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.