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

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.

SBP's Team Pilipinas Prospects; 2008 CESAFI Basketball Finals

Rabeh Al-Hussaini

Nonoy Baclao
Chris Tiu
Ryan Buenafe
Ogie Menor
Jake Pascual
Nigerian Sam Ekwe
JR Sena
John Wilson
JV Casio
Rico Maierhofer
Peejay Barua
Jervy Cruz
Edwin Asoro
Arvie Bringas
RP youth dribblers Samuel Joseph Marata Jr.
Ryan Roose Garcia (performed well during the recent FIBA-Asia Youth Championship)
6-foot-11 Gregory Slaughter
6-foot-9 Junmar Fajardo
6-foot-9 Japeth Aguilar
6-foot-11 Gian Tiu

These are the short-listed players mentioned in the Inquirer report today as Team Pilipinas' prospects and it came directly from Noli Eala, SBP executive director. The Cebuano basketball players invited by Toroman aren't on the list. Oh well, this isn't final anyway and nothing is definite yet. I'll keep you posted for any developments. The final list will be given to Coach Rajko Toroman for evaluation. Some of these players will represent the country in the 2010 Asian Games and 2011 FIBA-Asia Championship.

I think newspaper reports said Maierhoffer and Casio might turn pro next year after the UAAP championship disappointment this year. How will the SBP stop that? They already lost Kevin De La Pena to the PBA.

If PBA thinks it could escape the blame, then they are wrong. Just in case (God forbid) this SBP team fail to qualify for the London Olympics, people will still hit the PBA for being selfish with its players. All of us know the best players in the country are in the PBA and for them not to represent the country says something about the league. Some people will reason out that PBA is business. Yes, it is business I understand that but playing for the country is the best Public Relations and Corporate Social Responsibility ploy the league could ever do. Just imagine if a PBA-backed national team actually qualifies for the Olympics, it is a great honor for the league. After winning the World Cup in 1998, French Ligue experienced a surge in attendance and popularity not just in Marseille - the traditional stronghold of football in France.

2008 CESAFI BASKETBALL FINALS

University of Visayas Green Lancers defeated University of San Jose - Recoletos 86 - 74 to win the first game of the best of five CESAFI championship series yesterday at the Cebu Coliseum. Von Harry Lanete scored 14 points to lead the Green Lancers to victory.

SAN BEDA RED LIONS REVEAL SUDAN DANIEL

San Beda NCAA Season 84 Champions

San Beda College revealed its new basketball weapon - Sudan Daniel - a 6-8 American who had just completed his residency requirements at the school according to a report from the Philippine Star today. He will play for the Red Lions next year. His size and abilities has drawn comparison with Sam Ekwe who played his last season with San Beda this year.

“Sudan has a different type of game compared to Sam. Sam is real strong inside. I don’t think anyone in this league can stop him once he’s in the paint. With Sudan, you can expect outside shots. He has long arms and a great shot blocker,” Lim told the newspaper.

He is reportedly a slam dunker and has already dazzled the fans during the Fr. Martin Division II Cup. In fact, enthusiastic fans are already calling him "Super Dan".

Other NCAA schools don't want to be left behind are looking for foreigners to fill some spots. Jose Rizal University (this year's losing finalist to San Beda) is rumored to have recruited another African aside from Njei to boost their championship chances next year. However nothing is confirmed at the moment.

ANOTHER CEBUANO BASKETBALL GIANT; 2008 CESAFI FINAL FOUR RESULTS

Where do they get these giants (Slaughter is the other one)?



I got intrigued by the name Junmar Fajardo (University of Cebu Webmasters) as his name keeps popping up in news sites. I checked his credentials and boy talk about massive potential. I posted an article about him on the other site as I don't have much time. Coach Rajko Toroman will be going to Cebu soon to scout for more talents and I hope Junmar gets picked for the national pool. The poster in Philstar.com is correct - Toroman will be surprised at the height of the Southern Philippine players.

Wow, Cebu is really producing giants nowadays. I remember when Gregory Slaughter was new people in Youtube began bashing him as overhype and a joke. Now the guy developed into an unstoppable force even winning the MVP award in the CESAFI All-stars. Many doubters became believers. Still the question is when will Fajardo and Slaughter be picked for the national team? The answer I want to hear is either NOW or SOON (as players in Toroman's team).

If these big guys are trained properly, then there'll be no need for a naturalized player in our national team in the future (though we need one in the immediate term).

I'm also interested in 6-4 Emel Rowe the offensive weapon for the University of San Carlos Warriors. I've also heard a lot about this guy. I will feature him soon.

2008 CESAFI FINAL FOUR RESULTS

USJR (85) — Amores 16, Justiniani 15, Gudez 15, Ponce 11, Delfino 10, Pogoy 6, Gabas 4, Malinao 2, Villaver 2, Bibera 2, Pateño 2

UC (80) – Fajardo 30, Abella 16, Ramos 11, Quilantang 11, Pao 8, Luceño 4, Mohamad 3

UV (72) – Dennison 22, Lao 11, Diputado 10, Lanete 10, Slaughter 10, Cincoflores 4, Villanil 3

USC (52) – Rowe 11, Bautista 8, Cantonao 8, Padillo 7, Cortes 4, Bakker 4, Joven 4, Llanto 4

Credits: The Freeman

So it will UV and USJR in the CESAFI basketball finals. The best of five series will start on Wednesday at the Cebu Coliseum. Good luck on both teams!

FILIPINO IN USC TROJAN BASKETBALL

MEET ANOTHER PROSPECT RYAN WETHERELL

yeah, it's him - the small guy who dunked

Ryan Wetherell is a Filipino-Canadian from Calgary, Alberta. He originally favored hockey but after seeing Space Jam moved to basketball. His basketball skills didn't go unnoticed in his home country as there were two Canadian university teams after him but decided to play in the United States with the University of Southern California Trojans squad.

Our national team needs big men preferably 7 feet and above. Unfortunately, he is only 5-10 and will compete with other talented small Filipino guards if ever he decides to come here. By the way this is the article about Wetherell on the Trojans website:

He's the perfect walk-on. At least that's what USC men's basketball coach Tim Floyd thinks.

"I hate to use that term, because I don't refer to him as a walk-on - I consider him a scholarship guy," Floyd said. "We ask him to do everything everybody else does. I've got all the confidence in him as a player - he just hasn't had much of an opportunity. Had we been able to give him a bunch of minutes early in the year, we'd be reliant on him right now for some minutes during games."

He's Ryan Wetherell, the 5-foot-10 Canadian half-Filipino walk-on. His name is Wetherell, but it might as well be "weather all" - he's been through it all, and he's weathered it well.

In addition, his stats don't inspire confidence. Here are his stats courtesy of Yahoo which pegged Wetherell's height at 5-11. The national team needs an excellent point guard in the mold of Jimmy Alapag and Jayjay Helterbrand.

Coach Eric Altamirano on so-called prospects:

When looking for prospects, we must remember to verify if the player indeed has Filipino roots. Interview the parents or immediate relatives to trace the roots of the player. Do some extra research on the Filipino community they live in. Even in today’s international basketball scene, where naturalized players abound, this corner believes that a drop of blood is very important, meaning the Filipino lineage. Determine if the said player is deeply rooted in Filipino values. Sadly, some of Filipinos abroad lose not only their nationally but the values and traditions that go with it. I truly believe the player who’s playing for the country should have an understanding of what his mother country stands for. Lack of such discernment could mean half-hearted effort .

For Full Story

Coach's right, it's not enough that they have Filipino blood. They should show interest and commitment to play for the national team.

Credits: Gresan Cadao tip