MOVIE GREATS

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Burger King ships do-it-all forward Santos to San Miguel

MANILA, Philippines � Arwind Santos finally got his wish to play for San Miguel Beer, the winningest team in the history of the Philippine Basketball Association.

Burger King team manager and incoming board chairman Lito Alvarez confirmed to GMANews.TV that they have already agreed to send the 6-foot-4 forward to the Beermen after their third-place finish in the ongoing Motolite-PBA Fiesta Conference.

The Beermen are still playing the Ginebra Gin Kings in the best-of-seven championship series.

None among the officials confirmed the trade although a highly-placed source revealed that Santos will be shipped in exchange for three players � 6-foot-9 Samigue Eman, 6-foot-5 burly forward Ken Bono and veteran shooting guard Chris Calaguio.

But Alvarez said they are still negotiating with San Miguel as to who are the players they will be getting in exchange of the former Far Eastern University stalwart, who wound up as bridesmaid for the MVP plum for two consecutive years.

“We’ve agreed to send Arwind to San Miguel right after the battle for third place," said Alvarez. “Right now, pinag-uusapan pa namin kung sino yung kapalit."

Santos has long expressed his interest to play with San Miguel. He played for Viva Mineral Water and Magnolia, San Miguel’s farm team in the Philippine Basketball League and won championships on top of individual accolades.

In search of a PBA title, Santos may finally get his chance to win it this time with the power-packed Beermen, the winnigest team in pro league’s history with 17 championships. He will join a squad that has superstars like Dondon Hontiveros, veterans Danny Ildefonso and Olsen Racela, slotmen Mick Pennisi and Dorian Pena, guard Mike Cortez, and up and coming superstars like Marc Pingris, Jay Washington, Bonbon Custodio and Jons Villanueva.

The Beermen, who are still battling the Ginebra Gin Kings for the best-of-seven championship series, also have Danny Seigle and Lordy Tugade, who are both on the injured list.

Asked about his thoughts on this new development, Burger King coach Yeng Guiao said he was not aware that Santos’ transfer to San Miguel has already been approved.

“I have no knowledge about this," said Guiao. “Maybe it’s management to management negotiations." - GMANews.TV

Friday, July 10, 2009

VILLA ESTRELLA NOW SHOWING ON TAMBAYAN

VILLA ESTRELLA NOW SHOWING ON TAMBAYAN

click HERE TO WATCH

Blue Eagles view UAAP Season 72 as ‘new chapter’

MANILA, Philippines – The 72nd season of the UAAP will be a new chapter for defending champion Ateneo Blue Eagles.

“We don’t dwell on the past,” said Ateneo coach Norman Black during the press launch of the new season.

The champion coach said that they had a great year last season, but they are prepared to forge ahead and meet new challenges to post a new chapter in the squad’s history.

“It will be a new chapter for us even if I still have the core of my champion team this year,” quipped Black, referring to the likes of Rabeh Al-Hussaini, Silverino Baclao Jr., Eric Salamat who played pivotal roles when the Eagles won their third title in the league at the expense of arch-rival De La Salle University.

Because most of Ateneo’s players last year are still with the team, La Salle coach Franz Pumaren believes that the Blue Eagles are still the team to beat this year.

“As coach Norman said, they still have their core, so in my book, they are still the team to beat,” said Pumaren.

Pumaren revealed that they have to let go of players like LA Revilla because of diabetes and James Mangahas due to ACL he acquired during the FilOil tournament finals against FEU last summer.

However, except for five rookies, the bench of De La Salle is all still made up of veteran campaigners, making the Archers one of the early favorites to crowd for the final four.

Count FEU, too, among the early favorites based on their title win in the FilOil pre-season tournament.

Adamson U, University of the East, University of Santo Tomas, University of the Philippines and National U are the other teams which will be vying to post better finishes this year.
We don’t dwell on the past. It will be a new chapter for us even if I still have the core of my champion team this year.
– Norman Black, Ateneo coach

UE will be fielding in a new coach in Lawrence Chongson, who utilized most of the Warriors as players for Cobra in the PBL.

“Hopefully, their experience in the PBL will help them in our campaign here in the UAAP,” said Chongson whose team also went to the United States for their pre-season training.

UST coach Pido Jarencio again downplayed the Growling Tigers’ chances this year, saying that his wards lack the heft and height against their taller opponents.

“Mahina po ang koponan namin,” said Jarencio whose team almost made it to the final four and eventually finished fifth last year.

“Mahina pero dapat ding bantayan at paghandaan,” the Tigers’ mentor said.

The Maroons and the Falcons finished tied for sixth place last year and are hoping to improve their placing this year.

NU is looking at a better-than-expected season as the Bulldogs try to erase their reputation as the league’s doormat.

But while the teams duke it out on the court, the league’s technical officials promised not to let officiating decide matches.

“The working policy is to let the players play,” Commissioner Joe Lipa said.

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Freeman comes up big as SMB ties Finals series

San Miguel import Gabe Freeman scored on a putback and made two charities while Brgy. Ginebra counterpart David Noel missed three freethrows as the Beermen escaped with a 106-104 win in Game 4 to even their Best-of-7 Finals series at two games apiece in the 2008-2009 Motolite PBA Fiesta Conference at the Araneta Coliseum.

Freeman finished with game-highs of 23 points and 21 rebounds, Dondon Hontiveros chipped in 19, Mike Cortez 18 and Danny Ildefonso 15 as the Beermen avoided a 1-3 deficit and get the series back to even ceiling.

“Not taking anything away from Ginebra because they played really hard and they shot very well. But we're not getting any breaks from the refs,” San Miguel coach Siot Tanquincen said, partly referring to the 28 fouls called against them.

“Konting kanti kami, foul agad ang tawag. Pag nakanti mo kahit balahibo lang nila, nasa foul line na sila,” he said. “Pero it's human nature. We just have to deal with it.”

Jayjay Helterbrand, who earlier in the evening was named the 2008-2009 PBA MVP, topscored for the Kings with 22 points to go with his 4 rebounds and 6 assists. He was not able to finish the game though after suffering a minor injury. Noel also finished with 22 points along with 18 rebounds. Erik Menk continued his good form with 21 points in just 19 minutes while Ronald Tubid and Rafi Reavis added 10 points apiece.

Game 5 will be held on Monday at the Araneta Coliseum.

Scores:

San Miguel 106 - Freeman 23, Hontiveros 19, Cortez 18, Ildefonso 15, Villanueva 9, Washington 9, Pena 7, Pingris 6, Racela 0, Pennisi 0.

Brgy. Ginebra 104 - Helterbrand 22, Noel 22, Menk 21, Tubid 10, Reavis 10, Baguio 9, Salvacion 5, Lanete 2, Mamaril 2, Wilson 1.

Quarters: 24-26, 47-46, 71-73, 106-104.