusation of betrayal and not betray your own soul; if you can be faithless and therefore trustworthy. I want to know if you can see beauty even when it's not pretty, everyday, and if you can source your own life from its presence.
I want to know if you can live with failure, yours and mine, and still stand on the edge of the lake and shout to the silver of the full moon, "Yes!"
It doesn't interest me to know where you live or how much money you have. I want to know if you can get up, after the night of grief and despair, weary and bruised to the bone, and do what needs to be done to feed the children.
It doesn't interest me to know or how you came to be here. I want to know if you will stand in the center of the fire with me and not shrink back.
It doesn't interest me where or what or with whom you studied. I want to know what sustains you, from the inside when all else falls away.
I want to know if you can be alone with yourself and if you truly like the company you keep in the empty moments.
It doesn't interest me who you are. I just want to know YOU.
-oriah mountain dreamer-
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Saturday, October 09, 2004
hi, everyone!
ok...i'm back from a 7-day break. i thought i'd be back roaring but i was wrong. i'm bone-tired. long breaks usually do that. what more, i'd be working 8 days straight. Friday to Friday. rar!
i'd be posting soon all February 2004 articles. i've had it stashed somewhere. i just have to organize it. somehow. when i have the time and the energy and the will.
meantime, i'd like to welcome back ERNANI. fresh from his trip to Brunei. I'm not sure if he'll get to read this, though. he's ever the INCOGNITO. always. what else is new? =)
wala ba akong pasalubong, ning...
nagtatanong lang po.
Thursday, September 30, 2004
i've been busy the past week that's why i wasn't able to post a new entry. sorry for that.
i'll have long holiday starting tomorrow October 1 and will be back on the 8th so you won't hear from me for a while. but expect me to come back roaring! haha!
comments are very much appreciated so keep them coming. you can post anytime you want. i just love reading them! hope to find a number when i get back. =)
until then, everybody! God bless!
Thursday, September 23, 2004
oki! so here's the first installment for 2004. sorry for the delay...i had a very much needed break. tsaka, birthday ko no! wala man lang bumati sa kin...rar! haha! bitaw oi, read on! M. LHUILLIER SINULOG CUP CHAMPIONS 2004!
by Anthony Servinio January 31, 2004
CEBU City – An expected classic championship game turned into an ugly rout as M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu totally outclassed Mail & More-MayniLA, 97-78, Saturday (January 31) to annex the 2004 Panasonic National Basketball Conference (NBC) Sinulog Cup at the New Cebu City Coliseum.
The Cebuanos tried to settle the outcome as early as possible with Jessie Lumantas and Bong Marata accounting for 10 points each in the opening canto en route to a 13-point lead, 31-18. With their frontline struggling, Mail & More turned to their high-scoring guards Ernani Epondulan and Axel Doruelo to slightly close in by halftime, 38-48.
Marata would pop in the points every time the Capital City cagers would attempt to rally in the third period, with Woodraw Enriquez adding two triples for good measure. M. Lhuillier still held an imposing 72-61 advantage entering the final ten minutes.
Looking to deliver the knockout blow, M. Lhuillier went on a 13-0 blitz to open the final period behind James Laygo and Bruce Dacia for an 85-61 tally. That was all they needed as they easily coasted to the championship, adding another piece to their already crowded trophy case and another title for Coach Raul Alcoseba.
Marata tallied 21 points, his best effort in the tournament sponsored by Panasonic, Sulpicio Lines, BJ Star Logistics, The Freeman, Nature’s Spring Drinking Water, Molten Basketballs, Hotel de Mercedes and Air Philippines. Dacia added 13 and was later named Most Valuable Player of the tournament. Doruelo and Epondulan paced Mail & More with 20 markers each.
In the battle for Third Place, Sulpicio Lines-Adamson took home its first trophy since joining the league last season by clipping the Spring Cooking Oil-San Pablo 7-Lakers, 81-79.
The game went down the wire, with Aldrich Reyes sinking three free throws at the 16-second mark to lift the 7-Lakers on top for the last time, 79-78. Suddenly, the ball was tossed to a streaking Mark Abadia who scored a field goal plus a foul. Abadia would miss the bonus shot but the Falcons remained ahead, 80-79. Strongman Jimmy Boy Robillos then drew a foul but folded under the pressure by missing both his charities. Abadia grabbed the defensive rebound plus a foul, splitting his charities for the final count with four seconds to go. In the final play of the game, Spring had a chance but Reyes missed a desperation triple at the buzzer.
Abadia led the Falcons with 23 points, 11 in the final period. Kenneth Bono followed with 17. Robillos topped Spring with 16 while Rodel Manuel added 14.
Special events were held in between both games. The tournament’s best individual performers were honored. Composing the Mythical Five were Dacia, Abadia, Epondulan, Rolly Menor of Spring and Mark Yee of Mail & More.
The M. Lhuillier Three-Point Shootout was also held with Adamson’s Patrick Cabahug needing an extra round to edge Doruelo for the title, 17-16. Other participants were Laygo and Aldrin Ocañada of M. Lhuillier, Patrick Tiongco of Adamson and Arnel Syyap of Fortune-Marikina.
The next scheduled NBC tournament is the Seven Lakes Invitational set for February 12 to 15 in San Pablo City to be hosted by Mayor Florante “Boy” Aquino.~*~It's M. Lhuillier Versus Mail & More For Sinulog Cup 2004
by Anthony Servinio January 30, 2004
CEBU City – It will be the veteran-laden M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Jewelers versus the youth brigade of Mail & More-MayniLA for the 2004 Panasonic National Basketball Conference (NBC) Sinulog Cup. This happened after both sides bested their separate opponents in contrasting fashion in the final day of the elimination round Friday (January 30) at the New Cebu City Coliseum.
Mail & More dashed the title hopes of the Spring Cooking Oil-San Pablo 7-Lakers in a game that needed an overtime period and a bizarre ending, 99-95. The 7-Lakers went on a 13-0 run in the final period of regulation to lead with 4:31 to go, 79-80.
However, Mail & More came roaring back behind the guns of tournament scoring leader Ernani Epondulan and Axel Doruelo. Doruelo hit a triple with 19 seconds left that tied the game at 83-83. In a sudden twist, the 7-Lakers missed six straight free throws in the final nine seconds that could have gave them the win. Actually, Spring coach Ted Magno knew that he had to win by at least nine points to boost his team’s chance of barging into the finals via the backdoor.
The game remained tight in the extension. With the score still tied at 95-95, Spring’s Aldrich Reyes missed two free throws with five seconds left. Christopher Corbin (196-C-76) grabbed the defensive rebound and drew a foul from Melvin Taguines. Corbin split his charities with three ticks to play to lift Mail & More ahead, 96-95.
In another bizarre twist, Spring’s Marphyl Limbo received the inbound pass and tossed a triple into Mail & More’s goal. The points were credited to team skipper Jose Magdadaro and thus ended the game in Mail & More’s favor.
Epondulan led the winners with 27 points while Doruelo added 18. Limbo topped Spring with 22 markers followed by Reyes with 18. ~*~MayniLA shoots down Falcons
by Rommel C. Manlosa
Sun.Star Cebu January 29, 2004
MAIL & More-MayniLA came up with a stunning game plan as the San Sebastian College-Recoletos Baycats-manned team waylaid the unsuspecting Sulpicio Lines-Adamson University Falcons, 84-72, in the National Basketball Conference’s Panasonic Sinulog Cup 2004 at the Cebu Coliseum last night.
Meantime, Spring Cooking Oil-San Pablo City relied on the energy and vigor of the Menor brothers, Rolly and Romar, to repulse the sudden uprising of Fortune-Marikina for a 92-81 victory.
Former USP point guard Donald Lim menaced the interior defense of the heftier and taller Falcons as he scored all of his eight points in the final quarter to lead Mail & More to its first victory after dropping its debut game to M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu the other night.
However, the all-out effort defending Adamson’s prized forward Kenneth Bono was the focal point of SSC-R Cavite’s victory.
“Actually our focus was to limit Bono and let their swingman score. Although their wing made the contribution, it was the huge contribution of Bono from the inside that was missing,” said Mail & More coach Egay Macaraya after the game.
With the taller and more experienced Christopher Corbin throwing his weight around Bono, the Falcons’ inside operator scored only one point – a far cry from his 21.5 points average in their last two games.
With their defense holding the inside, Ernani Epondulan led the running game of MayniLA as he scattered 29 points while Mark Yee finished with 15 markers.
Mail & More MayniLA made a good start to take a 19-15 lead in the first quarter before Sulpicio Lines-Adamson University came back with a 24-17 second quarter to close the first half ahead, 39-36, and continued to keep the lead as they closed the penultimate period, 60-56.
It was in the fourth quarter when Lim displayed his skills that gave MayniLA back the momentum en route to a 28-12 bashing for the victory.
Spring San Pablo, on the other hand, banked on the strong inside presence of brothers Rolly and Romar Menor to repel the second-half rebellion of the Kings.
The combined efforts of Bong Tan, Gil Lualhati, Elvis Tolentino Jr., and Alvin Pua erased the 52-34 halftime lead of San Pablo as Fortune-Marikina made a spirited ran in the third quarter.
However, the Kings failed to sustain the momentum when the Menors plus the outside shooting of Aldrich Reyes shifted the momentum back to the 7-Lakers.
San Pablo was more aggressive at the start of the final quarter as its defense held Marikina scoreless for four minutes and 30 seconds while scoring 10 successive baskets of their own.
Business tycoon and Marikina team leader, Tan, tried to salvage a win for the Kings as he broke Marikina’s long silence with an undergoal stab, but his efforts came short as the 7-Lakers were already going for the kill.
The Menors combined for 35 points while Reyes made an impact with his new team as he delivered 16 points for San Pablo City. Tan’s 25 points came to naught as Marikina suffered its third straight defeat.
Mail & More-MayniLA (84) – Epondulan 29, Ye 15, Corbin 15, Lim 8, Doruelo 5, Magdadaro 4, Panes 2, Alfafara 2, Bonocon 2, Cenita 2.
Sulpicio-Adamson (72) – Abadia 14, Tagupa 10, Cabahug 10, Tiongco 9, Hate 9,
Hugnatan 8, Poloyapoy 8, Alonzo 3, Bono 1. ~*~M. Lhuillier, Mail & More Win On Sinulog Day Four
by Anthony Servinio January 29, 2004
In the curtain raiser, Mail & More-MayniLA clicked all game long to deliver their second straight win by topping Fortune Kings-Marikina, 84-74. Mail & More remained on course for a possible shot at the finals while the Kings bowed out of the tournament with their fourth consecutive loss in as many games.
Prolific guards Ernani Epondulan and Axel Doruelo tallied double-digits as early as halftime, powering Mail & More to the lead, 53-41. Mark Yee then took over by unloading a dozen points in the third period to keep Mail & More on top after 30 minutes, 73-60.
Again, the Kings staged their patented late game surges via an 11-2 run that cut their deficit to only four points with 2:32 to play, 71-75. Epondulan played the role of fireman by answering with four straight points to quash the Kings’ dreams, 79-71, and 80 seconds on the clock.
Yee led Mail & More with 20 points followed by Epondulan with 17. Marlon Aredas showed the way for the Kings with 20 points while Marvin Sioco added 14.~*~Race For Sinulog Cup Tightens On Day Three
by Anthony Servinio January 28, 2004
CEBU City – Mail & More-MayniLA complicated the race for the 2004 Panasonic National Basketball Conference (NBC) Sinulog Cup by shellacking the Sulpicio Lines-Adamson University Falcons Wednesday evening at the New Cebu City Coliseum, 84-72. The win leveled Mail & More’s win-loss card to 1-1, while the Falcons stayed half a game ahead at 2-1. Idle M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala is the solo leader at 2-0.
The game was tight and intense all throughout. Jeffrey Tajonera and Jose Magdadaro saw themselves ejected from the game for fighting with 1:36 to go in the third canto. The Falcons led early in the final period, 65-61, when Mail & More dropped a 14-0 bomb via Dondon Lim, Mark Yee and Christopher Corbin to lead for good with 3:36 on the clock, 75-65. The Falcons tried to claw back but the lead was too much to overcome as Mail & More cagers answered back with timely hits to preserve the win.
Ernani Epondulan led all scorers with 29 points. Corbin and Yee backed him up with 15 markers each while accounting for most of their rebounds. Mark Abadia led the Falcons with 14 points while Ramil Tagupa and Patrick Cabahug added 10 points each.~*~Unexpected Thrillers Mark Sinulog Day Two
by Anthony Servinio January 27, 2004
CEBU City – Routs turned into unexpected thrillers on the second day of the Panasonic National Basketball Conference (NBC) Sinulog Cup Tuesday (January 27) at the New Cebu City Coliseum.
In the first game, the Sulpicio Lines-Adamson Falcons squandered a 28-point lead but had enough steam left to repel the gritty Fortune Kings-Marikina, 75-72.
With the Falcons on top, 69-57, Elvis Tolentino sank a triple and fellow Kings Bong Tan, Gil Lualhati and Alvin Pua followed with field goals to threaten with 43 seconds to play, 69-73. The Falcons bungled their next offensive allowing Tolentino to nail another triple to cut the deficit to a point with four seconds to go, 72-73. Ramil Tagupa then drew a foul and made his first but missed his second free throw. However, Mark Abadia came from nowhere to grab the offensive rebound with a second left to play plus a foul. Abadia then split his free throws for the final count. Patrick Cabahug scorched the nets for 21 points to lead the Falcons, who notched their second win in as many games in the tournament backed by Panasonic, Sulpicio Lines, BJ Star Logistics, Nature’s Spring Drinking Water, Molten Basketballs, Hotel de Mercedes and Air Philippines. Kenneth Bono added 13. Tolentino tallied 20 points for the Kings while Pua chipped in 16.
In the second game, host M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu stayed in pace with the Falcons by winning over debuting Mail & More-MayniLA, 85-76. M. Lhuillier looked headed for another blowout as veterans Bruce Dacia, Bong Marata, Woodraw Enriquez and Alan Caputolan toyed with their younger foes to take the first half, 47-38.
Mail & More then turned the tide in the third period on the inside plays of Mark Yee and long bombs of Ernani Epondulan to grab the lead entering the final ten minutes, 58-57. Epondulan sank a triple that gave the Capital City cagers a 65-61 lead with seven minutes left. That proved to be their last hurrah as Dacia, Enriquez and James Laygo combined in a critical 10-0 run that put the Cebuanos on top with three minutes to go, 71-65. Yee made a basket followed by another Epondulan triple to threaten for the last time at the 2:11 mark, 70-71.
Dacia and Danny Aying delivered the knockout blow by scoring six points each in a 12-2 as the MayniLA five collapsed in the final two minutes. Dacia topped all scorers with 24 markers, 12 in the second period. Enriquez supported him with 14 points. Epondulan led Mail & More with 20 points while Yee finished with 15 points.~*~
Tuesday, September 21, 2004
Rousing send-off for Spring cagers
Inquirer News Service September 21, 2004SPRING Cooking Oil-Laguna dropped a 16-4 bomb in the third quarter en route to an 81-72 victory over Forward Taguig at the C.P. Tinga gym Sunday night on the eve of its departure for the Sultan Cup invitational basketball tournament in Brunei. Lanky forward Rodel Manuel combined with 6-foot-9 Faheem Nelson to erase Taguig's 50-48 lead and power the Cooking Oil Masters to a 62-50 advantage going into the final canto. "I had a long flight, but I'm ready to play," said Nelson, who will reinforce Spring-Laguna together with 6-6 Keith Friel in the Brunei cagefest. The team of NBC president Nathaniel "Tac" Padilla and Laguna Gov. Teresita Lazaro left Monday afternoon. Spring-Laguna was pitted against Chinese-Taipei's Choun Tzu Yu Lon last night. The team was led by National Basketball Conference (NBC) sec-gen Tito Palma, Dennis Lazaro, Dennis Villa-Ignacio and Vic Sanchez. The members are playing coach Mike Buendia, Nani Epondulan, Marlon Kalaw, Chris Corbin, Rodel Manuel, Mike Garcia, Mar Reyes, Robin Mendoza, Danny Capobres and Christian Nicdao. After taking that 12-point lead, the Cooking Oil Masters never looked back. Also playing in the Brunei cagefest are Red Bull Barako and Purefoods of the PBA, Shanghai Sharks, TG Sambo Xers and the Taiwanese. The scores: LAGUNA 81-Epondulan 15, Nelson 14, Manuel 10, Reyes 7, Garcia 6, Capobres 6, Kalaw 5, Mendoza 4, Serrano 2, Caceres 0, Buendia 0. TAGUIG 72-Gumatay 17, Robillos 11, Magsambol 8, Bernardino 8, Ricafuente 7, Reyes 4, Roldan 4, Alberto 3, Go-bon 2, De Guia 0, Vilar 0.
Monday, September 20, 2004
before i start featuring the 2004 articles, allow me to share with you below articles i happened to dig online. they're ancient but worth reading. ;-) PBL FAVORS LOCAL CAGERS OVER IMPORTS
Manila, October 13, 1999
The Philippine Basketball League is bucking the trend of recruiting tall Filipino-Americans, and is concentrating on casting promising cagers from the country's top colleges and universities.
"Hindi kami naging agresibo sa pag-recruit ng Fil-Am players although our door is always open to them. But with or without Fil-Am players, kayang dalhin ang mga teams ng mga bagong players namin," PBL Commissioner Yeng Guiao told the PSA Sports Forum at the Holiday Inn yesterday.
A group of blue-chip varsity players, led by NCAA Most Valuable Player Kerby Raymundo, could become the PBL's centerpiece once they make their debut in the long-running commercial league.
Dubbed as the 'stars of the future,' Raymundo and his fellow homegrown rookies will be presented in formal ceremonies, tomorrow as part of the run-up for the second PBL-Yakult Challenge which kicks off on Oct. 23.
"We have some 10 or 15 of these blue-chip rookies. Tapos may iba pang promising naman talaga. Our role has always been to develop potential superstars. Dito sa liga makikita kung sino’ng player ang magsa-shine in two or three years' time," Guiao said.
Among the PBL's promising recruits are Nino Gelig and Cyrus Baguio of University of Santo Tomas, Ateneo's Enrico Villanueva and Wesley Gonzales, San Sebastian's Mark Macapagal, Jose Rizal College's Ernani Epondulan, Far Eastern U's Celino Francisco and Letran's John Paul Prior.
PBL officials expect a close race for the title because all the teams have strengthened their lineups with college players.
The collegians' exposure in a high-level competition like the PBL benefits their schools, according to Guiao.
Citing the last UAAP title series between La Salle and University of Santo Tomas, Guiao and PBL regulars Dino Aldeguer, Ren Ren Ritualo and Don Allado have been instrumental in leading the Archers to the title.
"I think the guys who played best in the UAAP are the PBL players," Guiao said, pointing out that the current Memorandum of Agreement between the PBL and the UAAP has been mutually beneficial.
Under the MOA, UAAP players can suit up for PBL squads after only two years in school.
However, La Salle president Bro. Rolly Dizon, citing the need to look after the academic welfare of the athletes, said he's likely to propose to stretch the required residency to three years.
"If they (Aldeguer and company) have not been given the chance to play earlier in the league, I doubt if the results of the finals would have been the same," Guiao said. ~*~MAJOR CHANGES IN ALL TEAM LINE-UPS, LEAGUE ITSELF IN MBA
by Bill Velasco
The Philippine Star April 1, 2002
MANILA - April 6 is D-Day for the Metropolitan Basketball Association. Not only have their been major changes in the line-ups of all the teams, but the league itself has undergone great change. Chairman Santi Araneta has adopted a new business model for the league to follow, and indications are that the decision to scale back the league’s greatest expenses (travel, satellite transmissions) will benefit the league in the short term.
But, in the end, this will all be gift-wrapping. If the games aren’t exciting, if there is no intensity, and if there are no rivalries and intrigue, will the fans still watch? Let’s check out the league’s main product, the teams themselves, beginning with the north, in no particular order. LBC-Batangas Blades. There has only been one change in the defending champions: Romel Adducul has left. Having said that, who will fill in the monstrous shoes of the perennial All-Star and one-time MVP? Will the champs become the most accomplished doughnut team in the league?
Coach Nash Racela is pinning his hopes on National University’s Ariel de Castro. The 6-5 rookie injured his right arm three months ago, and is coming along well, but this means that more of the scoring burden will fall back on the shoulders of past MVP Alex Compton (2001 stats: 17 ppg, 5 apg, 88 % FT).
The supporting cast remains rock-solid, if undersized. The same problem will persist: the lack of an able back-up center. But reigning MVP Eddie Laure (15 ppg, 9 rpg), Peter Martin (7 ppg, 10 rpg), Jeff Sanders (10 ppg, 6 rpg), Ralph Rivera (10 ppg), Choo-Choo Serrano and Tonyboy Espinosa provide an otherwise solid rotation. And their combined championship experience dating back to Manila Metrostars days will prove priceless during close games. Osaka- Pangasinan Waves. On paper, this team has the firepower to win it all. Giving the returning franchise Romel Adducul (15 ppg, 10 rpg, 2 bpg) and Chris Clay (a whopping 30 points and 5 assists per game) was akin to handing coach Lawrence Chongson a loaded double-barreled shotgun. Adducul will definitely go out of his way to prove he not only deserved to be the PBA’s top draft pick, but also improve his stock for next year’s draft. Clay, dubbed "Texas Thunder" for his high-impact style of play, was second only to Jeff Flowers in stats last year.
The bench is impressive, too. Gilbert Castillo (9 ppg, 5 rpg), Vilmer Bañares and Randy Alcantara will help greatly in the frontline, and add their championship experience from the San Juan Knights. Erstwhile Blade Bernard de Guia gives them another option at center or forward, while Iloilo MegaVolt and Nueva Ecija Patriot Francis Aquino (15 ppg) has always been reliable. There is also the team is short on centers. Cagayan de Oro held them to a stalemate two Wednesdays ago, and they play Pangasinan at home on opening day.
Exactly the kind of situation Francis Rodriguez loves. Cagayan de Oro Amigos. This is Peter Naron’s team. Period. They will live and die with the left-handed forward’s graceful scoring (17 ppg, 6 rpg). New head coach Ycasiano’s debut will be softened by the presence of many veterans. Nueva Ecija team captain Sonny Manucat (10 ppg, 80% FT) adds smarts to the backcourt along with former Pampanga Dragon and Laguna Laker Ruel Bravo and Surigao scoring leader Edwin Pimentel. They’ve also taken in former Manila Metrostar Dino Manuel and Davao center Randy Lopez to shore up the slot.
But the most interesting piece of the Amigos’ puzzle is the strong batch of rookies they’ve collared. NCAA MVP Ernani Epondulan starts at the point, and is joined by a powerhouse neophyte cast of Ricky Calimag, Ariel Capus, Francis Sanz and Derrick Bughao. How quickly they grow up will be the major sticking point for this suddenly young returning franchise. TPG-Davao Eagles. The last team to put together a line-up for the MBA 2002 season. With a few weeks left before opening day, head coach Bong Go saw how badly the Eagles were stomped in the frontcourt, and has high hopes for his new frontline.
Ateneo-Pioneer’s 6-6 Billy Mamaril will step in at center, backed up by former Cebu Gem, 6-5 Jan Montalbo. How strong this frontcourt will be may determined how far the Eagles go this season.
Friday, September 17, 2004
from the author with thanks
i created this blog one fine day, when i didn't have much to do. i was planning to post something in my "personal" blog but i couldn't form any coherent entry. my mind's been saturated from work and some other things, that's why. so i decided to make one for Naning. this started as a diversion. you know, to keep my mind off the loneliness being in a foreign country brings. also to save the news articles on Naning which seemed to "bump" into me whenever i'm into my daily ritual of reading online news from home. what started as a diversion eventually became an obsession in some way. for one, i wanted it to look really different from my blog. so i experimented. but the problem was, i couldn't open the site. my explorer won't open the URL. i couldn't see the blog for its entirety, just from the editing board - one by one, entry by entry. and i only have a vague idea of how it looks like. grrr! so i let Ging into my little secret. i gave her the URL and let her do some feedbacks. to Ging's standard the blog was really nice. but my other two blogs were also "nice" to her. and my being a neophyte in this field didn't stop her from proclaiming me as webmaster. hahaha! in my dreams, ging! thanks for the vote of confidence, though. i tried to find ways to view the blog so that i can decide for myself if it is really ok and up for public viewing. but to no avail. Ging has been pestering me to inform Naning about it. i wouldn't hear any of it until such time that i gave in. finally. kaso lang, NR naman. yesterday, Nora got to see this blog and she has nothing but praises. i'm OK now. my efforts been appreciated. the affirmation that i hope to get from the one that matters doesn't matter anymore. i hope to view this blog soon just so i can rate it according to my standard. *wink*. for now, i'm leaving this animation below to extend my heartfelt gratitude for appreciating my work. till next entry....God bless! 
Thursday, September 16, 2004
below article is about the game between Tribu Sugbu and Laguna Spring last Tuesday, September 14. Laguna won. I shouldn't have posted it since Naning's performance was a no-no but the news in bisaya amused me and i just wanted to share it out...read on! Sugbo napukan’
Sun Star Cebu Super Balita September 16, 2004
NAKASEGURO na’g puwesto sa division finals ang Laguna Springs human nila gibuntog ang Tribu Sugbo, 76-75, pinaagi sa overtime sa niaging gabii sa National Basketball Conference (NBC) sa gikagubtang RECS Complex sa Sta. Cruz, Laguna.
Ang Springs nikatkat og samot sa ibabawng bahin sa North division bitbit ang 8-5 nga baraha ug kon bisan unsa pay mahitabo sa nangahabilin pang mga duwa sa eliminasiyon, di na gyud sila sa maapsan.
Sa patakaran, ang mopatigbabaw sa matag North ug South mao ang makaderetso sa division finals unya ang mahabilin moagi pa’g laing ang-ang.
Human sa eliminasiyon, ang no.4 team sa matag division makigbatok sa twice-to-beat nga no.3 team.
Ang modaog ning sangkaa makig-harong sa naghuwat nga no.2 team alang sa best-of-three series sa division semi-finals.
Unya ang mopatigbabaw na niining duwaa mao ang makigbatok sa no.1 team alang sa division finals, nga kombatihan sab pinaagi sa best-of-three format.
Ang division champions mao ang mag-engkuwentro sa National best-of-five finals series.
Di hinuon kaayo tantong sakit alang sa Tribes ni coach Al Solis ang kapildihan gumikan kay segurado na man sila’g puwesto sa South finals pinaagi sa ilang 10-3 nga baraha.
Ang nakaapan lang kay naangol og balik ang walang tuhod ni Jojo Tangkay sa 1st quarter pa lang sa duwa ug wa na kini makabalik.
Apan bisa’g wa si Tangkay ug Ardy Larong, kinsa sulod na sa duha ka mga duwa nga wa makatunga gumikan sa kamatayon sa iyang amahan ning bag-ohay lang, ang Tribes nakakombate gihapon og insakto.
Apan alang ni Laguna playing coach Mike Buendia, gitumbok niya nga ang teamwork gyud maoy nagtuboy kanila sa kadaugan.
“This team has finally gotten together and played as one unit,” batbat ni Buendia. “Chris (Corbin) played his breakout game, and the other guys simply wanted to win and gave their share.”
Karong gabii, ang Tribes moatake sa Batangas 29ers sa pagpadayon sa torneyo nga suportado sa Panasonic, Spring Cooking-Oil, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, Sulpicio Lines, Nature’s Spring Mineral Water, Cebu Ferries, Air Philippines, Supercat, Skygo Motorcycles, Trans-Asia, Accel ug Molten.
Puntos matag usa:
Laguna 76 - Corbin 18, Capobres 16, Serrano 8, Garcia 8, Manuel 6, Reyes 6, Nicdao 6, Kalaw 4, Mendoza 2, Caceres 2, Epondulan 0.
Cebu 75 – Piodo 17, Dela Rosa 10, Concha 8, Almacin 8, Grijaldo 8, Elim 6, Sanders 6, Galinato 4, Lanete 4, Bucao 2, Mercado 2, Tangkay 0.
Wednesday, September 15, 2004
Spring taps 2 imports for Brunei tilt
Manila Bulletin September 15, 2004 SPRING Cooking Oil-Laguna will be reinforced by two talented Americans when it competes in the Sultan Cup invitational basketball tournament in Darussalam, Brunei on Sept. 20 to Oct. 1. The two are 6-foot-9 slotman Faheem Nelson and 6-foot-6 guard Keith Friel. "We expect to get a lot of help from these veteran players,’’ said playing coach Mike Buendia. The other members of the team co-owned by national shooting champion Nathaniel "Tac’’ Padilla and Laguna Gov. Teresita "Ningning’’ Lazaro are Nani Epondulan, Robin Mendoza, Mar Reyes, Marlon Kalaw, Rodel Manuel, Mike Garcia, Chris Corbin, Danny Capobres and Christian Nicdao. Tito Palma, NBC (National Basketball Conference) secretary general, is the delegation head. Dennis Lazaro is the team manager and former PBA star Vic Sanchez is the assistant coach. Two other Philippine teams – Red Bull Barako and Purefoods – will see action in the tourney together with the Shanghai Sharks, Taiwan’s Chuon Tzu Yu Lon and Korea’s TG Sambo Xers. The Cooking Oil Masters meet the Taiwanese on Sept. 21 and the Koreans on Sept. 22 in the preliminary round of the tourney which offers an estimated R1 million for the champion. "We are honored to be invited to this prestigious event,’’ said Padilla and Gov. Lazaro, whose team is currently on top of the North division in the ongoing NBC tourney. Nelson played for three US colleges – Southern Idaho, L.A. Valley and Biola University before turning pro. He led his team, Hamar, to the Iceland (Intersport) League playoffs where he averaged 18 points, 13 rebounds and four blocks per game. Friel was named New Hampshire player of the year in his senior year and was a three-time First Team All State Selection member. Buendia, Corbin, Epondulan and Manuel played for Goh Brothers, which won the title last year when the event was limited to Brunei clubs spiced up by Filipino players.         
Sunday, September 12, 2004
2003...pinahirapan ako nito!
Spring, Ilocos Sur March To Semifinals
by Anthony Servinio December 9, 2003
SAN Pablo City – Spring Cooking Oil-San Pablo advanced to the semifinal round of the Panasonic National Basketball League (NBL) Regional Conference by besting Restolax Mail & More-MayniLA, 76-65, Tuesday evening (December 9) at the Florante Aquino Stadium.
Marphyl Limbo was the last man called off the bench by Coach Ted Magno but he made the biggest impact. Limbo combined with Rodel Manuel and Melchor Crisostomo during the critical third period that saw Spring outscore MayniLA, 21-13, and build a 61-49 edge entering the final period. However, the third period also saw the ejection of Spring’s starting center Rolly Menor with 4:18 left. Sans Menor, the veteran Crisostomo took over.
MayniLA tried their best to force a winner-take-all match as Francis Sanz and Jonathan Serrano rallied the troops in the final period. Still, Limbo unloaded seven points to cool their opponent’s rally hopes as Spring coasted to the win. The MayniLA quintet sorely missed the services of prolific guard Ernani Epondulan who was down with a bad fever.
Up next for Spring in the semifinals is top seed M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu. The Cebuanos earned a free pass to the semis by virtue of their topping the team standings.
Limbo topped Spring with 17 points while Manuel added 16 points. Crisostomo had a double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds. Sanz led MayniLA with 20 points and 12 rebounds while Serrano chipped in 13 points.
Up north at the Santo Domingo People’s Center in Ilocos Sur, the Ilocos Sur Snipers needed an overtime to survive the Sulpicio Lines-Pampanga Raging Bulls, 95-88. The Snipers will now meet the winner of the series between defending champion Shineway Compak-Ozamiz and Grachiya-Adamson Falcons.
~*~Shineway, Ilocos Sur Close Sked With Wins
by Anthony Servinio December 8, 2003
OZAMIZ City – Defending champion Shineway Compak-Ozamiz closed out the classification round schedule of the Panasonic National Basketball League (NBL) Regional Conference with a resounding 75-61 win over the Sulpicio Lines-Pampanga Raging Bulls Saturday night (December 6) at the Governor Angel N. Medina Sr. Memorial Gymnatorium.
Shineway improved its win-loss record to 5-2, good for third place and a date with sixth placed Grachiya-Adamson Falcons in the quarterfinals.
Earlier in the day at the Reyes Gym in Mandaluyong City, the Ilocos Sur Snipers thwarted the tough challenge of Restolax Mail & More-MayniLA, 95-86. The win enabled the Snipers to tie idle M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu on top of the leader board at 6-1. However, the Cebuanos grabbed the top spot and a free pass to the semifinals by virtue of their win over the Snipers in the classification round.
MayniLA constantly threatened behind the hot hands of Ernani Epondulan. The game went down the wire with MayniLA threatening with two minutes left, 77-81. Suddenly, Kenny Evans uncorked a pair of triples that built a 93-82 lead at the 15-second mark and thwart the hopes of the Capital City cagers.
The Snipers will face the Bulls in the quarterfinals while MayniLA meets the Spring Cooking Oil-San Pablo 7-Lakers. The Snipers and 7-Lakers enjoy the twice to beat advantage.
Evans topped all scorers with 29 points. Antonio Reyes added 19. Epondulan paced MayniLA with 26 points while Francis Sanz chipped in 12 markers.
~*~Spring, MayniLA Strengthen Playoff Bids
by Anthony Servinio November 27, 2003
MANILA – The Restolax Mail & More-MayniLA squad arrested their losing skid by escaping with a nail biter against host Grachiya-Adamson Falcons, 63-61, in the Panasonic National Basketball League (NBL) Regional Conference Thursday night (November 28) at the Adamson University Gym.
MayniLA appeared headed for an easy win as they controlled the first half behind Malai Malabanan, Francis Sanz, Ernani Epondulan and former Falcon Bong Salvador, 38-39. However, the Falcons staged a big rally behind Mark Abadia and Patrick Cabahug to seize control entering the final period, 54-51.
The Capital City cagers regained the lead until Jojo Hate made two free throws off Malabanan to tie the game for the last time with 1:59 to play, 59-59. Epondulan then sank a big triple with 1:03 left push MayniLA back on top, 62-59. Cabahug scored to threaten at the 17-second mark, 61-62. Not yet in the penalty situation, the Falcons were forced to go on a fouling spree to stop the clock. Playing assistant coach Efren Garcia made his first free throw for the final tally then wisely missed his second with four seconds on the clock and the Falcons collaring the defensive rebound. Abadia’s desperation heave from mid-court circled the rim before popping out at the buzzer.
Sanz paced MayniLA with 12 points and 10 rebounds while Epondulan added 10. Abadia and Cabahug led the Falcons with 21 and 13 points respectively.
~*~M. Lhuillier Creams MayniLA, 75-73
by Anthony Servinio November 22, 2003
MANILA – The rampage of M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu over the opposition in the Panasonic National Basketball League (NBL) Regional Conference continued Saturday afternoon (November 22) at the University of Manila Gym with host Restolax Mail & More-MayniLA as the victim, 75-73. The Cebuanos streaked to their sixth straight win while the Capital City squad dipped to 1-2.
Playing with less than 24 hours rest, M. Lhuillier ran off with the first period as Aldrin Ocañada scattered 12 points, 23-15. The Cebuanos held their form to lead at the half, 43-34.
Fatigue began to set in, allowing MayniLA to stage a telling 8-0 run early in the third period to grab back the lead for the first time behind Bong Salvador, Ernani Epondulan and Jonathan Serrano. However, M. Lhuillier recovered to keep a slim one-point edge entering the final period, 58-57. The game went down the wire. Francis Sanz scored to tie the game for the last time, 72-72. However, Sanz fouled Aldrich Reyes with 47 seconds left with Reyes sinking both free throws to break the tie, 74-72. MayniLA bungled its next possession, forcing them to foul Ruben dela Rosa with 30 ticks on the clock. Dela Rosa then split his charities, 75-72, and then quickly went back on defense to swipe the ball away from Epondulan. M. Lhuillier managed to launch several shots until Epondulan grabbed the rebound only to be fouled hard by dela Rosa resulting in a technical foul at the nine-second mark. Epondulan sank the free throw to close in, 73-75. With possession staying with MayniLA, Serrano drove hard for the basket but the ball was coughed out by the ring and dela Rosa grabbing the defensive rebound to keep M. Lhuillier’s win streak alive.
Bruce Dacia powered M. Lhuillier with 14 points, followed by Ocañada whose 12 points all came in the first period. Epondulan led MayniLA with 18 markers while Serrano chipped in 16. The win assures M. Lhuillier of hosting one of the two semifinal brackets beginning December 9.~*~MayniLA, Ilocos down NBL rivals
Inquirer News Service November 17, 2003
SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga -- Restolax/Mail & More-MayniLA debuted on a winning note as it edged Sulpicio Lines-Pampanga, 80-76, Saturday in the 2003 Panasonic-National Basketball League Regional Cup tournament at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center here.
Ernani Epondulan powered MayniLA to the victory by drilling in 27 of his 31 points in the second half.
In the other match, the Ilocos Sur Snipers whipped defending champion Compak Shineway-Ozamiz, 85-74, to make it three in a row and regain solo leadership in the tourney sponsored by Panasonic, BJ Star Logistics, Sulpicio Lines, Molten and Nature's Spring.
Billy Bansil and Marlon Tadeo lifted the Raging Bulls to a 40-36 lead at halftime but Epondulan scattered 14 points in the third quarter to shove the Manilans ahead, 60-57~*~Snipers Now 3-0; MayniLA In Good Debut
by Anthony Servinio November 15, 2003
CITY of San Fernando, Pampanga – Restolax Mail & More-MayniLA made an impressive debut in the Panasonic National Basketball League (NBL) Regional Conference by hacking out a win on the road Saturday night (November 15) against the Sulpicio Lines-Pampanga Raging Bulls, 80-76, at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center.
Despite showing up with only a 10-man lineup, the Bulls of Coach Lawrence Chongson controlled the first half, 40-36, behind Billy Bansil and Marlon Tadeo.
The lack of manpower then tolled on the Bulls come the second half, as they allowed Ernani Epondulan to heat up and scatter 16 markers of his own in the third period alone and thus allowing the Capital City cagers to surge ahead entering the final period, 60-57.
The Bulls would momentarily regain the edge behind two triples by Sherwin Garcia and two free throws by Alvin Pua, 67-65. Jonathan Serrano scored to knot the count at 67-67. Epondulan then caught fire again by scoring seven unanswered points to build their lead entering the final two minutes, 74-67. The Bulls continued to threaten but these were quickly defused by good free throw shooting by Francis Sanz and Epondulan in the final 30 seconds. Playing assistant coach Michael Buendia then made a key steal off the inbound pass preserve the win for new head coach Ricky Magallanes.
Epondulan was unstoppable as he unloaded 27 of his 31 points in the second half. Serrano supported him with 14 points. Tadeo topped the Bulls with 21 points while Bansil knocked in 19 points.
In the opening game, the Ilocos Sur Snipers grabbed the solo leadership with their third straight win in as many starts at the expense of defending champion Shineway Compak-Ozamiz, 85-74. The champs dropped to 1-2.~*~MayniLA wins anew in NBL cage fest
by Roy Luarca
Inquirer News Service June 21, 2003
MAYNILA banked on a three-pronged attack to rout Pampanga Bulls, 97-80, Thursday night and retain the lead in the National Basketball League national championship at the Lyceum of the Philippines gym.
Outside gunners Ralph Rivera and Ernani Epondulan and inside force Francis Sanz combined for 60 points as MayniLA cruised to its fifth straight win against no losses.
Rivera scored 21 points, Epondulan 20 and Sanz 19 for MayniLA, which is backed by businessman Bert Lina and the Atienza brothers, Councilor Kim and Manila Sports Council chair Ali.
The youthful Bulls fell to 3-2.
Forward Taguig relied on a strong finishing kick to beat Spring Cooking Oil, 95-88, in the opener.
Taguig leveled its record at 2-2 while Spring suffered its seventh straight loss. ~*~Lhuillier gets 2 new players
by Roy Luarca
Inquirer News Service July 11, 2003
PACESETTER M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala of Cebu is really bent on topping the National Basketball League national finals.
Boasting a bench good enough to win five of its six games, M. Lhuillier further enhanced its title chances with the acquisition of veterans Ruben de la Rosa and Bruce Dacia.
Lhuillier coach Raul "Yayoy" Alcoseba is expected to use the 6-foot-2 De la Rosa and the 6-foot-3 Dacia, both former slam dunk champions, when the Cebuanos tangle with Air Philippines Bacolod (2-5) in the 4 p.m. opener at the Gov. Angel N. Medina Sr. Memorial Gym in Ozamiz City.
MayniLA (7-2) battles Compak Shineway Ozamiz (3-3) at 6 p.m.
MayniLA, being backed by Air 21 chair Bert Lina and Manila Sports Council head Ali Atienza, is expected to lean anew on NBL scoring leader Ernani Epondulan, Francis Sanz and Ralph Rivera against the host team.
Today's twinbill as well as tomorrow's games, pitting AirPhil against MayniLA at 1 p.m. and Compak Shineway against M. Lhuillier at 3 p.m., are Mayor Reynaldo O. Pajorinog's offerings to his constituents, who are celebrating the city fiesta.~*~ NBL games in Talisay reset
by Jerome S. Galunan, Jr.
Sun Star Bacolod July 09, 2003
THE National Basketball League (NBL) provincial games originally slated to dribble off Tuesday and Wednesday at the Talisay City Gym was reset to July 20.
The Administered Training Leading to the Empowerment of Talisay Athletes (Atleta) bankrolls the tournament in cooperation with the Talisay City Tourism Office and the Talisay City Council.
Executive Assistant III Ronnie de las Alas, concurrent Talisay City sports coordinator, said the endeavor "had been rescheduled as advised."
He did not elaborate further except saying that “it was the decision of NBL.”
Four squads will see action in the provincial leg.
To showcase their stuff in hardcourt skirmishes are Forward Taguig, Shineway Compak-Ozamiz, M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu, and AIR Philippines-Bacolod Flights.
The southern-based Ozamiz Five will battle the northern-based Taguig squad while the Lawrence Chongson-mentored Bacolod Flights will see action against the Cebuano squad.
Basketball aficionados in Negros Occidental will have the chance to see anew their new set of sports heroes after the fold-up of the five-year Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA) featuring the Negros Slashers.
Through the NBL, regional basketball has been brought back to the provinces and aims to inspire more youth to pursue their passion in sports.
Air Philippines will have Butch Disini and Charlie Yu as team manager and consultant, respectively.
Erstwhile Negros Slashers mainstay an ex-pro Carlo Espiritu, and former pros Junel Mendiola, Francis Aquino, Bernard de Guia, Rene Alforque, Paul Du, Ferdinand Go, and Joshua Lambert will join budding stars Mike Bravo, Ricky Ricafuente, Alvin Pua, Celso Pile and Rommel Pingol.
Forward Taguig, on the other hand, will field in cagers Robillos, Roldan, Mendoza, Cahanding, Sta. Maria, Soto, Vilar, Bernardino, Macanig, Nuqui, Quimpo, and Dais.
Air Philippines-Bacolod is bracketed in the NBL’s southern conference along with neighbor Negros Oriental, M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu, and Shineway Compak-Ozamiz.
The northern conference boasts of Spring Cooking Oil, Forward Taguig, Pampanga Dragons and Tarlac Stallions.
Earlier, Maynila drubbed Spring Cooking Oil-Bulacan, 89-80, to reclaim the solo leadership in the NBL National Championship at the San Juan Gym.
Earlier in the day, Air Philippines-Bacolod finally barged into the win column by trouncing the struggling Pampanga Bulls, 92-80.
With the score tied at 66-66, Ernani Epondulan sparked a crucial 11-3 run to erect an eight-point MayniLA lead with 3:39 to play, 77-69.
From there, Bulacan tested MayniLA from the free-throw line and the Capital City cagers responded by going 10 out of 11 to preserve the win.
Epondulan shot 28 points to lead MayniLA while Francis Sanz added 20 points. Tyrone Bautista and Jovy Sese both had 17 points to pace Spring. MayniLA is now half a game ahead of idle M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu with a 6-1 win-loss card. Spring dropped to 1-8, putting its playoff hopes in jeopardy.
AirPhil caught the Bulls napping and jumped to a 20-4 start behind Carlo Espiritu and Junel Mendiola. The Bulls never recovered from the opening salvo and AirPhil coasted to the easy win. Mendiola pumped in key baskets in the final minutes to maintain their distance.
Mendiola finished with 22 points to give the Bacolod Five their first win of the tournament after four losses. Francis Aquino added 14 markers. Welihado Duyag and Elvis Tolentino topped the Bulls with 19 points each. Bulls lost for the second straight game for a 3-3 card.
The NBL is seen over IBC-13 through the facilities of Silverstar Communications and with the assistance of Tanduay Rhum, Air Philippines, Cebu Ferries, Nature’s Spring Drinking Water, Supercat, BJ Star Logistics, Panasonic, Sinners and Saints, The Freeman, Jaguar KTV, Gatorade and Molten Basketballs. ~*~MayniLA trips Taguig; Pampanga Bulls debut with win over Bulacan
by Rommel C. Manlosa
Sun Star June 10, 2003
MAYNILA displayed its winning character as it escaped past Forward Taguig, 70-69, while the debuting Pampanga Bulls added to the woes of embattled Spring Cooking Oil-Bulacan with a 74-72 squeaker victory in the NBL National Championship at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center.
The night of thrillers started with the game between MayniLA and Forward Taguig that was decided only when Ernani Epondulan was sent to the free-throw line by Robin Mendoza at the buzzer to secure the win for MayniLA, after a 69-all deadlock.
Epondulan was also responsible for giving MayniLA an equalizer at the foul- throw line in the final 48 seconds of the game. Taguig failed to make a basket after Mendoza was slapped with an offensive foul at the 10-second mark.
The win gave MayniLA a share of the lead in the standings with M. Lhuillier-Cebu Jewelers and Compak Shineway-Ozamis both with 2-0 win-loss marks.
Pampanga, on the other hand, debuted with a bang, handing the Cooking Oil Masters of Bulacan their fourth straight defeat to remain at the cellar along with Air Philippines Bacolod Flights, who were also winless after three games in the regional-based basketball tournament gaining ground in its second conference.
MayniLA (70) – Epondulan 19, Sanz 14, Serrano 11, Gumatay 8, Yap 5, Corbin 5, Mallari 4, Alabanza 2, Finuliar 2.
Forward Taguig (69) – Robillos 20, Roldan 14, Mendoza 9, Cahanding 8, Sta. Maria 4, Soto 4, Vilar 4, Bernardino 3, Macanig 1, Nuqui 2. Quarterscores: 24-13, 43-32, 55-53, 70-69. ~*~NBL’s Tarlac team relocates to Manila
by Rommel C. Manlosa
Sun Star June 05, 2003
TARLAC City changed locations, from about 125 kilometers up north to the heart of Manila down south and now calls itself MayniLA in the National Basketball League (NBL) National Championships.
Days before, the Tarlac Stallions stunned the league by announcing its move to Manila, although MayniLA with prime movers Ronnie “Bong” Natividad and Victor Ycasiano retained their jobs as team manager and head coach, respectively.
The transfer, backed by sports patron Bert Lina, owner of the Fedex Express team in the PBA, and Manila councilor Kim Atienza, includes making the San Andres Sports Center in Malate District its homecourt. San Andres was the homecourt of the Manila Metro Stars in the Metropolitan Basketball Association.
The NBL intends to propagate the league in the provinces but its relevance in basketball-saturated Metro Manila is much needed – and that task fell on the shoulders of MayniLA and Forward Taguig.
Coach Ycasiano assembled a cast of characters who used to play for him in the MBA, such as NCAA 2001 season MVP Nani Epondulan, Francis Sanz, Ogie Gumatay, Edwin Pimentel, Jean Alabanza and Sonny Manucat.
MayniLA incorporated former Metro Star Jonathan Serrano, shooter Glenn Peter Yap, defensive ace Joel Finuliar, big men Chris Corbin, Rodel Mallari and Mike Buendia to complete its rooster.
In its pre-conference games, Ycasiano’s ward showed a lot of promise when they beat Air Philippines-Bacolod and Spring Cooking Oil-Bulacan.
Meanwhile, Taguig coach Danny Gavierres bared his team list as they host the games today. His squad is composed of assistant coach Ronnie Cahanding and Robin Mendoza, old hands Kim Macanig, Leo Vilar, Alfie Dais, Jimmy Robiloos, Mike Lozano, Bong Magsambol, Atoy Bernardino and Mike Nuqui. ~*~Debuting Tarlac is NBL dark horse
by Rommel C. Manlosa
Sun Star May 1, 2003
NEW addition Tarlac Stallions are tagged as the dark-horse team in the revitalized community-based league – the National Basketball League (NBL) which will have its National Championships open on May 10 in Ozamis City.
Tarlac, which belongs to the division of another revitalized squad, Spring Cooking Oil-Bulacan, Forward Taguig and Pampanga in the Northern Division, is among the three new members of the regionalized basketball tournament that also signed up: Bacolod City and Negros Oriental Province.
Named to call the shots for the Stallions is Victor Ycasiano, the last coach of the Cagayan de Oro Amigos before the MBA closed shop last year. The Stallions will play their home games at the Tarlac State University Gym in Tarlac City.
Ycasiano picked his former Amigos players, led by the 2001 NCAA MVP Ernani “Nani” Epondulan, Francis Sanz, Cornelio “Sonny” Manucat III, Jean Michael Alabanza, Edwin Pimentel and Joseph “Ogie” Gumatay.
Completing the Tarlac line-up are former players of Spring Cooking Oil-Bulacan, which just underwent a major facelift upon the assumption of Bobby Parks of the head coaching job. Tarlac is a combination of youth and experience and many watchers confirmed that the team will be an upstart in the competition. RCM Ycasianao will be assisted by Jay Chu and Jude Roque.
“I have consulted the people of Tarlac and they have been very receptive to the team,” said Ycasiano. “I am also looking at some local boys they recommended for possible inclusion in the roster since I have up to four spots to fill.”
NBL rules stated that a team must have at least two homegrown players from the locality they represent.
The Northern team will have surely face tough challenge against the Southern Division teams that includes the Regional Championship titlists Shineway Ham Sausage-Ozamis City, M. Lhuillier-Cebu City, Bacolod City and Negros Oriental.
Saturday, September 11, 2004
Fast Break, Buzzer Beater
Feel the dribble
The court beneath your feet
Your chest is pounding
It feels so sweet
Around your back
And under your legs
Avoiding your opponent
Making the break
The goal in sight
You drive in hard
Breathing down your neck
A defensive guard
You slam on the breaks
And go up with a fake
Pulling down the ball
The guard you shake
Snapping down low
You jump up high
Giving the ball a toss
You let the ball fly
An arc like a rainbow
The shot is so pretty
Not even touch the rim
The snap of the net is fitting
The crowd goes wild
The clock stops cold
The buzzer is loud
The score is told
Up by one
With no time in sight
The game has been won
And you have the right
Humbled by your play
Encouraged by the team
You shake hands with your opponent
Then let out a scream!
a poem by Brandon Wells
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