Other Leagues Nationwide

[gameface_one]

10-Under cagefest
meeting set today
BY CHRISTIAN IRL TAN


Coaches and team representatives will have their final meeting on the staging of the 2nd Basketball Unified Sports Group-Panasonic 10-Under basketball tournament that will kick off on April 1 at the Po Hang Gym of Bacolod Tay Tung High School.

The meeting will be held to finalize the number of teams that will compete in the tournament that was ruled by the Gerome Aledron-mentored BTTHS squad last year.

Teams that have already confirmed their entry are defending champion BTTHS, St. John's Institute-A and B, University of St. La Salle-A and B, and St. Rose of Lima School.

Also seeing action in the tournament are Trinity Christian School, Jack and Jill School, St. Scholastica's Academy, Mansilingan Christian Academy and Victorias Ctiy-based Don Bosco Technical Institute.

SJI-B and USLS-B will not be able to qualify for the semifinal round even if they will end up with better standings than the other squads because they will only be considered as guest teams, BUS Group adviser Rogelio "Bing" Soyao said. BUS Group is also planning to stage 14 and 17-Under tournaments after the 10-Under hostilities, he said. *CIT

[gameface_one]

AC Sports drubs Morales Artshoppe in CABA
By Caecent O. No-ot
The Freeman 03/30/2006

AC Sports improved its overall standing after slapping Morales Artshoppe, 77-68, in the elimination round of the Cebu Athletics Basketball Association (CABA) First Conference Basketball League at the San Nicolas Sports Complex.

AC Sports of Archie Baba dominated the entire action that saw six of its wards ending in double digits, led by Jun Colleflores with 17 points.

Earlier, Dikie General Merchandize finally got into the winner's column after beating another winless squad, CABA Red.

The Merchandizers erected a 13-point lead at the half, 42-29.

CABA Red fought back, but their efforts were not enough to stop the Merchandizers with Jun Ando and Bernie Azurin leading the latter in the final canto to secure the victory.

The scores

First game

DIKIE(7 - Allison 11, Azurin 10, Ando 10, Candionco 8, Macarat 7, Pip 6, Cabiente 6, Surmion 6, Sepe 6, Cabarrubias 5, Retiza 3.

CABA(70) - Piloton 18, Nacar 15, Pitogo 15, Obra 12, Banilad 6, Elizondo 4, Fernandez 2, Torreon 2, Torrejas 2

Second game

AC SPORTS(77) - Colleflores 17, Armamento 11, Arceo 11, Ocampo 11, Bongo 10, Yap 10, Martinito 3, Bukiron 2, Baba 2.

MORALES(6 - Ararao 14, Acejo 14, Donio 13, Bughao 11, Pielago 6, Bondoc 5, Alejandrino 3, Dela Victoria

[gameface_one]

Completing Cebu Basketball
BLEACHER TALK
The Freeman 04/02/2006

What's happening to Cebu Basketball? I'm not sure if you noticed, but the face of local basketball has evolved over the years from being a Cebu-centered venue of games to a wider network reaching out to the Visayas and Mindanao.

That's bad news for followers of local basketball as this has come at a price. Gone today is the local commercial league that used to dominate the scene and that became the breeding ground for Cebu's top players before moving on to the big time. I guess it's a natural phenomenon that we'll have to accept as part of the development of the sport in the south. It looks like the local fans wanted more than just local ball. The spice that was needed to make the games more attractive was regional competition. Thanks to the MBA, fans had a glimpse of how exciting regional wars was, and now we're back to a scaled-down version of these battles.

But while the move to go regional had been the "in" thing and was now being accepted, now comes a sign of mixed signals of good news-bad news, Cebu's representation in the National Basketball Conference (NBC) was reduced from two teams in 2005 to zero in 2006. Gone are Tribu Sugbu and Mandaue. It has been reported that Tribu Sugbu is only taking a "break" and will be back by mid-year. I hope this is true.

If it's any consolation, Cebu has three teams playing in the brand new Mindanao Visayas Basketball Association (MVBA), the latest regional league in town. Cebu, Mandaue and Toledo are among the pioneering teams of the MVBA's Visayas group aside from Bacolod and Iloilo. But one might as well count these as two ballclubs since Cebu and Mandaue are being bankrolled by one person.

But as a follower of local ball, I can't help but cite the fact that for the second straight summer, local commercial league ball will not be played in lieu of the defunct CBF, CBL, MICAA and previous commercial leagues that were once so popular. This absence actually stretches back to last year when the Cebu Basketball Federation (CBF) called a halt to their games.

In the end, instead of a year-round calendar of top-level basketball being played, Cebu is now down to just the CESAFI as the only "big" local league of Cebu with a regular sked of its own. Gone are the days when we looked forward to a summer tournament of the local commercial league. This was followed by the collegiate league in July that ended in October. The commercial league would come back in November with a short tournament or a Christmas Cup in December. January was always reserved for a Sinulog tournament and/or a start of a regular conference tournament of a commercial league. All these are now gone, save for the collegiate basketball scene. We're now down to the games of the CESAFI and the MVBA for now.

Some people will say that Cebu's being part of a regional league like the MVBA and the NBC is a good sign of our status as the hotbed of the sport south of Manila. While this is true, the bad news is that these shouldn't have taken away the local commercial league that served as both a source of players and breeding ground for top collegiate prospects. Let's face it. Most of the players of an MVBA or NBC team are ex-pros and veterans. Only a handful of collegiate players are good enough to play for these regional teams.

The others aren't good enough (yet) to make that big step into the semi-pro leagues. They still lack the exposure to pressure and competitive basketball. Unfortunately for them, they have only the CESAFI to rely on for this much-needed exposure. Their other exposure will come in the form of those short-term tournaments that are held at fiestas and other local celebrations where the collegiate players are like "imports." By limiting the exposure of these college players, there is a possibility that their development as players will be hindered. They need another venue outside the CESAFI to sharpen their skills.

I'd like to believe that out of all these, a new local commercial league will arise, composed of Cebu-based collegiate players who aren't playing for any teams in the MVBA and NBC. While this may not be as glamorous as the CBF or other local leagues of the past, the market is still there for the taking. The mere fact that other more minor leagues have survived is an indication that this league can stand up on its own as long as appropriate management measures are taken.

We now have the opportunity to complete the total Cebu basketball scene to cover all bases. We can go regional. We can play local collegiate ball. And we can also play local commercial ball again. * * *

[gameface_one]

Garfield edges I-Cooler in clash of unbeaten squads

The Freeman 04/04/2006

Garfield Five cruised to its third straight win after edging I-Cooler Marketing, 76-74, in a showdown of undefeated teams last Friday night in the elimination round of the 2006-Cebu Athletics Basketball Association (CABA) First Conference Basketball League at the San Nicolas Sports Complex.

Garfield dominated over I-Cooler in the first two periods and even erected a huge lead in the opening period, 26 -13, with an early assault sparked by the high-leaping Danny Estrera, who unloaded 12 of his 24 points.

He went on to explode in the second quarter as they protected their double-digit advantage, 42-32, at halftime.

The game became intense in the second half as I-Cooler squad caught fire with Gory Sanchez providing the leadership as he teamed-up with the troika of Jun Villar, Jebrel Calma and Lito Dice to erase the deficit and tie the score at 56-all at the end of the third quarter.

The see-saw battle went down in the final canto with five deadlocks, but Junnie Cambonga grabbed the momentum for Garfield upon nailing a crucial undergoal shot for the last deadlock at 74-all with 19 ticks of the regulation.

I-Cooler got a costly turnover with an interception by former commercial stand-out, Reggie Licanda for a heroic fast driving lay-up in the dying seconds that sealed the cardiac finish, 76-74.

Danny Estrera spearheaded Garfield with 24 points, which also drew support from Reggie Licanda and Edzel Zapanta with double figures each.

In the other game of the double header, LDC Warriors (2-2) routed FERI McMill, 82-68. Oliver Navarro scored 18 points to power up the Warriors, which also drew 14 markers apiece from Jun Pahamutang and Mark Villacorta.

Dennis Santillan and Erik Viajedor scored 20 and 17, respectively, to lead FERI McMill (1-2), while Noel Celestial added 15 points, but for a losing cause. - Marigold Libumfacil, Correspondent

[gameface_one]

Tuesday, April 04, 2006
Cinco carries Guardo to triumph in K Gallery

Atan Guardo escaped AD Auto Sales, 75-74, in the newly opened K Gallery Basketball Tournament at the Visayan Glass Gym in Barangay Guadalupe.

Atan Guardo pulled-off the win after an off-balance layup by Boy Cinco gave the team a vulnerable one-point lead with less than a minute left in the game.

AD Auto Sales could have saved the game but Dong Caburnay, who scored 18 points, missed his last-ditch effort that could have given them the win.

Totong Villanueva added 12 points aside from dishing out five assists and grabbing five rebounds, while Panerio and Ramesh Mulchandani, who connived for 18 points, provided muscle for Atan Guardo in the shaded lane.

AD Auto Sales controlled the game in the first half with Caburnay and Hapin leading the pack. The duo gave the team an 11-point lead in the first two quarters.

Offense

Atan Guardo, however, found a cure to AD Auto Sales offensive attacks and kept their composure until the final buzzer.

In the other matches, the Cebfa All-Stars defeated Lampel, 64-56, while the Don Bosco Amchels prevailed over SCH Marketing, 93-86. Mic and Mat trampled CBR Dawgz, 81-72, while Diakon defeated Artkyob, 90- 66.

Cebfa All-Stars (64) -- Heyrosa 14, Cabahug 9, Chiong 7, Romarate 7, Jardio 5, J. Jardio 8, Isabelo 4, Sampang 5, Cabije 2, Arong 2. Lampel (56) -- Agdeppa 21, Blares 8, Espinilla 17, Apudan 4, Cabanilla 4, Chan 2.

Atan Guardo (75) -- Cinco 23, Villanueva 12, Panerio 9, Mulchandani 9, Gunaton 6, Villarosa 6, Acebron 5, Labay 4, Lismonero 1. AD Auto Sales (74) -- Caburnay 15, Hapin 12, Daclan 9, Selma 4, Nacua 9, Caballes 7, Angcay 6, Bangayan 3, Cabasan 3, Villamor 4, Pipno 2.

[gameface_one]

Wednesday, April 05, 2006
Davao cagers play Compostela Valley

THE boys secondary team of Davao City will make its debut against Compostela Valley in the 2006 Davraa Meet basketball competition at the Katipunan Elementary School in Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte Wednesday. Game time is at 8 a.m.

The team is bannered by six players from the Holy Child School of Davao College, two players from Emar Learning Center and three from Agro High School.


Assistant coach Tating Sorrosa Tuesday said, "We cannot underestimate the opposition but we stand a big chance to win the game."

The Davao squad, under head coach Ildefonso Cunanan, will rely mainly on Holy Child Reds cagers Jeeson Aballe, Alain Andrew Bonleon, Kristofer Lloyd Lacida, Nard John Pinto, Alfred Samantilla and Ernesto Tabaniag.

The six Reds were part of the team that competed in the National Students Basketball Championships in Manila last February.

Davao will also be pitted against Digos, Tagum, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Island Garden City of Samal and Davao Oriental.

The sportsfest also features sepak takraw, volleyball, athletics, swimming, badminton, table tennis, lawn tennis, boxing, chess, archery, football, baseball and softball, among others. (MLSA)

[bchoter]

Buhay pa ba ang MMBL?

[gameface_one]

2006 SCBHABA SEASON: Atan Guardo Cup caging set to blast off tomorrow
By Emmanuel B. Villaruel
The Freeman 04/08/2006

The San Carlos Boys High Alumni Basketball Association (SCBHABA) will kick off its 7th season billed as "Atan Guardo Cup" at 1 pm tomorrow at the USC North Gymnasium.

A total of 13 teams will vie for top honors led by defending champion Class '85, which boasts of a formidable offensive machinery anchored on All-Star MVP Lou Regidor and reigning regular season MVP Edwin Banaag.

Class '85 is expected to face though challenge from seven strong squads in Division I that include Class '70s of RP's living basketball legend Ramon "El Presidente" Fernandez, ex-Mama's Love star Paul Abais and former pro Tata Merced.

The rest of Division I competitors are Class '80 of SCBHABA vice president Earl Balankig, Class '81/'84 of Michael Balankig, Class '82/88 of John Auza and Dindo Sausa, Class '83/'87 of 2005 All-Stars Jess Gerali and Paris Simene, Class '60s of CECABA's Ruben Ong and Class '86 of sportsman and event organizer Jonathan L. Guardo.

The Division II action will surely rekindle the scathing rivalry between reigning title-holder Class '94 and 2005 CEC Friendship Cup titlist Sirlitz '95.

Division II MVP Sigmund Cabrera will show the way for Class '94, while Leo Dale Caparas and Christian Solon will be at the cornerstone of Class '95's championship campaign.

Another team to watch out for is Atan Guardo '93, 2003 Inter-Alumni champion and 2004 SCAHABA ruler.

Manpower wise, Atan Guardo '93 is a serious title threat with the likes of former MVP and All-Star forward Roy Jumao-as Jr., Bong Eleazar and 2005 All-Star MVP Jade Ylanan is its fold.

Completing the cast of combatants in Division II are Class '96 of Maye Abenido and Blue Espinoza, Class '97 of dreaded long-range bomber Chad Noval, and CECABA Class '95 of Donald Anthony Ting and Dean Dy Teves.

The tournament follows a double round robin format in the elimination round, with the top four teams per bracket advacing into the quarterfinals where the top two teams enjoy a twice-to-beat incentive over the lower-ranked squads.

The survivors will then set up a titular showdown for the division championship, with the winners clashing for the 2006 SCBHABA Atan Guardo Cup crown in a best-of-three series.

Meanwhile, prior to the start of today's hostilities, a parade of participating teams together with their respective muses will take place along Mango Avenue.

In the first game, Class '70s will meet CEC '60s, while Class '85 takes on Class '82/80 in the second game.

This is the fourth SCBHABA season under the leadership of Sirlitz 1995's Christian Solon. The rest of the 2006 SCBHABA officers are Earl Balankig of Class '80 (VP), Angelo Parcon of Atan Guardo '93 (secretary-general) and Atty. Rey Honorio of Class '83/'87 (legal counsel)

The league was first conceptualized in early 2000 and has been going strong for seven seasons already carrying the flaming message of sportsmanship and camaraderie among the USC Boys High graduates.

[gameface_one]

Inter-Commercial hoop final reset tomorrow at CEC gym
By Gabby G. Malagar
The Freeman 04/08/2006

The unbeaten title-favorite John Arne Construction and the All-Star Academy Blue will dispute the 1st Guadalupe Inter-Commercial basketball title tomorrow at the CEC gym and not on Easter Sunday as earlier reported.

The sudden change of venue was announced by commissioner Boy Te, who is also the head coach of John Arne.

Last Sunday, Te announced there will be no game on Sunday due to the unavailability of the playing venue. Besides, he wants to give the teams involved in the finals a chance to practice.

With the CEC gym made available for the Inter-Commercial finals, the championship will be held tomorrow staring off with the battle for third place between Feri McMill and Aqua Serv drinking water at 1 pm.

John Arne will rely on the foursome efforts of Vincent Reyes, Jose Erwin Sullano, Christian Bacus and Aristotle Jayme.

On the other hand, the All Star Academy Blue will bank on Serge Cortes and James Jabines, among others to carry its offensive load.

[gameface_one]

2006 SCBHABA season unfolds today
By Emmanuel B. Villaruel
The Freeman 04/09/2006

An exciting double-header will kick off the 2006 San Carlos Boys High Alumni Basketball Association (SCBHABA) season dubbed as "Atan Guardo Cup" at 1 pm today at the USC Boys High gym along Gen. Maxilom Avenue, this city.

In the first game at 2:30 pm, Class '70s will square off with the Cebu Eastern College (CEC) Class '60s, while defending champion Class '85 will tackle Class '82/88 in the main attraction at 4:30 pm.

Prior to the start of hardcourt hostilities, a parade of competing squads along with their respective muses will take place at 1 pm.

Class '85 is the odds-on favorite over Class '82/88 as the reigning champs boasts of one of the league's most deadliest tandem in last year's All-Star MVP Lou Regidor and regular season MVP Edwin Banaag.

The merged Class '82/88 forces though couldn't be taken lightly as it has also the vaunted one-two punch of John Andrew Auza and Dindo Sausa.

In the season-opener, Class '70s is expected to parade RP's living basketball legend in Ramon "El Presidente" Fernandez together with Paul Abais and Tata Merced, who is now one of the assistant coaches of M. Lhuillier-Cebu City in the Mindanao Visayas Basketball Association (MVBA).

The abovementioned teams are bracketed under Division I that also include Class '80 of SCBHABA vice president Earl Balankig, Class '81/'84 of Michael Balankig, Class '83/'87 of Jess Gerali and Paris Simene and Class '86 of noted sportsman Jonathan L. Guardo.

Division II, on the other hand, is composed of reigning division title-holder Class '94, 2005 CEC Friendship Cup titlist Sirlitz '95, 2004 Inter-Alumni champion and SCAHABA ruler Atan Guardo '93, Class '96 of Maye Abenido and Blue Espinoza, Class '97 of Chad Noval and CECABA Class '95 of Donald Anthony Ting and Dean Dy Teves.

The tournament follows a double round robin format in the elimination round, with the top four teams per bracket advancing into the quarterfinals where the top two teams enjoy a twice-to-beat incentive over the lower-ranked squads.

The survivors will then set up a titular showdown for the division championship, with the winners clashing for the 2006 SCBHABA Atan Guardo Cup crown in a best-of-three series.