HERE are the dates, participating teams and hosts of the various pocket tournaments that will comprise the elimination round. The detailed schedules will follow soon.
Week 1: June 11 to 15 - Santo Domingo, Ilocos Sur
- Ilocos Sur, Cebu, Laguna, Tagaytay-Cavite
Week 1: June 11 to 15 - Cagayan de Oro City
- Misamis Oriental, Quezon, Taguig, Zamboanga
Week 2: June 18 to 22 - Ozamiz City
- Ozamiz, Lipa, Pagadian, Pampanga
Week 2: June 18 to 22 - Baguio City
- Baguio, Ilocos Sur, Iloilo, Misamis Oriental
Week 3: June 25 to 29 - Taguig City
- Taguig, Ozamiz, Tagaytay-Cavite, Zamboanga
Week 3: June 25 to 29 - Cebu City
- Cebu, Baguio, Laguna, Quezon
Week 4: July 2 to 6 - City of San Fernando, Pampanga
- Pampanga, Cebu, Misamis Oriental, Taguig
Week 4: July 2 to 6 - Iloilo City
- Iloilo, Ilocos Sur, Lipa, Pagadian
Week 5: July 9 to 13 - Lucena City
- Quezon, Iloilo, Ozamiz, Tagaytay-Cavite
Week 5: July 9 to 13 - Los Banos, Laguna
- Laguna, Baguio, Pampanga, Zamboanga
Week 6: July 16 to 20 - Pagadian City
- Pagadian, Cebu, Ilocos Sur, Taguig
Week 6: July 16 to 20 - Lipa City
- Lipa, Laguna, Misamis Oriental, Quezon
Week 7: July 23 to 27 - Zamboanga City
- Zamboanga, Lipa, Ozamiz, Pampanga
Week 7: July 23 to 27 - Tagaytay City or Trece Martirez City
- Tagaytay-Cavite, Baguio, Iloilo, Pagadian
**END OF THE TOURING PHASE**
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Sunday, May 25, 2008
2008 Liga Pilipinas Preseason Games
Games Today (May 25) -- New Cebu Coliseum
4:00 PM Pagadian Explorers vs. Iloilo Warriors
6:00 PM Misamis Oriental Meteors vs. Zamboanga Amores
CEBU CITY – Blowouts marked the opening salvo of the 2008 Liga Pilipinas ML Kwarta Padala Preseason Tournament Saturday evening (May 24) at the New Cebu Coliseum. The Misamis Oriental Meteors made short work of the Pagadian Explorers, 103-84. In the main game, host Cebu Ninos crushed the Iloilo Warriors, 128-94.
The M. Lhuillier-sponsored Ninos allowed the Warriors to score the first basket of the game, then answered with 11 straight points and the Warriors never recovered from there. The lead ballooned to as much as 49 markers early in the final period, 113-64. The Warriors of Coach Jerry Jaranilla then managed to bomb away from the three-point line to pare down the final deficit.
Ronald Capati led the Ninos with 19 points followed by Stephen Padilla with 17 and new recruit Richard Ian Saladaga with 16. Five other Ninos submitted double-digits to underscore the balanced attack of Coach Raul “Yayoy” Alcoseba. Tex Pelopero buried six triples to pace the Warriors with 20 points while Joseph Guanco added 17. Ruel Balgos had a double-double with 15 points and 16 rebounds.
In the first game, the Meteors of Gov. Oscar Moreno rewarded new coach Jun Noel with the rousing victory. The Explorers of Mayor Sammy Co and Coach Eric Samson hung tough in the first period, controlling the contest until Ronnie Zagala scored a late basket to lift the Meteors on top, 21-20.
It was an all-Meteors show from there as they methodically mowed downed every Explorer attempt to come back. The win came at a cost as Meteor guard Ramil Tagupa was carried out of the court with a sprained ankle midway in the final canto. Tagupa had an excellent showing with 13 points and nine assists.
Donald Tadena topped the Meteors with 20 points and nine rebounds followed by Zagala with 17. Centers Jojo Omandam and Arian Daja led the Explorers with 22 and 15 points respectively.
Selected games from the tournament will be televised over the National Broadcasting Network (NBN-4) and local channel Cebu Catholic Television Network (CCTN-47).
How They Scored:
First Game
MISAMIS ORIENTAL (103) – Tadena 20, Zagala 17, Tagupa 13, Nailon 12, Caputolan 11, Paterno 7, Micutuan 6, Concha 6, Apepe 5, Faundo 4, Farochillen 2, Numeran 0.
PAGADIAN (84) – Omandam 22, Daja 15, Yee 14, Sinco 8, Labagala 7, Sinegdas 7, Saludsod 6, Marata 5, Villaver 0.
Period Scores: 21-20, 47-35, 77-55, 103-84.
Second Game
CEBU (128) – Capati 19, Padilla 17, Saladaga 16, Dacia 15, Basco 14, Aying 14, Rodriguez 12, Luga 8, Cavan 8, Enriquez 5.
ILOILO (94) – Pelopero 20, Guanco 17, Balgos 15, Garrido 13, Leonida 11, Senierez 10, Dosado 3, Laborte 3, Sina-on 1, Bautista 0, Sencil 0.
Period Scores: 36-20, 38-36, 106-61, 128-94.
4:00 PM Pagadian Explorers vs. Iloilo Warriors
6:00 PM Misamis Oriental Meteors vs. Zamboanga Amores
CEBU CITY – Blowouts marked the opening salvo of the 2008 Liga Pilipinas ML Kwarta Padala Preseason Tournament Saturday evening (May 24) at the New Cebu Coliseum. The Misamis Oriental Meteors made short work of the Pagadian Explorers, 103-84. In the main game, host Cebu Ninos crushed the Iloilo Warriors, 128-94.
The M. Lhuillier-sponsored Ninos allowed the Warriors to score the first basket of the game, then answered with 11 straight points and the Warriors never recovered from there. The lead ballooned to as much as 49 markers early in the final period, 113-64. The Warriors of Coach Jerry Jaranilla then managed to bomb away from the three-point line to pare down the final deficit.
Ronald Capati led the Ninos with 19 points followed by Stephen Padilla with 17 and new recruit Richard Ian Saladaga with 16. Five other Ninos submitted double-digits to underscore the balanced attack of Coach Raul “Yayoy” Alcoseba. Tex Pelopero buried six triples to pace the Warriors with 20 points while Joseph Guanco added 17. Ruel Balgos had a double-double with 15 points and 16 rebounds.
In the first game, the Meteors of Gov. Oscar Moreno rewarded new coach Jun Noel with the rousing victory. The Explorers of Mayor Sammy Co and Coach Eric Samson hung tough in the first period, controlling the contest until Ronnie Zagala scored a late basket to lift the Meteors on top, 21-20.
It was an all-Meteors show from there as they methodically mowed downed every Explorer attempt to come back. The win came at a cost as Meteor guard Ramil Tagupa was carried out of the court with a sprained ankle midway in the final canto. Tagupa had an excellent showing with 13 points and nine assists.
Donald Tadena topped the Meteors with 20 points and nine rebounds followed by Zagala with 17. Centers Jojo Omandam and Arian Daja led the Explorers with 22 and 15 points respectively.
Selected games from the tournament will be televised over the National Broadcasting Network (NBN-4) and local channel Cebu Catholic Television Network (CCTN-47).
How They Scored:
First Game
MISAMIS ORIENTAL (103) – Tadena 20, Zagala 17, Tagupa 13, Nailon 12, Caputolan 11, Paterno 7, Micutuan 6, Concha 6, Apepe 5, Faundo 4, Farochillen 2, Numeran 0.
PAGADIAN (84) – Omandam 22, Daja 15, Yee 14, Sinco 8, Labagala 7, Sinegdas 7, Saludsod 6, Marata 5, Villaver 0.
Period Scores: 21-20, 47-35, 77-55, 103-84.
Second Game
CEBU (128) – Capati 19, Padilla 17, Saladaga 16, Dacia 15, Basco 14, Aying 14, Rodriguez 12, Luga 8, Cavan 8, Enriquez 5.
ILOILO (94) – Pelopero 20, Guanco 17, Balgos 15, Garrido 13, Leonida 11, Senierez 10, Dosado 3, Laborte 3, Sina-on 1, Bautista 0, Sencil 0.
Period Scores: 36-20, 38-36, 106-61, 128-94.
Liga invites ex-pros
Liga Pilipinas is inviting ex-pros to join the fledgling league’s inaugural season as coaches are looking for veterans to anchor their lineups.
Under Liga rules, a team is allowed to enlist two ex-pros but may go over the limit if they’re included in the maximum of eight homegrown players in a 14-man roster. The plan is to reduce the participation of ex-pros to just one per team next year to pave the way for the coming of a new generation of players.
Former PBA cagers Jun Limpot and Will Antonio are reportedly in the wish list of several coaches. Rumored to be in lineups are Zamboanga City ’s Peter Naron and Jay Mendoza, Cebu’s Stephen Padilla and Marlon Basco, Bacolod’s Francis Barcellano and Taguig’s Marvin Ortiguerra and Niño Marquez. Boyet Bautista and Erick Canlas are trying out for teams.
Liga president Noli Eala was in Cebu yesterday for the opening of the four-day preseason tournament involving Southern teams. He’ll be in Taguig today for the start of a similar four-day affair for Northern squads. The finals are set in Cebu on Tuesday and in Taguig the next day.
The league will be formally opened in Cebu on May 31 but no games are scheduled. Eala said he’s adopting the FIBA style of inaugurating a season by gathering team owners, officials and players to toast the new campaign. Games will begin on June 11.
* * *
So far, Liga has confirmed teams in Misamis Oriental, Ilocos Sur, Pampanga, Taguig, Ozamis, Pagadian, Cebu, Bacolod, Zamboanga City, Laguna, Iloilo, Quezon, Baguio and Davao.
There is talk that at least four more teams will join the bandwagon. George Lorenzana of White Rock and the Gordon family are studying the possibility of forming a Subic squad. Gov. Jun Ynares is getting together a group for sponsors for a Rizal franchise. One major sponsor has already committed to participate. Cavite is close to organizing a team backed up by Bacchus energy drink. Mandaue is another city showing interest and the word is Jun Tan has already been named coach.
A tentative list of other coaches includes Taguig’s Jude Roque, Ilocos Sur’s Jun Da Jose, Quezon’s Oliver Bunyi, Laguna’s Nomar Isla of Emilio Aguinaldo College, Cebu’s Yayoy Alcoseba, Pampanga’s Aric del Rosario, Baguio’s Djalma Arnedo, Iloilo’s Jerry Jaranilla, Misamis Oriental’s Jun Noel and Bacolod’s Dennis Tumayan.
What gives Liga a solid foundation is the formidable backing of prominent individuals like Misamis Oriental Gov. Oscar Moreno, Ilocos Sur Gov. Deogracias Victor (D. V.) Savellano, Quezon Gov. Rafael Nantes, Pampanga Gov. Ed Panlilio and sports coordinator Gil Cortez, Taguig Mayor Freddie Tinga, Ozamis Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog, Pagadian Mayor Sammy Co, Baguio Mayor Peter Rey Bautista, Pagcor chairman Ephraim Genuino of Trace College (Laguna), Bacolod’s Tony Agustin of West Negros University, Robert Uy of Toyota Iloilo, Rolando and Junie Navarro of Zamboanga City, Cebu’s Michel Lhuillier of ML Kwarta Padala, PLDT chairman Manny Pangilinan (who’s supporting Pampanga) and Harbour Center’s Mikee Romero (who’s supporting Taguig).
Then, there’s the giant San Miguel Corp. sponsoring Liga as presentor.
* * *
A few weeks ago, Liga held a two-day workshop in Tagaytay where representatives of 12 franchises convened for an orientation on league policies, rules, systems and competition formats. Eala said the encouraging note was the strong participation of provincial teams, both from the North and South. News of the successful workshop spread like wildfire and it wasn’t long after that Quezon and Baguio decided to put up teams.
Quezon is now about to sign up its private sector partner, a big energy conglomerate, while Baguio has finalized its owning consortium composed of PTPM Sports Co., Victory Liner and Sunbolt Sports Drink. Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio and his brother Allan, who calls the shots for Burger King in the PBL, are helping out Arnedo in organizing a title contender.
“Slowly but surely, Liga is making its presence felt in the provinces,” said Eala. “It’s exciting to be a witness to the snowballing support for regional basketball all over the country. There is really a lot of pride and passion at stake in a concept like Liga.”
Liga’s “tour” or “circuit” concept and the “home and away” format are revolutionary ideas that provide a different and exciting dimension to the league.
Eala said Liga games will be aired on NBN-TV and hinted that another channel may be tapped to guarantee comprehensive coverage. A pool of 46 referees – 28 in the South and 18 in the North – has been assembled and will be supervised by technical committee head Perry Martinez, who previously served in the PBA with Eala.
Another innovation Eala said Liga will introduce is volunteerism in the provinces. “We’ll maximize the participation of local hosts,” he said. “We’ll tap volunteers for courtside reporting on TV, ushering, in-venue entertainment and others. Our goal is to involve the entire community in supporting its home team. That’s the formula that will assure a long and bright future for Liga.”
Under Liga rules, a team is allowed to enlist two ex-pros but may go over the limit if they’re included in the maximum of eight homegrown players in a 14-man roster. The plan is to reduce the participation of ex-pros to just one per team next year to pave the way for the coming of a new generation of players.
Former PBA cagers Jun Limpot and Will Antonio are reportedly in the wish list of several coaches. Rumored to be in lineups are Zamboanga City ’s Peter Naron and Jay Mendoza, Cebu’s Stephen Padilla and Marlon Basco, Bacolod’s Francis Barcellano and Taguig’s Marvin Ortiguerra and Niño Marquez. Boyet Bautista and Erick Canlas are trying out for teams.
Liga president Noli Eala was in Cebu yesterday for the opening of the four-day preseason tournament involving Southern teams. He’ll be in Taguig today for the start of a similar four-day affair for Northern squads. The finals are set in Cebu on Tuesday and in Taguig the next day.
The league will be formally opened in Cebu on May 31 but no games are scheduled. Eala said he’s adopting the FIBA style of inaugurating a season by gathering team owners, officials and players to toast the new campaign. Games will begin on June 11.
* * *
So far, Liga has confirmed teams in Misamis Oriental, Ilocos Sur, Pampanga, Taguig, Ozamis, Pagadian, Cebu, Bacolod, Zamboanga City, Laguna, Iloilo, Quezon, Baguio and Davao.
There is talk that at least four more teams will join the bandwagon. George Lorenzana of White Rock and the Gordon family are studying the possibility of forming a Subic squad. Gov. Jun Ynares is getting together a group for sponsors for a Rizal franchise. One major sponsor has already committed to participate. Cavite is close to organizing a team backed up by Bacchus energy drink. Mandaue is another city showing interest and the word is Jun Tan has already been named coach.
A tentative list of other coaches includes Taguig’s Jude Roque, Ilocos Sur’s Jun Da Jose, Quezon’s Oliver Bunyi, Laguna’s Nomar Isla of Emilio Aguinaldo College, Cebu’s Yayoy Alcoseba, Pampanga’s Aric del Rosario, Baguio’s Djalma Arnedo, Iloilo’s Jerry Jaranilla, Misamis Oriental’s Jun Noel and Bacolod’s Dennis Tumayan.
What gives Liga a solid foundation is the formidable backing of prominent individuals like Misamis Oriental Gov. Oscar Moreno, Ilocos Sur Gov. Deogracias Victor (D. V.) Savellano, Quezon Gov. Rafael Nantes, Pampanga Gov. Ed Panlilio and sports coordinator Gil Cortez, Taguig Mayor Freddie Tinga, Ozamis Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog, Pagadian Mayor Sammy Co, Baguio Mayor Peter Rey Bautista, Pagcor chairman Ephraim Genuino of Trace College (Laguna), Bacolod’s Tony Agustin of West Negros University, Robert Uy of Toyota Iloilo, Rolando and Junie Navarro of Zamboanga City, Cebu’s Michel Lhuillier of ML Kwarta Padala, PLDT chairman Manny Pangilinan (who’s supporting Pampanga) and Harbour Center’s Mikee Romero (who’s supporting Taguig).
Then, there’s the giant San Miguel Corp. sponsoring Liga as presentor.
* * *
A few weeks ago, Liga held a two-day workshop in Tagaytay where representatives of 12 franchises convened for an orientation on league policies, rules, systems and competition formats. Eala said the encouraging note was the strong participation of provincial teams, both from the North and South. News of the successful workshop spread like wildfire and it wasn’t long after that Quezon and Baguio decided to put up teams.
Quezon is now about to sign up its private sector partner, a big energy conglomerate, while Baguio has finalized its owning consortium composed of PTPM Sports Co., Victory Liner and Sunbolt Sports Drink. Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio and his brother Allan, who calls the shots for Burger King in the PBL, are helping out Arnedo in organizing a title contender.
“Slowly but surely, Liga is making its presence felt in the provinces,” said Eala. “It’s exciting to be a witness to the snowballing support for regional basketball all over the country. There is really a lot of pride and passion at stake in a concept like Liga.”
Liga’s “tour” or “circuit” concept and the “home and away” format are revolutionary ideas that provide a different and exciting dimension to the league.
Eala said Liga games will be aired on NBN-TV and hinted that another channel may be tapped to guarantee comprehensive coverage. A pool of 46 referees – 28 in the South and 18 in the North – has been assembled and will be supervised by technical committee head Perry Martinez, who previously served in the PBA with Eala.
Another innovation Eala said Liga will introduce is volunteerism in the provinces. “We’ll maximize the participation of local hosts,” he said. “We’ll tap volunteers for courtside reporting on TV, ushering, in-venue entertainment and others. Our goal is to involve the entire community in supporting its home team. That’s the formula that will assure a long and bright future for Liga.”
Friday, May 23, 2008
Fil-Am hotshot coming to play in Liga Pilipinas
There’s a 6-5, 200-pound Fil-Am point guard flying in to play for Pampanga in the inaugural season of Liga Pilipinas and the word is Jared Bautista Dillinger could be a high pick in the coming PBA draft.
Talk ’N’ Text coach Chot Reyes discovered Dillinger during a US scouting trip and said yesterday if he’s available in the PBA draft, the Phone Pals will choose the 24-year-old phenom who was born in Rapid City, South Dakota, to a Filipina mother Gemma Bautista and an American father James Dillinger of Colorado.
Liga Pilipinas president Noli Eala called Dillinger the fledgling league’s potential “marquee player” who will suit up for coach Aric del Rosario’s Smart-sponsored Pampanga squad.
Dillinger will miss Liga’s four-day preseason tournament for Northern teams starting Sunday in Taguig. He is expected to arrive either June 2 or 3, according to Reyes, in time for Liga’s season opening on June 11.
“Right now, J. D. is rehabbing because of a slight knee injury,” said Reyes. “So he won’t be 100 percent when he starts playing for Pampanga. He’s a legitimate Fil-Am whose mother was still a Filipino citizen when he was born. I think she’s from Pangasinan or Zambales. He looks very Pinoy. He’ll be the tallest point guard in the country.”
Reyes said Dillinger plans to play the required minimum of 25 games here for eligibility in the next PBA draft where another Fil-Am Gabe Norwood is expected to be the top pick.
Dillinger averaged 9.7 points in 30 games, including 25 starts, for the University of Hawaii as a senior this past season. He led the varsity in three-point field goal percentage at .383 with 51 conversions and was second in steals with 34. In NCAA Division I games, the crack guard shot 19 points against New Mexico State, 17 against Centenary College, 15 against New Mexico, 14 against Utah State (including the go-ahead basket with a minute left), 14 against Boise State and 12 in a 40-minute no-relief job in another game against Utah State.
The year before, Dillinger played only six minutes in six games as the last player in the 14-man Hawaii roster and his scholarship was nearly taken away. But he worked hard to keep his spot during the summer and became a starter in a remarkable turnaround.
“I don’t know how to explain it,” said Dillinger, quoted by Dayton Morinaga of the Honolulu Advertiser, referring to his sudden emergence. “It’s just grit, I guess. A ball, a hoop and some hard work. Last year was what made me strong mentally. I know I can’t take anything for granted. That’s why I try to give everything I have, every minute out there.”
Before enrolling at Hawaii, Dillinger played two years for the US Air Force Academy where he said he developed discipline, integrity and character. The Air Force posted a combined 40-18 record during his two years as a reserve guard. He averaged only 1.7 points as a freshman when Air Force made it to the NCAA Tournament, losing to North Carolina in the first round.
Dillinger’s Hawaii teammate Riley Luettgorodt told Morinaga: “He was always one of those guys you wanted on your team because he plays so hard and aggressive. This year, he started knocking down big shots and that just made him a complete player.”
University of Hawaii coach Bob Nash said: “He’s done everything we asked of him even last year when he was on scout team. It’s nice to see hard work pay off like that. There’s no mistaking his love for the game and if he can transfer that to the things he wants to do later in life, I think he’ll earn it there, too.”
Dillinger, who has never been to the Philippines, took up a Tagalog course at the University of Hawaii last year.
“I can’t speak the language,” said Dillinger who grew up with his father from five years old. “When I was in Tagalog class, I was calling up my little cousins to help me. They’re only in fourth and fifth grade but they got me through class. I eat Filipino food like pansit and lumpia (which) my mom used to cook all the time.”
Dillinger, whose double majors are international business and finance, said it’s his goal to play in the PBA. Liga Pilipinas is his stepping stone to the big league.
Talk ’N’ Text coach Chot Reyes discovered Dillinger during a US scouting trip and said yesterday if he’s available in the PBA draft, the Phone Pals will choose the 24-year-old phenom who was born in Rapid City, South Dakota, to a Filipina mother Gemma Bautista and an American father James Dillinger of Colorado.
Liga Pilipinas president Noli Eala called Dillinger the fledgling league’s potential “marquee player” who will suit up for coach Aric del Rosario’s Smart-sponsored Pampanga squad.
Dillinger will miss Liga’s four-day preseason tournament for Northern teams starting Sunday in Taguig. He is expected to arrive either June 2 or 3, according to Reyes, in time for Liga’s season opening on June 11.
“Right now, J. D. is rehabbing because of a slight knee injury,” said Reyes. “So he won’t be 100 percent when he starts playing for Pampanga. He’s a legitimate Fil-Am whose mother was still a Filipino citizen when he was born. I think she’s from Pangasinan or Zambales. He looks very Pinoy. He’ll be the tallest point guard in the country.”
Reyes said Dillinger plans to play the required minimum of 25 games here for eligibility in the next PBA draft where another Fil-Am Gabe Norwood is expected to be the top pick.
Dillinger averaged 9.7 points in 30 games, including 25 starts, for the University of Hawaii as a senior this past season. He led the varsity in three-point field goal percentage at .383 with 51 conversions and was second in steals with 34. In NCAA Division I games, the crack guard shot 19 points against New Mexico State, 17 against Centenary College, 15 against New Mexico, 14 against Utah State (including the go-ahead basket with a minute left), 14 against Boise State and 12 in a 40-minute no-relief job in another game against Utah State.
The year before, Dillinger played only six minutes in six games as the last player in the 14-man Hawaii roster and his scholarship was nearly taken away. But he worked hard to keep his spot during the summer and became a starter in a remarkable turnaround.
“I don’t know how to explain it,” said Dillinger, quoted by Dayton Morinaga of the Honolulu Advertiser, referring to his sudden emergence. “It’s just grit, I guess. A ball, a hoop and some hard work. Last year was what made me strong mentally. I know I can’t take anything for granted. That’s why I try to give everything I have, every minute out there.”
Before enrolling at Hawaii, Dillinger played two years for the US Air Force Academy where he said he developed discipline, integrity and character. The Air Force posted a combined 40-18 record during his two years as a reserve guard. He averaged only 1.7 points as a freshman when Air Force made it to the NCAA Tournament, losing to North Carolina in the first round.
Dillinger’s Hawaii teammate Riley Luettgorodt told Morinaga: “He was always one of those guys you wanted on your team because he plays so hard and aggressive. This year, he started knocking down big shots and that just made him a complete player.”
University of Hawaii coach Bob Nash said: “He’s done everything we asked of him even last year when he was on scout team. It’s nice to see hard work pay off like that. There’s no mistaking his love for the game and if he can transfer that to the things he wants to do later in life, I think he’ll earn it there, too.”
Dillinger, who has never been to the Philippines, took up a Tagalog course at the University of Hawaii last year.
“I can’t speak the language,” said Dillinger who grew up with his father from five years old. “When I was in Tagalog class, I was calling up my little cousins to help me. They’re only in fourth and fifth grade but they got me through class. I eat Filipino food like pansit and lumpia (which) my mom used to cook all the time.”
Dillinger, whose double majors are international business and finance, said it’s his goal to play in the PBA. Liga Pilipinas is his stepping stone to the big league.
Liga Pilipinas hostilities unwrap this weekend
As it nears its launch date and tip-off day, Liga Pilipinas is set to begin regional basketball action with a pair of pre-season tournaments this weekend.
The Southern teams composed of Bacolod, Iloilo, Misamis Oriental, Ozamiz, Pagadian, Zamboanga, Davao and host Cebu open up hostilities starting Saturday, May 24 at the Cebu Coliseum.
On the other side, the Northern teams composed of Baguio, Ilocos, Pampanga, Laguna, Quezon and host Taguig begin their own pre-season event at the Taguig Sports Center starting on Sunday, May 25.
Both tournaments, sponsored by ML Kwarta Padala, will be a short 4 day championship where the teams of each division will be grouped into two. They play a single round robin elimination phase after which the top two teams will meet in the championship on the final day of the tourneys. The pre-season tournaments will be the first official activity of the newly created regional basketball league.
Liga basketball operations chief Butch Antonio described the pre-season games as a "dry run" for the upcoming maiden season of Liga Pilipinas. "Not only are the teams given the opportunity to gauge their level of preparedness for our inaugural season, the pre-season competition also gives Liga a chance to test our officials, referees and operating systems," Antonio stated.
Double headers will be scheduled every playing day of the pre-season tournaments starting with the Zamboanga vs Misamis-Oriental and Cebu vs Iloilo games in Cebu on Saturday, while Ilocos opens up against Quezon and Baguio goes up against Taguig in Taguig on Sunday.
Liga will be using strictly FIBA rules and will be tapping a pool of 46 referees selected after a nationwide tryout conducted by Liga Technical Head Perry Martinez. "Liga is glad to be providing so many young players and budding referees this chance to be part of a truly competitive league to hone their skills for long term growth," Martinez said.
The fledgling community based league is set to launch its maiden season on May 31 in Cebu and begin its first two legs on June 11.
The Southern teams composed of Bacolod, Iloilo, Misamis Oriental, Ozamiz, Pagadian, Zamboanga, Davao and host Cebu open up hostilities starting Saturday, May 24 at the Cebu Coliseum.
On the other side, the Northern teams composed of Baguio, Ilocos, Pampanga, Laguna, Quezon and host Taguig begin their own pre-season event at the Taguig Sports Center starting on Sunday, May 25.
Both tournaments, sponsored by ML Kwarta Padala, will be a short 4 day championship where the teams of each division will be grouped into two. They play a single round robin elimination phase after which the top two teams will meet in the championship on the final day of the tourneys. The pre-season tournaments will be the first official activity of the newly created regional basketball league.
Liga basketball operations chief Butch Antonio described the pre-season games as a "dry run" for the upcoming maiden season of Liga Pilipinas. "Not only are the teams given the opportunity to gauge their level of preparedness for our inaugural season, the pre-season competition also gives Liga a chance to test our officials, referees and operating systems," Antonio stated.
Double headers will be scheduled every playing day of the pre-season tournaments starting with the Zamboanga vs Misamis-Oriental and Cebu vs Iloilo games in Cebu on Saturday, while Ilocos opens up against Quezon and Baguio goes up against Taguig in Taguig on Sunday.
Liga will be using strictly FIBA rules and will be tapping a pool of 46 referees selected after a nationwide tryout conducted by Liga Technical Head Perry Martinez. "Liga is glad to be providing so many young players and budding referees this chance to be part of a truly competitive league to hone their skills for long term growth," Martinez said.
The fledgling community based league is set to launch its maiden season on May 31 in Cebu and begin its first two legs on June 11.
Liga Pilipinas by Ed Picson
While I am in complete agreement with many who say we must extend support to sports other than basketball, the reality is Filipinos just can’t get enough of it.
It probably stems from the fact that from early childhood, we are exposed to the game, wherever in the country one grows up. There are basketball courts in almost every street corner, and there are basketball tournaments to cap just about every celebration.
Although playing in the PBA is still the ultimate goal of every hoopster who ever imagined himself to be talented enough to be one of the best, getting there is more difficult than one can imagine.
The mere fact that we are a developing country separated by bodies of water, mountains and all sorts of other barriers, has made it almost impossible for talents in the nooks and crannies to be discovered.
And with the vast pool of talents we must have in the countryside, there must be a vehicle for them to be acknowledged and nurtured.
Comes now the newest innovation of former PBA Commissioner Noli Eala- Liga Pilipinas. Noli may be many things to many people, but to me he is one of the most innovative and imaginative men in the local sports scene.
When I first heard of Liga Pilipinas, I was prepared to dismiss it as just one of those dime-a-dozen tournaments some joker put together to turn in a fast buck. These ventures normally don’t last long, nor do they make any money.
When I found out Noli was involved, I took a closer look, and was not disappointed.
But the problem with regional tournaments such as that of the defunct MBA, is that the logistics involved are nothing short of gargantuan. Again, our archipelagic situation and the cost of island-hopping are naturally substantial.
This was the first concern I confronted Noli with, and typically he informed me he had labored over the matter, and had come up with a viable scheme that would reduce the cost drastically.
"Firstly, we will see to it that players are not highpriced (there will be a R20,000 monthly salary cap, although won-game bonuses will be open-ended). We will also ensure that majority of the players are home-grown (at least 8 of 14). This will not only appeal to the regional loyalties of the public, but also address our goal of discovering new talents from other areas in the country."
Each team (all Liga Pilipinas teams are municipality, city or provincebased, with commercial partners) will host an elimination round leg that would be participated in by at least three other teams, the champion of which will get cash rewards and tournament points, which will be the basis for determining which teams will get into the play-offs.
Since there are currently 14 teams, there will be an equal number of legs, and each team will play in only four legs which means they will travel only three times before the play-offs come around.
In a talk I had with Noli on my show on Sports Radio (918 kHz) last Monday, he sounded very upbeat as the two latest teams had just signed on- Quezon Province and Baguio.
The two teams are the 13th and 14th teams, joining Cebu City, Iloilo, Pampanga, Taguig, Bacolod, Misamis Oriental, Ozamis City, Pagadian City, Ilocos Sur, Davao, Laguna and Zamboanga.
Pinoy Basketball Inc. which will undertake the project will formally launch Liga Pilipinas this May 31, while the games start on June 11.
Meanwhile, excitement has spilled over to other areas, and this late, there are other teams which are just tying up some loose ends before officially confirming their participation.
NBN-4 has already signified its intention to cover the games, and it looks as if its going to be a lot fun all around, following the action and rivalries all around the country.
As I was writing this, I got an email from Noli informing me that there will be pre-season games this week-end in Cebu City and Taguig.
It probably stems from the fact that from early childhood, we are exposed to the game, wherever in the country one grows up. There are basketball courts in almost every street corner, and there are basketball tournaments to cap just about every celebration.
Although playing in the PBA is still the ultimate goal of every hoopster who ever imagined himself to be talented enough to be one of the best, getting there is more difficult than one can imagine.
The mere fact that we are a developing country separated by bodies of water, mountains and all sorts of other barriers, has made it almost impossible for talents in the nooks and crannies to be discovered.
And with the vast pool of talents we must have in the countryside, there must be a vehicle for them to be acknowledged and nurtured.
Comes now the newest innovation of former PBA Commissioner Noli Eala- Liga Pilipinas. Noli may be many things to many people, but to me he is one of the most innovative and imaginative men in the local sports scene.
When I first heard of Liga Pilipinas, I was prepared to dismiss it as just one of those dime-a-dozen tournaments some joker put together to turn in a fast buck. These ventures normally don’t last long, nor do they make any money.
When I found out Noli was involved, I took a closer look, and was not disappointed.
But the problem with regional tournaments such as that of the defunct MBA, is that the logistics involved are nothing short of gargantuan. Again, our archipelagic situation and the cost of island-hopping are naturally substantial.
This was the first concern I confronted Noli with, and typically he informed me he had labored over the matter, and had come up with a viable scheme that would reduce the cost drastically.
"Firstly, we will see to it that players are not highpriced (there will be a R20,000 monthly salary cap, although won-game bonuses will be open-ended). We will also ensure that majority of the players are home-grown (at least 8 of 14). This will not only appeal to the regional loyalties of the public, but also address our goal of discovering new talents from other areas in the country."
Each team (all Liga Pilipinas teams are municipality, city or provincebased, with commercial partners) will host an elimination round leg that would be participated in by at least three other teams, the champion of which will get cash rewards and tournament points, which will be the basis for determining which teams will get into the play-offs.
Since there are currently 14 teams, there will be an equal number of legs, and each team will play in only four legs which means they will travel only three times before the play-offs come around.
In a talk I had with Noli on my show on Sports Radio (918 kHz) last Monday, he sounded very upbeat as the two latest teams had just signed on- Quezon Province and Baguio.
The two teams are the 13th and 14th teams, joining Cebu City, Iloilo, Pampanga, Taguig, Bacolod, Misamis Oriental, Ozamis City, Pagadian City, Ilocos Sur, Davao, Laguna and Zamboanga.
Pinoy Basketball Inc. which will undertake the project will formally launch Liga Pilipinas this May 31, while the games start on June 11.
Meanwhile, excitement has spilled over to other areas, and this late, there are other teams which are just tying up some loose ends before officially confirming their participation.
NBN-4 has already signified its intention to cover the games, and it looks as if its going to be a lot fun all around, following the action and rivalries all around the country.
As I was writing this, I got an email from Noli informing me that there will be pre-season games this week-end in Cebu City and Taguig.
Friday, May 2, 2008
Liga sets over 400 games
Liga Pilipinas president Noli Eala said yesterday he expects to schedule at least 400 games in two conferences during the innovative league’s inaugural season with 12 teams confirmed to see action and four more to sign up within the week.
Eala named the Cagayan de Oro Rescuers of coach Jun Noel, Taguig of coach Jude Roque, Ilocos Sur, Pampanga of team manager Gil Cortez, Pagadian, Zamboanga Latinos, Cebu Ninos of coach Yayoy Alcoseba, Ozamiz Cota, Iloilo Warriors, Mandaue, Cavite and Davao as the teams locked in for the first campaign.
Under negotiation are teams from Rizal with Rep. Robbie Puno and Gov. Jun Ynares, Batangas with Sen. Ralph Recto, Baguio with Mayor Reinaldo Bautista, Tacloban with Kenneth Uy, General Santos City with Manny Pacquiao, Bacolod City with Dodong Bascon, Surigao del Sur with former Rep. Butch Pichay and Ormoc. Eala said Liga will choose four teams to complete the cast of 16.
“We hope to finalize the teams this week,” said Eala. “Lineups will be submitted early May then we’ll hold a workshop with team owners, managers and coaches on May 8-9 in Tagaytay. Our launch will be in Cebu on May 24 with the teams introduced to media in a hotel ballroom like how they do it in FIBA. The first leg of games will be played in various venues starting May 28.”
Eala said he has initiated talks with PBL commissioner Chino Trinidad on the possibility of drafting free agents or those without live contracts and SBP executive director Patrick Gregorio on enlisting standouts from the national youth pool.
“We’ll start our season when the PBL is over,” said Eala. “If there are Liga coaches interested in PBL players, we’ll clear the recruitment with Commissioner Chino. We don’t anticipate any conflict. We welcome Fil-Ams and coach Chot (Reyes) has in fact recommended someone for Taguig. We’re imposing a minimum of eight homegrown players in a 14-man lineup and a limit of two ex-pros who aren’t homegrown.”
FIBA rules will be used in Liga games. After the first phase where each team will host a leg consisting of three games, the 12 top finishers advance to the playoffs. The playoffs will consist of a wildcard stage involving eight teams, four best-of-five quarterfinal series, two best-of-five semifinal series and one best-of-five finals.
Eala explained that each leg will be a mini-tournament of four teams with the finishers earning points like in a tennis or golf circuit and winning cash incentives. The points will be added up to determine which teams qualify for the playoffs.
“We are maintaining the home-and-away format but the leg system dramatically reduces total expenses,” he said. “It will also be less costly for TV networks to cover our league because we will schedule two games in a venue a playing day with two legs a week.”
Eala said Liga’s minimum monthly salary is P10,000 and the cap is P20,000. “Our salary scales do not include provisions for bonuses,” he went on. “Theoretically, a team may pay players only the minimum but with a wide latitude for performance bonuses.”
Eala said while the Liga borrows from the community concept of the defunct MBA, it will not make the same mistakes. The MBA, which tried to rival the PBA and pirated players with offers of runaway salaries, folded up after four years because it couldn’t sustain the high cost of maintenance.
“We’re tapping communities all over the country to support their Liga teams,” said Eala. “We want to develop team loyalty like in the NBA. We also want to discover new talent.”
A key objective is job creation. “Liga wants to give players the opportunity to play,” said Eala. “We’re creating jobs. We’re offering a new platform for players to keep a relationship with the game and their communities. Players now don’t have to go far to join a league where they can make a living through basketball. They can stay in their hometowns and play for pay.”
Eala named the Cagayan de Oro Rescuers of coach Jun Noel, Taguig of coach Jude Roque, Ilocos Sur, Pampanga of team manager Gil Cortez, Pagadian, Zamboanga Latinos, Cebu Ninos of coach Yayoy Alcoseba, Ozamiz Cota, Iloilo Warriors, Mandaue, Cavite and Davao as the teams locked in for the first campaign.
Under negotiation are teams from Rizal with Rep. Robbie Puno and Gov. Jun Ynares, Batangas with Sen. Ralph Recto, Baguio with Mayor Reinaldo Bautista, Tacloban with Kenneth Uy, General Santos City with Manny Pacquiao, Bacolod City with Dodong Bascon, Surigao del Sur with former Rep. Butch Pichay and Ormoc. Eala said Liga will choose four teams to complete the cast of 16.
“We hope to finalize the teams this week,” said Eala. “Lineups will be submitted early May then we’ll hold a workshop with team owners, managers and coaches on May 8-9 in Tagaytay. Our launch will be in Cebu on May 24 with the teams introduced to media in a hotel ballroom like how they do it in FIBA. The first leg of games will be played in various venues starting May 28.”
Eala said he has initiated talks with PBL commissioner Chino Trinidad on the possibility of drafting free agents or those without live contracts and SBP executive director Patrick Gregorio on enlisting standouts from the national youth pool.
“We’ll start our season when the PBL is over,” said Eala. “If there are Liga coaches interested in PBL players, we’ll clear the recruitment with Commissioner Chino. We don’t anticipate any conflict. We welcome Fil-Ams and coach Chot (Reyes) has in fact recommended someone for Taguig. We’re imposing a minimum of eight homegrown players in a 14-man lineup and a limit of two ex-pros who aren’t homegrown.”
FIBA rules will be used in Liga games. After the first phase where each team will host a leg consisting of three games, the 12 top finishers advance to the playoffs. The playoffs will consist of a wildcard stage involving eight teams, four best-of-five quarterfinal series, two best-of-five semifinal series and one best-of-five finals.
Eala explained that each leg will be a mini-tournament of four teams with the finishers earning points like in a tennis or golf circuit and winning cash incentives. The points will be added up to determine which teams qualify for the playoffs.
“We are maintaining the home-and-away format but the leg system dramatically reduces total expenses,” he said. “It will also be less costly for TV networks to cover our league because we will schedule two games in a venue a playing day with two legs a week.”
Eala said Liga’s minimum monthly salary is P10,000 and the cap is P20,000. “Our salary scales do not include provisions for bonuses,” he went on. “Theoretically, a team may pay players only the minimum but with a wide latitude for performance bonuses.”
Eala said while the Liga borrows from the community concept of the defunct MBA, it will not make the same mistakes. The MBA, which tried to rival the PBA and pirated players with offers of runaway salaries, folded up after four years because it couldn’t sustain the high cost of maintenance.
“We’re tapping communities all over the country to support their Liga teams,” said Eala. “We want to develop team loyalty like in the NBA. We also want to discover new talent.”
A key objective is job creation. “Liga wants to give players the opportunity to play,” said Eala. “We’re creating jobs. We’re offering a new platform for players to keep a relationship with the game and their communities. Players now don’t have to go far to join a league where they can make a living through basketball. They can stay in their hometowns and play for pay.”
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