Bleacher Talk

Bleacher Talk August 30, 2009 Milo BEST Milo and BEST, BEST and Milo = Milo BEST. Get it? It’s a play of words that has been there for the past 25 years and it looks like nothing can stop it. When one talks about THE basketball tournament for youth, Milo BEST is hands-down, a top-of-mind answer. And so why all the fuss? All because Cebu’s 2009 edition of the Milo-sponsored BEST SBP/Passerelle Twin Basketball Tournaments kicks off tomorrow at the University of San Carlos North Campus Gym. Once again, the best of age-group basketball get together for a friendly round of games in what is now known as the most followed tournament in the country. Coaches of the teams playing in the Milo-sponsored BEST SBP/Passerelle Twin Tournaments pose for a unity shot at the coaches organizational meeting. Many questions have been asked about Milo BEST, and so we felt it proper to provide answers to the FAQ’s about the event. For starters, the event is organized by the Basketball Efficiency and Scient

Bleacher Talk August 23, 2009 Mingaw Man ang Boxing As a boxing fan, I’m worried and bored. As a writer, I’m confused and have more questions than answers. What’s up Cebu Boxing? Is something wrong? Is it the global crisis? Is it the lack of world-class boxers? The lack of local promoters? Why has Cebu Boxing been so quiet of late? Let’s put this way. The last big boxing event in Cebu was last May 15 when AJ Banal scored a TKO win over Mbwana Matumla of Tanzania at the Cebu Coliseum. On the same night, Czar Amonsot fought listlessly to a unanimous decision win over Morris Chule, while Jason Pagara impressed fans eyebrows with his KO win over Hero Katili of Indonesia. On March 14 (or five months ago), Z Gorres wowed us again with his skills in scoring a lopsided win over ex-world champ Roberto “Mako” Leyva of Mexico. In the undercard, Milan Milendo scored a career-defining win over another ex-world champ in Muhammad Rachmann of Indonesia, while Michael Domingo defeated Monico Laurente i

Bleacher Talk August 16, 2009 FIBA Asia 2009 For the record, Team Pilipinas’ quest for a slot at the 2010 World Basketball Championship in Turkey is over. Yesterday’s loss to Jordan was both painful and heartbreaking. It knocked us out of contention and relegated us to a best possible finish of fifth or worst-case scenario eighth. But more importantly, the FIBA Asia Championships has opened our eyes to the reality on the status of Philippine basketball in the region. For starters, we’re definitely a top eight team (good or bad news whatever way you take it). Cracking the top four is going to be a tough but still realistic goal in the future. Another given is China. They’ll remain to be Asia’s top team even without a healthy Yao Ming. The surprise for some although it’s getting to be a habit is that the Western Asia countries have taken over. Iran, Lebanon and Jordan have become Asia’s new powers knocking out the Eastern side of Asia. And for us Philippines, even an eighth place finish

Bleacher Talk August 9, 2009 CESAFI Juniors 2009 Each time people talk about the CESAFI basketball tournament, it’s automatic that college basketball will be the top-of-mind topic. Talk will always be about UV’s quest for a ninth straight title, UC’s legitimate chance of making it all the way this year, and how Coach Itoy Salacut will pull some surprises at USJR despite losing half of his team from last year. Moreover, Greg Slaughter and June Mar Fajardo will be hands-down the most talked about players in what is seen as a showdown between two of the country’s best big men. But is that everything about CESAFI Basketball? Definitely not, and it’s our task today to invite all to also look into our “bias” in the local basketball scene. We always talk about college ball, but does anyone talk about youth basketball? Let’s put it this way. Everything has to start somewhere and college ball wouldn’t be where it is today without its roots in youth basketball. The sad part is that high school b

2009 CESAFI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE OF GAMES DATE/TIME/LIGHT vs DARK / DIVISION 8/1/2009 1:00 PM OPENING CEREMONIES 4:00 PM USP-F (0-1) 86 vs 94 SHS-J (1-0) JUNIORS 5:30 PM USC (0-1) 66 vs 67 USJ-R (1-0) SENIORS 8/2/2009 1:00 PM UC (1-0) 95 vs 86 USC (0-1) JUNIORS 2:30 PM DBTC (0-1) 61 vs 93 UV (1-0) JUNIORS 4:00 PM DBTC (0-1) 83 vs 88 USP-F (1-0) SENIORS 5:30 PM UC (1-0) 75 vs 73 UV (0-1) SENIORS 8/4/2009 4:30 PM CIT vs USJ-R JUNIORS 6:00 PM CIT vs UC SENIORS 8/6/2009 4:30 PM CEC vs UC JUNIORS 6:00 PM USJ-R vs SWU SENIORS 8/11/2009 4:30 PM UV vs CEC JUNIORS 6:00 PM USP-F vs UC SENIORS 8/13/2009 4:30 PM USP-F vs USC JUNIORS 6:00 PM UV vs CIT SENIORS 8/15/2009 1:00 PM SHS-J vs CEC JUNIORS 2:30 PM USJ-R vs DBTC JUNIORS 4:00 PM CIT vs USP-F SENIORS 5:30 PM UC vs USJ-R SENIORS 8/16/2009 1:00 PM USP-F vs UV JUNIORS 2:30 PM USC vs CIT JUNIORS 4:00 PM SWU vs DBTC SENIORS 5:30 PM USC vs UV SENIORS 8/18/2009 4:30 PM DBTC vs UC JUNIORS 6:00 PM DBTC vs UC SENIORS 8/23/2009 1:00 PM CEC vs U

Bleacher Talk August 2, 2009 CESAFI 2009 It’s CESAFI season once again as Cebu Basketball eagerly welcomed the biggest basketball show in town at yesterday’s opening ceremonies. And just like all previous editions of the basketball tournament, the biggest question being asked this year is if the UV Lancers can bag a ninth straight CESAFI championship. The Lancers may find themselves in their most vulnerable state, but they’re still the eight-time defending champions and will have to be toppled down from their thrones. Lurking on the prowl with better chances of defeating UV are UC, SWU, USC and USJR (not in any order). They all have better chances of scoring an “upset” as compared to 2008. But then again, the Lancers will come out prepared to defend their turf and aren’t willing to let go of their crown just yet. The Lancers will still be the team to beat even with the departure of Von Harry Lanete and the injured Harlowe Villanil. MVP Greg Slaughter is back for his third tour of duty