Philippines sportsSmart Gilas gets Asi, but loses Japeth

Asi Taulava is in, but Japeth Aguilar is out. This was the mixed development that hardly lifted the spirits of the short-handed Smart Gilas Pilipinas five when it left for Beirut Thursday night to compete in the 2010 Fiba Asia Stankovic Cup set to start this Saturday.

A change of heart by Coca-Cola paved the way for Taulava’s stint with the RP five. The joy, however, was short-lived after a freak accident all but took Aguilar out of the tough competition ending on Aug. 15.


Smart Gilas coach Rajko Toroman said Aguilar sustained a long, nasty cut on the left leg that required 22 stitches after the 6-foot-9 former US NCAA player, tripped over a broken glass door in his house.

“We’re going into the tournament with so many problems,” said Toroman. “But we’re going there to win games, not to lose.”

Taulava, a vital cog in the RP squad made up of PBA stars in the 2002 Busan Asian Games and the past two Asian championships, will leave for Beirut Friday in time for the team’s opening game against host Lebanon Saturday.

“Asi can help us, he’s an experienced player and a tough guy,” said Toroman, adding that Taulava practiced with the team for a week.

Seven-footer Greg Slaughter is to follow the team Saturday after he was allowed to take a leave from his school commitments.

Smart Gilas will miss the services of naturalization candidate Marcus Douthit, Rabeh Al-Hussaini and Chris Lutz.

by June Navarro | inquirer.net

Popular posts from this blog

LA Tenorio Excited for Next Generation Basketball League to Elevate Filipino High School Talent

Image
Philippine basketball icon LA Tenorio believes the Next Generation Basketball League (NGBL) will help today's high school players become the country's future superstars. Before becoming the PBA’s 'Iron Man,' an eight-time champion, a four-time Finals MVP, and a Gilas Pilipinas standout, Tenorio honed his skills with the San Beda Red Cubs under legendary coach Ato Badolato. As the NGBL’s Tournament Director, Tenorio wants current high school stars to have a platform to showcase their skills beyond the existing junior leagues. “We promise exposure for high school players. I came from San Beda’s high school program, and it was crucial for my development. Nowadays, most collegiate stars come from abroad,” said Tenorio. Tenorio won a championship with San Beda and became a top talent with the Ateneo Blue Eagles. His path to success is what the NGBL aims to offer the best under-19 stars today. “Many homegrown high school players lack opportunities due to insufficient exposure
Read more

Top Sports Executive Alfrancis Chua Launches New Initiative to Elevate Filipino High School Basketball Talent

Image
Top sports executive Alfrancis Chua has been a steadfast supporter of Filipino student-athletes, guiding many on their journey to professional ranks. Al Francis Chua NGBL As the Executive Committee Chairman of the Next Generation Basketball League (NGBL), Chua previously helped Colegio de San Juan de Letran secure a three-peat in the NCAA and is now aiding his alma mater, the University of Santo Tomas, in reclaiming their glory in the UAAP. Now, as the Sports Director of San Miguel Corporation (SMC) and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Team Governor, and newly elected Vice Chairman of the PBA Board, Chua is extending his support even further by focusing on the top high school players in the country. “We want to expose them,” said Chua, who collaborates with NGBL Commissioner and PBA legend Ronnie Magsanoc, Tournament Director LA Tenorio of Ginebra, Program Director Bonnie Tan of NorthPort, and Operations Manager & PBA Chief Statistician Fidel Mangonon III. The NGBL, led by President Big
Read more

DIRECTORY: Basketball Courts For Rent in Manila

Image
Village Sports Club -  http://www.vsportsclub.com/ Address:  El Grande Avenue corner Tropical Avenue, Topman Village Las Piñas Metro Manila 1740 Philippines Time:  Tuesdays to Sundays 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM Phone:  822-1000 Local:  232 / 233 Mobile:  0917-801-2094 or 0998-586-9321 Type:  Maple wood flooring (supplied by Robbins Sports Surfaces), Covered Rate:  Php 2,000 per hour Local:  822-1000 local 232/233 Rancho 3 Basketball Court Address:  3 Rancho Marikina Metro Manila 1811 Philippines Type:  Cement Rate:  Php  200 per hour Pleasant Hills Barangay San Manuel Streetball Court -  https://www.facebook.com/PleasantHillstreetball Address:  Phase 1B Pleasant Hills Subdv. San Jose del Monte, Bulacan San Jose del Monte City Central Luzon Philippines Type:  Concrete Rate:  Php  100 per hour  (evening rate) Philadelphia High School Multi Purpose Building Address:  Talayan, Talayan Road, Quezon City, NCR, Philippines Quezon
Read more

Top Rank Signs Co-Promotional Agreement with Teiken Promotions and M.T Boxing Gym for Pound-for-Pound Phenom Junto Nakatani

Image
  LAS VEGAS (July 24, 2024) — Teiken Promotions and M.T Boxing Gym have reached an agreement with Top Rank to co-promote Junto Nakatani, the Japanese pound-for-pound star, three-division champion, and current WBC bantamweight world champion. Nakatani is anticipated to return to the ring before the end of the year. The 26-year-old Nakatani (28-0, 21 KOs), hailing from Sagamihara, Japan, defended his title last Saturday with a first-round stoppage against Vincent Astrolabio, enhancing his record to 7-0 in world title fights. The southpaw powerhouse, who trains in Los Angeles under Rudy Hernandez, is ranked No. 10 on the Ring Magazine pound-for-pound list. “Junto Nakatani is an exceptional, unique talent,” said Top Rank Chairman Bob Arum. “He is a force of nature and one of the sport’s most vicious punchers. The Junto Nakatani Era is just starting. He will be the pound-for-pound king one day, and I am thrilled that he’s decided to join the Top Rank stable.” Nakatani said, “Thank you to Bo
Read more

ArenaPlus Introduces Carlos Yulo and Eumir Marcial as Brand Ambassadors for the Paris Olympics

Image
ArenaPlus, the premier 24/7 sports betting app, proudly supports top gymnast Carlos Yulo and elite boxer Eumir Marcial in their quest for gold at the Paris Olympics. At a recent press conference, ArenaPlus announced Yulo and Marcial as their brand ambassadors. Known for making major sports events enjoyable, ArenaPlus aims to enhance the 2024 Paris Olympics experience through its “Ginto para sa Astig na Atleta” campaign. This initiative supports Filipino athletes in their Olympic journey while ensuring an entertaining experience for fans. The brand plans various events and activities, both online and offline, to build excitement for the Olympics. ArenaPlus also supports other Filipino athletes, including the national basketball team, GILAS Pilipinas. Total Gamezone Xtreme Inc. President Rafael Jasper Vicencio emphasized the company’s commitment to sports and entertainment, stating, “ArenaPlus not only entertains but also supports athletes like Carlos and Eumir.”
Read more

Official Weigh-In Results & Photos: Shakur Stevenson vs. Artem Harutyunyan

Image
  Weigh-In Results: Shakur Stevenson vs. Artem Harutyunyan TOMORROW at 8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PT LIVE on ESPN, ESPN Deportes & ESPN+ Prudential Center (Newark, New Jersey) Photo Credit: Mikey Williams/Top Rank (ESPN, ESPN Deportes & ESPN+, 8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PT)     •   Shakur Stevenson 134.1 lbs. vs. Artem Harutyunyan 134.8 lbs (Stevenson's WBC Lightweight World Title  - 12 Rounds) Judges: Lynne Carter, Mark Lyson and Guido Cavalleri Referee: Allen Huggins    • O'Shaquie Foster 129.9 lbs vs. Robson Conceição 129.5 lbs (Foster's WBC Junior Lightweight World Title — 12 Rounds)    •  Keyshawn Davis 134.8 lbs vs. Miguel Madueno 134.7 lbs (Davis' USBA, WBO Intercontinental and WBC USA Lightweight Titles— 10 Rounds)    •  Abdullah Mason 134.8 lbs vs. Luis Lebron 135.8 lbs (Lightweight— 8 Rounds) (ESPN+, 6:10 p.m. ET/3:10 p.m. PT) •  William Foster III 130.4 lbs vs. Eridson Garcia  130.7 lbs  (Junior Lightweight — 10 Rounds) •   Keith Colon 125.3 lbs vs. Hunter Tu
Read more

Facebook Timeline

Powcast Sports