POC encourages NSAs to tap foreign coaches for 2016 Rio buildup

The Philippine Olympic Committee has strongly encouraged national sports associations with athletes set to compete in qualifying tournaments for the 2016 Olympics to hire foreign coaches.

POC president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco Jr. said these NSA could make their request through the Olympic body to increase the chances of their athletes for the Rio de Janeiro Summer Games.

“I told the NSAs to identify the coaches that they need and we will help them get the approval from the PSC (Philippine Sports Commission),” said Cojuangco.

A total of 23 NSAs have come forward to the POC to submit their list of promising athletes who could make it to Rio. The PSC is the sports-financing arm of the government that bankrolls the needs of the national athletes.

“They can hire foreign coaches for three to four months. We have capable local coaches, but there’s also a need to update their knowledge and get valuable tips from foreigners,” said Cojuangco. CFC

Source: June Navarro of Inquirer.net

Read More

Filipino junior triathletes rule Singapore tilt

The four Cebuano junior triathletes who took the Singapore International Triathlon by storm with their trophies (from left) Justin Chiongbian (16-19 gold), Ralph Eduard So (14-15 bronze), Aaliyah Mataragnon (14-15 bronze) and Yuan Chiongbian (14-15 gold). CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/Cebu Daily News

Brothers Fredric Albert Yuan and Justin Liam Chiongbian produced a pair of golden performances in the recent 2015 Singapore Triathlon held at the East Coast Park in Singapore.

The 15-year-old Yuan, a 2014 Batang Pinoy triathlon champion, clocked 32 minutes and 51.63 seconds in the 200-meter swim, 12km bike and 1.5km run youth category while his elder sibling Justin proved fastest in the 16-19 junior class (750k swim, 18km bike, 5km run) in one hour,
two minutes and 17 seconds.

After placing third in the same race last year, Yuan never relinquished the lead from start to finish as the Cebu-based triathlete fended off the stiff challenge of Australian Aaron Kiss, who checked in second (34:16.93). Filipino Ralph Eduard So finished third (35:40.78).

In contrast, Justin took control of the race in the run sequence after emerging from the water third behind Singaporeans Bryce Chong and Zacharias Low.

Chong placed second (1:03.18) and Low got the bronze in 1:05:47.

Aaliyah Ricci Mataragnon also finished third in the female 14-15 youth category (38:41.74) won by Australian Abby Ouwendyk (36:55.23).

Malaysia’s Mayumi Shinozuka got the silver in 38:34.29.

The Philippine Sports Commission funded the trip with the endorsement of the Triathlon Association of the Philippines headed by Philippine Olympic Committee chair Tom Carrasco. CFC

Source: June Navarro of Inquirer.net

Read More

PH sends 16 bets to Asian tenpin tilt

Sixteen young keglers will be gunning for medals in the 16th Asian School Tenpin Bowling Championships beginning on Monday at the South China Athletic Association (SCAA) Bowling Center in Hong Kong.

Jakarta Asian School Tenpin bronze medalist Merwin Tan and veteran campaigner Ivan Malig will banner the country’s campaign in the boys’ class along with Gephil John Buyco, Louis Miguel Cantorna, Cole Austin Co, Duke Gregory Mella and Andrei Nikolai Malig.

Seeing action in the girls’ division are Regina Joy Daval-Santos, Nina De Vera, Bea Katrina Hernandez, Angela Jazmin Lazo, Noelle Joy Campos, Daphne Joy Custodio, Jelena Grace Gella and Danielle Denise Lazo.

Former world champion Biboy Rivera and national team mentor Jojo Canare will serve as coaches.

The girls’ singles is scheduled at 9 a.m. on Monday to be followed by the boys’ singles at 2 p.m.

The doubles event will be on Tuesday (July 28) while the team event is on Wednesday (July 29), all events on Thursday (July 30) and masters on Friday (July 31).

The team aims to surpass the country’s one-bronze showing courtesy of Tan in the 2013 edition held in Jakarta, Indonesia.

The last time the Philippines won a gold medal in the tournament was in 2011 in Bangkok, Thailand when Marie Alexis Sy topped the girls’ singles.

Source: Emil C. Noguera of the The Manila Times

Read More

Tamaraws all set for World U Football Cup

Back-to-back University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) champion Far Eastern University (FEU) will represent the Philippines in the upcoming World University Football Cup in Xiamen, China slated on August 9 to 16.

The annual event will feature 11 teams from universities all around the globe.

The Tamaraws will go up against teams from Russia, Malaysia, Cameroon, South Korea, Brazil, Portugal, France, South Africa, Japan, Thailand and China.

“For now ang masasabi namin prepared kami. Pinaghahandaan talaga namin siya kasi it’s a big competition [As of now, I can say that we are well prepared for the games. We are really preparing for it because it is a big competition],” said Eric Giganto, the team’s captain in the last UAAP season.

Giganto added that they are sending the same players that played in the last season of the UAAP.

“Binigyan ng priority yung mga seniors na naglaro last UAAP season. So yung mga player namin last season sila pa rin [The team gave priority to the seniors who played last UAAP season. We will have the same roster as last season],” he said.

Veteran Jhan-Jhan Melliza, who’ve had already used his allowed playing years for FEU, is still expected to lead the Tamaraws with teammates Paolo Bugas and Arnel Amita.

“Proud kami dahil first time ‘yun in FEU’s history and karangalan na rin yun para sa Pilipinas. Ibibigay namin ‘yung best namin dun [We are proud because this is a first in the history of FEU and it will also be an honor for the Philippines. We will do our best in our games],” Giganto said.

Source: Jaelle Nevin Reyes of The Manila Times

Read More

PDBF rowers win gold in HK tourney

The Philippine Dragon Boat Federation (PDBF) claimed one gold and three bronzes in the 2015 Hong Kong Dragon Boat Carnival International Races held at the Victoria Harbor in Hong Kong.

The Filipino paddlers bested 13 other teams to rule the mixed small boat 250-meter of the event participated by more than 4,000 paddlers.

“Joining the Hong Kong race is one of our main international exposures this year and it was a good experience for our team. The Hong Kong race was amazing and interesting and we hope to join again next year,” PDBF President Marcia Cristobal said.

The team also secured bronze medals in the open 250m small boat, women’s 250m small boat and mixed 250m standard boat.

“The Hong Kong Dragon Boat Carnival, the longest-running event in modern dragon boat racing. Thanks to Philippine Consulate in Hong Kong for the warm and enormous generosity given to PDBF Elite Team. Maraming salamat po at sa lahat ng Pinoy sa Hong Kong na sumusuporta sa amin,” the PDBF chief added.

In June, the PDBF earned a silver medal in the 2015 Macau International Invitational Dragon Boat Championship held at the Nam Van Lake Nautical Center in Macau, China.

The PDBF has also been successful in international competitions for the past years including its two-gold, one-silver, one-bronze showing in the 1st International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF) Dragon Boat World Cup in Fuzhou, China and one-gold, two-silver output in the Asian Dragon Boat Championships also held in Macau.

Source: Emil C. Noguera of Manila Times

Read More

Cignal PH bet in Asian volley tilt

The Philippine Superliga will represent Team Philippines to the Asian Volleyball Confederation men’s club championship which starts Aug. 11-18 in Chinese Taipei.

PSL president Ramon “Tats’ Suzara tasked one of the league’s top squad Cignal HD to form the national team to the prestigious meet held in the Philippines last year.

Cignal coach Sammy Acaylar said they have been regularly practicing at La Salle Greenhills and are just waiting for the arrival of two American players who will backstop the crew.

“Yes we are ready, we have started practicing two weeks ago, hopefully we get the team complete and have the Americans arrive as early as possible,” said Acaylar.

Among the players in the line-up are libero Sandy Montero, Jay dela Cruz, Edmar Bonono, Red Christensen, Jeffrey Lansangan, Alex Faytaren, Bonjomar Castel and Paco Capate.

“This is a very tough tournament because all the best national teams are here playing for their respective clubs,” said Acaylar.

He said they are aiming to do better than the 8th place finish the country had last year.

“Last year we can choose the draw, but now we have to play any team are bracketed, so it’s a tougher assignment. But we will be ready,” added Acaylar.

Source: Marc Anthony Reyes of Inquirer.net

Read More

POC moving bets to less polluted areas

With air pollution in Metro Manila soaring to hazardous levels, the Philippine Olympic Committee is considering moving the national athletes to alternative training centers outside of the metropolis.

POC president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco Jr. discussed the pollution issue with Philippine Sports Commission chair Richie Garcia, who readily admitted that conditions at Philsports in Pasig City and the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila are no longer conducive for athletes.

“Sad to say, we will have to endure this kind of environment,” said Garcia. “We have nowhere to go. You cannot bring all of the athletes to Baguio City.”

Garcia said Cojuangco told him to pursue the training of athletes set to compete in Olympic qualifiers outside of Metro Manila.

“He plans to bring the athletes to Iloilo, Davao, Bacolod or wherever the environment is clean and the air is fresh,” said Garcia. “By doing it, we can give our athletes an equal chance against their opponents. Otherwise, expect the same results when we compete internationally.”

According to the PSC chief, a recent study made by the government cited that pollution in Metro Manila has far exceeded tolerable levels with Pasig City slightly more polluted than Manila.

During a recent check at Philsports, Garcia said that dirt and grime continue to settle in the swimming pool though maintenance personnel admitted cleaning the pool on a daily basis.

“Even if we provide proper nutrition and address the physical fitness of the athletes, their resistance will not be as good as the others under these conditions,” said Garcia.

He explained that majority of the medalists in the recent Singapore Southeast Asian Games trained in Baguio, particularly athletes from track and field and boxing.

“People have to realize that it would be difficult to compete with other countries that trained their athletes with complete facilities and away from pollution,” said Garcia.

The PSC will build a multipurpose gymnasium at the Teacher’s Camp in Baguio City to house other athletes aside from boxing and track and field. It plans to transfer most water sports in Subic.

Source: June Navarro of Inquirer.net

Read More

Fajardo accepts Baldwin's challenge to become Gilas centerpiece

MANILA, Philippines -- New Gilas coach Tab Baldwin made it no secret that he will make the 6-foot-10 June Mar Fajardo the centerpiece of the FIBA Asia-bound national team. 

The reiging PBA two-time MVP, who was used as back-up during his Gilas debut,  welcomed the challenge. 

"Nakakatuwa naman ('yung sinabi ni coach Tab). Malaking responsibilidad at nakaka-pressure rin pero, why not? Opportunity 'yun eh," Fajardo told Philstar.com. 

Fajardo has improved by leaps and bounds since his debut in the international stage and he wants to repay the trust of Baldwin and the Filipino fans. 

The Cebuano big man will be using the short break to rest his injury (plantar fasciitis) on both feet before returning for the Gilas training camp. San Miguel management gave them a six-week break but Fajardo is expected to only use a couple of weeks of that as he will plunge back to training with the Gilas pool starting August. 

"Uuwi ako sa Cebu baka this Friday then saka na ako babalik kapag na-announce na ang (Gilas) pool, " Fajardo said. 

Sportshub ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1

Baldwin has already submitted his list of candidates for Gilas pool to the PBA. The PBA and SBP will be announcing the names in a joint press conference before this month ends. 

Fajardo, who averaged 17.4 points and 12.9 rebounds this season on his way to his second straight league MVP, knows he has to re-calibrate his game to adjust to the much tougher FIBA Asia competition. 

"Kailangan ko pang itaas ang confidence ko kasi ibang level na dun sa FIBA Asia. Malalaki at mabibilis ang kalaban dun," Fajardo said. 

Baldwin has already envisioned Fajardo to play alongside naturalized center Andray Blatche in most stretches giving them enough ceiling to counter the bigger teams in Asia. 

Source: Alder Almo of Philippine Star

Read More

Pangilinan 'a little worried' about possible 2019 schedule pile-up with World Cup, SEA Games

THE Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) expressed some concern that the 2019 Fiba World Cup is going to be held in the same year as the Southeast Asian Games, which the country is hosting.

If it wins its bid to host the world basketball showpiece four years from now, the Philippines will end up hosting two major sporting events that year.

SBP president Manny V. Pangilinan expressed concern that it will affect preparations for the World Cup, should the country beat China for the hosting rights.

“A little bit (worried),” Pangilinan admitted. “But I guess it’s (SEA Games) a regional event.”

The schedule for both events has yet to be announced, but they are not expected to overlap. The SEA Games this year in Singapore was held in June, while the biennial meet two years in Myanmar was held in December.

The 2014 World Cup in Spain, on the other hand, was held in September.

The two Australian consultants the SBP hired to help in the country’s bid also aired little concern of the possible clash in schedule.

“That’s something that’s on the back of our mind,” said Ian Rumsby, chief strategy officer (Asia Pacific) of Weber Shandwick, a public relations firm giant. “But I think this has been very much a focus of energy and effort in supporting the World Cup bid that there is a number of individuals that are focusing on this goal.”

“(It’s not only one group that) will be charged with the responsibility of running both events,” said Sean Nicholls, president (Asia Pacific) of Octagon, for his part. “There will be a separate entity that will run the World Cup and I’m sure there’ll be another entity that will run the Southeast Asian Games.”

“So in terms of the country’s ability to deliver both events, there’s no doubt it can,” he added.

Source: Karlo Sacamos of Spin.ph

Read More

PH bid presentation for 2019 World Cup will present a 'game-changing vision,' says MVP

MANILA, Philippines — A rumor doing the rounds is that Manny Pacquiao will be in the corner for the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) when it comes to bidding to host the 2019 World Cup.

The boxing great plays basketball with his entourage during breaks in his training and has formed his own professional team which plays in the domestic league. Local reports say he will join Filipino officials to help persuade Fiba to award the tournament to his home country when they present their bids in Japan next month. China also is bidding for the rights.

Chot Reyes, a former coach of the national team and a backer of the bid, said the 2019 event could provide inspiration to a generation of players across Asia.

"With the World Cup 2019, we are not only able to show the world what the sport means to the Philippines, but the opportunity to host a world-class competition like this will further inspire Filipinos both in the Philippinesand the 10 million across the globe to chase their dreams," Reyes said. "We also believe that it will offer similar inspiration to other players right across Asia."

Manuel V. Pangilinan, president of the SBP, said the bid will present "a passionate, innovative and game-changing vision from a country on the move."

"In the Philippines, basketball is life," Pangilinan said. "It is part of our cultural fabric and the No. 1 sport which people throughout our country follow devotedly every day."

The SBP said it can prepare four venues for the tournament, including the newly-built Philippine Arena north of Manila which seated more than 52,000 people at the opening game of the PBA last year.

The Philippines played in the 2014 World Cup in Spain, qualifying for the first time since it hosted the world tournament in 1978. The team finished with a win and four losses, but the fans still won accolades for their passion.

The popularity of the sport can be seen in the ubiquitous presence of basketball courts in both poor and wealthy communities. In neighborhoods lacking convention courts, the best paved roads are often blocked off for village basketball tournaments.

"It is really a sport that is at the heart of every Filipino," Reyes said. "We have 40 percent of the population who know and played the sport, we have the facilities to support the bid and of course incredible fan support for the sport in the Philippines.

"Filipinos are also not just passive sports fans who watch basketball from their homes; they're active and vocal about wanting to see their country host the Fiba World Cup 2019."

Source: Oliver Teves of Spin.ph

Read More

Jovelyn Gonzaga, two others miss Vietnam mission after failing to secure AFP release

JOVELYN Gonzaga, Rhea Dimaculangan, and Maika Ortiz will not join the Philippine women’s volleyball team to the upcoming VTV Invitational Cup as the three military athletes failed to get a release from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Larong Volleyball ng Pilipinas Inc. (LVPI) secretary general Ricky Palou confirmed Gonzaga, Dimaculangan, and Ortiz failed to secure their Detailed Service (DS) order from the AFP in time to join the team in its departure to Vietnam on Wednesday morning.

A DS order is a requirement for all national athletes who are in the military so they can be released from their mother units and join their respective teams for training and competition.

“Hindi sila napayagan,” said Palou.

Gonzaga is detailed with the Philippine Army while Dimaculangan and Ortiz are with the Air Force.

The trio's non-availability is the latest setback for a team left without key players including Alyssa Valdez, who took a respite following a grueling schedule after competing in the UAAP, Asian Under-23 Championship, and the SEA Games.

Also out of the team are national team mainstays Rachel Anne Daquis, Denden Lazaro, Jaja Santiago, Jia Morado, Gretchel Soltones, Bea De Leon, and Aiza Maizo-Pontillas out for varying reasons.

That left Aby Marano and Dindin Santiago-Manabat as the only holdovers from the women's volleyball team that competed in the 28th Southeast Asian Games in Singapore.

Gonzaga, Dimaculangan, and Ortiz were part of the team that competed in the Singapore Games last month. Gonzaga was the skipper of the team.

Risa Sato, Myla Pablo, Janine Marciano, Honey Royse Tubino, Suzanne Roces, and Lizlee Ann Gata-Pantone were the recent additions to the team.

Palou, however, assured the team will still have 12 players as the three already have replacements, although their names are still being verified by the LVPI official as of posting time.

“Naghanap si Roger (Gorayeb) at ‘yung coaching staff. Hindi ko pa alam kung sino dahil kahapon lang ‘to nangyari,” said Palou.

The wait for the DS order of military athletes actually covers all national teams with nine boxers including Olympian Mark Anthony Barriga still waiting for the release so that they could start their build-up for the qualifying events in the 2016 Rio De Janeiro Olympics.

The memorandum of agreement between the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the AFP lapsed last June 30 with the PSC working on an extension of the MOA for the seamless release of military athletes to the national team.

Source: Reuben Terrado of Spin.ph

Read More

PH boxers’ road to 2016 Olympics begins next month

The Philippine boxing team will be fighting in seven weight categories in the Asian Championship next month, the country’s first key stop on the long road to the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Amateur boxing executive director Ed Picson said Tuesday there would be a box-off among the national pugs as soon as the Armed Forces of the Philippines releases the soldier-athetes from the military.

London Olympian Mark Anthony Barriga heads the list of eight boxers who are temporarily barred from training with the national team after their mother units in the AFP recalled them last month.

Picson said the Association of Boxing Alliances of the Philippines has appealed before the Philippine Sports Commission to help fast-track the detailed service of boxers Rey Saludar, Wilfredo Lopez, Eumir Felix Marcial, Dennis Galvan, Junel Cantancio, Mario Fernandez and Nico Magliquian.

“I hope our appeal will be considered because the Asian Championship is barely one month away,’’ said Picson during the Philippine Sportswriters Association forum at Shakey’s Malate.

The top seven boxers for every weight class in the Asian Boxing Confederation Elite Men’s Championship in Bangkok on Aug. 25 will advance to the Aiba World Championships in Doha, Qatar in October where the medalists automatically earn tickets to Rio de Janeiro.

Out of the 10 weight categories in the Asian championship, Picson said the Philippines would figure in seven weight classes—49kg, 52kg, 56kg, 60kg, 64kg, 69kg and 75kg.

Source: June Navarro of Inquirer.net

Read More

Singapore jails Indonesian for SEAGames match-fixing

SINGAPORE — An Indonesian man was jailed for 30 months Tuesday in Singapore for conspiring to fix a football match during the recent Southeast Asian Games in the city-state.

Nasiruddin conspired with two other persons to bribe the technical director of East Timor’s football team, Orlando Marques Henriques Mendes, to lose a match against Malaysia, Singapore’s Corrupt Practices and Investigation Bureau (CPIB) said.

The Indonesian had offered Sg$15,000 ($11,000) to the East Timor soccer official, the CPIB said in a statement.

Nasiruddin also conspired to bribe members of the East Timor team “as an inducement to lose the same match,” according to the statement.

East Timor’s under-23 team at the Games lost their May 30 opening match 1-0 to Malaysia, who played most of the game with 10 men after the dismissal of playmaker Nazmi Faiz Mansor.

Singapore has been hit by previous fixing scandals including in April 2013, when a local businessman provided prostitutes for visiting referees to influence an Asian Football Confederation Cup game.

Alleged global match-fixing mastermind Tan Seet Eng, or Dan Tan, is being held under a law that allows for indefinite detention following a crackdown in September that year.

Experts say low-level games are most vulnerable to offers from match-fixers because players and officials are typically not well paid.

At last year’s Asian Games at Incheon in South Korea, a betting analysis company said there were strong indications of match-fixing in the football competition’s early rounds.

“Singapore adopts a zero tolerance approach towards corruption, and match-fixing of any form is not condoned in Singapore,” the CPIB said Tuesday.

It warned it “will not hesitate to take action against any party involved in match-fixing related activities.”

Source: Agence France-Presse of Inquirer.net

Read More

Azkals play 3 more home matches in FIFA World Cup qualifier

MANILA, Philippines -- The Philippine national football team is scheduled to play only three more games in the country in the ongoing qualifiers for the 2018 FIFA World Cup as the rest of its matches will be held outside the Philippines.

“Let’s take advantage of the hometown matches by watching the Azkals play in person. The Azkals will be playing for the country’s honor. The fans’ support will count a lot,” Team Manager Dan Palami said.

The next Azkals game is scheduled on September 8 against a tough Uzbekistan squad at the spanking Philippine Sports Stadium in Bocaue, Bulacan.

Kickoff time is at 8 p.m.

Palami said playing before a home crowd will be motivating for the Azkals, especially if the players see the all-out support of fans turning up in droves for the games.

“We are fortunate to see our Azkals playing more home games, unlike in the 2011 qualifiers where they had only two home games,” he said.

Sportshub ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1

For the ongoing World Cup qualifiers, the Azkals were lined up to play four games in the Philippines -- with the first game already held last June 11 against Bahrain at the Philippine Sports Stadium -- and another four games outside the country under a round robin format. The first home away game of the Azkals happened last June 17 in Doha, Qatar, when it trounced Yemen, 2-0.

After the September 8 game against Uzbekistan, the next Azkals matches in the country are on November 12, 2015, against Yemen and on March 29 next year against the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea), both at the Philippine Sports Stadium.

The rest of the Azkals games scheduled outside of the country are on October 8, 2015, against the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in Pyongyang; on October 13, 2015, against Bahrain in Manama, and on March 24 next year against Uzbekistan in Tashkent.

There are eight groups with five teams each. The top team in each group plus the four second-best teams to be determined by goal difference across all groups will advance to the next round. The Philippines, Uzbekistan, People’s Republic of Korea, Bahrain, and Yemen are in Group H.

The 12 teams will compete in the 2016 qualifiers, which will determine the final group for the World Cup in 2018 to be held in Russia. The 12 teams will also automatically qualify for the 2019 Asian Cup.

“Our ultimate goal is to play in the World Cup, the most followed sporting event worldwide and which is every nation’s dream,” Palami said.

Tickets for the Azkals vs. Uzbekistan game to be held at the Philippine Sports Stadium on September 8, 2015 are now available at www.ticketworld.com.ph.  Tickets are at P531.80 for Price Zone 1, P331.14 for Price Zone 2 and P125.40 for Price Zone 3. 

Source: The Philippine Star

Read More

Road to Rio

Only the winner of the FIBA Asia Championships in Changsha, Hunan, China on Sept. 23-Oct. 3 will gain an automatic ticket to represent Asia in the 12-team basketball competition for men at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics next year.

But the second and third placers in Changsha get a chance to sneak into the Olympics through a 12-team world qualifying tournament to be held on July 5-11 at a still undetermined country. The Olympics will be held in Brazil on Aug. 5-21. The problem is it’s easier to win the FIBA Asia title than to book a ticket to Rio through the world qualifying tournament.

It’s still not certain if Brazil as the host nation will be given an outright berth in the Olympic basketball tournament. The FIBA Central Board will decide on that issue during its meeting on Aug. 7-9 in Tokyo. That same meeting will also settle which country is to host the 2019 FIBA World Cup – China or the Philippines. If Brazil is awarded a slot, the top three finishers of the world qualifying tournament will advance to Rio. If Brazil is not awarded a slot and has to go through the qualifying process via the FIBA Americas Championships, the top four finishers of the world qualifying tournament will proceed to Rio.

At the 2012 Olympics, Great Britain as host was given an outright slot by FIBA. That’s why only the top three placers of the world qualifying tournament held on July 2-8 in Caracas, Venezuela, booked tickets to London. They were Russia, Lithuania and Nigeria. The entries to the world qualifying tournament were two from Africa (Angola, Nigeria), two from Asia (Jordan, South Korea), four from Europe (Greece, Lithuania, Macedonia, Russia), three from the Americas (Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Venezuela) and one from Oceania (New Zealand).

The cast for the 2012 Olympic men’s basketball tournament listed host Great Britain, 2010 FIBA World Cup champion US, African champion Tunisia, Asian champion China, Oceania champion Australia, European champion Spain and runner-up France, Americas champion Argentina and runner-up Brazil and the top three finishers of the world qualifying tournament, Russia, Lithuania and Nigeria. The US won the gold medal, Spain the silver and Russia the bronze.

For the 2016 Olympics, only reigning World Cup champion US is guaranteed a slot at the moment. One spot is reserved for the Oceania champion (to be determined in a home-and-away series between Australia and New Zealand on Aug. 31-Sept. 14), one slot for Africa (the tournament is scheduled on Aug. 11-18 in Tunisia), two slots for the Americas (the tournament is scheduled on Aug. 15-Sept. 6 in Mexico), two slots for Europe (the tournament is scheduled on Sept. 4-20), one slot for Asia and three or four slots from the world qualifying tournament, depending on whether host Brazil is awarded an outright slot or not.

Newly-designated Gilas coach Tab Baldwin said it won’t be easy nailing an Olympic slot out of the world qualifying tournament because there will be teams from Europe, the Americas, Africa and Oceania to contend with. He should know. In 2011, he took Jordan to second place at the FIBA Asia Championships in Wuhan, losing to China, 80-79, in the final. That brought Jordan to the world qualifying tournament in Caracas where Baldwin said the national team was “annihilated.” Jordan lost to Greece by 44 points, 107-63, and to Puerto Rico by 41, 93-52. 

To make it to the final in Wuhan, Jordan tripped the Philippines, 75-61. Gilas was then coached by Rajko Toroman. In the battle for third place, the Philippines bowed to South Korea by two, 70-68. Like Jordan, South Korea went on to play at the world qualifying tournament in Caracas and was similarly bundled out in two games, losing to Russia by 35, 91-56, and the Dominican Republic by 10, 95-85.

In Changsha, the Philippines is bracketed in Group B with Palestine, Kuwait and Hong Kong. Making up Group A are Iran, Japan Malaysia and India. Group C is composed of South Korea, Jordan, Singapore and China while Chinese-Taipei, Lebanon, Qatar and Kazakhstan comprise Group D.

The top three finishers of each group will advance to the second round. The Philippines should top its bracket. Palestine is likely to be the toughest opponent in the preliminaries with legendary High Point University coach Jerry Steele at the helm and former PBA import Omar Krayem in the backcourt. Kuwait might enlist former PBA center Rabeh Al Hussaini. Hong Kong is expected to be led by Duncan Reid. 

In the second round, the Philippines will play the top three from Group A which should be Iran, Japan and India. If Gilas finishes No. 2 behind Iran after two rounds, it will face No. 3 from Groups C and D, possibly China, Jordan, Qatar or Chinese-Taipei if South Korea and Lebanon are 1-2. That will be a knockout game. If the Philippines survives, it will move on to the semifinals. Another win will bring Gilas to the final.

Baldwin has been the national coach of New Zealand, Malaysia, Jordan and Lebanon. He piloted New Zealand to the Final Four at the 2002 FIBA World Cup in Indiana. Baldwin coached New Zealand at the 2006 FIBA World Cup in Saitama and Lebanon at the 2010 FIBA World Cup in Turkey. He was a consultant with Gilas at the FIBA World Cup in Spain last year. He also brought New Zealand to the 2004 Athens Olympics.

Baldwin said he was invited by his friend Brian Lester of Australia to coach in the Malaysian league in 1996. He brought along two imports. Baldwin won the Malaysian league title then was invited to coach the national team at the SEABA Championships in Surabaya that year. Indonesia beat the Philippines, 88-81, for the SEABA title.

Source: Joaquin Henson of The Philippine Star

Read More

POC wants bigger PH delegation in 2016 Rio Olympics

The Philippine Olympic Committee prefers a much bigger athlete delegation in the 2016 Olympics than the Philippine representation in London three years ago.

POC president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco Jr. announced the local Olympic body’s all-out support for the national sports association to produce more qualifiers next year in Rio de Janeiro during a meeting with the NSAs Monday.

Two-time Olympian and flag-bearer Hidilyn Diaz of weightlifting led an 11-athlete contingent to the 2012 London Summer Games while 15 athletes made it to the Beijing Olympics four years earlier.

“As much as possible, we want to increase the number of our athletes in the Olympics by 50 percent from the last Olympics,’’ said Cojuangco after sitting down with 23 NSAs to discuss the POC’s commitment in their quest for spots in Rio.

Right now, only Southeast Asian Games double-gold medalist Eric Cray has grabbed a seat to the Olympics after meeting the standard in the 400m hurdles in the Cayman Invite last May.

Source June Navarro of Inquirer.net

Read More

PH Cuppers bow to Taiwanese

Chinese Taipei edged Cebuana Lhuillier-Philippine Davis Cup, 3-1, Sunday night in their Asia/Oceania Group 2 semifinal tie following a decisive victory in the rain-delayed fourth rubber in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

Taiwanese top player Lu Yen-hsun edged Ruben Gonzales, 6-2, 6-2, 6-4, in the reverse singles match which was halted by heavy rains at the outdoor courts.

Organizers decided to transfer to Tainan, which was two hours away, to finish the match.

Chinese Taipei will advance to the Group 2 finals against Pakistan in a hope to come back to the elite Group 1 next year.

The Filipinos will stay in Group 2 in 2016 for a fifth straight year.

The country had a dismal opening singles after Jeson Patrombon, the PH No. 1 player, fell to Hung Jui-chen (6-2, 6-2, 6-1), while Patrick John Tierro bowed to Chinese Taipei top player Lu Yen-hsun (6-2, 6-2, 6-1) last Friday.

But Gonzales and Huey kept the campaign alive following a 6-3, 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (7-3) triumph against Peng Hsien-yin and Lee Hsin-han in Saturday’s doubles.

Source: Marc Anthony Reyes of Inquirer.net

Read More

Lassiter ready if Gilas Pilipinas invitation comes

Best shooter in the PBA right now? Marcio Lassiter is definitely in the conversation.

After his superb showing in the 2015 PBA Governors’ Cup, there’s no more denying that the former Smart Gilas member is one of the league’s deadliest shooters, enough for some pundits to push for his inclusion anew in the Fiba Asia-bound national team.

But for Lassiter, he’s still enjoying the moment.

“The first time we won the championship in the Philippine Cup, it was a relief. Now that we have some more time off, I just want to enjoy it with my family and my teammates,” he said, though he’s still keeping a watchful eye if an invitation does pop out.

“I know it’s gonna come, and I’ll just be ready when that time comes,” he said.

Lassiter is aching for another crack in the national team after playing in the Rajko Toroman-coached squads. He was shortlisted for the World Cup squad last year but had to decline after he felt injuries would hamper his Gilas stint.

Now, he wants to go at it one more time and believes that he can bring so much more in his possible second go-round with the national team.

“Every year I’ve been here, I matured,” he said. “I just want to make sure that I keep growing as a player and keep on getting better.”

Source: Randolph Leongson of Inquirer.net

Read More

Philippine Army wins gold in Japan Dragon Boat tilt

The Philippine Army Dragon Boat Team bagged gold in the men’s 250-meter race at the Japan Dragon Boat Championships in Osaka on Sunday.

The 28-man team, dubbed as the world’s fasted dragon boat team, beat 70 other teams from around the world at the race held in Okinawa River in Japan for the men’s category.

In a Facebook post at the Army Dragon Boat Team’s website, it was mentioned that the Philippine team was even mentored by some of the Japanese participants in the competition back in 2010.

Last year, the Philippine Army Dragon Boat Team also won two gold medals in Italy for the International Dragon Boat Federation Club Crews World Championships.

In 2007, it bagged five gold medals and two silver medals in the International Dragon Boat Federation World Championships in Tampa, Florida.

“The Commanding General of the Philippine Army, MGen Eduardo Año, has sent his warm congratulations to the Philippine Army Dragon Boat Team for winning the Gold in the 250-meter Men’s open category,” acting Army public affairs chief Major Enrico Ileto said on Monday.

“They have shown the world how comradeship and discipline will make a difference in every endeavor,” he said, adding that they have once again inspired the 85,000-strong Army.

Source: Frances Mangosing of Inquirer.net

Read More

Risa Sato, Myla Pablo, four others called up to Vietnam-bound PH team in Alyssa Valdez's absence

TWO players from the Philippine Under-23 team and four others have been called up to join five holdovers from the SEA Games squad as the Philippines sees action in the  VTV Invitational Cup in Vietnam starting on Saturday.

Under-23 players Risa Sato and Myla Pablo will also join the team, along with Janine Marciano, Honey Royse Tubino, Suzanne Roces and multi-titled libero Lizlee Ann Gata-Pantone.

From the 12-woman Philippine team to the SEA Games, only five players are seeing action in Vietnam.

SEA Games skipper Jovelyn Gonzaga is back together with Abi Marano, setter Rhea Dimaculangan, Maika Ortiz and Dindin Santiago-Manabat.

Alyssa Valdez is not joining the Philippine team as she sees action for Ateneo in the V-League.

Setter Jia Morado will miss the tournament due to a knee injury, Gretcel Soltones is nursing a shoulder injury, while Jaja Santiago and Bea de Leon are playing for National U and Ateneo, respectively, in the V-League.

Rachel Anne Daquis is out of the country and Denden Lazaro is focusing on medical school. SEA Games assistant coach and reserve player Aiza Maizo-Pontillas also begged off.

The team coached by Roger Gorayeb and Nes Pamilar as assistant coach will leave on Wednesday.                        

Although the team was formed less than a week before the tournament and more than half of the SEA Games squad will not play, Larong Volleyball ng Plilipinas, Inc. secretary general Ricky Palou is confident the team will be competitive.

“Nakapag-ensayo din naman sila pero hindi ganoon ka-extensive dahil biglaan na naman ’di ba?” he said on Monday. “But I think they’re familiar naman sa system. Tutal nagsama rin naman sila sa Southeast Asian Games most of them so familiar na sila.

“Nakakuha ng funding from PSC care of Chairman Richie Garcia and ang kausap niya is (LVPI president) Joey Romasanta. Hindi ko alam kung magkano pero I think it will cover the expense of the trip,” he said.

Source: Mei-Lin Lozada of Spin.ph

Read More

Focus shifts to formation of Gilas pool

MANILA, Philippines – With PBA Season 40 over, the pro league is now to work with national coach Tab Baldwin for the formation of the national pool and eventually the national team that will vie for an Olympic ticket in the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship set Sept. 23 to Aug. 3 in Changsha, China.

Baldwin is expected to finish talks with PBA team owners in the next few days and, together with the SBP selection committee, will announce the national aspirants before the end of the month.

“It’s between now and July 31 as Gilas Pilipinas targets to start practicing on Aug. 1,” said PBA media bureau chief Willie Marcial.

San Miguel Beer prized center Junemar Fajardo, now a two-time PBA MVP awardee and two-time PBA champion, said he’s looking forward to the Asian joust where he’s likely to form with naturalized player Andray Blatche a solid frontline tandem for Gilas Pilipinas.

Others who are likely to be shoo-ins in the team are guards Jayson Castro and Paul Lee, and forward Ranidel de Ocampo.

The rest will depend on Baldwin’s talks with PBA team owners. The most crucial is Ramon S. Ang, the chairman of San Miguel Corp. with three talent-laden PBA teams in San Miguel Beer, Barangay Ginebra and the Star Hotshots.

Doubtful is the release to the Gilas pool of all the players in Baldwin’s wish list.

“The big problem there is the tryouts. There are teams who will not let their players go through tryouts. Baldwin should’ve made up his mind already who are the players he wants to bring to China,” said a PBA insider.

“He’s been in the PBA for quite some time already. He should know by now the players deserving to be in the national team. He should have an idea already who will click in international competition,” the same source said.

Baldwin, meanwhile, has been saying he’s ready to work on who will be released to him.

The American-New Zealander coach has two months to whip Gilas into fighting form for the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship where the winner gains automatic berth in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics while the next two punch tickets to the world Olympic qualifier.

 Tipped to be Gilas’ tough rivals in the tourney are the host team, Iran under new German coach Dirk Bauermann and Korea with naturalized player Moon Taeyoung who is taking over from brother Moon Taejong.

The returning Lebanon team, Qatar, Kazakhstan, Jordan, Chinese Taipei and Japan are the other teams to watch.

It’s easy to speculate that members of the old Gilas team are in Baldwin’s wish list. Players like Greg Slaughter, Marcio Lassiter, Terrence Romeo and main men of Alaska Milk will likely be in Baldwin’s mind, too.

Teams that won’t be touched by Baldwin are Blackwater, Kia and NLEX.

Gilas Pilipinas needs to improve from its second-place finish in Manila in 2013 if the Philippines will is to make its first Olympic appearance since the 1972 Munich Games.

Plan includes training in Lithuania and Estonia before playing in a pocket tournament at home prior to their departure for China.

Source: Nelson Beltran of Philippine Star

Read More

PH swimmers Lacuna, Alkhaldi eye Olympic berths

photo (c) Raffy Lerma

Jessie Khing Lacuna is still two seconds away from the standard time while Jasmine Alkhaldi has been religiously working on improving her clockings in three freestyle events as the country’s top two swimmers chase their Olympic dream a second time around in 2016 Rio De Janeiro.

Although both Southeast Asian Games medalists have already reached the B-cut standard of the International Swimming Federation (Fina), national team head coach Archie Lim wants to make sure the qualifying times for the Olympics are met.

“We have eight months to work on faster clockings. I’m positive it can be done,’’ said Lim during Sunday’s finale of the Speedo G-League Philippine National Long Course Championship organized by the Philippine Swimming Inc. and Galaxy Starships Swim Club at the Rizal Memorial pool.

Lim explained they’re aiming for the A-cut standard where the top 500 swimmers in the world automatically earn tickets to Rio.

He said achieving a B-cut, swimmers ranked over 500 to 900, could stand a strong chance for the Olympics, but nothing could be more certain than entering the top 500. Lacuna and Alkhaldi still own B-cut rankings.

Lacuna, who wore the national colors in the 2012 London Games, recently clocked 2:02 in the men’s 200-meter individual medley, two seconds short of Olympic A-cut standard.

The 22-year-old from Pulilan, Bulacan, who bagged a silver medal and a pair of bronzes in the Singapore Southeast Asian Games, is also three seconds slower from the qualifying times of the 200m freestyle and 200m butterfly and five seconds away in the 400m free.

Alkhaldi, another London Olympian who pocketed six bronze medals in Singapore, remains hot on a return trip to the Summer Games as she aims to beat the standards in the 50m, 100m and 200m free.

Lim said Filipino-American Joshua Hall is also chasing an Olympic slot in the 50m and 100m breaststroke.

Youth Olympian Roxanne Ashley Yu, a backstroke specialist, will join them in the Fina World Championship on Aug. 1 in Kazan, Russia.
“We hope to achieve the A-cut clockings there,’’ said Lim.

The Rio Olympics is set Aug. 5-21 next year.

Source: June Navarro of Inquirer.net

Read More