Where is Arvie Bringas going? UP, DLSU or ADMU?

Arvie Bringas, the talented high school standout from San Sebastian is reportedly the most sought after high school player nowadays. Schools are allegedly scampering to recruit Arvie to play for their school when he steps into college next year. The notable teams are from Ateneo De Manila University, De La Salle and even UP. I read accounts that Arvie is already practicing with UP Maroons. I can't verify it though.Arvie Bringas did play well in the NCAA Juniors Championship, impressing the commentators with his build and agility. We will see whether the fuss about Arvie Bringas is justified when he plays college ball next year.

Speaking of Ateneo, if they get Arvie - the team will even be stronger - a potential dynasty in the making. Of all schools after Bringas, Ateneo De Manila's reportedly the favorite bet to get the young cager. However, a handle in Pinoyexchange.com said, Arvie Bringas has misgiving in joining the school for he doesn't want to play sidekick to Ryan Buenafe again. I don't discount Arvie playing for his school in college. Frankly speaking, it would be better for him to play in the UAAP where the competition is tougher and media publicity is high.

Terrence Gamble - Naturalized Player for Team Pilipinas?

Terrence Gamble
Position: Center
Height: 6-11
Weight: 260 lbs
College: Tarleton State University
Birthdate: September 25, 1983


This is the scouting report from tarletonsports.com:

2007-08
Showed promise as a big man underneath the basket... Has played organized basketball for only three seasons... Was a football star in high school...

2006-07
Started 18 of 28 games played, including the last 10 contests... Averaged 5.8 points and 5.5 rebounds as a junior... Had a .518 shooting percentage from the floor... Recorded two double-doubles, including a career-high 16 rebounds and 15 points against Texas-Permian Basin on Dec.. 18, 2006... Also scored 15 points against St. Mary’s (Dec. 29, 2006) and Texas A&M-Commerce (Jan. 4, 2007)... Also had 40 blocks, including four on three different occasions... Averaged 25:16 minutes per game...

Terrence Gamble is one of two players Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas is interested in including for the national team. Our national team needs a quick big man. No word yet on the other player. His appointment is not definite yet according to the news item from Manila Bulletin as Terence Gamble is to be evaluated by Coach Rajko Toroman and Toronto Raptor's Senior Director for Player Personnel Jim Kelly.

Gamble reportedly shattered a backboard in Mexico but it doesn't matter. Team Pilipinas needs a player that can jell with other national team players and can defend bigger guys like Yao Ming and Hadadi.

One glaring stat, Terrence Gamble averaged 9 points and 6 rebounds in his last year in college. In his third year just 5.8 rebounds! He is 6-11 but his rebounding skills is bad or he is lazy in fighting for the ball. Because of our players lack of height (makes one wonder why play this game where height is might) we need a rebounder and Gamble stats doesn't inspire confidence. His attitude however is different according to the Inquirer, he willing to be naturalized and play for our country. In addition, Terrence Gamble's age isn't a problem. He'll be 28 by 2011 Fiba-Asia Men's Championship.

Hopefully by tomorrow, we will know the other prospect so we could make an assessment on who should be included for Team Pilipinas. This is for fun of course as the final decision belongs to Coach Toroman. Other people take these things seriously. Get a life. I enjoy talking about basketball and will continue to do so.

If you want more of Terrence Gamble, here is his highlight video

Mac Cardona wants to play for Team Pilipinas

In what many people consider as a statement game, Mac Cardona scored 42 points and was unstoppable against Red Bull, leading his team (Talk n Text) to a 103 - 93 victory.

"I think I deserve to be in the National Team. I admire coach Yeng for his ability to motivate his players. I hope he’ll reconsider me because I really want to play and represent the country. Players don’t get the opportunity to play for the RP team everyday" Mac Cardona told the press.

This is great! While there are players willing to get out of the National Team commitment, I'm glad Mac Cardona is of different mold. I believe most young Filipino basketball players are gung ho in representing the country unlike some cagers in the 90s. This is not just my observation. Knowledgeable basketball fans will agree with me. Hey even Chot Reyes share my sentiment.

"It’s a very healthy attitude. It’s good that we have players willing to serve the country, unlike before na parang wala ng gustong maglaro for the RP team,” Reyes told Philstar.com

I know one player who got a lecture from Coach Jong Uichico back in 2001 for asking about allowance ON THE FIRST DAY OF TRAINING instead of concentrating on practice. His teammate from their mother team sympathized with him, in effect siding with the wrong doer. They were never invited for national team duties again. I hope there are more players like Mac Cardona (who not only stated his intention but displayed it on the court).

It doesn't mean the PHILIPPINE Basketball Association shares the same nationalistic fervor as Mac Cardona. The PBA will stop donning the national colors after 2010 since it is not their responsibility to do so. It is like saying it is not the English Premier League's job to represent England in the World Cup or the Euro (not Generals).

Mac Cardona's weakness according to fans is his weak defense which they say will be a huge liability against international teams. He has short period of time to work on it and show Yeng Guiao, he is really serious in joining the national team. The ball is in Mac Cardona's hands.

Mac Cardona

Nickname: Captain Hook
Height: 6-2
Weight: 175 lbs
Position: Shooting Guard
College: De La Salle University
Year Drafted: 2005 by Fedex
Achievements (so far): 2007 Best Player of the Conference Fiesta Conference
Weapon: Tear drop shot once mastered like Tony Parker could be hard to block in international competitions

This guy is a leader and scorer.

The Fountain of Youth is in China Part 2: 22 Chinese Players Birth Years Adjusted

Further alleged proof that the fountain of youth is in China is a report that 22 Chinese Basketball professionals' birth years were adjusted! As if it was that simple. We all know the reason why they do it. Even the "slovenly" record keeping excuse won't fly here. Obviously, their records are maintained properly. At least this time, Chinese players didn't shrink lol.

Below is the name, club, old birth year and new birth year of the 22 players whose birth years changed.


1. Tang Zhengdong Jiangsu 1984 1982
2. Hu Xuefeng Jiangsu 1982 1980
3. Yi Li Jiangsu 1987 1985
4. Han Shuo Jiangsu 1989 1986
5. Fang Hui Jiangsu 1986 1982
6. Meng Da Jiangsu 1984 1982
7. Lu Wei Liaoning 1987 1985
8. Gu Liye Liaoning 1986 1985
9. Yang Ming Liaoning 1987 1985
10.Zhang Qingpeng Liaoning 1985 1981
11.Liu Xiangtao Liaoning 1983 1980
12.Xu Guochong Xinjiang 1983 1981
13.Mai Wulan Xinjiang 1983 1984
14.Lu Yan Jilin 1984 1981
15.Tian Yu Shaanxi 1980 1983
16.Yu Junkai Zhejiang Guangsha 1977 1976
17.Du Feng Guangdong 1981 1982
18.Zhang Bo Bayi 1986 1988
19.Men Wei Beijing 1987 1984
20.Zhang Yunsong Beijing 1977 1981
21.Ji Zhe Beijing 1986 1989
22.Li Yiding Qingdao 1984 1981

Who knows? Next year the power of the Fountain of Youth will strike again. This report comes from Arthur Volbert - a Chinese basketball writer for Asia-basket.com.

Here's a part of his article:

The birth years of 22 CBA players changed between this year and last year. Jiangsu and Liaoning appear to have corrected the ages of a whole group of players...

For Jiangsu, Tang Zhengdong went from being born in 1984 to 1982, confirming longtime rumors than he was older than his listed age. Others who became older were Han Shuo, Yi Li, Hu Xuefeng, Meng Da and Fang Hui.

For other teams, there are the normal ups and downs with ages that happens in China. Guangdong's Du Feng, a member of the National Team, went from being born in 1981 to being born in 1982. He keeps switching from one to the other and back, for some unfathomable reason. (Maybe, he returned to his mother's womb for a year-mine.)

Beijing's Zhang Yunsong, a former member of the National Team, went from being born in 1977 to being born in 1981. He too keeps switching back and forth between the two birth years. Again the logic of this is unknown.

Source

Mr.Volbert is maybe being diplomatic since the reward for nosy foreigners is deportation. Whatever their reasons are we can't blame other people perception of China as age cheats. I wonder just how many in the so-called Chinese U-18 team are actually 18?

Toroman's Team Pilipinas Tryouts Today; Ray "Bobby" Parks

Team Pilipinas of the future under Coach Rajko Toroman is conducting tryouts today.

Tryouts schedule:
November 15 5-9 pm Xavier Gym
November 17, 20, & 21 at Philsports Arena

No. of Aspirants: 35
Notables: Nonoy Baclao, Rabeh Al-Husseini, & Gregory Slaughter.

Slaughter was out of shape the first time he attended Toroman's session although the Serbian is still hopeful of the young center.

Eala said Toroman was upbeat with Slaughter, a 6-11 center from the University of Visayas. “We’re thinking of bringing Greg to a strength and conditioning coach,” Eala told the Philippine Star

Some of the Team Pilipinas aspirants were already mentioned in this blog. Noli Eala also expressed intention of recruiting Bobby Parks' son Ray to the National Team.

Just how good is Ray "Bobby" Parks Jr..read the scouting report:

Ray "Bobby" Parks Jr. (St. George's)

My goodness what a player. His ability to use his strong build and exceptional ball-handling skills made him a dangerous player to attempt to guard. He drives right by bigger defenders and overpowers the little fellas and usually finishes with something crowd pleasing. He showed a toughness on defense and looks to make a name on the national stage before too long.

Source

Ray "Bobby" Parks Jr.'s skills attracted the attention of US college recruiters. There are people in the Philippines who wants the guy to play college ball in the Philippines - a sure way for his skills to deteriorate if you've seen local college leagues. I would rather see him in US NCAA.

Height: 6-4
Weight: 185 lbs
School: St. George Academy

Espn scouting report:
December, 2007: Great bloodlines and skill are the attributes for this youngster. Raised overseas his offensive skills are way ahead of his defensive abilities so his progress will be gradual. He can score inside with ease and has a nice outside stroke.

Team Pilipinas List of Tournaments

Here are the tournaments the Yeng Guiao coached Team Pilipinas will participate:

SEABA (who on earth they think will play for them in this tournament, I had an impression they would like some squad to play for them so the PBA season won't be interrupted. But I'm glad they would play since it's almost automatic qualification. There were fears other squads might not be good enough to win the SEABA.)

Jones Cup 2009 (Didn't the Taipei organizers insult the Filipinos this year? Why play in this tournament? It's time to teach the Taiwanese a lesson!!!)

A possible pocket tournament in the Middle East

Another Manila Invitational

News reports say Japeth Aguilar might try out for the team next year.

Due to time constraints this is all I can write about at the moment. I'll keep you guys posted. The preparation is wanting as far as I'm concerned. I wish they could've done more. Who wants to see Team Pilipinas lose because of lack of preparation anyway?

Official Team Pilipinas lineup

According to Philstar, Team Pilipinas Basketball lineup will be officially announced tomorrow. Players expected to make it in PBA-powered Team Pilipinas are the following:

Asi Taulava
Mick Pennisi
Kerby Raymundo
Kelly William
Gabe Norwood
Jayjay Helterbrand
James Yap
Ranidel de Ocampo
Willie Miller
Cyrus Baguio
Ryan Reyes
Arwind Santos
Sonny Thoss
Jared Dillinger

Many people were wondering why Jimmy Alapag didn't make the Team Pilipinas lineup. I will discuss that hopefully tomorrow.

Privacy Policy

I respect your privacy and I am committed to safeguarding your privacy while online at my site www.basketballpilipinas.blogspot.com. The following discloses the information gathering and dissemination practices for this Web site.

Log Files
Like most standard Web site servers, I use log files. This includes internet protocol (IP) addresses, browser type, internet service provider (ISP), referring/exit pages, platform type, date/time stamp, and number of clicks to analyze trends, administer the site, track user’s movement in the aggregate, and gather broad demographic information for aggregate use. IP addresses, etc. are not linked to personally identifiable information.

E-mail Subscription
If a user wishes to subscribe to my posts via e-mail (powered by Feedburner), I ask for contact information such as name and email address. Out of respect for my users’ privacy, a way to opt-out of these communications is provided.

Cookies
A cookie is a piece of data stored on the user’s computer tied to information about the user. My site use cookies for tracking visitors’ activity. Some of my business partners use cookies on our site (for example, advertisers). However, I have no access to or control over these cookies, once I have given permission for them to set cookies for advertising. You can choose not to accept cookies by modifying your browser settings. At any time, you may remove any cookie stored on your hard drive by deleting them in your browser’s settings section.

Links
This Web site contains links to other sites. Please be aware that I am not responsible for the privacy practices of such other sites. I encourage my users to be aware when they leave our site and to read the privacy statements of each and every Web site that collects personally identifiable information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by this Web site.

Google Advertising Cookie and Privacy Policy

• The DoubleClick DART cookie is used by Google in the ads served on publisher websites displaying AdSense for content ads. When users visit an AdSense publisher's website and either view or click on an ad, a cookie may be dropped on that end user's browser. The data gathered from these cookies will be used to help AdSense publishers better serve and manage the ads on their site(s) and across the web.
• Google, as a third party vendor, uses cookies to serve ads on this site.
• Google's use of the DART cookie enables it to serve ads to you based on your visit to this blog and other sites on the Internet.
• You - my dear reader - may opt out of the use of the DART cookie by visiting the Google ad and content network privacy policy.

Advertisers

I use outside ad companies to display ads on my site. These ads may contain cookies and are collected by the ad companies, and I do not have access to these information nor do I have any control. I work with the ad companies. Please check their websites for respective privacy policies.

Use of Videos and Photos

Photos belong to its owners unless stated otherwise. I do not claim credit or ownership to those materials.The site doesn't host the videos.

Contact

If you have any questions, please fill out the comment section. Thank you.